…about preseason is not to get HURT! The Steelers failed pretty bad this week at that. The Black and Gold were dropping like flies against the Atlanta Falcons.

Byron Leftwich broke his arm and looks like he will miss some serious time. The only good news is that it wasn’t his throwing arm. Early reports are that he might comeback later in the year, I wouldn’t bet on it. With some veterans needing to go, this basically saves Charlie Batch or Dennis Dixon from the “turk”! The Steelers are pretty set at QB so while the injury stinks for Leftwich it isn’t damaging for the season. Batch can win in a pinch as he proved last season, Dixon has tremendous upside and is exciting to watch, so we will see how it plays out.

The injury that is just awful is Maurkice Pouncey. Pouncey’s injury could keep him out for the opener against the Rat-Bird Ravens. The O-line which is pretty horrible just got worse without its best player. I thought the Steelers best combination up front was the opening combo of Gilbert at Left Tackle, Kemoeatu Left Guard, Pouncey Center, Legursky Right Guard, Colon Right Tackle. Legursky is a very good backup and Tony Hills will move to Right Guard. Of course Sean Kugler did a great job last season, so BWG nation have some faith.

Also taking a dive was Keenan Lewis who played pretty well and is seriously pushing for a starting spot. Lewis is in the make it or break it year and seems to be responding well.

The good news is Antonio Brown lit it up. He is an electrifying player and opposite Wallace gives the Steelers two big play guys. Of course Hines Ward just flat out plays. He made a spectacular catch and doesn’t show signs of slowing down.

The game was a complete effort as the Steelers played well on both sides of the ball. Living in New York I had to deal with the Hurricane and on top of that I couldn’t watch the game until Sunday on NFL network. I avoided the Internet and Captain Tailgate as to not spoil the ending! The NFL network while the GAME WAS ON, announced that the Steelers won. WTF!!! Only one more week until this is for real!

With the offensive line looking putrid these days the Steelers decided to bring back Trai Essex. Essex has been a capable backup but with the lockout and his marriage was woefully out of shape. The Steelers need some depth and Essex can bring that, he has spent the last six weeks getting in shape and losing some weight. He is ready to compete for a job in a wide open line.

The Steelers pounded their in state rival Philadelphia Eagles. A week after getting pushed all over the field, the Steelers starters sent a clear message. It was a solid game and the Steelers looked terrific all around.

The good news, the Steelers are loaded at linebacker and that talent was on display. They disrupted the pass and the run and the Eagles had no answers. Larry Foote played a terrific game and he is clearly the front runner to stay with the team inside. It was a great effort by Worldis and Sylvester.

The best news is the secondary looked awesome! They had Michael Vick’s number all night and it was clear, the defense was in synch.

The bad news, the O-line is horrible and Jonathon Scott and Marcus Gilbert were injured.

As I was a day late in seeing the game and then some personal stuff got in the way, I am late in reporting on the Steelers loss to the ‘Skins.

There were very few positives. I will say that I was impressed with Ike Redman and Mewelde Moore. I thought both played very well and I was impressed with their efforts. Antonio Brown continues to distinguish himself and looks like a possible big threat.

Now the bad news. The scores of these games don’t matter, the key is not to get hurt. Well the Steelers lost on the scoreboard and Ike Taylor was seriously injured leaving him out for at least three weeks. This weakens and already weak secondary.

Ben was also nicked up as the line still has trouble with multiple blitzers. The line had a terrible night from the first team through the backups. To say the O-line is a question mark is an understatement, after the way they played this week. NO ONE played well. Look for the third string center to get cut this week. He nearly got Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon killed with a lollipop snap. I couldn’t even find him on the roster.

As for veteran roster cuts, I would say goodbye to Arnaz Battle as he couldn’t catch a cold. I also think that if the Steelers can’t trade Dixon than Batch will be a fatality.  

Just a rough night all around for the Steelers, they dial it up again this week against the Eagles. Let’s hope for a better showing.

The Steelers ink Cotchery!

The Steelers added a veteran receiver to their already talented core. This unit with the exception of the linebackers is probably the most talented on the team. This is a great pickup and adds excellent depth!

ESPN Rankings:

ESPN is ranking the Steelers number 5 in their preseason pole. Ray Poulette one of the readers of BWG was livid as he alerted me to this. The Steelers are ranked behind the Jets. My response is, who cares? The Steelers are always discounted and they play their best when they are the hunters not the hunted. I live in NY and have to listen to Rex Ryan talk about the Jets defense like they are the Steel Curtain and the 85 Bears roled into one! As I write every week the Steelers do their talking on the field. The Steelers cleary proved they were better than the Jets last year and they will prove it again this year. So let Rex and ESPN talk all they want

I just hope someone tells Silverback not to burn down ESPN headquarters.

The Plax Situation:

Be easy on Plaxico Burress. I saw alot of fans hating on Plax because he signed with the Jets for more money. While I wanted Plax to come back to the ‘Burgh. He did what was best for his family. He lost three years of prime earning potential after being railroaded by the NYC Mayor. So if he sells himself to the highest bidder, it is hard to be critical. He was a very good Steeler and I will remember him for that! It could have been worse he could have gone to Baltimore or our interstate rival the jerkoff Eagles!

Here is a quick note on key positions:

O-Line: The Steelers are in need of offensive line help. This is not exactly news and has been a fact for about four years. The word around camp is that Max Starks was in the running to come back, but is way out of shape and not ready to play. The Steelers are investigating bringing back “The Hotel” Flozell Adams. If they did that it would prompt the team to move Colon inside to guard. That is a crushing front five on run blocking albeit a little slow on the pass block. A few teams in the north are switching to the 4-3 so this seems like a reasonable move.

I am not sold on Jonathon Scott as the starting left tackle. Look for him to get competition from Marcus Gilbert if he can stay healthy and on the field. Also look out for Trevis Turner to make some waves if Flozell isn’t resigned. He is a “project” guy but has all the physical skills to have a shot at making the team.

Cornerbacks: The much maligned cornerbacks will be something to watch. This is the make it or break year for Keenan Lewis, he looks slow out of the gate with nagging injuries but should challenge for playing time against Willie Gay and Bryant McFadden. Curtis Brown got reps with both the first team and second team and seems to be making a good impression.  

D-Line: The D-line which is showing some years, but looks great. I love “Steel-Head” Heyward, the key is giving him a year to develop and have him replace BWG Favorite Aaron Smith next season. This looks like the breakout year for Ziggy Hood and he will challenge for serious playing time.

Keep the feedback coming…also send me any scoops you may have.

Keeping together the best linebacker tandem in the NFL was an offseason priority for the Steelers. They did it! LaMarr signed the richest deal in the history of the Steelers defense and he is now the second highest paid player in Steelers history.

He got a “chunk of change” up front in the form of 22.5 million. This was a great deal for everyone involved. LaMarr has been a flat out superstar and with Silverback they are the best tandem in the league. The linebackers have been the lifeblood of the Steelers defense and this signifies the Steelers confirmation of that.

LaMarr is a favorite of BWG! So welcome back!

The Steelers brought back 3rd down back Mewelde Moore. Mewelde is an excellent 3rd down back and will most likely battle for that spot. He came back at the right price and does everything that you need from a 3rd down perspective.  

Willie Gay is a “Jeckyl and Hide Cornerback”. He is a solid nickelback but not much more. The Steelers dramatically need to upgrade their Cornerback play. Only Ike Taylor could claim to have a “good year” last year. Both Gay and starter Bryan McFadden were basically abused to the tune of 70% passes completed on their side of the field. Teams would literally abandon the run and start trying to bomb the defense. This is a make it or break it year for Gay.

The wild card in this is Keenan Lewis who also is a bubble guy. He physically has the tools and is getting the experience. Look for him to push Gay and McFadden hard.

Big Willie Colon a New York native and Hofstra graduate is returning to the Steelers this year. Colon took less money to stay with the Steelers. Unfortunately that meant Flozell had to go. Flozell did a good job last year and was a major reason the Steelers were able to hang tough with a banged up line.

Starks was a starter and has had some of the strangest contracts in Steelers history.  This included being the highest paid player in Steelers history at one point. He has done a good job and I think they will have him back at a reduced cost.

The Steelers should look outside the organization for help and sign them ASAP. The line looks thin again with Flozell and Starks being gone. This has been a glaring issue for the Steelers since the departure of Alan Faneca and the retirements of Jeff Harting and Marvell Smith. I am hoping Marcus Gilbert can step in and be the next Joe Thomas!

Also, Randle El is out again. This was a move that everyone figured on, with the development of the Steelers young receivers this was inevitable. Randle El was one of my favorite players because he was very exciting and he did an awesome job running the Steelers gadget plays.

The PPG is reporting that Ike Taylor has resigned, the Steelers will make it official on Friday. He has been steady and played well over the past decade.

Also returning is Shaun Suisham who did a good job filling in after Skippy was sent packing. This fills a glaring need, Suisham is a good signing because he is a passable kicker and we know he can kick at Heinz field. It would have been hard to upgrade on this one and the Steelers got it right.

The Steelers also brought in a punter Aaron Bates to compete with Jeremy Kapinos and the often injured Dan Sepulveda. This looks like an insurance policy as Sepulveda has been on IR twice in three years and Kapinos was passable but not exceptional last year.  

The next target is the O-Line. The Steelers need O-Line help in the worse way and have shown interest in brining back both Willie Colon (YEAH HOFSTRA) and Flozell Adams who played well last year. Getting both would be a good stop gap move and I would move Colon inside to Right Guard. Colon is probably on the move.

The NFLPA ratified the new CBA deal yesterday, bringing labor peace to the NFL for the next ten years.  

Let the madness begins!

The Steelers will open camp this Thursday at St. Vincents. They will be holding a practice without pads on Friday and a practice Saturday with Pads. Here is the list of rookie free agents from the Post Gazette:

I would like to see some of these guys stick, but it is highly unlikely!

What will be fun to watch is the madness that will be this week.

Teams need to sign free agents this week as opposed to the four months they usually have. While this is going to be hell for GM’s, I think it will be awesome for fans! I am very excited, I think there will be a host of bargains to be had as well!

Stay tuned…