Doug Legursky is fully healthy and will return to the starting lineup when the Steelers play Sunday night at Kansas City - in place of Chris Kemoeatu at left guard.
Kemoeatu, a four-year starter, said he considered the move a demotion, though he did say the coaching staff told him he just doesn't look healthy out there.
Kemoeatu has been dealing with a knee injury all season.
The move doesn't come as a huge surprise. Kemoeatu has struggled throughout his career with his pass protection and Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked 31 times, the fourth-most in the NFL.
© Only Roethlisberger, LaMarr Woodley and Arnaz Battle were limited in practice today, the healthiest the Steelers have been all season.
© Roethlisberger said today that offensive coordinator Bruce Arians talked to the offensive unit about forgoing personal goals in order for the team to win.
That could have been aimed at Hines Ward - though Ward has handled his demotion well. It also could have been aimed at Mike Wallace - who has been getting frustrated regarding his lack of looks of late due to opponents doubling him.
In the last month, Antonio Brown has 26 receptions, Wallace 20 and Heath Miller 19.
© Perhaps this would only interest me, perhaps not.
The Steelers are 7-0 when they have a higher third down conversion rate than their opponent, 0-3 when they don't.
18 comments:
Kemo had a lot of chances to get better. Its one thing to be beaten by the other team physically but Kemo was beaten mentally every week. Those dumb after the whistle penalties show it.
Kemo being demoted comes as a surprise to me. Yeah he's stinking it up out there, but he always has.
Wonder if Wallace will stick around for contract #2. Pittsburgh is not the best place for a flashy receiver who wants stats, even with our "new offense." If he prefers yards and touchdowns to Super Bowls, I'm sure he'll go to the highest bidder without giving much weight to a hometown discount.
Heck, if he just had a QB that could hit him on the long ball he'd double all of his stats.
Kemo being demoted comes as a surprise to me. Yeah he's stinking it up out there, but he always has.
Wonder if Wallace will stick around for contract #2. Pittsburgh is not the best place for a flashy receiver who wants stats, even with our "new offense." If he prefers yards and touchdowns to Super Bowls, I'm sure he'll go to the highest bidder without giving much weight to a hometown discount.
Heck, if he just had a QB that could hit him on the long ball he'd double all of his stats.
Oops.
Thanks for the report, Dale! Now go enjoy your holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!
They all want stats, Tim. But they want to win, too.
Wallace will remain with the Steelers.
Hey dale could we be looing at the change of the Guard here. Are we seeing the writing on the wall that Kemo will be cut next season.
Its looks like the 2011 season will be the end of an era for Hines Ward, James Farrior, Chris Kemoautu, Bryant McFadden, Aaron Smith, Daniel Sepulveda and maybe Chris Hoke or Casey Hampton. As a Steeler fan I will be a little sad about losing most of them, but as a football fan I am excited about the explosive potential of the youth on this team. The AFC North is going to be one hell of a division in the coming years.
Ever since the great season start Wallace had I have been wondering if the Steelers would be able/want to sign him. I really hope he stays, it is good hearing they would want to keep him, Brown/Sanders getting open and receiving so much catches is an effect of what Wallace causes on the the other teams secondaries. That trio just causes disruption but I wonder if it would be the same without Wallace as a deep threat.
Frankly, it looked to me as if Kemo re-injured his knee a couple weeks ago. I saw a play where he was reaching for his knee when he got up, but stayed in the game. Since that, I noticed his play hasn't been as good.
As for Wallace, even if doesn't catch very many passes, his value is enormous. The fact is he draws double teams every game and that's why Brown, etc, are open. Look at NE's offense. No deep threat and now defenses are taking away the short stuff without fear of being burned by the long ball.
Don't know why the assumption is BA's comments were directed at the WRs. They could just as well be aimed at BR and his constant public lobbying to run the no huddle and throw all the time to the detriment of the running game.
I'm thankful for the Steelers. I think they are the best team in the AFC with everyone healthy. The turnovers will start coming when Woodley and Harrison are both healthy at the same time, which they have not been thus far this season. This will allow the linebackers to play in their regular spots and will free up Polamalu. That combined with the heat off the edge will force teams into turnovers. I can't wait to see Pittsburgh beat the Packers in the super bowl. Am I wrong?
Glad to hear that. Hope all three feel the same way.
As long as we're not going to use a fullback, no sense having two tight ends on the field. Going forward, if we don't go with a fullback, we should start 3 WR in our starting O. No sense leaving Sanders or Brown on the bench with Johnson or even Saunders on the field. That'd put the best players out there, and the runing game couldn't be any worse.
Dale,
I have heard a few times now that there's a good chance that mendenhall wont be the steelers starting back next year for a number of reasons. Is there any truth to that??? Hope you had a good Thanksgiving and thanks for the blog again.
You haven't heard that here.
Dale,
Thats very true lol but i was just checking if u had heard that??
there has been talk theta Mendy won't get a second contract with the steelers ,i guess we shall all see.
Personally I'd love to keep Mendenhall, so I hope we re-sign him. I still think he's not being used as well as possible, and of course the run blocking has been crazy inconsistent throughout his career here. But I think he's got all the talent we want, and he and Redman make a great 1-2 punch.
However, I wouldn't give him a ridiculous contract that a lot of RBs want. Hopefully we get him for a fair price.
Personally I'd love to keep Mendenhall, so I hope we re-sign him. I still think he's not being used as well as possible, and of course the run blocking has been crazy inconsistent throughout his career here. But I think he's got all the talent we want, and he and Redman make a great 1-2 punch.
However, I wouldn't give him a ridiculous contract that a lot of RBs want. Hopefully we get him for a fair price.
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