Good Thursday to you fine folks in Steeler Land!
I first saw the reference to “Slay the Dragon” from Mt. Lebanon native Joe Manganiello who tweeted from Kansas City on Sunday night. He gave respect to folks in KC and then side “time to slay the dragon.” Then… Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger used the same reference during his AFC Title Game presser yesterday. So while I started pushing the ‘Slay the Dragon” hashtag, I have to give props to the husband of Sofia Vergara for this. Either way, #SlaytheDragon.
Good news yesterday on the Ladarius Green front. He did practice on a limited basis on Wednesday. Head Coach Mike Tomlin wouldn’t go any further than that but I’m told it’s a very strong likelihood that Green will play on Sunday.
Several players were out with what’s being called a flu bug right now. B.J. Finney, Zach Mettenberger, Chris Boswell and Darrius Heyward-Bey were all OUT yesterday. Let’s hope the bug stops with them!
How bad has the Steelers’ Red Zone offense been in the postseason under Todd Haley?
Here’s the entire injury report from yesterday courtesy steelers.com.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE RB Le’Veon Bell (Not Injury Related) K Chris Boswell (Illness) S Sean Davis (Shoulder) C B.J. Finney (Illness) WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (Illness) QB Zach Mettenberger (Illness) QB Ben Roethlisberger (Not Injury Related) LB Vince Williams (Shoulder) |
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LIMITED PARTICIPATION LB Anthony Chickillo (Ankle) TE Ladarius Green (Concussion) S Mike Mitchell (Not Injury Related) |
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FULL PARTICIPATION LB James Harrison (Shoulder, Triceps) DE Ricardo Mathews (Ankle) RB Fitzgerald Toussaint (Concussion) |
Tweet of the Day… It’s actually an Instagram of the day today. Pretty damn cool!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPavqBIh_qc/
Antonio Brown gave his mea culpa yesterday before a crowded media room at the Steelers’ facility yesterday. Some thought it genuine while others (and you can probably guess those in the media) didn’t buy it. I don’t care either way. Time to move on. [Update]: Brown was significantly late for his press conference. We’ve learned the reason was he was getting his hair cut and we know this because he snapchatted it. Diva anyone?
In the last two games against the Patriots, New England is 7 for 7 inside the Red Zone. That can’t happen Sunday.
I fully expect the game on Sunday to be extremely chippy. The Steelers will have to be disciplined and not take the bait because the Pats will antagonize from the start. The best way to shut them up is through hard, within-the-rules hitting. I expect a lot of physicality.
Enjoy Thursday Steeler Nation!
Just a note as the season is coming to a close but not too soon. Great job again this season guys, you people get real with your blogs and opinions and don’t just homer sugar coat your stuff. It makes for very interesting reading. Thanks guys