It’s official. Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison is now a Cincinnati Bengal.

It’s been a weird off-season for the Steelers, and now Steeler Nation is faced with seeing the long-time Steeler in black and orange every Sunday. Weird.

We’ll remember the good times we had, James. Like that time you met Mary Poppins.

Of course, it doesn’t help that Harrison will now have a go at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line twice a year. In recent years, Ben Roethlisberger has suffered major injuries at the hands of the vaunted defenses from Cleveland and Kansas City. Cincinnati’s defense is tough as it is, and adding a former Defensive Player of the Year to the mix will make them tougher. Not good news for Big Ben and company.

On the bright side, we will still have two chances to see Harrison chase after Joe Flacco this coming season. So there is a bright side to all of this.

Remember how much fun we had with Wallace Watch 2012 last year?

Okay, nobody had any fun with Wallace Watch 2012. But that doesn’t matter because we get to experience Wallace Watch’s unfortunate spin-off sequel: Emmanuel Sanders Watch 2013! Following the basic formula for any sequel this time the stakes are higher. No longer can the Steelers sit back, and wait for Manny to sign his tender. Nope! This time those foes from New England have stepped in and forced the Steelers hand: match their offer or lose one of the few young, experienced receivers left on the roster.

The Steelers have until tonight to match the Patriots’ offer if they wish to keep Sanders.

For his part, Ben Roethlisberger has lobbied to keep Sanders. However, a third-round draft pick may be pretty tempting for an older team that has plenty of holes it needs to fill.

Stay tuned.

Harrison Staying In The AFC North?

It’s been reported that former Steeler linebacker James Harrison is close to working out a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Somewhere out there Joe Flacco is hiding in a huge pile of money, weeping. Sorry, Joe. You haven’t gotten rid of him yet it seems.

We interrupt “As The Locker Room Turns” to bring you the Salary Cap Shuffle.  In what has become a yearly tradition this time of year, the Pittsburgh Steelers are hard at work restructuring contracts in order to create space under the salary cap.

First up in the Salary Cap Shuffle was Lawrence Timmons. By restructuring Timmons’ deal, the Steelers managed to free up $5 million towards the salary cap.

Antonio Brown, in perhaps a sign of his willingness to bring togetherness and the spirit and meaning of kumbaya to the Steelers locker room, restructured his deal.

Not to be left out, Ben Roethlisberger restructured his deal, freeing up about $6 million. Big Ben’s restructured contract now has the Steelers near the $122 million salary cap. The Steelers may not be finished in the Salary Cap Shuffle, as it is rumored that LaMarr Woodley may restructure his deal as well.

And Now Back To “As The Locker Room Turns”

Speaking of Big Ben not wanting to be left out of things, the quarterback offered his two cents on the state of the locker room.

“Obviously, last year was frustrating for all of us, and when you’re frustrated and the season doesn’t go the way you want it to and things don’t go the way you want them to, things are said. I know all too well, after the Dallas game I was frustrated and said some things.

“The important thing to know is, there are no issues in our locker room. There are no issues with LaMarr. There are no issues on our team.

“The big thing for us is to move forward. Last year was last year, it was 8-8. We’re not happy about it. There are frustrations, but you know what? We’re done with it. We’re moving forward and we’re moving into this year … with whoever’s here, we’re looking to move forward. And we know Woodley’s going to be here and we know Woodley’s going to be ready to go as we all are going to be.”

It seems to me that Big Ben is just as tired of “As The Locker Room Turns” as I am. Hopefully that will be the final chapter in this soap opera.

Now that the 2012 season is in the books for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s time to look ahead to 2013.  While other teams, including two AFC North foes, are gearing up for the playoffs, the Steelers can only think what might have been.

Quarterbacks

While the Steelers are fortunate to have a franchise quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger, it’s time to take take a serious look for a serviceable back-up or two. Both Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch are free agents this offseason.

» Continue reading “Steelers: Looking Ahead To 2013″

Pittsburgh Steelers 24 Cleveland Browns 10

The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to finish the 2012 season on a strong note with a victory over the Cleveland Browns. Granted, finishing 8-8 isn’t ideal, but a win is a win.

Ben Roethlisberger finally returned to form, being rather inconsistent after coming back from his shoulder and rib injury. Big Ben was 15 for 23 for 134 yards and three touchdowns. Perhaps the most important stat for Ben was zero interceptions.

» Continue reading “Steelers Close Out 2012 Season With A Win”

Cincinnati Bengals 13 Pittsburgh Steelers 10

Remember that time, oh so long ago when the Steelers actually won a game? Oh, ’tis but a memory now, but what a grand memory it was.

The Steelers playoff hopes are also but a distant memory, as the lost against the Bengals eliminated the Steelers from the playoffs. This January while Ben Roethlisberger and company are enjoying lovely golf weather who knows where, the likes of the Ravens and the Bengals will be fighting for a shot at the Lombardi.

» Continue reading “Same Old Same Old From The Steelers”

Week 16

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Time: 1:00 PM

TV: CBS

Site: Heinz Field

Last Meeting: 10/21/12, W 24 – 17

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a must-win game. In a season filled with many must-win games, the Steelers have come up short more than once.

Which is why they are fighting for a sixth seed spot instead of the AFC North.

This game won’t be easy for the Steelers. The Cincinnati Bengals are the current sixth seed and are looking to make a return trip to the playoffs. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green  will most certainly attempt to pick on a young secondary and a defense that is unable to get off the field on third down.

» Continue reading “Week 16 Preview: Cincinnati Bengals Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers”

Dallas Cowboys 27 Pittsburgh Steelers 24, OT

Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals.

That was the difference in this very winable game for the Steelers.

The bend-but-don’t-break defense broke, thanks to poor tackling. A key fumble on special teams by Antonio Brown, flipped momentum and enabled the Cowboys to tie up the game in the fourth quarter. The offense could not capitalize on a fumble recovered by the defense. Ben Roethlisberger was only 24 for 40 in the game, with several passes off-target, including the interception in overtime that set up the game-winning field goal for the Cowboys.

At least Mike Wallace had a decent enough game.

» Continue reading “Fundamentals Doom Steelers”

San Diego Chargers 34 Pittsburgh Steelers 24

Ben Roethlisberger was back under center for the Steelers, but that really didn’t matter as the entire team decided against showing up for this game.

The Steelers’ many miscues set up plenty of opportunities for Philip Rivers and the Chargers, who took advantage of these opportunities. Where do I even begin?

• Back-to-back offsides penalties by Troy Polamalu and James Harrison gave the Chargers a first down and set up a 51-yard Nick Novak field goal for the first score of the game.
• Antonio Brown attempted to recover a lateral in the end zone instead of taking the safety.
• Big Ben throws an interception deep in his own territory, that sets up the final score for the Chargers.
• The defense’s general inability to stop the Chargers on third down.
• Special teams penalties. Again.

» Continue reading “Multiple Mistakes Doom Steelers Against Chargers”

Week 14

San Diego Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Time: 1:00 PM

TV: CBS

Site: Heinz Field

Last Meeting: 10/04/09, W 38-28

San Diego Chargers on Aeyrs: Nuts & Bolts

Ben Roethlisberger makes his return for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Huzzah! He’s back just in time to take on Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers are in the middle of a four game losing streak, two of which to AFC North opponents. Before Steeler Nation gets overly confident with the return of Big Ben, it’s good to remember that this is a Steelers team that lost to the Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans while Big Ben was under center.

» Continue reading “Week 14 Preview: San Diego Chargers Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers”