BlitzburghRockCity
12-05-2006, 12:40 AM
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_482637.html
Steelers coach Bill Cowher said there could be two more new starters for Thursday night's game against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field.
Rookie free safety Anthony Smith could make his first NFL start, replacing Ryan Clark, who suffered a groin injury in Sunday's 20-3 win over Tampa Bay, said Cowher.
Also, rookie wide receiver Santonio Holmes will replace Cedrick Wilson in the lineup if Wilson can't play because of a high ankle sprain suffered against Tampa Bay, said Cowher.
Wide receiver Hines Ward and safety Troy Polamalu, who both suffered knee injuries against Baltimore, are also expected to miss the Cleveland game.
Nate Washington started for Ward, and Tyrone Carter replaced Polamalu in the lineup.
"Ryan Clark and Cedrick Wilson, I'm not sure they'll be able to make it on a short week. Certainly even with Troy and Hines," Cowher said. "We're still in the process of seeing where we are with the injuries."
Cowher is considering adding some players to address roster depth.
The Steelers will face a familiar opponent this week. The Steelers defeated the Browns 24-20 last month in Cleveland, but the Browns have a new quarterback, Derek Anderson, who replaced injured starter Charlie Frye and authored a 31-28 overtime win over Kansas City on Sunday.
"He was impressive," Cowher said of Anderson, who was 12-of-21 for 171 yards and led scoring drives of 81, 70 and 63 yards.
Anderson is expected to make his first NFL start against the Steelers.
"What they did to come back from 14 points down against Kansas City. He had a big scramble in overtime to set up the winning field goal," Cowher said. "Showed really good composure."
Cowher changed the Steelers preparation for Cleveland. In three previous Thursday games, Cowher gave the players Monday off. This time, however, Cowher scheduled a Monday practice. Several players who attended the funeral for Johnnie Bettis, the father of former teammate Jerome Bettis, in Detroit, were scheduled to return in time for practice.
The Steelers were 0-3 under Cowher in three previous Thursday games played during the season.
"A little different (this time)," Cowher said of his game-week preparation. "Today is kind of like a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesay all in one.
"It's important that we get thinking right now on Cleveland."
Im looking forward to seeing what Smith can do back there, this experience will serve his well for next year too. Santonio should be starting for Cedric anyways IMO.
This is going to be a make shift WR and DB corps this thursday so it's going to be interesting. There's no way we take Anderson as a QB for granted because he can light it up as he's shown so we need to pressure him out the wazoo and keep his ass on the turf or running for his life as much as possible.
Steelers coach Bill Cowher said there could be two more new starters for Thursday night's game against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field.
Rookie free safety Anthony Smith could make his first NFL start, replacing Ryan Clark, who suffered a groin injury in Sunday's 20-3 win over Tampa Bay, said Cowher.
Also, rookie wide receiver Santonio Holmes will replace Cedrick Wilson in the lineup if Wilson can't play because of a high ankle sprain suffered against Tampa Bay, said Cowher.
Wide receiver Hines Ward and safety Troy Polamalu, who both suffered knee injuries against Baltimore, are also expected to miss the Cleveland game.
Nate Washington started for Ward, and Tyrone Carter replaced Polamalu in the lineup.
"Ryan Clark and Cedrick Wilson, I'm not sure they'll be able to make it on a short week. Certainly even with Troy and Hines," Cowher said. "We're still in the process of seeing where we are with the injuries."
Cowher is considering adding some players to address roster depth.
The Steelers will face a familiar opponent this week. The Steelers defeated the Browns 24-20 last month in Cleveland, but the Browns have a new quarterback, Derek Anderson, who replaced injured starter Charlie Frye and authored a 31-28 overtime win over Kansas City on Sunday.
"He was impressive," Cowher said of Anderson, who was 12-of-21 for 171 yards and led scoring drives of 81, 70 and 63 yards.
Anderson is expected to make his first NFL start against the Steelers.
"What they did to come back from 14 points down against Kansas City. He had a big scramble in overtime to set up the winning field goal," Cowher said. "Showed really good composure."
Cowher changed the Steelers preparation for Cleveland. In three previous Thursday games, Cowher gave the players Monday off. This time, however, Cowher scheduled a Monday practice. Several players who attended the funeral for Johnnie Bettis, the father of former teammate Jerome Bettis, in Detroit, were scheduled to return in time for practice.
The Steelers were 0-3 under Cowher in three previous Thursday games played during the season.
"A little different (this time)," Cowher said of his game-week preparation. "Today is kind of like a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesay all in one.
"It's important that we get thinking right now on Cleveland."
Im looking forward to seeing what Smith can do back there, this experience will serve his well for next year too. Santonio should be starting for Cedric anyways IMO.
This is going to be a make shift WR and DB corps this thursday so it's going to be interesting. There's no way we take Anderson as a QB for granted because he can light it up as he's shown so we need to pressure him out the wazoo and keep his ass on the turf or running for his life as much as possible.