Aaron Smith out 3 months

[Shoe]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

I won't panic until I see their performance without him.

I'm gonna agree with this... I'm in the wait-&-see boat.
And, Ruthless made a legit point: back when Aaron went down that previous time, there were plenty of extenuating circumtances. One, he was two years younger. Two, Woodley is a better LB than Haggans. Three, we may be better prepared, personnel-wise to deal with this.

If the time frame permits, I do hope they keep the door open for him. That kinda thing (especially a guy as inspirational as Smith is) can light a fire for the team.

I know how bad this hurts Aaron though--the guy is a warrior. But I'm not ready towrite off the D or anything. I hope Ziggy steps up.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

Man this hurts........Steelers just lost heart and soul of the defense.

Time for Ziggy show...

Here's the latest Tomlinism, at today's PC Tomlin said this about Hood: "He's not out of the oven yet." Which I guess means Ziggy isn't ready to start. Look for Eason and Kirschke to get the majority of the snaps.

Seems absolutely retarded that our D line coach said Hood is one of the best he has seen come in as a rookie in 16 years and Aaron Smith is heaping praises all over the dude saying he is extremely smart and a great talent, and he can't start at 3-4 DE mid season after all the mini camps, a full training camp, preseason, and heading into the 6th game.

Hood should absolutely, 100% hands down be the starter with whoever giving him breathers when he needs them.

[SuperSize]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

Oh and this time around the offense can put up points.

If we put the pedal to the metal on offense, teams might have to pass to keep up anyway.

Losing a man the caliber of Aaron Smith would hurt any team, and it certainly won't be good for the Steelers. However, like Flippy says, we have an offense this time.

Going into this last game vs. Detroit, I was thinking that this year's version of the Steelers is an offensive-minded team. They still have the players & the coaching to make plays when necessary on the defensive side (like dialing up three straight sacks in crunch time), but this year they are going as far as #7 & company take them, with or without Aaron Smith.

The offense is going to have to score 24+ every week, but can be done.


Pete

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

Loosing Smith would be a big loss. I think we will be OK by comimttee until Hood gets some gametime in. Then we should be alright. Can't replace Smith but Hood eventually will fill in nicely. I think Ruth's scenario sounds like the best if Smith goes to IR. Harris should be signed to the 53 from Carolina's PS. I would also be alright with stealing Everette Pedescleaux away from the Broncos. I think Harris has a future at DT. He has the frame to get bigger and he needs to. I feel that will slow him down and he will be a DT. Not sure if he could be a 3-4 DT. I still think Everette Pedescleaux could develop into a solid starting 3-4 DE. Both are sitting there for the taking if Smith goes to the IR.

[pfelix73]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

I'm not so sure Hood is a 3-4 DE. I guess we'll find out. Unless they search the waiver wire and the FA's. Kevin Carter is a FA, but maybe he's not in shape. Just a thought.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

I was intrigued by Everette Pendescleaux prior to the draft. But when they spent a draft pick on Harris and did not sign Pendescleaux as an UDFA, I figured that the front office knows more about these players than I do (duh...). I didn't even realize he was with the Broncos. He does have the proper build for the job, and is surprisingly athletic from most reports I have heard, but it may take a while for him to adjust to the NFL game coming from such a small school.

[SteelHead]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

Just to update this situation with Aaron....

[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4556224"]http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4556224[/url]


PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith has a partial tear of the right rotator cuff, a source told ESPN.com's John Clayton.

Smith is weighing whether or not to have shoulder surgery, according to a source. Smith and doctors are expected to decide Wednesday morning which option to take. Multiple sources say if Smith has the operation, he could be out for as long as three months. If he opts not to have the surgery, he might not miss many games but he could do long-term damage to his career after this season.

Smith, injured Sunday in Detroit, was evaluated Tuesday.

Smith has been with the Steelers (3-2) longer than any player except wide receiver Hines Ward and defensive back Deshea Townsend. He is one of the keys to their 3-4 alignment and is often cited by teammates as being the most underrated player on what was the NFL's top defense the last two seasons.

Smith has 13 tackles and two sacks in five games and blocked a field goal attempt during the Steelers' 13-10 victory over Tennessee on Sept. 10. He also is one of the Steelers' primary run stoppers.

Coach Mike Tomlin said first-round draft pick Ziggy Hood is not yet ready to replace Smith, and that Travis Kirschke, Nick Eason and Hood would be used in his place.

"He's got a lot of talent," Tomlin said of Hood, the former Missouri player. "He's not out of the oven yet, if you will. We acknowledge that. He acknowledged that. And as long as we continue to do that, he'll move in the right direction. ... But by no means is Ziggy Hood a potential replacement for Aaron Smith at this point."

The 33-year-old Smith sat out the last four games of the 2007 season because of a torn biceps muscle.

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, who has missed four games due to a torn left knee ligament, and running back Willie Parker (left big toe) are expected to return Sunday against the Cleveland Browns (1-4). Parker has missed two games.

[Herewegosteelers!]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

Even though Smith has the option not to have surgery, of course he is better off having it because of the long term damage possible....he can still play at a high level for at least 2-3 more years. Time for Ziggy to step up like Ben did when Maddox when down (that would be good)

(Even if he isn't ready just yet)

[fezziwig]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

This sucks! Our run defense got absolutely shredded back in '07 when Smith was lost for the season. Here's hoping someone in the backup DE rotation steps up.

I remember that very well and how they ran up the yards on Smiths side while he was away.

Tomlin said I believe, "Ziggy isn't ready to claim Smith position as a starter. " I'm sure they'll have the position in rotation. They'll also probably decide after two or three games, what player will be the full time starter.

I would like to see Hoke get a shot at that position. I don't think they alowed him that chance in 2007.

[williar]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

Man this hurts........Steelers just lost heart and soul of the defense.

Time for Ziggy show...

Here's the latest Tomlinism, at today's PC Tomlin said this about Hood: "He's not out of the oven yet." Which I guess means Ziggy isn't ready to start. Look for Eason and Kirschke to get the majority of the snaps.

Seems absolutely retarded that our D line coach said Hood is one of the best he has seen come in as a rookie in 16 years and Aaron Smith is heaping praises all over the dude saying he is extremely smart and a great talent, and he can't start at 3-4 DE mid season after all the mini camps, a full training camp, preseason, and heading into the 6th game.

Hood should absolutely, 100% hands down be the starter with whoever giving him breathers when he needs them.

I totally agree! I think you should be able to expect a little more out of first round draft pick other than a redshirt. At the risk of sounding "ignorant" here....I understand that football can be complex, complicated, etc. But for a d-lineman, how long does it take to learn that you need to somehow beat the man in front of you, track the football, tackle, go after the qb, or jump up and try to bat the ball down, etc......

[birtikidis]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

Man this hurts........Steelers just lost heart and soul of the defense.

Time for Ziggy show...

Here's the latest Tomlinism, at today's PC Tomlin said this about Hood: "He's not out of the oven yet." Which I guess means Ziggy isn't ready to start. Look for Eason and Kirschke to get the majority of the snaps.

Seems absolutely retarded that our D line coach said Hood is one of the best he has seen come in as a rookie in 16 years and Aaron Smith is heaping praises all over the dude saying he is extremely smart and a great talent, and he can't start at 3-4 DE mid season after all the mini camps, a full training camp, preseason, and heading into the 6th game.

Hood should absolutely, 100% hands down be the starter with whoever giving him breathers when he needs them.

if he's 100% supposed to be the starter half way through the season, wouldn't that mean they woulda had to bench smith?

now that smith is hurt he should be the starter, but all three should get a ton of snaps...

[Northern_Blitz]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

This is a bad injury. We've now had the 2 defensive starters who are least replacable go down.

But, on the bright side. Maybe this will encourage teams to try to run against us more. I think we'll still be better against the run without A.Smith than we are against teams when they start to throw 100% of the time.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

Anyone know what the Brown's running game is like?

[stlrz d]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

This sucks! Our run defense got absolutely shredded back in '07 when Smith was lost for the season. Here's hoping someone in the backup DE rotation steps up.

I remember that very well and how they ran up the yards on Smiths side while he was away.

Tomlin said I believe, "Ziggy isn't ready to claim Smith position as a starter. " I'm sure they'll have the position in rotation. They'll also probably decide after two or three games, what player will be the full time starter.

I would like to see Hoke get a shot at that position. I don't think they alowed him that chance in 2007.

Hoke is Casey's back up. When is the last time you saw Casey in good enough shape to take every defensive snap?

Man this hurts........Steelers just lost heart and soul of the defense.

Time for Ziggy show...

Here's the latest Tomlinism, at today's PC Tomlin said this about Hood: "He's not out of the oven yet." Which I guess means Ziggy isn't ready to start. Look for Eason and Kirschke to get the majority of the snaps.

Seems absolutely retarded that our D line coach said Hood is one of the best he has seen come in as a rookie in 16 years and Aaron Smith is heaping praises all over the dude saying he is extremely smart and a great talent, and he can't start at 3-4 DE mid season after all the mini camps, a full training camp, preseason, and heading into the 6th game.

Hood should absolutely, 100% hands down be the starter with whoever giving him breathers when he needs them.

I totally agree! I think you should be able to expect a little more out of first round draft pick other than a redshirt. At the risk of sounding "ignorant" here....I understand that football can be complex, complicated, etc. But for a d-lineman, how long does it take to learn that you need to somehow beat the man in front of you, track the football, tackle, go after the qb, or jump up and try to bat the ball down, etc......

You've never played, have you?

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

Anyone know what the Brown's running game is like?

This past weekend, Jamal Lewis ran for 117 yards on 31 carries against the Bills.

The previous week, Jerome Harrison ran for 121 yards on 29 carries against the Bengals.