Yardbarker: Mewelde Moore

Moore on the Steelers big win in Jacksonville

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:55:41 -0500

The Steelers had more questions than the GRE's going into their week five game at Jacksonville. The mediocre-to-begin-with O-line had suffered the loss of starting right guard Kendall Simmons, the defensive line was devoid of two starters, and Mewelde Moore was pressed into starting duty in a game that showcased the return of [...]

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Watch: Week 6

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:45:20 -0500

Every week, I highlight a few players that you should target in waivers. I use the ESPN league data when filtering players, so the only players eligible for discussion here are those that are available on the waiver wire of at least 50% of ESPN's leagues. I'll list each player's percentage-owned after their name so you have an idea of how available they are in leagues around the country. I'll always try to mention a few players that are available in 90% of leagues for those of you in 12-team leagues or leagues with big rosters. I'll rank them in the order I'd pick them up in a league with a high-performance, PPR scoring system. QUARTERBACKS 1. Kyle Orton (38.4) "Beard" (formerly "Neck Beard") has posted 267 yards passing and 2.3 TD over the last three weeks. He's definitely QB2 caliber now. 2. Marc Bulger (48.8) Bulger resumes his starting duties this week. 3. Matt Ryan (43.4) Ryan threw for 194 yards and two TD against he Packers, and almost had a third TD. 4. Chad Pennington (35.3) Pennington has a nice matchup with the Texans in Week 6. 5. Gus Frerotte (16.1) With the Lions on tap in Week 6, Frerotte is a good pickup this week. 6. JaMarcus Russell (46.5) Russell seems to be playing better, and with the Saints coming up, he's a viable spot starter. 7. Kerry Collins (25.2) 8. Joe Flacco (15.2) 9. J.P. Losman (0.6) The Bills are on bye and Trent Edwards should be ready for Week 7, but if not, Losman will have some value. 10. Brodie Croyle (4.0) Croyle will be the starter after KC's bye. 11. Jeff Garcia (17.6) With Griese nicked up, Garcia has a chance to reclaim the starting job.

GUTSY

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:51:14 -0500

STEELERS (4-1) 26

JAGUARS (2-3) 21

ROETHLISBERGER 26-41, 309 YARDS, 3 TD/1 INT

MOORE 17-99

WASHINGTON 6-94, 1 TD

(SPOILER ALERT: Gratuitous Roethlisberger praise ahead)

The Steelers' weekly primetime game took us this week to Jacksonville, Florida, for our annual Rashean Mathis pick six matchup with the hated Jaguars. Many had counted out the Steelers far in advance, mostly because they were starting their eighth-string running back, missing half their defense, and losing a starter from their already-maligned offensive line. Bah. Those were merely the ingredients to a more dramatic victory in front of a national audience.

You could get a sense from the opening drive that the Steelers came ready to play. Of course, those feelings were quickly slayed when Mathis took a Ben Roethlisberger pass 72 yards to the house for his 155th career interception return for a TD against Roethlisberger (or "Ben", as all national announcers call him, much to Bill Simmons' chagrin). That would seem to take the air out of the Steeler balloon, but the team marched down the field once again and tied it on a Roethlisberger-to-Heath Miller score at the 5:18 mark of quarter one.

Maurice Jones-Drew then answered that score with a touchdown of his own, which closed the first quarter at 14-7. And I can't think of many people that would've imagined 21 combined points in the first 15 minutes of this contest.

The Steelers scored thrice in the second quarter: two fields goals from the automatic Jeff Reed, and a HUGE Roethlisberger-to-Nate Washington touchdown that spanned 48 yards. Nursing a tenuous 20-14 lead at halftime was not bad, all things considered.

A scoreless third quarter gave way to some fireworks in the final period. Marcedes Lewis caught a 24-yard touchdown from David Garrard at the beginning of the fourth, putting the Jaguars up by one. And once again, the Steelers would step up, as Roethlisberger hit the fiesty Hines Ward for the game's final score, an 8-yard touchdown pass with 1:53 to go. Game, set, match: the Steelers knocked off a longtime rival on the road with a depleted core of starters. This was a big win.

Game Notes:

--That was the 5th time that Roethlisberger's thrown for 300+ yards in his career, and the first since a 2006 meeting with Denver.

--At this point, any more praise I heap on Roethlisberger can be regarded as piling on. I have a bit of a history in that area. But come on, he was just off-the-charts tough last night. Sure, he may hold onto the ball too long on occasion, but on other occasions that style extends plays and bails out the Steelers. And he could barely pull himself off the turf, yet somehow found a way to lead his team to the game-winning score. For people who say he's coming into his own, save it. He's been there a long time.

--What can you say about the Steeler D? They allowed just 213 yards and seven points (don't forget, the other Jax TD was on an interception return), sacking David Garrard three times. Lamarr Woodley and James Harrison were once again all over the place.

--Mewelde Moore had a fantastic game filling in for RashWillie MendenParker: 99 yards on the ground (at 5.8 yards per carry, no less), and another 17 through the air. Moore was a great offseason acquisition who proves superb depth. Even when Parker returns, I hope to see more of Moore on the field.

--Yes, that WAS William James from Uniontown out there for the Jags last night. A former classmate of mine at Geibel HS in Connellsville for a very short time, he was then known as Will Peterson. He attended the U. of Michigan and was playing in the Rose Bowl opposite Charles Woodson, but found himself finishing his college career at Youngstown State and later Western Illinois. He was with the New York Giants from 2001-06, and has since bounced around to Philadelphia, Buffalo, and as of September 1, the Jags. He's had six tackles in each of the last two weeks. He gets lost in the shuffle of local players who play in the league, but should absolutely be mentioned.

--I just can't imagine what it was like for Najeh Davenport to be sitting at home watching football last week and then running back kicks in front of a national audience last night.

--Another big game out of #86 last night. Hines was all over the field, with seven catches, 90 yards, and the game-winning TD. In fact, it was a great all-around night for the receivers, as Washington had a huge six catch, 94-yard game (with a TD), and Santonio Holmes added another four castches for 65 yards.

--The Jaguar running game was non-existent. Fred Taylor had 19 yards on 10 carries and MJD just seven yards on five carries. And that was against a Steeler line minus Brett Keisel and Casey Hampton.

--ESPN blogger James Walker once again gives lots of love to the Steelers and ranks them among the NFL elite.

--Steelers are off next week, which means no Pitt and no Steelers for an entire weekend. They return on the 19th against the Bengals in a rare 1 PM Sunday game, then follow that with a murderer's row of the Giants and Redskins.

--Huge win when combined with Baltimore's loss against Tennessee. That puts the Steelers at 4-1 and the Ravens at 2-2, and that's a good place to be.

--The decision to put Trai Essex into the game rather than Max Starks in the fourth quarter should cement Starks' status as one of the worst free agent signings in history, writes AOL's JJ Cooper.

--Could Silverback Harrison be in line for a fine after wondering if the refs had money on the game?

--This is off-topic, but extremely relevant to me: can we get some confirmation if Mark Madden is definitely coming back today? Unless I'm totally blind, there's no mention of him on The X website. Why they wouldn't want to publicize the crap out of that is beyond me.

Daily Haze

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:04:27 -0500

Here are today's great reads: Despite losing control of the locker room and starting 0-5 this season, the Bengals have guaranteed Marvin Lewis his job going forward. [FanHouse] Fantasy football risers and fallers after week 5. [Fantasy Football Sharks] Kurt Warner considered quitting after last weekend's loss to the Jets. [FanHouse] Waiver wire name of the week: Kyle Orton. [...]

Fantasy Football Week 5 Waiver Wire

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:28:54 -0500

What an interesting week of games it was as the Indianapolis Colts came back from a 17 point deficit late in the fourth quarter to overtake the Houston Texans, the Washington Redskins defeated another division foe in the Philadelphia Eagles on the road, and the Cincinnati Bengals, despite being 17 point underdogs, were close to winning their first game at Dallas. Injuries and suspensions continue to pave the way for more players to step up and become relevant in fantasy football. These are guys that will get the football as well as the opportunity to produce, so don't ignore them because they're a former backup or somebody who has yet to shine on the big stage. Without further ado, it's onto the Week 5 Waiver Wire. -------------------- QUARTERBACKS Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) Ryan has appeared on the Waiver Wire Watch List for a couple of weeks now, but it's now time for the Falcons QB to make the jump to the actual Waiver Wire list. In Sunday's win over the Green Bay Packers, Ryan completed 16 of 26 passes for 194 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. The rookie looked good on the road and it appears the Falcons are more willing to let him air it out. Despite just being a rookie, Ryan has plenty of experience thanks to ample playing time during his four years at Boston College. He has adjusted to the NFL nicely, and thanks to the Falcons running duo of Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood, opposing defenses will not be able to simply drop back into coverage. He's not a weekly start in fantasy leagues, but is a nice play if the match-up is right. -------------------- TO FIND OUT WHO ELSE IS WORTH A WAIVER WIRE MOVE, CLICK THE LINK...

SNF Live-Blog: Steelers @ Jaguars, 2nd Half

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:18:09 -0500

Hopefully, those kicks above might give MJD some more speed on the field if he puts them on. The Jags could use it. Reed kicks it to Witherspoon, who's out to the 29-yard line. Garrard throws to Taylor underneath for five. A pass to Mike Walker at the 50 yard line earns a 1st down, while John talks about "exotic blitzing-style defenses" again.

Jags victimized once again by a holding flag on a third down play that might have gottten a "go for it" call from Del Rio. Garrard gets walloped by Lamar Woodley, and the Jags will have to punt. Mewelde Moore makes the fair catch.

"He wears a Superman shirt under his jersey." - John, on MJD (via 49er16)

If that's true, then the Steeler D is kryptonite right now.

SNF Live-Blog: Steelers @ Jaguars, 1st Half

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:11:23 -0500

Steelers kicker Jeff Reed feels pretty, witty, and light, and pities any girl who isn't him tonight. He feels charming and enchanting; it's alarming how charming he feels.

I would like to chide John for saying "Jag-wires." Proper pronunciation, John. Steelers take the kickoff out to their 18. Well, Mewelde Moore seems like an admirable fill in -- 15 yards on that first carry -- and an extra 15 comes from the Jags on an unnecessary roughness penalty. Ben the Glove tosses to Hines Ward, who gets inside the Jags' 40.

Note to Jacksonville: Don't make Mewelde Moore look like Walter Payton. - SSReporters

John Henderson sacks the Glove on 2nd down, as the ref calls the grasp rule even though he was throwing....and 3rd down brings Rashean Mathis with a pick 6 for the SCORE!

That was quick. 7-0 Jags after the kick.

"They've been a running team ever since Franco Harris" - John

I guess John forgets the Steelers of the early 2000s when they were as pass happy as anyone with Tommy Maddox. You really can't blame him though, I mean who else besides me actually remembers Tommy Maddox. - JFein

Most Steeler fans have blacked him out. Najeh Davenport returns the kickoff past the 25. After two incompletions, the Glove (who isn't wearing one, but I prefer calling him that rather than Ben) hits Santonio "John" Holmes for a frist down at the 43. Pittsburgh is barreling through, running with both Moore and Davenport. Moore catches a pass and heads down to the 31.

Another personal foul on the Jags puts the Steelers at the J'ville 15. The Glove hits up Heath Miller at the 3. Another play fake to Miller, and it's a TOUCHDOWN!

Kick is up and good, 7-7 tie.

John and Al were talking about Jags D-lineman John Henderson, and we can't talk about John Henderson without this video:

You got to make blood come out of the mouth, people. There was a better, longer version of the same ritual, only done on the road, but the NFL Network pulled it off YouTube.

Maurice Jones-Drew takes the kickoff out to the 20. Taylor drops a screen pass, but then rushes for a yard. David Garrard then hits Matt "White Pony" Jones, whom I am surprised has escaped ridicule as much as he has -- dude got caught with coke on his nose and he's playing! Taylor gets one on the next carry. Garrard's next throw is out of the reach of anyone.

The third down throw hits Walker for a first down. At the Steeler 40, Garrard bombs for the White Pony, and he gets dragged down in the end zone by Ike Taylor, who's gonna get flagged for pass interference.

Maurice Jones-Drew gets the yard for a TOUCHDOWN, Scobee adds the extra point, 14-7 Jags.

"He burrowed in there." - John. Al said something about a double entendre from John that I missed after that.

The Glove hits Nate Washington on 1st and 15 (after a false start) at the 25 for a 2nd and 5. Another false start makes it 2nd and 10. The next pass is incomplete, but then the Glove hits Ward for the 3rd down conversion at the 33. Another pass to Ward will finish off the 1st quarter.

Did someone reset Frank Caleindo's 15 min clock? - JG

Blame TBS for giving "Frank TV" another season. Moore goes to the 45 yard line on the next carry, getting a first down. Glove hits Ward at the 22 yard line, but there's a flag -- and it gets picked up because Glove was outside the pocket. Moore gets a few more, and we're set up with a 3rd and 3 at the 20. Glove threw off his back foot to Moore, and it was underthrown. Jeff The Exhibitionist will kick a field goal try from 38 yards out -- up and good. 14-10, Jags.

SNF Live-Blog: Steelers @ Jaguars, 1st Half

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:11:23 -0500

[Steelers] Steelers RB Najeh Davenport To Return Kicks?

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:53:02 -0500

Because Mewelde Moore will start at running back, Najeh Davenport will return kickoffs against the Jaguars, a role he usually assumed in his previous...

Parker Says He Could Have Played vs Jags

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:26:06 -0500

It looks now like the Steelers want to play the "better safe than sorry" card when it comes to Willie Parker. The back, who will miss the game vs the Jags was quoted as saying that he could have played vs Jacksonville despite his sprained knee. "I know I could play this week," [...]

Two Minute Warning - Week 5 Edition

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:37:03 -0500

Welcome Bruno Boys Nation, to another installment of the Two Minute Warning. By now you know what we're covering and my intentions behind the thoughts and recommendations. Feedback goes to me, Joel Stubblefield, at jstubblefield@brunoboys.net. Let's get to it. -------------------- Immediate Plays: Quarterback: Trent Edwards (Buffalo Bills) – Favre lit up the Cardinals for six touchdowns in Week 4 with Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles both tallying multiple scores. While Edwards is no Brett Favre and certainly doesn't have the same weapons at his disposal, he is aided by the stable running of Marshawn Lynch. The Bills didn't need to throw against the Rams in Week 4, but Week 5 could be a different story. Honorable Mention: Kyle Orton (Chicago Bears) TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE AND TO SEE WHO ELSE BRUNO BOYS JOEL RECOMMENDS FOR WEEK 5, CLICK THE LINK

Big Ben Sits at Pracitce; Moore to Start at RB

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:54:45 -0500

The Steelers sat QB Ben Roethlisberger today at practice, resting his sore shoulder and reports say he had a pain injection in it. Big Ben may have to air it out quite a bit on Sunday night in Jacksonville, and could find success against a Jags team that is allowing 162.3 yards per game. [...]

[Steelers] Steelers RB Mewelde Moore To Start Week 5

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:49:31 -0500

Coach Mike Tomlin said third-down back Mewelde Moore will be the starting running back against the Jaguars because of injuries to Willie Parker,...

[Steelers] Steelers RB Mewelde Moore To Start Week 5

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:49:31 -0500

Coach Mike Tomlin said third-down back Mewelde Moore will be the starting running back against the Jaguars because of injuries to Willie Parker,...

Steelers Pull Out Late Overtime Win 23-20 Over Ravens

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:21:27 -0500

So the Steelers won the game Monday night against a tough Ravens team, but they also lost something as well. Players. The game was a defensive struggle, as expected, but our defense won out. LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison both had tremendous outings, as well as the rest of the defense. Harrison is a beast [...]