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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Mid-week news and notes

Ben Roethlisberger said Wednesday that he'll do whatever he has to do to stay in Pittsburgh. That will likely head off the next big rumor that the NFL Network was working on in regards to Roethlisberger, who has two years remaining on his current contract.

"I would do whatever I needed to do, but that's something that can be discussed when the time comes," said Roethlisberger. "That's not really my thing. I play football. I have people that deal with all of that stuff. I'll do whatever it takes to stay here and to be a part of this team and help this team out."

@ Brett Keisel and Shamarko Thomas were the only Steelers to miss practice Wednesday.

Keisel's foot was a little worse than the Steelers had hoped. He could be out again this week.

@ Emmanuel Sanders said his foot got stepped on last week and twisted it a little, which is why he sat out the remainder of the game.

But everything checked out OK and Sanders fully participated in practice Wednesday.

@ Jason Worilds had some interesting things to say to me today about the comparisons between him and Dallas linebacker Sean Lee.

Here's what Worilds had to say:

Worilds calls comparisons to Lee foolish

@ The NFL announced the 25 semifinalists for the Hall of Fame Wednesday night. They include former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis and linebacker Kevin Greene.

Bettis has a very good shot at making this year, though former Denver running back Terrell Davis will also get a push.

If I were voting - and unlike the voting for the baseball hall of fame, all of the member of the Pro Football Writers of America don't get to vote - I would back Bettis, Derrick Brooks, Marvin Harrison, Jimmy Johnson and George Young.

Claude Humphrey will probably make it as a veterans' committee nominee, but I don't see Ray Guy getting in. He wasn't even the best punter of his era.

10 comments:

Viktor said...

Dale; what's your case on voting in Bettis over TD?

NineFingers said...

I'm not Dale, but I don't see TD as a HOFer now or ever.

He was absolutely GREAT for 3 years...really good for another one and kind of useless for 3 years. 7 years. That was his career.

Jerome Bettis played for 13 years. 8-9 of those he was really good...even great a few of those. Simple sustained success at a very high level at his position sets him far above the flash in the pan Terrell Davis.

phil said...

bettis is the 6th all time leading rusher in NFL history. Terrell Davis is 50th. 13,662 versus 7,607.

Anonymous said...

Ziggy seems to be play better at Keisel's spot so we'll probably be ok there

Anonymous said...

TD as a HOFer is the quintessential argument of whether a guy should be in for his stats or pure greatness. imo, bettis should get in before TD because he was great for a longer period of time. however, I also think TD should eventually get in because he was absolutely unstoppable for 3+ seasons. one could legitimately argue he was an all-time top 5 RB for those 3 seasons. if the HOF is to include the very best from various era's, how do you not include TD just because he only had 3+ seasons before knee injuries derailed his physical abilities. TD, sanders, and bettis were the best RB's of their time.

Anonymous said...

Dale,

Good article on Woirlds and good responses by him regarding the comparison to Lee. With his play improving, does it mean the Steelers could lose him after the season? Reminds me of Keenan Lewis, Steelers didn't know what they had until he played, then lost him. Sounds like a strategy might be to do a better evaluation of whether 3rd year players can become starters and offer a contract prior to the 4th year rather than after

Dale Lolley said...

It's Bettis' turn. He's been on the list longer than Davis. Plus, he did it longer and has better overall numbers.
Davis only had four 1,000-yard seasons, only three of which were great.

I think he'll eventually get in, but he won't be a lock.

As for the evaluation, that is an issue between the scouting/front office and the coaching staff.

The front office wants the young guys playing a little sooner so they can get a gauge on the value of some of these guys. But the coaching staff has leaned on its veterans for a long time. Same issues with Cowher, by in large. It's a line both have to walk.

I've said before, I'd make a pitch to keep Worilds, especially with Woodley's number being so high in the future. Might not be next year, but could be year after that Woodley prices himself out of Pittsburgh. Have to have options. And if they let Worilds go, they have to find a replacement in the draft. They need three capable OLBs.

Question is, does Worilds want to come back? Talking to him yesterday, I got the feeling he might now. That wasn't the case earlier in the season when he was getting jerked around, in and out of games.

Anonymous said...

Was Priest Holmes a HoF RB? I'd put him in before TD.

~SBK

Anonymous said...

just to throw this out there for those who have cried a river in seasons past about tomlin's teams being undisciplined, the steelers currently have the 6th fewest penalties in the league so far.

now, that could obviously change, but it is certainly nice to see.

Dale Lolley said...

Except Priest Holmes didn't win a Super Bowl on a team on which he was the main cog. That comes into play as well