STEELERS 101

Now that the first preseason game is out of the way, as well as the first major injury of the 2012 campaign, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be able to regroup and continue training camp. However, that injury, losing fullback David Johnson for the season to an ACL tear, may be cause for concern moving forward.

Unlike past seasons under former offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, where the Steelers did not have a traditional fullback, using tight end / H-back David Johnson in that role, the new Steelers offense is different. Now with Johnson out, what little depth the team had at that position will definitely be tested. .

 With Johnson out, the only other fullback on the roster is offseason acquisition, street free agent Will Johnson from West Virginia, who was signed after his performance at the universities pro day. In fact, in looking at the remaining free agents at the position, the Steelers may have no other option but to live or die by his performance.

Fullbacks	FA Type	2011 Team
Ahmard Hall	UFA	Tennessee
Kris Wilson	UFA	Baltimore

Of the remaining free agent fullbacks available on the open market, a couple names do stick out. The first, Tennessee Titans fullback Ahmard Hall, should be familiar to Steelers fans as the 5-11, 247 pound blocker has been involved in the Titans offense since making the team as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2006. Hall is a powerful lead blocker with some ability as a receiver, and it is his blocking that lands him another contract somewhere.

Another player who could be of interest is former Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens tight end / fullback Kris Wilson. The former Pittsburgh Panther, is a Harrisburg native and familiar with the dynamic of playing with the Steelers. Yes, the 6-2, 250 pounder has been somewhat of a bust since being drafted in the second round of the 2004 draft, but at this point he may be worth a shot as competition.

At this point, it appears that the job is Johnson’s to lose, but there is still a lot of training camp and preseason left.

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Tags: acl, Ahmard Hall, David Johnson, Football, Kris Wilson, NFL, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Steelers, Will Johnson

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