Michael Vick Visit Hype Made You Miss This...

Doug Legursky filling in for Pouncey in SB XLV - image courtesy of wpxi.com

The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered some significant losses on the roster due to injury after Sunday's exhibition against Green Bay.  An injury to backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, and his subsequent surgery on a dislocated finger, has the Steelers searching for answers to fill the hole left by Gradkowski.  Part of that search involves bringing in veteran QB Michael Vick for a visit on Tuesday.

News of the Vick visit has stirred up quite the conversation on social media early on Tuesday, as there is both a showing of support and disdain for the possibility of the QB with a muddy past being signed to the Steelers roster.  This news, while worthy of debate from both sides for sure, has overshadowed a key move made by Pittsburgh on Tuesday morning.  Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey went down in Sunday's game, as well, and is expected to miss at least half of the regular season.  Feeling as though the options available at center on the current roster are not up to the standard, the Steelers signed free agent C Doug Legursky this morning.

If you remember, Legursky was the Steelers backup center from 2009 to 2012, filling in for Pouncey in Super Bowl XLV after the starting center went down with an injury in the 2010 AFC Championship game.
 

The signing of Legursky should put Steelers coaches and fans, alike, at ease as the free agent center was a solid backup when called upon. While he is no Pouncey, he certainly meets the standard for getting the job done. 

See the news on the Steelers site, here. 

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Maurkice Pouncey Already Underwent Surgery... Recovering

Steelers Pro Bowl center had surgery Monday 8/24 - courtesy of pghcitypaper.com

Maurkice Pouncey, the Steelers perennial Pro Bowl center, suffered a severe injury which caused him to leave the game Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.  The game was riddled with injuries for both teams, yesterday afternoon, with players being forced to be out anywhere from a few weeks to an entire season -- which is was the case for the Packers wide receiver extraordinaire, Jordy Nelson.  Nelson suffered a torn ACL in Sunday afternoon's contest with the Steelers, which is a huge upset to his quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Pouncey broke a bone in his ankle during Sunday's game, which will also be a huge disappointment for his quarterback, and to his entire offense, for sure.  If Ben is the field general, Pouncey is certainly the captain in the trenches with his troops, leading them into combat week after week.  He is a vocal leader on this offense, and one who was leading the charge in returning the Steelers back to the physical brand of football so steeply desired by the Rooneys and Coach Tomlin.

If there is anything positive to take away from an injury to the cornerstone of your offense, it is learning that Pouncey is not expected to be out for the entire season.  It has been speculated that Pouncey is a perfect candidate for IR/Expected to Return list.  With the surgery being completed this afternoon, it is promising to know that the Steelers medical staff is categorizing this matter as urgent in nature, to return Pouncey to form, hopefully in time for a playoff run.

Read more about the surgery and Pouncey's status here.

Don't forget to leave your thoughts, below...

Injury to Tuitt Could Call For Reemergence of 'Da Beard'

Image courtesy of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers 24 to 19 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Sunday afternoon's 2015 NFL Preseason Week 2 outing has played second fiddle to said contest's injury report full of starters and key players.  Unfortunate and untimely injuries to two pro bowlers have filled the headlines and sports channel tickers since yesterday's game.  One player who is key to the Steelers' revamped and rejuvenated defense who also suffered an injury yesterday has been overshadowed by the injuries to Jordy Nelson and Maurkice Pouncey.  However, the ankle injury incurred by Stephon Tuitt could prove just as costly and just as significant.

Prior to the early injury, Tuitt's disruptive play on the field played a major factor in the Steelers getting pressure on Green Bay QBs, including a sack/safety of one Aaron Rodgers.  Tuitt, alongside Cameran Heyward, got a major push on the pass protection, causing a collapse of the pocket, and forced his blocker into the pocket enough to get a hand in on Rodgers who was brought down by James Harrison, Sean Spence, and Bud Dupree.  He was also seen stuffing the gaps and getting his hands on Eddie Lacy early in the series. 

Considering the key contributor Stephon has become to this Steelers defense, looking outside the current stable of DTs might be necessary.  Could this call for the reemergence of #99, who has retired in the offseason?   Keisel's locker has been cleaned out, for sure, during this go round of offseason activities and training camp, but I did notice that #99 has not been assigned to any of the 90 players on the current roster, thus far. 

Knowing the organization is seeking to get younger at every position on the defensive side of the ball might answer this inquiry as a strong nay.  However, taking into account that Da Beard was still disruptive in his 2014 campaign might spawn a phone call from Mr. Colbert's office to see what the avid hunter and fisher off the field is up to.  Looking at his film from one year ago, and being a fan of the player, it wouldn't be such a bad idea.  The DT/DE position is looking pretty thin for however long Tuitt may be out nursing his injury.  So, why should the Steelers consider bringing back the burly vet?  Well, why not?

UPDATE:
Here is an article which may make a strong case for the Steelers moving in another direction, or putting their trust in a young guy like L.T. Walton.  To my understanding, a torn triceps injury requires a significant amount of time to heal.  Couple that with Keisel's age, and whether he has had access to the Steelers medical staff or not, and the chances of him returning to don the 99 decrease rapidly.  You can't blame a fan for dreaming, however!

Share your thoughts, below!

Green Bay at Steelers (2015 Preseason Game 2): Halftime Updates

Here are some observations, as of halftime, for the second 2015 preseason game against the Green Bay Packers:

The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Green Bay Packers for the second game of the 2015 NFL Preseason

First Team Defense

First team defense got off to a slow start, as Aaron Rodgers and company marched down the field for an easy TD.  Eddie Lacy walked into the end zone untouched.  Then, the same defense gave up a walk-in 2-point conversion.  The kinks need to be ironed out in our defense soon, especially against the run.  The four-man front (4-3) allowed holes big enough to allow a jumbo jet to take off in.

Shamarko Thomas

Shark has poor first step… Has since made up for it.  He's had a nice game, including a sack.  Despite big plays up around the line of scrimmage, he appears to lack the desire to get deep in coverage, and is often playing catch-up (no play on the "Big Heinz Bottle" here).

Dri Archer

Nice return from Dri.  Needs to work on balance.  He also tried to do too much on the kick-off return following the sack/safety.

James Harrison a.k.a. Deebo

Another preseason sack by Deebo with a little help from the first-rounder Bud Dupree and miracle boy Sean Spence for sack/safety of Aaron Rodgers.

Jarvis Jones

Jarvis Jones bull rushed, shed the block, then beat the tackle inside for a sack… still looked slow, lethargic, and out of place.  It was almost as if he was scared to hit the quarterback.  It could be training camp-itis, however, as hitting the QB in camp is an ultimate no-no.  There appeared to be a hesitation, there, before realizing the quarterback was not wearing a defensive-colored jersey.  This, despite the news that JJ was responsible for Big Ben missing a few plays in practice earlier in the week due to getting a hand in the big quarterback's face.

Markus Wheaton

Markus Wheaton looks poised and focused.  Third drive by Steelers results in TD to Wheaton.  He is making catches that are no gimmes.  Ben gave us a heads-up about number 11, however, a few weeks ago in camp.  So far, Ben is spot on.

Bud Dupree

While Bud Dupree is getting more pressure on the passer, he is still losing serious contain on runs to his side.  He also got man-handled on a Green Bay two-point conversion, being pushed by a backup offensive linemen deep into the endzone.

Antwon Blake

Antwon Blake got picked apart in the first half.
 

Injuries

Pouncey with left ankle injury of some sort.  Stephon Tuitt carted off, as well.  It looks like Bruce Gradkowski has a finger injury of some type, which means we will get an overdose of Landry Jones.