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James Walker here reporting live from Heinz Field. Mike Sando also will be on board soon. It should be a fun night.

ESPN.com NFL John Banks here. Looking forward to the game.

The player I am most interested in seeing tonight on the Steelers is weakside linebacker Lawrence Timmons. In talking with Matt Williamson and Jeremy Green of Scouts Inc. Wednesday, both said Timmons will give the Steelers' creative defensive coordinator, Dick LeBeau, even more blitz packages to work with for a defense that ranked No. 1 in the league in 2008. Timmons replaces Larry Foote, who was cut in the offseason. Foote didn't blitz much last season. Here's what John Clayton and Chris Mortensen wrote about Timmons after their visits to Steelers camp recently:

Clayton: "It was hard for the Steelers to cut Larry Foote. He was the perfect Steelers inside linebacker -- smart, accountable and a good tackler. But this season expect Lawrence Timmons to emerge as a star at weakside inside linebacker. & The Steelers drafted Timmons when he was 20. Head coach Mike Tomlin loves developing 20-year-old athletes and will always encourage the scouting department to bring young players to him. With a 20-year-old, you need patience because it often takes three years for them to develop their body for NFL success. Tomlin said Timmons has added 10 pounds of muscle this offseason. He looks sensational."

Mortensen: "There are no concerns about replacing ILB Larry Foote because Lawrence Timmons, the third-year man from Florida State, should be a pretty dynamic three-down linebacker for defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. Timmons still has to learn more about being a consistent first- and second-down player, but the Steelers believe he has the same sudden acceleration as All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu."

• If offense is on the field: Santonio Holmes. If defense, tough to guess but Lawrence Timmons.

Mike Wallace has really caught my eye. He's been a stud in practice. I want to see if he can translate it to the game.

Here's what John Clayton wrote about Mendenhall after his recent trip to Steelers camp:

"Willie Parker remains the starter, but he doesn't have the body to hold up for 300 carries in a season. Mendenhall is 225 pounds and gives the Steelers the type of workhorse back who works well in the cold weather in November, December and January. He has good speed and seems able to make quick reads. "

Probably two, Paul. More next week.

The starters are set Ryan. But Sweed should play in the trips package Pittsburgh likes to run.

Heinz Field's natural grass looks great tonight, Mike. But give it a couple months.

That field is very, very ugly in November. Can't think of one worse in the NFL.

He hasn't had much problems with drops, which is a good sign. He's looks much better now than he did a year ago. But I want to see him catch when the lights are on.

Last season, the Cardinals accomplished many firsts. They won a division title for the first time since 1975, played a home playoff game for the first time since 1947 and advanced to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

With Heath Miller locked up now James, what will the Steelers do with their other vets, such as Parker, etc?

Yes, haven't seen a punt like that from the Steelers in awhile. Sepulveda could be the secret weapon this season as James wrote recently.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcnorth/0-3-295/Pittsburgh-s-secret-weapon.html

That was the topic of our Double Coverage debate this week, Brian. Mike Sando and I both agree it is Pittsburgh. The Steelers are the more proven team.

One more series for Roethlisberger and then we see Dennis Dixon or Charlie Batch?

Mike Tomlin has been wishy washy on that this week, but Charlie Batch has done better in training camp and is listed No. 2 on the latest depth chart.

Max Starks got beat pretty bad on that play.

Sweed displayed great hands there. Who has the edge there, James? Wallace has looked good in camp, according to all reports.

Ben Roethlisberger isn't that type of quarterback to pick a favorite. It's really who's open and who he trusts. I think Santonio Holmes this year will have the bigger stats, but on third downs, when a big catch needs to be made, the trust is there with Hines Ward.

Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians says he's not a fan of the Wildcat. I haven't seen them work on it at all in practice.

Remember what I said earlier about players carrying over their play from practice? Limas Sweed is doing that right now. Plus 45 yards on the catch.

I agree, individual performances are key. For instance, Limas Sweed is showing me he's ready to bounce back from a tough rookie season. Overall scheme is tough, because coaches don't show much.

Steelers work on the goal-line drill often in training camp with their starters and backups. It paid off on that play as they weren't fooled by play-action.

Charlie Batch's final line was 1 of 2 for 45 yards. It was his first action since breaking his collarbone last year in the preseason.

Crowd booing the refs as though it's the regular season.

Health permitting, they will both have great seasons. Cincinnati's offensive line is shaky so it's questionable whether Palmer can last 16 games.

Part of me says it can't play any worse. Part of me says the ceiling isn't very high for this group. If you're asking me in August, I'd say the offensive line takes small steps forward this year.

Rookie Joe Burnett fumbles punt attempt. Not a good sign. That's a quick way not to win the job.

I live in Ohio, Mike. I seen that problem with Wells all-too-often.

I don't know the exact number over the years. But every other week it seemed to be questions of whether he would suit up. He missed a lot of practice time for sure.

Sometimes the routine are the hardest plays to make for young receivers, Marissa. Good observation. Even Santonio Holmes still leaves some routine plays on the field.

Rookie Joe Burnett makes up for his fumble return. Pittsburgh really has good depth in the secondary this year. Starting cornerbacks Ike Taylor and William Gay were the first to celebrate with the rookie.

Dennis Dixon is still playing in the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh really wants to find out what this young QB can do this summer.

Correct, Fred. This is a big preseason for Limas Sweed. He has the ability and he's been showing it all offseason. But doing it in games should give him the confidence he needs.

Isaac Redman with two preseason scores. It has to be the biggest highlight of his career. Could he be a surprise?

You are correct, Mike. No serious injuries thus far.

Did you know the Eagles play the Falcons this season in Atlanta Dec. 6? Interesting.

Steelers reserves are getting some pressure late.