Mike Tomlin Gives Steelers Day Off In Advance of Thursday Night Meeting with Browns

by Michael Bean on Dec 5, 2011 6:53 PM EST

Greetings Steeler Nation. Sorry we haven't had much for you to peruse following the Steelers 35-7 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon. More soon from me about what's new in the 'real' world for me, but thankfully there will always be time in the day to talk Steelers, so we'll get back to breaking down Week 13 action soon enough.

A quick note about the Steelers Week 14 game against the Cleveland Browns. Pittsburgh will play for the second time in four days this coming Thursday night when they make their first and only Thursday Night Football appearance. Hopefully they'll take care of business and then enjoy another mini-bye week before heading down the home stretch in the lead up to this year's playoffs.

To keep his team fresh for Thursday night, Mike Tomlin gave his team the day off on Monday. The Steelers did not practice today, perhaps for health and rest purposes, or perhaps because Tomlin wanted his team to be mentally sharp starting Tuesday so as not to fall prey to an emotional or mental trap against a Browns team that's vastly overmatched on paper.

The Browns did however practice on Monday, though it was only a walk-through. The NFL's communications arm estimated what their practice and injury report would have been were there had been a normal practice. Here 'tis:


Practice Report
	DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
	Monday	LB Quinton Spears (hamstring), S T.J. Ward (foot)

	LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
	Monday	S Mike Adams (shoulder), RB Peyton Hillis (hip), T Tony Pashos (ankle)

	FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
	Monday	LB Chris Gocong (hip), RB Montario Hardesty (calf), QB Colt McCoy (knee), DE Jayme Mitchell (ankle)

We'll see if McCoy is able to play after being forced to the sidelines briefly during their loss to the Ravens on Sunday. It's not like McCoy has been tearing up the league this year, but I do think his short and medium range passing tendencies might actually be mildly successful against the Steelers defense. Sustaining that for an entire 60 minutes is another question, but I would be surprised if the Browns don't at least piece together two or three field goal drives at minimum. Really though Joshua Cribbs will have to make a play or two in the return game, and the Bronws offense is going to need to have field position gift wrapped by Steelers turnovers. Without either or both of those developments, it's hard to see any way that Cleveland hangs at Heinz Field on Thursday night.

Back to the Bengals game for now, but we'll turn our attention to the Steelers and Browns matchup again on Wednesday.

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Comments

I've watched the Browns play at least 4-5 times so far this season.

And I’m starting to question whether Colt McCoy will ever be the answer for Cleveland. He doesn’t appear to add any real boost to the Browns’ offense and many of his decisions during games are suspect. I can’t imagine the Steelers having any trouble beating this team at Heinz Field on Thursday, even though it might not be pretty.

by Billy52 on Dec 5, 2011 7:06 PM EST reply actions

hes struggling with new offense

he’s never going to be great, but he’s not as bad as he’s shown this season. i suspect he’ll be much better in 2012, though still a rung behind Dalton.

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by Michael Bean on Dec 5, 2011 8:33 PM EST up reply actions

We’ll see how Dalton does next year. McCoy did very well for a rookie, but I suspect Dalton might get a sophmore slump next year. Just guessin’

by IronJake on Dec 6, 2011 9:16 AM EST up reply actions

McCoy looked pissed off and out of place all game yesterday

and that was in his home stadium. He’s not gonna be a happy camper come Thursday night.

Hopefully the Steelers can win this game and stay healthy and then just focus on resting and preparing for the trip out West. I’m allowed to think ahead :)

"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."

Franco Harris:
"If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time."

by showtime on Dec 5, 2011 7:44 PM EST reply actions

view from the lake

There is no joy in Browns Town.

The team is imploding and there has not been this much rampant angst since Butch Davis was having sideline panic attacks. People are suddenly wishing that Mangini was the coach. At least he had the sense to use the tools he had in his toolbox for what they were designed to do (see Peyton Hillis- see Peyton run).

Colt McCoy is Charlie Fry 2.0.

The Browns receivers have alligator arms.

Coach Pat Shurmer is in way over his head. His choice to be both offensive coordinator and head coach has compromised his ability to adequately do either job.

The right side of the offensive line appears to be using Benny Hill as their mentor.

Finally, people are starting to realize that the man behind the curtain, Mike Holmgren, is largely an affable buffoon. He came to town promising the sun & moon. He is instead only helping to make Cleveland Browns Stadium a Factory of Sadness.

Use your powers for good.

by Sparky63 on Dec 5, 2011 8:29 PM EST reply actions

wow

that bad huh?

by Michael Bean on Dec 5, 2011 8:34 PM EST up reply actions

In other words

Typical Clowns

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
--Aristotle

by steelerstyle on Dec 6, 2011 7:29 AM EST up reply actions

No joy in Mudville?...

…but I thought Colt was getting the grasp of things. Is it the dreaded “new coordinator” curse?

Post references a hip issue with Hillis – any updates?

United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.

by PaVaSteeler on Dec 5, 2011 8:36 PM EST up reply actions

Hillis is Day to Day.

"There's a gleam men, there's a gleam!" Marty

by Red-Right-88 on Dec 6, 2011 8:49 AM EST up reply actions

I for one

is really glad Holmgren failed.

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Dec 5, 2011 11:23 PM EST up reply actions

a factory of sadness ahah

by klompus on Dec 6, 2011 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

yeah, that was a great descriptive line.

by SteelersVT on Dec 6, 2011 11:13 AM EST up reply actions

Funniest thing I have seen on Youtube in awhile

target="new">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRBDMMVctu8

"I've been trying to justify you, in the end i will just defy you" Dream Theater

by OhioYinzer on Dec 6, 2011 7:39 PM EST up reply actions

now thats ironic

he’s wearing a pontiabrand jersey. that says enough right there.

by SteelersVT on Dec 7, 2011 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

Just blitz Colt McCoy

Not like he can stop it

ESPN-The Enablers
Forget the 409 wins and 2 national championships. Joe Paterno helped mold thousands of young men into productive members of our society.

by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Dec 5, 2011 9:12 PM EST reply actions