Football is coming. Training camp is right around the corner, and from there, the rush of the NFL for the next six months will consume us all. Of course, there is still a difference between the start of training camp and the kick off of the NFL season. To get us through that time there are training camp competitions worth looking into. This series will highlight the five best training camp battles that will go on this summer at St. Vincent for the Pittsburgh Steelers. For this edition, we will look at the backup outside linebacker competition featuring Arthur Moats, Keion Adams, and Anthony Chickillo. The Steelers will only be able to keep two of the three. Which two should make it?
Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp Battles: Keion Adams vs. Arthur Moats
Anthony Chickillo Stands out from the pack
Last season, Chickillo played 278 special teams snaps. Moats had just 70 snaps and of course, Adams did not play on special teams last season. When fighting for the last spots on the roster, being an asset on special teams is key.
Chickillo had only played 74 less defensive snaps than Moats and is four years younger. Chickillo has more upside than Moats and provides more immediate value on special teams than either player. Moats had one more sack, but Chickillo was better against the run. Given the fact that Adams is a seventh round pick and Chickillo should come into camp with the chance to separate himself and guarantee a roster spot.
The Case for Moats
Moats is the veteran on a team with ambitions to win a Super Bowl. Adams is a seventh round pick, a rookie, and it would not be a surprise to see him wind up on the practice squad because of his status.
He is a bit undersized, and Adams does not bring anything on special teams, he does not have a chance to make the team this year. Special teams are more about willpower than anything, but Adams has yet to put that on tape, while Moats is a willing special teams player.
Moats also has experience on the inside and may give the team a reason to only keep nine linebackers total. Knowing that when you cut Moats, he is gone, while Adams can go through waivers and wind up on the practice squad, the team will have to have a lot of trust in Keion Adams if they want to make that full leap.
The Case for Adams
Adams has the potential to be a gem. He has great speed, and while he is a bit undersized that speed, combined with the willingness to learn and play special teams could carve him out a roster spot.
Special teams should not be a hard concept, and he has the chance to step into a role on the team immediately. Moats is an unrestricted free agent next year and will be 30 years old. Adams would be under contract until 2020 and is eight years younger than Moats.
The combination of upside, team control and the ability to bring a similar level of play on the defensive side of the ball would make Adams a very likely case to steal a job.
Moats was a class act and a great contributor to past Steelers teams. However, the Steelers are always thinking ahead, and they may be seeing an ability to upgrade over Moats in the short and long term with Keion Adams.
Winners: Anthony Chickillo and Keion Adams
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