What Do you Want To Know About the Steelers - the team you've owned in recent memory. Ask away!

by Blitzburgh on Oct 2, 2008 9:09 AM EDT Comment 20 comments

It's Blitzburgh here from BehindtheSteelCurtain. Chris and I have both posted fanposts on each other's sites letting folks know that we're here to answer any questions about our respective teams, or to engage in some friendly smack talk leading up to the game. As you'll see if you read my site, we're tired of getting dominated by the Jags and are hopeful we can finally get our offense in gear after three straight weeks of general ineptitude.

I'll be checking in! Enjoy the week guys and gals.

-Blitz-

BehindtheSteelCurtain

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How is Ben holding up?

I’m curious about Big Ben’s status coming into this game, following two weeks of punishment at the hands of the Eagles and Ravens. I know he’s tough, and will no doubt be under center Sunday night, but how has he been in practice? Has he been taking a lot of reps? Has Byron seen any time with the 1st team offense this week (would love to see him take a few snaps back in JAX)?

Offense wins games, defense wins championships

by JAXDynasty on Oct 2, 2008 9:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ben

Sat out of practice yesterday. He has taken a beating the last two weeks, you’re right, though Monday wasn’t even in the same universe as the previous Sunday. He was sacked three times early in the game, then was upright for the remainder of the game for the most part. He’ll be fine and will battle since the BYE week awaits at the conclusion of the game. The Steelers know the stakes here. 4-1 into the BYE Week puts them in solid shape in the AFC North as they head into the gauntlet of their schedule. And believe me, Ben wants to be Garrard and the Jags. Probalby more than any other team in the league if I had to guess.

The Jags will have their opportunities to get after him and possibly alter his game with a viscious enough hit, but to start, there’s no doubt Ben will be ready to compete and he’s proven time and again that his accuracy isn’t really compromised when he’s dinged up. Nor is his willingness to continue trying to make plays outside the pocket.

by Blitzburgh on Oct 2, 2008 10:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

wants to beat*

Ben most certainly does NOT want to BE Garrard. Hehe.

by Blitzburgh on Oct 2, 2008 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How's Frazier doing?

And does he figure much into the Steelers game plan when he is healthy?

Also, who gets the nod at guard Simmons/Essex or will they move the line around?

I also saw that Dookie is back along with the signing of Russell from the PS. What does Russell bring to the table, and what is it that the coaching staff sees in him?

by JagsCub on Oct 2, 2008 10:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Steelers info

Frazier is okay, as far as I’ve heard. Whenever there’s a possible spinal injury, they’re overly-cautious, and that turned out to be one of the lesser injuries of the night. Frazier is a specials team guy, with at least 6 guys ahead of him on the depth chart. We have had a lot of injuries with our special teams guys, though, so it might have some impact if he can get back in there.

As far as the other injuries, they actually hit us in 2 of our deeper positions. We had a glut of talent at the RB position because Mendenhall unexpectedly fell to us. Moore was a decent back for the Vikings, but he wasn’t going to get PT with Peterson and Taylor. He’s no Parker, but he’s a capable starter for short stretches. He’s also a big threat out of the backfield, but our offensive coordinator only throws the ball to WR’s, so I wouldn’t worry too much. Russell is a high-upside UDFA we picked up. He split time with Maroney in college, but he had some injuries and showed up to the combine overweight. He’s looked pretty good in preseason, but he had no role in this backfield before the injuries. Honestly, I have no idea what he’s going to do. He could be a huge surprise or be completely uninspiring. Don’t be completely shocked if he contributes, though.

Also, the main issue with the Simmons injury is depth. He is a below average starting guard, and one of the biggest problems on our line. We have another unproven but promising UDFA who might get the start in Stapleton. The other option is Trai Essex, who is a weakling non-factor in the running game, but is more experienced and better in pass-pro. His best fit is backup LT. I don’t know who they’ll start, but Stapleton practiced yesterday with the team, so they might go his way. Either way, our OL has been terrible, so I doubt it will be significantly worse.

All in all, we have the players to stick in there for now, so don’t think there are gaping holes on our roster for this game. The problem is that we had good depth at the beginning of the season, and now we have poor depth. I’m much more worried that we’re going to continue to have injuries against teams like the Ravens and Jags and develop some gaping holes down the road.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 2, 2008 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

my sub is here, nice :)

I’ll continue to check in, but thanks Bad.

by Blitzburgh on Oct 2, 2008 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, i just like the sound of my own voice, haha.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 2, 2008 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yah

losing Simmons won’t hurt, in fact, the OL played better with Stapleton in the game, and he’s been groomed the past two years as a future starter, so this is his shot. He’s been borderline pushing for time anyways.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Oct 2, 2008 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have to disagree about Russell

from what I’ve seen, he’s even better than Rashard. Especially with goal line carries. Granted Rashard has more upside and will be the better running back in the long run.

by Ewdtrey on Oct 3, 2008 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We’re certainly hoping so, but since this is a Jags blog, I’m trying to only say things that I can actually back. He hasn’t shown anything in a real game. He could, I just don’t want to sound like a homer by saying the 4th string RB on our PS is a quality runner.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 3, 2008 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry about the injuries

I was really looking forward to watching Mendenhall this year. It is a bummer when a rookie misses the season. You guys will still have a good year though…. not as good as ours but still good.

by JagSoldier on Oct 2, 2008 2:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

haha

nice. Yah tough to see our rookie go down, but hopefully he’ll get to 100% and be more acclimated to the pro game when he comes back next year. Gotta find a positive in it. Now he’s got alot of time to study his craft; via film study, watching techniques, further learning the offense, etc.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Oct 2, 2008 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey Blitzburgh,

I love the line, " the team you’ve owned in recent memory." The FED-EX guy who comes to pick up where I work is a big Steelers fan and like any great fan, he proceeded to talk smack the moment he arrived. I said, “It’s gonna be a good game inspite of all the injuries to both sides.” He said, " Are y’all gonna show up this week?" I replied, “Dude, y’all haven’t showed up in 4 years.” To which he said," yeah, I know … you’re right."

I appreciate when a fan can argue for his team and yet not overstep. Or like you have, give us a little leeway to poke fun and respecting that this is a Jaguar site. Others pump their teams constantly and rip the Jags here, as if they had no site for their own team. Your kind of ‘fansmanship’ is what makes football great. Thanks for that and for sharing your knowledge of your team. Good luck Sunday and …. GO JAGS! (come on, you know you want to yell that ….. No? Okay.)

To be master of oneself and never waiver in ones resolve.
- Maximus Desimus Meridius

by jagsrock on Oct 2, 2008 7:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

thanks for the kind words

All in good fun. I wish it wasn’t true but fact of the matter is, yall own us! Steelers fans may get a bad rap by some but I think we’re a good bunch ;).

by Blitzburgh on Oct 4, 2008 2:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

GO JAGS

I did yell those lines during the Divisional Round game against the Pats last yaer. That’s probably the only time though. I do really really like watching MJD play. I wish we had someone like that on our team. Man, he’s a load for how speedy he is. His legs are freakin tree trunks and he gets his pads low really really well. Has he been healthy? I notice his productions down. And why isnt he returning punts or kickoffs as frequently.

by Blitzburgh on Oct 4, 2008 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He has been a little dinged up with an ankle injury

but really he’s been ineffective because he hasn’t gotten the ball much and when he has he’s had to deal with a hurt O line missing 3 of 5 starters. Also because our passing game has been lacking MJD as well as the rest of our offense has had to deal with 8 or 9 men in the box.

by Ewdtrey on Oct 4, 2008 3:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cool.....

we know it feels good to yell that. Oh, and you said you wish you had a MJD of your own, … if we keep letting that dude watch games from the sideline like a fan, come the end of his contract , he WILL be a Steeler. ( are ya’ listening JDR and Wayne? )

To be master of oneself and never waiver in ones resolve.
- Maximus Desimus Meridius

by jagsrock on Oct 4, 2008 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Big Ben?

Gotta say I have slowly been becoming a fan of the Worthlessburger. He’s got grit.

Clearly, Pittsburgh’s eye has to be on the AFC north. I actually think that would be the easier route to go rather than the wild card. If Ben step’s in and takes a nasty shot or two, do you think Tomiln will sit him in preparation for the Bengals? I know the Bengals are not to be feared in the AFC North, but I just haven’t seen enough of Tomlin’s coaching characteristics to get an idea on his focus. Plus, there is the Leftwhich return which could be interesting? He might shine… or not.

by Jaghomer on Oct 3, 2008 7:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the kind words about our besieged QB. You’re right that winning the North is our best chance, but if we only win divisional games, we’ll be 6-10 and 3rd in the division. If you guys are ahead by 21 halfway through the 4th, maybe he’ll sit, but we have bye next week, so I’d expect us to throw everything at you guys. We’ll see how much that amounts to with all our injuries, but I still think this will be a tough game for both teams.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 3, 2008 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not if Ben can help it

Mafaala’s right that if it gets to a blow out then Ben might sit, but even then he’s a gamer and Tomlin tends to trust his players to make decisions on when they can play. If Ben can play he’ll stay in.

This is a winnable game on the schedule. Not an easy game and certainly one of the teams the Steelers struggle with, but with a schedule like theirs the Steelers can’t afford to play for next week.

by Chicago Steeler on Oct 3, 2008 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs