Ike to the Bench?

[Jooser]

It could be according to Bouchette:

Tomlin may bench some starters against Cleveland

Monday, December 07, 2009
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Mike Tomlin promised possible sweeping changes to the Steelers lineup for their next game in Cleveland Thursday night.

Enduring a four-game losing streak that has knocked his team to 6-6, Tomlin said there is an" undesirable pattern of behavior" in losing games in the fourth quarter and that he will take an "aggressive look at potential changes" in his lineup and his schemes.

Among the changes he noted is the likelihood that rookie cornerbacks Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis not only will play but could start against Cleveland and that veteran cornerback Ike Taylor possibly could lose his starting job.

A few changes will be necessary because it appears Hines Ward will not play because of a late-game hamstring injury from the Steelers' 27-24 loss to Oakland Sunday. That means Limas Sweed will move up on the depth chart and either he or rookie Mike Wallace will start Thursday. Tomlin also said they will sign a fourth wide receiver for the game -- they released veteran receiver Shaun McDonald Nov. 28.

Also, Troy Polamalu is likely to miss his fourth straight game with his knee injury and cornerback William Gay is being evaluated after he left Sunday's game with a concussion.

Tomlin said he expects defensive end Travis Kirschke to be available to play in Cleveland after he missed his fourth game in the past five with a calf injury.

Read more: [url="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09341/1019081-100.stm#ixzz0Z2L6bIHH"]http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09341/10 ... z0Z2L6bIHH[/url]

A lot of folks have been big fans of Ike for a while, I for one, have not. Is he the only liability in the secondary? Of course not. But he's just not a play maker. His ability to cover top-tier WR's hasn't been up to snuff all season. I don't know, but what can hurt at this point to give the young guys a go at it?

[Jom112]

Re: Ike to the Bench?

Maybe I'm jaded because Ike has played very well against the Bengals all these years, but I don't think he should be benched. His stats will never be great but most of the passes I see being completed against him are small gains. The deep passes during the Raider game I think was an aberration...

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Ike to the Bench?

Hines got injured too?

@#$%^&*!!!!!!!!!!

[grotonsteel]

Re: Ike to the Bench?

Maybe I'm jaded because Ike has played very well against the Bengals all these years, but I don't think he should be benched. His stats will never be great but most of the passes I see being completed against him are small gains. The deep passes during the Raider game I think was an aberration...

Ike taylor was owned by few players this season. Sidney Rice, Murphy..

I forgot one more WR who schooled Ike this season. Ike can't defend that fade away pass.

Ike taylor got lucky against Ratbirds. Every pass thrown to Derick Mason should have been called for PI against IKe.

I can think of 4 games this season where Ike Taylor was outright horrible.

Ike Taylor will be an awesome No.2 CB but Steelers need a CB who can catch . 2010 draft has few good defensive players. I am excited about the 2010 draft.

[Jom112]

Re: Ike to the Bench?

Ike taylor got lucky against Ratbirds. Every pass thrown to Derick Mason should have been called for PI against IKe.

The PI stuff I definitely agree with. Don't know how he's not flagged for it more often but since he's not, I have to give him credit...

[papillon]

Re: Ike to the Bench?

Maybe I'm jaded because Ike has played very well against the Bengals all these years, but I don't think he should be benched. His stats will never be great but most of the passes I see being completed against him are small gains. The deep passes during the Raider game I think was an aberration...

I agree, he's given up 2 TDs all year and seeing him trailing a play like that is very, very rare. Everyone wants their corners to make interceptions and change games (me included), but, having Ike there always gave me a sense of comfort knowing that he'll give some small ones, but, when we need a stop, the other typically doesn't look his way.

Yesterday, was an aberration and a well designed play executed to perfection at the perfect time. They lined up in the "I" with a TE and one WR, gave a good play fake that sucked everyone up and let the WR one-on-one with Ike and he got the inside release and it was over.

I'd like to see one rookie and one veteran playing, not two rookies at the corners.

Pappy

[ikestops85]

Re: Ike to the Bench?

Ike is actually great in man to man coverage. His problem is, and always has been, ball awareness. It seems that good receivers can always take the ball away from him even if he has them covered like a glove. That punt of a throw by Grabkowski was a perfect example. You can't allow a receiver to catch a ball like that.

The only player on the team that has the ability to go up and get a ball is Troy. Even our receivers are lousy at that. Sweed had a shot at redeeming himself on the hail mary at the end of the game but even though he had great position he was still outjumped for the ball by several other players. I guess we used up all of our breaks last year and this year we aren't getting many.

[Wolfhound45]

Re: Ike to the Bench?

Hines got injured too?

@#$%^&*!!!!!!!!!!

Guess he does not realize this is an important divisional game. Wonder if Ben is playing?

Just kidding, just kidding.

[feltdizz]

Re: Ike to the Bench?

Ike needs the bench. Hopefully he doesn't misjudge it and hit his azzzz on the ground.

Ike talks way too much trash while getting burnt for 7 yards on 3rd and 3.

Some people hate Holmes flexing and gloating but he is producing and making
plays. Ike barks after giving up a 30 yarder.

[Jooser]

Re: Ike to the Bench?

Exactly dizz, Swaggin's lost it's swagger. Make a damn play IKE!

[Chadman]

Re: Ike to the Bench?

The Steelers DB's have been revelling in their mediocrity for years now.

Hopefully we will see something, anything, from Burnett & Lewis that shows they are capable of actually performing at the top level.

[NW Steeler]

Re: Ike to the Bench?

Didn't Cowher bench Ike a few years back? He seemed to respond well to that if memory serves. He looked like he was totally jake-ing it yesterday on that play where he had no safety help. And there is no excuse for not batting down that pop-fly either. Having two rookies starting at the corners certainly isn't ideal, but it may send a message that many around here have been looking for.

[Jooser]

Re: Ike to the Bench?

I'd absolutely laugh my arse off if one of those rooks took one to the house Thursday night. Absolutely LOVE IT.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Ike to the Bench?

At least if the rooks started on national TV this Thursday, they would say that they were from Oregon State and the University of Central Florida respectively instead of this "Swaggin'" nonsense.

[Jooser]

Re: Ike to the Bench?