Emmanuel Sanders, Stevenson Sylvester To Get First Career Starts
by Neal Coolong on Oct 30, 2011 10:16 AM EDT
in Steelers Injury News
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With the deactivation of WR Hines Ward, the Steelers will give Emmanuel Sanders his first career start at Ward's flanker position when the Steelers tee off against New England. Sanders has 13 catches and 173 yards to go with two touchdowns this season.
Sylvester will get his first start at the buck linebacker position. Veteran LB Larry Foote will move to the mack LB spot (the signal caller) in the absence of veteran and captain James Farrior.
Many have been calling for Sylvester's playing time to increase, and it could be a good day for a more physical presence. The Patriots have a strong all-around offense, and could be tempted to use the power of RB BenJarvis Green-Ellis frequently in spread formations.
One option considered was moving Lawrence Timmons back inside, but with the absence of James Harrison and Jason Worlids, the Steelers are just as thin outside as they are inside. Sylvester inside makes more sense, particularly since Timmons has served as the team's ROLB for the last few games, and Foote's experience can help Sylvester, should the second-year 'backer need it.
Farrior has been criticized this season for a perception of poor pass coverage, but Foote's coverage hasn't been much better.
The Patriots are in a very similar position, but with their secondary. The release of Leigh Bodden Friday came one day before New England placed rookie CB Ras-I Dowling on Injured-Reserve with a hip injury. Devin McCourty and Kyle Arrington will start at cornerback, and Antwaun Molden will serve as the nickelback.
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High hopes for Sylvester
This is one guy who I’ve always felt would shine if he got a chance to start. I guess now we’ll see what he’s got.
Hopefully...
He plays better than I can spell his name. I’ll get it right one of these times, I promise
by Neal Coolong on Oct 30, 2011 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
+1
I hope he shines, Billy.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Oct 30, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Someone needs to draw up a jacked up Sly wearing a Steelers helmet
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Oct 30, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
+1
Someone make this happen. Bean’s girlfriend does stuff like that, maybe she can do it
by Neal Coolong on Oct 30, 2011 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
We all knew AB would eventually become a starter
As for Sylvester, I wonder how much of a drop off we will see. I have not paid much attention to him and I have no clue how good he is.
Does Crotchery finally have a big game? That is what I am thinking.
Brown isn't starting
Sanders is.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Oct 30, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
He should. Brown's got talent.
It is what it is
They both have talent.
Sanders is more of a Hines clone.
"Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity." Jack Layton (R.I.P.)
"My city's still breathing (but barely it's true) through buildings gone missing like teeth. The sidewalks are watching me think about you, all sparkled with broken glass. I'm back with scars to show. Back with the streets I know. They never take me anywhere but here. " John K Samson (Left and Leaving)
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Oct 30, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
They run a lot of bunch WR formations, it doesn't matter
Who is called the #2 and the #3 WR in this offense is a game where the points don’t matter. In this offense, the WR3 is on the field almost always if the WR2 is on the field.
Best part is...
…only fans and broadcasters use the term “No. 2 or No. 3” receiver. We don’t have a “No. 2 tackle,” the receiver positions aren’t any different. Weirdly enough, there are two wide receiver positions on the field, and they aren’t the same. Sanders started today not because he’s better than Brown, but because he’s the back-up flanker, which is Ward’s position.
Both played very well today, and we have a new Steelers team on our hands.
by Neal Coolong on Oct 30, 2011 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Sylvester
is a very very very good player!
And u heard it here first. He’ll get an interception today!
Put it on the board!
We’ll remember this!
by Neal Coolong on Oct 30, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
With the linebacking corps in such shambles, look out for Patriot RBs and TEs.
BnJarvis GreenEllis, Kevin Faulk, Danny Woodhead, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen…. we’re currently carrying five guys at RB. You all know about the tight ends.
LeBeau should strongly consider more sub-packages with more defensive-backs.
It is what it is
Middlesex
is it common practice for your site to just delete any comments they don’t like? no matter how innocuous they are?
This message will self destruct
It's not my site.
Whatever happend, I think I missed it
It is what it is
This actually helps middlesex, Sylvester brings A LOT more speed to the ILB position, which is what we need. He & Timmons can cover TEs much better than Farrior.
Hows he against the run?
It is what it is
stopping the run is a requirement for any LB in this system.
Thier shouldn’t be much of a problem, and if there is they will just move Polamalu in the box.
"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play." ~Jack Lambert.
"Superman ain't got nothing on me, ... Kryptonite? C'mon now. It's just that you're never going to hear me say that somebody is tougher than me, ... Because I don't believe somebody else could be tougher than me." ~James Harrison
by H-burgSTEELfanatic on Oct 30, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Sly and Timmons won’t be as good stopping the run as Harrison and Farrior. But, I think we’d prefer you guys try to run then throw.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Oct 30, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Have we seen enough from Sly to say that right now? I’m not sure I have. He could be, but he’s barely played real minutes.
I like to think an offense has a tougher time with a defender they don’t have any tape of than a defense going against an offensive player they don’t know. That’s just a theory though, can’t really substantiate it.
Brady doesn’t know what their plan with Sylvester at buck or Foote at mack will be, but they know what it was with Farrior. Maybe it’ll mix him up.
by Neal Coolong on Oct 30, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Sly is quick, fast, and has all the physical tools.......
…I tried to watch him closely in the pre-season games, and from what I saw, it seemed the game was still a bit fast for him.
He was often arriving anywhere from half a second to a whole second late. That indicates to me that he either made the wrong initial read – or, more likely – took a little too long to make his read and react.
That is NOT uncommon with LeBeau’s defense among rookies and second year guys. And that may explain why they have given him so little time this year.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
We'll see.
The Pats are sure to test Sly.
It is what it is
You might get your wish regarding the Pats run game.
It’s ominous that a 3-4 defense hasn’t been doing better than it’s been doing against the run. Kevin Faulk is active amongst other runners.
It is what it is
Have we seen enough from Sly to say that right now?
From what I’ve seen, & granted it’s been in limited minutes, he uses his speed/burst to fire into gaps & lays the wood when he makes contact. He may not be as stout as Farrior but he gets there faster & uses that speed to increase the force of impact.
Ok, fair enough. They play different positions though. Farrior plays all over, whereas Sly will have more of just one or two gap responsibility.
If Sly can just get to the ball carrier, he’ll be fine. They aren’t asking him to be a James Farrior – headsy, smart player. Just hit people.
by Neal Coolong on Oct 30, 2011 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
It's ominous that any team ranked dead last against the pass
But that’s not a reason to think they can’t recover.
There aren’t many teams who have stopped Ray Rice or Arian Foster this year. No excuses, they’re very good running teams. But past results are not guarantees of future success.
by Neal Coolong on Oct 30, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Wait to see Fred Jackson.
That guys a freak of nature. In blitz pickup he picked up a 290 lbs DE and shoved the DE back a good five yards.
It is what it is
Last season Emmanuel Sanders took on a DE in run blocking & stoned him, met him head on, put a shoulder into the guys chest & took the guy off his feet right onto his back.
The Ravens are pus*ies compared to the Steelers. - Peyton Hillis 2010
woah when did this happen?
I’d love to see a video or gif of this lol
"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play." ~Jack Lambert.
"Superman ain't got nothing on me, ... Kryptonite? C'mon now. It's just that you're never going to hear me say that somebody is tougher than me, ... Because I don't believe somebody else could be tougher than me." ~James Harrison
by H-burgSTEELfanatic on Oct 30, 2011 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
It was early in the year, week 2 or 3, can’t recall the team we played unfortunately. I was stunned, & I’m sure that DE was too lol.
It was a wide running play to the right, Sanders was in the slot, he came inside on the snap as the DE turned to get outside & leveled him.
The Ravens are pus*ies compared to the Steelers. - Peyton Hillis 2010
Faulk is coming off injury
I’d be more worried about the other RBs
"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play." ~Jack Lambert.
"Superman ain't got nothing on me, ... Kryptonite? C'mon now. It's just that you're never going to hear me say that somebody is tougher than me, ... Because I don't believe somebody else could be tougher than me." ~James Harrison
by H-burgSTEELfanatic on Oct 30, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think you get it.
We know you have a good team, but we don’t really give a crap. We can still beat you.
If the Jags can beat the Ravens
anything is possible.
It is what it is
Anything, i ilove it, keep that thought in mind please
"Everytime NE Patriots lose, Football wins", myself
Have to in any game where Wilfork is playing.
He’s got more interceptions than any player on the Steelers roster!
It is what it is
Jumping offsides
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 31, 2011 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions
But they owned us last year…
Of course that was the game in which Ward went down early with a concussion, Pouncey got hurt, Troy had to leave with an achilles, & Timmons went down leaving Gay mismatched on a 6’6" TE who then caught all 3 of Cindy Brady’s TDs.
It's all about who wants this game more.
The Pats will try to blow us right out of Heinz in the first half, as they always do. But we don’t have to let it happen. And Ben will have something to say about the outcome.
Steelers secondary is much better and much deeper than last year. They’re going to run well, and they’re going to make throws. Their offense is just too good to stop completely, but unlike the previous Patriots thumpings, Pittsburgh can cover their receivers for longer than the two seconds it takes Brady to find his target, step and throw.
Previously, Brady never checked down. His primary was always open when he was supposed to be open. He’ll have to go deeper down his progression, which may be enough time to actually pressure him.
That’s how the Jets beat them last year. Otherwise, you go the Bills route, and keep trading punches with them offensively, and find out in the fourth quarter who cracks first.
by Neal Coolong on Oct 30, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Good analysis
I think this game will give us a good idea of where we stand with our secondary. I don’t think we’ve faced a test like this one yet.
Baltimore has similar versatility
Not as talented or deep, but just as explosive.
They’ll spread the Steelers wide, try to run between the tackles. If Brady sees the right match-up, he’ll check to pass and keep moving down the field.
by Neal Coolong on Oct 30, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
There's a game to be played
To be blunt, we know we can beat you. That’s why the games are played. Ask the Ravens, who are presently being raped by the Cardinals.
Farrior and Harrison out might actually benefit us for this game. Sly and TImmons are a lot quicker on their feet. We shall see.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
by John Stephens on Oct 30, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Yep, i was thinking the same, Timmons usually plays the cheatriots very well
"Everytime NE Patriots lose, Football wins", myself
Pretty sure we're looking out for the RBs/TEs anyway
And you’re gonna see 6 DBs quite often today. They’ve played in nickel the majority of their snaps anyway. Mundy and Lewis will both play quite a bit.
by Neal Coolong on Oct 30, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
If 5-6 DBs,
then what’s the rest they’re likely to use? 3-3-5, 4-2-5, 4-1-6?
It is what it is
Two down linemen, three LBs (one near the line), three safeties (two deep, one under) and three corners (outside and slot).
You might recognize it, it’s what the Jets have done with some success against you in the past.
by Neal Coolong on Oct 30, 2011 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
This game could potentially make a big statement
for the next generation of starters. farrior, harrison, and ward all out with young guys filling in. today should be interesting
excited to see
The younginz get their shot. Do your best young men, the Nation is behind you all the way.
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Oct 30, 2011 11:47 AM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
GO Steelers West, nothing would make today more perfect than watching the Ravens get thrashed again then having the Steelers beat the Patriots.
The Ravens are pus*ies compared to the Steelers. - Peyton Hillis 2010
Feeling good about this
Playing a somewhat new LB in LeBeau’s D is always risky, but my gut feeling is liking this. Timmons playing OLB always seemed a “square peg in a round hole” kind of thing, and we need him covering the TEs against NE. Also, Sly has shown (in his very limited time) a knack for pressuring the QB. So, now hopefully both players can be in roles where their strengths are utilized.
We shall see how it shakes out though. The proof of the pudding is under the crust.
GO STEELERS!!!!
Bound to cover just a little more ground.
Sylvester moves like he is a big strong-safety on punt teams. Maybe he can stick with TE's. if has a grasp of the defense.
After the draft I posted, with some silly hyperbole, that in Stevenson’s highlights he looked like a Jack Ham style linebacker. Ham could stick with TE’s. If Stevenson can cover over the middle, the Steelers have another peice of the big puzzle against 4 receiver sets. I will be replaying plays to watch him specifically.
So glad we didn't draft Ras-IR Dowling
But the Pats had an extra pick to take that chance, so it’s probably less disappointing. If there are any Pats fans still on, how did he look in practice/preseason before the injury?
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