Practice Squad Addition

The Steelers added Pittsburgh native, John Malecki to the practice squad today. Malecki spent most of the season with the Steelers on the practice squad before being released by the Steelers earlier this season.

John's spot was made possible when the Steelers placed Curtis Brown on IR and promoted John Clay to the active roster before the Rams game.

Malecki could find himself on the active roster this week if Legursky and Pouncey are ruled out for the season finale against the Browns.

Most people are probably looking past this game and towards the playoffs, but this could be one hell of a game. I'm extremely excited because Charlie Batch is playing for the injured Ben Roethlisberger.

I was hugely disappointed that the Steelers kept Big Ben in the 49er game even though I think anyone on the roster could have done a better job. Coach Tomlin and the medical staff made the right call today as they decided to sit him and let the Steelers seasoned veteran take over the snaps.

I don't want to make this game seem bigger than what it is, but I did see some really good things watching them play against the Bengals last weekend. Their defense looks good and has a great motor, but can be worn down over time with the run game. The offense has some sparks at running back but not much anywhere else.

The Steelers last met the Rams in Pittsburgh back in 2003. That game was a milestone for the Steelers as they played in their 1000 career game, the Steelers lost 33-21.

I am really hoping to see Hines Ward get in the mix as well this week. Hines needs 9 catches to surpass the 1,000 catch mark and there is no better place to do it than at home.

I think Batch and the running game gets it rolling and the Steelers win 24-6.

Practice Squad Moves

Steelers added two players to the practice squad today as defensive tackle Elisha Joesph formerly of Temple and running back Chad Spann formerly of Northern Illinois.

Elisha Joseph was originally signed by the Steelers on October 18th before being released a few weeks later. Elisha, 6'2 290 lbs, played multiple spots on the defensive line for the Temple Owls from 2007 to 2010 before going undrafted to the Green Bay Packers who released him on the final day of cuts.

Chad Spann played his college ball at Northern Illinois where he recorded 2.916 yards on 536 carries with 48 touchdowns. He finished his career second all time on NIU's rushing list while being named the 2010 MAC Player of the Year. Spann was signed as an undrafted free agent to the Indianapolis Colts but also has spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Week 14 "The Game"

 

This is the game.

I understand the whole Baltimore thing but I am old school and this is the game of the season. I may hate the Ravens and everything about them but Cleveland is a whole new ball game. I despise Cleveland, the colors, the people, the logo or lack there of, those jerk offs.

I know this rivalry has seen much better days but that doesn't change a single thing to me. The Steelers are 62-56 in their history with the Steelers going 39-21 in the Steel City. Since the Browns rejoining in 1999, the Steelers are 21-4 with their last loss coming in 2009. To add insult to injury Big Ben is 12-1 all time against the Browns.

This game is tradition. As a third generation Steelers fan, I grew up hating the Browns. While new fans are all about the Baltimore rivalry, I think most of the old school fans would agree with me that there is no game quite like this one.

The big thing that I will be watching in this game is the ever so amazing, Hines Ward. After the Steelers 35-7 beating of the Bengals, Hines Ward stands at 990 catches with 12, 021 yards and 85 career touchdowns. With ten more catches over the final four games Hines will be the only Steeler ever with 1,000 career catches and in my opinion will insure his induction into the Hall of Fame.

Week 13 Breakdown

The Steelers (8-3) will play their second match-up against their division rival Bengals (7-4) The Steelers are attempting to keep pace and secure a playoff spot, while the Bengals are looking to keep a hold of a wild card spot.

The Steelers are 51-32 against the Bengals all time; winning 27 and only losing 14 times in the city of Pittsburgh. The last meeting in Pittsburgh was last seasons 23 to 7 beating of the Bengals. The Steelers are 5-5 in the last the last ten games in Pittsburgh which doesn't bode well for the Steelers.

Steelers should be able to handle their business and get a win.

STEELERS WIN: 23-17

Week 12 Breakdown

I don't have fears of this supposed "bye week blues", I do have a fear of playing down to the opponent this week as our Steelers (7-3) face off against the Casselless Chiefs (4-6) First, I think we should touch on the myth that teams are getting killed after their bye weeks; prior to week 8 NFL teams were just 3-9 after their bye week, but that number has become more of an aberration since then as teams are 10-6, so lets not look into that too much.

The biggest news is that the Chiefs have had more substantial injuries than just about any team could handle, losing big name such as Tony Moeaki, Jammal Charles, Eric Berry and more recently Matt Cassel. This has forced the Chiefs to dip into thier roster to patch together a lineup. Former Pitt Panther and Steeler Tyler Palko will be in the starting lineup for the Steelers game even though Kyle Orton was claimed off waivers from the Denver Tebows.

The Steelers are 17-10 against KC all time, going 9-6 against them in the hostile confines of Arrowhead Stadium. The last match-up between these two in KC was the horrible and embarrassing 27-24 overtime loss in 2009.

CHIEFS SEASON STATS:
Tyler Palko- 29 of 44 277 yards 0 touchdowns 3 interceptions
*Second career start, lost last week 34-3

Jackie Battle- 95 carries for 436 yards and 1 touchdown
*Has one career 100 yard game, against Indy

Dwayne Bowe- 48 catches for 750 yards and 4 touchdowns
*Averages 15.6 yards per catch

Defense- The Chiefs are 23rd in the league allowing 365.9 yards per game and 25th in points giving up 25 per game. They only have 12 sacks but have an impressive 13 interceptions, two returned for touchdowns.

INJURY REPORT
Lamar Woodley- questionable; Arnaz Battle- questionable; Stevenson Sylvester- questionable; James Harrison- probable; Ben Roethlisberger- probable; Troy Polamalu- probable; Emmanuel Sanders- probable;

FINAL TAKE:
Ben has a fracture in his thumb but is assuring everyone it will not have an ill effect on his throwing, so we are all forced to believe him. On a serious note the Steelers need to make sure they are not over looking the Chiefs like they seemed to do in 2009. Run the ball, control the clock and let Ben heave the ball into the end zone; seems simple. I don't see a loss especially with the Ravens winning on Thursday, the Steelers need to win to control the wild card.

STEELERS WIN: 24-16

Hall of Fame Semi-Finalist

The NFL Hall of Fame announced the 26 modern era finalist and four of them have ties to Steeler Nation. The Steelers second all time leading rusher Jerome Bettis 1996-2005, former linebacker Kevin Greene 1993-1995, safety Donnie Shell 1974-1987 and center Dermontti Dawson 1988-2000. Another Steeler great Jack Butler also made the senior committee ballot pushing the Steelers total to five of 28 players.

With a weak class this year it is possible that we could see up to four of these players in the hall this year. In my opinion Jerome Bettis, Kevin Greene, Dermontti Dawson and Jack Bulter should make the final cut. No one is more deserving than Jack Butler.

Butler retired from the NFL in 1959, playing in 103 games recording 52 interceptions and four touchdowns. Butler retired from the league second all time in interceptions but is still waiting for his opportunity for this honor. To put Butlers picks into perspective, former Steeler and Hall of Famer Rod Woodson played in 102 games in his first seven seasons and only recorded 28 interceptions. Compare that to Butler's 52 interceptions in 103 games.

There are very few, if any Hall of Famers that can compare to Butler's stats.