Steelers Morning Huddle 10/17/2013
By Kim Myers
Huddle up!
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Steelers began their preparations on the South Side yesterday to meet their divisional rival Ravens on Sunday afternoon in a must-win game for both teams. It’s a little more must-win for the Steelers because they’re trying to make sure the rest of their season is relevant as well as beat those dirty, stinkin Ratbirds! Here’s what’s being said about your Pittsburgh Steelers around the block.
QB Watch on Roethlisberger
ESPN’s Scott Brown broke down the Steelers quarterback from the past week and looks forward to the game against the Ravens. Clearly Ben played his best game to date for 2013 on Sunday when he threw for 264 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions against the Jets. Roethlisberger won’t have to worry about the likes of Ray Lewis or Ed Reed harassing his offense on Sunday but will still need to keep an eye out for Terrell Suggs, who’s presence on the field for opposing quarterbacks is only slightly less scary that the sight of him on the sidelines without his helmet on. Yikes. Ben is closing in on a career milestone with the Steelers as he needs just three touchdown passes to join Terry Bradshaw as the only Steelers quarterbacks to throw 200 career tds. It’s a little lofty to think that the offense will go from four field goals and one touchdown in their first win to the possibility of three passing touchdowns by Ben for the next game but I like the optimism. Brown also adds that statistically speaking, this is a favorable matchup for Ben, just as long as he stays vertical long enough to get the ball off.
Steelers players bring warmth
The Steelers took time out on Tuesday to participate in a long-standing charity tradition the organization has going on with kids from the Salvation Army in the Homewood-Brushton area of Pittsburgh for Project Bundle-Up. The program involves Steelers players taking kids shopping for winter outerwear and was started by Patricia Rooney, wife of Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney, 28 years ago. The kids arrived at Macy’s at Ross Park Mall according to Teresa Varley, and didn’t know exactly what was in store for them but erupted in cheers once they saw the players.
"“Coming here and spending time with the kids is great. They really enjoy it and so do I. I love being a part of it. Plus the excitement of giving back, putting smiles on their faces, it’s special.” – Maurkice Pouncey"
Max Starks is ready for the call if it comes
We already know that the Steelers aren’t signing a tackle this week to replace the injured Levi Brown but former Steelers LT Max Starks joined 93.7 The Fan’s morning show on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of a return to Pittsburgh. Starks understood why he was let go in the first place because of the high draft picks waiting to showcase their pedigree. Now that we see some of those high draft picks aren’t playing up to their pedigree *cough cough Mike Adams cough cough* it might make sense for the team to bring Starks back in, who started all 16 games last season. Starks was asked if he thought his friend Ben Roethlisberger had been putting a good word in for him.
"“I’m sure he probably has, but at the end of the day, it’s not his decision or mine.” – Max Starks"
Follow me on Twitter @Kimmy_KimKimM and follow all of NPC’s posts @NicePickCowherC