Farrior, Harrison, & Woodley Out...

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Farrior, Harrison, & Woodley Out...

Listening to Steeler Nation Radio...They are talking about Keisel playing OLB.

Per Tomlin's press conference:

Bronco is only Steeler rulled out for Sunday.

Worilds is scheduled to practice and so is Farrior.

Status of Woodley TBD by participation this week.

Sanders to have knee looked at and his Mom passed away. (Thoughts & prayers to him.)

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Farrior, Harrison, & Woodley Out...

Trade the Cardinals a 7th rounder for Porter. Dude could step right in....or is the trade deadline past already?

I was thinking about Keisel at OLB yesterday after hearing Woodley is out......Would be a surprise move and he is a very athletic big man.

Trade deadline passed.

But I do like the idea of practicing Keisel at strongside OLB this week in case Worilds can't go. That's the type of thinking outside the box that would help us get all of our best players on the field when we are without several of our big money superstars.

In that case, though, if Hoke is also still unable to go, you'd likely need to bring Corbin Bryant back up from the practice squad to provide DL depth (while also keeping Mortty Ivy on the active roster for LB depth), so you'd still need to sacrifice a vet like McFadden anyway.

You'd have Keisel in Woodley's spot, Foote in Timmons' spot, Sylvester in Farrior's spot, and Timmons in Harrison's spot, with Carter available for outside depth and Ivy for inside depth. Then you'd have the Triple H crew on the DL...Hood-Hampton-Heyward, with McLendon and Bryant as depth (assuming that Hoke can't go). Certainly not optimal, but I think that looks functional to me.

If they keep Keisel at DE, then nabbing Thad Gibson of the Houston P.S. also sounds like a reasonable solution for OLB depth (then you wouldn't need to promote Corbin Bryant). I'm just not thrilled with the thought of having to play an entire game with Timmons moving over to strongside backer in Woodley's place, Carter starting in Harrison's weakside spot, and Thad Gibson, only on the team for a few days, as our only backup option there (although some experience with LeBeau's system going through one training camp with us is better than nothing, it is certainly not optimal...he's been playing in a 3-4 D in Houston, but Wade Phillips' scheme is fundamentally different than bad word LeBeau's scheme, even though they are both a base 3-4.

That is my biggest concern too. Timmons "strengths" is really negated playing close to the LOS at ROLB since he has taken over for Harrison. You could see his suddeness but he is just engulfed by the big OTs and can't get off them in his pass rush. He holds the edge well against the run but I don't think he will fair well strongside trying to take on trapping OL and lead blockers to keep the play inside. He is not a leverage guy like Woodley & Harrison. Worilds stature might be better suited for LOLB but he doesn't have much experience there if anywhere. Keisel might be the best option there. Tomlin did say that signing a LB later in the week might have to be done after seeing where they are on the injury front at LB.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Farrior, Harrison, & Woodley Out...

LaMarr Woodley: Don't count me out

Updated: November 1, 2011
ESPN.com news services

Woodley Might Play

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley said Tuesday not to count him out for his team's game Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens.

"Everybody counting me out ... don't count me out yet. Big game on Sunday," Woodley said in an online video link posted on his Twitter page. Woodley was having his injured hamstring worked on while he was speaking in the short video message.

Woodley was responding to a local media report that he would miss Sunday's game with his hamstring injury. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, citing a team source, reported that Woodley's hamstring injury is "not good" and he will miss Sunday night's game vs. Baltimore and likely the next game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The newspaper reported that he might be able to return after the team's Nov. 20 bye.

Woodley has been on a tear with 7.5 sacks in his past four games, including two against the New England Patriots in Sunday's victory, but he sat out the fourth quarter after injuring the hamstring in the third quarter. He leads the AFC with nine sacks.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Woodley's availability for Sunday's game will depend on his ability to practice this week.

The Steelers also might be without starting linebackers James Harrison and James Farrior versus the Ravens.

Harrison announced on his Twitter account: "Saw the doctor today. Looks like I won't be playing this weekend but at least I'm cleared for practice."

Farrior is expected to miss as much as a month with a calf injury, the Post-Gazette has reported.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday that Harrison has been cleared to practice.

"He has been cleared to practice and that is where we are," Tomlin said Tuesday, according to the team's website. "We will reevaluate the situation at some point later in the week and let that be our guide in terms of potential participation. But right now I just want to be clear that he has been cleared to practice."

Tomlin said Farrior will practice in a limited capacity Wednesday.

Woodley and Harrison have totaled 82.5 sacks since 2008, accounting for half of the Steelers' sacks over that time.

At one point in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over New England, Lawrence Timmons was the only normal Steelers starting linebacker on the field, and he was playing out of position at outside linebacker as Harrison's replacement.

Pittsburgh survived anyway with reserve linebackers Larry Foote and Chris Carter making plays. Carter filled in for Woodley when he left the game.

The Steelers hope linebacker Jason Worilds returns this week from a quadriceps injury. If Woodley, Farrior and Harrison can't play, Carter, Sylvester and Foote will take on bigger roles. Tomlin also didn't rule out using four defensive linemen.

Receiver Hines Ward will practice this week after missing the Patriots game with an ankle injury. Receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who announced on his Twitter account that his mother died Tuesday morning, will have his left knee evaluated. Both players will be monitored throughout the week. Only guard Doug Legursky, who started the first three games of the season, has officially been ruled out for Sunday.

The Steelers (6-2) can use all the healthy players they can get. The Ravens pummeled them in the season opener, forcing seven turnovers in Baltimore's 35-7 win. The Steelers have won their last four, but Tomlin said the Ravens' defense continues to be "the best in the world."

"They are slaying people and we are a part of that," he said. "They are playing extremely fast, they are really talented, they know what they are doing and they are very rarely out of place. They have uniquely talented people at every level of their defense."

[url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7176924/lamarr-woodley-pittsburgh-steelers-says-count-out"]http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/71769 ... -count-out[/url]

[SteelCrazy]

Re: Farrior, Harrison, & Woodley Out...

Could Heyward play OLB? He has the speed to do so.........

[Discipline of Steel]

Re: Farrior, Harrison, & Woodley Out...

or stack the line on base defense ... 4-3 style

Diesel - Hood - Snack - Heyward
Timmons - Foote - Sylvester/Worilds/Carter

I guess Diesel up or down, those are our best front 7

[BURGH86STEEL]

Re: Farrior, Harrison, & Woodley Out...

Could Heyward play OLB? He has the speed to do so.........

If necessary, Keisel would probably be the Dlineman to move to OLB.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Farrior, Harrison, & Woodley Out...

Could Heyward play OLB? He has the speed to do so.........

If necessary, Keisel would probably be the Dlineman to move to OLB.

NOVEMBER 01, 2011
posted by Dale Lolley

Tuesday with Tomlin


Mike Tomlin declared just one person out for Sunday's game against Baltimore - guard Doug Legursky.

As expected, Tomlin said linebacker James Harrison has been cleared to practice and that his status, along with that of LaMarr Woodley, James Farrior and Jason Worilds would be determined later in the week.

But that was purely coach speak.

More realistically, Worilds is the only player expected to return and the Steelers aren't sure what they are going to get from him since he has very little playing experience.

More telling was Tomlin's statement that the Steelers might have to line up with a four-man defensive line - though you can assume if they do that, Brett Keisel may do so as a stand-up end, sometimes dropping into coverage.

© New to the injury list this week is wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who has a left knee issue.

Sanders is also dealing with the death of his mother.

© Hines Ward could return this week after sitting out against New England with an ankle injury.

[url="http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/sidelines/"]http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/sidelines/[/url]

[Pahn711]

Re: Farrior, Harrison, & Woodley Out...

Harrison puts on his twitter that the doctors ruled him out for Sunday, yet Tomlin evasively eludes to him having a slight possibility of playing.

Maybe Goodell should do something useful for a change and force coaches to quit the deception.

[ikestops85]

Re: Farrior, Harrison, & Woodley Out...

Harrison puts on his twitter that the doctors ruled him out for Sunday, yet Tomlin evasively eludes to him having a slight possibility of playing.

Maybe Goodell should do something useful for a change and force coaches to quit the deception.

Why? The only reason teams have to do this at all is for betting purposes. I don't think teams should have to announce injuries at all. Our opponents should be forced to prepare to play the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not the individual players on the team. I think it would make it more interesting if coaches didn't have to speak about injuries at all.

[Pahn711]

Re: Farrior, Harrison, & Woodley Out...

Harrison puts on his twitter that the doctors ruled him out for Sunday, yet Tomlin evasively eludes to him having a slight possibility of playing.

Maybe Goodell should do something useful for a change and force coaches to quit the deception.

Why? The only reason teams have to do this at all is for betting purposes. I don't think teams should have to announce injuries at all. Our opponents should be forced to prepare to play the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not the individual players on the team. I think it would make it more interesting if coaches didn't have to speak about injuries at all.

You're right, I would just prefer they give an honest report or none at all. The deception gets annoying, and social media like twitter is exacerbating the problem.

[Slapstick]

Re: Farrior, Harrison, & Woodley Out...

Perhaps Harrison is practicing the deception...

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Farrior, Harrison, & Woodley Out...

How long can injury-riddled defense continue to play at high level?

WEDNESDAY, 02 NOVEMBER 2011 WRITTEN BY BOB SMIZIK



How long can a team continue to win with injuries to multiple important players?

We may find out Sunday when the injury-ravaged Steelers play the Baltimore Ravens.

Although coach Mike Tomlin pronounced only offensive guard Doug Legursky out for the game, it is widely believed that linebackers James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley and James Farrior will not play. That’s three Pro Bowl linebackers missing from the lineup. While Farrior is no longer a player of that caliber, Harrison and Woodley are.

The Steelers have not missed a beat without Harrison, who has been out for the past four games -- all wins. That is truly remarkable because Harrison remains at or near the top of his game and his replacement, Lawrence Timmons, while playing well in other areas, has provided nothing approaching the pressure Harrison puts on quarterbacks.

Someone in the media suggested recently that Harrison is one-dimensional. That is true only if the dimension is mayhem.

Despite getting more attention with Harrison out, Woodley has stepped up his previously slumping game and was excellent before being injured in the second half against New England.

Chris Carter will replace Woodley. Stevenson Sylvester, as he did Sunday, will start in place of Farrior. Larry Foote will start inside with Sylvester and Timmons remains at right outside linebacker.

The primary and possibly only backup may be Mortty Ivy, plucked from the practice squad last week. Jason Worilds, after an extended absence with injury, returns to practice today and could be ready to go Sunday.

Tomlin said the team will not sign any new linebackers and will improvise -- Brett Keisel playing on the outside -- if necessary.

The Steelers will be without three of their starting four linebackers and the fourth will be out of position.

That is a less than ideal situation, What is made a bit more palatable is the fact the Ravens offense has been disappointing this season. Its high point was scoring 35 against the Steelers in the opener -- when all the defensive players were healthy. But their offense is 14th in the NFL in yards; Joe Flacco is 27th in passer rating (75.4) and 31st in percentage (51.. Running back Ray Rice, who usually plays very well against the Steelers, is 17th in the league in yards per game (69.9).

Surely, the unit that stuffed the New England offense -- with Woodley -- is good enough to handle what Baltimore brings. It should, but at some point a team cannot continue to play well with so many starters out. It defies logic.

There is an outside chance Harrison might play, and that is pure speculation based on this:

Harrison’s agent is Bill Parise: On Monday he was quoted as saying this: ``I think it is possible’’ that Harrison would play. ``Unless something happens, he will play this week.’’

Later in the day, on Twitter, Harrison said, "Saw the doctor today. Looks like I won't be playing this weekend but at least I'm cleared for practice.''

It is unusual for players to return to practice and be ruled out for the next game six days away, although Harrison injury, a fractured orbital bone, is delicate and unusual.

Still, no one should be astonished if there is word late in the week that Harrison might be available.

The Steelers sure could use him.

[url="http://communityvoices.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/bob-smiziks-blog/30625-how-long-can-injruy-riddled-steeles-continue-to-win"]http://communityvoices.sites.post-gazet ... nue-to-win[/url]

[Ghost]

Re: Farrior, Harrison, & Woodley Out...

I know Tomlin is not officially declaring anyone out for the game but the Post Gazette is reporting Farrior has a torn calf muscle and could miss a month. Woirlds is definitley practicing even with the thigh injury.

Tomlin has stated they will not be looking for any additional players outside of the organization.

Couple of things being considered: Keisel to OLB with Heyward in his spot. A 4 man line with Hampton & Hoke/McClendon inside with Keisel/Hood out - go with a 4-3 or even a 4-2. Maybe go with a lot of 6 man secondary which we saw with NE.

[ikestops85]

Re: Farrior, Harrison, & Woodley Out...

I know Tomlin is not officially declaring anyone out for the game but the Post Gazette is reporting Farrior has a torn calf muscle and could miss a month. Woirlds is definitley practicing even with the thigh injury.

Tomlin has stated they will not be looking for any additional players outside of the organization.

Couple of things being considered: Keisel to OLB with Heyward in his spot. A 4 man line with Hampton & Hoke/McClendon inside with Keisel/Hood out - go with a 4-3 or even a 4-2. Maybe go with a lot of 6 man secondary which we saw with NE.

The strategy we used against the Pats* will not work against the ratbirds. If we use a lot of dime packages they will run the ball down our throat. B-more is not a spread them out and attack kind of team. They run a lot of jumbo sets with max protect when they throw. They also use a lot of unbalanced line formations which can give us fits.

No, DL and friends will have to come up with something a little different but after last week I have complete confidence that they will.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Farrior, Harrison, & Woodley Out...

Someone in the media suggested recently that Harrison is one-dimensional.

What drooling idiot suggested that?

Unlike ESPN's favorite OLB darlings like Clay Matthews and DeMarcus Ware who rush the passer constantly and not much else, Harrison plays the run as well or better than most inside backers (he averages more than twice as many tackles as most 3-4 OLB's), and also does a better job forcing fumbles when he hits someone, and is able to defend passes in coverage as well. And he still is on par with those guys in terms of sacks too. He is easily the most well-rounded 3-4 OLB in all of football. One dimensional my ass.