Pittsburgh Steelers 27 New York Jets 10

It took a little time, but the Pittsburgh Steelers finally decided to show up for the 2012 season. Things got off to a not-so-hot start when the Steelers settled into old patterns of scoring field goals instead of touchdowns. Meanwhile the Jets marched down the field on their first possession and scored a touchdown.

The Steelers finally worked out the kinks on offense and got in the end zone with a nice little touchdown pass to Heath Miller. After that the Steelers got into a rhythm on offense and defense.

» Continue reading “Steelers Thump Jets”

Preseason Week 1

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Philadelphia Eagles

Time: 7:30

Site: Lincoln Financial Field

Last Meeting: 9/21/08, L 15 – 6

It’s here! Preseason football is finally here! Yes, we are still a month out from real football, but at this point in the summer I’ll take what I can get. Even if it means the starters play only one series at most.

This game will be the first game for the Eagles since the passing of head coach Andy Reid’s son Garrett. It will certainly be an emotional time for Coach Reid and the Eagles, and my heart goes out to the Reid family.

Top Five Burning Questions

• Is Big Ben even going to bother suiting up for this game? Between his shoulder and his ankle he’s already in midseason form injury-wise.
• What kind of play calling will new offensive coordinator Todd Haley have up his sleeve?
• Who will have a bigger impact: David DeCastro or Mike Adams?
• Since Mike Wallace is still holding out, will Emmanuel Sanders get a chance to shine?
• Can the Steelers win the turnover battle in a meaningless week one preseason game?

Ah, training camp. It’s a wonderful time of year. A new football season is just around the corner. Steeler Nation will make the trek out to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA just to catch a glimpse of Steelers football. It just makes you want to sing “Kumbayah.”

But alas, we’ve lost that Kumbayah feeling.

Mike Wallace remains unsigned, and the Steelers have suspended negotiations with the young receiver. If Wallace wants a long term deal, he must first sign the $2.472 million tender offered by the team. Once he signs, then negotiations are back on the table.

» Continue reading “Wallace Watch 2012: Steelers Suspend Negotiations”

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ injury situation got a little less murky.

Three players have been ruled out for Monday night’s game in San Francisco. Those players out include:

• Maurkice Pouncey
• Emmanuel Sanders
• Chris Carter

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Emmanuel Sanders will be out “a couple of weeks” after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee. Sanders missed Sunday’s game against the Ravens with a knee injury and the death of his mother.

In other injury news, Hines Ward should be able to play this week after getting a stinger from a helmet-to-helmet hit from Ray Lewis. Ward had “concussion-like symptoms”, but Coach Tomlin expects Ward to be able to play.

As of right now, the only player ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens is Doug Legursky. Everyone else? Well, as my Magic 8-Ball says, “Reply hazy, ask again.”

• James Harrison has been cleared to practice, but is not expected to play.
• According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, LaMarr Woodley will miss Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. Woodley posted a video to his Facebook page telling fans to “don’t count [him] out.” He certainly wants to play, but time will tell if he is able to play.
• James Farrior, who sat out against the Patriots, will be limited in practice on Wednesday.
• Jason Worilds also missed last Sunday’s game and is expected to practice on Wednesday.
• Hines Ward is expected to practice.
• Emmanuel Sanders will have his left knee evaluated.

Ravens Week Video: Tuesday Edition

Today’s video for Ravens Week is courtesy of TJ Houshmandzadeh’s stunning playmaking abilities in January’s Divisional playoff game against the Ravens.

» Continue reading “Steelers Injury Report: Reply Hazy, Ask Again”

The Steelers are getting ready to face Indianapolis on Sunday night, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take a closer look at the offensive performance against the Seahawks.

Ball Control

No fumbleceptions! It doesn’t matter that it was against the Seahawks. If you shoot yourself in the foot with turnovers, you make it very difficult to win the game. Roethlisberger got away with a few errant passes, but his passes were on target for the most part.

The Steelers did turn the ball over on downs on the first series of the game, but I like the decision to go for it on fourth and goal from the one. Yes, you do want to get points when you’re in the red zone. This was the first series of the game, and the Steelers had to set the tone. Unfortunately, the Steelers couldn’t take advantage and gain one yard.

» Continue reading “Week 2 Offense: A Closer Look”

And so, the preseason comes to a close. The Steelers beat the Panthers in the final preseason game. With roster spots on the line, the Steelers’ defense really stepped up. The defense once again won the turnover battle with a recovered fumble and an interception. They also put plenty of pressure on the Carolina quarterbacks and had four sacks on the evening.

On the other side of the ball, the offense was not nearly as impressive. In four trips to the red zone, they only managed to score two touchdowns. Granted, they were able to put points on the board through field goals, but the missed opportunities were there. Fumbles also appeared to be an issue. On the plus side, Mike Wallace managed to get a reception and Emmanuel Sanders played for the first time this preseason. Jonathan Dwyer was very impressive with 88 rushing yards, including a 50-yard touchdown run.

In the end, it was Steelers 33, Panthers 17. Ravens Week: The Extended Edition begins NOW.

Pros

• Jonathan Dwyer: 13 attempts, 88 yards, one touchdown
• Four sacks from the defense.
• Emmanuel Sanders returns and has 4 receptions for 60 yards.
• The kicking game seemed really strong tonight.
• No injuries.

Cons

• The Panthers had over 300 passing yards.
• The Steelers were only 2 for 4 in the red zone.
• Dennis Dixon didn’t seem all that sharp. Granted, I was only able to “watch” the game through stat updates, so there may be more to his line of 11/22, 157 yards, 1 TD.
• Fumbles. Hold on to the rock, guys.

Preseason Week 4

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Date: September 1, 2011

Time: 8:00 PM

Site: Bank of America Stadium

The final preseason game of the year is upon us. With the opener in Baltimore looming on the horizon, this serves as the final tune-up before the regular season begins. That being said, the starters aren’t going to see much playing time. The Steelers don’t need any more injuries heading into Baltimore, and this game is mainly one last chance for guys to make the team.

Five Burning Questions

• Who will be the better Cam(eron): Newton or Heyward?
• Will Emmanuel Sanders play?
• Will Antonio Brown see much playing time?
• Will the defense be able to create more turnovers?
• Who will get more rushing yards: Jonathan Dwyer or Isaac Redman?

• Backup quarterback Byron Leftwich had surgery yesterday to repair his broken arm. Leftwich broke his arm in Saturday’s game against the Falcons. Coach Tomlin has not yet decided on Leftwich’s status with the team.
• In more injury news, Maurkice Pouncey sat out practice yesterday due to an ankle injury. Pouncey reinjured his ankle in Saturday’s game against the Falcons.
• In better injury news, receiver Emmanuel Sanders returned to practice yesterday. Sanders has been out with a foot injury since the beginning of training camp. Sanders hopes to be able to play in Thursday’s final preseason game in Carolina, but doesn’t want to push himself too far.

“I learned my lesson the first day of training camp and that is don’t get back out there until my foot is 100 percent,” said Sanders. “That is not based off my mind, but based off the x-rays. Right now the x-rays are starting to look good. I am going to practice full speed, but do it in a smart manner. Hopefully if I show enough I can play against Carolina.”