Haden says he was sore after practicing today

That's my hope. Steelers beat the Pats and finish at least 13-3. Jags win out. That would make Pittsburgh 1, Jags 2, Pats 3. I hope the Ravens get the 6th seed. Make the Pats play both the Ravens and then the Jags. I'm not above hoping the Steelers don't face New England in the post season.

 

Ok, it`s Friday. Any update on Haden?

 

Comes out 4-4:30 eastern.

Here’s the Pats link that seem to give a more comprehenive report than any that I’ve found. Like Van Noy....have not seen nor heard anything about him except on the list here.

http://www.patriots.com/schedule-and-stats/injury-report

 

I love how we aren't even finished with his first season and watt has reached this mythical superhero status.

The Steelers should probably think about using him at safety as well.

 

In the playoffs, we have a better chance of beating the Patriots on the road with Haden, than at home without Haden imo. Is the risk of him re-injuring himself worth it this week? The Steelers and Haden need to be smart about this.

 

Not sure how you got superhero status out of wondering if he could cover Gronk. Was only a speculation for discussion, but I guess you read it how you read it.

 

Haden should wait until the playoffs, IMO.

Steelers have lost 2 of their best 3 defensive players in Shazier and Haden. It would be asinine to rush Haden back too early.

Oh yeah.. if the Steelers lose Heyward, they are done. Stick a fork in 'em.

 

Probably because Watt is slower than gronk, Vince Williams, Tyler matakevich, chickillo...hasn't played ilb , but somehow manages to be in consideration as a reasonable option to cover Gronkoski.

 

Well Watt is listed at 4.71 and Gronk is listed at 4.68, so I guess I didn't see that as much different. Do you? (Vince = 4.76, Matakevich = 4.81 and Chickillo = 4.79) Physically and athletically Watt and Gronk are similar. I have seen Watt drop into coverage, so I don't think that is just an ILB thing. Made me wonder if Watt was capable. I just didn't realize that launched my opinion into superhero status lol

 

I saw 4.86 for Watt earlier. Maybe I need to get my eyes checked again. I never had a beef with Watt. I was skeptical concerning his limited experience and injury history and didnt want to potentially waste another 1st round draft pick. If you remember I was 100% against Jarvis Jones being drafted and got blasted pretty good over it on this board. Living in Georgia I watched every game he played and had a pretty good grasp of what he was. A good, but not great college player. A bunch of people here looked at his sack totals and clamored after him, but had no clue about the circumstances.

 

I think they're just trying mess with the Cheats heads. He won't play

 

If they can drop Hargrave back into coverage, anything is possible. It would've worked if the receiver didn't bounce off of Hargrave which made him turnaround the other way and became open.

 

does not belong in coverage, period...

 

I have my doubts about Watt because of his speed verses a DB. I seriously thought Shazier was a good option because of his speed.

 

I wouldn’t dismiss next week.

 

I can see your viewpoints, win and a #1 seed could be a real possibility (Houston and Clev left on schedule) and I am no way wanting to throw a game away plus a better playoff seeding. I just would like Butler to play a little chess match and see how the defense we've been playing up to now will perform. If we rope a dope them and have to break out some adjustments at halftime instead of waiting til playoff time, then so be it. I think we can score on them so I'd see how it plays out. A big burden on the offense for sure, but I'd love to have that ace in the hole for playoffs. No matter who we face.

Plus I'd love to beat them playing zone just because. You can still play zone without the 10 yd cushion.

 

YES... YOU CAN! You can shorten/tighten a zone. No cushions this game, can't afford em. I know running man press isn't the end all be all that some claim it to be, but it works just as zone works. "We don't have the horses to run man or zone effectively"... Yeah, we could use a bit more horsepower in that dept, but honestly... It's no excuse to not line em up. It doesn't take a pro bowl DB to jam a receiver or stymie their route, it takes someone willing to do it. It doesn't take a pro bowl DB or LB to tackle a sombitch either!

2011 was a beautiful handling in the in season of the pats. Did we have better players? Sure... Was the majority of em a step slower than they were in 2010? YEP! But they still went with it... That game plan against the pack the Super Bowl prior would've netted 7! Peoples excuses then we're the same now... We didn't have the horses to run man! We didn't have the interior push to disrupt! Our OLBs were getting too slow off of the edge etc...

Who knows if Haden plays? Artie is still building to what he can be. Safeties are Jekyll and Hyde. People blowing assignments on and on...

This team can and should line up man... They should shorten the zone...and they can beat these guys IF THEY WANT TO!

 

Should have wrote it in green