It doesn’t look Pittsburgh’s Pro Bowl center, rookie Maurkice Pouncey is going to be playing any football this Sunday. He came off the plane on crutches, in a walking boot and climbed on a golf cart.
This development could hurt the Steelers because their backup, Doug Legursky is going to have major problems with Packers nose guard/defensive tackle B.J Raji.
Raji is a youngster who is starting to come into his own and you know he’s want to put on a show for the nation at the Super Bowl. Pittsburgh isn’t going to be able to run the ball up the middle, so they’ll attack in other areas to and see if Green Bay’s run defense has problems elsewhere.
I expect to see the Steelers running outside and utilizing their toughness at the wide receiver position to attack Green Bay’s cornerbacks. When I say wide I’m talking about outside of the numbers.
If Hines Ward and the rest of the crew block down on the Green Bay linebackers, the corners will have to replace them and make the tackle.
They know that Tramon Williams and Sam Shields can cover like a blanket but can and will they tackle a big, bruising back Rashard Mendenhall. This guy was running against the Jets like it was personal. If he hits the corner with that type of momentum and attitude, it’s going to test the heart of their cornerbacks.
If Green Bay’s corners want to find out what they’re in for, tell them to get in touch with Jets safety #33 Eric Smith. The New York defensive back caught a helmet in his chest as Mendenhall ran threw him near sideline at the end of a run. That’s what you call finishing a run.
I expect both BJ Ragi and DE C Jenkins to be in the backfield alot against this very average
Steeler O/Line who lost their most consistent player/blocker in Pouncey..
I think the Steelers will have to win this game thru the air with Big Ben leading the way…