Here Come The Heat-Challenged Steelers
September 21st, 2010
Joe may never have rooted harder for a sweltering 1 o’clock Sunday kickoff as he is right now.
Reading in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the Steelers’ win this week in Tennessee, Joe was pleased to learn how Pittsburgh’s offensive line was dropping like flies in the swelter.
[Charlie] Batch, 35, watched as his offensive linemen shuffled in and out and down and over all game. Only rookie center Maurkice Pouncey played every snap. Guards Trai Essex and Chris Kemoeatu left for a time with cramps. Tackle Flozell Adams was dehydrated. Jonathan Scott, starting for the first time with the Steelers because of an injury to left tackle Max Starks, played at both tackle spots. The only available backups, Tony Hills and Doug Legursky, both played.
“At the beginning of the fourth quarter, that is when I really noticed,” Batch said. “I was looking down and all of a sudden you see Trai cramping up and Chris cramping up and even Flozell. There was a lot of times when guys were running out. It was just a matter, really at that point, to give guys a rest to the point that they feel they can come back into the game.”
Sunday’s forecast for the Steelers-Bucs game is 89 and humid, a typical September day, and about the same temperature as it was for Pittsburgh in Nashville last week.
Joe expects the Bucs to have success on defense Sunday, as the Steelers must choose between Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwich at quarterback.
If the Bucs can keep it close, maybe the heat will be a real factor in the fourth quarter. Back-to-back road games for Pittsburgh in the South — in black uniforms — has to be a positive for the good guys.
September 21st, 2010 at 1:52 pm
the Bucs should do a free coozie day for games like this. Either that or I have to drink faster
September 21st, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Bring on the heat!
I have club seats for this game under the overhang and 4 rows from the club 😉
September 21st, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Unless we keep practicing at the Trop – then we’ll be in the same boat.
September 21st, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Too bad Polamalu wont leave with cramps. If their O-line does the same thing during our game, I hope our young DTs can take advantage and get some push up the middle.
September 21st, 2010 at 2:32 pm
These guys won’t score 10 points on us. I feel even with their great defense we can squeeze out at least 13.
September 21st, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Joe,
No more confidence in Leftwich?
September 21st, 2010 at 3:28 pm
keep it close? to hell with that blow’em out GO BUCS!!!
September 21st, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Steelers are a great, well coached team. But they are not built to handle Hot weather! Big advantage to us! Hope it’s smokin hot! The Bucs spent all off season adjusting to the heat. Practicing in the Trop just helps them stay fresh for the game. One day doesn’t matter! Otherwise Pittsburgh would come practice here Saturday, and be instantly Climatized!! You knuckleheads! Lol
September 21st, 2010 at 6:21 pm
The heat thing is overrated…..I watched many a dark jersey team kick Buc ass…..particulary brutal for home team fans in the stands sitting through those games…
it has never been a difference maker
September 21st, 2010 at 7:49 pm
35 YO Batch, eh?
Buwahahah
Welcome back, Byron!
September 21st, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Who’s better?? Sluggo or Batch? I’m not sure.
I remember that Giants game last year where he was 7-22, 22 yards, and 1 INT. Yeah, I remember that performance pretty well and it was ugly. Expect a windup throwing motion, no mobility, and reckless throwing from Leftwich all day long. He’ll be in for a rude awakening.
But hey, aside from the Bucs vs Steelers game, I wish the best for Byron Leftwich.
September 21st, 2010 at 10:13 pm
@pete Are the club seats any cooler. Medically I can’t take the brutal heat. I would like take my daughter to a game. How much are the seats? Thanks.
September 22nd, 2010 at 3:16 am
I agree it’s probably not a tremendous advantage since so many of the Steelers players are probably from the south, but damn it is hot in Tampa. I flew in for the Cleveland game and I’m amazed that they can even walk in that heat with all those pads on, much less run around and hit each other. I swear if I was better looking I would have stripped naked and watched the game. I have never been so happy to get some rain as I was in the second half. If I was Pittsburgh, I would change my team colors immediately to white and … white!