As Ben Roethlisberger's version of the events that took place in Milledgeville, Ga hit our Twitter account yesterday, it really has not and will not help his cause in my opinion. I hope there is evidence of her falling and hitting her head on her on accord. Every day it seems a new twist comes out that does not help Ben's cause unlike the Nevada case where everything that came out discredited the accuser. A long way to go on this one.
The 20-year-old woman who has accused Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of sexual assault plans on returning to Georgia College and State University next week according to WSBTV.
The son of new Steelers offensive line coach, Sean Kugler, has received eight scholarship offers to colleges to play football after he graduates high school. Robert Kugler is a 6-foot-3, 235-pound defensive end and will be moving with his family to Pittsburgh in April and will be attending North Allegheny High School.
We have updated our 2010 Steelers salary cap numbers to reflect the contracts of Antwaan Randle El, Ryan Clark, Will Allen, Arnaz Battle and Jonathan Scott. Randle El signed a three-year, $7 million contract that included a $900,000 signing bonus. Clark signed a four-year, $14 million contract that contains $5 million guaranteed, $3 million signing bonus and $3 million available through incentives. Allen signed a three-year, $4.4 million contract that included a $975,000 signing bonus. Battle signed a three-year, $3.9 million contract that included a $975,000 signing bonus and Scott signed a one-year, $545,000 contract.
A rumor that veteran center Hank Fraley has a planned visit to Pittsburgh is untrue according to a message from his agent Ralph Cindrich. Fraley was released by the Browns on Wednesday of last week and will visit the Rams today. Cindrich said the Steelers have called with interest, but no visit is scheduled at this point.
The AFC North offered up more free agent signings on Wednesday as the Bengals decided on signing receiver Antonio Bryant over Terrell Owens for four-years and $28 million deal. Also the Ravens resigned receiver Derrick Mason to a two-year, $8 million agreement. I have to be honest in saying that neither signing strikes fear in me as a Steelers fan.
Steelers.com has a piece up on new Hall of Famer and Steelers defensive coordinator, Dick LeBeau.
Thanks to our blog readers, Facebook fans and Twitter followers, Steelers Depot has made it to the Elite 8 round of the 2010 Pittsburgh Sports Blog Tournament. One more win would put us in the Final Four out of the MOE MANTHA DIVISION. We are humbled and thankful. Please keep this Cinderella run alive, vote here!
The Ratbirds have signed wide receiver Donte' Stallworth. The Ravens have five receivers on their roster who will become free agents in some capacity. I can't help but snicker at this signing.
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Pittsburgh's newest sports radio station, 93.7 The Fan is creating a bit of a buzz. Ron Cook and Joe Starkey are doing a great job thus far. Give it a listen.
John Harris thinks that free agent safety Ryan Clark will cash in elsewhere when free agency starts. If Jeff Reed and Casey Hampton are both tagged, he could be right. I just do not see the Steelers keeping Clark unless he is given the transition tag.
Jerry Micco's newest sports chat transcript is up on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Jerry is all over the place in this one.
The Steelers officially announced the hiring of Al Everest as the team’s new special teams coordinator, something we announced a few days ago.
Keep your eyes on former Bucs wide receivers coach Richard Mann. He is reportedly interviewing today with the Redskins, but if he isn't hired, he might get a call from Mike Tomlin. Tomlin coached with Mann at Tampa and Mann is also a native of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.
Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley will play in a charity basketball game put on by New Orleans Saints defensive back Mike McKenzie, Friday, Feb. 5, in Miami.
Steelers Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Ham will take part in an autograph session Jan. 30 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio along with former Bills head coach Marv Levy. Ham and Levy will sign from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Doors open at 9 a.m. The cost for the autograph session is $35 and ncludes museum admission and one autograph from both Ham and Levy. A maximum of 300 tickets will be sold.
ESPN north blogger, James Walker, wants to know if the Steelers or the Ravens have an easier fix this offseason to get back closer to Super Bowl contention in 2010.
The PPG has an updated story on A.Q. Shipley who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles recently. Shipley liked his chances better at making the Eagles roster next year as a center. Seems the Steelers were working him at guard.
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu will be in a second quarter Super Bowl commercial for the cable channel truTV. The spot will promote "NFL Full Contact," a new show promising a behind-the-scenes view of professional football. Let's hope there is no jinx like the Head and Shoulders/Madden/Coke Zero jinx of 2009.
The latest chat transcript from Ed Bouchette is live on the Post Gazette website. Ed thinks the Steelers will make a serious push to re-sign nose tackle Casey Hampton.
If you missed the news I broke yesterday, the Steelers signed CFL special teams ace Derrick Doggett to a futures contract on Tuesday. Doggett's only legitimate chance of making the Steelers 2010 final 53 man roster will likely be as a special teamer, something the Steelers desperately need after the dismal 2009 showing. He certainly is worth watching in training camp.
Scott Brown of the Tribune-Review looks back at the 2007 draft and how the Jets snaked cornerback Darrelle Revis one pick before the Steelers drafted that year. The Steelers ended up drafting Lawrence Timmons, who has played well, but one can't help but wonder how Revis would of looked in the black and gold.
ESPN AFC North blogger James Walker reports that unless something changes with the current CBA, the Ratbirds will not be able to sign a free agent this offseason until one of its own free agents signs with another team. Walker explains that if that happens, any new free-agent signing has to match up dollar for dollar. This will hamper the Ravens chances of making a huge free agent splash this offseason.
Hines Ward gave a candid end of season interview with Steelers.com and said he has plenty left in him going forward and is motivated to win his 3rd Super Bowl championship next season.
Mike Tomlin said it best following the Steelers 23-20 win on Sunday versus the Baltimore Ravens. Not dead yet! That is pretty much the long and short of it following an afternoon of some good and bad Steelers football. The Steelers defense, who had been responsible for several 4th quarter collapses this season, did not surrender any 4th quarter points to the Ravens today. The defense forced some turnovers and was aided by several Ravens miscues and penalties. The Ravens committed 11 penalties for 113 yards on the day. One resulted in a negating a Willis McGahee touchdown and following a few more penalties, pushed the Ravens out of field goal range.
Offensively for the Steelers, it was a day of missed opportunities. They moved the ball well at times on the banged up Ravens defense, but could not convert 2 of 3 red zone drives into touchdowns. Running back Rashard Mendenhall dropped a sure touchdown pass on their first red zone possession following a Ravens turnover and penalties and drops thwarted another red zone possession in the 4th quarter. That drive did result in the game winning 38 yard field goal by Jeff Reed. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger struggled a bit with his accuracy on the day, but finished 17 of 33 for 259 yards. He also added a 24 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Santonio Holmes and one interception on the day. Roethlisberger was also sacked 4 times on the day. Holmes led all receivers on the day with 86 yards on 5 receptions. Mendenhall finished with just 36 yards rushing on 17 carries and did fumble once. He added a 4 yard touchdown run and did manage to crack 1000 yards on the season. The offense never could find a true rhythm on the day as the Ravens did a great job disguising and guessing on run blitzes.
The defense bent several times, but did not totally break. The gave up 141 rushing yards to Ravens running back Ray Rice, but did manage to hold quarterback Joe Flacco to 166 yards passing on the day. Flacco managed 2 touchdown passes to tight end Todd Heap on size mismatches, but the defense managed to sack Flacco 4 times and intercept him once. They also forced 2 key fumbles in the game, both in Steelers territory. The defense was also benefited by drops, the most noticeable by receiver Derrick Mason who dropped a sure touchdown pass in the endzone after a great double move. The Ravens offense moved the ball well in the second half, but continued to shoot themselves in the foot with drops and penalties. The Steelers made plays defensively though when given second chances. Linebacker LaMarr Woodley finished with 2 sacks and 10 total tackles on the day and was all over the field. Cornerback Ike Taylor played his best game in several weeks as well and recorded his 2nd career sack on Sunday. Rookie defensive end Ziggy Hood added a sack and a key 4th quarter fumble recovery late in the game following a Flacco fumble. Both teams finished a dismal 5 of 13 on 3rd downs on the day.
The Steelers now move to 8-7 on the season and still do not control their own destiny as far as making the playoffs go. The Steelers travel to Miami next week in a must win game and must get help in order to get a Wild Card spot. Depending on how the help works out, they could be waiting until Sunday night to see if the Bengals can knock off the Jets. That game has been flexed to the NBC Sunday Night game. The Steelers are not dead yet, but it will be a long week in Pittsburgh as several teams have their hands firmly gripped on the life support power cord.
Injury wise, Tomlin said that wide receiver Hines Ward is very banged up after tweaking his hamstring again. Defensive end Brett Keisel suffered another stinger but expects to play next week. Linebacker James Harrison played with one arm mostly on Sunday as he is slowed with a biceps injury. All three players will likely be limited early next week and Tomlin will update their conditions on Tuesday. Tomlin hinted he would give another MRI update on safety Troy Polamalu, who sat out his 6th straight game with a knee injury.
Audio and video from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin post game press conference following the 2009, week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday December 27th, 2009. Transcript to follow!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Mike Tomlin: You know, like I just told the football team, this is our bed, but I like how they’re laying in it. Not dead yet. Still got a pulse in this thing and we’ll continue to control the things we can control, playing winning football, preparing, doing the best we can. They did today and made enough plays to win, so we move on to next week and we’re hopeful that we’ll get the necessary help, but again, we make no excuses or have no explanations. We put ourselves into this position, but I like the way they’re dealing with it.
Question: How did dealing with your situation change in the past three weeks?
Mike Tomlin: You know, we’re in single-elimination football already in my perspective. It’s playoff football for us already and has been for the last two weeks. Again, there’s a different sense of urgency, but it’s one we’ve placed on ourself. We’re not looking to blame anybody, we’re just dealing with it the best way we know how. They’re staying together, they’re working hard during the week and they’re making enough plays to get out of stadiums with W’s and that’s what it’s about.
Question: Is it the matter of making the play here and there that’s changed this team?
Mike Tomlin: That’s all it is. I know that sometimes when you lose you look for deeper reasons why but, every week I come up here and tell you it’s a play here or a play there. You’ve got to make a play. You’ve got to make significant plays at significant moments. When we’ve lost, it’s because we haven’t, when we won, it’s because we have. We had that same football team at fourth-and-five in Baltimore with a chance to end that game in regulation, and Ray [Rice] beat us inside and had a 50-yard or 40-yard play, and they send the game in overtime and we lose. We had a similar situation out there today and we made the necessary play. That’s what this game of football is about, that’s what it’ll always be about. I know sometimes that’s not the answer you’re looking for but it’s really just that simple.
Question: Is it a relief to the defense that they pitched a shutout in the fourth quarter?
Mike Tomlin: I don’t know if they’re looking at it that way, I know I’m not. We just need enough plays to win. Style points, we’re way past that, we’re just trying to stay alive.
Question: Did something kick in with LaMarr Woodley in the second half? He seems to be playing better.
Mike Tomlin: He’s been that kind of guy since he’s been here. His rookie year, he came on late in the year, last year late in the year, playoffs he was playing good football. He’s a guy that’s on the rise at the appropriate time and that’s what makes him a good player.
Question: Could you give us an update on Hines Ward?
Mike Tomlin: He’s just beat up you know, hamstrings and so forth. We’ll do the best we can to get him to the party, he’ll take care of the rest. You know if he’s got a chance he’s going to show up for his team. He did today, but it was not comfortable by any stretch.
Question: Was Harrison close to not going?
Mike Tomlin: No, same guy. Same mentality. He played with one arm today, but he played pretty good for a one-armed guy.
Question: Talk about Ziggy Hood.
Mike Tomlin: He made a few plays for us. A young guy kind of taking advantage of opportunities. Of course, he was afforded more of an opportunity because of what Brett Keisel’s been going through. He made a few timely plays for us. He’s a quality young player, he’s going to be a good player, not soon enough for us, not soon enough for him but we’re seeing strides week in and week out. We’re excited about what he could be. He helped us today which is good.
Question: In the beginning of the game, [Andre] Frazier was out in the huddle instead of James Harrison until James Harrison showed up. What happened?
Mike Tomlin: No, he was just going to stay out there until he saw James [Harrison]. James [Harrison] was over there getting his arm heated up. Dre [Frazier] saw he wasn’t on the field. He was just going to cover so we had 11 on the grass until he showed. There was no indecision about whether 92 [James Harrison] was going to play or not, he was going to play, but Andre [Frazier] was just doing what quality backups do. He saw the guy that he plays behind not on the field and he took his place until he was replaced.
Question: Did Joey Galloway need more time learning the system?
Mike Tomlin: Yes, given some of the things going on at wide receiver of course, Mike Wallace had a laceration to his knee during the week, Hines [Ward] has a few things wrong with him, we felt like the backups needed to be multiple-position players, guys capable of playing more that one spot. Tyler’s [Grisham] been here all year. We’re comfortable with his ability to handle multiple positions from an assignment standpoint. Joey’s [Galloway] been here three or four days, not as comfortable. We’ll get him back in the lab and hopefully next week, he can be a multiple-position guy and hopefully that will give him an opportunity to help us.
Question: Was that incomplete pass to Derrick Mason in the fourth quarter reviewable for a fumble?
Mike Tomlin: I was told that I could challenge it, but if I did, it would be ruled as an incomplete pass, so why challenge it? That’s what I was told. I’m still trying to figure that out.
Question: Ziggy [Hood] caught a break on that last one.
Mike Tomlin: Man, we need a break or two don’t we? We’ve had our share of the opposite.
Question: You made a change in the secondary with Deshea [Townsend], how do you think it worked?
Mike Tomlin: You know, we’re looking for guys that make football plays. Deshea [Townsend] played pretty solid a week ago, made a football play down there in the red area. We wanted to reward him for it, but all those guys are going to play. You can see that we’ve got multiple packages with three corners and a safety and sub-package football. We’re going to need contributions from all those guys, I think they understand that and they know that. The big thing is that they’re in the right frame of mind in terms of being ready to deliver for us. I liked the way they fought today, I liked the way they were around the football, they didn’t play tentative today. That’s what’s going to be what’s required as we chase hopefully some January football, but our emphasis and our attention at this point is preparing and ultimately playing the Miami Dolphins. One shot, one kill football for us.
Question: Were the patterns based on substitutes or the other team?
Mike Tomlin: No, it was definite pattern based on their personnel and situation.
Question: Do you anticipate having Troy [Polamalu] back?
Mike Tomlin: Come to the press conference on Tuesday, I’ll give you the MRI update, or not.
Question: Are there any other injuries?
Mike Tomlin: Some minor things, of course Hines [Ward] is miserable, a few others, but nothing significant at this point. A lot of the preexisting things, Brett Keisel, stingers, Hines [Ward], hamstring, James Harrison, bicep, but nothing new, no.
Below are the pre-game inactive players list of both the Steelers and the Ravens. The inactive list are released 90 minutes before game time.
Steelers Inactives
S Troy Polamalu
DE Ra'Shon Harris
G Kraig Urbik
G Chris Kemoeatu
WR Joey Galloway
CB Keenan Lewis
QB Charlie Batch (3rd)
FB Carey Davis
Ravens Inactives
S Ed Reed
QB John Beck (3rd)
T Jared Gaither
LB Tavares Gooden
WR Justin Harper
NT Kelly Talavou
G David Hale
S Keith Fitzhugh
Would you want it any other way as a Steelers fan? A week 16 matchup that means a ton to both teams playoff wise. The Ravens are currently on the inside looking out, while the Steelers are on the outside looking in. At the end of the day on Sunday, the Steelers could have their destiny in their own hands with a win against Baltimore and several other key games falling their way.
The Steelers once again will be without safety Troy Polamalu, while the Ravens will likely be minus safety Ed Reed. The Ravens secondary limps in also without cornerback Lardarius Webb, who has been lost for the season. The Steelers will try to attack a patch worked Ravens secondary through the air, while the Ravens will look to release all purpose running back Ray Rice on the Steelers defense. Rice had 155 yards combined in the week 12 meeting between the two teams in which the Ravens won in overtime. In that game, third string quarterback Dennis Dixon started for the injured Ben Roethlisberger and managed to keep the game close. This time around, Roethlisberger is healthy and coming off of his best performance of his career against the Packers.
If the Steelers want to win this game, they must continue doing what they have been doing right on offense, while the defense needs to find a way not to collapse in the 4th quarter. Linebacker James Harrison is a game time decision, but should play. His effectiveness could be limited with his recent bicep injury though. Also on defense, cornerback Deshea Townsend will start in place of William Gay at left cornerback. Gay has been targeted and torched over the last several weeks, so the change is indeed needed. Gay will continue to play in nickel defense formations as the extra cornerback on passing downs. He needs to be up for the task and the role, regardless. Linebacker James Farrior needs to reach deep as well. The aging linebacker is showing his age and has been missing key tackles, especially late in games. The Steelers defense has not forced a turnover in the last 3 games and that has to change today if the Steelers want to win.
Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall needs to keep up his effectiveness as an all purpose back as well. Mendenhall contributed 73 reception yards last week versus Green Bay and will likely see his role in the passing game continue this week as well. The Steelers offense needs to take advantage of what the Ravens give them defensively as the running game should not be abandoned too early. The Ravens will look to hide their injured secondary, so the opportunity to run should be there all day as well.
Two weeks ago, it looked as if the Steelers season was over. Several things have gone their way since then and the Steelers must win today so they can continue to watch the scoreboard for more help across the league. At the end of Sunday, the Steelers very well could control their own destiny for the post season, but it starts with taking care of Baltimore first. Lose and the season is definitely over. I think the Steelers will rise to the occasion in their final home game of the season. This one will be close, but the Steelers will find a way to win this one.
Prediction: Steelers 24 Ravens 20
Below are seven matchups or things to look for on Sunday as the Steelers take on the Baltimore Ravens.
Silverback And The Blindside - James Harrison showed up on the Friday injury report as questionable with a bicep injury, but all signs still point to him playing. Harrison very well could be lining up against Ravens rookie Michael Oher, who looks to line up at left offensive tackle for the third consecutive game in place of the injured Jared Gaither. Oher will be in charge of protecting the blindside of Joe Flacco. Harrison has 43 tackles, six sacks and four forced fumbles in the past six meetings with the Ravens.
Old Man Townsend - Deshea Townsend looks to start at left cornerback this week in place of the struggling William Gay. Gay will be the nickel corner on passing downs with Townsend covering the slot receiver in the nickel packages. Townsend likes to gamble and could be in line for the first Steelers interception by a cornerback if he gambles right on Sunday. Good play by Townsend could be the difference in the game.
Attacking Injured Ratbirds Secondary - The Steelers may be missing Troy Polamalu once again, but the Ravens are extremely thin in their secondary, especially if safety Ed Reed misses another game. The Ravens are also missing rookie Lardarius Webb who is now out for the season and Chris Carr will start in his place. Fabian Washington was also lost for the season a month ago and the Ravens secondary is pieced together with late free agent signings. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will certainly look to exploit the secondary with certain matchups and the Steelers should be able to move the ball through the air on the Ravens.
Rice Rice Baby - It is no secret that Ravens running back Ray Rice was the difference in the last game versus the Ravens. The Steelers did a poor job containing him on passing downs and can not let linebacker James Farrior to be singled up on Rice. The Steelers must get a defensive back to spy on Rice to help limit his effectiveness, especially on third downs.
3rd Downs On Both Sides - The Steelers need to do a better job at converting their own 3rd downs on offense and stopping the Ravens on defense on 3rd downs. This may be the most telling stat of the game on Sunday. Whoever does a better job converting these downs will likely win the game.
Turnovers Wanted - The Steelers have struggled at getting turnovers this year, especially turnovers at key points in the game. If the Steelers do not win the turnover stat on Sunday, they will not win the game. It is now or never for the final time for the defense.
Pressure Unibrow - Joe Flacco was must sacked, hurried and knocked down all day. Let him get comfortable in the pocket and he will pick the defense apart. The front 3 must get a better push on passing downs and corner blitzes will need to be disguised and mixed in often on passing downs. Flacco does not need to throw for 300 yards to win. He can throw for only 200 and still beat you. He must pay the price for standing in the pocket.
This weeks tea leaves are pretty clear as far as game day inactives versus the Ravens on Sunday. Quarterback Charlie Batch will be the number 3 again with all likelihood this week as Dennis Dixon is the clear number 2 now. Safety Troy Polamalu is out once again. Guard Chris Kemoeatu will also be inactive after suffering a set back with his wrist injury. Ramon Foster will start again in his place and that means Tony Hills will likely be given a helmet again this week while rookie Kraig Urbik seeing his normal spot on the inactive list. Cornerback Keenan Lewis is out with a back injury and continues to struggle finding a way to get a game day helmet. Defensive ends Ra'Shon Harris and Nick Eason will in all likelihood remain inactives as well. The last real mystery is the final inactive spot. With wide receivers Hines Ward and Mike Wallace being a little banged up, you could see both newly signed receiver Joey Galloway and rookie Tyler Grisham both active on Sunday. This would give the Steelers 5 game day active wide receivers plus Stefan Logan who has lined up as a wide receiver in some formations. If both Galloway and Grisham are active on game day, then fullback Carey Davis would likely be the last inactive. It just as easily though could be Grisham or Galloway as the last inactive as well.
Check back here for the OFFICIAL LIST 90 minutes before game time.
Likely Sunday Inactive List
S Troy Polamalu
QB Charlie Batch (3rd)
G Chris Kemoeatu
G Kraig Urbik
CB Keennan Lewis
DE Ra'Shon Harris
DE Nick Eason
FB Carey Davis
