stillers4me
12-30-2012, 10:30 AM
The Steelers will not make the playoffs for some obvious reasons -- late-game interceptions, too few sacks, too few takeaways, too many dropped passes, too many fumbles and an offense that never lived up to expectations. • What cost the Steelers most dearly in 2012 trumps all that -- injuries, even though no self-respecting player or coach will use them as an excuse for their 7-8 record.
• • • •
Nevertheless, the facts are the Steelers will have lost 78 starts, because another starter has joined the sidelined for what may be his final Steelers game, Mike Wallace today against Cleveland. That's an average of nearly five starters lost per game.
They weren't just any players either. They affected some of their best, including two former NFL defensive players of the year. Troy Polamalu missed nine games with an Achilles injury that held him back in other games he did play. James Harrison missed the first three games with a knee injury and hasn't been right most of the season because of it.
They are on their third offensive right tackle, rookie Kelvin Beachum, a seventh-round draft pick. LaMarr Woodley missed four games and he too hasn't been the same in many he has played. Ike Taylor will miss his fourth game because of a hairline fracture of his ankle.
The 78 lost starts affect 15 players.
Dick LeBeau has played and coached in the NFL for more than 50 years, and he acknowledged the number of injuries to starters this season are high.............
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/everybody-hurts-668390/#ixzz2GYMuxsfj
• • • •
Nevertheless, the facts are the Steelers will have lost 78 starts, because another starter has joined the sidelined for what may be his final Steelers game, Mike Wallace today against Cleveland. That's an average of nearly five starters lost per game.
They weren't just any players either. They affected some of their best, including two former NFL defensive players of the year. Troy Polamalu missed nine games with an Achilles injury that held him back in other games he did play. James Harrison missed the first three games with a knee injury and hasn't been right most of the season because of it.
They are on their third offensive right tackle, rookie Kelvin Beachum, a seventh-round draft pick. LaMarr Woodley missed four games and he too hasn't been the same in many he has played. Ike Taylor will miss his fourth game because of a hairline fracture of his ankle.
The 78 lost starts affect 15 players.
Dick LeBeau has played and coached in the NFL for more than 50 years, and he acknowledged the number of injuries to starters this season are high.............
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/everybody-hurts-668390/#ixzz2GYMuxsfj