It's finally here. The first NFL live-action game since February. We have endured a long offseason full of controversies about deflated footballs and destroyed cell phones, both stemming from "Deflate-Gate", the controversy that just cannot end, no matter how much fans are sick of it. Now, the controversies will mostly be on the football field, where they belong. The Pittsburgh Steelers play the Minnesota Vikings in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Now, most of the starters will likely only play a series or two, but football is football. Here are a few storylines to keep an eye on.
The Battle at Cornerback
Both the Steelers and Vikings have cornerback battles heading into the preseason. The Steelers have a severe weakness in the secondary. 2nd round pick Senquez Golson may not play at all in his rookie year since he may undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. The Steelers recently traded for Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Brandon Boykin who is one of the best slot corners in the league. He may even push for time outside alongside William Gay and Cortez Allen. Boykin is the best corner on the Steelers roster in this writer's opinion.
For the Vikings, their issue is rather about depth more than a weakness. In fact, one might say the cornerback position is a strength on the Vikings. Xavier Rhodes is young who is already arguably a top-ten corner in the NFL. Captain Munnerlyn, Josh Robinson, and Terrence Newman are both arguably top-60 corners. Then there's rookie Trae Waynes, the 11th overall pick and first cornerback taken in the 2015 NFL Draft. Waynes will likely start as the #4 or #5 cornerback on the depth chart, but he can move up with a strong preseason. Vikings fans should be very excited with their great secondary with young talent in Rhodes, Waynes, and safety Harrison Smith.
How Rookies will fare
The Hall of Fame Game will be the first NFL game for the Vikings and Steelers rookies. Fans are anxious to see how first round picks in outside linebacker Bud Dupree, taken 22nd overall by the Steelers, and cornerback Trae Waynes, taken 11th overall by the Vikings, perform in their first professional game. Dupree and Waynes both will likely not begin the season as starters on their teams. Both are very gifted athletically but they need some work on their technique. Dupree will likely only play as a situational pass-rusher who sits behind and learns from veterans James Harrison, Arthur Moats, and Jarvis Jones on the depth chart.
Waynes will play sparingly also behind Rhodes, Munnerlyn, Robinson, and Newman. Vikings second round pick, linebacker Eric Kendricks, looks to be a starter at middle linebacker alongside Chad Greenway. With Anthony Barr and Kendricks, the Vikings linebacking corps is in young and talented hands. Steelers third round picl wide receiver Sammie Coates looks to make an impression in the preseason with Martavis Bryant out. He is basically a clone of Bryant as both are athletic freaks with great size and speed. Coates and Bryant likely would have been first round picks if it were not for one issue. For Coates, it was drops. For Bryant, he was overshadowed at Clemson by now-Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins.
The Shape of the Talented Running Backs
Many are anxious to see how good of shape running backs Le'Veon Bell and Adrian Peterson are in, both arguably top-five running backs in the league. Bell had a knee injury that kept him out of the Wild Card playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens while Peterson only played one game after a child abuse incident. Both are reportedly in fantastic shape and Le'Veon revealed he is at only 2.9% body fat at nearly 250 pounds which is incredible.
However, the Steelers will be without him for two games following a DUI arrest for marijuana last year. He will play in the preseason. The same probably cannot be said for Peterson who has a habit of never playing in the preseason. Look for newly-acquired Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams to show he can fill in for Bell as he serves his two-game suspension.