Pittsburgh - The Inside Scoop

[NYBengalfan]

hell I got that same feeling too..........ahh maybe it was gas......nah the Bengals will Roar sunday!!!!!!!!!!

[duus]

Morning sports radio show:

* It's Friday, but the big talk is still about 1) Maddox (and that the yard trashing may not have happened ... I smell 'media cleanup' in the Socialist Republic known as Steeler Nation), and 2) the winless Penguins. So what about this football game thing on Sunday, guys?

[duus]

Adam Meyer (www.adamwins.com) joined the show with his picks, as he does every Friday:

* "They haven't played a team as strong as the Steelers. I like the Steelers running game. The Bengals will keep it close. I look for Pittsburgh to flex it's muscle and win this game outright."

And the two local guys gave their pick as well:

"I'm taking Cincinnati over the Steelers. TJ practiced yesterday and that gives them a second weapon."

"I'm worried about the banged up secondary for the Steelers. I just can't go against the Steelers. Cowher wins games you think he should lose, so straight-up, I take the Steelers."

[duus]

* Hoge (from yesterday) - "Bar none, Palmer is the best qb in the nfl."

* Some guy (Mark Kernuit? or something) from Cincinnati Enquirer:

"You can't deny what Palmer has done. He has really improved."

"They have played some good defenses."

"Perry is deceivingly large. He's got feet like a ballet dancer. They hit with a one-two punch."

"If you are going to double Chad, then TJ is a very disciplined route runner and real good on 3rd down. He gives them that experience and is always in the right spot. At the same time, Chris Henry gives them almost a Burress spot at 6'4". They are very well coached and the whole thing is working well together."

"The biggest thing that has happened on defense is that they have simplified the whole thing a bit. The thing Marvin really likes is takeaways. They have been able to get alot of interceptions and the ability to knock the ball loose. They have a little bit of swagger and personality."

"Marvin has emphasized to Bengal fans to not sell their tickets to Steeler fans. What you've got now is a very good football team. The quality and the excitement has people hanging onto their tickets."

[Stripes]

"I'm taking Cincinnati over the Steelers. TJ practiced yesterday and that gives them a second weapon."

Woohoo!!!!

[jjakq27]

* Hoge (from yesterday) -

* Some guy (Mark Kernuit? or something) from Cincinnati Enquirer:

"You can't deny what Palmer has done. He has really improved.".......

Mark Curnutte is the Bengals beat writer for the Enquirer.

Great stuff this week duus. We are going to start calling you the Mole.

[duus]

Funny stuff ... Hope and Smith (Steelers defense) are complaining that the refs are 'looking closer at them' because they are known to be so physical. In fact, Hope also mentioned that so many teams say they will not be 'out-physicaled' by the Steelers, but they always end up being so. It's just that now the refs are looking closer at the Steelers because of this.

(I feel like I'm going to cry)

[AMC]

"I'm taking Cincinnati over the Steelers. TJ practiced yesterday and that gives them a second weapon."

Woohoo!!!!

TJ a second weapon? Lets see: CJ, Perry, TJ, Rudi, Palmer, Henry, JJ, KW, Walter....Not to mention weapons on D: Odell, Deltha, Tory, Keiwan....

Could say I like our "big-play potential"!!!!!

I am getting worked-up big time! Wish the game was NOW. I think you will see a Bengals team like none other sunday. Don't know if the Steelers know exactly what is about to happen to them. There is just such a build-up of energy that is unbelievable....

[skyline]

"I'm taking Cincinnati over the Steelers. TJ practiced yesterday and that gives them a second weapon."

Woohoo!!!!

TJ a second weapon? Lets see: CJ, Perry, TJ, Rudi, Palmer, Henry, JJ, KW, Walter....Not to mention weapons on D: Odell, Deltha, Tory, Keiwan....

Haha, yeah. That was the first thing that crossed my mind as well

[AMC]

* Hoge (from yesterday) -

* Some guy (Mark Kernuit? or something) from Cincinnati Enquirer:

"You can't deny what Palmer has done. He has really improved.".......

Mark Curnutte is the Bengals beat writer for the Enquirer.

Great stuff this week duus. We are going to start calling you the Mole.

We need to send duus, from city to city the week before the game to infiltrate behind enemy lines.

[Stripes]

We need to send duus, from city to city the week before the game to infiltrate behind enemy lines.

I like your thinking. We all can fund it, chip in boys. It's for your weekly fix of Bengals information, from the other side!

[bengalindian]

I concur with AMC. Also, why would we not expect the Pittsburgh writers to pick the Squeelers? We're picking the Bengals all the way, but atleast we KNOW what we're talking about.

[duus]

MM opened his afternoon show stating that he feels that the Steelers and Steelers fans are not concerned about this game and expecting a win. He also said he feels that the Bengals and their fans are taking this seriously and focused on the game. He is asking why this is and shouldn't they be more concerned about a team with this kind of offense.

He went on to say, "this feels like a Steeler win."

Townsend and Haggans practiced today and might play Sunday, although neither will probably be at 100%. MM questioned whether either could "really play as opposed to just filling uniforms."

MM said he thinks the Bengals are getting the turnovers "with mirrors, hypnosis, I don't know what."

Caller - "Who have they ever beaten?"

Caller - "They haven't been able to stop the run or run the ball against us."

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Hoge called Carson the best QB in the League? Wow, what a compliment from a former Steeler!

[duus]

Caller recalls the Kitna game where the Bengals threw the ball all over the place. He says if they do that, with the Steelers injuries, they "just might win the game." MM replies "you would make a pretty good coach" and goes on to suggest that that would be the thing that just might work.

Hmmm ... I think we are all in agreement there!

Also, some 'insight' from our friends at Stillers.com:

While this Sunday’s game may seem like a must win for the Steelers, I believe it is more so for the Bengals. I think a loss on Sunday, especially if the Steelers come into Cincy and pound the crap out of the Bengals, puts just a little doubt into the minds of the Bengals that maybe they aren’t as good as the Steelers, as usual. Cincinnati is vs Pittsburgh, vs Green Bay, at Baltimore, bye week, then Indy. A loss Sunday and I think it is entirely possible the Bengals lose a bunch in a row. A loss on Sunday is not the end of the season for the Steelers. You got to think that the four games against the NFC North are wins. The Steelers are at Cincy, Baltimore, at Green Bay, Cleveland, and at Baltimore. Steelers could be, should be, 8-2 heading into game against Colts.

More injury news just in ...

Aaron Smith downgraded to Questionable

Ward practices and is upgraded to Probable

Townsend practiced and said he will play.

Haggans practiced and said he will be a gametime decision.

No word on Colclough.

Word still has it that it will either be Townsend on Johnson, with Ike Taylor on the other side, or Ike on Johnson, with McFadden on the other side.

[duus]

Interview with beat writer Ed Beuchette:

On and on and on about Tommy Maddox and his lawn and is it true or not and is his agent truthful ... blah blah blah ... why in the world is this important!!!!

"They will probably play some cover 2, with one of the safeties having to help out with Chad Johnson."

"The story is that Ike Taylor will probably flip flop from side to side just to shadow Chad Johnson." (this is very unlike what the Steelers do as they pretty much keep guys on one side. The last to really be known to do this was Woodson)

"He (Haggans) is not going to play (even though he is practicing)."

"They (Bengals) are well-balanced on offense. They have a nice line."

"They (Steelers) very much should be going into this game thinking they need to run the ball."

About the Bengals turnovers ... "You have to attribute much of that to luck."

"I think they (Bengals) will go after him (Ben). They think they can beat the tackles."

"He (Ben) looks ok in practice, but until he has to really plant you may not know. There is no limping. I think he is as close to 100% if not there."

"If the Steelers lose this game, can they still win the AFC North?" ... "No."

[jjakq27]

MM opened his afternoon show stating that he feels that the Steelers and Steelers fans are not concerned about this game and expecting a win. He also said he feels that the Bengals and their fans are taking this seriously and focused on the game. He is asking why this is and shouldn't they be more concerned about a team with this kind of offense.

He went on to say, "this feels like a Steeler win."

Townsend and Haggans practiced today and might play Sunday, although neither will probably be at 100%. MM questioned whether either could "really play as opposed to just filling uniforms."

MM said he thinks the Bengals are getting the turnovers "with mirrors, hypnosis, I don't know what."

Caller - "Who have they ever beaten?"

Caller - "They haven't been able to stop the run or run the ball against us."

As long as I can yell "SCOREBOARD" after the game I really don't care if they score 50 points (See Cleveland @ Cincinnati, 2004).

I also want someone to kick James Farrior in the ass when he does that "faux" butt-kick thing after a tackle. Perhaps when Bobbi Williams pancakes him Bobby can get up and do the kick.

[Columbusbengal]

Morning sports radio show:

* It's Friday, but the big talk is still about 1) Maddox (and that the yard trashing may not have happened ... I smell 'media cleanup' in the Socialist Republic known as Steeler Nation), and 2) the winless Penguins. So what about this football game thing on Sunday, guys?

Oh well, things aren't much better in Cincy. Andy Furman spent the whole time talking about whether the pat down is to save money on concessions, whether Kentucky high school sports should be split between parochial and public schools, and interviewing two former Cincy Reds about their 15 year World Series team reunion (or something like that). I listened two hours without hearing a thing about the game.

[schweinhart]

Lotta great insight into the Steelers situation on this thread.

McFadden is a solid CB w/ some height, who matches up well K-Dub or Walter but should have problems w/ either Housh or Henry -- especially Housh who should be able to use his experience to get better separation. It'd be nice if Housh plays, but the Bengals should be able to get it done w/o him if they have to because the Steelers look like the walking wounded at CB w/ Willie Williams also questionable.

I hate to say it but Chad is in store for about the most physical game he's had. He'll likely to run his share of slants and crosses that will expose him to hits from Hope but they got to keep Polamalu from cheating up as much as possible vs. both run and pass on blitz. Still, Chad should have no problem getting open all day long. It'll just be a lot of 10-15 yd stuff mixed in w/ a deep shot or two and a few quick outs to try to get him free for YAC. I'll say he gets 9-125 w/ 2 TDs.

[duus]

They're flexing their muscles ... and want to us fight, scratch, and claw ...

Flexing Their Muscles

Again ... I am so very much hoping we don't play the game they want.

[bengalindian]

I think they need to run to set up the pass. Get Polamalu to come up to stop the run, and have Chad burn him over the top. No single CB in this league can cover Chad one on one, and if you can distract the safety, it'll be Chad all day. I think that's why they need Housh to play, because he's soooo good at getting the safety to take one bad step. Since TJ has been out Chad hasn't really had the deep ball, and I think there is a direct correlation between the two.

Keep it coming duus.

[duus]

Ward and Randle El are expected to play, but Wilson is likely out ... as if he has absolutely any value anyway (I really think this guy is no more than a hindrance to them anyway). My expectation is that you will see everyone play except the following:

CB Townsend

DE A Smith

CB Colclough

R Wilson

[duus]

Key matchups, according to Pittsburgh:

Key Matchups

[duus]

From another Steeler site:

Top Ten Game Time Thoughts On The Minds of Bengal Players

10. "Ah, crap it's Polamalu again!"

9. "I wish Tommy Maddox was playing"

8. "Ward is 10-times better than last week"

7. "I thought their O-Line was soft"

6. "Ah, crap it's Polamalu again!!"

5. "Chidi I what a?"

4. "They throw to their tight end now?"

3. "That bus still has wheels"

2. "There's too many Steeler fans here"

1. "Chad Johnson's getting used today"

[duus]

I have found it basically impossible to get up-to-date information regarding any of the Steeler players for tomorrow. I suspect you won't hear anything definitive until 1 hour before game time, which is the league rule. Let me just say, if 3 or 4 players end up 'out' (i.e. A Smith, Townsend, Colclough, and Haggans ... all of which I'm betting are out), I will be furious!!! The Steelers organization (and Cowher in particular) continue to be allowed to provide 'mis-information' every week, just to keep the other team on their heals. They were fined for this a few years back, yet they continue to do this. I really think there should be a limit as to the number of guys that are permitted to go from Questionable to Out right at gametime. Make a note right now ... see what happens. Then when 4 or 5 players are out ... scream and yell, and maybe, just maybe, the league might hear us and stop this non-sense once again. All I want is for this arrogant organization to abide by the same rules that everyone else willingly does.