***OFFICIAL*** Steelers 2012 Thread (1 Viewer)

[5-ish Finkle]

Biggest thing for me with Worilds is that when he's been healthy his first step has been like he's fired out of a cannon. That's not something you can teach, particularly for a guy that big.

He needs to get better, clearly, but I think the pieces for that to happen are probably there. He/Butler just need to get the puzzle together entirely. Right now it's like they've got all the edge pieces taken care of, but that big chunk of sky in the upper right corner, where all the pieces are the exact same color, is still needing some attention.

 

[timschochet]

I'm afraid it's going to be a long year.

Big Ben was heroic tonight, especially on 3rd down. But we just cannot control the line of scrimmage on either side of the ball. No running game to speak of. And Keenan Lewis is really a weakness.

 

[The Jerk]

Gotta see how Foster and Gilbert are, and see if Harrison can return soon before I get too concerned with the lines. Denver's two lines are both above average, I believe, although I'm no line expert. I just know that Dumervil and Miller are a tandem as good as any in the league.

The big concern is pass coverage, and the seeming absence of the defense for nearly the entire second half. Still, it's not like Blaine Gabbert or Brandon Weeden carved them up. And it surely didn't help the secondary that Clark was out, either due to his direct influence or indirectly by how his game interplays with Troy's.

I expected the Steelers to lose, and I hoped the Steelers would have a chance to win, and they did both. So, all in all not too bad as far as the specific result. Maybe you're right that it could be a long year, but I don't think that's assured yet.

I'll also say this. Tonight was about 1,000 times better than last year's opening game.

Given that football is always about injuries and attrition, perhaps it's too much to hope for, but get a healthier OLine (as always, it seems), Harrison, Mendenhall and Clark back, and Wallace up to full game speed, and maybe it's not as bad as you think. I mean, there's at least still reason to hope, right. Last year, 12-4 looked like a pipe dream after Week 1. This year's schedule looks harder, but that also logically applies to the Ravens, too. And at least the Steelers don't have to play the Patriots and Texans.

 

[36th Chamber]

Not a fan of T Haley'd play calling last night, especially in the 1st half. Throw the damn ball already!

I know we were up against Manning and of course he came out to show and prove BUT our pass D once again scares me as well.

 

[belljr]

Gotta see how Foster and Gilbert are, and see if Harrison can return soon before I get too concerned with the lines. Denver's two lines are both above average, I believe, although I'm no line expert. I just know that Dumervil and Miller are a tandem as good as any in the league.

The big concern is pass coverage, and the seeming absence of the defense for nearly the entire second half. Still, it's not like Blaine Gabbert or Brandon Weeden carved them up. And it surely didn't help the secondary that Clark was out, either due to his direct influence or indirectly by how his game interplays with Troy's.

I expected the Steelers to lose, and I hoped the Steelers would have a chance to win, and they did both. So, all in all not too bad as far as the specific result. Maybe you're right that it could be a long year, but I don't think that's assured yet.

I'll also say this. Tonight was about 1,000 times better than last year's opening game.

Given that football is always about injuries and attrition, perhaps it's too much to hope for, but get a healthier OLine (as always, it seems), Harrison, Mendenhall and Clark back, and Wallace up to full game speed, and maybe it's not as bad as you think. I mean, there's at least still reason to hope, right. Last year, 12-4 looked like a pipe dream after Week 1. This year's schedule looks harder, but that also logically applies to the Ravens, too. And at least the Steelers don't have to play the Patriots and Texans.

Clark doesn't play in Denver because the last time he did he almost died. Sickle Cell Trait and High Altitude apparently don't mix

ETA: I misread that - I thought you were saying Clark didn't play because of how him and Try play together at denver

 

[hammerva]

Are we just going to use the Ryan Clark excuse every time the secondardy sucks now because I thought we were smarter than that? Please tell me again why we didn't need to do anything on our secondary problems in the last years. Is Keenan Lewis really better than William Gay?

Unless Brandon Weeden is throwing the ball, you have to hold your breath when the opposing team's QB gets good protection this year.

 

[3C's]

Are we just going to use the Ryan Clark excuse every time the secondardy sucks now because I thought we were smarter than that? Please tell me again why we didn't need to do anything on our secondary problems in the last years. Is Keenan Lewis really better than William Gay?Unless Brandon Weeden is throwing the ball, you have to hold your breath when the opposing team's QB gets good protection this year.

They've drafted CB's several times over in recent drafts: Allen, Brown, Lewis and now added Van Dyke. All are 3rd rounders except Allen who was a 4th rounder projected to possibly go in the 3rd. yes, Lewis is better than Gay (as is Allen) but needs some game experience.

 

[3C's]

I'm afraid it's going to be a long year.Big Ben was heroic tonight, especially on 3rd down. But we just cannot control the line of scrimmage on either side of the ball. No running game to speak of. And Keenan Lewis is really a weakness.

It's one game...versus a playoff team from last year that is very much improved.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

No running game to speak of.

That Dwyer chap seemed to do OK.

 

[Kenny Powers]

I didnt really get to see much of the first half, probably will watch sometime in the next few days, but the biggest reasons we lost was our OL (poor pass protection and penalties) and not getting any sort of pass rush on Peyton IMO. Lewis was really exposed in the 2nd half, whether by getting beat or holding. Allen let Tamme get free on him that one play, but I dont see why Allen isnt starting on the outside over Lewis. To cut Lewis some slack though, Decker is a Top 30 WR in the NFL and a great route runner. While DEN certainly called a lot of quick drop plays to counteract our rush, still needed to get more consistent pressure on Peyton. With their playcalling in mind though, we needed to adjust and press their WRs, and I didnt see that either. I wont blame the Clark/Mundy situation on the loss, but once again Mundy is the last guy in Demaryius' way on the big catch and run, and Thomas blows right by him (without Mundy even getting blocked as far as I could tell).

Really only positives I saw were Ben looked very good and accurate, Dwyer once again showed why he should be getting 80% of the carries (Redman doesnt sniff the vision it takes to make the run Dwyer did when he almost got the TD), and Young Money looked realll fast out there as a group.

 

[The Jerk]

I thought I heard some talking head on the Fan say Mundy was held by the jersey on the D.Thomas TD. Whatever.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Is Keenan Lewis really better than William Gay?

He's not any worse.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Ravens look good, real good

They made Cincy look like a bottom 10 team, which I highly doubt will be the case

 

[timschochet]

I have to admit, through 5 quarters of this season I was pretty down. But then the old Steelers somehow returned: they shut down the run, Woodley put tremendous pressure on Sanchez, and Big Ben actually had time to throw for most of the game. And we even were able to run the ball on occasion.

With the Ravens losing (oh happy day!) things look bright... for the moment. The weaknesses are still there, but so is Roethlisberger. As long as he stays upright, we have a shot to beat any opponent. Some of the throws he made today were incredible, and as for the receptions: Wallace's miraculous endzone catch and Heath Miller's 3rd down stretch were both absolute things of beauty to watch.

 

[Godsbrother]

Much better performance by the Steelers yesterday although there were a couple of times I was scratching my head: Casey Hampton playing on a few obvious passing downs, Woodley coming off the field on some of those same passing downs, attempts to sweep Redman and a few others that I cannot recall now. The officiating was also brutal.

Still it was an impressive win and it was nice to see the Ravens lose. Looking forward to beating Oakland next week and then we have the bye. It looks like the week 4 bye is coming at a good time -- hopefully we'll have everyone back for the Eagles game in week 5.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

A cool side story...

My real life friend (fellow gym rat) was the guy who got 2 sacks against us yesterday. Garrett McIntyre.

I had contacted the Steelers (and 49ers) about his prospects of getting a tryout about 3 years ago when he was out of football for a year.

They had a scouting report on him and mentioned what he needed to work on to stick in the NFL. Lateral agility as it was. But they couldn't speak in too much detail to me as I'm not an agent.

He actually got rid of his agent, as I did more for him in two weeks then his old one did. He got a new agent and went to Canada for a year (replacing Cameron Wake who had just left for Miami) before he got a shot with the new Jets regime and Rex Ryan. He was their best pass rusher in the last two preseasons according to Rex but needed to learn to the nuances of a 3-4 as all players must. Even worse as he was a NT in a 4-3 in college and an end in the 4-3ish defense in arena ball. And Canada? They play crazy schemes, hew was just a pass rusher.

I shot him an email and told him grats and asked if this could be a permanent gig, as he replaced Bryan Thomas who was inactive. He was unsure of that. And I said he needed to get me better info as I play in an IDP league (which he knows) and this is serious business!

 

[Franknbeans]

A cool side story...My real life friend (fellow gym rat) was the guy who got 2 sacks against us yesterday. Garrett McIntyre.I had contacted the Steelers (and 49ers) about his prospects of getting a tryout about 3 years ago when he was out of football for a year.They had a scouting report on him and mentioned what he needed to work on to stick in the NFL. Lateral agility as it was. But they couldn't speak in too much detail to me as I'm not an agent.He actually got rid of his agent, as I did more for him in two weeks then his old one did. He got a new agent and went to Canada for a year (replacing Cameron Wake who had just left for Miami) before he got a shot with the new Jets regime and Rex Ryan. He was their best pass rusher in the last two preseasons according to Rex but needed to learn to the nuances of a 3-4 as all players must. Even worse as he was a NT in a 4-3 in college and an end in the 4-3ish defense in arena ball. And Canada? They play crazy schemes, hew was just a pass rusher.I shot him an email and told him grats and asked if this could be a permanent gig, as he replaced Bryan Thomas who was inactive. He was unsure of that. And I said he needed to get me better info as I play in an IDP league (which he knows) and this is serious business!

That is [farley]awesome[/farley]

 

[BigSteelThrill]

A cool side story...My real life friend (fellow gym rat) was the guy who got 2 sacks against us yesterday. Garrett McIntyre.I had contacted the Steelers (and 49ers) about his prospects of getting a tryout about 3 years ago when he was out of football for a year.They had a scouting report on him and mentioned what he needed to work on to stick in the NFL. Lateral agility as it was. But they couldn't speak in too much detail to me as I'm not an agent.He actually got rid of his agent, as I did more for him in two weeks then his old one did. He got a new agent and went to Canada for a year (replacing Cameron Wake who had just left for Miami) before he got a shot with the new Jets regime and Rex Ryan. He was their best pass rusher in the last two preseasons according to Rex but needed to learn to the nuances of a 3-4 as all players must. Even worse as he was a NT in a 4-3 in college and an end in the 4-3ish defense in arena ball. And Canada? They play crazy schemes, hew was just a pass rusher.I shot him an email and told him grats and asked if this could be a permanent gig, as he replaced Bryan Thomas who was inactive. He was unsure of that. And I said he needed to get me better info as I play in an IDP league (which he knows) and this is serious business!

That is [farley]awesome[/farley]

Yeah the truth of his situation was... all of his previous tryouts were at Defensive End (The Titans had drafted him as one) and kept playing that position. And I broke the serious news to him face-to-face one day that his size/speed/strength only led him into one position on the pro-football field > OLB in the 3-4. He blanched as he had never sniffed a 3-4 or even a LB position in a 4-3. Also advised to him to quit weight training and start doing quickness/agility drills instead - everyday. We (me) tried to get some basic playbook info from the pros -- impossible. They wont give any info like that up at all. But to his credit that guy is a worker. Lunch-pail, show up every day and grind it out type of person. Very happy for him and all his hard work and effort. Wish it were in black and gold though.

 

[houston]

Aren't the Steelers crazy if they play Mendenhall right before the bye week? Why not give him the extra 2 weeks and then cut him loose week 5?

 

[Godsbrother]

Aren't the Steelers crazy if they play Mendenhall right before the bye week? Why not give him the extra 2 weeks and then cut him loose week 5?

If he fully participates in practice all week, suffers no setbacks and is cleared to play then I don't see what waiting 2 weeks buys you, especially considering that Redman and Dwyer are banged up.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

If Dwyer's turf toe keeps him out, and I believe it will, they may activate Mendenhall just so as not to be left with only Rainey and Batch at RB if Redman gets banged up.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Any thoughts on what the division of carries might look like Week 5+ now? Is anyone going to see the lion's share of the rushes?

 

[Godsbrother]

Any thoughts on what the division of carries might look like Week 5+ now? Is anyone going to see the lion's share of the rushes?

My guess is that Mendy, Redman and Dwyer are going to share the load for the foreseeable future. Mendy is the most talented back, IMO, so if he can stay healthy and proves that he hasn't lost anything then he'll eventually be the lead back for whatever that is worth.

 

[Kenny Powers]

If Dwyer's turf toe keeps him out, and I believe it will, they may activate Mendenhall just so as not to be left with only Rainey and Batch at RB if Redman gets banged up.

Isnt Mendy already technically active?? They just havent dressed him yet I thought.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

If Dwyer's turf toe keeps him out, and I believe it will, they may activate Mendenhall just so as not to be left with only Rainey and Batch at RB if Redman gets banged up.

Isnt Mendy already technically active?? They just havent dressed him yet I thought.

I thought they'd listed him as inactive prior to kickoff each of the last 2 weeks.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

If Dwyer's turf toe keeps him out, and I believe it will, they may activate Mendenhall just so as not to be left with only Rainey and Batch at RB if Redman gets banged up.

Isnt Mendy already technically active?? They just havent dressed him yet I thought.

I thought they'd listed him as inactive prior to kickoff each of the last 2 weeks.

Right on EG. Sounds like week 5 he may be activated for game day. I'm anxious to see what Mendenhall can do in the screen game.

 

[hammerva]

Say it again and say it a million more times: this team won't go anywhere with this embarrassment of a secondary. I mean you knock out their top receivers with questionable (definitely on the Heyward-Bey hit) and they still get thrown on with ease. We are like the Redskins of the AFC right now. I don't give a damn how hard you hit someone how about ####### cover someone.

But hey don't worry because we will just draft more lineman next year and completely ignore it.

 

[3C's]

[Tim]

Seasons over

[/Tim]

 

[3C's]

Say it again and say it a million more times: this team won't go anywhere with this embarrassment of a secondary. I mean you knock out their top receivers with questionable (definitely on the Heyward-Bey hit) and they still get thrown on with ease. We are like the Redskins of the AFC right now. I don't give a damn how hard you hit someone how about ####### cover someone.But hey don't worry because we will just draft more lineman next year and completely ignore it.

They only threw for 200 yards. Seemed to me lack of qb pressure, poor special teams, poor tackling, quick passes by the raiders. Much more than just poor secondary play.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Safe to say Redman and Dwyer haven't exactly made the job their own. Door's wide open for Mendenhall. Someone that can reliably tote it 20 times for 75 yards behind a crap line ought to look like a dream right about now.

 

[hammerva]

Say it again and say it a million more times: this team won't go anywhere with this embarrassment of a secondary. I mean you knock out their top receivers with questionable (definitely on the Heyward-Bey hit) and they still get thrown on with ease. We are like the Redskins of the AFC right now. I don't give a damn how hard you hit someone how about ####### cover someone.But hey don't worry because we will just draft more lineman next year and completely ignore it.

They only threw for 200 yards. Seemed to me lack of qb pressure, poor special teams, poor tackling, quick passes by the raiders. Much more than just poor secondary play.

Lack of QB pressure is a big problem with this team because it makes our secondary more dependent than they should. With a few exception poor tackling has been a Steelers trend. The number of yards doesn't worry more. It is when they got those yards and that was in 3rd down which I believe they were unstoppable in the 2nd half.

 

[The Jerk]

It's undeniable that so far this year, the Steelers look like just another NFL team, especially on defense. Every year, speculation comes out that this will be the year when the offense is going to have to carry the defense in some or even most of the games. Today was nearly that day. I couldn't believe Antonio Brown could be so careless with the ball after having just gotten away with the same thing earlier in the game on his touchdown. I was yelling at the TV to tuck it away, but unfortunately, only my family heard me. Sometimes discretion is truly the better part of valor. Being strong after the catch is great, and sometimes it leads to bigger gains, but it cannot be done in a way that makes a fumble more likely. I need to remember this the next time I get excited when some receiver flops down to the ground practically or literally untouched after a catch.

As to the Steelers defense... truly it is mediocre at best at this point through three games. And while this may sound like being overly optimistic, making excuses, or both, compared to the other mediocre NFL defenses out there, I believe the Steelers are the only ones who can add two defensive players of the year at some point after their bye, hopefully right away in Week 5. Just something to give you a little hope...

 

[pecorino]

in the two losses, this so-called vanuted defense has netted no second-half turnovers or even punts. every 3rd and 4th quarter drive for the broncos and raiders ended in points. ryan mundy should be out of a job. the scheme needs to be revamped for the 21st century.

special teams also looked bad with penalties and two porous kickoff coverages. coaching remains weak with poor timeout management and nonsensical challenge calls. ben has become the de facto coach, lining up for 4th down conversions when, who knows, maybe tomlin actually wants to punt.

it's not time to panic. it is time to see things for what they are. this is a poorly coached team that cannot overcome the injuries on defense. adding troy and james harrison might bring this defense back to mediocrity at least. a boy can dream.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Missing Polamalu and Harrison has exposed the D. They lack young playmakers. Roethlisberger hides a lot of warts but not enough today. Hope Troy, Harrison and Mendenhall hit the ground running week 5.

 

[by_the_sea_wannabe]

the scheme needs to be revamped for the 21st century.adding troy and james harrison might bring this defense back to mediocrity at least. a boy can dream.

for when harrison and troy return

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Missing Polamalu and Harrison has exposed the D. They lack young playmakers.

This is pretty much the issue in a nutshell.With Troy/James out they have one reliable playmaker available: Woodley. For this scheme that isn't remotely enough.

 

[Godsbrother]

Missing Polamalu and Harrison has exposed the D. They lack young playmakers.

This is pretty much the issue in a nutshell.With Troy/James out they have one reliable playmaker available: Woodley. For this scheme that isn't remotely enough.

Agreed. Mundy is downright brutal and has no business being out there.

 

[belljr]

Missing Polamalu and Harrison has exposed the D. They lack young playmakers.

This is pretty much the issue in a nutshell.With Troy/James out they have one reliable playmaker available: Woodley. For this scheme that isn't remotely enough.

Agreed. Mundy is downright brutal and has no business being out there.

I have a case of the Mundy's... OMG AHDHADHADHADHAHHAHA :X

 

[Godsbrother]

Also waaayyyyy too many penalties. Between the penalties and fumbles they were really sloppy yesterday.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Speaking of penalties....

Re-watched the game on Rewind this morning and that Hood injury has me doubly pi$$ed now.

Not that it'd have changed anything, necessarily, but the Raiders BLATANTLY chop blocked Ziggy right. in. front. of. the. gaddam. official. Guy was all hunkered down staring directly at Hood's ### when the ball was snapped w/27 seconds left. Raiders RG gets his hands under Hood's pads(shocking, right?), stands him up.....and #79 dives directly into his legs while he's already engaged(hence making it an illegal chop).

Not only that, but #79 then commits the cardinal sin of fekking starting to barrel roll after he hit his legs. That's a recipe for a fractured ankle if someone three bills totally rolls over on a guys leg, and even the "totally dirty" players think that's bush and shy away from doing it. He wound up only doing a half roll, luckily I guess, but still rolled up onto the leg and Hood got injured.

Ref was staring straight at it all happening, unimpeded by any other players, and he kept his hands on his knees with his belly flapping in the breeze. He couldn't have done anything to make Hood not get injured there, but he sure as HELL could have penalized the Raiders for the play that made it happen.

 

[3C's]

Speaking of penalties....Re-watched the game on Rewind this morning and that Hood injury has me doubly pi$$ed now.Not that it'd have changed anything, necessarily, but the Raiders BLATANTLY chop blocked Ziggy right. in. front. of. the. gaddam. official. Guy was all hunkered down staring directly at Hood's ### when the ball was snapped w/27 seconds left. Raiders RG gets his hands under Hood's pads(shocking, right?), stands him up.....and #79 dives directly into his legs while he's already engaged(hence making it an illegal chop).Not only that, but #79 then commits the cardinal sin of fekking starting to barrel roll after he hit his legs. That's a recipe for a fractured ankle if someone three bills totally rolls over on a guys leg, and even the "totally dirty" players think that's bush and shy away from doing it. He wound up only doing a half roll, luckily I guess, but still rolled up onto the leg and Hood got injured. Ref was staring straight at it all happening, unimpeded by any other players, and he kept his hands on his knees with his belly flapping in the breeze. He couldn't have done anything to make Hood not get injured there, but he sure as HELL could have penalized the Raiders for the play that made it happen.

Nothing about the game yesterday pissed me off more than that cheap dirty ### play.

 

[3C's]

Not really. That's already been answered. Legursky did it before, I would expect he can do it again.

Guess we'll get our first look this week at not only how the team is shaping up but the replacement refs as well. Could be kind of ugly (if the real refs don't get back in time for the season).

I'm not saying this to be glib at all, but I don't know how it could get much worse. Officiating has been horrid leaguewide for a while now. They need to put some of those incumbent guys out to pasture, IMO.

It can definitely get worse. Guess we'll see how they do tonight and Thursday.

Refs: "miss me yet?"

 

[3C's]

Harrison full practice today.

 

[Godsbrother]

I realize we're coming off a BYE week but can't believe this thread dropped to page 10.

The big news isn't that Polamalu and Harrison have been practicing but that Tomlin didn't report either on the injury list. From what I hear Polamalu has been a beast at practice but you can't help but wonder how much or how well Harrison will play since he's missed so much time. Still, he has got to be an improvement over Carter, right?

Rashard Mendenhall will also be back and it will be interesting to see if he provides a spark to what has been a pretty lame running attack. I have my doubts but Dwyer and Redman have really disappointed.

I know it is early but this is a huge game for the Steelers. The Eagles have a lot of weapons on offense and I hope the defense is up to the task....

 

[belljr]

I realize we're coming off a BYE week but can't believe this thread dropped to page 10.The big news isn't that Polamalu and Harrison have been practicing but that Tomlin didn't report either on the injury list. From what I hear Polamalu has been a beast at practice but you can't help but wonder how much or how well Harrison will play since he's missed so much time. Still, he has got to be an improvement over Carter, right?Rashard Mendenhall will also be back and it will be interesting to see if he provides a spark to what has been a pretty lame running attack. I have my doubts but Dwyer and Redman have really disappointed.I know it is early but this is a huge game for the Steelers. The Eagles have a lot of weapons on offense and I hope the defense is up to the task....

Things are pointing in our favor.... emotional Sunday night win for the Eagles, Pittsburgh is "more hungry" and now fully healthy on defense. I think this is a "must win" game

 

[Kenny Powers]

I realize we're coming off a BYE week but can't believe this thread dropped to page 10.The big news isn't that Polamalu and Harrison have been practicing but that Tomlin didn't report either on the injury list. From what I hear Polamalu has been a beast at practice but you can't help but wonder how much or how well Harrison will play since he's missed so much time. Still, he has got to be an improvement over Carter, right?Rashard Mendenhall will also be back and it will be interesting to see if he provides a spark to what has been a pretty lame running attack. I have my doubts but Dwyer and Redman have really disappointed.I know it is early but this is a huge game for the Steelers. The Eagles have a lot of weapons on offense and I hope the defense is up to the task....

Things are pointing in our favor.... emotional Sunday night win for the Eagles, Pittsburgh is "more hungry" and now fully healthy on defense. I think this is a "must win" game

Philly really impressed me vs NYG. If Vick doesnt turn the ball over - and our D and pass rush will have something to say about that - I doubt we win.

 

[Godsbrother]

I realize we're coming off a BYE week but can't believe this thread dropped to page 10.The big news isn't that Polamalu and Harrison have been practicing but that Tomlin didn't report either on the injury list. From what I hear Polamalu has been a beast at practice but you can't help but wonder how much or how well Harrison will play since he's missed so much time. Still, he has got to be an improvement over Carter, right?Rashard Mendenhall will also be back and it will be interesting to see if he provides a spark to what has been a pretty lame running attack. I have my doubts but Dwyer and Redman have really disappointed.I know it is early but this is a huge game for the Steelers. The Eagles have a lot of weapons on offense and I hope the defense is up to the task....

Things are pointing in our favor.... emotional Sunday night win for the Eagles, Pittsburgh is "more hungry" and now fully healthy on defense. I think this is a "must win" game

Philly really impressed me vs NYG. If Vick doesnt turn the ball over - and our D and pass rush will have something to say about that - I doubt we win.

It works both ways. If the Steelers don't turn the ball over they have the weapons on offense to put up a lot of points against the Eagles. This could turn out to be a shootout ... which means the final score will probably be 13-10.

 

[JoeSteeler]

Steelers RG David DeCastro (knee surgery) is "walking without a limp and feels no pain."

DeCastro is just five weeks removed from his operation. "I don't have any pain, so I'm just working hard to try to get back." On injured reserve with the "designated to return" tag, DeCastro is eligible to be activated as early as Week 9, but his initial timetable had him sidelined until at least early December. It appears he may beat that, but it would be surprising if the Steelers seriously considering bringing him back before Thanksgiving.

 

[fred_1_15301]

 

[Raider Nation]

T&P good buddies. I've never seen anything like this. Half your roster is decimated by injuries.