Yardbarker: Tony Hills

[Steelers] Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger Not Among Week 5 Inactives

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:59:19 -0500

Steelers inactives for Week 5 are: QB Dennis Dixon (3rd), FB Carey Davis, RB Willie Parker, NT Casey Hampton, LB Andre Frazier, OT Tony Hills, DL...

Drafting For Need Is Not Overrated - Just Ask The Steelers Now

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:01:56 -0500

Last night, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens. However, the win came with potentially greater losses. First, they lost 1st-round pick Rashard Mendenhall (shoulder fracture), whose name I often altered due to his tendency to put the ball on the ground. Second, starting right guard Kendall Simmons suffered a right Achilles injury. Both players are done for the season and will be placed on injured reserve. In the meanwhile, either Darnell Stapleton or Trai Essex will start in Simmons's place. As for running backs, Mewelde Moore is the only healthy one on the roster, so do not be shocked if the likes of Shaun Alexander, Cedric Benson, Najeh Davenport, Barry Foster, Franco Harris or Rocky Bleier get a call.

After the end of last season, one thing was clear for Pittsburgh. They needed to strengthen the offensive line. In short, that did not happen. Alan Faneca did not re-sign and the Steelers gave a backup tackle (Max Starks) Lee Majors type money. At the NFL Draft, all signs pointed to beefing up the O-Line; however, the first two picks were spent on ultra-talented skill position players who slipped in the eyes of many. In the third round, the Steelers selected speed rusher Bruce Davis with the intention of moving 2007 first-round pick and Ricky Williams shoulder crusher Lawrence Timmons to the inside. Offensive tackle Tony Hills was selected in the 4th round, but was that enough? No.

If the Steelers cannot run the ball with authority, then the team loses the identity that the city of Pittsburgh has come to know and love. Furthermore, the team becomes one-dimensional and predictable, resulting in their big investment, Big Ben, to be on his back on Sundays and in the trainer's room on Monday through Saturday. With a physical defense like the Jacksonville Jaguars (Pittsburgh's Week 5 opponent) anxiously waiting in the wings, I am curious to see how the Steelers will alter their passing game to avoid situations early in the game in which Big Ben is in the pocket for long periods of time. Earlier in Big Ben's career when he was less established, the Steelers used more wide receiver screens to get the ball out of his hands and let teammates makes plays. Perhaps, this will be a strategy employed to reduce the predictability of a team led by a dropback passer who lacks the privilege of a firm run game. No matter what strategy they use in the coming weeks to win games, the Steelers will need to rely on defense and special teams.

[Steelers] Steelers Inactives For Monday Night

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:16:14 -0500

Steelers inactives: QB Dennis Dixon (3rd), WR Limas Sweed, RB Willie Parker, T Tony Hills, T Trai Essex, NT Casey Hampton, LB Donovan Woods, DE Brett...

A NICE START

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:38:53 -0500

STEELERS (1-0) 38

TEXANS (0-1) 17

ROETHLISBERGER: 13-14, 137 YARDS, 2 TD

PARKER: 25-138, 3 TD

WARD: 6-76, 2 TD

I'm trying to temper my enthusiasm after watching the Steelers' near-perfect performance in the season opener against Houston, but honestly, it's hard to ignore what happened at Heinz Field on Sunday.

The Steelers dominated the Texans in every way, shape, and form in a compelling 38-17 victory. They were up by such a large margin that they were able to pull Ben Roethlisberger after three quarters, granting us the privilege of watching Byron Leftwich throw passes so hard that the Texans couldn't even intercept them.

The story of the day? That's debatable. The leading candidates are Parker, whose three touchdowns surpassed his 2007 season total of two; Roethlisberger, who threw only one incompletion and looked every bit the part of a franchise quarterback in his prime; Ward, who found the end zone twice and gave two fans the thrill of a lifetime with the gift of a game ball in the process; Lamarr Woodley, with three tackles, a sack, an interception and a fumble recovery; and James Harrison, with nine tackles and three sacks.

The few low points included a few Mario Williams sacks of Large Benjamin, a highly questionable pass interference call against Ward in the first quarter which negated a 74-yard grab, and a few garbage-time touchdowns. That's about it. It's hard to be picky about anything after a performance like we witnessed today.

Time will tell what this game actually meant. But on this afternoon, there's one thing I can say with great confidence: the Steelers are a much better team than the Texans.

Next up is a meeting on Sunday with Cleveland, fresh off a 28-10 pasting at the hands of the Hard Knocks Cowboys.

Game Notes

--Big Ben is now 40-16 as a starter.

--Inactives: WR Limas Sweed; S Anthony Smith; RB Gary Russell; TE Sean McHugh; LB Bruce Davis; OT Tony Hills; DE Orpheus Roye; QB Dennis Dixon.

I'd call Smith's presence a surprise, Sweed's a "minor surprise". It's pretty clear that Limas is a work-in-process, as is his former Texas teammate Hills.

--National anthem duties were handled by Charlie Daniels, of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" fame.

--Pregame featured tributes to members of the Steeler Family no longer with us, including Myron Cope, Dwight White, and Ernie Holmes.

--A quiet debut for San Antonio Holmes: two catches, 19 yards. I'm thinking those numbers will rise in coming weeks.

--Rashard Mendenhall had 10 carries, 28 yards...and zero fumbles. Baby steps, baby steps.

--Troy Polamalu had his first interception in nearly two years. Nice to have you back, Taz.

--It was the Steelers' sixth consecutive opening-day victory. The NFL record is Miami's 11, from 1992-2002. Their coach in 2002? Dave Wannstedt.

--A couple familiar faces on the Texans' roster: ex-Steeler kicker Kris Brown, who hit a 34-yarder; former longtime Steeler TE Mark Bruener, still hanging on after debuting in 1995; one-time Steeler Jeff Zgonina, who was drafted by the Black and Gold back in 1993; and former WVU Mountaineer RB Steve Slaton, who had 43 yards on 13 carries and was lit up numerous times by the Steeler D.

--FYI, a few of the Texans' final cuts included former Steeler practice-squad fodder Shane Boyd and WR LeRon McCoy, former IUP Crimson Hawk and brother of Pitt superstar Shady McCoy.

--Check back for much more coverage on the opener and news from around the league.