Position Battles 1998

• Right Tackle: This could be the end of the road for Jamain Stephens. If he doesn't finally step it up and take the starting position the Steelers had in mind for him when they drafted him in the first round two years ago, then he's not going to be around next year. The position was John Jackson's spot for 10 years and now it's wide open. Paul Wiggins is the other big challenger. Wiggins reportedly has really been working hard too. Stephens better not collapse of exhaustion while running sprints again!



• Wide Receiver: CJ will easily pick up the slack for Thigpen's departure. The other spot will probably go to Will Blackwell, and Courtney Hawkins will get the third spot again. After that there's Corey Holliday, Curtis Marsh, Hines Ward, Mike Adams, and Andre Coleman. Jahine Arnold and Henry Bailey are also back from the dead.



• Fullback: Timmy Lester has a bum shoulder. He says he will be back by opening day, but even if he is, how's he going to block well with a bad shoulder? So the Steelers need a capable backup. This could finally be a make or break year for Jon Witman. Rookie Carlos King is also looking for a spot.



• Outside Linebacker: They really want Mike Vrabel to take Lloyd's old spot. Donta Jones is the starter by default, since he was the starter much of last year, but if Vrabel shows he has learned the position well enough, he'll be the man. Steve Conley is a good pass rusher, but is undersized. Carlos Emmons is back from that drunken car wreck, but he ain't going to start. There's also some rookies looking for backup roles.



• Cornerback: The other CB spot is still wide open. The Steelers failed to sign free agent Terry McDaniel, so unless they trade for another veteran, it's up for grabs. The challengers: old man J.B. Brown, former Cardinal Lance Brown, and rookies Jason Simmons and Deshea Townsend. Safties Carnell Lake and Chris Oldham can also play cornerback. If Lake moves again, then strong safety will be open because Boo Bell left. That battle would be between Oldham, Lethon Flowers, and Bo Orlando.



• Punter: Josh Miller was actually invited to camp! You know that Cowher will replace him if he screws up even once in practice. Rookie punter Matt George was also invited to camp. Maybe he can actually do the tough job of punting the football and doing it well consistently!



• Also: Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (I'm just calling this guy FuMa from now on) will take over fumble master George Jones' backup spot at RB. Mike Quinn may move up past Mike Tomczack in the QB depth chart.