Preseason Game 3 : Steelers @ Broncos : 08.29.10

[Kipper]

Alright folks... this is the most meaningful of all 3 preseason games usually since the 1st teamers usually get more time to play in this game than the others to tune up for the Regular Season.

again, no Graphic of course since it's meaningless Preseason and that's stats for preseason aren't really worth a used piece of toilet paper

[Palmetto Steel]

2010 Trends (Pre Season)
The Steelers are 2-0 ATS.
The Steelers are 1-0 ATS away.
The Steelers are 1-0 ATS as the underdog.
The Steelers are 1-0 ATS as an away underdog.
The Broncos are 0-2 ATS.
The Broncos are 0-1 ATS at home.
The Broncos are 0-1 ATS as the underdog.
The Broncos have not been a home underdog.

[Palmetto Steel]

[HIGH-LIGHT]THREE STEELERS TO WATCH TONIGHT IN DENVER [/HIGH-LIGHT]

DENNIS DIXON
Third-year quarterback

After playing well in the Steelers' first two preseason games with the second-team and third-team offenses, Dixon will get a chance to play at least one series with the first stringers tonight.

“It’s based on merit,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “Dennis Dixon has done great with the opportunities we provided him to this point. He is deserving of some first-team snap opportunities with our people.”

A former Oregon star taken by the Steelers in the fifth round of the 2008 draft, Dixon has an impressive 141.0 passer rating. He’s completed 13-of-15 passes for 210 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions. He’s also rushed for 58 yards on 11 attempts.

“My goal is to make plays regardless of it’s with my legs or my arm,” said Dixon, an elusive, mobile QB whose style is obviously different than that of Byron Leftwich, a pure drop-back passer.

Other than saying Dixon will get first-team reps, Tomlin did not announce his QB rotation for tonight.

STEVENSON SYLVESTER
Rookie inside linebacker

The Steelers opened last year with eight linebackers on their roster. That was the plan again this year when they reported to training camp. But Tomlin and his defensive assistants may have to rethink that strategy and keep nine because of Sylvester, a rookie fifth-round draft pick.

With James Farrior and Lawrence Timmons set as the starting inside linebackers and Larry Foote and Keyaron Fox seemingly set as the back-ups, the Steelers were hoping to sneak Sylvester onto the practice squad.

But because the former Utah star played well in the first two preseason games _ he leads the team in preseason tackles and had a sack against the Giants _ the Steelers may have no choice but to keep him on their final 53-man roster.

If he’s put on the practice squad, there’s a chance another team will snatch him away.

KEENAN LEWIS
Second-year cornerback

Another player who’s made the most of his preseason opportunities is Lewis, who gets the start tonight because Bryant McFadden is out with an injured pectoral muscle.

A former Oregon State star taken in the third-round of last year’s draft, Lewis didn’t have much of a rookie season. He only played in four games and only on special teams. But so far this summer, he’s improved dramatically.

So tonight, Tomlin and his defensive coaches want to see how Lewis can handle himself with the first-team defense. Even though William Gay is listed as McFadden’s backup on their depth chart, it’s Lewis who starts in Denver.

Last week against the New York Giants, Lewis left the game with a concussion. But he’s been cleared to play tonight.

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sp...s-broncos.html

[Palmetto Steel]

Even though everyone here in the states can watch the game on FOX tonight at 8pm, there may be a few folks outside the country needing a link... This thread started last week, and may provide some help...

http://www.pittsburghsportstavern.co...me-live-online

... Also, these links may be useful once the game starts...

http://www.channelsurfing.net/watch-nfl.html
http://www.justin.tv/steelersvsbronc.../w/349961680/3
http://www.justin.tv/nfl_43#/w/350371280

[Palmetto Steel]

The Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Denver to take on the Broncos in Week Three of the NFL preseason.

BetMania has listed the NFL sports betting odds for this game and they have the Steelers listed as two-point favorites and the total is set at 42.5. http://www.betmania.com/sportsbook/s...portleague=NFL

The Broncos host the Steelers on national television Sunday night and hope to get their first win of the preseason.

Denver is winless in its first two preseason games due to injuries and a soft defense.

The Broncos have allowed 58 points in the two games against the Detroit Lions and the Cincinnati Bengals. On Sunday night, they face another high-powered team in the Pittsburgh Steelers.

As they have for most the preseason, the Broncos will be shorthanded for this contest. They will be without first-round wideout Demaryius Thomas (foot) and pass rusher Elvis Dumervil (pectoral).

Running back Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) and quarterback Tim Tebow (ribs) are both questionable for the contest.

Tebow resumed practice on Wednesday, and Josh McDaniels is hopeful that he may suit up in the third-string spot behind Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn.

“We’ll see how Tim does (in practice),” McDaniels said. “He’s still pretty sore and there are some things that I don’t think he can really do effectively at this point. But we’ve got a few more days before the game. We’d love for him to play.”

Tebow said he’s up to the challenge: “I feel range of motion has been good, so now it’s just the next thing is contact,” he said. http://www.betmania.com/promotions/

The Broncos' bright spot in the preseason has been the play of Kyle Orton at quarterback.

Kyle Orton has completed 24-of-35 passes for 261 yards with four touchdowns and an interception.

The problem is he will need some help from his teammates if he wants to beat the Steelers.

The Steelers have announced that they will start Ben Roethlisberger against the Broncos. He will be followed by Dennis Dixon.

Dixon is making his case to start for the Steelers while Roethlisberger serves his suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Byron Leftwich will replace Dixon later in the contest.

The Steelers have a few injuries to be concerned with as well. Cornerback Bryant McFadden (pectoral) will likely not play, and safety Ryan Clark will be held out for precautionary reasons due to illness that can be triggered by high altitude.

Prediction and Pick:

The Broncos will play their starters into the third quarter Sunday night, McDaniels wants to see how his team adjusts at halftime and executes.

This game is more important for the Broncos than it is for the Steelers. Even though it is preseason, it is important for a team to get a victory.

The Steelers embarrassed the Broncos on a Monday night last year, and now the Broncos can get revenge in the only game that is scheduled for Sunday.

The Steelers have a banged-up secondary, and the Broncos passing attack will take advantage of this and put points on the scoreboard.

Tim Tebow will play late in this game and the home crowd will inspire him and the Broncos team to pull out the victory.

Pick: Denver Broncos +2

It may just be a preseason game, but this is an important one to the Denver Broncos.

http://www.betmania.com/news/news.php?id=712

[Stone]

What are we eating tonight?

I'm going to make perogies, drink some red wine, and smoke an expensive cigar!

[Palmetto Steel]

... I'm tryin' something a little new... "Bang Bang Shrimp Wraps"...

Basically, just popcorn shrimp tossed in a hot sauce of pureed (yea, I got a new kitchen toy) red bell peppers, Tai chili peppers, mustard, garlic, egg yolks, salt, and pepper... Then wrapped in a warm "burrito-size" tortilla with some shredded lettuce, bacon pieces, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and ranch dressing.

... I'll try to get a few pics up later before the game when I get 'em made...

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... Oh... And lots of beer and Rumplemintz...

[Beezy]

In! It's Double Dee time!

Not that it matters but I can't believe we are the underdog. I predict Denver to be the massive fail of the year, or continue riding the fail boat they were on the second half of the season. I don't think there will be any drop off at all at DB with Allen and Lewis. D will shut their crappy QB's down.

[Stone]

... I'm tryin' something a little new... "Bang Bang Shrimp Wraps"...

Basically, just popcorn shrimp tossed in a hot sauce of pureed (yea, I got a new kitchen toy) red bell peppers, Tai chili peppers, mustard, garlic, egg yolks, salt, and pepper... Then wrapped in a warm "burrito-size" tortilla with some shredded lettuce, bacon pieces, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and ranch dressing.

... I'll try to get a few pics up later before the game when I get 'em made...

.
.
.

... Oh... And lots of beer and Rumplemintz...

Sounds awesome!

The food sounds good too!

[Palmetto Steel]

In! It's Double Dee time!

Not that it matters but I can't believe we are the underdog. I predict Denver to be the massive fail of the year, or continue riding the fail boat they were on the second half of the season. I don't think there will be any drop off at all at DB with Allen and Lewis. D will shut their crappy QB's down.

Really gonna be interesting to watch tonight... Lots of things to keep an eye on... (Not Dixon... LoL!... Just teasin' 'ya man...)...

But seriously, Sanders and Brown switching positions, Brown's returns, Sepulveda's kickoffs, Pouncey and the O-line, and the defense in general... A veritable "plethora" of topics...

[Irish Goonatic]

Even though everyone here in the states can watch the game on FOX tonight at 8pm, there may be a few folks outside the country needing a link... This thread started last week, and may provide some help...

http://www.pittsburghsportstavern.co...me-live-online

... Also, these links may be useful once the game starts...

http://www.channelsurfing.net/watch-nfl.html
http://www.justin.tv/steelersvsbronc.../w/349961680/3
http://www.justin.tv/nfl_43#/w/350371280

Cheers for the links

[Palmetto Steel]

Cheers for the links

You're welcome... I hope at least one of them works for you.... The last 3 I listed won't be active till actual kickoff time...

[Palmetto Steel]

[Palmetto Steel]

I found this info at the Denver Post website...



Overall Team Offense

* The Denver Broncos are ranked 11 on offense, averaging 0.0 yards per game. The Broncos are averaging 0.0 yards rushing and 0.0 yards passing so far this season.

* The Pittsburgh Steelers are ranked 27 on offense, averaging 0.0 yards per game. The Steelers are averaging 0.0 yards rushing and 0.0 yards passing so far this season.

Home and Away

* The Denver Broncos are 0-1 at home this season, and 0-1 against AFC opponents.

* At home the Broncos are averaging 20.0 scoring, and holding teams to 25.0 points scored on defense.

* The Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-0 while on the road this season, and 0-0 against AFC opponents.

* On the road, the Steelers are averaging 24.0 scoring, and holding teams to 17.0 points scored on defense.

Last Meeting


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... Maybe they should update their preseason stats....

[Evilpens]

Skippy Reed is DUMB AS A BOX OF ROCKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11



Reed wants to kick off

Jeff Reed will earn the same salary whether he kicks off or punter Daniel Sepulveda holds that extra duty this season. It also might help save Reed's right leg if he only has to kick field goals and conversions.

But that's not the point.

"I've been playing football since my 12th-grade year in high school and I've never not kicked off," Reed said.

"It's one of those situations where, in my eyes, I'm being fired."

Sepulveda will kick off in Denver tonight for the second consecutive game as Tomlin seriously considers giving him that job. It's an obvious dissatisfaction with Reed's kickoffs, but Reed believes he has done a good job kicking off since he joined the Steelers in 2002 and does not accept the blame for the four kickoff returns for touchdowns against the Steelers last season.

"I'm cheering for Dan," Reed said. "It's not like I'm against him, or that I'm mad at him. It's not his fault. He's a talented guy.

"But I'm very capable of doing it, I always thought I had been. And I thought I've done pretty well, at times a little inconsistent, but that's life.

"I hate not making every kick a touchback, but it's not going to happen. I'm a hang-time kind of kicker and always have been. And I'll get a touchback here and there. It starts with me, but you also have to have a good coverage team. Teams are not going to take a knee if it does go into the end zone if your coverage team is weak."

Reed would not criticize specific teammates but said "half" those on the kickoff team last season did not want to be out there.
[HIGH-LIGHT]
"I can't blame anybody, all I can say is how I kicked and you look at the four touchdowns that were given up, the kicks were fine; that wasn't the problem. But, then again, I mi**** a few other ones that great plays by guys saved me. You can't pinpoint one thing.[/HIGH-LIGHT]

"I[HIGH-LIGHT] just think there was a lack of discipline for the unit as a whole. When there's 11 guys out there and half of them want to play and half of them are just out there, that's what happens[/HIGH-LIGHT]."