SAY IT WITH ME THREE TIMES AND REALLY HOPE FOR IT: SHAZIER WILL BE FULL PARTICIPANT IN PRACTICE TODAY !!
According to the Trib, Shazier practiced fully today and is expected to play on Sunday. http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/11154486-74/shazier-friday-sunday
Yep I just read Shaz practiced fully and declared after the practice his knee is 100% !! He is listed as questionable still though on the official injury report. LOOKS LIKE THIS YEAR I WILL BE SEEING A TEAM THAT IS RELATIVELY HEALTHY UNLIKE THE STEELERS / RAVENS GAME LAST YEAR WITH BIG BEN OUT ! Looking forward to being back in the burgh starting tomorrow and thru Sunday. Will do my part cheering our team to victory!
Shaz and wheaton are listed as questionable and Nix, Wallace and Golsen are out according to the Friday Injury report but everyone expects Shaz to be on the field.
I think we may be as close to a fully healthy team (relatively speaking all things considered) as I've ever seen this week. *YAHOO*
I guess considering how bad it could be that's a fair statement. But imagine how much better the team could be with Dupree, Golson, Green and Wheaton. Not to mention the bong brothers.
Great points! Man when I think of the possibility of getting #7 this year and then what we potentially have coming back next year, I am elated !
I agree. Not only is Jesse James playing well, but Ladarius Green has not practiced even once with this offense. Not in OTAs, not in training camp, nothing. Knowing this coaching staff, even if he's taken off PUP in week 7, I'd be very surprised if he played a snap before week 9. They will want to get him acclimated to the offense, his role in it, and gain some comfort with Ben before they throw him out there.
It would depend on how we are standing at the time. If we are 6-0 when he is elgible to come off the pup they may not be very anxious to activate him. If we have injuries and are 3-3 they might be looking for a spark on offense. Personally I think they will take it slow with him because we will probably be 6-0 or 5-1 at the time he is elgible.
With Davis (back) and Golden (hamstring) down and probably out, I'm excited to see Dangerfield (he gets no respect I tell you, no respect) in there at safety and call me crazy (and I just might be for making this statement) but I really think he will open some eyes. I have a big feeling that Dangerfield will do very well and make us question why he wasn't in earlier. At least that is my hope. Bell is Back !!!! Very excited to see him in action. It's like having another great receiver with him in as well. I was also very excited to hear Gilbert will be getting significant time at corner. I predict he will prove to be an upgrade to others we put out there and get more and more time. Btw, he gave a lot of praise to the positive environment and good vibes of our organization which is awesome. Also, Eli Rogers is not gonna play with turf toe. No word on Ramone Foster (chest) or Timmons (shin) that I know of. We have to assume Shazier is at least questionable every week as is always the case ! *WALL*
My guesses for the replacement players: Foster & Shazier will be out. Timmons will play alongside Williams at MLB and Finney will start at LG. Gay, Cockrell, Burns & Gilbert will all get snaps at corner. Mitchell and Dangerfield will be the safeties.
I think you are right! And I actually like the look of the above as well relatively speaking to our situation!
The biggest gap to fill is Shazier's. I like Vince Williams, and if he was replacing Timmons I wouldn't be concerned, but Shazier is tough to replace out there. Wheaton can play the slot, Bell is back, so that will help the passing game, so the offense should be okay. The defense, though, without Shazier, Golden and Davis is a bit scary. They weren't great WITH all their starters. Without them, I'm more than a bit nervous about their potential performance!
Golden and Davis I'm not too concerned about. Golden I've come to feel is average. And Davis is so young and new he is going to get burned (and apparently struggle to tackle as well judging by the tape). I'm really intrigued by Dangerfield as I've read a lot about him and he seems ready. Not saying he will be a stud but I don't think we will see a drop off and maybe even an improvement. Shaz being out sucks but it's something I am used to at this point. They may want to think about going in a different direction next year (as in planning for a future without him due to his inability to physically handle the job). Still though he WAS the guy we had to keep healthy for a change this year for our defense to be really, really good.
