Steelers secondary takes another hit

[mesaSteeler]

Steelers secondary takes another hit
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt...s_656574.html#
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, December 7, 2009

The Steelers don't have much time to dwell on their 27-24 loss to the Oakland Raiders Sunday.

Nor do they have much time to heal from it, which means they could be without another starter in their secondary Thursday when they visit the Browns.

Cornerback William Gay left yesterday's game in the fourth quarter with what appears to be a concussion after the third-year man got hit in the helmet by Steelers safety Ryan Mundy as the two were making a tackle.

Given the short week as well as the caution the Steelers exercise when it comes to players with concussions, Gay is almost certain to be deactivated for the 8:20 p.m. game Thursday.

The secondary, which is as beleaguered as it is beat up, is unlikely to get strong safety Troy Polamalu back for the game against the Browns.

Polamalu has missed the Steelers' last three games with a strained posterior collateral ligament in his left knee. Of the prospect of the five-time Pro Bowler returning against the Browns, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, "On a short week, I doubt it, but we'll see."

Digits

7.7 -- Yards per play the Steelers averaged in their 27-24 loss to the Oakland Raiders

13 -- Receiving yards Santonio Holmes needs to post the first 1,000-yard season of his career at any level.

Quotable

"I can't put a finger on it. Is it any different than following the '05 season? I don't know. We've got a lot of veteran guys. It's just, the ball's not bouncing our way. Look at (cornerback) Joe Burnett. He catches the ball all the time in practice, then to come down and throw it up and have three defenders around it and their guyscomes up with it, it's the flukiest things I've ever seen. We're just not finding ways to win."

Hines Ward

Steelers wide receiver, on the Steelers' struggles at the end of games.

Scott Brown can be reached at sbrown@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.

[JEFF4i]

I hate to rip on Gay, but maybe this is a good thing. Maybe his replacement will do all that we've needed?

[Gnutella]

Addition by subtraction. Hope his brain is OK, but Joe Burnett can't possibly do any worse.

[BlastFurnace]

I hope the Steelers shut Troy down completely.

There is nothing for this team to accomplish this season.

[Edman]

The Steelers need to keep Troy on the sidelines until he is completely healthy. Play more youngsters and start playing for next year.

The season is shot.

[Galax Steeler]

Injuries have killed us all year we can't seem to get over them. You have to work through them and we can't seem to do that. Hopefully we can find the answers and get healthy and be ready for next year. That is unless for some miracle we find a way to slip into the playoffs this year.

[redst3]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

Addition by subtraction. Hope his brain is OK, but Joe Burnett can't possibly do any worse.

If Burnett would have hung on to that ball, the Steelers would have won the game yesterday.

[Gnutella]

Originally Posted by redst3

If Burnett would have hung on to that ball, the Steelers would have won the game yesterday.

I should have clarified: Joe Burnett can't possibly do any worse than #22.

[HometownGal]

Originally Posted by redst3

If Burnett would have hung on to that ball, the Steelers would have won the game yesterday.

Can't rely on woulda, coulda, shoulda, red. The bottom line is that the secondary shit the bed again and squandered the lead the O gave them late in the game.

[Gnutella]

Originally Posted by HometownGal

Can't rely on woulda, coulda, shoulda, red. The bottom line is that the secondary shit the bed again and squandered the lead the O gave them late in the game.

I was about to ask if the title of this topic should have been "Steelers secondary takes another sh*t"?