NFL PR guy, Greg Aiello has confirmed that Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain has been fined $40K for his hit on Steelers tight end Heath Miller in last nights game. Also being fined is Ravens nose tackle Haloti Ngata, who will be docked $15K for a hit on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger that resulted in a broken nose for Roethlisberger. Neither player was penalized on the field for either hit. Both fines were termed illegal blows to head of a defenseless player. Read more [...]

Below is the animated gif that links to the video replay of Ravens Haloti Ngata sacking Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as he hits him in the face, giving the QB a bloody and perhaps broken nose. Baltimore was not flagged on the play and Ben returned the next series and never missed a snap. The medical staff did a great job getting the blood flow stopped in a hurry. Read more [...]

This game might be more important to the Steelers than it is the Ravens because a loss by the Steelers almost assures them not winning the AFC North division. If the Ravens lose, they are just one game back, where as if the Steelers lose, they are two back on head-to-head tie breakers The Steelers lost in week 4 on a last minute touchdown by wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh and the Steelers offense blew a chance to put the Ravens away late bin the game by committing crucial penalties and failing to convert just one more first down to run out the clock. This will be a measuring stick for the Steelers Read more [...]

The Steelers allowed 2 sacks Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens and we have the breakdowns of both of them below in animated gif form. If you click on either of the images, you can see the full size replay on NFL.com. In the first sack on just the third offensive play of the game, the Ravens show blitz , but only rush 3. Haloti Ngata eventually gets the sack after 7 seconds and it was plenty of time for Charlie Batch to get rid of the bal despite having to move around in the pocket. If you were going to charge anyone on the line with it, it would have to be rookie center Maurkice Pouncey, but Read more [...]

3-0 is not good enough now as the Steelers look to open 4-0 and knock off the division rival in the process of heading off into the bye week and getting back starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the rest of the season. Every game with Baltimore is a war and below are what we deem to be 7 keys to the game for the Steelers to beat the Ravens in week 4. Keep Rice One Dimensional - Ravens running back Ray Rice can take over a game if you let. In his 3 games against the Steelers, Rice has 310 all purpose yards and a few key 1st down conversions. He can run between the tackles as well as outside Read more [...]

Charlie Batch seems to be mentoring OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Batch's brother married Pryor's cousin. The two had a relationship well before Pryor was the top recruit and player in the country. The NFL and its players' union discussed a proposal to change to an 18-game regular season during a bargaining session Tuesday. Both sides look forward to continuing these discussions and reaching a new collective bargaining agreement soon according to reports. The league and the NFL Players Association issued a joint statement about the meeting, saying that negotiations focused on several matters, Read more [...]

The Steelers wrapped up practice preparations on Friday for the game on Sunday versus the Ravens. Linebacker James Harrison (biceps) was added to the injury report after missing Friday with a bicep injury. Harrison is listed as questionable. Safety Troy Polamalu (knee), guard Chris Kemoeatu (wrist) and cornerback Keenan Lewis (back) did not practice on Friday and all three are listed as out on the injury report. Defensive end Brett Keisel (neck), running back Willie Parker (knee), wide receiver Hines Ward (hamstring), running back Rashard Mendenhall (hip) and wide receiver Mike Wallace (knee) all Read more [...]

Safety Troy Polamalu (knee) did not practice again on Thursday and now seems to be highly doubtful to play on Sunday. Guard Chris Kemoeatu (wrist) did not practice on Thursday after working fully on Wednesday and was added to the injury report. Cornerback Keenan Lewis (back) also sat out today after being limited on Wednesday. Defensive end Brett Keisel (neck), cornerback Anthony Madison (illness), running back Willie Parker (knee), wide receiver Hines Ward (hamstring), running back Rashard Mendenhall (hip) and wide receiver Mike Wallace (knee) all practice fully on Thursday and all should be good Read more [...]

The Steelers began practice preparations Wednesday for the week 16 game versus the Ravens on Sunday. Safety Troy Polamalu (knee), defensive end Brett Keisel (neck), cornerback Anthony Madison (illness), running back Willie Parker (knee) and wide receiver Hines Ward (hamstring) all sat out on Wednesday. The MRI on Polamalu revealed favorable results, however he still is not sure when or if he will practice this week. His status for Sunday gets more doubtful everyday he misses practice. Ward said after practice that there's no way he's missing the game against the Ravens. Cornerback Keenan Lewis Read more [...]

Ed Bouchette has another story on cornerback William Gay and the pressure put on him to take over the spot left vacant by Bryant McFadden. Gay has been a popular guy in the media this off season. ESPN blogger, James Walker, takes a look at the AFC North interior defensive lineman. Walker goes on to rank Haloti Ngata over Casey Hampton. I am sure Hampton would rather collect Super Bowl rings though and not blogger awards. Teresa Varley of Steelers.com has a piece on Limas Sweed and his fight for the number three receiver spot. Mike Bires has a column on Steelers rookie wideout, Mike Wallace, Read more [...]