Denver game: Rookie-palooza

by Homer J. on Nov 5, 2009 8:59 AM EST Comment 11 comments

Now that Kirschke is out for the Denver game, it looks like the Steelers are down to their third-string defensive end, and it also means we're going to see a lot of two rookie defensive ends. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Okay, Aaron Smith is out, and his backup Travis Kirschke is out. And that leaves Eason and Kiesel as the starters. But this is Denver which - as we all know - is ten miles above sea level and where there is no oxygen at all. So the Steelers plan to rotate their defensive linemen a lot to keep them fresh. Or at least to keep them from dying due to lack of oxygen.

Ziggy Hood will be the backup on one side, and our man Sunny "Sonny" Harris will be the backup on the other. I'm really intrigued by this. Ziggy's been fine so far, considering that most rookies spend their first year on the bench, studying Coach Dad's playbook.

But, as a BTSC member, I firmly believe - as we all do - that Sunny "Sonny" Harris is the Next Great Thing, and may lead us back to the Promised Land even before Isaac Redzone Redman. Monday night, we will see our two rookie defensive line draft picks bookending the Big Snack or Hokie. And with Denver likely concentrating on stopping Deebo and Woodley, we might get to see what the young pups can do.

Let's hope they play within themselves and avoid the rookie mistakes of enthusiasm. Traps and draws and reverses can kill rookies when their adrenaline is pumping. I just want to see Harris getting up and looking down over a fallen Orton....and I want to see that "after-the-sack glow" more than once.

With all the matchups everyone's talking about, I'm gonna be most interested to see how the two rooks handle themselves. We all know the 2009 draft was a good one. We may be on the verge of discovering whether it was a great one.

Good luck, rooks. I hope it's a night we long remember, and for all the right reasons.

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go steelers!

"That’s been our story all year. We’ve got a team that doesn’t blink in the face of adversity. It’s never going to be pretty or perfect, if you will, but they’ve got a great deal of belief in one another. They’ve got a great deal of resolve, and it was put on display. Our defense gets a lot of recognition for what they’re capable of, and rightfully so, but what you saw from our quarterback and our offense at the end of that football game is what they’ve provided for us all year. When we’ve needed it the most, they’ve done it and done it big. That’s a rerun for us."
Mike Tomlin, before superbowl 43

by steelcity7612 on Nov 5, 2009 9:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Don't worry Denver has a rookie named

Polumbus starting at right tackle. Pistopher Polumbus? no Tyler. random

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Nov 5, 2009 10:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think we’re going to see a lot more of Ziggy than Sunny.

by pghnorthside on Nov 5, 2009 10:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think they're both going to see a lot of action in the Mile High City....

….as to who we might see at the bottom of a pile, I guess it’ll be Ziggy. But I absolutely love the way it seems Sunny has a nose for the quarterback.

I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson

by Homer J. on Nov 5, 2009 10:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sonny Redman for three TD’s and a sack. In the first quarter.

by Phantaskippy on Nov 5, 2009 12:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

At least :)

I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson

by Homer J. on Nov 5, 2009 1:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kiesel

Bret has been playing well this year. Not great, but he’s holding up his end of the line. Too bad the highlights focus so much attention on Woodley’s run and give little credit to the man who made it possible.

Anyway, in Denver, he may look like the 31 year-old man that he is. The air being what it is and being asked to play every snap could take its toll on him. Not only will Ziggy and Sunny be trading snaps in Aaron’s spot, I expect they will have to take a few plays for Bret.

by Varmint on Nov 5, 2009 1:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

RaShon "Sunny" Harris

He was initially tagged as “Sonny” by Pitt sports media but when he had a fresh start in Carolina he told the reporters there his nickname is “Sunny” because of his cheery demeanor as a kid.

by syrsteelerfan on Nov 5, 2009 2:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

SUNNY...

…yesterday my life was filled with rain.
“Sunny”, you smiled at me and really eased the pain.
The dark days are gone, and the bright days are here,
My sunny one shines so sincere.
“Sunny” RaShon so true, I love you… :)

by TheHumbleOne on Nov 8, 2009 12:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

DBs must be at their best

The inexperience on the line and rare air should result in a run-based Denver game plan. This will require our LBs to play up and concentrate on the run. I’ve never been overly impressed with Kyle Orton but he is accurate and he could pose problems for our secondary. I’d like to see Lebeau turn the corners loose to play close aggressive coverage. If we let them move all over the field playing our bend but don’t break defense, the defense will be on the field way too much. Losing the time of possession battle in the mile high air might prove costly.

by qwikdoc on Nov 5, 2009 2:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

2009 draft

was scrutinized like 2008s was and like 2010 will be. of course so far 2009>2008 draft class, but if the DBs we got turn out to be decent and guard they picked up turns out to be at least a decent starter then yea 2009 draft class is will great. I’m still pulling for Limas out of the 2008 draft class. He has only 1 more year to show something.

by tannofsteel84 on Nov 6, 2009 9:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs