Gameweek: Haynes Re-Signed, Ravens Battered & Bruised

As expected Willie Parker was placed on injured reserve, and Verron Haynes was re-signed.

Meanwhile the Ravens, the Steelers' opponent this Sunday, more closely resemble a MASH unit than a football team.

Verron Coming Back?

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that Verron Haynes worked out for the Steelers Tuesday afternoon, and may be signed to fill in for the injured Najeh Davenport.

Mr. Haynes was always a personal favorite of mine; and his energy and powerful running style would be a welcome addition to the roster -- again.

It Stinks Being Correct

It is now being reported that the Steelers have cut Verron Haynes and . . . Joey Porter.

According to comments reported on the Steelers' website, Kevin Colbert attributed the release of Mr. Porter to salary cap concerns:

"Releasing a player like Joey Porter, who has meant so much to this franchise and helped us win a Super Bowl championship, is not an easy thing to do . . . It's one of the decisions you have to make under this current system, and it's definitely a salary cap-related issue where we needed some short-term relief. But we also had to factor in what our cap situation is going to be in 2008 and 2009 and beyond."

Verron Haynes Day in Pitsburgh

Verron Haynes is one of my favorite Pittsburgh Steelers. He has an enthusiasm for the game that is boundless, and he was an unsung hero -- because of his hard running and outstanding special teams play -- on the Steelers' most recent Super Bowl championship team.

Now comes word from Steelers.com that Tuesday, February 13, 2007 was Verron Haynes Day in the city of Pittsburgh. According to the item on the Steelers' website Mr. Haynes was honored "for his involvement in the community" which includes work with the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania, and the Verron Haynes Foundation (which raised money for breast cancer research).

The boorish behavior of athletes will always garner headlines -- whether owning a cache of weapons, trading in the cough syrup black market, or driving with enough alcohol in your system to kill a lesser man -- so it is nice to be able to highlight the good works of a good player.

Bill Cowher Press Conference Notes

Bill Cowher met with the assembled meeting on Tuesday, and thanks to the miracle of the internet Pittsburgh Steelers Fanatic was there. Here is a portion of what Mr. Cowher discussed.

• Injuries: Verron Haynes (ACL -- surgery on Wednesday) and Arnold Harrison (ACL -- surgery date TBD) have been placed in injured reserve, and are out for the remainder of the season. Roster moves are expected to be made this week. Four other players are out of the Denver game: Mike Logan, James Harrison, Willie Reid, and Jeff Hartings (MCL sprain, week-to-week). Several additional players are questionable, and still more are doubtful.
• 2-5: Mr. Cowher acknowledged that there is a great deal of frustration at having lost so many games, and he accepts responsibility for where the team is at seven games into the season.
• Coaching Status: He doesn't feel as though the uncertainty surrounding his status is having an affect.
• QB Play: One of last Sunday's interceptions was understandable -- Coach Cowher saw what Ben Roethlisberger saw -- but the other three are on Mr. Roethlisberger. Of course, not being able to run the ball in from the 1-yard line didn't help matters at all. But in the final analysis, Ben Roethlisberger is a good football who is going to bounce back.
• Concussions: Ben Roethlisberger felt fine, and was ok to play. However, Mr. Cowher understands the interest in his quarterback's situation, as well as his own situation (i.e. is Coach Cowher going to return for the 2007 season?), and "is going to deal with that."
• Chukky Okobi: He's a consistent, capable player. Marvin Phillips is going to get some extra work, as will Kendall Simmons (at center).
• Fourth Down Play Versus Oakland: Ben Roethlisberger would not have scored on the fourth and goal play, if he had run; and Coach Cowher has not seen any reluctance to run in Mr. Roethlisberger this season.
• Denver: The defense is one of the most talented groups in the league. They are not a very big group, but they have excellent team speed, and are aggressive to the ball.
• Special Teams: The Steelers are languishing near the bottom in several of the categories (e.g. kick coverage, punt return). He offered no explanation or excuses as to why that might be happening.
• Inconsistencies: Different areas have been inconsistent at different times, so it wouldn't be fair to point out any one area.
  
• Turnovers: The Steelers have turned over the football 18 times in 7 games -- that's a big problem.