Week 17 Injury Report: Polamalu “running” today
According to Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers focus heading into their regular season finale is just winning in Miami and letting the rest of the playoff scenario’s take care of it self. A popular topic this week is whether teams like the Bengals and Patriots will sit starters as such moves could have a major impact on the Steelers playoff hopes. For the Steelers, there’s nothing they can do about it. “This is our bed, we created it, ” Mike Tomlin said. “We’re going to lay in it.” On the injury front linebacker Rocky Boiman – (calf strain), running back Willie Parker – (shoulder), and Brett Keisel (neck discomfort) will all be limited early in the week
Steelers sign wide out Joey Galloway; Polamalu having MRI today
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed wide receiver Joey Galloway, the team confirmed this afternoon. Galloway, 38, visited the Steelers in the off-season prior to signing with New England and will replace Limas Sweed on the active roster. Galloway (7 receptions) struggled with the New England Patriots this season and was released at mid-season. As expected the Steelers have signed long snapper Jared Retkofsky to replace Greg Warren on the active roster. Mike Tomlin would not go into specifics regarding Limas Sweed but did claim Sweed has the full support of the team as he is dealing with a personal matter. Polamalu having MRI this afternoon Troy Polamalu is having an MRI this afternoon and the results of the MRI will
Friday Practice Report: Sweed will be inactive for week 15
Friday Practice Report The Pittsburgh Steelers went through their final practice of the week today as the team looks to snap a five game losing streak. Pittsburgh’s slim playoff chances remain alive after Indianapolis rallied late to beat Jacksonville (7-7) 35-31 Thursday night. However, for a team that hasn’t won since November 9th or won at home since October 25th, the Steelers focus is on just getting a “W”. That in itself will be difficult as the Green Bay Packers (9-4) come to town. Center Justin Hartwig (knee), defensive end Brett Keisel (neck) and wide receiver Hines Ward (hamstring) were full participants in practice today and will play Sunday afternoon. Guard Chris Kemoeatu (right knee, wrist) and safety Troy Polamalu
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
Steelers playoff hopes sacked by lowly Browns
Steelers lose fifth straight game Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin promised changes following the Steelers embarrassing 27-24 loss to the Oakland Raiders in week 13 but Thursday night it was more of the same as the Steelers playoff hopes were dashed by the 2-11 Cleveland Browns. The Browns handed the Super Bowl champions their fifth straight loss, defeating the Steelers 13-6 for their first win against Pittsburgh since 2003. The win for Cleveland was their Super Bowl, while barring an foreseen miracle, the Steelers title defense is all but over before the playoffs even started. After a 6-2 start, the Steelers stunning collapse in the second half of the season has happened at the hands of three of the
Tomlin considering significant changes; Ward likely out for Thursday night’s game
In the midst of a four game losing streak, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is considering the possibility of making a number of lineup changes. “Obviously we are a very average football team as we sit here today, ” Tomlin said. At cornerback there will be at least one lineup change, maybe two. Rookie cornerback Joe Burnett is expected to replace William Gay in the starting lineup and internally, the team is exploring the possibility of replacing Ike Taylor in the starting lineup with Keenan Lewis. “It’s going to be Joe Burnett, ” Mike Tomlin said in reference to who will replace William Gay in the starting lineup. Tomlin added, “Keenan Lewis is going to get an opportunity to
Ward Apologizes to teammates; Steelers re-sign Anthony Madison
By Inside Pittsburgh Sports On Monday, Hines Ward apologized to Ben Roethlisberger. On Wednesday, he apologized to the rest of his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates. Those apologies were necessary because Ward spoke without thinking this past Saturday when he ripped into Roethlisberger during an interview that was telecast before Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. In a sit-down with NBC-TV’s Bob Costas, Ward questioned Rothlisberger’s toughness after team physicians decided that the star quarterback shouldn’t play due to re-occurring symptoms of his Nov. 22 concussion. “I’m not going to get into the conversation we spoke about,” Ward said of his apology to Roethlisberger. “The issue has been resolved. I apologized to the team today for even having to answer questions about
NFL: Ward plans to speak to Roethlisberger today
Locker rift in Titletown?
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
Cover 2 Schemes a concern for the Steelers offense?
Steelers expect Roethlisberger to bounce back “I had a bad day,” Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said regarding his play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. “I know everyone here has had a bad day, ” Roethlisberger added. Roethlisberger did have a bad day but he’s earned the right to have a bad day every once in a while. On Sunday Roethlisberger completed half of his passes (20-40) against the Cincinnati Bengals for 174 yards, one interception and a 51.5 passer rating. It was his worst game since a week 3 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008. Roethlisberger claims he didn’t feel great from the first drive of the game. “Actually, at the beginning of the game I didn’t feel great,