Leftwich practices on limited basis

[fordfixer]

Leftwich practices on limited basis
By Scott Brown, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, September 16, 2010
In-depth Steelers
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_699720.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 99720.html[/url]

» Quarterback Byron Leftwich practiced Wednesday for the first time since spraining his left knee Sept. 2, albeit on a limited basis.

Leftwich, who had been slated to start while Ben Roethlisberger serves a four-game suspension, is doing everything he can to return to the playing field.

That includes wearing a knee brace if that is what it takes to get medical clearance.

"You work out all year for these Sundays, and you're only guaranteed 16 of them, so not to make it out there, that's what makes it tough," Leftwich said. "But you understand in this game that those things happen."

Leftwich, who got a second opinion on his knee after hurting it in the Steelers' final preseason game, said it is too early to tell if he will be healthy enough to dress Sunday against the Titans.

"I feel like I heal fast, but I don't know that I'm that fast of a healer," Leftwich said, "but we'll see."

» Starting nose tackle Casey Hampton (hamstring) did not practice yesterday, and his status for Sunday's 1 p.m. game is in question. Wide receiver Arnaz Battle (knee) did not practice, while outside linebacker Jason Worilds (shoulder) was limited in drills. Wide receiver Hines Ward, inside linebacker James Farrior and defensive ends Aaron Smith and Nick Eason were all given practice off. For the Titans, defensive end William Hayes (knee) and offensive tackle Mike Otto (knee) did not practice yesterday because of injuries. Defensive tackle Tony Brown was given the day off.

» In need of help on special teams, the Titans signed former Steelers linebacker Patrick Bailey and former Penn State linebacker Tim Shaw after final cuts were made in early September. Bailey excelled on special teams in 2008-09 for the Steelers. Shaw set a Bears single-season record in special teams tackles (30) in 2009. "I know it wasn't an easy decision for the Steelers to give up a player like Patrick that can play special teams like he can," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said.

[Slapstick]

If Dixon plays like he did in the second half of the Atlanta game, Leftwich won't be out there at all...

[RuthlessBurgher]

"I know it wasn't an easy decision for the Steelers to give up a player like Patrick that can play special teams like he can," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said.

When we have 9 other linebackers named Harrison, Woodley, Timmons, Farrior, Foote, Fox, Worilds, Gibson, and Sylvester, it really wasn't that difficult a decision.

[Discipline of Steel]

As long as we win, Dixon mans the helm.

[hawaiiansteel]

Notebook: Leftwich has itch to suit up

By: Mike Bires Beaver County Times
Thursday September 16, 2010 11:40 PM


PITTSBURGH — Byron Leftwich can barely run. Yet, he claims there’s a chance he’ll be in uniform Sunday.

“It’s not unrealistic,” Leftwich said Thursday, just two weeks to the day that he suffered a sprained knee in the Steelers’ fourth and final preseason game.

If Leftwich would dress Sunday against Tennessee, there’s virtually no chance of him playing. He did practice on a very limited basis Wednesday and Thursday but it’s hard to imagine the Steelers’ medical staff giving Leftwich the OK to play in a game, even if it would be in an emergency situation.

Dennis Dixon will make his second straight start at quarterback against the Titans while Charlie Batch will again serve as his backup.

If Leftwich doesn’t dress, he’ll count as one of eight game-day inactives as he did last Sunday when the Steelers beat Atlanta. If Leftwich does dress, he’d be designated the third-team QB and in essence still be one of eight inactives.

“I’m getting better every day,” Leftwich said. “But it’s just so frustrating because you work out all year for these Sundays. There are only 16 games, so to not be out there for any of them, it’s tough.”

More injury news

The Steelers are already short-handed due to injuries to starting NT Casey Hampton (hamstring) and LT Max Starks (low ankle sprain). But there’s a chance starting CB Bryant McFadden may either miss or be limited against the Titans. McFadden missed practice Thursday with a groin injury.

Also sitting out due to injuries were two rookies, WR Emmanuel Sanders (quadricep) and LB Jason Worilds (shoulder). They may miss Sunday’s game.

Also, starting SS Troy Polamalu missed practice for personal reasons. And backup DE Nick Eason missed his second straight practice for undisclosed reasons.

‘Steelers’ week

Unlike coach Mike Tomlin, who’s only been with the Steelers for four years, Titans coach Jeff Fisher appreciates the history of the Pittsburgh-Tennessee rivalry.

Fisher is now in is 16th season with the Titans. So he was around when the Steelers and Titans used to play each other twice a year in the old AFC Central Division.

“We talk about the tradition and rivalry,” Fisher said. “By the end of this week, our players will understand the significance of it. And we’ve got some former Steelers on our roster, so it’s going to be a big week for them.”

WR Nate Washington played for the Steelers from 2005-2008 and was a reserve on the Super Bowl XLIII team. SS Chris Hope played for the Steelers from 2002-2005 and started on the Super Bowl XL team.

Reserve LB Patrick Bailey spent the past two seasons with the Steelers primarily on special teams. He was cut Sept. 4 and signed the next day by the Titans.

PK Rob Bironas was on the Steelers’ training camp roster in 2004.

When the NFL re-aligned in 2002, the Steelers were placed in the AFC North and the Titans in the AFC South. But they’ll have played each other five times since then, Sunday’s game included.

“It’s probably more of a measuring stick than a rivalry game for us because they are perennially a good, competitive football team,” Tomlin said. “It’s kind of a window to see how you stack up against the best in the AFC.”

Honor thy towel

Wide receiver Hines Ward said he still believes there are a lot of Steelers fans upset that a handful of Tennessee players disrespected the Terrible Towel two years ago.

In the waning moments of a 31-14 rout of the Steelers on Dec. 21, 2008, Titans running back LenDale White and linebacker Keith Bullock stomped on a Terrible Towel. Defensive end Javon Kearse blew his nose on one.

“When you disrespect the Towel, you are disrespecting the people here in Pittsburgh and all of the Steeler Nation,” Ward said. “(Our fans) still remember it and they will always remember that.”

When asked if he remembers the Titans disrespecting the Terrible Towel, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, “No. What sticks with me is the sound beating they gave us.”

[url="http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sp...o-suit-up.html"]http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sp...o-suit-up.html[/url]

[phillyesq]

"I know it wasn't an easy decision for the Steelers to give up a player like Patrick that can play special teams like he can," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said.

When we have 9 other linebackers named Harrison, Woodley, Timmons, Farrior, Foote, Fox, Worilds, Gibson, and Sylvester, it really wasn't that difficult a decision.

Exactly. Although supposedly a great ST player, he sure didn't make much of an impact last year.