So much for Brandon Boykin getting into the lineup.
Boykin was sidelined by a groin injury today, joining Cortez Allen (knee) on the sidelines.
That left Will Gay, Antwon Blake and newcomer Ross Cockrell as the Steelers' top three corners.
I hadn't paid much attention to Cockrell since he signed last week after final cutdowns following his release by Buffalo, but he's a long, lanky corner and it looks like he has good hands.
I don't know that the Steelers will be in a ton of nickel defense this week since San Francisco's not exactly going to use a lot of three-wide sets and try to spread the Steelers out, but from what I saw, Cockrell wouldn't be a bad fallback. At this point, he's certainly a better option than Doran Grant.
That's no knock on Grant. Cockrell just has more experience.
* Saw Shaun Suisham at the facility today. He's out of his knee brace and walking normally. It looks like his surgery was a success.
That's good news for Suisham, who's one of the nicest guys you'll find.
* Will Allen was cleared of his concussion and was back on the practice field.
That's good news, since the Steelers remain intent on starting him over Shamarko Thomas, at least in the short term.
But they'll have to keep a close eye on Allen. San Francisco's Carlos Hyde is a very physical runner.
*Antonio Brown has caught seven or more passes in 12-straight games. That's an NFL record. He just might be the most unstoppable force going in football today.
He had nine catches in the opener. If he averages nine catches per game, he'll break Marvin Harrison's single-season receptions record.
Is that possible? Sure. If Bill Belichick didn't devise a way to slow Brown, can anyone else?
* Bonus pick: The Broncos visit the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday night having won 12 consecutive road games within the division.
But Kansas City is a 3-point favorite in this one.
I like Kansas City's pass rush against a revamped Denver offensive line, especially in that stadium, which is the loudest in the NFL.
Take Kansas City to go to 2-0 with a 24-17 victory.
20 comments:
"If Bill Belichick didn't devise a way to slow Brown, can anyone else?"
Well, step one to stopping him might be a decent cornerback. I'm not sure beating up on a guy of Butler's experience and caliber is the ultimate litmus test, regardless of who his coach is.
I don't think you can write off twelve straight games of 7+ catches being due to poor cornerback play by all those teams.
If Sherman cant keep him in check no one will. Have to wait about two months to see that epic bout though
Think the broncos fall tooo. It's also a short week, almost no rest for Manning's arm which didn't look much better, if at all, from last year
The way to stop AB is to knock Ben out of the game. The NFL officials have a history of letting Ben take shots guys like Brady and Manning don't have to take. I hope the line stays healthy and gels even more as the season progresses so they can protect Ben because you know the other teams will do all they can to get to him.
Ben is just as responsible for the hits he takes as any OL he's ever played behind. He doesn't like to give up on any play, so he holds the ball and takes hits he might otherwise avoid because of that.
Until Bell gets back, AB should be the go to guy. I agree with Hines Ward, 15 touches a game. Dump it to him and let him run, not pass. I did not notice any screens to D. Williams. Does he not have good hands?
Until Bell gets back, AB should be the go to guy. I agree with Hines Ward, 15 touches a game. Dump it to him and let him run, not pass. I did not notice any screens to D. Williams. Does he not have good hands?
Dale, I just saw a report by Jeremy Fowler saying that Martavis Bryant is training away from the facility during his suspension while Bell is training at the facility. Would that make you a little nervous for Bryant to be away from the team and training staff for his entire 4 weeks? Fowler said that the Steelers signed off on it. Just makes me feel a little uneasy. You have a person here who has flunked at least 4 tests for marijuana and you turn him loose to himself for 4 weeks while he could be working out at the facility and attending WR meetings daily. Doesn't seem that smart to me. Oh well, he's a grown man ... who can't seem to leave that Chronic alone. Millions of dollars at his reach if he can just leave the blunt alone.
Woah..first I've heard of that news datruth. Would love to hear your opinion on this Dale. Are suspended players allowed to practice with the team or do they have to do drills and training and lifting on their own? Do they have access to a S&C coach or any positional coaches outside of team practice time?
When guys are suspended they cant be near the team. Bell isnt at the teams facility
According to that article im wrong about bells participation. News to me
Patrick ...
Kudos for admitting you were wrong!
Let the record show you're a fine human being.
I feel like when ben was suspended he wasnt anywhere near the team. Did the rules change with the new cba?
I also thought you couldn't be in the team facility. Which seemed stupid because you need to help those guys, but moot point now I guess..
I have a feeling Martavis is in rehab and the Steelers leaked the story about him "training" to ESPN as a way to protect his privacy. 28 days at an inpatient facility is a common treatment for substance abuse. Connect some dots people and hope he comes back better than ever.
I think you can be at the facilities but cannot train, with pads and helmet, it's confusing.
I think you can be at the facilities but cannot train, with pads and helmet, it's confusing.
That would be my guess, as well, Anonymous, but I don't know that for certain.
Players suspended for illegal drugs can be at facility and work out/receive treatment for injuries, etc. They cannot practice with the team or go to meetings.
Players suspended for PEDs cannot go to the facility at all.
Thanks for the clarification, Dale.
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