|
|
| The Steelers seem intent not to overwork Rashard Mendenhall this season, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We are going to monitor his touches simply because that's the appropriate thing to do this early in the season," head coach Mike Tomlin said of Mendenhall. "He is going to be in; he is capable of staying in on third downs. But, of course, we're also capable of inserting a Mewelde Moore or even an Isaac Redman for that matter." |
Our View: Tomlin said yesterday that Redman will serve as the team's short-yardage back. That news is enough to at least slightly reduce Mendenhall's value, but this news isn't as bothersome. Mendenhall is still expected to get plenty of touches, and the fact that the Steelers will be monitoring his workload could help ensure that he stays healthy. |
|
|
|
| Mike Tomlin has named Isaac Redman as his team's short-yardage back, according to Scout.com's James Wexell. |
Our View: It sounds like Pittsburgh will be using Redman to grind out the tough yards, while keeping Mendenhall fresh throughout the game. This news could make Redman a solid handcuff to Mendenhall in touchdown-only and touchdown-heavy leagues. |
|
|
|
| Mike Tomlin has named Isaac Redman as his team's short-yardage back, according to Scout.com's James Wexell. |
Our View: This definitely hurts Mendenhall's value a bit. We don't expect Mendenhall to automatically be removed every time the Steelers find themselves by the goal line, but take this as your fair warning that Redman could be vulturing at least a few touchdowns from Mendenhall this season. |
|
|
|
| Byron Leftwich (knee) will be listed as doubtful for the Steelers this week, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. |
Our View: It sounds like he could be back as early as Week 2. Dennis Dixon will draw the start against Atlanta in Week 1, and how he plays could determine whether or not the Steelers attempt to rush Leftwich back. |
|
|
|
| Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has announced Dennis Dixon as his team's starting quarterback for Week 1, according to AOL Fanhouse. |
Our View: Dixon received all the first-team reps at practice today, ahead of Charlie Batch. It remains to be seen when Byron Leftwich will be healthy enough to return, though Dixon will have a chance to start the first four games for Pittsburgh until Ben Roethlisberger returns from suspension. |
|
|
|
| Dennis Dixon took the first-team snaps for the Steelers at practice on Monday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. |
Our View: Ben Roethlisberger is suspended and Byron Leftwich is hurt. There's been some reports that have claimed Charlie Batch will start for Pittsburgh, but it certainly seems like Dixon will be the man against Atlanta in Week 1. |
|
|
|
| The Titans claimed linebacker Patrick Bailey off waivers Sunday, according to the team's Twitter page. |
Our View: He's a former defensive end from Duke with good size and a high motor. He'll be a special teams contributor in Tennessee. |
|
|
|
| The Bills claimed guard Kraig Urbik off waivers from the Steelers Sunday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. |
Our View: Urbik has some upside after being taken in the third round of the 2009 draft out of Wisconsin. He's a big guard that will compete for a spot on a shoddy Buffalo line. |
|
|
|
| ESPN.com contradicts a report by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and states that Byron Leftwich has a sprained MCL in his left knee as opposed to a torn MCL. |
Our View: Leftwich is still unlikely to be ready by Week 1 of the season, and it remains to be seen whether he'll be back anytime before Week 4. The Steelers have a bye in Week 5, and Ben Roethlisberger will be back under center in Week 6. |
|
|
|
| Dennis Dixon is expected to open the season as Pittsburgh's starter following news that Byron Leftwich has sprained MCL, according to the ESPN.com. |
Our View: It's unclear if Leftwich will be back by Week 2, 3 or 4, though neither is expected to have relevance after that, as Ben Roethlisberger's suspension has been reduced from six to four games. Dixon is a great athlete but does is too raw to be counted upon for consistent fantasy numbers. |
|
|
|
| Byron Leftwich has been diagnosed with a torn MCL, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. |
Our View: He's out indefinitely as a result. This injury won't keep him out the entire season, though he'll almost surely miss the first four weeks of the season. With news that Ben Roethlisberger's suspension has been reduced to four games, that means that Leftwich has lost his chance to open the season as Pittsburgh's starter. Dennis Dixon now assumes the duties of keeping the Steelers afloat for the first four weeks. |
|
|
|
| Ben Roethlisberger's original six-game suspension has been reduced to four games, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. |
Our View: This is what we expected all along. Big Ben has been on good behavior since his original punishment by the NFL. He'll be back under center in Week 6 against Cleveland following a Week 5 bye. |
|
|
|
| Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers owner Art Rooney II "will not be politicking" to have Ben Roethlisberger's suspension reduced by two games. |
Our View: According to the story, Rooney won't be accompanying Big Ben to his meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell Friday, despite previous reports stating otherwise. We didn't think the suspension would be reduced by the three games Rooney was said to be helping to ask for, and this certainly doesn't help. |
|
|
|
| Byron Leftwich left Thursday's preseason finale with an apparent left knee injury, according to NFL.com. |
Our View: Leftwich is already on his way to the hospital for an MRI, and the injury didn't look good. One of his own players was blocked into his knee, and Charlie Batch gets the go-ahead for the rest of the game. It now looks like a safe bet that Dennis Dixon will start for the Steelers week one. Stay tuned. |
|
|
|
| According to ESPN's Sal Paolantonio, Ben Roethlisberger will reportedly ask for at least a three-game reduction of his four-to-six-week suspension when he meets with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell Friday. |
Our View: Good luck, Ben. He's bringing Steelers owner Art Rooney II with him to the meeting, but it's not likely that the suspension will dip below four weeks. Still, Big Ben has apparently gone above and beyond what was asked of him since his most recent legal troubles, and there is a chance that the backing of his franchise could sway Goodell. Then there's the fact that Roethlisberger is the only player in league history to be suspended under the NFL's personal conduct policy despite not being arrested. We're still counting on at least four Roethlisberger-less weeks for Pittsburgh. |
|
