Aaron Smith OUT - shoulder injury

[jonzr]

And now for the Christmas songs of Bob Dylan!

Featuring Animatronic Bing Crosby!

I read "Aromatic Bing Crosby"

I doubt he has much aroma left at this point.

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

I hear ya.  We need Grampa Steeler to stick around indefinitely.

[SCacalaki]

And now for the Christmas songs of Bob Dylan!

Featuring Animatronic Bing Crosby!

I read "Aromatic Bing Crosby"

I doubt he has much aroma left at this point.

medicine cabinet/mothballs

[Finnegans Wake]

And now for the Christmas songs of Bob Dylan!

Featuring Animatronic Bing Crosby!

I read "Aromatic Bing Crosby"

I doubt he has much aroma left at this point.

medicine cabinet/mothballs

I dunno... Der Bingle liked das Chronic.  I'm sure he was pretty aromatic.  And that explains why he was so breezy, buh buh buh boooooo...

[Manimal]

I'll admit that this is totally naive speculation on my part, but given what happened to the run D in late 2007: can we consider starting Hoke at end?

I mean, von Oelhoffen was a NT before playing end for us. Among other issues, he's clearly needed to spell Hampton, so there's that.

Definitely agree -- with some worry -- that this defense, after more years of stability than any team deserves -- will look totally different by, say, 2011.

[Joetorious]

@manimal - I like your idea about Hoke. I was discussing that very possibility with my dad the other day. I'd be curious to hear what the powers that be on this board think about that.

That said, I'm kinda curious to see how Hood will do and the optimist in me says this could be a blessing in disguise (well, not really, but you know what I mean).

I'm sure you'll all remember that quite a few people (Alan Faneca, for one) didn't like the prospects of a certain rookie QB leading his team a few years ago. 15 consecutive wins and 2 subsequent Super Bowl wins later, I'm apt to have hope in this type of situation.

[Finnegans Wake]

Well, it doesn't much matter what we say.  I could say that putting Willie Colon at LDE makes a world of sense, but the coaches will do what the coaches will do, and nothing I've seen seems to indicate they'll put Hokie at end.  We'll see what the mix of Zigmont, Tarvaris Kirschke, and Nick "We Cut You... Awww, No We Di'in't!" Eason is.

Not sure the Ben metaphor applies here.  QB has a lot more shit going on.  Question with Hood is whether he can anchor the run, after coming up from Mizzou as more a speed/pass rush guy.  Sand in the pants, as they say.

[Manimal]

I feel somewhat optimistic about Hood, too. In preseason, certainly, he showed a lot of natural ability.

This could be an opportunity for him - and he should feel motivated by this. After all, if our run D suddenly tanks with Hood replacing Smith for much of the game, he'll get a lot of the wrong kind of attention.

[Manimal]

Question with Hood is whether he can anchor the run, after coming up from Mizzou as more a speed/pass rush guy. 

To me, this is the essential question about Hood, or any DE we bring in. I think one reason we struggle to draft DEs that stick is that in our 3-4, they have to play almost like NTs playing end. Defending the run and tying up blockers is priority 1,2, and 3, and it is not a sexy job by any means.

It doesn't suprise me that a lot of guys can't even make our team and end up playing significant role: McBean, Orien Harris, etc.

[aj_law]

For how long?  Just this week?

Hoke/Hood should be OK if it's a short term loss.  Long term...not so much.

Season??!!

MFer.

[Preacherman0]

I am "cautiously optimistic" about Nick Eason filling in.  He wasn't great, but he was a lot better last season than in '07.  As was Kirschke.  Here's to hoping that can step up.