Steelers vs. Panthers (Wk. 15)

**AZ_Steeler** · 12-17-2006, 03:22 AM

vs.

Sunday December 17, 2006
1:00 PM EST

The Steelers playoffs hopes are starting to dwindle and is not really in their control now. However, they seem to be playing good football right now and are looking to end the season on a positive note. This weekend the Steelers will be looking to get Willie going, which he hasn't been to successful doing on the road. The Steelers have dramatically cut down on the number of turnovers but this weekend they will be looking to create them with backup QB Chris W. taking over for an injured Jake D. Other keys to the game:

Get to the QB to take some pressure off the defensive backs.
Establish running game.
Have fun and end the season on a positive note!

Troy and Logan are out this week, but Anthony Smith has been awesome filling in and will get his second start of the season. Ward should be returning as well!

Join us this Sunday here in the gameday thread as we talk about the game and cheer our Steelers to a victory!!!!

**Captcoolhand** · 12-17-2006, 07:45 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward (knee) is expected to return to action this week after missing two games with a knee injury. It'll probably take him a bit to get back in to the swing of things though. Ward is a weak No. 2 or a strong No. 3 receiver this week while Holmes is a weak No. 3 or a good injury replacement. Our sources feel the team will try to emphasize Santonio Holmes a lot down the stretch to prepare him to be a starter next season. Safety Troy Polamalu (knee) will not play this week, and if the team still has a slim chance next week, he may play. Our sources feel they will end up shutting him down for the season with their playoff hopes so slim.

Linebacker Joey Porter was fined $10,000 for remarks made about Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. after the Week 14 game. Winslow tried to talk to him in warm-ups, and Porter blew him off. Perhaps Porter is trying to feel good about himself after a disappointing season?

The Steelers defense has a tough matchup against Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith this week. The team doesn't plan to use cornerback Ike Taylor on Smith despite speculation. They will probably try to match him up with cornerback Bryant McFadden, who is a physical defender. Safeties Ryan Clark and Anthony Smith are big hitters, so they may double-team him to rough him up with McFadden.

Looking ahead to next season, the team could cut Porter because he's closer to the end of his career than the beginning. He was up and down this year, and they may try to replace him. However, if head coach Bill Cowher leaves, all bets are off. Center Jeff Hartings could retire as his knees are causing problems. The team may look for an offensive tackle to replace Max Starks as well. The team will use the rest of the season to evaluate him.
Cowher told the media he'll make a decision on his future in the next couple of weeks. Our sources said it will depend a lot on what the owners will pay him. The source feels he'll ask for too much as he wants to be paid like a Super Bowl-winning coach. Cowher is a big family man, and his daughters are playing college basketball. So, he may move to Raleigh, N.C. It's very possible that Cowher leaves the team and takes the year off or retires altogether.

Good points in this article;
1st, I agree, why use Troy and risk further Damage this year if by chance we don't make the playoffs.
2nd, I'm glad to have McFadden and the Free Safties on Smith, because IMO, Taylor would get burnt

**BlitzburghRockCity** · 12-17-2006, 09:37 AM

Comon Black n Gold we need this win, let's suck it up and pull out the victory !

House of Steel · 12-17-2006, 09:43 AM

We are going to kick some Panthers asses today!!!! There was a guy that ran into me at the Mall last night, He loved my new Sweatshirt I had on. He told me, I am really into the Steelers, just moved to Cleveland from Minnesota. I'm debating whether to be a Browns or Steelers. I said, Brother, GO STEELERS STYLE. I told him, don't go to the shit way. HE LAUGHED. I think I convinced him to go Steelers way. He bought himself a few t shirts for himself. He said, I HOPE WE CAN BEAT CAROLINA! I said, Well, We got our destiny in our hands, I can only hope we shoot them down.

I told him about Steeler Addicts so will see if he shows up someday. I have his e mail and phone #.

**Black@Gold Forever32** · 12-17-2006, 09:46 AM

The Steelers are going to lay the smack down on the Panthers today and I think if they could finish 9-7 to end the year it could lay the fondation for a great year next year. We all know this team is better then its 6-7 record. Hey I would like to think that somehow the Steelers still could sneak into the play-offs this year but with the Jags and Bengals winning last week that made it tough for the Steelers to make it.

**BlitzburghRockCity** · 12-17-2006, 12:49 PM

Yeah we need so much help it's not even funny so Im just hoping to finish 9-7 and see what happens. The foundation for next year at this point is most important, to atleast finish strong and take something good out of this year.