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AngryAsian
11-07-2008, 03:55 AM
Smith a valuable piece for Steelers

By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, November 7, 2008

Eight Steelers have more tackles than Aaron Smith. Six of his teammates have more sacks than the veteran defensive end. Yet to hear Dick LeBeau talk, there is not a more indispensable player on the defense that ranks first in the NFL. "Aaron Smith, they just don't block him," LeBeau, the Steelers' defensive coordinator, said Thursday. "I've been back five years, and I could count on one hand the number of times he's been blocked. Why people don't recognize that around the league, I don't know." Smith, who has 32 tackles and a sack, has long been considered one of the most underrated players in the NFL. He has been named to the Pro Bowl just once in his nine previous NFL seasons. LeBeau stopped just short of stumping for Smith to make the Pro Bowl this season. "He's tremendous," LeBeau said.

• In addition to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder), running backs Willie Parker (shoulder) and Najeh Davenport (hamstring), wide receiver Hines Ward (shoulder), offensive tackle Marvel Smith (back), outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley (calf), cornerback Bryant McFadden (arm) and tight end Heath Miller (ankle) did not practice Thursday for the second day in a row. McFadden, who is still recovering from a broken forearm, is out for Sunday's game against the visiting Colts. Miller is all but out for the 4:15 p.m. game as well. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had said that he hoped Parker, who missed four games with a sprained left knee, would be able to practice Thursday. Ward is usually given Wednesday practices off because of his veteran status. He said he didn't practice Thursday because the Steelers played last Monday night. Strong safety Troy Polamalu fully participated in practice a day after jamming his thumb while trying to intercept a Dennis Dixon pass.

• Free safety Ryan Clark on why he is anxious to return to the starting lineup after missing last Monday's game because of a dislocated shoulder: "(Defensive line coach John Mitchell) came to me and kind of hurt my feelings. He told me that's the best he's ever seen the DBs play. I was kind of offended, but those guys played well," Clark said with a laugh. "It's a different perspective to watch from the sideline, but I'm itching to go this week."

• The Steelers made a minor roster move Wednesday, re-signing running back Justin Vincent to their practice squad and releasing return specialist Jayson Foster.

Digits

3 -- Consecutive games in which the Colts have not recorded a sack.

Scott Brown can be reached at sbrown@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.

Oviedo
11-07-2008, 08:35 AM
Smith is to this defense what Jack Lambert was to the Steel Curtain. He represents the spirit of the team and obviously has the respect of all his team mates.

steeler_fan_in_t.o.
11-08-2008, 12:00 AM
Tell us something we don't know Dick!! We established last year that Smith is the most indispensable member of the D, I think that it might extend to the whole team.

Remember how bad Eason and Kirschke looked last year? They were the two worst players in the league, we have to cut them, people screamed when contracts were offered and they made the team.

Maybe the problem isn't how bad these two were, maybe they were just being asked to replace one of the best DLs in the game.

RuthlessBurgher
11-08-2008, 05:02 PM
"Smith a valuable piece for Steelers"

Ya think? Is that title the understatement of the year, or what?

You might as well say that Mick Jagger is a valuable piece of the Rolling Stones.

Or that peanut butter is a valuable piece of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

buckeyehoppy
11-09-2008, 01:50 PM
Smith is to this defense what Jack Lambert was to the Steel Curtain. He represents the spirit of the team and obviously has the respect of all his team mates.

That's a pretty heavy statement, Ovie...but if the shoe fits...


"Smith a valuable piece for Steelers"

Ya think? Is that title the understatement of the year, or what?

You might as well say that Mick Jagger is a valuable piece of the Rolling Stones.

Or that peanut butter is a valuable piece of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

...or black is valuable to licorice...or white to rice...etc.