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With training camp wrapped up, the real story of the second preseason game is not whether the Steelers win or lose, but how in fact the players vying for positions are adapting to the game with such a limited amount of time to prepare. “We’re looking for improvement, quite frankly, in all areas” said Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin.

The Philadelphia Eagles visited Heinz Field Thursday night and didn’t resemble anything close the self proclaimed “Dream Team” announced by Eagles backup quarterback Vince Young. For preseason football their was definitely a buzz surrounding both teams who have Super Bowl aspirations, the starters where going to see action for the better part of two full quarters. In 2008, the Steelers left with a bad taste in their mouth during defeat by the Eagles whose defense smothered the Steelers into submission forcing the team into three turnovers, notching nine sacks and forcing one safety while forcing Big Ben to leave the game hurting his throwing hand. Willie Colon the veteran offensive tackle who took less money this off-season to stay in the Steel City played in that game in 2008 saying “I was part of that. It’s in the back of your head you never forget it.”

Ben Roethlisberger said of the teams first half performance “don’t think we protected well, it was probably my fault more than anything.” Spoken like a true leader of his team adding “guys found ways to get open and I found a way to get them the ball.”

Maybe it wasn’t as pretty as Roethlisberger would of liked but the fact that the offense posted more total yards in one half 262 than the entire game back in 2008 that mustered only 179, has to be happy that both sides of the ball clicked. Hines Ward who only needs 46 catches to reach 1,000 in his career said “it’s always good to get the crowd going here at Heinz Field,” acknowledging that the Eagles are a great team adding “we are moving in right direction toward Baltimore, that’s all I’m concentrating on.”

When the final second ticked down the Pittsburgh Steelers looked tonight to have it all working and leaving the field feeling that the last week of training camp paid off beating the much hyped Eagles 24-14.

If the Steelers were facing questions about the offensive line going into tonight’s game more questions were created with both left tackles Jonathan Scott and Marcus Gilbert leaving in the first quarter with knee injuries, although both players came off the field under their own power. Scott said “it was ironic two guys playing the same position getting hurt so closely” but the line stepped up and provided a nice confidence boost after last weeks loss to Washington. Scott who left the game after hurting his knee said after the game that “we have a lot of good guys on that offensive line that can step up and play well.” “I think the scoreboard kind of shows that.”

The development and cohesiveness of the offensive line by far exceeds any other unit on the team with 24 days remaining until the Steelers open on the road at the Baltimore Ravens. Protecting franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is top priority and keeping him up-right with new book-ends. Both starters from last season left tackle Max Starks and right tackle Flozell Adams were not brought back. Starks missed nearly the entire 2010 season and injuries, which at the time hurt, are now a bonus due to the back-ups gaining that much needed experience.

In 2010 the Steelers offensive line allowed 43 sacks which ranked them near the bottom of the NFL, 25^th overall to be exact having only seven teams allowed more and although that was seven less than they gave up in 2009 it shows that plenty of work is needed to improve the safety of Big Ben.

“I think it’s refreshing.” Tomlin added “to know that we have viable candidates and guys competing for work and letting their play sort it out,” and with plenty of guys stepping up to the plate.

Both sides of the football were dominated by the Black-n-Gold. Willie Colon said it best stating “we had a good week of practice and wanted to put it on tape.” The film won’t lie the so-called ‘Dream Team’ from Philly was any embarrassed tonight the Steelers have game tape to prove it.

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