BlitzburghRockCity
11-26-2005, 02:30 AM
Getting healthy for the stretch run, its what we were all hoping for, so now its time to get down to business and take care of it !!!
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05330/612829.stm
Saturday, November 26, 2005
By Ray Fittipaldo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Steelers are two days away from playing the undefeated Indianapolis Colts, and for the first time in a long time, coach Bill Cowher is going to have his team close to 100 percent healthy for a game.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will make his first start since his knee was injured against Baltimore on Halloween. Linebacker James Farrior will make his first start since a knee injury against Green Bay, and offensive tackle Marvel Smith will start after missing last week's game against Baltimore with an ankle injury.
"It's good right now to look over there for the first time and not see seven or eight guys not working," Cowher said after yesterday's workout. "We've really only had two guys the last couple of days -- Charlie and Andre Frazier -- not working. It's good to get all those guys back."
Roethlisberger has been listed as probable all week. Farrior and Smith are listed as questionable but are expected to try to play against the Colts. Offensive tackle Max Starks also is listed as probable with a knee injury.
"Marvel, Max and James, they've worked the last couple of days really," Cowher said. "They may not be 100 percent right now, but I think they'll be close to that come Monday night. They've all looked pretty good."
Cowher said the Steelers are going to need all of those players healthy to compete with the Colts.
"You're going to need everybody and even then some," Cowher said. "Good fortune, we'd like to have a little bit of that Monday night. We're trying to get some guys back. It's certainly going to be a challenge playing the best team in football."
[B]Back options
Cowher has one of the deepest offensive backfields in the league with Willie Parker, Jerome Bettis, Duce Staley and Verron Haynes. Parker and Bettis have played most of the time in the base offense with Haynes playing as the third-down back.
Staley, the starter last season, has played in just three games and was inactive for last week's game against Baltimore. But he could be called upon to play a role against the Colts.
"It's good to have those guys," Cowher said. "We'll utilize them and make good decisions come Monday night. It is good to have Jerome and Duce healthy and ready to go. This is the type of game where we're going to need everybody."
Logan healthy, too
Reserve defensive back Mike Logan is hoping to play for the first time since his hamstring was injured Oct. 23 against Cincinnati. Logan practiced all week and is probable for the Colts game.
"I have no idea what my role is going to be, but whatever it is, any way I can get on the field to help the team," Logan said. "I had a real good week of practice. I was able to move around a little bit. I was testing myself to go out there full speed. Whatever it is, special teams, offense, defense, however I can get on the field, I'll just be elated to get out there."
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05330/612829.stm
Saturday, November 26, 2005
By Ray Fittipaldo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Steelers are two days away from playing the undefeated Indianapolis Colts, and for the first time in a long time, coach Bill Cowher is going to have his team close to 100 percent healthy for a game.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will make his first start since his knee was injured against Baltimore on Halloween. Linebacker James Farrior will make his first start since a knee injury against Green Bay, and offensive tackle Marvel Smith will start after missing last week's game against Baltimore with an ankle injury.
"It's good right now to look over there for the first time and not see seven or eight guys not working," Cowher said after yesterday's workout. "We've really only had two guys the last couple of days -- Charlie and Andre Frazier -- not working. It's good to get all those guys back."
Roethlisberger has been listed as probable all week. Farrior and Smith are listed as questionable but are expected to try to play against the Colts. Offensive tackle Max Starks also is listed as probable with a knee injury.
"Marvel, Max and James, they've worked the last couple of days really," Cowher said. "They may not be 100 percent right now, but I think they'll be close to that come Monday night. They've all looked pretty good."
Cowher said the Steelers are going to need all of those players healthy to compete with the Colts.
"You're going to need everybody and even then some," Cowher said. "Good fortune, we'd like to have a little bit of that Monday night. We're trying to get some guys back. It's certainly going to be a challenge playing the best team in football."
[B]Back options
Cowher has one of the deepest offensive backfields in the league with Willie Parker, Jerome Bettis, Duce Staley and Verron Haynes. Parker and Bettis have played most of the time in the base offense with Haynes playing as the third-down back.
Staley, the starter last season, has played in just three games and was inactive for last week's game against Baltimore. But he could be called upon to play a role against the Colts.
"It's good to have those guys," Cowher said. "We'll utilize them and make good decisions come Monday night. It is good to have Jerome and Duce healthy and ready to go. This is the type of game where we're going to need everybody."
Logan healthy, too
Reserve defensive back Mike Logan is hoping to play for the first time since his hamstring was injured Oct. 23 against Cincinnati. Logan practiced all week and is probable for the Colts game.
"I have no idea what my role is going to be, but whatever it is, any way I can get on the field to help the team," Logan said. "I had a real good week of practice. I was able to move around a little bit. I was testing myself to go out there full speed. Whatever it is, special teams, offense, defense, however I can get on the field, I'll just be elated to get out there."