My Hines Ward Blog

WR Rankings

Tier 1

1. Chad Johnson(Bengals)

-Ocho Cinco once again had a brilliant season in 2006 as he caught 87 passes for 7 TD's. His rapport with QB Carson Palmer is a thing of beauty and they should continue to produce more of the same in 2007. The emergence of WR TJ Houshmanzadeh last year should also help Johnson in that he will mainly see one-on-one coverage. Draft the biggest sure-thing fantasy WR.

2. Steve Smith(Panthers)

-Carolina's emotional star WR recorded numbers that were a drop-off from his ridiculous 2005 season due to a hamstring injury that caused him to miss two games and affected his running ability for the entire first half of the year. Now fully healthy, Smith is in line to have a very big year once again. Favorite QB Jake Delhomme also is healthy heading into training camp and thus a season of at least 90 catches with 8 scores is a lock. Wouldn't quibble if you picked him over Johnson.

3. Torry Holt(Rams)

-your truly has owned Holt for the last four seasons and he is as big a reason as any that I have enjoyed great success in this game. The best route-runner in the game, Holt combines sprinters speed and soft hands to habitually turn out 90 catch, 8 TD seasons. Off-season surgery on his knee confirms that he isn't as young as he used to be but count on another two years of top player out of Marc Bulger's favorite target. Second round or very beginning of third round is where he will be chosen, hopefully by you.

4. Marvin Harrison(Colts)

-the ageless wonder turned in an incredible 2006 season, hauling in 93 passes with 10 scores at an age(35) where many receivers have started to decline. Of course you can't ignore Harrison's age when deciding whether to draft him or not but until he proves otherwise, then you would be foolish to pass on him. The chemistry he has with QB Peyton Manning is possibly the greatest passing show in NFL history and I believe Harrison will put up around the same numbers he did last season. In other words, he is a player you want to own.

5. Larry Fitzgerald(Cardinals)

-Fitzgerald took a little bobble in his development last season as his 69 catches and 6 TD's were not what fantasy owners expected after his breakout 2005 season. However injuries were the main cause of the diminished production and I look for Fitzgerald to have a big year as he builds his rapport with QB Matt Leinart. The presence of fellow Pro Bowler Anquan Boldin will allow Larry to get single coverage and at his size, he should have no trouble getting open and piling up the catches. While Boldin may have slightly more catches, Fitzgerald is the one who will grab the more TD's which in fantasy is the name of the game when it comes to scoring points. Draft him by the end of round 3 or if your lucky the top of round 4.

6. Terrell Owens(Cowboys)

-no one at the WR position will give fantasy owners more stress when it comes to deciding whether to draft him or not than Dallas' mercurial, moody pass catcher. There is no doubt that when healthy and he has his head on right, Owens can flat out dominate a game. He proved that once again in a comeback season(85 catches, 13 TD's) of sorts after the controversy/injury filled ending to his tenure in Philadelphia. Despite more than occasional drops, Owens is the best source out there for catching TD's and for boorish behavior. So if you plan on drafting him, just be prepared for both.

7. Reggie Wayne(Colts)

-once again taking a giant step forward in his development, Reggie Wayne is almost running neck-and-neck now with counterpart Marvin Harrison in the value department. Despite still being considered the number two wideout in Indy, Wayne's 86 catches and 9 TD's were numbers indicative of a true number 1 receiver. Smack dab in his prime at the age of 28, this could be the year Wayne takes the mantle of top dog in the WR hierarchy. Make sure you get this guy. I certainly will.

8. Anquan Boldin(Cardinals)

-the other half of Arizona's stud WR duo, Boldin once again was the go to guy in the passing game as far as total receptions are concerned(83 to Larry Fitzgerald's 69). Boldin will continue to pile up the catches and is thus extremely valuable in point/reception leagues. His lack of top-notch speed has proven to be a non-hindrance and he is ability to run crisp routes will ensure a solid season. Only negative is the fact he is not as big a TD producer as Arizona will look to the much larger Fitzgerald in the red zone. Solid weekly performer will be a great number 2 receiver.

9. Roy Williams(Lions)

-after injuries impacted his production his first two seasons, Roy Williams put it all together in 2006 as he recorded a career-high 82 receptions with 7 TD's. Williams has incredible size for his position and will win most one-on-one battles so an increase in TD's is more than likely. The drafting of WR Calvin Johnson will take away most of the double teams he faced last season and thus also has a chance to reach the 90-catch plateau. Draft him for a potentially larger breakout season than the year before. Also don't be afraid to reach for him as he could put up number one WR numbers.

10. Donald Driver(Packers)

-Brett Favre's favorite target is in line for another great season as Green Bay tries to venture into the playoffs for possibly the last time with their Hall of Fame QB. Driver has made a nice career for himself despite not having top-notch speed and due to the fact Green Bay lacks another WR of Donald's ability, another 90 catch season is very possible. Although you would like to see him score more than the 7 TD's he recorded last season, those in point/reception leagues will especially value the fact that Favre will look to him first on every pass he goes back to throw. Draft him around the 5th round and you have yourself a top number two wideout. One of my favorite receiving options to draft.

11. Javon Walker(Broncos)

-it was a comeback season of sorts in 2006 for Javon Walker after missing almost the entire 2005 season with an injured knee. The great speed and ability to make the deep catch were all still a part of his repertoire and thus all the fears were alleviated about whether he could be the same player he was before he got hurt. There will be some growing pains for sure as second-year QB Jay Cutler will struggle some in his first year as a starter but already Walker is his favorite target when going back to pass. If you're looking for a 90-catch guy, that Walker is not your man. Denver is a run-oriented offense and so reasonable expectations center on around 75 catches, although he will pile up the yardage and is a better than-average TD source. So overall Walker is a solid number 2 WR you should feel comfortable drafting.

12. Lee Evans(Bills)

-Evans rose to stardom in 2006 with an 82 catch, 8 TD breakout. Probably the biggest home run threat in all of football, Evans had an absolutely incredible 265-yard performance in a win over the Houston Texans. The improvement of QB JP Losman further legitimizes Evans' long-term potential to succeed and I believe he could make an even bigger leap into maybe even top five status this coming season. If you're going to reach for one WR in your draft, be sure to make it this guy.

13. Andre Johnson(Texans)

-Johnson is an interesting option in fantasy circles for a number of reasons. No one doubts his ability as he led the NFL in pass receptions last season(alarm sounding point/reception players). Awesome as that total is, the only problem is that they resulted in only 5 TD's for 1,147 yards. To put it in perspective, Lee Evans of Buffalo piled up 150 more yards with 21 fewer receptions, while scoring 3 more TD's. So my point in all this is the fact that Johnson will indeed pile up receptions as he is the only legitimate top-notch receiving option on the Texan roster and if you're in the point/reception leagues, then feel free to draft him as high as round 3. Otherwise, expect a repeat in his 2006 numbers which may not yield enough points to make him worth the effort in TD heavy leagues.

14. Marques Colston(Saints)

-call me naïve, but I still need to see more before I jump on the Marques Colston bandwagon. Sure his performance last season(70 catches, 8 TD's) was truly one of the biggest out-of-nowhere breakouts in NFL history. Is it possible Colston is the biggest "Rudy" in NFL history or is he another Michael Clayton waiting to happen? I think the answer falls somewhere in between and I believe there are much safer options to choose from than Colston. Let's see him have another 2006 season before he gains our fantasy respect.

15. TJ Houshmandzadeh(Bengals)

-the other half of the Cincinnati aerial assault, Housmandzadeh showed the NFL world he was much more than a possession receiver as he out-caught his more-hyped teammate Chad Johnson(90 catches to 87). He also recorded 9 TD's to Johnson's 7. Although I believe those numbers will reverse themselves this season due to more defensive attention devoted to TJ, I still believe he can have a great season. I expect a slight decrease in his receptions(80 sounds about right) with around 7-9 TD's. Sounds like a nice pickup to me. If you drafted Chad Johnson, reach for this guy so you can feel cool that you have them both! ?

16. Darrell Jackson(49ers)

-it was an up-and-down 2006 season for Darrell Jackson as his 10 TD's were a nice bonus for fantasy owners but his 63 receptions were a disappointment. Much of the latter had to do with an injured toe that made him miss the last three games of the regular season. It seemed the Seahawks were fed up with Jackson's injuries as they allowed him to skip over to division rival San Francisco where he instantly becomes QB Alex Smith's top weapon. If he can manage to stay healthy, the still young Jackson(age 28) could have a bounce back season that includes his customary 80-plus receptions and 8-10 scores. Don't be afraid to draft him but just know he tends to always miss a game or two during the year.

17. Randy Moss(Patriots)

-the biggest NFL off-season transaction without a doubt was the gutsy call by NE to trade for mercurial receiver Randy Moss. Once the top dog at his position while with Minnesota, the star dimmed considerable on Moss during two mostly turbulent, ineffective seasons with the Oakland Raiders. Moss' petulance wore thin in the locker room and pretty soon it was apparent he was only giving half effort towards the end of last season. Now with a golden opportunity to get his big-play name back with perennial contender NE, look for Moss to be on his best behavior as he tries to coexist with the drill sergeant ways of coach Bill Belichick. Although I believe Moss' days of catching 100 passes and 12-15 TD's are long gone, I believe he still can be a big-time player with around 80 catches for 10 scores sounding about right. Of course this situation bears watching since NE traditionally spreads the balls around which may not please the greedy Moss. However I don't believe Randy will blow this opportunity to win the ring he so desperately craves. Draft him as long as you expect him to perform like a number 2 receiver instead of the 1 he used to be. Be prepared with a good backup in case he finds trouble however. Will sink or swim for you so get ready for the roller coaster ride.

18. Plaxico Burress(Giants)

-New York's big-play wideout had another good but not great season in 2006 as he scored his customary better-than-average TD's(10), while securing less than big-time reception totals(63). This makes Burress a frustrating player to own as one week he will have an 8-catch, 2 TD day and than follow it up with a 2 catch whitewash. Still in TD stressed leagues, Burress is a decent number 2 option and thus shouldn't be ignored. However try to do better before you decide to take him for your club.

19. Hines Ward(Steelers)

-a less-than stellar 2006 season began whispers that maybe the 31-year-old Ward might have lost a step. The real reason however for the seemingly lackluster totals(74 catches, 6 TD's) was the absence of QB Ben Roesthlisberger for a good portion of the year. Now fully healthy, Big Ben and Ward should be able to rediscover the chemistry they exhibited during 2004 and 2005. Although I don't foresee a blockbuster season ahead, expect Ward to improve both his reception total and TD's in 2007. Draft him as your number 2 receiver and you won't be disappointed.

20. Reggie Brown

-many fantasy owners were predicting a breakout season from Reggie Brown in 2006 but even though it might have happened, the late addition of Donte Stallworth relegated Brown to second-tier status in Philly's WR hierarchy. Now with Stallworth gone, the number 1 job is Brown's to lose. HE still put up respectable numbers last season(46 catches) and displayed a nose for the end zone(8 TD's). With coach Andy Reid historically favoring a pass-heavy offense, it is possible Brown will truly have the breakout year everyone predicted for him with it coming one year later than originally anticipated. Draft him hoping he has that breakout year and serve as your number two wideout.

21. Laveraneous Coles(Jets)

-Coles more than delighted his owners in 2006 as he hauled in a more-than-expected 91 catches and over 1,000 yards. The chemistry he had with QB Chad Pennington before he signed with the free Redskins as a free agent a few years ago was still evident and there is no reason to believe he can't put up similar numbers. When it comes to the TD department however, Coles takes a backseat to his partner Jerricho Cotchery. Coles was never a TD machine to begin with so this shouldn't negatively impact him much for those who are aware of this. You still get a nice package here and you target him as a number 2 receiver.

22. Vincent Jackson(Chargers)

-I may be guilty of over ranking this second-year player but he is 2007 potential is that good. 27 catches in 2006 don't stand out much but the 6 TD's do. With WR Keenan McCardell no longer with the club and Eric Parker being nothing more than a possession receiver, Jackson has a terrific chance of becoming the number one guy for a potentially explosive offense. QB Phillip Rivers will be that much more comfortable behind center in his second year as a starter and the deep bombs the two seemed to routinely connect on late in '06 stand a good chance of becoming a weekly trend. HE may not become a star overnight, but the TD's will cover what he lacks in the reception department. Draft as your number 3 with the potential to be a solid number 2 if things develop correctly.

23. Santana Moss(Redskins)

-after his Pro-Bowl, highlight reel 2005 season, Moss came back down to earth in '06 as he recorded only 55 catches for 6 TD's. Not what fantasy owners were expecting. Moss historically has been very inconsistent with his performances and he will alternate good games with bad ones. His ridiculous speed however will provide many big-play opportunities and thus chances for long scoring receptions. Will serve as a good number 3 wideout so make room for him and hope his Pro Bowl year's alternate.

24. Jerricho Cotchery(Jets)

-what a find this guy was in 2006 as Cotchery exhibited the talent he displayed at Louisville by grabbing 82 passes for 6 TD's. Blessed with better-than-average speed, Cotchery was the big-play threat in New York's passing attack. Heading into 2007, Cotchery has the chance to be even better and wrest the mantle from Laveranues Coles as the top man, if that hasn't happened already. Draft him if he is still available in the middle rounds for possibly a number 2 player.

25. Chris Chambers(Dolphins)

-without a doubt the biggest WR bust in 2006 as Chambers as he went from 82 catches with 10 TD's in 2005 to 59 catches for 4 Td's in 2006. The 677 yards were also unacceptable for a receiver of his ability. Some of that could be blamed on the fact the Dolphins were inept in almost every sense last season and having Joey Harrington as your QB definitely won't help you either. With veteran Trent Green on board, look for Chambers to become his new Tony Gonzalez. I think Chambers will be re-energized to play with someone of Green caliber and thus will lose the concentration lapses that caused him to drop too many easy throws in '06. Look for a rebound here with potential to get back to number 1 status if all goes smoothly. Draft him as a big bounce-back candidate.

26. Deion Branch(Seahawks)

-without a 1,000 receiving season on his resume, Branch is not someone you target until the middle rounds of your draft. In fact I am going to avoid him altogether because his inconsistency will drive a fantasy owner crazy. The former Super Bowl MVP is talented however and he will have the occasional 8-catch, 125 yard day. The problem with Branch is that his lack of height will prevent him from being a dominant wideout week in and week out. A number three wideout.

27. Terry Glenn(Cowboys)

-Glenn proved in 2006 that he is not done yet as his 70 catch, 6 TD season kept him relevant in fantasy terms. His explosive speed is still his main weapon and if he can avoid the nagging injuries that have always seemed to be a problem for him, Glenn could match last season's numbers. Risky pick but he always seems to have decent numbers at the end of the year.

28. Mark Clayton(Ravens)

-Baltimore's best receiving option for 2007 will most likely be TE Todd Heap, by third-year WR Mark Clayton stands a good chance of having a breakout year to give the Ravens a pair of vertical threats. One of the better sleeper candidates overall this preseason, Clayton has the ability and the determination to succeed. Although Baltimore is a run-first offense, look for QB Steve McNair to utilize this deep-ball pass catcher. Draft him for his potentially explosive potential.

29. Braylon Edwards(Browns)

-still waiting for Edwards to fulfill the grandiose expectations he had after being the third overall draft choice in the 2005 draft. Less than ideal workout habits and off-the-field troubles have conspired to prevent Edwards from being the 80-catch, 8 TD receiver everyone envisioned coming out of Michigan. Has tremendous speed with the ability to make the home run catch. The problem here is that weak-armed QB Charlie Frye is expected to be the starter entering the season while rookie Brady Quinn develops. Thus the long-ball will be difficult for Edwards to procure. Draft him for the possible breakout in the magical third season but don't be surprised if he lets you down again.

30. Bernard Berrian(Bears)

-Chicago's deep threat caught 6 TD's and it almost seemed like he had a deep catch just about ever week. With fellow wideout Mushin Muhammud on the downside of his career, Berrian has the chance to grab the majority of the throws from QB Rex Grossman. Will most likely prove on the 51 catches he managed last season and contribute at the very least 5 TD's. Makes a great number 3 receiver as he could ascend to number 2 status by the end of the upcoming season.

The Rest(Third WR's Only)

31. Joe Horn(Falcons)
-once a fantasy star, injuries and age have relegated Joe Horn to third WR status. His 37 catches and 4 TD's in 2006 were about what he would put up in 6 or 7 games while in his prime years so his best days are clearly behind him. He is a solid veteran however who still can make a fantasy contribution to your team so look to him as a third WR.

32. Donte' Stallworth(Patriots)

-Stallworth was looking like he was going to have a breakout 2006 season with the Eagles until more injuries set him back once again. Blessed with top-notch speed and good hands, Stallworth has everything as star WR needs to succeed. However he never can stay healthy which most likely has to do with his slight frame. Now with the NE Patriots, Stallworth is in a crowded receiving conga line with Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Kelly Washington so his overall numbers don't stand to improve much from the 38 catches and 5 TD's he recorded in 2006. Draft him since he is playing for pass-happy NE but have good backups ready for when he gets injured once again.

33. Joey Galloway(Buc's)

-one one the NFL's fastest players since entering the league out of Ohio State, Joey Galloway never fully realized the potential many foresaw for him. At the age of 35, Galloway is clearly on the downside of his career but the speed is still there which makes him somewhat appealing. The Buccaneer's QB situation is a mess however and Galloway has never been one to pile up the reception totals in his career. Pass on him unless you really are hurting for a receiver.

34. Kevin Curtis(Eagles)

-after spending some productive years with the Rams, Kevin Curtis heads east to the City Of Brotherly Love. A blue-collar receiver all the way through, Curtis uses what he has to make himself useful. Those tools include good speed with incredible hands. Picture a poor man's Ed McCaffrey who wasn't so bad. A nice player who can contribute for you in a number 3 WR capacity.

35. Greg Jennings(Packers)

-with Donald Driver seemingly being option 1 and 1A for QB Brett Favre when he goes back to throw, many failed to see the decent rookie season put up by Greg Jennings. After making a good impression in training camp, Jennings went on to record 45 catches for 3 TD's which places him in the number 3 WR vicinity. Still has room to improve so make sure you make an effort to draft him towards the end of your draft.

36. Devery Henderson(Saints)

-Henderson is another LSU receiver(read; Michael Clayton) who just hasn't made a good transition to the NFL. Has great speed but always seems to vanish for long periods of time each week. Injuries also a problem for him lately. Pass on him and see if he starts to work out his issues.

37. DJ Hackett(Seahawks)

-with WR Darrell Jackson signing with San Francisco in the off-season, DJ Hackett has a chance to further build off his solid 2006 season. 45 catches and 4 TD's in a crowded receiving corps was more than solid in fact for this youngster and more improvement is expected in 2007. Could be a good number 3 WR but more suited for number 4.

38. Ronald Curry(Raiders)

-despite only recording 1 TD, Ronald Curry had a very good 2006 season for the Oakland Raiders. Grabbing 62 passes for such a pathetic team last year makes his accomplishments much more impressive. With Randy Moss now in NE, the spotlight is all to himself and I expect solid number 3 WR numbers out of him with the chance to move up to number 2 status. If the team wasn't so bad, would have ranked him much higher. Draft him late however and bask in selecting a nice sleeper.

39. Issac Bruce(Rams)

-clearly on the downside of his career, Issac Bruce is still a solid veteran who can help your team in a pinch. One of the better route runners in the league, Bruce habitually finds the open seam in opposing defenses. The days of 90 catches and 8 TD's are long over but 70 and 4 sound reasonable. Draft him as your fourth wideout. Always a good performer in this game.

40. Mushin Muhammud(Bears)

-one the wrong side of his prime, Mushin Muhammud's days as a 10 TD force are over and never will return. HE still is a solid route runner with good hands so he has a place on your bench. Draft him as insurance and that's it.

Don't Draft

41. Derrick Mason(Ravens)

42. Santonio Holmes(Steelers)

43. Eddie Kennison(Chiefs)

44. Brandon Jones(Titans)

45. Amani Toomer(Giants)

46. Reggie Williams(Jaguars)

47. Mike Furrey(Lions)

48. Brandon Marshall(Broncos)

49. Drew Bennett(Rams)

50. Jerry Porter(Raiders)

51. Arnaz Battle(49ers)

52. Hank Baskett(Eagles)

53. Michael Jenkins(Falcons)

54. Marty Booker(Dolphins)

55. Rod Smith(Broncos)

56. Wes Welker(Patriots)

Co-founder of http://www.yourwinningpicks.com/ in our tenth year of supplying sports handicapping and fantasy sports information.

This week the reigning Super Bowl Champion New York football Giants stroll into Pittsburgh. Both teams are sporting impressive records of 5 and 1. This is a challenge for both franchises.

The first aspect to consider is this is a home game for the Steelers. So we will give them a small advantage with that. However this same Giant team has won on the road. See Super Bowl run through the playoffs of 2008 as Exhibit A.

The next factor we can consider is the schedule. Is this a trap game or a set up game? Well both teams have tough games following this one. The Steelers will head to Washington DC after the Giants and the Giants will go back home to face the Cowboys. For the Giants the Cowboy game is more daunting in that it is a division game and the Cowboys are hurting and spiraling out of control so the Giants would love to stomp on them. Also after the Cowboys the Giants will travel to another division city. They will play the Philadelphia Eagles. So I would say that the schedule effect also weighs in the Steelers advantage. The Steelers will face the Giants, Washington and then Indianapolis. All non division games.

How much any of that stuff truly matters? I have always felt that was more of a media creation. But who knows right? The fact is both of the teams are capable of reeling off 3 or more wins in a row and yet any of the next few teams they play are quite capable of beating either of them.

So what do I think will happen this week?

I see the Giants strength on offense playing into a strength of our defense. Brandon Jacobs is a beast of a running back and the Giants love to pound to him at the opposing defense. He has over 500 yards already this season and has scored 6 touchdowns. Derrick Ward has added 337 yards on 47 carries with Ahmad Bradshaw adding a modest 147 yards. The Giants backfield has piled up over 1000 yards and lead the league thus far. The Steelers defense have only yielded 418 total rushing yards against them.

This will be a crucial aspect of the game. # 1 rushing team against the #2 rushing defense! I am confident that the Steelers will contain the Giants rushing attack. If they plan on winning they will have to.

When the Giants throw the ball they have been reasonably successful. They are ranked #11 in passing offense. The Steelers are leading the league in passing defense. So here we have #11 throwing the ball facing the #1 passing defense.

In fact this week the Steelers took over the #1 ranking in overall defense in the NFL from the Baltimore Ravens. The Giants are presently the #7 overall ranked offense however. But I am confident that the Steelers will continue their defensive dominance at home against the Giants.

It is important however to consider part of the Giants identity in their Super Bowl run last season was their own dominant defense. In fact they baffled the Patriots in the Super Bowl. This season so far the Giants are ranked #4 overall as a defense.

So Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Bruce Arians needs to devise a good game plan of his own. Preferably one that doesn't include Ben Roethlisberger eating grass or being browbeaten. In this match-up we have Pittsburgh the #25 overall NFL offense against the #4 ranked defense. Advantage Giants.

Clearly the injuries to Willie Parker have led to an unusually modest rushing attack from the Steelers this year. They are ranked an unimpressive #22 with 656 total yards from their backfield. However in the last 2 weeks Mewelde Moore has stepped up and added 219 yards to that total. Hopefully that is a sign of re-establishing their running presence. They will have to step up against the #5 ranked Giants rushing defense.

Ben Roethlisberger has a respectable 98.1 QB rating and is completing a nice 63 % of his passes and lately Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington have been complementing Hines ward very nicely as wide outs. But the Steelers are still a pedestrian #21 ranked passing offense. They are facing the #11 ranked passing defense.

These numbers thus far should be digested with the knowledge that so far the Steelers have played against 3 teams at 3 wins and 3 losses in Philly, Jacksonville and Baltimore and a Houston team that is 2 and 4. The Giants have faced a 5 and 2 Washington, a 2 and 4 St. Louis, a 2 and 5 San Francisco, and a 1 and 5 Seattle. Both teams have faced the 2 and 4 Cleveland Browns and each had an extra bye week against the 0 for 7 Cincinnati Bengals.

In the end I am hedging toward a Pittsburgh win. Losing to the Giants is clearly possible but I think the Steelers pull this one out at home.

That means I am presuming that Moore will continue to have run production and that if Wille Parker goes he may add a spark. I also am banking on no turnovers from Pittsburgh and praying for 2 from the Giants. I think that Ben will get 3 shots downfield and will hit one deep. It is also assumed by me that the defense will remain #1 for another week.

Pittsburgh 17 NY Giants 15

The injury list is as follows as of Thursday 10/23. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has McFadden out for 5 weeks.

Keyaron Fox LB Hamstring Did Not Participate In Practice --
Bryant McFadden CB Forearm Did Not Participate In Practice --
Marvel Smith T Back Did Not Participate In Practice --
Aaron Smith DE Not Injury Related Did Not Participate In Practice --
Najeh Davenport RB Not Injury Related Full Participation in Practice --
Brett Keisel DE Not Injury Related Full Participation in Practice --
Deshea Townsend CB Not Injury Related Full Participation in Practice --
Hines Ward WR Not Injury Related Full Participation in Practice --
Willie Parker RB Knee Limited Participation in Practice --
Plaxico Burress WR Shoulder Did Not Participate In Practice --
Gerris Wilkinson LB Knee Did Not Participate In Practice --
Antonio Pierce LB Quadricep Full Participation in Practice --
David Diehl T Back Limited Participation in Practice --

Andy is a blogger for http://www.Steelermaniacs.com which is a Pittsburgh Steeler's fansite where fans can read Steeler's news, join discussions, play in our flash arcade, shop, and much more.

After watching the Steelers take the ball down and score on their opening drive I was sure we were going to win. The Steelers moved the ball into the red zone like a well-oiled machine and they actually scored a touch down and not a wimpy field goal. The only problem after scoring the td was that we had to kick the ball to the Jags and that meant our horrible kick coverage unit would be tasked with stopping Jones-Drew!

The team kicked the ball away and just as I had feared, Jones-Drew ran up the middle like an indy car on a straightaway. Got to give props to Madison who showed some speed when he ran down Jones-Drew at the 1-yard line. How about kicking the ball high enough to give the coverage unit enough time to get down field to be in position to make a tackle? The special teams has been killing us all year long and they killed us early in the playoff game.

By the end of the 1st half the team was down 21-7 and the deficit was the result of 3 Ben Roethlisberger interceptions. In my opinion, all 3 interceptions were bad throws, including the one thrown to the defensive lineman. It looked as though Ben was trying to do too much and he made some bad throws which were easy picks.

At the end of the half the Steeler's had 3 interceptions and 3 punts. The positives were we had an 80 yard scoring drive and our defense had held the Jags to only 118 total yards and they were containing Fred Taylor. Even though we were down by 14 points I felt good about our chances in the 2nd half.

I felt the offense needed to come out in the 2nd half and completely abandon the running game. Davenport was not effective and he obviously is not going to fill the shoes of Willie Parker. Davenport is a short-yardage brut but we can't use him in the role of an every down back. The defense had to keep playing the way they had in the 1st half and if we stopped throwing int's, we had a chance in the game.

During the 2nd half they showed a stat that said Big Ben was either #1 or #2 in the league in 4th quarter come back wins. I was just worried that Ben might have been rattled after throwing 3 awful picks. I was also concerned that our special teams could give up more big plays which would hurt our chances.

The Jags get the ball in the 3rd quarter and Harrison intercepts Garrard's pass at the Jag's 45 yard-line. That was just what the doctor ordered, a Jag's interception. The problem is that after the interception we drive to the 10 yard line where we have to kick a field goal. I'm tired of field goals! When we are on the 10 yard-line we need touch downs, not field goals. Now the score is 21-10 when it could have been 21-14 if we had scored a td.

The Steeler's kick the ball to the Jags who muff the catch at the 18 yard-line. We have the Jags deep in their own territory so now all we have to do is force them to punt and we will get good field position. On 2nd and 7 we sack Garrard for a 5-yard loss but Ike Taylor gets flagged for a bone head face mask penalty! That penalty was a killer. The Jags then drive down and score, making it 28-10.

With a little over 4-minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter, the Steeler's start with the ball on their 31 yard-line. Big Ben engineers a solid 10-play 69 yard drive that results in a td pass to Santonio Holmes. The score is now 28-17 and I am feeling better. The Jags get the ball back but we hold them and they punt. Now were playing solid football. The offense is scoring and the defense is shutting down the opponents offense.

Big Ben engineers another solid drive where he throws a td to Heath Miller. The score is now 28-23. Tomlin elects to go for a 2-point conversion which is converted on a Hines Ward catch at the back of the end zone.

The 2-point conversions is negated because of offensive holding. What a waste of a nice 2-point conversion pass play because of a holding penalty. We try the 2-point conversion again and we fail! I thought we should have kicked the field goal after the holding penalty but I'm not the coach.

The Jags get the ball back and on 2nd down Garrard is intercepted again by Ike Taylor. I believe Garrard only threw 3 picks all year and he had thrown 2 in the game. Taylor showed some nice moves and speed as he returned the pick to the Jags 16 yard-line. Now we're in business!

Big Ben drives us down to the 1 yard-line and Davenport come through with a td run. Holy Cow! Now we are winning 29-28. All we have to do is convert a 2-point conversion and we will be up by 3. Ben throws incomplete to Washington and the score remains 29-28. I felt real good because we were up by 1 point and our defense was playing solid. This game was our's!

We kick the ball to the Jags with a little over 6-minutes left in the game and our defense comes through by holding the Jags to 1 first down. The key play here was on 3rd and 7, Garrard is sacked by Woodley as he drops back to pass. Nice defense! The Jags are forced to punt.

This is where I have a problem with the play calling by the Steelers. We get the ball back with just under 4 minutes remaining in the game and all we need is a couple 1st downs and we win. This is a playoff game and if we lose our season is done. We are up by a meager 1 point! A field goal by the Jags wins the game so we must ensure that they do not get the ball back at any more. We have been moving the ball rather well in the 2nd half so it should be no problem to get a couple of first downs or drive down and score again.

On 1st down we run Davenport to the right for 5 yards. On 2nd down we run Davenport to the left for -1 yards. I am ok with running the ball on 1st and 2nd downs because there is less of a chance for a turnover. It's 3rd and 6 and I feel our chances of converting are superb. Ben gets in the shotgun formation and when the ball snaps he runs to the left for 1 yard. Why on earth did we run Big Ben from the shotgun against the Jags defense that stuffs the run? Hines Ward is almost a guarantee to convert the ball for us on 3rd and 6.

The Steelers punt the ball and it goes 40 yards where it is fielded and returned to midfield. Great! 2 1/2 minutes left in the game and the Jags have the ball at midfield. Our defense had been playing good so I thought we had a good chance of stopping the Jags. Garrard killed us on this drive when he ran for 32 yards on 4th and 2. A 32 yard quarterback scramble on 4th and 2 is a punch in the face and I felt it sitting on my couch.

A couple of Jones-Drew runs and it was time for a game winning field goal with 40 seconds left in regulation. J.Scobee kicked a 25-yard field goal to make it 31-29. This sucks! We still have a slight chance because we get the ball back with 29 seconds and anything can happen. The Jags kick the ball to us and Navenport takes it to the 28 yard-line. A couple nice passes and we have a chance at our own game winning field goal.

Ben lines up in the shotgun and when he takes the snap he fumbles the ball when he is sacked. The game end on a sack and fumble! Horrible! I had visions of 2 deep passes and then a Jeff Reed game winning field goal attempt. I would have been ok if we had gotten Reed an attempt to kick the game winner and he had missed.

Author is the webmaster for the Steelers fansite at http://www.SteelerManiacs.com where fans can blog, join discussions, play games, and much more

Last season was a dream one for Bill Cowher, the Pittsburgh Steelers and all the fans in the Steel City. Because in 2005, the Steelers finally did win one for the thumb.

Led by a second year quarterback, the Steelers became the first team to win three playoff games on the road and the first sixth-seeded, wild card team to capture a Super Bowl. It was the fifth Super Bowl championship in team history, placing Pittsburgh in a tie with Dallas and San Francisco.

But that's the recent past. Now a new season is dawning and the question on the minds of football fans everywhere is, can the Steelers repeat in 2006?

Offense: Of course the big concern is with Ben Roethlisberger and how he recovers from a June motorcycle accident that broke his jaw and caused numerous facial injuries.

He won't be available for training camp and he'll probably miss the beginning of the regular season. Will his timing, conditioning and strength be seriously lacking when he's finally ready to go? The answer to that question will determine how well Pittsburgh fares in 2006.

After taking the team to the championship game in 2005, Roethlisberger did one better last year, becoming only the second player in NFL history to win a Super Bowl in his second year (the other was Kurt Warner for the Rams in 1999). The key to his success is he plays within offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt's scheme and makes few mistakes. If he can't go to begin the season, veteran Charlie Batch will start.

The running game is solid but 'The Bus' will be missed. Jerome Bettis retired after 13 seasons and will take his 13,662 yards and 94 touchdowns into Canton very soon. His leadership and motivational skills were a big part of Pittsburgh's success. Undrafted free agent Willie Parker shocked everyone last season by winning the job in training camp and rushing for 1,202 yards and four scores. Duce Staley and Verron Haynes are capable backups. Dan Kreider is a blistering blocker at fullback.

Hines Ward (69-975-11) returns after another solid season but Antwaan Randle-El left via free agency and that created a big void for the Steelers to fill. Not only was he a solid number two receiver, but he was deadly on special teams as well. Cedrick Wilson (26-487), Quincy Morgan and top draft pick Santonio Holmes, (if he can stay out of trouble), will battle for the number two slot. No matter who wins the job, Ward better be ready for a lot of double teams this season.

Heath Miller had an excellent rookie year at tight end, grabbing 39 receptions for 459 yards and six touchdowns. He's a real weapon and will only get better with more experience. Jerame Tuman is a capable backup.

The starting line is one of the best in football and returns all five starters for 2006. Center Jeff Hartings and guard Alan Faneca, both All-Pro performers, anchor the offensive line. Guard Kendall Simmons and tackles Marvel Smith and Max Starks make up the rest of the starting unit. Barrett Brooks, Trai Essex and Chris Kemoeatu are solid reserves.

Defense: The real strength of the Pittsburgh Steelers is on the defensive side and that should be the case once again. Nine starters return from a unit that gave up only 16 points per game and finished fourth in the NFL in total defense.

Casey Hampton mans the nose and is a run stuffing disturbance at nose tackle. Aaron Smith is at one defensive end spot, while Travis Kirschke replaces departed Kimo Von Oelhoffen at the other end position. Rookie Orien Harris, Brett Keisel, Chris Hoke and Rodney Bailey will see time as well.

The Steelers have arguably the best linebackers in the NFL and they'll be counted on once again to lead the defense. All-Pro Joey Porter (57 tackles, 11 sacks) and Clark Haggans (61 tackles, nine sacks) are a force on the outside, while James Farrior (121 tackles) and Larry Foote (101 tackles) are just as disruptive on the inside. James Harrison, Clint Kriewaldt and Rian Wallace provide depth.

When you speak of the Pittsburgh secondary one name leaps out. That name is Troy Polamalu. The hard-hitting, long-haired bruiser is very quickly becoming the most dominant safety in the league. He's a Ronnie Lot type with a motor that never quits. Free agent Ryan Clark (57 tackles, three picks) moves into the free safety spot. Mike Logan, Tyrone Carter and rookie Anthony Smith will also see action.

Chris Hope took his 97 tackles and three interceptions to the Tennessee Titans, but the Steelers still have Ike Taylor (84 tackles), Deshea Townsend, Bryant McFadden and Ricardo Colclough at cornerback. Taylor and Townsend are the most likely starters.

Special Teams: The Steelers special teams took a blow with Randle-El leaving, but one area that's strong is the kicking game. Jeff Reed (117 points, 24-29 field goals and 37-37 extra points) and Chris Gardocki (41.8 average) both return. Morgan (25.3) and Colclough (21.5) are the kick returners and Taylor is the likely candidate to step in for Randle-El.

Outlook: It all depends on Ben Roethlisberger's health and recovery time. If he comes back at full strength without any ill effects, the Steelers have all the pieces in place for another Super Bowl run. A solid running game, a powerful offensive line and a great defense are the cornerstones of championship teams and Pittsburgh has all three of those facets in spades. This team is not as good as last years though. Bettis, Randle-El, Von Oelhoffen and Hope are big losses, but the Steelers have the experience, talent and coaching staff to overcome the losses.

Prediction: A healthy Roethlisberger means the Steelers will challenge for the AFC crown and the Super Bowl. Look for them to go deep in the playoffs. Pittsburgh will go 11-5 or 12-4, if and only if, Big Ben can bounce back to form.

Brian Carson is a writer and sports fanatic who, along with a select group of coaches has created the ultimate multimedia guide to coaching youth football at http://www.pigskinplaybooks.com To read more football articles go to http://carcorner.blogspot.com/

It's week 6 in the NFL and the Steelers have a bye. Going into a bye and being 4-1 is fantastic for the Steelers who need the extra time off for Hines Ward and Troy Polomalu to heal up. Were playing great on both sides of the ball right now and getting Ward and Polomalu back will make us that much better.

Let's take a look at the AFC picture at this point in the season. The Steelers are the top dawgs in the north division at 4-1 and they are 2-0 in the conference which is huge. NFL teams have to win there conference games. Baltimore is on our heels at 3-2 and they are 1-2 in the conference. Cleveland is 2-3 and the Bengals are 1-3.

New England is on top of the AFC East at 5-0 and they look tough again this year. I figured the Patriots getting caught cheating would have put a damper on their winning. The Colts are 1st in the AFC South at 5-0 just like the Patriots. I think the Colts look weaker than the Patriots and I look form them to lose a game before the Patriots.

The AFC West is comical with the Raiders on top at 2-2 and all the other teams are tied for 2nd at 2-3. I truly believe that the Patriots, Colts, and Steelers are the only heavy weights in the AFC this year. I know things can change on the fly and a team like Tennessee could emerge as a contender in the next few weeks. As a Steeler fan I don't care about the NFC standings because it does not affect us.

The week 6 game that is huge for the Steelers is the Patriots - Cowboys game on Sunday afternoon. We want the Cowboys (who we despise) to knock off the Pats so we can hang with them in the overall AFC standings. I'm always thinking playoffs and a first round bye at the end of the season. The Cowboys - Pats game should be a wild one and I will be tuning in to watch. Lucky for me, I have the NFL package and I get all the NFL games each week in my home! That way I never miss a Steeler game and I get to watch all the big time match ups like the Cowboys-Pats game on Sunday.

The Steelers have the #1 ranked NFL defense by giving up 9.4 points per game. The Defense is giving up 72 rushing yards per game and 163 passing yards per game. These stats tell me that we have a one damn stingy defense right now and we need to maintain this level from here on out! The stats for the Steelers offense are not as impressive as the defense but they are solid.

We are the 6th ranked offense averaging 26.4 points per game. The stat that astounds me is that we are averaging 167 rushing yards per game! The only team that has more rushing yards per game is the Oakland Raiders at 194 yards per game. We are only averaging 184 passing yards per game but when you run the ball effectively you don't have to throw a lot.

The stats show that the Steelers are playing tough defense and the offense is pounding the ball with an effective running game. Our running game is keeping the opposing teams defenses on the field for extended periods of time and our swarming defense is holding opponents to very few points.

I know it's early in the season my fellow Steeler fans but you have to be jacked up by what we've done so far. It looks as though Mike Tomlin is the real deal and the players are motivated and well coached and the game plans are sound. I still miss seeing Cowher's jaw on the sideline but Tomlin and his winning ways are growing on me.

Pray to the football gods that the Pats get spanked by the Cowboys and the Colts have a lousy bye-week!

It is technically accurate to say the Steelers would benefit from out-ramming the Rams, but not to say they need to "out-Ram" them to win. That's enough of that.

Will the Steelers be able to contain, "Saint" Steven Jackson?

The Steelers need to take advantage of St. Louis' banged up offensive line, if there was ever a remedy for a defense having trouble getting off of blocks and getting to the quarterback, it's playing the Steelers, I mean the Rams, sorry. Lamar Woodley will play in place of the injured Clark Haggans. Let's hope the rookie can add some energy and intensity to the lethargic defense. Tyrone Carter is playing for Anthony Smith who has been benched after getting beat deep several times in the last two games. Carter should help sure up the pass defense, normally Polamalu's backup at strong safety, Carter has played free safety with Minnesota. I expect him to play a solid if unspectacular game, he's not the risk taker Smith is which makes him a good compliment to the aggressive.

I am certain ANthony Smith will be make a sweet tackle on special teams and break into a frenzied, chest-thumping celebration, possibly drawing a penalty.

A win tonight would clinch a playoff spot for Pittsburgh if either Cleveland or Tennessee lose.

There is a tangible sense of urgency for the Steelers going into the game tonight. It's disappointing that Pittsburgh has let things slide so far since beating the Browns-Reprise for the second time this season to take a three game lead on Cleveland.

The 3rd seed in the AFC appeared to be locked up when the Steelers held a 9-3 record and it's as if the team relaxed. St Louis' defense is spotty, their quarterback is injury prone and the Rams have only won 3 games this season. However, the offense of Jackson, Bruce, Holt, and Bulger has big play capability, and the Steelers defense needs to reestablish itself as a unit that can tackle. The Rams offense is the last big test of the regular season, aside from stopping Willis Magahee in Baltimore. If the defense has a chance to right itself, stopping the Rams tonight is a big the first step, the way the D responds to being pounded on last week will be indicative of how the rest of the season goes, and how long the team will last in the hopefully forthcoming post-season. The Rams will run Steven Jackson right over Aaron Smith's replacement. Someone needs to tackle him, or ram him backwards and into the ground. When the Steelers start bringing an extra guy into the box, the Rams will try to throw. It's fortunate for Pittsburgh that the Ram's line is in shambles.

The Rams will blitz. Will the Steelers line block? Where has the screen pass gone? Throw it to Heath Miller and Parker out of the backfield to counter the blitz.

Lost in the carnage of Fred Taylor's snow plow game last week was Ben Roethlisberger's record setting performance, Roethlisberger, who was recently elected to his first Pro Bowl, has set the Steelers single season record for TD passes with 29.

Check out any of the various media outlets for Roethlisberger's response when asked about the record and compare them to Hines Ward's self indulgent rant when he responded to questions about what it meant to him to break Stallworth's TD reception record. Ward talks about humility, Roethlisberger is humble.

How lucky are the Steelers and we as Steelers fans, to have a quarterback like Roethlisberger playing for Pittsburgh. In four years he has become the youngest QB to win a Super Bowl, gone undefeated as a starter in his first regular season, and set the franchise's single season TD record, he has twice tied the team record for consecutive completions with 15. He threw 3 td's last week with a shoulder injury which limited him to one day of practice in the week prior to the game. Remember when Steelers fans were complaining about the team taking Plax instead of Chad Pennington? Seems like eons ago.

I can see this turning into a shoot-out in the dome.

I'll predict the same final as the Steelers Rams matchup in Super Bowl XIV

Steelers 31, Rams 19

Blogger at the ultimate Pittsburgh Steeler's fansite at http://www.SteelerManiacs.com