Mike Wallace Returns Returns
Mike Wallace returned to the team on Tuesday and proclaimed he's "ready to roll."
Wallace is not permitted to practice for three days, but he was on the sideline taking mental reps.
"I'm ready to be back, ready to be with my teammates. I am ready to go." Okay, Mike, we know you're "ready." Now be ready to do some work.
Sanders said everyone is excited to have Wallace back. "The dimension Mike adds to the offense is speed...He is the big-time playmaker around here. He's the last link for us to take off," said Sanders.
Wallace signed his one-year tender worth about $2.7 million.
With Wallace's return to the team, Steelers waived RB Jason Ford. Last season, Wallace had 72 receptions for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns (for his three seasons, he has 24 receiving TD's).
Wallace said he's been working out and his condition "is not going to be a problem."
On the other hand, Coach Tomlin was clear he was not in any position to determine if Wallace is ready because, "he hasn't done anything but show up." Ouch!!
OC Todd Haley, on the other hand, showed a higher degree of confidence in Wallace. He didn't think Wallace would have any problem being ready for the Denver game. Harrison agreed.
(USA TODAY, Steelers.com, Sporting News and Pittsburgh PG)
Fox Sports Declares Polamalu Overrated In 2012
Fox Sports declared Troy Polamalu overrated in 2012. They reported he lost a few steps in 2011 and was not as intimidating. While there is some truth to those observations, I believe Steeler fans know that Polamalu will always be there for the big plays. He'll be there when the team needs him. And he'll be there to continue changing the outcome of many games to come. It's way to early to give up on this guy. He's proven he's a major asset to the team's defense time and again. Moreover, he plays for the Steelers, not the Ravens, not the Cowboys. Big difference.
Steelers Hammer Bills 38-7
Okay, it was a slow start out of the blocks (Brown dropped a Roethlisberg pass and then Ben was sacked, a play resulting in an injury to David DeCastro), but it ended with a rout. Steelers beat the Bills 38-7.
Steelers got their mojo going when Timmons stripped the ball from Spiller allowing Ziggy Hood to recover the ball. Redman carried the ball in for 2 yards out after just five plays. The Steelers dominated the remainder of the game closing the half with another touchdown.
Antonio Brown came up big with two TD's, and seven catches for 108 yards including a 39- yard catch from Leftwich.
Palamalu showed his usual stuff with an intercepted Vince Young pass that gave the ball to the Stellers on the Bills 39-yard line. That was followed by a beautiful 39-yard pass to Brown (39 proved to be a good number last night).
Roethlisberger ended the game with 169 yards, going 17 for 24.
"The defense continues to give us a short field which is big, " said Coach Tomlin. "Hopefully that's a signature of our ball here in 2012," he added.
(Steelers.com, AP)
John Stallworth: Key Figure In The Steelers 1979 Season
Steelers Fire Al Everest
Steelers today announced they have terminated the contract of special teams coordinator Al Everest. Assistant special teams coach Amos Jones will immediately assume all special teams responsibilities.
Everest, with the Steelers since 2010 and in his 16th season in the NFL, coordinated special teams that were ranked in the bottom half of the league in kick returns, punt returns and net punting average yardage last season.
"We are continually evaluating our coaching staff and support staff," said head coach Mike Tomlin.
Steeler Starters To Play First Half
In their meeting with the Bill this Saturday, the Steelers announced starters will most likely play most of the first half and possibly longer.
"I want to see them execute," said Tomlin. "I expect to see a quality half of football," added the Coach.
It was also announced that Chris Carter, Outside LB, will start in place of James Harrison. In addition, RB Mendenhall, Jason Ford and Sylvester will not be playing this week.
Tomlin added that the QB rotation has not been finalized yet.
Steelers Win: 26-24
Re-cap of the Steelers win over the Colts last night.
- Steelers led 14-0 by the end of the first quarter but trailed the Colts at halftime, 17-14.
- Two take-a-ways, one by Ike Taylor 49 yards for a touchdown. The other by Cortez Allen.
- No-huddle that produced a 57 yard TD by Antonio Brown.
- Ben completed 5 of 9 passes for 81 yards with on TD and one interception.
- In Red Zone, Steelers were not productive again going 0 for 3 (making the Steelers 1 for 6 in the Red Zone for the first two games).
- Charlie Batch led a 12-play drive that ended with a Hrapmann 39-yard field goal.
- Steeler QB Jarrod Johnson put the nail in the Colt's coffin ending the game with another Hrapmann field goal that was almost blocked and just barely made it over the goal post.
What Did We Learn? What Did The Players Say?
- Offense needs to become more productive when it's in the Red Zone.
- Defense still appears to be too soft.
- Offensive line still needs to harden that curtain. There is no doubt the offense is still learning Haley's new approach. Brown said after the game: "We need to get on the same page with the new offense...We're still not there yet."
- Ben needs to release the ball quicker.
- Health Miller showed us again he's a blocking monster.
- It's clear: Mike Wallace---offense needs you brother.
- Tomlin said he did see "progression" with the offense. "Obviously, we'd like to score more touchdowns than field goals but we'll take it," added Tomlin.
- Ben admitted, "We're still leaving a lot out there."
- Antonio Brown, "We are going in the right direction, but we're still no where we want to be."
Next Game
Steelers at Buffalo. Saturday, August 25, 2012, 7 PM
(Sources: Steelers.com, Pro Sports Daily, Pitt. Post Gazette)
Eagles 24 Steelers 23
Okay, it was only a pre-season game, but there were some interesting revelations. As Coach Tomlin said recently about the opener: "No question that this is going to reveal some things to us, particularly from a football conditioning standpoint. That's something that always jumps out in the first preseason game...I want to see these guys play with a sense of urgency that's required in the National Football League."
The Steelers appear to have taken Tomlin's essential requirements seriously. In the only series led by Roethisberger, the Steelers used 16 plays to go 52 yards culminating in a field goal. After a 3 and out by Vick, the Steelers offense drove 70 yards on 10 plays. That drive resulted in a touchdown making it a 10-0 game.
Throughout both drives, in the Half that counted, Steelers showed some diversity in their attack using runs, screen passes and several short-pass routes. It reinforced Todd Haley's approach to offense: keeping the ball moving. It also showed the Steelers wanted to keep things simple in their first game. In fact, Roethlisberger's longest pass was for 17 yards to Sanders.
Several observations were conspicuous. The Eagles had a hard time handling Roethlisberger. In addition, DeCastro, looked good for his first outing. "We came out, got our looks, executed our new offense, "said Antonio Brown.
Perhaps the game can be summed up best by what Tomlin said. "It was a good start for us, but it was just that---a start....We didn't finish."
Steelers Plan On Using Two Rookies Against Eagles
Yesterday, Coach Tomlin announced that David DeCastro and Mike Adams will start against the Eagles on Thursday. DeCastro will start at right guard while Adams will be left guard.
DeCastro was the 24th overall draft pick. Adams was a second-round draft pick.
"Both guys have worked extremely hard, both guys finish and they're smart young men," said Tomlin. "We'll know more about them by Thursday night," added Tomlin.
Del. Daily Times
Haley And Roethlisberger Build Rapport
What Steeler News Has Been Trending On Twitter
I decided to take a look at some of the "immediate" news that's been trending on Twitter for the last day or two. Allow me to share those with you.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: "Is this a make or break camp for Steelers linebacker Jason Warilds?"
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Official Site) "Roethisberger says shoulder is fine."
- SteelersRReport (CBS) Ben on Wallace: "I'm sure he'll be here and with us before the first game."
- Mike Tomlin: "Good spirited practice today."
- Steeler Universe: "Debunking the biggest myths about the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2012."
- Hines Ward: "Keep the love coming fans...We applaud you."
Coach Tomlin Suggests To Polamalu He Wants Troy To Be A Leader
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