Steelers - Browns
In the midst of yet another controversy and after one of the sorriest excuses for an NFL football game, the Cleveland Browns make another trek to Pittsburgh. In spite of the fact that the Steelers have won 15 of their last 17 contests, this is still considered a rivalry.
As things are now, the rumors are flying in Cleveland. Not about the Steelers’ game. Not even so much about the probability that the Brownies will trade another first round draft pick, Brady Quinn, away. (They’ve made no secret that they are sticking with Derek Anderson.) But the big rumors are swirling around Eric Mangini. He and the Browns are being investigated by the NFL over the mysterious injury of rookie James Davis. Davis was injured while not wearing pads by another player in full pads. Bill Livingston of the Cleveland Plain Dealer has gone as far as to suggest he should be suspended or fired if he knew this was going on.
I think the issues swirling around this team are going to keep them bogged down. They were fortunate to win the pathetic exhibition in Buffalo. If Troy Polamalu returns this could look like Sunday’s Giants – Raiders game. It could come in at 44 – 7.
That being said, I think (hope) the Steelers keep Troy on the sidelines. They don’t need to rush him here. He’ll be much more valuable down the road. Have you noticed we still have the undefeated Vikings and Broncos coming up? Not to mention two games against Baltimore! Save Troy for one more week!
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Posted in Steelers.
Tagged with Browns, Pittsburgh, Steelers.
By Jack
– October 12, 2009
Troy Polamalu
According to the Trib, one of Troy Polamalu’s best friends is telling him not to play Sunday against Detroit. Ryan Clark is advising him to wait it out. I can’t say I disagree. Troy is much too valuable to chance on the Detroit Lions. I might even advocate giving him two weeks off. Why chance aggravation of the injury in Detroit or against the Browns. We will need him operating at 100% later this season. Playing on Detroit’s artificial surface is just more of a risk than the Steelers should take. What are your thoughts?
Posted in Steelers.
Tagged with Pittsburgh, player news, Polamalu, Steelers.
By Jack
– October 8, 2009
Rashard Mendenhall shined in the Steelers Chargers match
Okay, so I’ll gladly eat crow this morning. I was a very vocal skeptic on Rashard Mendenhall’s NFL prospects. I was sure he was a wash out. I think he answered myself and his other critics last night. He looked like Walter Payton out there. He was focused and very much in tune with the game. His blocking was impressive and as Willie Parker said, “He came back each and every play with a vengeance, like somebody said somethin’ about his mama or something”. Rashard played like a man possessed. Whatever lesson Mike Tomlin was teaching him by sitting him down against Chicago was obviously received. He was flat out exciting to watch. We actually had a running game for the first time this season. I’m sure Parker will return when he’s able. One great performance does not earn a starting spot. I expect he’ll be sharing the RB duties. With Isaac Redman joining the roster, Parker may have his work cut out for him when it comes to remaining their number 1 back. After the season Willie Parker will become a free agent. Time will tell who the number one back is next season.
Let’s not forget Big Ben. He completed 14 of 18 in the first half. He finished the game with 333 passing yards with two touchdowns. Not too shabby. In most contests these would be the stats that standout but Mendenhall’s play just outshined everyone.
Okay, so what the hell happened in the fourth quarter? Once again, the wheels came off. It’s very odd that a team could completely dominate a game in every way for 45 minutes and have a complete reversal of fortune. Is it a let down? Is it complacency? It’s difficult to answer. The defense had no reason to be tired. Ben and his offense were on the field twice a long as the D. (Time of possession was 40:20 for Pittsburgh and 19:40 for the Chargers.)
Hopefully this victory will be turn the corner. Lord knows the next two match-ups should be confidence boosters. The Lions followed by Browns. But that is exactly what frightens me. The Steelers just seem to better when they are underdogs. I’ve been chastised in the past for repeating this theory but it just so friggin’ tempting. How do you explain late losses to Cincy and Chicago. Well, maybe, just maybe, those teams are better than many people thought. Both are now 3 and 1. Not where anyone thought they’d be. Of course not many people predicted the Titans would be 0 and 4 right now either.
Posted in Steelers.
Tagged with Chargers, Pittsburgh, player news, Steelers.
By Jack
– October 5, 2009
RB Isaac Redman
The Steelers have released defensive end Nick Eason in order to sign running back Isaac ‘Redzone’ Redman off the practice squad. Anyone who reads my articles knows that I have been lamenting the fact that Redman was relegated to the practice squad. Every time they stalled in the red zone I almost cried. I have a feeling this kid is something special. Let’s hope we see him Sunday night.
Redzone Redman
