Fans soak up the pregame warmups from atop one of Heinz Field’s rotundas. — DEJAN KOVACEVIC
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
Getting ready for kickoff …
Game: Steelers (5-3) vs. Baltimore Ravens (5-3), 8:32 p.m., Heinz Field
TV, radio: NBC (national), 102.5 WDVE
Online: GameCenter / Multimedia / Official game notes
This was the Wednesday column previewing this matchup from the secondary standpoint, as well as a video interview with Kelvin Beachum.
UPDATE 7:02 p.m.: The Steelers’ inactives are nose tackle Daniel McCullers, wide receiver Justin Brown, safety Ross Ventrone, cornerback Ike Taylor, cornerback B.W. Webb, guard Chris Hubbard.
Also Cortez Allen will not start. He’ll be replaced at left cornerback by Brice McCain, and Antwon Blake will be the slot corner. Allen is the No. 4 corner on the depth chart, which means he’d take the field only when Baltimore uses four wideouts. (If I’m John Harbaugh, I’m going four wideouts all night.)
The Ravens’ inactives are cornerback Jimmy Smith, wide receiver Michael Campanaro, safety Terrence Brooks, linebacker Zachary Orr, center Gino Gradkowski, defensive end Lawrence Guy and guard Jah Reid.
OH – here we are…back looking like normal loons!
LET’S GO STEELERS! BEAT THOSE RATBIRDS!!
Hey, guys, one quick site note: We had to do a revert today that wound the site back in time to 7:49 p.m. Saturday. That’s why everything that followed that is gone. (I updated scores on game threads, but that’s it.) Apologies to all. It was the only option available.
Also, since a couple readers brought this up yesterday, NO ONE has been banned as a user. That’s just plain weird to even conceive. Never happened. People come, people go. Fortunately, we have infinitely more of the former than the latter.
All Hail Mean Joe! #75 retired tonight in his honor. And nobody even close to being as deserving.
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Another look at his most famous play…
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This STILL makes me cry!
Hate to admit it Karen, but a crusty old fart like me don’t exactly cry but the eyes water up a bit! LOL
One of lifes little gems that with all the hate and strife in the world gives me at least the hope the the entire human race ain’t all bad.
A really classy move by the Steelers would be to retire Mike Webster’s number. But that won’t happen – the Steelers are very different from the team I grew up loving and rooting for.
I didn’t think they retired numbers at all! Isn’t this the first time in like a zillion years?
Yeah, first number retired since Ernie Stautner, not sure how long ago that was though.
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I think the only other number that might get retired is Bradshaw’s.
And I have no problem with retiring Joe – he deserves the honor – I just thing with all that happened a really classy org would have done the same for Mike Webster – or am I wrong DK?
Ya they can not retire them all. Paraphrasing what I read somewhere today Franco said much the same “Joe represents us all from that time and we are cool with that”
Works for me.
Boy Denver’s laying an egg.
I hate the Pats with the heat of a thousand Suns.
Is William Gay the one going up against the #1 WR for the time being.
Just another Steelers-Ravens funfest
Over/Under on how many TD’s C. Allen gets torched for tonight? I say 2.
McCullers should get a helmet, since neither McLendon or Thomas can stop middle runs.
I’d rather see McCullers get a helmet than Cortez, what has the CB done to earn one?
This Steeler lineup already bothers me!
I hope Ben can put up another 50 points.
Who would play dime back?
I agree!
Seriously DK I bet they are 4 wide 80% of the game. Why wouldn’t you, and go to Allen’s man until the Steelers stop it.
Steelers D got manhandled in Balt. See if they can hang tonight.
Nice to see d get off the field on first series tonight!
Only second time all season the Steelers held their opponent scoreless on its opening drive.
Don’t worry, the Ravens made up for it in their second drive.
And … we’re off.
If they continue to generate this little pressure, Flacco will hang 50 on them on deep balls alone.
I sure hope our game plan isn’t designed to try to win 13-10 like it’s 5 yrs ago, which is still what we do every time we play this team. Balt will be extremely aggressive. Our first series made no sense to me, after the incompletion. Let’s be aggressive, guys!
Is Blount really the best option they’ve got for kick returns?
Following in the fine tradition of Isaac Redman.
Because they wasted a third round draft choice on Dri Archer from Kent State. Like we don’t need corners, we waste a draft on a guy that can’t see the field.
It was the best of teams…it was the worst of teams.
Ben isn’t sharp early. That’s not good if all Flacco needs to do is lay the ball up long.
Crowd sounds loud. At least as much as you can tell through the muffled broadcast.
I guess they have to be conservative pinned so deep, but sheesh….
I don’t know that they have to. But, they seem to think they have to.
The DK site is now shifted to the left of my monitor screen, and the whole site just overall is out of kilter. Anyone else have these problems?
When you have any kind of site issue, we kindly ask that you email us at [email protected] rather than posting it in the comments. Thanks.
Last week it was 2014 on the Steelers sideline. So far this week, it’s 2008.
My kingdom for some field position. Although, I guess a couple 1st downs could remedy that.
Can’t go 98 yards in 6 yd chunks if you’re going to commit 10 yd penalties. That penalty by Pouncey probably killed this drive.
The offensive line isn’t playing the lousy front of the Colts this week.
Good lord is this same o-line as last week?
Dare I say it? Get Adams in there!
Running over Foster.
Embarrassing effort.
Welcome back Gilbert–what a joke.
Coincidence that the offensive line looks mediocre with Gilbert in there?
Not good so far. Very inept O.
R.
O line will get Ben killed if they don’t wake up.
Gilbert couldn’t play any worse if he tried. They have to get him some help.
Need to go back to two TE sets like Carolina.
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Would sacrifice one less receiving option for protection.
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Ben having time > Ben on his back.
Well, if your offense isn’t going to move the ball down field, defense might as well…
3 penalties on the same play, they should just give them a touchdown.
Gilbert has to pick it up. And Harbaugh is still a a**hole
Yes he is, as is his brother.
I call them Boo and Hoo
Upshaw getting a big fine on that hit!
Could easily have been tossed out of the game there.
Nice play.
All I can say is someone better smack Flacco in the head also, because Balt is going to do that or very chance they get.
Now beat up flacco and let Johnny know two can play that game.
Well. I’ll take that for the tie game. Nice play. Upshaw’s head butt was pretty poor.
R.
Must be a rule tonight that Balt starts every possession > 30.
A squib kick? really? Make them go 80 yards!
I really hate to see my Steelers punked like this – the Ravens are abusing them and loving it – where is the backbone of this team?
Yeah Al, Ozzie’s a great GM except for the whole lying about the Ray Rice situation thing.
Do you believe in miracles ?
Like your career, Al.
Jason Worilds with an INT!!!
Worilds was just out there minding his own business & Flacco threw the ball right to him.
Drive Flacco into the turf and now a pick!
Woot woot. Steelers TD. Bryant!
Two TDs on interceptions. THAT’S how you win ballgames.
I was critical of the Harrison signing initially, because I thought he had nothing left. I was wrong … obviously!
Welcome back James and Kiesel
Good news is Harrison is still mean, bad news he is 105
That looked bad. Silverback bent up.
Now Troy is hurt. Disaster is upon us.
Could prove to be a costly game.
Shazier hurt and Spence looked bad on last play.
Both are back. Sheesh
Harrison is a man possessed.
Balt calls timeout so they can gather up all of Flacco’s various body parts.
This sure isn’t that sissy football the commissioner in absentia has been trying to foist upon us.
McLendon penalty was questionable. Landed to side, not directly on top of Flacco.
That was so close to going a loooong way for Bell.
Boy, that Eddie Lacy talk sure has died down.
Todd Haley is NEVER allowed to wear a hat again.
Winging it.
Great play by Brad Wing
TOUCHDOWNS not field goals. NICE!!
Brad Wing has to go if for no other reason he can’t keep messing up perfectly good snaps like that. He’s a disaster back there. And his punting isn’t much to write home about either.
Can’t they go to Gradkowski? He has to have better hands. BTW, when I went to Dayton that was #3 QB John Gruden’s most important job.
Now there’s some inside knowledge !
He was bad, which he readily admits.
& FWIW, my understanding is Chuck Noll was a much better player there.
Not so sure that was a perfect snap.
Neither am I. But he’s got to do better.
Wow. Quite the bomb by Ben. Looks good!
Eating Flacco alive.
Anybody notice the TD pace Ben is currently on again tonight?
I thought Tomlin was a timeout hoarder!
Hines having to praise Ben. Ambivalence defined.
Time will tell between C. J. Mosley and Ryan Shazier.
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Shazier starting off like Sean Lee, except Lee had about 1.5 years under his belt.
The thoughts that the game is just a memory to our Hall of Fame Defensive Coordinator, well, ok
That defense is on fire, due to one guy
After that rough 1st quarter I wondered how they would respond…so far, so good.
Bell has only carried the ball 6 times. They need to run it more to slow down that pass rush. Be patient with it.
Great point, Milo.
Looks like a wasted challenge.
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MT at it again.
How good are our guys upstairs on relaying info down?
Apologies, MT. You’re the best!
He’s down.
Great challenge by the coaching staff.
We just got a call we don’t usually get. I wonder if the Ravens are going to spend the rest of the year not getting any calls so that the national media won’t revisit the Ray Rice story come playoff time…..?
Suggs is a piece of s#$@
Thuggs.
He should have been tossed for that.
Suggs should be tossed.
Blount lucky Suggs didn’t have any bleach on him.
What exactly is Harbaugh complaining about?
Stay classy Harbaugh….
I don’t know what game Harbaugh’s team is playing. But, it’s pretty obvious his defense stopped playing football awhile back.
I’m worried we’re going to have a Terry Bradshaw – Turkey Jones moment.
Yeah, several Ravens are only looking to hurt our QB – and others.
27 yard punt. You have to be kidding me, Wing.
Looks like he’s babying it instead of full stride. Horrible.
There must be a better punter than Wing available.
Why don’t the Steelers think the punter is important?
Their punter has put us in bad field position all night. Ours, not so much.
I would say Terrell Suggs is embarrassing the Ravens tonight, but I’m pretty sure they’re maxed out in that category. On and off the field.
You would think. But, this is the franchise of Ray Lewis and Ray Rice.
Need a long drive here for 6….
Even just a FG makes it hard to lose barring turnovers at this point.
Blow to the head on Bell. No call
Déjàn – what type of fines or discipline can Upshaw and Suggs expect this week?
Not bad for a 6th rd pick, huh??
Might be time to target Brown or Bryant.
I’ll say it now….AB is the best….
At least there wasn’t any holding there.
Just when the game appeared well in hand.
Unbelievable….
No clue why Baltimore didn’t go for 2 there.
2 point conversion puts a field goal into play. Now they need 2 TD’s. Not smart.
Dumb.
Where’s Bobby April?
Oakland. He should be available soon.
Fear not. We have Blount back there to do the same thing.
Mel Blount?
Pitt game revisited.
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Exactly the same run back.
Looks like Shamarko blew out his hammy again on that return….
Well that sucked.
Really pathetic…
Seriously? Come on. Well, let’s go sco
Score another. Geez. iPad acting up.
Every year with Jacoby–our special teams coach is an idiot. Offense works their tail off to get points and special teams gives it up in 10 seconds. Asful.
I thought MLB officials were bad!
At least no one’s bunted.
Touché!
Heaaaaaath……
Ther’s another call we don’t normally get. The league has it in for Baltimore for a change
AB is the best…..period…
Thuggs has completely out done himself tonight. And that’s saying something.
Too many bubble screens again!!
Biggest difference tonight IMO is a future HOF QB vs one who still struggles for consistency.
IMHO, o line recovering from a bad start has also been HUGE.
Definitely. And, James Harrison. And, Antonio Brown. And …
We have us another weapon!!
No doubt on our #2 WR.
Woot. Bryant again!
Anybody know what the all-time 2 game TD pass record is? Ben has to be real close.
Even if true would not be a big deal unless Brady, Manning, Luck or RGIII did it.
True.
He’s now tied with 11
they didn’t play Bryant for six weeks. Hard to believe he improved that much…..
I’ve been saying the same thing. But, I read this week that he also has a bum shoulder.
Sorry, *had a bum shoulder.
Took six weeks to play this kid because he blocks below the line??
Jerry Rice never blocked anyone in 15 years!!!
This is the offense we have been waiting for.
Has anyone seen Cortez??
Runs parallel to Manatee.
Tuitt should get more playing time too…kid was a beast early in this game….
Hats off to the secondary….they have played well tonight…
This is also the defense we’ve been waiting for.
Really great effort tonight.
Nice to see the pass rush this evening!
You know. Sometimes the simple things aren’t so simple. 3 and 1 and bungled the snap. Crud. Way to let them back in again.
Come on guys…..geeeezzzz…..
I like this Antuan Blake kid!!
And the game ball goes to … #75 Mr. Greene, Mean Joseph.
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At least I hope so.
I’m not at the game & therefore don’t have 3 stars to award. But if I did, Antwon Blake would merit consideration.
Agree totally Jim…..kid has shown ability…
Time to give Willie Gay kudos as we’ll. He reminds me a lot of Deshea Townsend…
That’s a good comparison. Willie Part II has been pretty good. He’s a smart player – just like Deshea.
Close it out now!
There’s the record – although Collinsworth is trying to take it back.
Is it final or is DK playing prophet again with the score up?
Hey Suggs. How do you like us now! Think he was down. We’ll see.
Well. How about that! All those calls have gone to our Steelers tonight.
LOVE IT!!!!
Pedal to the metal. Never let up!
12 TD passes in 2 weeks!
This Haley guy …. Oh, never mind.
My boy Cody Wallace….WHOOP!!!!
Last place Baltimore Ravens has a nice ring to it.
It most certainly does Jim!!
Harrison is my MVP for his early work in this one. Worrilds was key also.
Stuart
Flacco still playing & being teed off on is crazy.
Great team win tonight!
Tomlin gives Suggs a hug and pat on the back????? Are you kidding me????
Yea would have been nice if he would have stuck up for his player.
Great game by all. Hope the injuries are not too bad.
Keep up the good work–good game plan by LeBeau, Haley and Tomlin.
Ravens are cheap shot team and reflection of the as*hole coach. Guy is just a real cock roach.
Tuitt a kid to watch in second half. Size/speed combo rare for DL. Unfortunately on display when drove runner downfield into Troy.
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Hopefully Thomas displaced soon.
Did Brice McCain get hurt on one of the last plays of the game? Was he in the last play?
I saw him limp too, but he did stay on the field
By my purely unofficial count:
Last 2 weeks
65/86
862 yards
12 TD
0 Int.
2 wins
0 losses
I would venture to say no QB has ever had a better 2 consecutive games in NFL history.
Man Suggs is a piece of garbage, pounding his chest after that cheap shot. Funny other than that he was pretty invisible during the game. I wonder what Harbaugh will be crying about after the game.
I really want to know who made the decision to unleash the offense. Offense looks nothing like the trash we saw the first 3 or 4 weeks. Whoever made that call, beer on me for life.