Awaiting An Update on Santonio Holmes Ankle; Time To Go Back To Starks?

I particularly liked this line from the injury report -- "Tomlin said three players will be involved in replacing Holmes --- Cedrick Wilson, Nate Washington and Willie Reid."  

Guess that's a testament to Santonio's ability.

I'm glad the announcement was made right away that Troy and Santonio will not play vs. Miami. They need to get healthy. Their replacements and everyone else need to get focused on the task at hand.  I'm sure they will. I was worried about the Jets but not the least concerned about the Dolphins. It's their misfortune to catch us coming off a bad game and playing at home on MNF. This will be an easy win and will give other players, especially at WR, a chance to step in and make some plays. I think Washington has done a nice job and he is the No. 3 guy, so he is really the guy on the spot to play well. I'd like to see what Reid can do, too. He looked okay earlier in the season.

As much as we would all like to see some changes in the O-line, I doubt Tomlin will replace anyone unless there is an injury. I think the sad fact is that Starks is not as good as Colon and Kemo is not as good as Simmons.  If it was close, we would have seen a change by now. Perhaps a big first-half lead will allow Kemo an extended look at RG or Simmons to move over to center and get some game-action there. Unlikely, but I think those would be our only options for potential improvement up front in the near term.

I think the amazing thing is that the Steelers OL is playing this badly and injuries haven't been a factor at all. The same five has started all the games so far this year. That's a stark contrast to many teams like the Redskins and Colts who are struggling to put 6 healthy lineman on the field for game day.

I think it's time for Tomlin to let Simmons and Colon and everyone else know (especially on kickoff coverage) that if you aren't doing your job, in all fairness to this football team, then someone else will be given that opportunity.

Tomlin said something interesting about kickoff coverage in his interview with Steelers Digest. Here is the question by Digest editor Bob Labriola and Tomlin's answer.

Q. What constitutes good kickoff coverage in your mind?

Tomlin: To me, it's a personality. You display your personality as a football team on kickoff coverage. It's about speed, it's about defeating blocks and making tackles. Yard line statistics and things of that nature are really irrelevant to me. It's man on man. You've got to defeat people, you have to make tackles.

If that is truly the case, then the personality of this team is charmin soft because the kickoff coverage is really bad. As I've said before, I think the team's kickoff coverage is fixable. And I don't mean pooch-kicking the rest of the season as well. Either use a few more starters on D or get rid of the backups who aren't making plays and signing those who will.

Guys like Verron Hayes and Chidi are still out there. I think Ben Roethlisberger would be the first guy to give Tomlin a hug if V. Hayes came back. Hayes has made his share of tackles on the coverage teams and has excelled at being Ben's bodyguard in blitz pickup on passing downs.

Hayes could walk in tomorrow and be the best blitz pickup running back on the team as well as 3rd down back. Chidi still wants work, although I do like W. Gay and A. Madison on the coverage teams.

Blitzburgh, I know you'd like to give Starks a chance, but I still think Colon is a better option. Colon has had a couple of bad games, but Starks just cannot move his feet well enough to keep Ben from not getting killed. The reality is that injuries occur, and Starks will probably get his shot sometime this season, whether we want him to or not. I don't see how Chris K. could be worse than Simmons, but apparently Tomlin and his staff doesn't feel the same way.  

I am truly disappointed in the way this team is playing right now and in the opportunities that it has squandered. Your thoughts?