PRE-SEASON THEATRICS

Though it was just a pre-season showdown against the Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers  linebacker Ryan Shazier was out to show no slack in the annual Hall of Fame game last night. Shazier muscled five tackles playing in just the first half of the contest. One couldn't help but notice Ryan's energy on the field. He'll be responsible for carrying the load for a Steelers defense that loss many big names this off-season due to retirement. Certainly, Steelers retiree's Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor held pride in Shazier's effort, but surely understand that the pre-season isn't where it counts, that's a little further down the road. Note below a remark Shazier gave during post-game questiong after last nights contest.

Is it important to not make too much out of the outcome of this game?

A game is a game. Every time we play another team, we play to win. However, they beat us and we beat ourselves. We have to move forward and come back better next time.

Courtesy of STEELERS.com

Furthermore, the Steelers for the most part looked a tad bit unconcerned. They took their 14-3 defeat carelessly while the Minnesota Vikings took the victory just as carelessly. Conclusively, the credit for the outcome therefore goes to the victorious Minnesota Vikings. While QB Big Ben Rothlisberger, HB Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown sat of the sideline for the majority of the contest, QB Teddy Bridgewater, HB Adrian Peterson and  WR Mike Wallace did the exact same on the opposite sideline. What should be taken from this game despite of what Ryan Shazier was trying to showcase is that the Steelers may be suspect on the defensive side of the ball going into 2015. The Steelers ranked 18th in Defense for the 2014 NFL season while the Vikings ranked 14th. While that Steelers 18th ranking is likely to slide to around 23rd with the departure of franchise names, the Vikings with the return of Adrian Peterson on offense, may be able to manage games and rest their defense and increase its potency.

Oh how the 2015 NFL season is fast approaching. There's no more hiding, there is no more theatrics it's time to show up and show out. For sports news and media subscribe to THE BIRTH LLC.