with their line. Every starting lineman had at least
one penalty except guard Ramon Foster, and
those weren't their moments.
The first line
allowed their quarterbacks to get pummeled
through the first half.
"We need to get better in a hurry," coach Mike
Tomlin said.
LANDOVER, Md. -- It's a good
thing the NFL has not yet cut the preseason schedule in half as commissioner Roger
Goodell wants because the Steelers, particularly their offense, are nowhere near
ready to start the season. It's not just that they are 0-2 after their two exhibition
games, it's how they've accomplished it. They came apart in more ways than one Monday
night in a 24-13 loss against the Washington Redskins.
First, they lost rookie halfback
Le'Veon Bell to a right mid-foot sprain in the first series after he
made his first NFL appearance and
four carries for 9 yards. He will have an MRI today. This came after halfbacks
LaRod Stephens- Howling (strained knee) and Isaac Redman did not dress. Later,
they lost fullback Will Johnson to a rib injury and halfback Baron Batch to a
stinger.
Anyone sign Chris Rainey yet? None
of those injuries might be serious, but their problems on offense sure look to
be, starting with their line. Every starting lineman had at least one penalty
except guard Ramon Foster, and those weren't their moments.
The first line allowed their
quarterbacks to get pummeled through the first half. "We need to get
better in a hurry," coach Mike Tomlin said.
One highlight for the Steelers on
offense: Jonathan Dwyer, one of only three healthy backs left when the night ended,
ran 14 times for 68 yards, although he, too, lost a fumble. "I thought he
did some nice things," Tomlin said. "Obviously, putting the ball on
the ground didn't help him or us."
The Redskins led, 17-6, at
halftime, which was mostly played by the first teams, but the reality
for the Steelers was much worse.
With their quarterbacks under heavy pressure the entire half, the Steelers pulled
together only two field- goal drives, one aided by penalties, the other directed
by backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski. Shaun Suisham made both kicks from 28
and 30 yards Get more info here
No comments:
Post a Comment