Mike Tomlin had some high praise for a lot of guys this week as the Steelers come off their 51-34 win over Indianapolis.
But, just because Tomlin doled out praise to Mike Adams, doesn't mean Adams is keeping the starting right tackle job.
Marcus Gilbert will return this week after sitting out against the Colts with a concussion. And he'll move back into the starting lineup, with Adams, whom Tomlin said played a very solid game, will go back to the bench.
I don't have a problem with that. Gilbert has played well this season after a slow start. But for Adams, playing well in his start was a big step.
@ Tomlin said he still has faith in Cortez Allen at cornerback and Allen will have a chance to compete for a spot to play again this week against the Colts.
With Allen right now, the issue is confidence. He's been in position to make plays. He's just not making them.
Tomlin said he's directed Ike Taylor, who went through similar struggles early in his career, to speak with Allen.
I would expect Allen to sit this week, at least to allow him a week to watch and get his mind right.
Allen is a really, really nice guy. Everything he says is answered with yes sir or no sir.
And maybe he's just too nice right now. He needs to play with more of an edge.
@ Steve McLendon is expected to be back at nose tackle this week. Just in time for the Ravens.
Shamarko Thomas also will be back after sitting the past two games with a hamstring injury. His replacement, Ross Ventrone, will be out this week with a hamstring injury.
@ Ike Taylor is still probably at least another week away from coming back. But he's getting closer.
19 comments:
Dale, I'm pretty sure "yes sir" and "no sir" is drilled into the cadets at The Citadel. But, I think you're on to something about Allen's mindset. He needs to be like Troy, mild-mannered off the field, a tasmanian devil on it.
A bunch of us were yelling and screaming at Cortez Allen from our seats at a sports bar, because it sure looked like he was in position to make plays on the ball. Hope Ike can get in his head!
Does this mean that McCuller's will be inactive again? I hope not!! I see no benefit to having Cam Thomas playing NT (even though from what i saw he played "good" against the colts).
I'm trying not to be as hard on Cortez as some. I think the rule changes in the secondary have really gotten into his head. He's been damned if he does and damned if he doesn't too many times in coverage and he's not getting many breaks (from getting a lucky tip/int or from the refs).
He's got to learn a bit of a new game with the way they are calling things so tight, but he's capable of that and once he does should be back on a nice career path.
If Cortez hadn't gotten that big new contact he would have been benched long ago.
I still have faith and high hopes for cortez Allen. I mean he's still young (only 25 I think) and he was what, a 4th round pick? Getting into the fourth round you have guys that are good but need work in some areas. He will be a good solid corner for years. Yes his play has been bad, and I agree 100% that it's mostly a confidence issue. He got best early and then teams started targeting him. He will come around
Cortez would far and away be the best CB available to the Ravens on Sunday. It's an 'any given Sunday' kinda league right now, but holy cow the Ravens pass D is for it without some unGodly pass rush. There won't be any mercy given at Heinz. Here comes a 40-burger. Eat up, Rat-birds.
Learn English.
McCullers better keep his jersey even with McClendon back.
agreed.
I don't know about Allen being the best CB for the Ravens. Webb is pretty good. But the other guys stink.
It will be interesting to see what they do with McCullers and Thomas. I have a feeling Thomas will be active because he can play end and NT. And, actually, he hasn't played bad the past two weeks.
ravens rushing attack is 9th in yards per rush, 8th in yards per game and 2nd in rushing TD's in the league.
last time they played the steelers they had 34 carries for 157 yards and 4.4 yards per carry.
the steelers better stop the run if they want to win. you tell me what combination of defensive linemen is best suited for that.
If Archer's been taken off kickoff duties, what is the point of dressing him? Can't McCullers have that spot? I'd rather have McCullers for four plays than Archer for one.
Steelers stopped the run well the first time until late in the third quarter when the defense got gassed.
Prior to the 40-yarder, were giving up 2.9 per carry. The Ravens could be persistent with it, though, because the Steelers were doing nothing offensively
first, I never really liked the argument of "if you take out the big run then..." because that "big run" really happened and the defense really gave it up.
second, the ravens had 4 rushes for 10 or more yards in the second half, not including the 41 yarder.
fact remains the ravens rushing attack beat up the steelers defense in that game and took control in the second half. so, the question still remains, what combination of d-linemen is best suited to stop the ravens rushing attack.
I'd say the best thing to stop the Ravens' rushing attack is a three-possession lead.
And there's your answer. I have no delusions about our D shutting anyone down. Just slowing them down enough for us to get a lead.
Balt is another team that is fairly different at home than on the road. It's just hard to run a good offense using a silent count. I expect the fans to be on the rabid, loud, crazy side Sunday night, making things that much harder.
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