PS Game 3- Steelers 12, Vikings 10

The third preseason game is always the most interesting. The starters typically play at least a half and the offenses tend to open up a bit more.

The Steelers/Vikings game Saturday night was one of the most interesting preseason games I have ever seen.
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Here are the likes and dislikes:

===Likes===

THE FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
-I thought they held Adrian Peterson in a big time way. He didn't have a single run over 6 yards.

BYRON LEFTWICH
-I thought Leftwich played great in the second half, leading the Steelers down the field to win the game.

JEFF REED
-Yet again J-Reed proved he is a big time kicker in this league, booting 4 FG's including the game winner from 47 yards (it would have been good from 60).

FANS
-Our fans stuck around til the end of a preseason game. Solid.

HALF OF MENDENHALLS GAME
-Despite the 2 fumbles, Mendenhall ran with power and speed.

COACHING
-I loved what Tomlin did at the end by doing a situational practice of a last-second FG attempt.

===Dislikes===

THE FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
-3 point in the first half. Willie Parker had a tough time and Big Ben was running for his life all night. Fortunately though, the Vikings defensive front is the best we will face this season... hopefully.

BIG BEN
-He looked a little out of touch with his receivers. He was able to use some good footwork to get out of some bad situations though.

NOT FINISHING
-If we would have finished our drives this would have been a blowout. Jeff Reed has 7 FG's in 3 games.

THE OTHER HALF OF MENDENHALL'S GAME
-2 fumbles really put the team in bad spots. He needs to learn how to run and wrap the ball at the same time.
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In closing, I want to talk about rashard Mendenhall a little more.

I thought this was the perfect game for 'Shard. Not only was he able to run hard and find holes, but he fumbled twice. The fumbles are a good thing. Here is why:

- It's better that he did it now instead of later. Who cares if we lose a preseason game.. it's about learning. Now Mendenhall can learn how to run and protect the ball better. He won't be able to overpower NFL players like he could at Illinois and now he knows that.