So is everyone looking forward to Ike and Troy's return for our end-of-season run?

[Flasteel]

Ike was set on fire in his last playoff game.

And quite a few other times since he got Tebowed. Hopefully we don't see that Ike again.

I'm thinking that without him being able to come back and add something to the team, along with Polamalu, Shazier, Thomas, McClendon, and Jones, we don't have the kind of depth and balance we need to go deep into the playoffs. We don't need all of them to come back and play lights-out, but if a couple of them did and the rest could at least contribute, the Steelers could be legit contenders. If Cortez Allen could find a way to break out of whatever mental prison he's locked-up in, then those odds get even greater.

I really want to see the 2 vets come back on a mission. Joining Keisel and Harrison to lead the way towards a championship one more time. That would be epic.

[feltdizz]

Youth? Will Allen is 32 and in his 11th season and Brice McCain turns 28 in 2 weeks and is in his 6th season.

We've seen these guys play and know what they are...they are NFL backups. Troy and Ike, ages 33 and 34, both in their 12 seasons, are simply better players, even at their age.

I'll be honest, I had no idea Allen was that old.

McCain though.... he is a baby at 28, that is MUCH younger than 34 in football years.

I recall our D getting torched just as much if not more than Allen and Ike. I love Troy and like Ike but I think their best ball is behind them. Maybe they are better but they may also be stuck in their ways (Troy taking chances without the speed to recover and Ike getting penalized on every other play).

I would hate to see both inserted and our D get torched by Brees.

[hawaiiansteel]

Mark Kaboly @MarkKaboly_Trib ·

Ike Taylor said he got the green light from the doctor today and will start Sunday #TRIBSTEEL

[URL]https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly_Trib[/URL]

[WindyCitySteel]

Ike was set on fire in his last playoff game.

Troy, Keisel, and Harrison were on the field, too. This team can't let go of the past. Probably because they have proven grossly incompetent at preparing it for the future.

The next head coach is going to inherit a complete crap show.

[feltdizz]

Troy, Keisel, and Harrison were on the field, too. This team can't let go of the past. Probably because they have proven grossly incompetent at preparing it for the future.

The next head coach is going to inherit a complete crap show.

The next head coach? Umm... what?

[bostonsteeler]

The next head coach? Umm... what?

I presume its gonna happen *some* time. Or do you think Tomlin is Methuselah and will coach the Steelers till the end of time?

[hawaiiansteel]

Ike Taylor on return: ‘I was dang near in tears’

Posted by: Rick Brisse November 24, 2014



Five Pittsburgh Steelers players returned from injury Monday to practice with the team.

Linebacker Jarvis Jones, who was activated from the injured reserve/designated to return list, cornerback Ike Taylor, Ryan Shazier, Troy Polamalu and Shamarko Thomas were back on the practice field.

Taylor has been out since fracturing his right forearm against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 21

“It felt good to be back,” said Taylor, via Steelers.com. “I was out there talking smack, having fun with the guys. There isn’t anything like it. I am just glad to be out there. I was talking to the secondary before we broke it down and I was dang near in tears talking to them before practice. That is how much I care.

“It’s been killing me. When I got hurt I was like, dang, this stinks. There is only so much cheerleading I can do.

You don’t even know how hard it has been. You don’t even know. You just don’t even know.”

Taylor has been limited in practice for the last few weeks, but Monday was the day he actually participated fully.

“I can’t wait to play,” said Taylor. “The young guys have been playing good ball, but I can’t wait. I know they will get every bit of me. My team will have every bit of me out there on the field. I have missed it.”

The bye week was beneficial for Polamalu (knee), Shazier (ankle) and Thomas (Achilles).

“It felt great just going out there and being able to practice today,” said Shazier. “It felt good just to be out there. The bye week helped us out a lot. We are getting a lot of guys back. We still have days left so we will see how everybody feels. It’s great when you have the whole team back.

Jones will have three-weeks to practice before the Steelers have to place him on the 53-man roster.

“I was so nervous today,” Jones said. “I felt like my whole body was tensing up. It was a great day. I stayed up all last night. I was ready to get back and play some football. It isn’t fun watching from the sidelines knowing you can’t help your teammates. You want to be a part of that. You want to be able to hit somebody and make plays. I am glad I am able to get out there today and hopefully I will continue to get better.”

[URL]http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/ike_taylor_on_return_i_was_dang_near_in_tears/17779154?linksrc=story_team_pittsburgh_steelers_au to_module_head_17779154[/URL]

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Guess McLendon is still too banged up to practice?

[feltdizz]

I presume its gonna happen *some* time. Or do you think Tomlin is Methuselah and will coach the Steelers till the end of time?

In this modern NFL Pittsburgh coaches are like Methuselah.... Tomlin will probably be here for another 10 years.

Talking about the next coach is a waste of words right now...

[WindyCitySteel]

Guess McLendon is still too banged up to practice?

Yes, they've rushed him back twice already because if their paralyzing fear of putting young players on the field.

[WindyCitySteel]

In this modern NFL Pittsburgh coaches are like Methuselah.... Tomlin will probably be here for another 10 years.

Talking about the next coach is a waste of words right now...

If they collapse and miss the playoffs he's coaching for his job next year, against a much tougher schedule, on paper anyway.

[feltdizz]

If they collapse and miss the playoffs he's coaching for his job next year, against a much tougher schedule, on paper anyway.

one can hope....

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Ike was set on fire in his last playoff game.

This always makes me laugh, Ike getting the blame for the playoff loss. Ike was locked up one-on-one with Demaryius Thomas all game. The Dline was decimated by injury, and by the end there were only three healthy bodies: Ziggy Hood, Steve Mclendon, and rookie Cam Heyward. Tebow had all day to throw every time he dropped back, and he was throwing to a second year player who has gone on to become one of the most dangerous receiving weapons in the game.

[feltdizz]

This always makes me laugh, Ike getting the blame for the playoff loss. Ike was locked up one-on-one with Demaryius Thomas all game. The Dline was decimated by injury, and by the end there were only three healthy bodies: Ziggy Hood, Steve Mclendon, and rookie Cam Heyward. Tebow had all day to throw every time he dropped back, and he was throwing to a second year player who has gone on to become one of the most dangerous receiving weapons in the game.

Was he torched or not?

No one said he deserved all the blame for the loss but he was burnt to a crisp in Denver.

If Ike was shut down in that game I bet you wouldn't spread the love around. If he can get praise he can also get blame.

[Slapstick]

Ike sucked in that game...