The 2008 Steelers draft is looking mighty disappointing over half way through the season. Wide receiver Limas Sweed is the only one of seven draft picks to make any contribution, albeit not much. Sweed is just not catching on quick enough and nearly cost the Steelers dearly on a punt Thursday night. Right now he is an expensive Walter Young and needs to tighten up his game quite a bit to contribute any down the stretch. First round running back Rashard Mendenhall was gone before he even got started. Mendenhall broke his left shoulder early in the Ravens game and was placed on injured reserve. Linebacker Bruce Davis and tackle Tony Hills have been deactivated most of the season and quarterback Dennis Dixon is merely collecting checks holding a clip board. Linebacker Mike Humpal joined Mendenhall on injured reserve and really was not going to contribute any way. Safety Ryan Mundy has been relegated to the practice squad and probably has contributed there more than any of the rookies drafted.
If Mendenhall and Sweed do not contribute early next season, this draft could go down as one of the worse ones in a while for the Steelers. Everyone loves sexy running back, quarterback and wide receiver picks on draft days, but in hindsight the Steelers new they needed offensive line and defensive line help in the draft and yet it never was addressed. The Steelers never make a splash in free agency and rely totally on the draft to build for the future. The defense is playing great this season, but is getting older every game and the offensive line has only showed very few bright spots.
The Steelers brass hopefully has learned the lesson that drafting for need is more important than best player available, especially when you insist on building through the draft and not free agency.
The Steelers sluggishly defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 27-10 in the cold and snow Thursday night. The Steeler offense was very sluggish early on coming off of a short week and the defense was back in form after giving up a first quarter touchdown. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed 17 of 30 passes for 243 yards and 1 touchdown and rushed for another touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The Steelers running game managed 122 yards most of which were provided by Mewelde Moore who came in for willie Parker. Parker seemed to injure himself half way through the game and Santonio Holmes left the game with an apparent head injury after catching 5 balls for 84 yards. Moore rushed for 56 yards on 15 carries and caught 4 balls for 41 yards. Tight end Heath Miller returned from a one game absence to catch 4 balls for 44 yards and a touchdown. The Steelers were guilty of several miscues including a botch touch on a punt by rookie wide receiver Limas Sweed.
The Steeler defense limited the Bengals to 211 yards total offense and only 43 yards rushing. The win moves the Steelers to 8-3 on the season and a well needed 10 day rest before playing the New England Patriots at Foxboro a week from Sunday.
The Steelers look to freeze out the San Diego Chargers today in Pittsburgh. The Steelers look to spark the running game with the return of starting running back Willie Parker, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury. Parker will be wearing a shoulder brace as he recovers from a shoulder subluxation. The offensive line has been vocal about wanting to run the ball more. The Chargers defense has been giving up an average of 103.1 yards a game, but have only allowed 6 rushing touchdowns. The Chargers however are ranked last in passing defense, giving up 264.9 yards a game. The Steelers will have to balance the run to set up the pass. Starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger needs to rebound from a poor Colts game last week and get the ball out quick to avoid pocket pressure and he has to make smarter decisions in the passing game. Rookie wide receiver Limas Sweed looks to get in on four receiver sets after the release of wide receiver Dallas Baker on Saturday.
On defense the Steelers will be sparked by the return of linebacker LaMarr Woodley who sat out last week with a calf injury. Woodley is still not 100%, but should make an impact regardless against an offense that has given up only 12 sacks all season. Chargers wide receiver Chris Chambers is rounding back into shape after an ankle injury and looks to return today against the Steelers. The Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates are big play makers and require constant attention from the defense. The Steelers will look to rotate in several defensive backs in a banged up secondary.
The Chargers are 1-5 in their last 6 games on the road and 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh. The Steelers 5-1 in their last 6 games when playing San Diego. The cold weather will play a factor in this game and should prove to be a lower scoring game.
Predisction: Steelers 20 Chargers 16
On Saturday the Steelers made a surprising roster move. Not surprising was the promotion of rookie cornerback Roy Lewis to their active roster. The Steelers injured secondary made the move necessary. Surprisingly though, to make room on the roster, wide receiver Dallas Baker was released. This might signal the Steelers being more comfortable with rookie wide receiver Limas Sweed as the number four receiver going forward.
Tomorrow's game against the New York Giants will be a huge measuring stick of where exactly the Steelers are in comparison to the rest of the league. The Steelers combined opponents record thus far is 13-24, with no opponent having better than a .500 record. The rest of the schedule starting Sunday has Steeler opponents at a 35-29 record, with four teams having a better than .500 winning percentage. The Steelers have a league-high 25 sacks on defense and are back to their old blitzing ways under defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. On Sunday the Steelers must put pressure on Giants quarterback Eli Manning and concentrate on holding running back Brandon Jacobs under 100 yards. Once again the Steelers secondary will likely be left on a island with cornerback William Gay having to fill in for the injured Bryant McFadden. The 6-5 former Steeler wide receiver, Plaxico Burress will look to match up against the shorter 5-10 Gay. The Steelers will likely try to assign Ike Taylor to Burress most of the day, with help over top by safety Troy Polamalu.
On offense the Steelers will once again turn to running back Mewelde Moore to fill the void of the still absent Willie Parker. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes will be inactive after his marijuana charge on Thursday, so Nate Washington, Dallas Baker and rookie Limas Sweed will all be counted on in the passing game. The offensive line has been playing better as Darnell Stapleton has filled in well for the injured Kendall Simmons. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger must be mistake free versus a fast attacking Giants defense.
The key on Sunday will come down to the all important turnover and big play categories. This will be a hard hitting slug fest.
Prediction: Steelers 23 Giants 20
The Thursday morning trip around the Steelers news wire begins with Limas Sweed and how he could see first game action of the year on Sunday with Dallas Baker likely to be sidelined. Steelers.com also has a good piece on the Brett Keisel return from injury. Safety Troy Polamalu blast the current state of the NFL. Dale Lolley has a good feeling that Willie Parker will indeed sit on Sunday. Dan Rooney is all in favor of an extended schedule. Perhaps we can add a third Bungles or Clowns game. Lastly there is this story on Chad Mucho Stinko defending Hines Ward and the fines. Sad sad day for Bungle fans.
Steelers inactives
QB Dennis Dixon (3rd QB)
WR Limas Sweed
CB Deshea Townsend
LB Bruce Davis
T Tony Hills
T Trai Essex
DE Brett Keisel
LB Donovan Woods
Eagles inactives
QB A.J. Feeley (3rd)
LB Joe Mays
DE Bryan Smith
G William Andrews
G Mike McGlynn
WR Kevin Curtis
TE Matt Schobel
DE Victor Abiamiri
I certainly understand the Steelers sitting Limas Sweed right now because he just is not ready. Right now is a crucial time in his development and thuis far he seems like he has the right attitude. In the world of the TOs and the Ocho Cincos, that is refreshing. This isn't the University of Texas and he is not the big man on campus anymore. Sweed needs to take his time and learn from Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington. With so few spots available on game day, I suspect Sweed will remain inactive for quite a while unless an injury strikes. Washington will be a free agant after this season and I do not expect he will be signed back. Hopefully Sweed will be ready if called upon.
Strange day indeed for the Steelers as WR Limas Sweed returned to practice a day after being carted off with heat cramps only to find out he needs contacts. Sweed was caught squinting during film sessions and was checked out and fitted for contacts and glasses. S Anthony Smith tried to practice but had to shut it down after position drills. LB Mike Humpal suffered what appears to be a heat related hamstring injury and hopes to return on Friday. Returning to practice on Thursday were OL linemen Marvel Smith (groin), OL Jeremy Parquet (cramps), RB Mewelde Moore (illness), CB Bryant McFadden (groin) and LB James Farrior (groin). DL Travis Kirschke was given a day off due to a sore back. S Troy Polamalu (hamstring), G Chris Kemoeatu (triceps) and NT Casey Hampton (overweight) have yet to practice with the team.
Former Pitt player, T Jason Capizzi, is done for the year. He re-injured his left foot and will require surgery. The Steelers reached an injury settlement with him. The Steelers replaced Capizzi on the roster by signing veteran KR Eddie Drummond and Drummond was suited up working on returns on Thursday.
