Aaron Smith OUT - shoulder injury

[steelerfaninCO]

What, we're going to be worse than the fucking Browns now?

It can't get that bad.....can it? We'll just have to see how Ziggy stacks up. Rotate the guys. Woodley is going to have to step up on the run. Same with LT.

[SCacalaki]

Really sucks that Smith is done for the year.  Agree with those who think this could be his last go.  Might have happened regardless of the injury...Steelers extended Keisel (instead of Clark, who seems a leader in Troy's absence) and drafted not one but two DL.  Maybe the Steelers see the writing on the wall or had a discussion with Aaron. 

Sonny Harris had a nice preseason.  I think he was a casualty of the quantity game and less quality.  Wex, Lolley, et al, have said vets were surprised that Harris was cut (v. Redman's cut).  He's not a starter.  If Z ain't a starter, Harris is more of a body.  But maybe a body for the longer-term. 

Eason and Kirschke have improved since 2007.  They aren't #91 but I don't feel as bad about the D as I saw back then.

[SCacalaki]

Really sucks that Smith is done for the year.  Agree with those who think this could be his last go.  Might have happened regardless of the injury...Steelers extended Keisel (instead of Clark, who seems a leader in Troy's absence) and drafted not one but two DL.  Maybe the Steelers see the writing on the wall or had a discussion with Aaron. 

Sonny Harris had a nice preseason.  I think he was a casualty of the quantity game and less quality.  Wex, Lolley, et al, have said vets were surprised that Harris was cut (v. Redman's cut).  He's not a starter.  If Z ain't a starter, Harris is more of a body.  But maybe a body for the longer-term. 

Eason and Kirschke have improved since 2007.  They aren't #91 but I don't feel as bad about the D as I saw back then.

That said, the Harris signing has no impact on the here and now

[Preacherman0]

Why do I feel like our season is over already? 

Let's not head for the side of the Fort Pitt Bridge just yet...

If this is indeed the end for Aaron Smith (and I'm not convinced that he's ready to hang it up) then he will go down as a legend in Pittsburgh Steeler history, whether anyone else knows about him or not.  He is the epitome of everything this organization strives to be.

[leighclay]

Why do I feel like our season is over already? 

Let's not head for the side of the Fort Pitt Bridge just yet...

If this is indeed the end for Aaron Smith (and I'm not convinced that he's ready to hang it up) then he will go down as a legend in Pittsburgh Steeler history, whether anyone else knows about him or not.  He is the epitome of everything this organization strives to be.

Ditto that.  Even if his helmet is too small.

[jonzr]

Why do I feel like our season is over already? 

Let's not head for the side of the Fort Pitt Bridge just yet...

If this is indeed the end for Aaron Smith (and I'm not convinced that he's ready to hang it up) then he will go down as a legend in Pittsburgh Steeler history, whether anyone else knows about him or not.  He is the epitome of everything this organization strives to be.

Ditto that.  Even if his helmet is too small.

:smallhelmet: :bighead:

[Finnegans Wake]

I'm not counting this as the end of our season, or Smith's career, even though it sucks gangrenous donkey testicle. 

But I do think it's yet another sign that the great Steeler defense of '08 was the high-water mark of a specific group of players, and that change is coming.  Guys like Smith, Townshend, Hampton, Farrior, and prossibly Clark (contract) and Polamalu (wildman propensity for injury) might not be a part of this defense in the 2- to 3-year window.  The offense, OTOH, is mostly younger, with Parker, Ward, and possibly San Antonio (contract) the exceptions.  But on offense, there are ready replacements (Mendy, Wallace, possibly Sweed, if'n).

I don't mean to get weepy and sentimental, but the times they are a-changin'.

And now for the Christmas songs of Bob Dylan!

[jonzr]

And now for the Christmas songs of Bob Dylan!

Featuring Animatronic Bing Crosby!

True, that may have indeed been the high-water mark.  And if guys like Hampton, Smith and Clark are not long for this roster doesn't attention then turn to LeBeau?  Does he wanna break in a batch of babies?  Now THAT will be a true changing of the guard.

[leighclay]

And if guys like Hampton, Smith and Clark are not long for this roster doesn't attention then turn to LeBeau?  Does he wanna break in a batch of babies?  Now THAT will be a true changing of the guard.

Can we please not speculate on that?
I'm not ready for that change...
Not yet.

[SCacalaki]

And now for the Christmas songs of Bob Dylan!

Featuring Animatronic Bing Crosby!

I read "Aromatic Bing Crosby"