Author Archives: Steve Alan

About Steve Alan

Steve, known by most as TTF, is owner of TheSteelersFans and administrator of the best Steelers message board on the net. Big fan of strong coffee and hardcore Steelers fan from womb to tomb.

Steelers And Packers Thursday Practice Report

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Brett Keisel was the only  player who was limited for the Steelers in practice today. Marcus Gilbert (ankle) participated fully, as did Heath Miller, Troy Polamalu, Kelvin Beachum (knee), Emmanuel Sanders (foot), Steve McLendon (ankle) and Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder). While Keisel was limited, he did do more in practice today. Regarding Keisel, Dick LeBeau said, “I really think he feels he’s got a real legitimate shot. We’ll just have to see.”

For the Packers:

Limited: Aaron Rodgers (collarbone), DE C.J. Wilson (ankle), and DT Ryan Pickett (knee).

Did not practice: TE Brandon Bostick (foot), DT Johnny Jolly (neck/shoulder, ruled out), LB Brad Jones (ankle), RB Eddie Lacy (ankle), OLB Mike Neal (abdomen), OLB Nick Perry (foot), and DT Ryan Pickett (knee).

Aaron Rodgers took most of his reps with the second team today, while Matt Flynn prepared with the starters. About Rodgers, Packers coach McCarthy said, “I would state him ready to play…but once again we’re going through the process to make sure we’re getting Matt ready to play. Matt took the majority of [today’s] reps.”

We’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out if Rodgers will be active for the game on Sunday, but all signs are pointing to the Packers sitting him.

Wind And Snow Likely To Be Factors In Green Bay On Sunday

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The weather forecast for Green Bay has taken a snowy turn. Earlier forecasts were calling for low temperatures, but no precipitation. Today’s updated forecast is calling for temps in the mid 20’s, and 3-6 inches of snow accumulation  from Saturday night throughout Sunday.

Wind speeds will also be a factor. Accuweather is predicting winds of 12 mph, with gusts of up to 20 mph. You can expect to hear lots of comparisons between Le’veon Bell and Eddie Lacy on Sunday.

 

Steelers Vs. Packers Television Distribution Map

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The Steelers visit the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday. The game airs on CBS, and kickoff is at 4:25 pm est. Solomon Wilcots and  Kevin Harlan are the commentators. Most of the country will see the Patriots/Ravens game, but you can check your area on the map below.

Steelers vs Packers TV Map

 H/T the506.com

Red- Patriots @ Ravens

Blue- Steelers @ Packers

Green- Raiders @ Chargers

Grey- No Game

Steelers And Packers Wednesday Practice Report

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There were no real suprises out of practice today. Troy Polamalu and Heath Miller were given maintenance days and did not practice. Jerricho Cotchery also did not participate due to his shoulder. Brett Keisel (foot) and Marcus Gilbert (ankle) were limited. Steve McLendon was a full participant.

For the Packers:

TE Brandon Bostick (foot), DL Johnny Jolly (shoulder/neck), LB Brad Jones (ankle), RB Eddie Lacy (ankle), LB Mike Neal (abdomen), LB Nick Perry (foot), all did not practice.

DL Ryan Pickett (knee), QB Aaron Rodgers (collarbone), and DL CJ Wilson (ankle) were limited.

Rodgers has not been medically cleared to play yet. Matt Flynn is taking the starting snaps, and a couple Packers beat reporters were saying that today’s practice played out the same as it has the past few weeks in terms of preparation. We’ll have to wait until Friday to know for sure what Rodgers’ availability will be for Sunday.

Steelers Sign OG Bryant Browning To Practice Squad

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The Steelers announce that they have signed former Ohio State offensive lineman Bryant Browning to their practice squad today. The 6’4″, 313 lb OG was originally undrafted and signed by the Panthers in 2011. He was active for one snap with them, and hasn’t seen a regular season snap since. Most recently, he was on the Bills practice squad before being released 3 weeks ago.

Garvin’s Fine May Be Reduced Upon Appeal, But Not Necessarily

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Terence Garvin is appealing the $25,000 fine he received from the league today. Reporter Alan Robinson of the Tribune writes that “Under the NFL’s labor agreement, a player can be fined only as much as one-quarter of his weekly pay”. Some Steelers bloggers are writing the same thing, though, this isn’t true. The collective bargaining agreement states in Article 46, Section 1, subsection d that-

“On appeal, a player may assert, among other defenses, that any fine should be reduced because it is excessive when compared to the player’s expected earnings for the season in question. However, a fine may be reduced on this basis only if it exceeds 25 percent of one week of a player’s salary for a first offense, and 50 percent of one week of a player’s salary for a second offense. A player may also argue on appeal that the circumstances do not warrant his receiving a fine above the amount stated in the schedule of fines.”

As you can see, it only states that a player can list this as a reason for appeal, not that the league has to limit the fine to that amount.

The listed minimum fine for a hit on a defense player is $21,000 for the first offense, and double that for the second. While Garvin is likely to list the fine to salary ratio as reason for appeal, the league doesn’t have to reduce it, and I would be surprised if they did.

 

Terence Garvin Fined $25,000 For Block On Bengals Punter

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Reports are surfacing that indicate the league has fined LB Terence Garvin $25,000 for his block during a punt return versus the Bengals on Sunday. Huber suffered a broken jaw from the hit and was subsequently placed on season ending injured reserve. Shortly after the game, there were reports that Huber also suffered a cracked vertebra, but those were not correct, as the Bengals organization stated that it was a pre-existing condition.

The NFL considers punters to be defenseless throughout the entire punt return, so Garvin’s helmet contacting Huber’s head or neck is against the rules. Garvin is appealing the fine.

Here’s a gif of the hit.

Terence Garvin Fined Block Bengals Punter

Steelers Place LaMarr Woodley On IR, Sign LB Jamaal Westerman

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The team announced that LaMarr Woodley has been placed on injured reserve. LB Jamaal Westerman has been signed to fill the vacancy on the roster. Woodley injured his right calf during the Bengals game Sunday night. This will make 14 games in the past three seasons the linebacker has missed due to leg injuries.

Westerman, 6’3″ 260 lbs, was signed by the Jets in 2009 as an UDFA out of Rutgers. He spent time with three different teams last year, but was most recently with the Bills before being released last week. He has 6 career sacks over the course of the 57 games he’s been active in.

Woodley Out For Sunday, Keisel Working His Way Back

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Coach Tomlin told media earlier today that LaMarr Woodley’s injured right calf will likely keep him out of availability this week. “With injuries to both calves, one being further along than the other, makes his availability pretty bleak.”, said  Tomlin.

Woodley could very likely be placed on IR today due to his calf injury.

On a good note, Brett Keisel is expected to return to practice this week, and the team is expecting he returns to action. “His arrow is pointed up”, said Tomlin. Steve McLendon is also expected to return to practice and to play on Sunday.