Steelers @ Giants: Position battles to watch

By Dale Grdnic

LATROBE, Pa. -- As the Pittsburgh Steelers get set for their second preseason game with the New York Giants Saturday night, there are several player battles to keep an eye on during this matchup.

How each player performs against the Giants could go a long way toward determining their status with the Steelers in the upcoming season.

Byron Leftwich-Dennis Dixon

What the Steelers must determine doesn't just concern the opening four games this season, while quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is suspended, but who will be his backup for now as well as the near the future. Dixon has one more year on his initial contract, and it's unlikely that he'll want to stay with the Steelers as a backup, let alone the No. 3 guy.

While the Steelers coaches were thrilled that Dixon improved the past week or so in practice and had a solid opening game, albeit against a bad franchise's even worse third team, he has a long way to go to be more than a spot player with special packages designed to highlight his speed and athleticism.

Frankly, I don't believe Leftwich or Dixon has a long-term future in Pittsburgh, unless one of them is happy as a backup, but I doubt that's the case with either. So, the next couple games are auditions, for the season with the Steelers and the future as well.

Justin Hartwig-Maurkice Pouncey

Hartwig will start, but his days with the Steelers are numbered. And the number is one, as in No. 1 pick Pouncey, the club's future center. And the future is now, as he'll get another shot with the first team against the Giants. Hartwig was serviceable for two years, but Pouncey will be spectacular for the next 10.

And he's looking forward to getting a chance against the formidable Giants.

"Their whole D-line stands out to me,'' Pouncey said.