PITTSBURGH — Last week, a newspaper ran a web poll asking readers whether Troy Polamalu should play for the Steelers today against the Kansas Chiefs, even if he’s cleared by team doctors.
An overwhelming majority responded in the negative.
Of course, the Chiefs are only 2-7. The thinking must be that it’s more important for Polamalu to be healthy for the following week’s game in Baltimore.
Polamalu, of course, believes that’s a dangerous way for anyone to view today’s game in Kansas City.
“No question it is,” he said. “You can’t take for granted the NFL and the challenges each week brings around. I know there were some times in my rookie year when we weren’t that good that we still felt we could challenge anybody. I’m sure they feel the same way.”
The young Chiefs, though, will be up against one of the great defenses in NFL history, even without Polamalu and defensive end Travis Kirschke.
Both players have been ruled out of today’s game. But even though Polamalu has missed four full games and three-quarters of two others, and Kirschke has missed the past two games after stepping in for an injured Aaron Smith, the Steelers’ run defense has never posted better numbers.
Opponents are averaging an NFL-low 69.3 yards rushing per game against the Steelers, down significantly from last season’s average against the Steelers of 80.3.
In fact, the Steelers are well ahead of their 2001 team-record pace of yielding only
74.7 yards rushing per game, and could even challenge the league record. Only two NFL teams in the past 65 years have been stingier against the run: The 2000 Baltimore Ravens (60.6) and the 2006 Minnesota Vikings (61.6).
Today’s challenge for the Steelers will be Jamaal Charles, who stepped into the Chiefs’ starting lineup two weeks ago after the benching and subsequent release of Larry Johnson.
Charles (5-foot-11, 199 pounds), a scatback type out of the University of Texas, rushed for 103 yards on 18 carries last week in the Chiefs’ 16-10 win over the Oakland Raiders.
If the Steelers stop Charles, they’ll set their sights on Chiefs’ quarterback Matt Cassel, who served up two interceptions and two fumbles to the Steelers last season as New England’s quarterback. It was 51 weeks ago that the Steelers beat the Cassel-led Patriots 33-10.
In that game, Cassel had receivers such as Randy Moss and Wes Welker at his disposal. Today Cassel will throw to Chris Chambers and most likely Bobby Wade after losing leading receiver Dwayne Bowe to a four-game league suspension.
Chambers caught four passes for 39 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers earlier this season while playing for the San Diego Chargers. Chambers was released and the Chiefs picked him up two weeks ago.
The Chiefs also miss longtime tight end Tony Gonzalez. The future Hall of Famer left the Chiefs via free agency and has been replaced by 6-foot-8 Leonard Pope, who was waived by the Arizona Cardinals seven months after his horrendous blocking performance in the Super Bowl.
Defensively, the Chiefs are running a 3-4 alignment under new coordinator Clancy Pendergast, but veteran mentor Mike Vrabel, the former Patriot, will miss today’s game with a knee injury.
Vrabel’s replacement at OLB is Andy Studebaker, a 2008 draft pick out of Division III Wheaton College who was picked up from the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad.
Obviously, the Chiefs aren’t the same team that defeated the Steelers in three of their past five visits to Arrowhead Stadium, but there is the post-Bengals/pre-Ravens sandwich syndrome to potentially “trap” the Steelers.
Then again, the Steelers have never lost a game the week before playing the Ravens in Baltimore.
“We’ve got a totally new team with a new staff,” said former Steelers ball boy and first-year Chiefs coach Todd Haley. “We are trying to get better every day, find our way, find our identity, and we have a chance to play one of the best teams in the league, if not the best. It is a great challenge.”
Pro
Plenty of pain, but no gains | Injuries haven’t taken much of a toll on run defense
- Pro
-
-
Johnstown Generals announce 2012 schedule
The Johnstown Generals will open their second season on the road at Cincinnati on March 3 but will play just three of their 10 remaining games away from Cambria County War Memorial according to a league schedule posted on the United Indoor Football League’s website at uiflfootball.com.
-
Crosby practices with Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby practiced Monday but said he is no closer to returning from a concussion and neck injury that have sidelined him for most of the season.
-
Report: Haley will be Steelers’ next O-coordinator
The Steelers will hire former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley to be their offensive coordinator, according to an ESPN report.
-
Manning wins second Super Bowl MVP award
Eli Manning is elite, for sure. A king of comebacks, too. And far, far more than Peyton’s little brother now.
-
Giant Step: New York scores late to beat New England
Eli Manning is the big man in the NFL after one-upping Tom Brady and leading the New York Giants to a 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots in Sunday’s Super Bowl – in older brother Peyton’s house, at that.
-
Panthers win fourth consecutive game
Pittsburgh senior Ashton Gibbs is a happy man now that his backcourt mate, junior Tray Woodall, is back and healthy in the starting lineup. He’s almost as happy as Woodall, who recovered from a groin/abdominal strain to turn in one of his best performances of the season.
-
Brodeur, Devils shut down Penguins
While Ilya Kovachuk refuses to take credit for the New Jersey Devils’ surge since the All-Star break, his teammates can see that the forward has elevated his game.
-
Bedford captures District 5 crown
Michael Brett is known for his ability to lock up a cross-face cradle.
-
Brady, Manning face off in battle of elite QBs
He was always being compared to someone. That’s what happens when you’re the youngest son of a great quarterback and the baby brother of an even better one. It wasn’t until he compared himself to Tom Brady, though, that people began taking Eli Manning seriously.
-
Fleury carries Penguins to win
Marc Andre-Fleury hardly looked like a goalie who had just finished a highly intense third period.
- More Pro Headlines
-
Johnstown Generals announce 2012 schedule
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
