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Friday, January 28, 2011

Three return to practice

The Steelers held their final practice on Friday before leaving for Dallas Monday morning and got some good news. Cornerback Bryant McFadden, safety Troy Polamalu and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders were all back on the field for the first time this week.

Left tackle Jonathan Scott (ribs), center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) and safety Will Allen (knee) all sat out again.

Nobody has been talking about the injury to Scott, but the fact that he's still missing practices is concerning.

Trai Essex would start at left tackle if Scott is unable to play – though word is that he is expected to tough it out.

© I'll be on Fox 970-AM from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday next week as part of the station's pre-game build-up to the Super Bowl.

Thursday night, I'll host a shot with Gerry Dulac and Joe Bendel.

Friday night, it will be me, Dulac and Craig Wolfley.

All the shows will be broadcast from Buffalo Wild Wings in Fort Worth, where 970 will be broadcasting from 7 to 9 p.m. all week long.

10 comments:

Greg Mercer said...

i hope we remember to bring the Cortisone to Dallas. i don't know if i can take another injury.

hopefully, the Defense will get sick of hearing about Rodgers all week and come out and play like they did in the first half against the Jets.

Steve-O said...

Dale,
Can you tell us a little about the team practices. Do they seem focused and determined or is the media attention becoming a distraction. I know they're a veteran team so I hope not, but I seem to be hearing a lot of people on sports talk radio, seeing them on tv intervies, tweeting and facebook.

Anonymous said...

I hope the defense plays the entire game like they did against the Jets in the second half.

Anonymous said...

Was McFadden practicing as a nickel in the slot, or outside?

Dale Lolley said...

They're not distracted. It's not like they're tweeting during practices or in meetings.
As for where and what McFadden was lining up at practice, I can't tell you that. That would be a violation of the media policy.

Anonymous said...

oh, sorry had no idea Dale lol........ Was he doing good.

Unknown said...

Dale, do you think if the Pro Bowl had a significant purse for the winners it could become a real football game? I imagine it could be made into a lucrative prize-fight, if it only had a prize.

Dale Lolley said...

The Pro Bowl will never be a big draw for the players, other than the young guys who want the trip to Hawaii, because it ends up costing them money.

The league pays for their flight and hotel - and I believe the flight for a spouse/significant other. What happens, though, is these guys end up taking 10 people on their own dime.

I don't see the Pro Bowl ever being a meaningful game. Nobody wants to get hurt.

Anonymous said...

I know Schefter and others are saying Pouncey is out. Not so much because of them, but rather given the nature of Pouncey's injury, I'm not too hopeful of him playing. But is it fair to assume that since the Steelers have yet to make a roster move, there is still some hope?

I assume practice squad players won't be making the trip. But is it safe to assume they'll bring along McClendon and Brooks?

Dale Lolley said...

They'll take all their players, including practice squad guys. They'll wait as long as they can to make a move.