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″

You’d have to be living under a rock to be unaware of the countless injuries the Pittsburgh Steelers have sustained this season, and Week 12 was no exception.  Several more players went down in the slugfest vs the Cleveland Browns, resulting in a mind-boggling shift of players on the active roster and practice squad.  Check it out:

1. RT Marcus Gilbert, hoping to return from an ankle injury, suffered a setback and was placed on IR.
2. Rookie T Mike Adams, the 2012 2nd round draft pick who has been filling in for Gilbert, suffered an ankle injury and will reportedly miss “significant time”.
3. Rookie Kelvin Beachum will likely start in place of Adams, whom he relieved during the Browns game.  It will be his first NFL start.
4. 2012 1st round draft pick RG David DeCastro, who sustained a knee injury during preseason, was activated from the “IR with designation to return” list.  It is unclear if he will start, as Ramon Foster has played well in his absence.
5. LG Willie Colon has been sidelined with a swollen knee and may sit this week again…rumor has it that if Colon can’t play, ProBowl center Maurkice Pouncey may slide into the guard position, leaving backup Doug Legursky to fill in at center.
6. Rookie G John Malecki continues to bounce between practice squad and active roster.  This week, he’ll again be on the list of 53.
7. WR Antonio Brown practiced well this week and is expected to make his return against the Ravens.  This is good news indeed.
8. With Brown returning, rookie WR David Gilreath was released to make room on the roster.  The Steelers would likely have signed Gilreath back to the practice squad, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers claimed him off waivers.
9. Other rookies that were released were lost to other teams as well: WR Toney Clemons was signed by the Jaguars and G Ryan Lee was signed by the Saints.
10. To fill out the practice squad, T Joe Long (brother of Dolphins 1st round pick Jake Long), G Justin Cheadle (no relation to the actor Don Cheadle),  and WR Bert Reed (not in any way connected to paper towel dispenser killer K Jeff Reed) were all added.
11. RB Jonathan Dwyer will get the start over Isaac Redman and Rashard Mendenhall, who sits at #3 on the depth chart after fumbling twice on 4 carries against the Browns as part of the turnover marathon.  I guess Dwyer’s fumble was the least offensive?
12. WR Mike Wallace got a mini-demotion and now shares the starting position with Emmanuel Sanders opposite Antonio Brown.  Sanders has performed well in AB’s absence.

1. LaMarr Woodley will sit out with an ankle injury, and Jason Worilds will again start opposite James Harrison.  Both Worilds and Harrison have been performing well recently.
2. QB Ben Roethlisberger if officially out vs the Ravens, and Charlie Batch will again get the start.  Byron Leftwich continues to recover from rib fractures.
3. WR Jerricho Cotchery is also trying to return to the field from his rib injury, but don’t expect him to play this week.  Plaxico Burress will fill his spot.
4. After playing a mere 1.25 games this year, safety Troy Polamalu may finally make his return this week.  The #1-ranked defense has been playing so well the past few weeks, I think a lot of fans have stopped missing him.
5. Safety Ryan Clark has managed to avoid even minor concussions since he started wearing his new, big (unfashionable in his opinion), kevlar reinforced helmet.  Looking good, Ryan.

I don’t know about you, but all this roster movement makes my head spin…I need to rest up for the big game Sunday.  Steelers vs Ravens is always huge, and never more so than this week.  Ravens will essentially clinch the division with a win.  If the Steelers can pull off the upset, who knows?

Good news, everyone!

Good news everyone! 

Rashard Mendenhall and Ryan Clark are listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. With the injury issues the Steelers have faced this season, “probable” is a magical word.

Mendenhall has seen limited playing time this season due to the knee injury he suffered at the end of last season as well as the Achilles injury he suffered against the Titans. Clark is coming off his second concussion in three weeks.

As expected, Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu, Antonio Brown, and Marcus Gilbert will be out for the Steelers. Roethlisberger will be out indefinitely with his shoulder/rib injury. Steel City Blitz contributor Melanie Friedlander discussed her take on Big Ben’s injury in her latest House Calls article.

» Continue reading “Mendenhall And Clark Probable For Sunday”

In what is becoming a running theme this season, Troy Polamalu will not play this coming Sunday against the New York Giants. Polamalu has missed the majority of this season with a calf injury.

Marcus Gilbert has also been ruled out for Sunday’s game. Second round draft pick Mike Adams has done an outstanding job filling in for the injured Gilbert. However, the rookie will face his first real test against the New York Giants.

In more promising injury news Ryan Clark practiced for the first time since sustaining a concussion in the game against Washington. Clark will have to pass a series of tests in order to play on Sunday.

“I got dinged. It was a football play,” said Clark. “I passed my test this morning that I had to take. Practice was another test. You have to make sure none of the other systems linger from having a concussion. I feel good. I am going to continue preparing to get ready for the game on Sunday.”

» Continue reading “Steelers Injury Report: Polamalu Out Again”

Week 7

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals

Time: 8:20 PM

TV: NBC

Site: Paul Brown Stadium

Last Meeting: 12/04/11, W 35-7

The Pittsburgh Steelers finally see some AFC North action as they head into Bengalland to take on the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite having 10 days off since the disaster of a game in Tennessee, the Steelers are still banged up a bit. The Steelers will be without Troy Polamalu, Marcus Gilbert, Rashard Mendenhall, and Isaac Redman. At least LaMarr Woodley seems like he’ll be back, so that’s something.

For their part, the Bengals have hit a bit of a rough spot. They are coming off losses to the Dolphins and Browns and look to redeem themselves against the Steelers. The Bengals didn’t fare too well in their only primetime appearance thus far this season. Of course, the Steelers have looked foolish in both of their primetime games, so someone will have to break this battle of wills and actually win this game.

Or they will tie, in which case, we all lose.

» Continue reading “Week 7 Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals”

Tennessee Titans 26 Pittsburgh Steelers 23

Dear the Steelers,

What can I say? You played like crap and made me stay up late. I am not a happy camper.

Sure, you have plenty of excuses. Troy Polamalu and LaMarr Woodley were out with injuries. And sure, Maurkice Pouncey, Marcus Gilbert, Isaac Redman, and Rashard Mendenhall to injuries. But did Ike Taylor injure the part of him that can actually cover his man?

Sorry, that injury excuse doesn’t fly with me. So really, what’s your deal?

» Continue reading “Dear The Steelers: You Are Bad And You Should Feel Bad”

Week 2

New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Time: 4:25

TV: CBS

Site: Heinz Field

Last Meeting: 1/23/11, W 24 – 19

New York Jets on Aerys: The Green Room

The Steelers look to earn their first win in their home debut as they take on the New York Jets. Injuries continue to plague the Steelers, as James Harrison and Troy Polamalu are listed as questionable for the game. The bright side? The Steelers will get back Ryan Clark, who did not play in Denver, as well as Ramon Foster and Marcus Gilbert, who had early exits in Sunday night’s loss in Denver. The New York Jets will also be without Darrelle Revis, who is out with a mild concussion.

» Continue reading “Week 2 Preview: New York Jets Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers”

The Pittsburgh Steelers returned to Denver to start their season where they finished it last year.  This time they faced Peyton Manning under center, and the results were not much different.  Manning’s arm strength may not be the best, but his ability to read a defense hasn’t lost a step in his year off.  Sealing the victory with a pick 6 by the defense, the Broncos won 31-19.

The Steelers followed their game plan to wear down the opposing defense with their run game and controlled the clock, keeping Manning on the sideline for much of the game.  The defense, playing without Ryan Clark, James Harrison, and Stevenson Sylvester, couldn’t keep the 4-time MVP from putting points on the board. » Continue reading “Steelers Fall to Broncos in Season Opener 31-19″

• It looks like the sparkly new offensive line is starting to take shape. Willie Colon has confirmed that he is moving from right tackle to left guard. Second year tackle Marcus Gilbert, who filled in for the injured Colon for almost the entire 2011 season, is expected to remain at right tackle. Newcomers David DeCastro and Mike Adams are expected to start at right guard and left tackle respectively.
• Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher has helped to launch Melanoma Exposed. Coach Cowher’s wife Kaye died from melanoma in 2010.

“When it is caught early it is very treatable, but when it gets into your system, it’s very fatal,” Mr. Cowher said.

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