Steelers Nation Exit Interview: Limas Sweed Era over in Pittsburgh?

Drafted in 2008 to fill the need for a taller wide receiver to replace the loss of Plaxico Sittsburgh Steelers Jerseys Burress just four years prior, the Limas Sweed era has come to an end. Today the cut list was announced and Limas Sweed's name was on it. Three years removed from the draft feels like a lifetime. He was drafted in the second round with much fanfare. Drafted alongside Rashard Mendenhall, the Pittsburgh Steelers' first round pick, Limas Sweed was expected to provide the offense with another weapon. In 2009, following the Super Bowl, the Steelers were transitioning to an offense that was more focused on passing. In fact, at the time Heath Miller Jersey was drafted, many thought he would be the replacement for Hines Ward. This thinking was put to the test in the 2009 AFC Conference Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens. In the AFC Championship game Hines Ward got injured and could not go the second half. This set the stage for Limas Sweed to step in and define his role going forward with the Steelers. On a play that could have really raised his stock, he dropped the ball after getting wide open at the front of the end zone. Now, in fairness, dropping a pass for a potential touchdown shouldn't define a career. After all, football like any endeavor affords one a second chance. However, what happened after it called his stint with the Steelers into question.The idea that a player would fake an injury after making an error rubbed many Steelers fans the wrong way. I will argue he was fired in the minds of the fans when this happened. He could never make up for this play. He did more than quit on the play. He quit on the team at the moment. Hines Ward Jersey As a tall receiving option he will catch on with another team, but this will haunt him going forward. Most of his struggles are mental and not physical. He will have to do something big on a losing team or perhaps the Canadian Football League to revive his career.What do you think? CFL or NFL bench-practice Squad? Follow Terrell Barnes on Twitter@TerrellBarnesor check out his profile page to become a fan.

Jets' 22-17 victory over Steelers puts season back on track

EnlargeJohn O'Boyle / The Star-Ledger Steelers Emmanuel Sanders gets Steelers Authentic Jerseys past Jets Brodney Pool in the closing minute the game between the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. 12/19/10 John O'Boyle / The Star-Ledger New York Jets vs Pittsburgh Steelers gallery (29 photos)PITTSBURGH Right guard Brandon Moore thought about his mom back home in Indiana, who calls or text messages him after every game.Fullback Tony Richardson drew on his parents, and his 16-year-old friend in Texas, who is waiting for liver and lung transplants. Tight end Dustin Kellers mind turned to his family, his teammates and some of his more than 30,000 Twitter followers, the ones who told him they knew these werent the Same Old Jets. Star Ledger reporters discuss the Jets victory over the Steelers Star Ledger reporters Steve Politi and Jenny Vrentas discuss the New York Jets victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. (Video by John O'Boyle) Watch video At the team hotel the night before the Jets 22-17 victory against the Steelers, this is what offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer asked his players to do: Not dwell on the doubters after a two-loss slide, or the fact that the organization had never won a game here. But, instead, Troy Polamalu Jersey think about those people in their lives who believed their aspirations were still possible.Coming off that field, that was one of first thoughts that I thought of: ‘We were the only ones that really believed we were going to win this game, Moore said. Other than some family members and friends, that was probably it.It was the perfect message for a slumping offense, the unit that hadnt scored a touchdown since Thanksgiving but found a winning formula Sunday. And it wound up being the definition of the team Sunday a team that needed a positive definition in the month of December, after losses and TripGate as the Jets held on despite a late surge by the Steelers.With two seconds on the clock, and Pittsburgh 10 yards from the end zone, one play was the difference between victory and defeat. It also felt like the difference between a season saved, and one spiraling out of control. Ben Roethlisbergers pass to tight end Matt Spaeth was incomplete, deflected by cornerback Marquice Cole, and the Jets were 10-4 and in strong standing for a postseason bid.We were sinking, linebacker Bart Scott said. We went from fighting for the best record in the league, to possibly if we lose this game fighting for the playoffs.Now, if the Jets win one of their final two games they are assured a postseason spot, and could take advantage of other scenarios with a little help.Sunday started with a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Brad Smith, the kind of spark the Jets needed and a play special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff told his players all week could break for a big one.RELATED COVERAGE:Jets' 22-17 victory over Steelers puts season back on trackPoliti: 'Same old Jets' replaced with familiar swaggerJets quarterback Mark Sanchez shows his resilience in victory over SteelersJets' Braylon Edwards made most of extra chancesPoliti's Supe-o-meter: Giants and Jets aren't exactly on a collision courseYou grade 'em: Jets vs. SteelersThat seemed to be another theme Sunday confidence and Schottenheimers players sensed it in the way he called the offense, one week after fans jeered him at home.He turned out a precise and Hines Ward Jersey gutsy game plan that broke some of the Jets tendencies and targeted their foes weaknesses. They relied on a formula of short passes, stretching the run with multiple tight end sets, and taking the big plays when they were there.The Steelers had only given up an average of 60.1 rushing yards per game, but the Jets ran for 106 yards. When they needed to be courageous, they were, hitting an 11-yard corner route to Keller on a third-and-1, and going for it on fourth-and-1 in the red zone on the same drive.The call was to fake a blast play, one of the Jets staples, and they sold it to perfection.Sanchez bootlegged to his left side and into the end zone for a 7-yard score ending an 11-quarter offensive touchdown drought.He called as close to a perfect game as you can call, Keller said of Schottenheimer.That score tied it at 17 late in the third quarter, and the Jets went ahead on a 34-yard field goal with 10:07 to play. From there, the game was in the defenses hands.The unit hadnt been perfect: It allowed the first 100-yard rusher of the season, Rashard Mendenhall, and the Steelers finished with 378 yards of total offense.But Scott said they reminded themselves that great defenses make plays when its needed most. One was Jason Taylors safety, when he sliced into the end zone to tackle Mewelde Moore, earning two points and ensuring the Steelers would need more than a field goal.Pittsburgh eventually got the ball back with 2:08 on the clock, surged down the field with big gains: 22 yards, 11, 29, 18, 16. With nine seconds left on the clock, they sat at the Jets 10-yard line.Your hearts telling you to send everyone, said Ryan, whom players said welled up in his own speech Saturday night. Your heads telling you something else.The Jets didnt blitz. Instead, they used their turbo package with an overload of defensive backs. They rushed just three and dropped eight into coverage, using a version of cover-2 zone defense, players said.On the first snap, two players crossed in the back of the end zone, and neither caught the ball. On the second, Roethlisberger had too much time, scrambling left. Cole said he could tell he would go to Spaeth, so he took off and dove for the ball and got a piece of it. Game over.When a teams driving down, usually you see those teams score, safety Dwight Lowery said.But those of us on that football field, we believed we were going to win. Thats why we did.

Camp Battles: Top 5 Positional Battles to Watch for the Steelers in Camp and Preseason

I absolutely love football before actual football. By that, I mean I love reading about Steelers Jerseys camp, watching highlights about camp, and analyzing every single play of every preseason game. The positional battles that occur are always awesome to watch and, believe it or not, these big decisions will have a large impact on the season. These battles are usually for depth positions and ultimately end up having an impact when injuries occur. If you are not a preseason junky like me, you are in luck. I have prepared a checklist for you to watch this year.Here are my top 5 positional battles:5. 3rd Tight End4. Offensive Line Depth3. Nickle Cornerback2. The Fifth Wide Receiver1. 3rd Down Running Back 5. 3rd Tight EndIf you have not already heard, Matt Spaeth left for the Windy City, a move that pleases many Spaeth haters. Like him or hate him, his departure creates a major hole in our roster. In other words, Bruce Arians's entire playbook is worthless right now because he does not have enough Tight Ends. Therefore, we need someone to step up in a huge way. Right now, I would say it is a shoe in for David Johnson to be the 2nd TE, unless someone really upstages him and he is left at #3. Either way, I see him making the team.Players to watch: Weslye Saunders (44), Jamie McCoy (45), Vaughn Charlton (49)What you need to know: Saunders was projected as a 3rd round draft pick, but was suspended by South Carolina for violating team rules. He is a great pass catcher with some questions about his blocking prowess. McCoy converted to a TE while at Texas A&M. It was an instant success as McCoy became one of the Aggies "most dangerous pass catching threats in his first season at tight end", but questions were left about his blocking ability. Listed on Steelers.com as a TE, but other sites have him listed as a TE/FB. Lastly, Vaughn Charlton is big and slow. He converted to TE in his senior year and is a very raw talent.My pick: Wesyle Saunders (by mid season he is the #2)4. Offensive Line DepthThe biggest question marks have to be at Tackle. We all know last year was a disaster at the position and this year is not shaping up to be much better. It was great that the Steelers resigned Willie Colon, but then they cut Max Starks and Flozell LaMarr Woodley Jersey Adams. That pretty much places the starting roles in Colon and Jonathan Scott's hands without a serious competition. That has to concern you, at least a little bit. My guess at the line would be: Scott / Kemo / Pouncey / Foster / Colon. Outside of Pouncey and Colon, I am not very excited about that line up.Players to watch: C/G Doug Legursky (64), G/T Marcus Gilbert (65), T Chris Scott (61), G Keith Williams (62)What you need to know: Legursky is really a center, but he is not going to play there over Pouncey. He needs to show some flexibility and be able to cut it as a guard. Foster is not a lock for RG and a good camp showing could help Doug win that position. Gilbert is presumably the tackle of the future, but has the flexibility to play guard. He has all the measurables of an OT, but is still rough around the edges. Maybe, just maybe, he can have some Gator magic, like Pouncey, and win a starting position at guard before transitioning into a tackle. Scott was drafted in 2010 and then injured his foot and did not take a snap the entire season. Hopefully, he spent his time on the bench studying the playbook. Williams is projected as a back-up guard, which might mean starter for the Steelers. Santonio Holmes Jersey His lacking quickness hampers his pass blocking skills. He does show promise as a run blocker.My picks: Well, we will probably carry 8-9 OL, so I imagine all these guys make it.3. Nickle CornerbackThe Steelers just resigned William Gay and that should not be a surprise. We have a short off season and Gay provides solid competition for a DB roster spot. He is not the best cover-corner, but he is still a "Big Play" maker and knows the defense well.

Parker to start.

Staley to spell him, but not on third down, where I'd use Haynes. I mean use Duce on Sittsburgh Steelers Jerseys some series to change it up a bit. You've got to bang on the Charger defense to open up the pass. Parker is good, but having a bigger back like Staley would make the mix that much better. Plus, Haynes is used to being the third-down guy and plays special teams, which needs all the help they can get. As for Jerome, give him another week to heal.Matt: Where do the Patriots now stand among the elite of the AFC?Jerry Micco: I still think New England is one of the top teams in the AFC. It's hard to say four weeks into the season who is among the "elite." New England, Pittsburgh, San Diego and Cincinnati all look terrific. But things will start shaking out very soon, especially for Pittsburgh. The Steelers play San Diego and Cincinnati -- on the road -- in back-to-back weeks. If the Steelers can split, that's not a bad thing. It usually takes a half a season to see where things are going in the NFL. It'll be no exception this year.Mike: You except Penn State to win?Jerry Micco: I don't know that I expect Penn State to win, but I think the game with Ohio State will be very close. I think the teams are pretty close to equal and both will try the same game plan -- try to make the other team's quarterback beat them. Penn State can match, or has better speed, than Ohio State. OSU's linebackers are the best group in the country. Ted Ginn is incredible, as is Derrick Williams. All things being even and PSU at home in a big game, they may have a slight edge. The oddsmakers see it otherwise, giving OSU a slight Rashard Mendenhall Jersey edge. Should be a great game, certainly the biggest at University Park in several years.Matt: Do you think Cadillac Williams is starting to get worn out? By the way, the game on OLN is Rangers versus Flyers.Jerry Micco: I don't think he's getting worn out, but he'll have to learn to play hurt. In the NFL, that's part of the deal. Cadillac is a terrific back and he'll prove that time and again as the years go by. Now I know why OLN picked that game: Two very large TV markets and two rival teams. Hey, TV lives on its ratings, and Pittsburgh/North Jersey isn't as big a market.BostonSteelersfan: Ok, so I'm sure you've answered this already, but how do you think the Steelers stack up agains the Chargers for Monday night's game?Jerry Micco: I think the Steelers will have their hands full with San Diego. LaDainian Tomlinson is probably the best all-around back in the league. Antonio Gates is a great tight end, and Drew Brees is a very accomplished quarterback in the mold of Tom Brady. He's not as good as Brady, but he protects the ball well and is accurate. The game will hinge on the Steelers being able to run the ball well and pass it when they have to. Don't be surprised, however, if the Steelers Chris Kemoeatu Jersey come out throwing in a controlled way to set up the run. They need to keep the Charger offense off the field, something they couldn't do against the Patriots.

Super Bowl fever takes toll on the workplace, before and after game

Our obsession with the Steelers and the Super Bowl could be costing us.As water Sittsburgh Steelers Jerseys cooler chat continues throughout the day, Chicago-based outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. puts the loss to American employers at more than $780 million during the week leading up to Super Bowl XL.But that doesn't mean employers should try to stop football fever -- even if they could."In fact, the benefits of the Super Bowl XL on the workplace far outweigh the negatives. Common interest in one of the teams might bring together two employees who might never have interacted otherwise," John A. Challenger, chief executive officer, said in a press release......But the distractions don't stop when the game ends."Employers should also count on losing another $156 million in unproductive wages on the Monday following the game, as workers discuss the game, the commercials and the half-time show," Mr. Challenger added."They may even see a surge in unplanned absences that day from employees who may have partied a little too hard on Sunday."-- Brian HyslopHere, let me helpPolite, yet intense, Ben Roethlisberger Jersey customers have been stalking the daily deliveries of new Super Bowl-related goods at Dick's Sporting Goods stores around the region, demonstrating an interesting mix of Steeler fanaticism and helpfulness.On Tuesday, the 250-plus store retailer based in Findlay was amazed to learn that between 40 and 50 customers waited until the UPS truck arrived at the chain's Cranberry store. Then they apparently pitched in, helping to unload the merchandise."They kind of helped the guy and store people carry things in," said Dick's spokesman Jeff Hennion.He's not sure what specifically the fans were looking for, but demand has been high for jerseys, particularly youth-size Polamalu in home-field black, and Terrible Towels.Dick's is doing its part to feed the demand for all things Steelers. It even has a game plan for the big game night. If the Steelers win, the stores will reopen and stay open as long as there are customers. If the Seahawks triumph, well, expect traditional retail hours.-- Teresa F. LindemanTerrible importThat Terrible Towel you've been waving has international origins -- and an Arlington, Va., man whose company helps raise awareness of companies making American goods doesn't like it one bit.Tags on the Heath Miller Jersey Terrible Towels reveal that they are made in China and printed in this country -- with cleaning instructions in both Spanish and English."I think it's a shame that a traditional blue collar town like Pittsburgh has to have even its sports emblems, which are marked up in price enormously, by the way, woven in China for a few pennies apiece," said Jim Schollaert, executive director of Made In USA Strategies.Noting that the firm that originally produced the towel, McArthur Co. in Wisconsin, was bought out by a firm that itself was bought out, Mr. Schollaert added, "If you follow the trail of the Terrible Towel, you will get a window on exactly how the manufacturing base of this country is being eroded."Whatever the origin, Terrible Towels are moving quickly wherever they are sold."We just started selling it yesterday and we expect the several hundred that we have in to be sold out by the end of the week," said Brian Lemmey, executive director of www.footballfanatics.com.-- Don HammondsCivic pride on the lineThe Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitor's Bureau have placed a "friendly" bet on Sunday's Super Bowl showdown between the Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks.The loser, the groups agreed, "will pay a heavy price." Among other humiliations, the losing city's mayor will issue a proclamation for a day in honor of the winning city's convention bureau, the losing city's convention bureau's CEO and other top executives will visit the winning city dressed in the winning team's jersey, and the losing city's bureau will fly the flag of the winning team for one week in its office.

Kym Johnson, Hines Ward's 'Dancing With The Stars' Partner, Taken To Hospital On Stretcher

Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward has had an eventful offseason, appearing Steelers Authentic Jerseys on Dancing With The Stars,getting pulled over by the police in a misunderstanding, and, on Thursday, being interviewed by Jay Leno. The fun and games could be about to come to an end, however, as his Dancing With The Stars partner Kym Johnson left rehearsal on a stretcher Friday. She was taken to a hospital in Los Angeles. There is no immediate word on what might have happened.No word yet on her condition or what caused the ambulance to be called.Ward and Johnson have been among the top-performing pairs on DWTS.UPDATE: Here's more. Johnson apparently fell in rehearsal.L.A. James Harrison Jersey Fire Department confirmed to "Extra" that they dispatched a rescue ambulance to the "DWTS" rehearsal studios. Johnson was taken out on a stretcher with an oxygen mask on her face.Ward was seen with his head in his hands.It's not yet clear to me why she needed the oxygen mask if the problem was a fall. We'll LaMarr Woodley Jersey see what happens.UPDATE 4:34 PM: Here's video of Johnson being taken out. It doesn't show an oxygen mask, only a neck brace.UPDATE 7:30 PM: This report says Johnson is fine and that her trip to the hospital was merely precautionary.

Steelers Training Camp: Which New Players Bear Watching?

Here's a really nifty reportfrom Steelers Depot on what's going on right now in Pittsburgh Steelers Authentic Jerseys camp. Obviously, it's insanely early to draw any conclusions, but basically:-P- Watch out for Baron Batch, who stands a decent chance of picking up some playing time behind Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman.-P- Cameron Heyward could learn the Steelers' defense quickly.-P- Look out for Stevenson Sylvester and undrafted free agent Mario Mike Wallace Jersey Harvey when it's time for the Steelers to practice with pads.-P- The Steelers re-signed punter Daniel Sepulveda, which was weird, given that they already have Jeremy Kapinos signed and they also recently signed Aaron Bates as an undrafted free agent. As Steelers Depot points out, the signing of Sepulveda might signal that the Santonio Holmes Jersey feel that he's healthy.-P- Second-year wideout Antonio Brown had a couple of occasions on Saturday in which he wasn't sure where he was supposed to go on the field.Anyway, check out the rest of the post for more.