Steelers release Byron Leftwich
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The Pittsburgh Steelers have released QB Byron “The Human Windmill” Leftwich. Don’t get too excited that the Steelers pulled this move, they needed to clear a roster spot for the defensive line. DE Steve McLendon was activated from the practice squad today and the Steelers figure to re-sign Leftwich next week. There is always the possibility that a team could claim Leftwich off waivers, which could make things interesting.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week in week 3 of the season, and it’s possible that Leftwich could be ready to play in that game if Dennis Dixon stinks it up against the Tennessee Titans. Do you think the Buccaneers would pull a move like that? Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris up against his old coaching buddy Mike Tomlin? Or maybe the Ravens?
One final comment, why is it when veteran players are dumped or put on waivers it is called being released, rookie players are cut. It’s one in the same.
Pittsburgh Steelers face Mission Impossible?
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Next up for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Tennessee Titans and RB Chris Johnson, is this a mission impossible for the Steelers? Last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers managed to hold Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner to 42 yards on 19 carries. Chris Johnson is no Michael Turner. Last week, Johnson posted 150 total yards and 2 score against the Oakland Raiders. Now, I watched every Oakland Raiders preseason game and their defense looked improved over last season, especially with the additions of Rolando McClain and Kamerion Wimbley. Chris Johnson still shredded them.
The Pittsburgh Steelers can’t expect to shut Johnson down completely, teams simply hope to contain him. Johnson is a very patient runner with an incredible burst when he seems an opening. He is exceptionally gifted on the cutbacks, this is where he runs off those large gains.
The Steelers are going to have to be tremendously disciplined and maintain their gaps. Where Johnson really excels is when teams over pursue and then he cuts back, and it’s off to the races.
I think the Steelers have the defensive talent to slow Johnson. Do they keep him under 100 yards? I don’t think so. Do I start him on my fantasy team? You have to, you most likely picked him with the #1 or #2 pick. And I don’t think it’s mission impossible for the Steelers, but outside of Ray Rice, Johnson is the most gifted runner the Steelers will face all season.
Terry Bradshaw would have cut Steelers Roethlisberger
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During the Fox pregame show, Terry Bradshaw tore off on a rant directed at suspended Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. Two weeks ago, Bradshaw while speaking to a crowd kicking off the college football season in Shreveport Louisiana was very outspoken about NFL and current players behavior.
On Sunday, Bradshaw went off with a word of warning to NFL quarterback newcomers, Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford and even Tim Tebow. Bradshaw said that you should have three letters associated with your name, NFL and not TMZ. He chided Ben Roethlisberger for his offseason behavior, saying that the Steelres sent WR Santonio Holmes off to the New York Jets for failing a drug test, but Roethlisberger’s offseason behavior was much worse.
He finished his 3 minute rant saying that if he owned the Pittsburgh Steelers, he would have cut Ben Roethlisberger.
Steelers Dennis Dixon gets his chance today
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The Pittsburgh Steelers are taking on the Atlanta Falcons today and Dennis Dixon gets his chance to prove that he deserves to be the starter. Early on in training camp, Dennis Dixon made news by saying that he should have been named the starter simply because he was with the team last season. At the time, Byron Leftwich was the presumed starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
I wrote at that time that Dennis Dixon or anyone else should be handed a starting position simply because they were on the roster last year. Players need to prove they are worthy of being the starter by performing in the preseason games. Dixon did have a good preseason right up until the third week, when he fell flat. The knee sprain which Byron Leftwich suffered, took him out of the equation and Dixon did get named the starter basically by default.
I think that Dixon does give the Steelers the best opportunity to win at the quarterback position. He has now had 10 days to get ready to be the starter today both physically and mentally. He simply needs to go out and play his game and limit the mistakes.
Steelers Hines Ward named captain over Roethlisberger, his take?
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Will Pittsburgh Steelers WR hines Ward have another great season? At age 34, entering his 13th season in the NFL, he showed no signs of slowing down last year, recording 95 receptions for nearly 1200 yards and 6 touchdowns. The wily veteran receiver is poised to start another season in the NFL and he joined 790 The Zone in Atlanta to talk about what he sees in the coming season from the Steelers. You can listen to the entire interview right here.
Ward was asked if he thought his 895 catches for 10,947 yards was Hall of Fame material, and he replied, “No, I don’t think about that. It’s just great to have my name mentioned in that conversation, you know, I am or am I nor or whatever”.
Ward continued to sing some praises of quarterback Dennis Dixon, who I’ve been high on this off season. “One thing I think Dennis brings to the table that is different from the other quarterbacks is he makes plays with his legs”. Well thank you very much for pointing that out Mr. Ward. I have been spouting that on this site for weeks now. A mobile quarterback is what you need in the NFL right now, not a statue like Byron Leftwich.
Ward also commented on being named offensive captain instead of QB Ben Roethlisberger. Ward was outspoken about Roethlisberger this past offseason and even the Steelers offense saying they needed to return to their roots of power running. (as transcribed by sportsradiointerviews.com)
“Yeah, I mean, he made a mistake. He’s paying for it, trying to win back over the fans and what not. But the whole captain thing, that’s more of a natural thing to us. It’s no disrespect to Ben, it’s just that Ben’s not here. Ben’s the quarterback of this football team, he’s automatically going to be the leader. What quarterback on any team is not considered the leader of that team? So, he’s always going to be the leader of this team, it’s just a matter of I’ve been here, I’m here now, I was voted as the captain by my teammates. And also Heath Miller, a guy who’s an emerging up-and-coming tight end. He doesn’t get the recognition of some of the other guys, but what he brings to the table means a lot to us. So, it’s not like it was a demotion towards Ben, it’s just right now Ben’s right here. So Heath and I, we’re filling in right now.”
