After a meeting earlier today Goodell decided Ben was behaving himself and felt he was doing his best to be a better person. As a result, Roethlisberger had his suspension trimmed down to 4 games. He’s now eligible to return to action Oct. 18th for a divisional matchup against the Browns.

In the meantime there’s been a lot of talk about who will start at quarterback while Roethlisberger is gone. The competition between Dennis Dixon and Byron Leftwich during the preseason really didn’t leave the Steelers with any kind of definitive idea of who would be starting week one.

But last night against Carolina Leftwich injured his left knee and initial reports have not been positive. So it seems that the Steelers may wind up having to start Dixon against the Falcons next Sunday.

Although most people seem to think that Leftwich would have started had he not gotten injured, and there is still a chance he could be okay come Sept. 12th, Dixon seems to fit the role a little better. The Steelers are going to have to go back to their old style while Ben isn’t around, which means a lot more running. Dixon isn’t as experienced a passer as Leftwich, but the dynamic he brings with his legs could be a better fit.

Technorati Tags: Ben Roethlisberger, byron leftwich, denis dixon, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers

Trading receiver Santonio Holmes to the Jets left a glaring need. The Steelers drafted Southern Methodist speedster Emmanuel Sanders, who has the ability to replace Holmes big play ability. They also brought in Antonio Bryant from Central Michigan to add another body. Tennessee offensive tackle Chris Scott is a big, physical player, something the Steelers need at the position. Clemson cornerback Crezdon Butler will bring a little competition to the position, and could be a benefactor under the tutalidge of Dick LeBeau.

Pittsburgh got a steal in the 6th round with Georgia Tech running back Jonathan Dwyer. He’s a load at 5′11″ and 229 pounds, which makes me think the Steelers may try to get back to their grass roots style. Doug Wothington, defensive tackle out of Ohio State, is a good prospect with excellent stength and speed. The Steelers have had quite the offseason and I’m sure they’re ready to get back to football. This draft gives them some depth and competition in some key areas.

Technorati Tags: 2010 NFL Draft, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers

There is a chance Ben can reduce his suspension to 4 games. Commish Goodell will evaluate Roethlisbergers situation at the beginning of the regular season to see whether the quarterback has made progress. But if Ben has made no progress Goodell may push the suspension past 6 games.

Yesterday the Steelers announced they were extending the contract of Byron Leftwich to bring a little security to the position. The likely starter for the Steelers come regular season kickoff should be Dennis Dixon. However things could change if the Steelers decide to unload Ben during the draft. It is possible, but I don’t think too many teams are impressed with Roethlisberger so the market may be small.

Technorati Tags: Ben Roethlisberger, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers

Yesterday Holmes was dealt to the New York Jets for what at first was thought to be a bag of footballs, but was later revealed to be the Jets 5th round draft choice. The move is a little surprising considering the Steelers lack of depth at the position. But Holmes off the field problems made this an easy decision by the Steelers.

Right now Holmes is being investigated by Orlando police following an incident at a night club. Santonio was doing his best Roethlisberger impersonation and threw a cocktail at a womans face, causing a laceration near her eye. He is also facing a four game suspension by the league from an unrelated instance of substance abuse.

It’s pretty obvious to see why the Steelers kicked him to the curb. He had a fairly disappointing season last year. Couple that with all the shit he seems to get himself into and it’s clear Pittsburgh is tired of his shenanigans.

So a bigger questions arises from all of this: What the heck is going on in Pittsburgh. You’ve got Roethlisberger doing everything he can to put himself in ridiculous positions to get sexual assault charges. Just a little over a year ago Jeff Reed was trying to beat up a paper towel dispenser, which seems tame compared to everything else but is still pretty goofy.

I ask myself the question “Would this be happening on Bill Cowhers watch?”. Mike Tomlin has had a lot of success in Pittsburgh so far. But all the stuff that’s been going on has happened during his tenure with the team. I fully expect the Steelers to come out and be a strong competitor this year. But something tells me that any little wavering off that will bring up a ton of questions.

Technorati Tags: Ben Roethlisberger, New York Jets, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Santonio Holmes

“All of them will lay down,” proclaimed Woodley. “No one wants to see Pittsburgh in it. That’s just how it is. Everybody knows we’re a dangerous team once we get into the playoffs, no matter how we play the whole year. Once we get in the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Steelers is a playoff team.”

That’s correct LaMarr, if you make the playoffs you is a playoff team. Just like all the teams that make the playoffs is playoff teams.

But here’s the problem. You haven’t shown you’re a playoff caliber team really at all this year, that’s why your team needs help to get into the playoffs. So yea, I guess it does matter how you play all year.

And if you think the Bengals or the Patriots are shaking in their boots at the thought of your inconsistent team coming into their stadium you’re kidding yourself. Who’s LeMarr trying to convince here, himself and the Steelers or the “non-believers”?

So here we have a possible peak into some of the problems the Steelers have been facing all year. It seems to be that Pittsburgh maybe thinks a little to highly of themselves. Now they’re resorting to having to tell everyone how good they are as opposed to actually doing it. Good teams don’t talk about how good they are, they just go out and prove it. The Steelers are hoping for a chance to show everyone and not just talk about it. That is, if the Bengals and the Patriots let them.

Technorati Tags: LeMarr Woodley, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Browns defense played as good as anyone every thought they could, and probably a little better. They were in Roethlisbergers face all night. They knocked him to the turf 8 times as Ben looked like he didn’t want to have anything to do with last nights game.

The Steelers did show signs of life throughout the game. They didn’t turn the ball over and there were times where they looked like they were getting ready to turn it on. But they just kept running out of steam.

This was an odd game to watch because it seemed like the Browns were playing with the passion the Steelers wanted to. Pittsburgh went into this game thinking they wanted it more and Cleveland proved them wrong.

Pittsburghs playoff chances are all but faded away. There is still a slight chance but they need a lot of help. If last nights game was any indication of where the Steelers are at mentally right now they ‘re season is done.

As for the Browns, that right there was their Super Bowl. This minor distraction will move along and the Browns will be the same Browns. The bright side though is that they seem to have talent, especially on the defensive side. There seems to be a shimmer of hope for Cleveland fans. However it’s not recommended you hold your breathe.

Technorati Tags: Cleveland Browns, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers

Dennis Dixon played quite well in Roethlisbergers place on Sunday against the Ravens. But no doubt the Steelers are looking forward to getting Ben back.

Right now the Steelers are on the outside looking in but a lot can change in the final 5 games of the year. Pittsburgh is in a 3 way tie for that last wildcard spot. The only problem for the Steelers is that out of those three teams they have the worst division record.

So it may boil down to the Steelers having to win out the rest of the way. It’s tough but doable and I’m sure the Steelers will be ready for the challenge.

Technorati Tags: Ben Roethlisberger, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers

Basically things seem to be going in the wrong direction. Yesterdays loss to the Chiefs was a tough one. The Steelers had their chances to finish off Kansas City, but they just couldn’t get it done.

Luckily for the Steelers everyone in their division lost so they didn’t lose any ground there. But the chances of them winning the division are slipping away. The fact that the Bengals are 5-0 in the division with only a game against Cleveland left leaves the Steelers minimal chances for error.

Sundays game not only turned into a loss on the scoreboard but possibly on their roster as well. Roethlisberger left the game with a head injury and backup quarterback Charlie Batch injured his wrist and could be out up to 6 weeks.

The Steelers have to travel to Baltimore next week and may have to start 2nd year quarterback Dennis Dixon. You can bet the Ravens defense will be chomping at the bit to get after Dixon.

The wildcard race in the AFC looks like it’s going to be tight. The Steelers last three games of the season appear to be no cake walk, Green Bay , Baltimore and Miami. The Steelers are hoping their last game of the year is in Miami, but they’d prefer if the trip was in February. If they don’t find a way to win the close ones they’ll be watching the playoffs at home this year.

Technorati Tags: NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers

When the press tried to find out what was ailing him, Troy played the mysterious role. “Who says there’s even a real knee injury.”

Well it’s got to be something man, the Steelers wouldn’t just keep you on the sidelines for moral support. Either way the Steelers should be fine, it is the Chiefs their playing after all.

Technorati Tags: NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Troy Polamalu

Both teams are tied for the division lead right now at 6-2. When the two teams met in week three the Bengals were able to squeak out a victory 23-20. Cincinnati hasn’t lost a game yet in the division, they’re 4-0. The Steelers are 1-1 in the division and another loss to the Bengals could ruin their chances at winning the division.

The Steelers seem to be a different team than there were 7 weeks ago. They’ve been able to find a way to close teams out in the fourth quarter and they’re starting to run the ball with a little more effectiveness.

The Bengals have really turned things around for themselves recently. Especially on defense where they’re 5th in the league in points allowed. If Cincinnati can win on Sunday they put themselves in an excellent position coming down the stretch.

Technorati Tags: Cincinnati Bengals, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers