Visit NFL from the sidelines on the new Observer-Reporter site: http://www.observer-reporter.com/section/BLOGS08

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Thursday update

Ben Roethlisberger and Mewelde Moore were back on the practice field today after sitting out Wednesday. Roethlisberger had a sore back, Moore an ankle injury suffered against Baltimore.

Linebacker Patrick Bailey (hamstring), center Justin Hartwig (knee), offensive tackle Max Starks (knee), linebacker Lawrence Timmons (illness) and wide receiver Hines Ward (knee) missed their second consecutive day.

© Interesting note out of Arizona:

The Cardinals are using former Steelers backup QB Brian St. Pierre to simulate Ben Roethlisberger's scrambling ability in practice according to coch Ken Whisenhunt.

“We have Brian St. Pierre who was in Pittsburgh, so he has seen Ben do that. I’m not saying that physically he can do the things that Ben can do, but as far as scrambling and moving around in the pocket and those kinds of things, extending the play, we are trying to give them a picture for that. I think it’s not just Ben. It’s their receivers too because they are on the same page as Ben as far as where they are going when he scrambles. You are trying to give (the defense) that look, but it is not always easy.”

© The Pittsburgh Steelers will host a Super Bowl Pep Rally Friday, January 23, at Heinz Field in anticipation for the team’s trip to Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday, Feb. 1, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

The following is a schedule of events for the Pep Rally, which is being presented by PNC Bank and Comcast.

Here's the schedule of events rundown:

Admission - FREE
3 p.m. – Stadium lots and Carnegie Science Center lots open (parking for $5 available)
3 – 7 p.m. – WDVE live broadcast (Coca-Cola Great Hall)
5 – 7 p.m. – KISS FM live broadcast (Coca-Cola Great Hall)
5 p.m. – Gates A & B open
Highlights to be shown on Jumbotron
Concession stands will be open
Official Steelers merchandise will be available
5:40 p.m. – Performance by Pittsburgh Poison All-Stars Dance Team
5:45 p.m. – Performance by South Fayette Marching Band
6 p.m. – Free concert by The Clarks
7 p.m. – Pep Rally to begin
Big Machine Recording Artist Dusty Drake to perform 12th Man song
Hosted by KDKA-TV’s Bob Pompeani and Ken Rice, along with Steelers’ Radio Network talent Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley
Steelers’ players and local dignitaries will be on stage
7:30 p.m. – KDKA-TV Live Steelers Super Bowl TV Special
8:05 p.m. – Pittsburgh Fan Club performance – “Here We Go”
8:10 p.m. – Pep Rally to conclude

11 comments:

alexrkirby said...

I don't like that Starks and Hartwig are out. That line needs the practice, the Cards embaressed our oline last season when it was better.

Dale Lolley said...

They'll be OK. They'll practice next week.

Anonymous said...

What's up with Timmons?

Dale Lolley said...

Just sick. No big deal.

Unknown said...

Dale,
What's your thoughts on the mood of the team. I know Tomlin preaches taking this like just any week, but do you think that attitude is sticking? Are the players loose, or do you sense a lot of extra tension mounting?
Thanks.

Anonymous said...

"I don't like that Starks and Hartwig are out. That line needs the practice, the Cards embaressed our oline last season when it was better."

I'm not sure that the line was better last year. Faneca was better than Kemo, but Hartwig is much better than Mahan was, Stapleton is better than Simmons, and at this point Starks is almost as good as M. Smith was last year. This year's line is pretty bad, but at least it doesn't have Mahan and Simmons.

Dale Lolley said...

The team is very loose and having fun with all of the hoopla.
I would agree that this line is better than last year's.

Anonymous said...

Hartwig replacing Mahan is a monumental improvement.

Mahan sucked so bad and is my least favorite Steeler of all-time

alexrkirby said...

I feel that last years offensive line was better in the running game, not in pass pro but in the run game. Don't know where we ranked in rushing last season but it was alot more than 23rd and we our offense as whole put up way more points.

Greg Mercer said...

least favorite of all time? wow.

i never liked Scott Shields.

Dale Lolley said...

They didn't face seven of the top nine defenses in the league accounting for more than half of their games last year as they did this season, either.