fordfixer
09-18-2009, 12:14 AM
Timmons at practice again
By John Harris, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, September 18, 2009
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 43751.html (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_643751.html)
• Inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons practiced for the second consecutive day Thursday in his bid to return to the lineup after missing the opener with a sprained ankle. Timmons increased his workload and shared some first-team reps with Keyaron Fox, who recorded a team-high nine tackles against Tennessee. In Wednesday's practice, Timmons was a limited participant. But his role was expanded yesterday. Timmons was impressive dropping into coverage, batting away a long pass for tight end David Johnson. Asked about Timmons' availability for Sunday's game at Chicago, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said, "He made great strides today compared to yesterday.''
• Running back Mewelde Moore has played against Chicago's defense more than any current member of the Steelers offense. Moore faced the Bears four times with the Minnesota Vikings. "They've got a great defense; they fly around,'' Moore said yesterday. "Everybody runs to the football -- all 11 of them. Anytime you take a freeze frame of when the ball is down, you see about eight or nine guys in that frame. D-linemen, linebackers, safties, corners all run to the ball, all attack the ball. Their whole focus is the ball. They want the ball, they want it out, and they want it in their hands.''
• Starting center Justin Hartwig is wondering what all the fuss is about regarding the Steelers' running game producing only 36 yards against Tennessee. "We're not throwing anything out the window. We know what we're capable of doing,'' Hartwig said. "We just have to be sharper. We just had little mistakes that are easily correctable.''
• Wide receiver Hines Ward, defensive end Aaron Smith and strong safety Tyrone Carter all practiced yesterday after coach Mike Tomlin held them out Wednesday. Wide receiver Limas Sweed, who left Wednesday's practice with a foot injury, missed his second straight day of practice. In Sweed's absence, rookie Mike Wallace took the No. 3 receiver reps with the first-team. Strong safety Troy Polamalu (knee) was the only Steeler who didn't practice.
• Bears starting outside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) didn't practice again yesterday because of an injury. Also missing practice for Chicago were tight end Desmond Clark (rib) and cornerback Trumaine McBride (knee). Defensive end Mark Anderson (toe), starting left guard Frank Omiyale (ankle) and safety Danieal Manning (back) were limited in practice because of injuries. Starting defensive tackle Tommie Harris (back), who didn't practice Wednesday, returned to practice yesterday, along with starting safety Al Afalava (shoulder), who was limited Wednesday.
Digits
68 -- Willie Parker's rushing yards against Chicago in 2005.
9 -- Number of career 100-yard rushing games for Parker in September
By John Harris, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, September 18, 2009
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 43751.html (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_643751.html)
• Inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons practiced for the second consecutive day Thursday in his bid to return to the lineup after missing the opener with a sprained ankle. Timmons increased his workload and shared some first-team reps with Keyaron Fox, who recorded a team-high nine tackles against Tennessee. In Wednesday's practice, Timmons was a limited participant. But his role was expanded yesterday. Timmons was impressive dropping into coverage, batting away a long pass for tight end David Johnson. Asked about Timmons' availability for Sunday's game at Chicago, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said, "He made great strides today compared to yesterday.''
• Running back Mewelde Moore has played against Chicago's defense more than any current member of the Steelers offense. Moore faced the Bears four times with the Minnesota Vikings. "They've got a great defense; they fly around,'' Moore said yesterday. "Everybody runs to the football -- all 11 of them. Anytime you take a freeze frame of when the ball is down, you see about eight or nine guys in that frame. D-linemen, linebackers, safties, corners all run to the ball, all attack the ball. Their whole focus is the ball. They want the ball, they want it out, and they want it in their hands.''
• Starting center Justin Hartwig is wondering what all the fuss is about regarding the Steelers' running game producing only 36 yards against Tennessee. "We're not throwing anything out the window. We know what we're capable of doing,'' Hartwig said. "We just have to be sharper. We just had little mistakes that are easily correctable.''
• Wide receiver Hines Ward, defensive end Aaron Smith and strong safety Tyrone Carter all practiced yesterday after coach Mike Tomlin held them out Wednesday. Wide receiver Limas Sweed, who left Wednesday's practice with a foot injury, missed his second straight day of practice. In Sweed's absence, rookie Mike Wallace took the No. 3 receiver reps with the first-team. Strong safety Troy Polamalu (knee) was the only Steeler who didn't practice.
• Bears starting outside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) didn't practice again yesterday because of an injury. Also missing practice for Chicago were tight end Desmond Clark (rib) and cornerback Trumaine McBride (knee). Defensive end Mark Anderson (toe), starting left guard Frank Omiyale (ankle) and safety Danieal Manning (back) were limited in practice because of injuries. Starting defensive tackle Tommie Harris (back), who didn't practice Wednesday, returned to practice yesterday, along with starting safety Al Afalava (shoulder), who was limited Wednesday.
Digits
68 -- Willie Parker's rushing yards against Chicago in 2005.
9 -- Number of career 100-yard rushing games for Parker in September