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″

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”

Preseason Week 3

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills

Time: 7:00 PM

Site: Ralph Wilson Stadium

Last Meeting: 11/28/10, W 19-16 OT

The preseason keeps on rolling along as the Steelers travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills. The starters will play at least the first half, possibly longer depending on the whims of Mike Tomlin. I’d like to see if the offense or defense can accomplish… anything. The starting offense didn’t muster much beyond Antonio Brown’s TD. On the other hand, defense started out strong against Andrew Luck and the Colts, but fizzled out before the backups took the field.

In other news, Max Starks will start the game at left tackle. Starks started training camp on the PUP list after injuring his ACL in the Playoff Game That Shall Not Be Named. The Steelers had a plethora of ACL injuries in January, and Starks is the first to return to action. Here’s hoping he hasn’t been rushed. While Mike Adams hasn’t been the answer just yet, rushing Starks potentially does more harm than good.

Top Five Burning Questions

• Will Mike Adams actually block anyone?
• How will the tight ends feature in the offense against the Bills?
• Can the defense create more turnovers this week?
• Will the offense actually score touchdowns?
• Who will have the majority of carries at running back?

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?

• 

  Papa Roethlisberger / By Andy, via Wikimedia Commons

  With Father’s Day just around the corner, I suppose it’s fitting that Ben Roethlisberger and his wife Ashley are expecting their first child. The little bundle of joy, a boy, is due sometime later this year. Congrats to Ben and Ashley!

• In non-Roethlisberger news, first and second round picks David DeCastro and Mike Adams will participate in a three day mini-camp which begins today. DeCastro and Adams missed all OTA sessions due to school. However, they are certainly ready to go.

“I am very excited just to get out there and work with the guys,” said Adams. “I haven’t gotten to work with any of the older guys yet. To get out there and work with the guys, I can’t even tell you.”

With his off-field drama behind him, Adams has quite a bit to prove, and I’m glad he’s excited.

And boys? Ben has a kid on the way. You can’t let Roethlisberger die now. So, no pressure on learning the system or anything.

The Steelers will start their OTAs on Tuesday, but will do so without David DeCastro, Mike Adams, and Mike Wallace.

DeCastro and Adams are still in school and are not allowed to participate  until the end of their school’s respective quarters.

Wallace, on the other hand, still has yet to sign the first round tender worth $2.742 million. Wallace is holding out for a bigger payday, most likely in the Larry Fitzgerald range.

Of course, time is of the essence for Mike Wallace. If he doesn’t sign by June 14, then he may be out a few million. At that point, the Steelers would only be required to pay Wallace 110% of his 2011 salary, which was $525,000. And if my calculations are correct, which they better be, that means the Steelers would only have to pay out $577,500. That would be a downright steal.

• 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.

Kevin Colbert and the Pittsburgh Steelers are taking the offensive line woes seriously. The planets aligned yesterday, and the Steelers were able to pick Stanford guard David DeCastro. Tonight the Steelers picked up OT Mike Adams from Ohio State to further shore up the offensive line.

Adams may be known for his issues off the field. He was one of players caught up on the trinkets for tattoos scandal that led to the eventual ouster of head coach Jim Tressel. More recently Adams admitted to smoking marijuana  and tested positive for the drug at the NFL combine.

Adams’ off field drama most likely caused him to drop in the draft, but if he can can stay out of trouble and actually block this may be a steal for the Steelers.