In Ben Roethlisberger's rookie season, if he missed any time during practice, the local TV stations would break into their regular programming with breaking news of the injury.
Eight years later, it's become just another day at the office.
Roethlisberger rolled his ankle at practice Thursday, sitting out the remainder of the session.
And the world didn't end.
Of course, that didn't stop some reporters from asking offensive coordinator Todd Haley if Byron Leftwich was capable of executing the offense if Roethlisberger didn't play - where have they been the past eight years?
BREAKING NEWS
Roethlisberger is fine and Leftwich isn't going to play.
@ Maurkice Pouncey gave it a go at practice Thursday and appears to be on track to play Sunday at Cincinnati.
Of course, Friday will be the big day. If Pouncey's injured right knee swells up, the Steelers would be forced to play Doug Legursky against the Bengals.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Not a lost season ... yet
Fans tend to focus on only their own team - hence the term fans.
But those writing the Steelers off aren't looking around at the rest of the AFC right now.
Who's any good in the AFC? Seriously?
Houston, the supposed best team, just got spanked at home by what was a struggling Green Bay team.
Baltimore? The Ravens have been fortunate to win their last two games. I know, good teams find ways to win, but Kansas City fumbled five times last week - including once at the Baltimore 1, and Dallas really outplayed the Ravens Sunday.
The defense has given up more than 400 yards rushing the past two weeks and just lost its middle linebacker and top corner for the season.
New England? Stuck with a group of seven other AFC teams at 3-3.
Cincinnati? The Bengals have lost to the Dolphins - at home - and Browns - on the road - in the past two weeks. Nobody is going to confuse the Dolphins and Browns for good teams.
Fact is, every team in the AFC has its flaws at this point.
Do the Steelers have some as well? Certainly.
But we tend to forget that they are still learning this offense, whether they admit it or not.
And the defense isn't nearly as good as it has been in recent years. But it might be good enough if the offense stops kicking field goals and starts scoring more touchdowns.
Look at it this way, if the Steelers score one more touchdown per game, rather than kick a field goal, they are 4-1 right now rather than 2-3.
That's a play here or there. It's that close.
But those writing the Steelers off aren't looking around at the rest of the AFC right now.
Who's any good in the AFC? Seriously?
Houston, the supposed best team, just got spanked at home by what was a struggling Green Bay team.
Baltimore? The Ravens have been fortunate to win their last two games. I know, good teams find ways to win, but Kansas City fumbled five times last week - including once at the Baltimore 1, and Dallas really outplayed the Ravens Sunday.
The defense has given up more than 400 yards rushing the past two weeks and just lost its middle linebacker and top corner for the season.
New England? Stuck with a group of seven other AFC teams at 3-3.
Cincinnati? The Bengals have lost to the Dolphins - at home - and Browns - on the road - in the past two weeks. Nobody is going to confuse the Dolphins and Browns for good teams.
Fact is, every team in the AFC has its flaws at this point.
Do the Steelers have some as well? Certainly.
But we tend to forget that they are still learning this offense, whether they admit it or not.
And the defense isn't nearly as good as it has been in recent years. But it might be good enough if the offense stops kicking field goals and starts scoring more touchdowns.
Look at it this way, if the Steelers score one more touchdown per game, rather than kick a field goal, they are 4-1 right now rather than 2-3.
That's a play here or there. It's that close.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Busy, busy couple of days
It's been a busy weekend for the Steelers, starting with the release of tight end Wes Saunders on Friday.
Saunders was coming back from a suspension for violation of the league's substance abuse policy and, given how well rookie David Paulson has progressed, there just wasn't any room for a player the coaching staff doesn't trust.
@ While Paulson has stood out, fellow rookie Alameda Ta'amu, a fourth-round draft pick, struggled throughout training camp.
But since the Steelers need a nose tackle in the future to replace Casey Hampton, Ta'amu was on scholarship this season. All he needed to do was learn his position, learn how to be a pro and keep his nose clean.
That ended Saturday night on the South Side, when Ta'amu played drunken bumper cars, ran from police - at least as fast as a 350-pounder can run - and added an assault charge to his other issues.
I can't see Ta'amu hanging on the roster after this.
@ Word is that Rashard Mendenhall's Achilles' tendon tightened up in Tennessee, which is good news.
He should be ready to play at Cincinnati next week.
There's good news on the Maurkice Pouncey front as well. His MCL sprain isn't considered serious. He might play at Cincinnati as well.
The Steelers could also get linebacker LaMarr Woodley back for that game.
I'm now hearing that it could be another two weeks for strong safety Troy Polamalu.
Saunders was coming back from a suspension for violation of the league's substance abuse policy and, given how well rookie David Paulson has progressed, there just wasn't any room for a player the coaching staff doesn't trust.
@ While Paulson has stood out, fellow rookie Alameda Ta'amu, a fourth-round draft pick, struggled throughout training camp.
But since the Steelers need a nose tackle in the future to replace Casey Hampton, Ta'amu was on scholarship this season. All he needed to do was learn his position, learn how to be a pro and keep his nose clean.
That ended Saturday night on the South Side, when Ta'amu played drunken bumper cars, ran from police - at least as fast as a 350-pounder can run - and added an assault charge to his other issues.
I can't see Ta'amu hanging on the roster after this.
@ Word is that Rashard Mendenhall's Achilles' tendon tightened up in Tennessee, which is good news.
He should be ready to play at Cincinnati next week.
There's good news on the Maurkice Pouncey front as well. His MCL sprain isn't considered serious. He might play at Cincinnati as well.
The Steelers could also get linebacker LaMarr Woodley back for that game.
I'm now hearing that it could be another two weeks for strong safety Troy Polamalu.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Post-Tennessee thoughts
Mike Tomlin said following this latest road loss that you could blame him for the missed field goal attempt from 54 yards by Shaun Suisham.
No kidding.
You certainly can't blame Suisham there. Even with his make from 52 yards moments before Tomlin sent him on the field with the game on the line, Suisham is just 5 of 12 from 50-plus yards in his career.
And yet Tomlin sent him onto the field to attempt what would have been a career long kick.
Seriously.
I thought when Tomlin called timeout after initially sending Suisham onto the field, it was because he had second thoughts - rightfully - about what he was about to do.
Trying to convert the fourth-and-7 or punting in that situation would have made more sense. Tomlin elected to kick.
That gave the Titans the ball back at their own 45, pretty much needing one play to win it. They got that on third down when a Steelers blitz failed to get to Matt Hasselbeck and he found tight end Jared Cook on a crossing pattern with James Harrison - Pittsburgh's best pass rusher - trailing.
Seriously.
You can't make this stuff up.
I'm sorry, but if it's me and I'm facing a situation where I really, really need to get to the quarterback, I'm having James Harrison try to get there rather than dropping him into coverage.
I know that it's easy to second-guess decisions after the fact, but really, these are such no-brainers, you have to scratch your head and wonder.
@ Ike Taylor is playing with zero confidence right now, which is leading to all of the clutching and grabbing.
Grab, grab, grab. That's all he's doing out there.
Taylor's stat line of six tackles and two pass defenses really doesn't tell the story. Three defensive penalties - one of which was declined because the receiver made the catch anyway - there's your true stat line.
Taylor is better than that.
@ The Steelers actually found a way to make Chris Johnson look like something other than a Milli Vanilli castoff.
Johnson averaged 4.8 yards per carry against this once-vaunted defense, with a long run of 13 yards. That tells you exactly how effective Johnson was. He was consistently banging out five or so yards every carry.
@ I'm going to the stats again on this one. The stat sheet says Ben Roethlisberger threw for 363 yards, which would presumably mean he had a good game.
But a closer look shows that he completed just 10 of 20 passes to his wide receivers, with 14 receptions on 19 attempts to his backs and tight ends. That's Flacco-like.
Isaac Redman made some things happen after the catch, but realistically, who would you rather have with the ball in his hands in the open field, Redman or Antonio Brown.
Brown, by the way, had his worst game in a long, long time, finishing with four receptions for 20 yards despite being targeted 10 times.
The bottom line? Roethlisberger wasn't very sharp in this one.
@ Realistically, I blame this one on the special teams as much as anything.
Not only did the Steelers get a punt blocked to set up a 1-yard touchdown, but DeMarcus Van Dyke had a huge holding penalty on Tennessee's final kickoff to put the ball at the Pittsburgh 11 rather than the 22.
Think those extra 11 yards would have helped Suisham?
No kidding.
You certainly can't blame Suisham there. Even with his make from 52 yards moments before Tomlin sent him on the field with the game on the line, Suisham is just 5 of 12 from 50-plus yards in his career.
And yet Tomlin sent him onto the field to attempt what would have been a career long kick.
Seriously.
I thought when Tomlin called timeout after initially sending Suisham onto the field, it was because he had second thoughts - rightfully - about what he was about to do.
Trying to convert the fourth-and-7 or punting in that situation would have made more sense. Tomlin elected to kick.
That gave the Titans the ball back at their own 45, pretty much needing one play to win it. They got that on third down when a Steelers blitz failed to get to Matt Hasselbeck and he found tight end Jared Cook on a crossing pattern with James Harrison - Pittsburgh's best pass rusher - trailing.
Seriously.
You can't make this stuff up.
I'm sorry, but if it's me and I'm facing a situation where I really, really need to get to the quarterback, I'm having James Harrison try to get there rather than dropping him into coverage.
I know that it's easy to second-guess decisions after the fact, but really, these are such no-brainers, you have to scratch your head and wonder.
@ Ike Taylor is playing with zero confidence right now, which is leading to all of the clutching and grabbing.
Grab, grab, grab. That's all he's doing out there.
Taylor's stat line of six tackles and two pass defenses really doesn't tell the story. Three defensive penalties - one of which was declined because the receiver made the catch anyway - there's your true stat line.
Taylor is better than that.
@ The Steelers actually found a way to make Chris Johnson look like something other than a Milli Vanilli castoff.
Johnson averaged 4.8 yards per carry against this once-vaunted defense, with a long run of 13 yards. That tells you exactly how effective Johnson was. He was consistently banging out five or so yards every carry.
@ I'm going to the stats again on this one. The stat sheet says Ben Roethlisberger threw for 363 yards, which would presumably mean he had a good game.
But a closer look shows that he completed just 10 of 20 passes to his wide receivers, with 14 receptions on 19 attempts to his backs and tight ends. That's Flacco-like.
Isaac Redman made some things happen after the catch, but realistically, who would you rather have with the ball in his hands in the open field, Redman or Antonio Brown.
Brown, by the way, had his worst game in a long, long time, finishing with four receptions for 20 yards despite being targeted 10 times.
The bottom line? Roethlisberger wasn't very sharp in this one.
@ Realistically, I blame this one on the special teams as much as anything.
Not only did the Steelers get a punt blocked to set up a 1-yard touchdown, but DeMarcus Van Dyke had a huge holding penalty on Tennessee's final kickoff to put the ball at the Pittsburgh 11 rather than the 22.
Think those extra 11 yards would have helped Suisham?
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Greetings from Nashville
It looks like great weather in Nashville right now, though there is a chance of rain later on this evening.
The Steelers will start Will Allen at strong safety tonight in place of Troy Polamalu.
The move shows that the team has been displeased with the play of Mundy - though Mundy could still see some time rotating with Allen.
Jason Worilds, as expected, will start in place of LaMarr Woodley.
The Steelers' inactives include Charlie Batch, Jonathan Dwyer, Polamalu, Woodley, Adrian Robinson, Kelvin Beachum and Alameda Ta'amu.
The Steelers will start Will Allen at strong safety tonight in place of Troy Polamalu.
The move shows that the team has been displeased with the play of Mundy - though Mundy could still see some time rotating with Allen.
Jason Worilds, as expected, will start in place of LaMarr Woodley.
The Steelers' inactives include Charlie Batch, Jonathan Dwyer, Polamalu, Woodley, Adrian Robinson, Kelvin Beachum and Alameda Ta'amu.
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
Who I like, Tennessee version
What a busy week it's been, what with a game on Sunday and having to travel on Wednesday.
It really doesn't offer time for a whole lot of analysis, but here's what we know.
Troy Polamalu and LaMarr Woodley won't play Thursday night for the Steelers.
Woodley should be back when the Steelers travel to Cincinnati Oct. 21, while Polamalu could be back for that game - though the following week against Washington is more likely.
It says here that it won't matter against the Titans.
Tennessee's biggest issue has been scoring. The Titans allow way too many points and score way too few.
Tennessee is averaging 17.6 points per game and allowing 36.2. You don't often see a 20-point disparity like that in the NFL, which shows just how bad the Titans have been playing.
Yes, the Steelers have had some issues on the road this season as well, giving up 65 points in two road games - both losses - but that shouldn't matter here.
The addition of running game should help.
Part of Pittsburgh issue in its two road losses has been stopping opponents in the second half. The Steelers have given up eight scores in nine second half possessions.
A running game would really help limit some of those second half touches for opposing teams, and Rashard Mendenhall showed Sunday against Philadelphia that he can be a game-changer in that respect.
I think the Steelers build a nice early lead in this one and actually get some stops in the second half.
Take Pittsburgh to win, 31-13
@ On the subject of Polamalu, it's ridiculous that some are ready to jettison one of the team's greatest players.
"He's too injury-prone, blah, blah, blah," the critics say.
I pretty much tune them out when they start that garbage.
Last I checked, Polamalu played all 16 games in 2011. He played 14 games in 2010, when he won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
Yes, he missed 11 games in 2009, but really, that was the exception, not the norm.
This is a player who is as special as any man who has ever put on a uniform, not just for the Steelers, but for any team.
He'll go out on his own terms. And he will be back this season and will again be a difference maker.
In fact, many of the same bozos saying this is the end for Polamalu were probably the same people saying the Steelers should release Mendenhall.
Polamalu's all-out style of play is going to lead to an injury here or there. But he's still one of the biggest difference makers in the league.
It really doesn't offer time for a whole lot of analysis, but here's what we know.
Troy Polamalu and LaMarr Woodley won't play Thursday night for the Steelers.
Woodley should be back when the Steelers travel to Cincinnati Oct. 21, while Polamalu could be back for that game - though the following week against Washington is more likely.
It says here that it won't matter against the Titans.
Tennessee's biggest issue has been scoring. The Titans allow way too many points and score way too few.
Tennessee is averaging 17.6 points per game and allowing 36.2. You don't often see a 20-point disparity like that in the NFL, which shows just how bad the Titans have been playing.
Yes, the Steelers have had some issues on the road this season as well, giving up 65 points in two road games - both losses - but that shouldn't matter here.
The addition of running game should help.
Part of Pittsburgh issue in its two road losses has been stopping opponents in the second half. The Steelers have given up eight scores in nine second half possessions.
A running game would really help limit some of those second half touches for opposing teams, and Rashard Mendenhall showed Sunday against Philadelphia that he can be a game-changer in that respect.
I think the Steelers build a nice early lead in this one and actually get some stops in the second half.
Take Pittsburgh to win, 31-13
@ On the subject of Polamalu, it's ridiculous that some are ready to jettison one of the team's greatest players.
"He's too injury-prone, blah, blah, blah," the critics say.
I pretty much tune them out when they start that garbage.
Last I checked, Polamalu played all 16 games in 2011. He played 14 games in 2010, when he won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
Yes, he missed 11 games in 2009, but really, that was the exception, not the norm.
This is a player who is as special as any man who has ever put on a uniform, not just for the Steelers, but for any team.
He'll go out on his own terms. And he will be back this season and will again be a difference maker.
In fact, many of the same bozos saying this is the end for Polamalu were probably the same people saying the Steelers should release Mendenhall.
Polamalu's all-out style of play is going to lead to an injury here or there. But he's still one of the biggest difference makers in the league.
Sunday, October 07, 2012
Post-Eagles thoughts
We got a good look at what life without Mike Wallace could look like for the Steelers on Sunday as Wallace did a nice impersonation of the invisible man against the Eagles.
Oh, he was out there, as could be judged by his two catches for 17 yards and a couple of dropped passes. But it was certainly not one of the better games in Wallace's career.
With Wallace blanketed and struggling, the Steelers were forced to look elsewhere. That got them Antonio Brown missing a catch in the end zone and Jerricho Cotchery stumbling his way to the 2-yard line on what should have been a touchdown.
@ The people who wanted to get rid of Rashard Mendenhall need only look at the game tape from Sunday to see the difference between Mendenhall and the other backs on the Pittsburgh roster.
I have to admit - even though I wasn't one of the dump Mendenhall crowd - that I didn't think the dropoff between him and Isaac Redman/Jonathan Dwyer was as great as it actually is.
But there it was right in front of me Sunday at Heinz Field, as Mendenhall showed the burst that Redman and Dwyer just don't have.
Though he is in his fifth NFL season, it's easy to forget that Mendenhall is still just 25 years old.
@ Funny what a running game - or at least the threat of one - can do to a pass rush.
The Eagles didn't record a sack Sunday and rarely even seriously pressured Ben Roethlisberger.
@ I asked Mike Tomlin after the game if he is concerned about his defense giving up another fourth quarter lead.
He simply replied, "No."
But it has to be troubling.
Pittsburgh allowed Philadelphia to gain just 246 total yards and gave up only two touchdowns. But both came in the second half.
Certainly, Philadelphia got 30 yards of their first TD drive on a pair of personal fouls and had to convert a pair of fourth downs on the second one, but the Steelers have to find a way to get stops in those situations.
@ James Harrison made his presence felt in this one, even if his stat line didn't show all that much - two tackles, three QB hits.
It was especially important considering that LaMarr Woodley is out for the time being with another hamstring injury.
You have to figure that the Steelers will be without Woodley and Troy Polamalu on Thursday night against Tennessee. Polamalu left in the first half as well after his calf injury flared up.
Couple that with the possibility - and I'm saying possibility here since who knows how the NFL will rule this - that backup safety Ryan Mundy could get a one-game suspension for his second helmet-to-helmet hit on a receiver in the past two games, and the Steelers could be down to Ryan Clark and Will Allen backed up by rookie Robert Golden at safety against the Titans.
Oh, he was out there, as could be judged by his two catches for 17 yards and a couple of dropped passes. But it was certainly not one of the better games in Wallace's career.
With Wallace blanketed and struggling, the Steelers were forced to look elsewhere. That got them Antonio Brown missing a catch in the end zone and Jerricho Cotchery stumbling his way to the 2-yard line on what should have been a touchdown.
@ The people who wanted to get rid of Rashard Mendenhall need only look at the game tape from Sunday to see the difference between Mendenhall and the other backs on the Pittsburgh roster.
I have to admit - even though I wasn't one of the dump Mendenhall crowd - that I didn't think the dropoff between him and Isaac Redman/Jonathan Dwyer was as great as it actually is.
But there it was right in front of me Sunday at Heinz Field, as Mendenhall showed the burst that Redman and Dwyer just don't have.
Though he is in his fifth NFL season, it's easy to forget that Mendenhall is still just 25 years old.
@ Funny what a running game - or at least the threat of one - can do to a pass rush.
The Eagles didn't record a sack Sunday and rarely even seriously pressured Ben Roethlisberger.
@ I asked Mike Tomlin after the game if he is concerned about his defense giving up another fourth quarter lead.
He simply replied, "No."
But it has to be troubling.
Pittsburgh allowed Philadelphia to gain just 246 total yards and gave up only two touchdowns. But both came in the second half.
Certainly, Philadelphia got 30 yards of their first TD drive on a pair of personal fouls and had to convert a pair of fourth downs on the second one, but the Steelers have to find a way to get stops in those situations.
@ James Harrison made his presence felt in this one, even if his stat line didn't show all that much - two tackles, three QB hits.
It was especially important considering that LaMarr Woodley is out for the time being with another hamstring injury.
You have to figure that the Steelers will be without Woodley and Troy Polamalu on Thursday night against Tennessee. Polamalu left in the first half as well after his calf injury flared up.
Couple that with the possibility - and I'm saying possibility here since who knows how the NFL will rule this - that backup safety Ryan Mundy could get a one-game suspension for his second helmet-to-helmet hit on a receiver in the past two games, and the Steelers could be down to Ryan Clark and Will Allen backed up by rookie Robert Golden at safety against the Titans.
Friday, October 05, 2012
Who I like, Philadelphia version
With their backs against the wall a bit, the Steelers are finally healthy, as all 53 men on the team's active roster practiced this week for the first time this season.
In fact, Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles will mark the first time since last year's opener that the Steelers will have their projected starting defense on the field at the same time.
That game didn't work out so well as the Ravens pounded the Steelers, 35-7, in Baltimore.
But this game is at Heinz Field, where, quite frankly, the Steelers don't lose often to NFC teams.
In fact, the Steelers have won their past seven games at Heinz Field against NFC opponents, with the last loss being a 21-14 defeat at the hands of the New York Giants in 2008.
Despite Antonio Brown calling out Eagles' nickel corner Brandon Boykin, the Steelers will probably have more of a running-based attack in this game - at least early on.
Pittsburgh feels like Philadelphia's wide sets with its defensive ends will allow Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman some running lanes.
There will be some losses in the running game since Philadelphia's stunts sometimes lead them into the right hole, but the Steelers feel that with Ben Roethlisberger playing so well, they can offset that.
The Steelers are 3-point favorites in this one and should win and cover that spread, beating a Michael Vick-quarterbacked team for the first time. Vick is 1-0-1 against the Steelers, making him the only current starting quarterback with at least 100 career games that Pittsburgh hasn't beaten.
Take the Steelers, 24-16
In fact, Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles will mark the first time since last year's opener that the Steelers will have their projected starting defense on the field at the same time.
That game didn't work out so well as the Ravens pounded the Steelers, 35-7, in Baltimore.
But this game is at Heinz Field, where, quite frankly, the Steelers don't lose often to NFC teams.
In fact, the Steelers have won their past seven games at Heinz Field against NFC opponents, with the last loss being a 21-14 defeat at the hands of the New York Giants in 2008.
Despite Antonio Brown calling out Eagles' nickel corner Brandon Boykin, the Steelers will probably have more of a running-based attack in this game - at least early on.
Pittsburgh feels like Philadelphia's wide sets with its defensive ends will allow Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman some running lanes.
There will be some losses in the running game since Philadelphia's stunts sometimes lead them into the right hole, but the Steelers feel that with Ben Roethlisberger playing so well, they can offset that.
The Steelers are 3-point favorites in this one and should win and cover that spread, beating a Michael Vick-quarterbacked team for the first time. Vick is 1-0-1 against the Steelers, making him the only current starting quarterback with at least 100 career games that Pittsburgh hasn't beaten.
Take the Steelers, 24-16
Thursday, October 04, 2012
Boykin responds to Brown
On Wednesday, Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown called Philadelphia nickel corner Brandon Boykin the "candy bar" of the Eagles defense and said whoever is matched up against Boykin in their game had better win that matchup.
Thursday, Boykin responded.
Thursday, Boykin responded.
"That's his opinion," Boykin told the Philadelphia media. "That's funny to me. We're just going to continue doing what we've been doing as a secondary, and me as well."
"We'll see on Sunday. The game's on Sunday. There's no point in rah-rahing in the media on Thursday. I'll let my game do the talking."
Boykin even went as far as to say he hadn't heard of Brown, a Pro Bowl player in 2011, before this week.
"I don't know too much about Antonio Brown," Boykin said. "I just found out who he was this week."
@ The Steelers had all 53 players on their active roster on the field again Thursday, though defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said he might have to pick his spots with injured stars Troy Polamalu and James Harrison coming back.
Harrison, in particular, hasn't played in a game since last year's playoff loss at Denver.
"They might not be able to play the whole game but we’ll get a lot of quality
snaps from them. They both looked real well in the practices the last few days,
and I’m anxious to see them play," LeBeau said.
@ Offensive coordinator Todd Haley said offensive lineman David DeCastro is now pain-free and rehabbing well from the knee injury he suffered in the preseason.
DeCastro hasn't even needed a knee brace for the past week, though he's not able to return to practice for about another month.
The Steelers placed DeCastro, their top draft pick, on the injured reserve list with the intent on bringing him back later in the season using the new rule that permits teams to do that with one player.
Tuesday, October 02, 2012
Steelers finally healthy
The Steelers are expected to have their projected starting defense on the field Sunday against Philadelphia, marking the first time since the opener last year in Baltimore that will have happened.
Head coach Mike Tomlin listed neither Troy Polamalu or James Harrison on the team's injury list and expects both to play Sunday against the Eagles.
The Steelers had their starting 11 on the field together just once in 2011 for the first game against Baltimore. Cornerback Bryant McFadden was among that group, but was injured in that game.
You could argue that McFadden wasn't a starter - since he couldn't get on the field after his return - but even at that, the Steelers lost defensive end Brett Keisel the following week against Seattle.
The next guys to go down were Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton and Harrison at Houston. Smith was lost for the season - and his career - while Hampton missed three games and Harrison four.
By the time Harrison returned to play against Baltimore Nov. 11, fellow linebacker LaMarr Woodley was out of the lineup, having suffered a hamstring injury the previous week in a win over New England.
What does all of this mean?
We really haven't seen the Pittsburgh defense at its projected full strength in quite some time.
That's all part of the game as players age - they become more injury prone - but it will be interesting to see if the troubles the Steelers have had closing out games the past two seasons are solved by having a defense at full strength - or at least as close to it as they have been in some time.
Ziggy Hood has taken over on a full-time basis for Smith and isn't of Smith's caliber, at least not at this point in his career.
Though the Steelers haven't blamed injuries for their issues, it has certainly been pointed to by many, including myself, as a reason for some of their problems.
@ The only player Tomlin listed on his injury report was offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert, who is expected to return to practice today despite a groin injury.
Head coach Mike Tomlin listed neither Troy Polamalu or James Harrison on the team's injury list and expects both to play Sunday against the Eagles.
The Steelers had their starting 11 on the field together just once in 2011 for the first game against Baltimore. Cornerback Bryant McFadden was among that group, but was injured in that game.
You could argue that McFadden wasn't a starter - since he couldn't get on the field after his return - but even at that, the Steelers lost defensive end Brett Keisel the following week against Seattle.
The next guys to go down were Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton and Harrison at Houston. Smith was lost for the season - and his career - while Hampton missed three games and Harrison four.
By the time Harrison returned to play against Baltimore Nov. 11, fellow linebacker LaMarr Woodley was out of the lineup, having suffered a hamstring injury the previous week in a win over New England.
What does all of this mean?
We really haven't seen the Pittsburgh defense at its projected full strength in quite some time.
That's all part of the game as players age - they become more injury prone - but it will be interesting to see if the troubles the Steelers have had closing out games the past two seasons are solved by having a defense at full strength - or at least as close to it as they have been in some time.
Ziggy Hood has taken over on a full-time basis for Smith and isn't of Smith's caliber, at least not at this point in his career.
Though the Steelers haven't blamed injuries for their issues, it has certainly been pointed to by many, including myself, as a reason for some of their problems.
@ The only player Tomlin listed on his injury report was offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert, who is expected to return to practice today despite a groin injury.
Monday, October 01, 2012
Harrison back at practice
He didn't really want to talk about it, but James Harrison was a surprising participant at practice today for the Steelers as they got back to work following their bye.
The Steelers remain optimistic that Harrison, who hasn't played yet this season, will be ready to play against Philadelphia Sunday.
Harrison practiced for the first time since training camp began last Tuesday, but sat out again on Wednesday as he continues to try to work his way back onto the field following knee surgery in August.
Coupled with the return of Troy Polamalu, who again practiced Monday, the Steelers could be getting two key veterans back.
@ It should come as no surprise to the readers of this blog, but Rashard Mendenhall is also expected to return against the Eagles.
As I have been saying for several weeks, the Steelers were shooting for a return date of after the bye for Mendenhall, who has not played since tearing his ACL last Jan. 1.
The Steelers remain optimistic that Harrison, who hasn't played yet this season, will be ready to play against Philadelphia Sunday.
Harrison practiced for the first time since training camp began last Tuesday, but sat out again on Wednesday as he continues to try to work his way back onto the field following knee surgery in August.
Coupled with the return of Troy Polamalu, who again practiced Monday, the Steelers could be getting two key veterans back.
@ It should come as no surprise to the readers of this blog, but Rashard Mendenhall is also expected to return against the Eagles.
As I have been saying for several weeks, the Steelers were shooting for a return date of after the bye for Mendenhall, who has not played since tearing his ACL last Jan. 1.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Steelers take some days off
The Steelers got their final practice of their bye week in today with one conspicuous absence - linebacker James Harrison.
After practicing Tuesday, Harrison left the team facility on Wednesday before the team completed its late morning session.
That doesn't bode well, but it's not crushing, either.
It might come down to pain management for Harrison, who has shown in the past that he has a high tolerance.
On the positive side, strong safety Troy Polamalu was out there again for the second consecutive day and appears to be on track to play when the team returns to the field Oct. 7 against Philadelphia.
@ Ryan Mundy got rung up to the tune of $21,000 for his hit on Darrius Heyward-Bey last weekend in Oakland.
Given the one-game suspension of Denver's Joe Mays this week for illegal hits in back-to-back games, Mundy could be looking at a similar penalty for another illegal hit this season.
After practicing Tuesday, Harrison left the team facility on Wednesday before the team completed its late morning session.
That doesn't bode well, but it's not crushing, either.
It might come down to pain management for Harrison, who has shown in the past that he has a high tolerance.
On the positive side, strong safety Troy Polamalu was out there again for the second consecutive day and appears to be on track to play when the team returns to the field Oct. 7 against Philadelphia.
@ Ryan Mundy got rung up to the tune of $21,000 for his hit on Darrius Heyward-Bey last weekend in Oakland.
Given the one-game suspension of Denver's Joe Mays this week for illegal hits in back-to-back games, Mundy could be looking at a similar penalty for another illegal hit this season.
Good news for Steelers
It appears that both James Harrison and Troy Polamalu will be back on the field for the Steelers when they return to action against the Philadelphia Eagles.
That's good news for a defense that has been cheesy soft on the road.
There has been some question as to how much Harrison can help this team because of his health.
Remember, this is a guy who started last season at about 50 percent due to two offseason back surgeries.
Harrison on one leg is better than 75 percent of the pass rushers out there.
That's good news for a defense that has been cheesy soft on the road.
There has been some question as to how much Harrison can help this team because of his health.
Remember, this is a guy who started last season at about 50 percent due to two offseason back surgeries.
Harrison on one leg is better than 75 percent of the pass rushers out there.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Post-Oakland thoughts
This game reminded me of on in Chicago in 1995 when the Steelers got into a shootout with the Bears. The last team to have the ball was going to win it.
Only that Steelers team had a great defense to go along with an emerging offense.
This team has established stars all over on offense and Ben Roethlisberger is playing the best football of his life.
As for a great defense, not so much - at least on the road.
As Brett Keisel said after this one, this team needs to find a way to win on the road if it is going to get to where it wants to go.
That being said, Denver and Oakland are two tough places to open. There are easier road games coming, and the Steelers had to be pleased that they put up 31 points in a very hostile environment.
But the defense allowed scores on five consecutive possessions. Can't somebody, anybody, make a play?
While the Steelers have spent some big money on offensive players in recent years, they've also dropped some heavy coin on a couple of defensive players - LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons - as well.
They're not getting their money's worth right now.
Sure, Woodley had the team's lone sack Sunday and also had a tackle for a loss. But he finished with four tackles.
That was still better than Timmons, who had three tackles. In fact, after recording seven sacks and four forced fumbles in 2009, Timmons has five sacks and two forced fumbles - in the past two-plus seasons.
At this point, he's not even as impactful on a game as Larry Foote, who doesn't have nearly the athleticism of Timmons.
Often times, tackles are a matter of opportunity. But there's something to be said about players who make their own opportunities as well.
@ If you had any question about Mike Tomlin's faith in his defense to stop the Raiders in the second half, you only needed to see him go for a fourth-and-1 at his own 29.
At that point, it was the right call. As we saw, the Steelers couldn't stop Oakland's offense.
With that in mind, I'd have given serious thought to going for it on fourth-and-9 from the 36 as well.
@ Ben Roethlisberger played an outstanding game, leading the team to 31 points while continuing his hot play on third downs, where the Steelers converted 8 of 14 for the game.
But he once again had a chance to lead a fourth quarter, game-winning drive and failed.
In the past two seasons, Roethlisberger has led exactly one game-winner, and that came against lowly Indianapolis last season.
In his first seven seasons, Roethlisberger led 26 such drives, many of which came when he was, you know, just a game manager.
@ This is still a pretty good team with a chance to get much better coming out of the bye when it gets Rashard Mendenhall, Troy Polamalu and James Harrison back.
Mendenhall has looked good in practice and has to be able to give the team something better than the 2.6 yards per carry it's currently averaging.
Polamalu is still Polamalu, while even a one-legged Harrison would give this team some kind of pass rush outside of Woodley.
The Steelers are on pace to allow more touchdown passes (32) than they have sacks (27).
You want to know what's wrong with this defense? That's it in a nutshell. The lack of pressure is killing it.
@ That was a bad fumble for Jonathan Dwyer. With Mendenhall coming back and Barron Batch showing a little something as a third-down back Sunday, Dwyer could find his opportunities dwindling quickly.
@ On the positive side, with the return of Mendenhall, this offense has a chance to be one of the more dynamic ones in the NFL. If the defense can play average football the rest of the way and the offense continues to click, the Steelers still have the look of a 10 or 11-win team.
But unless they figure out how to win a big game on the road, any hopes of another Super Bowl run are just that, hopes.
Only that Steelers team had a great defense to go along with an emerging offense.
This team has established stars all over on offense and Ben Roethlisberger is playing the best football of his life.
As for a great defense, not so much - at least on the road.
As Brett Keisel said after this one, this team needs to find a way to win on the road if it is going to get to where it wants to go.
That being said, Denver and Oakland are two tough places to open. There are easier road games coming, and the Steelers had to be pleased that they put up 31 points in a very hostile environment.
But the defense allowed scores on five consecutive possessions. Can't somebody, anybody, make a play?
While the Steelers have spent some big money on offensive players in recent years, they've also dropped some heavy coin on a couple of defensive players - LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons - as well.
They're not getting their money's worth right now.
Sure, Woodley had the team's lone sack Sunday and also had a tackle for a loss. But he finished with four tackles.
That was still better than Timmons, who had three tackles. In fact, after recording seven sacks and four forced fumbles in 2009, Timmons has five sacks and two forced fumbles - in the past two-plus seasons.
At this point, he's not even as impactful on a game as Larry Foote, who doesn't have nearly the athleticism of Timmons.
Often times, tackles are a matter of opportunity. But there's something to be said about players who make their own opportunities as well.
@ If you had any question about Mike Tomlin's faith in his defense to stop the Raiders in the second half, you only needed to see him go for a fourth-and-1 at his own 29.
At that point, it was the right call. As we saw, the Steelers couldn't stop Oakland's offense.
With that in mind, I'd have given serious thought to going for it on fourth-and-9 from the 36 as well.
@ Ben Roethlisberger played an outstanding game, leading the team to 31 points while continuing his hot play on third downs, where the Steelers converted 8 of 14 for the game.
But he once again had a chance to lead a fourth quarter, game-winning drive and failed.
In the past two seasons, Roethlisberger has led exactly one game-winner, and that came against lowly Indianapolis last season.
In his first seven seasons, Roethlisberger led 26 such drives, many of which came when he was, you know, just a game manager.
@ This is still a pretty good team with a chance to get much better coming out of the bye when it gets Rashard Mendenhall, Troy Polamalu and James Harrison back.
Mendenhall has looked good in practice and has to be able to give the team something better than the 2.6 yards per carry it's currently averaging.
Polamalu is still Polamalu, while even a one-legged Harrison would give this team some kind of pass rush outside of Woodley.
The Steelers are on pace to allow more touchdown passes (32) than they have sacks (27).
You want to know what's wrong with this defense? That's it in a nutshell. The lack of pressure is killing it.
@ That was a bad fumble for Jonathan Dwyer. With Mendenhall coming back and Barron Batch showing a little something as a third-down back Sunday, Dwyer could find his opportunities dwindling quickly.
@ On the positive side, with the return of Mendenhall, this offense has a chance to be one of the more dynamic ones in the NFL. If the defense can play average football the rest of the way and the offense continues to click, the Steelers still have the look of a 10 or 11-win team.
But unless they figure out how to win a big game on the road, any hopes of another Super Bowl run are just that, hopes.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Greetings from Oakland
It's a beautiful day here in Northern California and a perfect day for football.
Inactive for the Steelers today are Rashard Mendenhall, James Harrison, Troy Polamalu, Stevenson Sylvester, Charlie Batch, Alameda Ta'amu and Mike Adams.
No surprises there, but Adams being inactive means that Kelvin Beachum is the third tackle today. I would expect that if the Steelers have an injury at tackle, though, they would bring in Legursky and slide Ramon Foster to right tackle.
Inactive for the Steelers today are Rashard Mendenhall, James Harrison, Troy Polamalu, Stevenson Sylvester, Charlie Batch, Alameda Ta'amu and Mike Adams.
No surprises there, but Adams being inactive means that Kelvin Beachum is the third tackle today. I would expect that if the Steelers have an injury at tackle, though, they would bring in Legursky and slide Ramon Foster to right tackle.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Who I like, Oakland version
The last time the Steelers visited Oakland, Ben Roethlisberger threw four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns, in a 20-13 Raiders victory.
The Steelers have manhandled the Raiders twice since that time - both at Heinz Field - including a 35-3 dismantling in 2010.
Like those two other teams the Steelers beat up on, this Oakland team looks like a mess.
The Raiders can't run the ball, putting up 68 yards in their first two games, can't stop the run, allowing 142 yards per game on the ground, and can't rush the passer, picking up just two sacks.
Other than that, they're fine.
Troy Polamalu and James Harrison will sit out again for the Steelers, but Roethlisberger and his receivers are healthy.
The Steelers haven't had much of a running game themselves, but they'll find one against the Raiders as they adjust from all of the outside runs they've attempted in the first two weeks to a more straight-ahead style.
Take Pittsburgh, which is favored by four points, to win this one, 24-13.
The Steelers have manhandled the Raiders twice since that time - both at Heinz Field - including a 35-3 dismantling in 2010.
Like those two other teams the Steelers beat up on, this Oakland team looks like a mess.
The Raiders can't run the ball, putting up 68 yards in their first two games, can't stop the run, allowing 142 yards per game on the ground, and can't rush the passer, picking up just two sacks.
Other than that, they're fine.
Troy Polamalu and James Harrison will sit out again for the Steelers, but Roethlisberger and his receivers are healthy.
The Steelers haven't had much of a running game themselves, but they'll find one against the Raiders as they adjust from all of the outside runs they've attempted in the first two weeks to a more straight-ahead style.
Take Pittsburgh, which is favored by four points, to win this one, 24-13.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Thursday news, notes
The good news for the Steelers is that Marcus Gilbert, Jonathan Dwyer, Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders were all back at practice today after sitting out Wednesday.
That wasn't altogether unexpected for any of those players.
But James Harrison, Troy Polamalu, Heath Miller and Mike Adams were all sitting out.
I don't expect Harrison or Polamalu to play again this week. There's no reason with a bye waiting. The Steelers want those two healthy for the long haul.
Miller should practice - at least in some form Friday - and play Sunday. The needle cures a lot of ills, especially torn rib cartilage.
As for Adams, his missing practice might be the most serious.
The Steelers' top backup tackle, it's unlikely the Steelers dress the rookie unless he practices Friday. He's sitting out with a sore back.
With Gilbert also suffering from a strained groin, that could leave the team short at tackle.
The guess here is that if push comes to shove, they will move Ramon Foster to right tackle and put Doug Legursky at guard if something happens to Gilbert Sunday at Oakland.
Rookie Kelvin Beachum didn't show anything in the preseason to warrant getting any playing time.
@ Interesting to note that the line on this game has dropped to 4 points after the Steelers opened as 6-point favorites.
But there is some basis. The replacement officials have called home teams for 44.9 percent of the penalties. Compare that to a 51-49 split for the regular officials.
Possibly because of that, home teams are 23-9 straight up and 19-12-1 ATS through two weeks this season.
On average over the previous three seasons, the home teams were 19-13 straight up and 16-15-1 ATS.
Coincidence? Maybe. It's something we'll keep an eye on this week.
That wasn't altogether unexpected for any of those players.
But James Harrison, Troy Polamalu, Heath Miller and Mike Adams were all sitting out.
I don't expect Harrison or Polamalu to play again this week. There's no reason with a bye waiting. The Steelers want those two healthy for the long haul.
Miller should practice - at least in some form Friday - and play Sunday. The needle cures a lot of ills, especially torn rib cartilage.
As for Adams, his missing practice might be the most serious.
The Steelers' top backup tackle, it's unlikely the Steelers dress the rookie unless he practices Friday. He's sitting out with a sore back.
With Gilbert also suffering from a strained groin, that could leave the team short at tackle.
The guess here is that if push comes to shove, they will move Ramon Foster to right tackle and put Doug Legursky at guard if something happens to Gilbert Sunday at Oakland.
Rookie Kelvin Beachum didn't show anything in the preseason to warrant getting any playing time.
@ Interesting to note that the line on this game has dropped to 4 points after the Steelers opened as 6-point favorites.
But there is some basis. The replacement officials have called home teams for 44.9 percent of the penalties. Compare that to a 51-49 split for the regular officials.
Possibly because of that, home teams are 23-9 straight up and 19-12-1 ATS through two weeks this season.
On average over the previous three seasons, the home teams were 19-13 straight up and 16-15-1 ATS.
Coincidence? Maybe. It's something we'll keep an eye on this week.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Tuesday with Tomlin
It was a short Mike Tomlin press conference today. And since more than half of that was eaten up by Tomlin heaping praises on the Raiders, there wasn't a lot of information passed.
But we did learn that Rashard Mendenhall will get some contact this week, a big step forward for the running back as he comes back from a torn ACL.
With the Pittsburgh running game struggling, the Steelers might be tempted to bring Mendenhall back sooner than they originally planned.
The plan when he was activated off the PUP was to wait until after the bye, but that could change to at least get Mendenhall a handful of carries this week and see how he responds.
The results couldn't be much worse than what we've seen.
@ Tomlin said the Steelers will take a similar approach with Troy Polamalu and James Harrison as the one they took last week when neither wound up playing against the Jets.
But what Tomlin meant is that the Steelers will take things day to day.
Like Mendenhall, the plan with Harrison was to bring him back after the bye.
The Steelers have been playing along with Harrison telling him he had a chance to play because that's how Tomlin feels you handle great players. You never tell them never.
But when it comes down to it, Tomlin is going to protect the player from himself. He's not going to allow him to come back too early just because his competitive fire is pushing him to do so.
As for Polamalu, I'm not going to be so quick to write him off.
If he practices by Friday, he'll play. If he doesn't he won't. It will be that simple.
@ Stevenson Sylvester will return to practice at some point this week and could possibly play Sunday.
Heath Miller has torn cartilage between his ribs. The Steelers will rest him in practice this week, but he'll play through the pain.
But we did learn that Rashard Mendenhall will get some contact this week, a big step forward for the running back as he comes back from a torn ACL.
With the Pittsburgh running game struggling, the Steelers might be tempted to bring Mendenhall back sooner than they originally planned.
The plan when he was activated off the PUP was to wait until after the bye, but that could change to at least get Mendenhall a handful of carries this week and see how he responds.
The results couldn't be much worse than what we've seen.
@ Tomlin said the Steelers will take a similar approach with Troy Polamalu and James Harrison as the one they took last week when neither wound up playing against the Jets.
But what Tomlin meant is that the Steelers will take things day to day.
Like Mendenhall, the plan with Harrison was to bring him back after the bye.
The Steelers have been playing along with Harrison telling him he had a chance to play because that's how Tomlin feels you handle great players. You never tell them never.
But when it comes down to it, Tomlin is going to protect the player from himself. He's not going to allow him to come back too early just because his competitive fire is pushing him to do so.
As for Polamalu, I'm not going to be so quick to write him off.
If he practices by Friday, he'll play. If he doesn't he won't. It will be that simple.
@ Stevenson Sylvester will return to practice at some point this week and could possibly play Sunday.
Heath Miller has torn cartilage between his ribs. The Steelers will rest him in practice this week, but he'll play through the pain.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Post-Jets thoughts
Lawrence Timmons takes a lot of heat on Steelers message boards - some of it deserved - for his lack of big plays.
But he might have made the biggest play in Sunday's win over the Jets when he decked quarterback Mark Sanchez just after the QB had scrambled toward the line of scrimmage and released a pass.
Prior to that hit - which drew a penalty - Sanchez had completed 4 of 5 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. After the hit, Sanchez was 6 of 22 of 58 yards.
Coincidence? I think not.
Timmons will likely be fined for his hit - which was much like the one James Harrison put on Colt McCoy last season - but it says here his teammates should kick in some money.
Without Harrison and Troy Polamalu in the lineup, the Steelers needed a tone-setting hit - even if it did cross the line. Timmons provided it.
@ I have defended the replacement officials thus far as not being all that much different than the regular officials.
But Sunday's game was a travesty.
Not only were their several bad calls made against both teams, but there seemed to be a huddle anytime a flag was thrown.
Referee Jerry Frump also took f...o...r...e...v...e...r every time he went under the hood for a replay.
The stat sheet said this game took just 3:08 to play, but it seemed more like three days with all of the stoppages.
@ I like the Steelers' new-look offense. Ben Roethlisberger seems to have bought into it as well.
He's spreading the ball around and using a lot of different options.
I also might add that while Roethlisberger was completing 16 of his 21 passes Sunday to his wide receivers for 192 yards and a touchdown, Joe Flacco was connecting on 4 of 11 for 79 yards to his wideouts.
@ I was a little surprised the Steelers didn't use their four wideout sets a little more to take advantage of not having Darrelle Revis on the field.
After all, wouldn't you think they would want, say, Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery matched up on 5-9 Ellis Lankster and 5-8 Isaiah Trufant, the Jets' third and fourth corners?
@ Will Johnson is proving to be a weapon out of the backfield and will continue to be so. He's a matchup nightmare for linebackers - especially when they don't cover him as the Jets failed to do.
@ Drew Butler has placed four of his first eight punts inside the 20. The kid's going to be all right.
@ Shaun Suisham banged a pair of 45-yard field goals at Heinz Field. Suisham struggled from the 40 to 50-yard distance last season, so that was a good sign.
@ The Steelers scrapped their outside running attack in the second half and started running right at the Jets.
It says here they should continue along that path until Rashard Mendenhall comes back and shows he's healthy.
Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer are not east-west runners.
But he might have made the biggest play in Sunday's win over the Jets when he decked quarterback Mark Sanchez just after the QB had scrambled toward the line of scrimmage and released a pass.
Prior to that hit - which drew a penalty - Sanchez had completed 4 of 5 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. After the hit, Sanchez was 6 of 22 of 58 yards.
Coincidence? I think not.
Timmons will likely be fined for his hit - which was much like the one James Harrison put on Colt McCoy last season - but it says here his teammates should kick in some money.
Without Harrison and Troy Polamalu in the lineup, the Steelers needed a tone-setting hit - even if it did cross the line. Timmons provided it.
@ I have defended the replacement officials thus far as not being all that much different than the regular officials.
But Sunday's game was a travesty.
Not only were their several bad calls made against both teams, but there seemed to be a huddle anytime a flag was thrown.
Referee Jerry Frump also took f...o...r...e...v...e...r every time he went under the hood for a replay.
The stat sheet said this game took just 3:08 to play, but it seemed more like three days with all of the stoppages.
@ I like the Steelers' new-look offense. Ben Roethlisberger seems to have bought into it as well.
He's spreading the ball around and using a lot of different options.
I also might add that while Roethlisberger was completing 16 of his 21 passes Sunday to his wide receivers for 192 yards and a touchdown, Joe Flacco was connecting on 4 of 11 for 79 yards to his wideouts.
@ I was a little surprised the Steelers didn't use their four wideout sets a little more to take advantage of not having Darrelle Revis on the field.
After all, wouldn't you think they would want, say, Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery matched up on 5-9 Ellis Lankster and 5-8 Isaiah Trufant, the Jets' third and fourth corners?
@ Will Johnson is proving to be a weapon out of the backfield and will continue to be so. He's a matchup nightmare for linebackers - especially when they don't cover him as the Jets failed to do.
@ Drew Butler has placed four of his first eight punts inside the 20. The kid's going to be all right.
@ Shaun Suisham banged a pair of 45-yard field goals at Heinz Field. Suisham struggled from the 40 to 50-yard distance last season, so that was a good sign.
@ The Steelers scrapped their outside running attack in the second half and started running right at the Jets.
It says here they should continue along that path until Rashard Mendenhall comes back and shows he's healthy.
Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer are not east-west runners.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Game day thread
As expected, Troy Polamalu and James Harrison are inactive for the Steelers.
With New England looking like a loser today against the Cardinals - go figure - the Steelers have a chance to run their winning streak in home openers to an NFL-best 10.
New England had won its past 10 home openers.
With New England looking like a loser today against the Cardinals - go figure - the Steelers have a chance to run their winning streak in home openers to an NFL-best 10.
New England had won its past 10 home openers.
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