Tomlin must fix dissension in the locker room

Steelers lack a team concept There continues to be signs that there is a locker room divide among the Steelers veterans. It’s a problem for the Super Bowl champions that is not going away. According to former NFL executive Michael Lombardi, “Too many players have their own agendas and not enough of a team concept. There’s a problem among the players, and the Hines Ward/Ben Roethlisberger problem has not gone away despite the Ward apology. Expect changes.” Hines Ward questioning the courage and toughness of Ben Roethlisberger has had a reeling effect on this team. As NBC analyst Rodney Harrison {former teammate of Brady’s} said two weeks ago, “If Tom Brady had a hangnail, never would any of the guys

Post-Cleveland Judgements

The Pittsburgh Steelers chances of earning a playoff berth took another serious blow Thursday night as the Steelers lost their 5th straight game in what has become a stunning collapse for a team that had the look of being another Super Bowl contender, through the first eight weeks of the season. The AFC playoff picture is bunched up and even if the Steelers found a way to turn things around and win out, which appears very unlikely, their conference losses (6) has them needing Jacksonville to lose 3 games, Baltimore to lose 2 games and the Jets losing 2 games for a chance to clinch the 6th seed. JAX 7-5 (Miami, Indy, at New England, at Cleveland) BAL 6-6 (Detroit,

Tuesday Practice Report: Ike Taylor and William Gay took plenty of reps with the first-team defense

By Inside Pittsburgh Sports PITTSBURGH _The mood these days in the Steelers’ locker room reflects the team’s state of affairs. “Gloomy,” tackle Willie Colon said. A four-game losing streak and a 6-6 record is obviously reason for disappointment. So, too, is the announcement from coach Mike Tomlin that he may shake up the lineup. But according to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, it’s time to move past Sunday’s embarrassing 27-24 loss to the Oakland Raiders and start focusing on getting back on track.

Wednesday Practice Report: Kemoeatu a full participant

*** Dennis Dixon’s days as a No. 3 quarterback may be over. His performance in the 20-17 overtime loss in Baltimore was so impressive that Charlie Batch’s run as the backup QB may be over. “We’re so proud of the way Dennis played,” Roethlisberger said. “He played with the fire and intensity we’ve seen from him in practice every day. He played his heart out. The Ravens found out what we’ve known all along. He’s a very good quarterback.” Up until last week, Dixon had been a No. 3 quarterback since his arrival in Pittsburgh as a fifth round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. But he started against the Ravens due to Roethlisberger’s concussion and Batch’s broken wrist (both

Hines Ward throws Ben Roethlisberger under the bus?

It’s no secret that Ben Roethlisberger is not the most popular player in the Steelers locker room. Based on Hines Wards comments tonight, Roethlisberger isn’t winning over many of his teammates with his decision to tell team doctors that he was suffering from headaches after practicing all week. “This game is almost like a playoff game,” Hines Ward said. “It’s almost a must win. So, I can see some players or some teammates kind of questioning like, Well, it’s just a concussion. I’ve played with concussions before. I would go out there and play. So, it’s almost like a 50-50 toss-up in the locker room. You know, should he play, shouldn’t he play. It’s really hard to say. “I’ve been

Steelers @ Ravens Game Day Thread: All eyes on Dennis Dixon

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) @ Baltimore Ravens (5-5) The stunning developments over the past 24 hours of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger being ruled out to start tonight’s AFC North Showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, has put all eyes on quarterback Dennis Dixon. Dixon a second year pro, will make his first NFL start in a hostile territory against a divisional rival that is fighting for their playoff lives. This is a game that many NFL pundits already saw as being very difficult for Pittsburgh, even when it was believed that Ben Roethlisberger would be starting. Roethlisberger will be active tonight, but will serve as the teams No. 3 quarterback. Tyler Palko, an undrafted free agent, will be the Steelers

Friday Practice Report: Roethlisberger says he’s passed every test given to him

Inside Pittsburgh Sports On Sunday night, Ben Roethlisberger will face a menacing Baltimore Ravens defense one week after experiencing his fourth concussion in less than four years. Still, he’s not going into this AFC North showdown fearing for his safety. “It’s the nature of the beast of playing this game,” he said. “It’s a violent, physical contact sport and there’s a chance you’re going to get hit and dinged.”

Post-Kansas City Judgements; Arians taking a lot of heat for 3rd & 2 playcall in OT

Through eight games and coming off of a dominating win against the Denver Broncos two weeks ago on national tv, the Steelers were 6-2 and back in the mix as one of the elite teams in the NFL. Two weeks later that’s no longer the case. After two straight losses at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals and the lowly Kansas City Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champs have fallen to 6-4 on the season. They are still in position to earn a playoff berth as 66% of teams who started 6-4 have made the playoffs since 1980, but the Steelers week 12 matchup against the 5-5 Baltimore Ravens will be the key point in the season as to whether

Chiefs pull off shocking upset; beat Steelers in OT 27-24

Kansas City 27 – Pittsburgh 24 Jamaal Charles 97 yard opening kickoff return for a touchdown was a sign that the Steelers were going to be in a ball game. Pittsburgh rebounded after Charles’ kick off return touchdown to jump out to a 17-7 half time lead but Pittsburgh let Kansas City hang around. The Chiefs outscored the Steelers 10-0 in the third quarter and a Jamaal Charles 2 yard touchdown reception with 4:55 remaining in the 4th quarter tied the game at 24-24 as the Chiefs forced over-time.