Offensive tackle Mike Adams (ankle), corners Ike Taylor (ankle), Cortez Allen (groin) and Keenan Lewis (hip), guard Willie Colon (knee), linebacker James Harrison (illness), safety Troy Polamalu (vet day off) and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (shoulder) did not practice for the Steelers today.
The Allen injury was originally described as a hip flexor by Mike Tomlin on Tuesday, but is actually a groin, which explains why he is more questionable to play than Lewis.
Linebacker LaMarr Woodley, who has missed the past two games with an ankle injury, returned to full participation today.
@ The Steelers players aren't talking about the Rashard Mendenhall suspension - on Tomlin's orders - but swear that it won't be a distraction.
Safety Ryan Clark, one of the team's player reps, said it is written into the CBA that teams can fine inactive players for not showing up on game days, though Clark admitted he didn't read the entire CBA - because he didn't agree with it - until Mendenhall's situation arose.
@ Rookie offensive lineman David DeCastro is excited about an opportunity to finally player get a shot to play, while guard Ramon Foster feels it will be a positive thing for him moving forward to show that he can not only play well on the right side, but left side as well.
Keisel said the team was not ready for the Chargers. Tomlin agreed with Keisel. What is being "ready" for a game? And who is responsible to get the team "ready"?
ReplyDeleteLet me ask you this...
ReplyDeleteWho get you ready for work?
Usually my boss says quit goofing off and get busy!
DeletePer Dale-
ReplyDelete@ The Steelers players aren't talking about the Rashard Mendenhall suspension - on Tomlin's orders - but swear that it won't be a distraction.
Sorta agree with the players...
With his ACL injury recup time and Achilles injury and inactive status, Mendy is probably more of an afterthought when it comes to the overall team's game day preparation for any given Sunday this season.
Though Mendenhall will definitely be the scapegoat for a lot of the Steelers woes this year, he's played in like what 2 full games(Eagles + Balt), 1 qtr. (Tenn), and benched after 4 carries(Clev)...
Plus, the team started the season at 1-2 with Mendenhall on IR...
So, it's hard to be much of a 'difference maker' when you don't get to be on the field.
obviously the answer you want to that question, whack, is that we get ourselves ready for work (my gf usually has to wake me up from the night prior, but that is a whole different story)
ReplyDeleteBut when you lose focus at work, or make the same mistakes again and again, doesn't it usually fall on your boss to get you back in line?
patrick,
ReplyDeletethere's only so much a boss can do. if employees don't want/care to fall in line, then it won't happen. it is becoming evident their is a leadership void from the player's side. i never expected it to be, but i think it's one of their problems. too many careless mistakes on a repetitive basis.
however, i do agree to a certain extent that tomlin must be able to identify that (if it exists) and do a better job of getting these guys to play. but, i do put most of the responsibility on the players.
i played higher level college baseball (i know, it's not football) and i never needed the coach to get me ready for a game. especially at crunch time during the season.
I agree with you, but my point was only that its not as simple as who gets you ready for work.
ReplyDeleteIts a shared responsibility. But I don't think Tomlin does a good job of it.
Everyone likes to beat up on Wallace, but if he catches that deep ball, its a different game. So trust me, I'm not ragging on Tomlin entirely.
I think that losing a lot of veterans in the offseason is a big part of this.
ReplyDeleteI don't necessarily agree that guys weren't ready.
ReplyDeleteThat was a stock answer given by Keisel.
The two biggest factors were the Chargers abusing a young corner/corners and Roethlisberger being rusty early.
I think the Bengals are doing their best job to let the Steelers into the playoffs at 8-8 at the moment.
ReplyDeletewell nevermind on that.
ReplyDeleteBengals still don't look very good
Actually, the biggest factor was the chargers D abusing the steelers O-line
ReplyDeleteDale,
ReplyDeleteWhats the story with Curtis Brown?? I really thought that he would be ready to play by now??? Not picking up the schemes and thinking too much??
After Sundays debacle in Dallas it's time for Art the second to tell Mike Tomlin "next coach up " John Mitchell it"s your team now.Dale it"s a long list of reasons why they need to make a change but with Tomlin at the helm, this team will just keep under performing.Dave W. in Las Vegas
ReplyDelete"After Sundays debacle in Dallas it's time for Art the second to tell Mike Tomlin "next coach up " John Mitchell"
ReplyDelete1) The Steelers are losing to teams with losing records. Dallas has a winning record. Why do you think it's a given that they will lose sunday (and a debacle at that).
2) You really think the Steelers will get rid of head coach now? They can lose sunday, but beat the Bengals and Browns and get in the playoffs...they won't panic and get rid of Tomlin now.
3) What makes you sure that John Mitchell is the guy taking over?
I have problems with some of Tomlin's playing calling, but this post is a little extreme don't you think? At least list this "long list of reasons why they need to make a change"...
Wow. I think the "Fire Tomlin" contingent is a little extreme. He has won 2 out of every 3 games and taken the team to a Super Bowl 2 times in his short tenure. And, he is still one of the youngest head coaches in the league. When you really think about it, a lot of the Steeler's success comes from the consistency in the organization from year to year. Teams that constantly change coaches (Redskins are a good example as are the Browns) will change systems and schemes with each new coach. The personnel that they inherit rarely fits their system. So, they make huge changes, spend way too much on in free-agency on "their type of players" and the roster gets shallow and just by the time they get their system and players in order, they get fired. This is what makes the Steelers a great organization. A Consistent coaching staff, mixed with player personal that fits the system, and time to develop young talent is the recipe for success. Look at the guys like Brett Kiesel, James Harrison, Keenan Lewis, Aaron Smith, that were given time to develop into the system. Without that, teams are no good because you can't build depth by buying players in free agency and trying to fit them into what you do. It is not a recipe for success. The Patriots, Packers, Steelers, and Giants don't do that. And they are the one's winning all the Super Bowls.
ReplyDeleteJust ask yourself this question: Outside of Bill Belichek, who would you trade Mike Tomlin for? My answer is nobody, but if you do come up with a name, chances are they are already the head coach of a team!!!!
-Mrs. Tomlin
PS. Hold your children close. Today's events really put silly football in perspective.
Well said "Mrs. Tomlin"
ReplyDelete