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The once-mighty Steelers will take the field this evening without some of their key players. Most importantly, Troy Polamalu is out, and we've seen that defensive unit struggle ,mightily when he's out over the past several years. On top of that, the Steelers are also down star linebackers LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison. Hopefully those holes are something CJ and Hasselbeck can take advantage of, but they'll have to bring a hell of a lot more talent to the table than they mustered last weekend.
Paul K delivers his comprehensive take on what's wrong with the Titans. Sounds like he thinks it's a combination of overestimated talent, underwhelming gameplanning and a lack of locker room leadership. Of course I'll remind you all, this is the NFL. Things change quickly. This team is a work in progress, so I caution against any of us getting too attached to the sweeping statements and unbridled cynicism that's flowing like water these days. Leaders emerge, coaches eventually adjust and things will start looking up... especially when Locker gets back under center.
With all of the struggles at the safety spot, maybe we'll get a ray of sunshine with Markelle Martin getting healthy enough to come off the IR. My guess is they'd rather use that spot on Ringer, but Martin is the one who will be here next year. Using that move on Ringer late in the year just doesn't make sense unless you think this team is headed for the postseason.
Fer ghad's sake, if the Titans are going to be competitive and show some swagger, please let it be tonight on national(-ish) television.
Jared Cook's mother, Yulinda, will be the 12th Titan tonight in honor of breast cancer patients and survivors everywhere. The Titans, Mama Cook and Chris Palmer's wife Donna, who also survived a bout with breast cancer, will host a special group of breast cancers survivors at the game tonight, and fans attending the game will get a pink rally towel and a pink ribbon to wear.