As stated, Ryan Clark is down for the Steelers.
Also down are Sunny Harris, Urbik, Hills, Shaun McDonald, Kirschke and Timmons.
Peyton Hillis, Ryan Harris and McBean are inactive for Denver.
Sunny Harris is a bit of a surprise. It leaves the Steelers with three DEs, but Hoke can play there in a pinch.
Monday, November 09, 2009
No surprise, Clark won't play
In a move that should surprise no one, safety Ryan Clark will not play in tonight's game at Denver against the Broncos.
Doctors cleared Clark medically to go against the Broncos, but head coach Mike Tomlin decided to err on the side of caution rather than play Clark.
Clark, of course, has a rare blood disorder that caused his blood to sickle after Pittsburgh's last game here. He had his spleen removed, which was supposed to solve the problem, but there are no guarantees it would not have happened again.
If this were a playoff game, Clark and the Steelers may have come to a different decision. But since it is not, they decided it would be best not to play.
Doctors cleared Clark medically to go against the Broncos, but head coach Mike Tomlin decided to err on the side of caution rather than play Clark.
Clark, of course, has a rare blood disorder that caused his blood to sickle after Pittsburgh's last game here. He had his spleen removed, which was supposed to solve the problem, but there are no guarantees it would not have happened again.
If this were a playoff game, Clark and the Steelers may have come to a different decision. But since it is not, they decided it would be best not to play.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Who I Like, Steelers at Denver
This one really isn't as difficult as many would think.
The Steelers are 2 1/2 or three-point favorites against the Broncos, depending on what service you use.
But Pittsburgh's offense is way more dynamic than Denver's and that should be the difference.
The Steelers will get after Kyle Orton and force him to make those quick short throws that really aren't going to hurt Pittsburgh.
Playing this game in Denver will keep it reasonably close, but the road team will win it in the end, take Pittsburgh, 20-16.
© Lawrence Timmons and Travis Kirschke still have not practiced this week. That's no surprise for Kirschke, who has a slight tear in his calf. But Timmons will need to practice Saturday if he's to play in Denver.
The Steelers are 2 1/2 or three-point favorites against the Broncos, depending on what service you use.
But Pittsburgh's offense is way more dynamic than Denver's and that should be the difference.
The Steelers will get after Kyle Orton and force him to make those quick short throws that really aren't going to hurt Pittsburgh.
Playing this game in Denver will keep it reasonably close, but the road team will win it in the end, take Pittsburgh, 20-16.
© Lawrence Timmons and Travis Kirschke still have not practiced this week. That's no surprise for Kirschke, who has a slight tear in his calf. But Timmons will need to practice Saturday if he's to play in Denver.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Ward the dirtiest player? I don't think so.
The fine people at Sports Illustrated have put together their annual list of the dirtiest players in the NFL and the Steelers' Hines Ward ranked No. 1, while safety Troy Polamalu was ninth.
Ward plays hard and he has drawn a couple of fines during his career, but he's not dirty.
A dirty player is one who goes for an opponent's knees. A dirty player is one who is out to hurt people. A dirty player has likely been suspended a time or two.
Ward is none of that. The same goes for Polamalu.
In fact, of the players on the list, the only ones I would consider dirty are Richie Incognito of the Rams, Harvey Dahl of the Falcons and Roy Williams of the Bengals.
Incognito is well known for his less-than-legal play, while Dahl is a cut-blocking specialist. Williams is so dirty that the league had to make horsecollar tackling illegal because of him - though it hasn't stopped him from doing it.
Albert Haynesworth of Washington and Kevin Mawae of the Titans are also on the list and I've heard from different players that they do some dirty stuff. But they are also very good players.
The thing to remember about these polls is that SI sends a lackey out to each training camp and polls 15 or so players - usually not starters because they're too busy – asking them a number of questions.
Many of the players polled really have no idea what to answer because they are end-of-roster guys or rookies. So they come up with what they've seen on the highlight shows. It's hardly a scientific process.
But kudos to SI for getting people to talk about it.
© As expected Travis Kirschke did not practice again Thursday as he continues to rehab his slightly torn calf muscle.
Linebacker Lawrence Timmons also sat out, though the team has two more practice days before leaving for Denver Sunday afternoon.
Ward plays hard and he has drawn a couple of fines during his career, but he's not dirty.
A dirty player is one who goes for an opponent's knees. A dirty player is one who is out to hurt people. A dirty player has likely been suspended a time or two.
Ward is none of that. The same goes for Polamalu.
In fact, of the players on the list, the only ones I would consider dirty are Richie Incognito of the Rams, Harvey Dahl of the Falcons and Roy Williams of the Bengals.
Incognito is well known for his less-than-legal play, while Dahl is a cut-blocking specialist. Williams is so dirty that the league had to make horsecollar tackling illegal because of him - though it hasn't stopped him from doing it.
Albert Haynesworth of Washington and Kevin Mawae of the Titans are also on the list and I've heard from different players that they do some dirty stuff. But they are also very good players.
The thing to remember about these polls is that SI sends a lackey out to each training camp and polls 15 or so players - usually not starters because they're too busy – asking them a number of questions.
Many of the players polled really have no idea what to answer because they are end-of-roster guys or rookies. So they come up with what they've seen on the highlight shows. It's hardly a scientific process.
But kudos to SI for getting people to talk about it.
© As expected Travis Kirschke did not practice again Thursday as he continues to rehab his slightly torn calf muscle.
Linebacker Lawrence Timmons also sat out, though the team has two more practice days before leaving for Denver Sunday afternoon.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Tuesday with Tomlin
Not much news out of head coach Mike Tomlin's press conference today.
As he said Monday, Tomlin reiterated that a decision about safety Ryan Clark's status would not be made until Thursday.
Linebacker Lawrence Timmons and defensive end Travis Kirschke are both questionable. Timmons, with an ankle injury, is more likely to play than Kirschke, who has a calf strain.
Willie Parker missed practice Monday with an illness. His status at this time is up in the air.
One thing of note that Tomlin did talk about Monday was that wide receiver Santonio Holmes, like Clark, also carries the sickle cell trait. But, Tomlin also noted that a couple of Denver's players also carry it as well.
Clark's illness after playing there, while tied into his carrying of that trait, was not soley based on that. There were some other determining factors as well.
As he said Monday, Tomlin reiterated that a decision about safety Ryan Clark's status would not be made until Thursday.
Linebacker Lawrence Timmons and defensive end Travis Kirschke are both questionable. Timmons, with an ankle injury, is more likely to play than Kirschke, who has a calf strain.
Willie Parker missed practice Monday with an illness. His status at this time is up in the air.
One thing of note that Tomlin did talk about Monday was that wide receiver Santonio Holmes, like Clark, also carries the sickle cell trait. But, Tomlin also noted that a couple of Denver's players also carry it as well.
Clark's illness after playing there, while tied into his carrying of that trait, was not soley based on that. There were some other determining factors as well.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Next three weeks could decide AFC North
The next three weeks may very well decide who wins the AFC North title this season.
While Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are off, Baltimore hosts unbeaten Denver in one of the marquee matchups of Week 8.
A loss by the Ravens, which would be their fourth in a row following a 3-0 start, would all but bury them in the division race.
Week 9 will send the Ravens to Cincinnati, while the Steelers head to Denver.
Again, given that Baltimore has already lost once to the Bengals at home, a loss at Cincinnati would severely damage Baltimore's playoff hopes, even if it defeats Denver this weekend.
A loss by the Steelers in Denver would drop them to 5-3 and would, more importantly, be the team's second AFC loss.
It wouldn't be a killer, but it would hurt.
Week 10 then sees Cincinnati visiting Heinz Field, while Baltimore heads to Cleveland for what should be a cakewalk over the Browns.
Having already lost in Cincinnati, the Steelers have to beat the Bengals at home to have a chance to win the division, particularly with two games remaining against the Ravens.
While Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are off, Baltimore hosts unbeaten Denver in one of the marquee matchups of Week 8.
A loss by the Ravens, which would be their fourth in a row following a 3-0 start, would all but bury them in the division race.
Week 9 will send the Ravens to Cincinnati, while the Steelers head to Denver.
Again, given that Baltimore has already lost once to the Bengals at home, a loss at Cincinnati would severely damage Baltimore's playoff hopes, even if it defeats Denver this weekend.
A loss by the Steelers in Denver would drop them to 5-3 and would, more importantly, be the team's second AFC loss.
It wouldn't be a killer, but it would hurt.
Week 10 then sees Cincinnati visiting Heinz Field, while Baltimore heads to Cleveland for what should be a cakewalk over the Browns.
Having already lost in Cincinnati, the Steelers have to beat the Bengals at home to have a chance to win the division, particularly with two games remaining against the Ravens.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Harrison named AFC Defensive Player of the Month
Steelers linebacker James Harrison was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October.
The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year finished October with 25 tackles, seven sacks and two forced fumbles in leading the Steelers to a 4-0 record.
The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year finished October with 25 tackles, seven sacks and two forced fumbles in leading the Steelers to a 4-0 record.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Clearing up some things
There's been a lot of talk back and forth between Pittsburgh and Minnesota fans about what did and did not occur in Sunday's meeting between the two teams.
First, Heath Miller did interfere with the Minnesota defender at the goal line. Was it away from the play? Yes. But Miller extended his arm on contact and that's going to get called every time.
Second, Jeff Dugan threw his legs up backward on his cross body block on James Harrison which is going to get called as a trip every time. Had he just dove at Harrison's legs, he'd have been OK. He didn't.
Finally, Harrison did not take a dive at Brett Favre's knee. He was held on the play by Bryant McKinnie - which was rightfully called for a penalty – and his momentum from that hold carried him into Favre's knees.
Last time I checked, the Vikings have a big game coming up this week with Green Bay. Maybe the Vikings trolls will finally start thinking about that game.
First, Heath Miller did interfere with the Minnesota defender at the goal line. Was it away from the play? Yes. But Miller extended his arm on contact and that's going to get called every time.
Second, Jeff Dugan threw his legs up backward on his cross body block on James Harrison which is going to get called as a trip every time. Had he just dove at Harrison's legs, he'd have been OK. He didn't.
Finally, Harrison did not take a dive at Brett Favre's knee. He was held on the play by Bryant McKinnie - which was rightfully called for a penalty – and his momentum from that hold carried him into Favre's knees.
Last time I checked, the Vikings have a big game coming up this week with Green Bay. Maybe the Vikings trolls will finally start thinking about that game.
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