Visit NFL from the sidelines on the new Observer-Reporter site: http://www.observer-reporter.com/section/BLOGS08

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Roethlisberger practices Wednesday

Ben Roethlisberger practiced Wednesday for the Steelers, but backup Dennis Dixon took more than 50 percent of the snaps.

Roethlisberger wasn't talking Wednesday as he recovers from a slight concussion, but it's likely the Steelers were getting Dixon more snaps just in case he were forced into action Sunday in Baltimore.

With No. 2 QB Charlie Batch out for two to four weeks with a broken left wrist, Dixon is the only QB behind Roethlisberger on the roster.

Roethlisberger took a knee to the head in last Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss at Kansas City but has been medically cleared to play against the Ravens.

© Guard Chris Kemoeatu (knee) and safety Troy Polamalu (knee) did not practice due to injuries Wednesday.

13 comments:

Steelers Depot said...

Defensive end Travis Kirschke (calf) was limited as well. Still a week away or will he go full on Thursday?

Patrick said...

Rocky Boiman + Corey Ivy = Super Bowl

Dale Lolley said...

They'll see how he feels Thursday. If he feels better than he did last week, he'll go through a full practice. If not, he could sit again.

Anonymous said...

Watching Dixon in the preseason I thought he handled himself fairly well. I know the preseason is nothing like the real thing, but I was wondering what you thought about his preparation and understanding of the offense.

Matt said...

They cut McLendon to make room for Palko. I guess they didn't think he had any potential?

With our dire need for NT depth for next year, I was hoping he'd turn out to be an UDFA diamond in the rough like Jamal Williams.

Anonymous said...

What's the o/u on the number of empty sets Arians dials up this week?

Patrick said...

Yes, let's not get school-girl giddy over castoffs boiman and ivy. This is the correct equation:

Steelers - Polamalu or roethlisberger = no Super Bowl



Patrick

Anonymous said...

Patrick,

They're both on the fast track to Canton so any team that loses to players of that magnitude are going to make it difficult to win a SuperBowl. Heck, even with them it's going to be tough.

Dale Lolley said...

That's pretty much the case. Take away any team's QB and their best defensive player and they're going to be in trouble.

Palko doesn't have the arm to play in the NFL. He's got everything else - leadership, moxie, etc. – but the arm is important. That's why you see so many guys drafted high - JaMarcus Russell, Ryan Leaf, etc. – who have the arm but not the others.

As for McClendon, he was the expendable guy. They have seven defensive ends on the active roster. They couldn't cut anyone else and be able to hold a normal practice. You don't want front line guys to have to run on the scout teams.

Patrick said...

you guys got to be kidding me. My post was obviously sarcastic.

You people amaze me sometimes.

Smarter Patrick said...

Patrick,

I speak for many of us when I say we are really sorry for assuming you were serious when you said something idiotic.

Patrick

Patrick said...

and all you do is follow this idiot around apparently.

post something original dude

Anonymous said...

Drafting based on the arm strength has been a disaster for the teams that have done it. The statistical studies are showing that high percentage passers in college and productive ones are the same in the pros. (that does not count running QB's though, only on the passing side of the game).
Russell looked bad out of college to the Stats guys and they said it. They stated in one publication (I can't remember which one) that he was the new Ryan Leaf.
BTW the formula they used to evaluate college QB over the past decade or so shows that the three highest rated QB's out of college were:
1. Ben
2. Payton
3. Brady
(Rivers was 5 btw). None of their top 20 were flops, none. No Tim Couchs or Jamarcus Russells. No Arm strength only candidates.