Steelers Lose DE Aaron Smith to Injury

[Bltravens]

As per PFT the Steelers will be without Aaron Smith for 3 months due to a torn rotator cuff. This is a large loss for the steelers Dline.

[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/10/13/report-aaron-smith-out-until-january/"]http://profootballta...-until-january/[/url]

UPDATED: Now out for the season. Source ([url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4558028"]ESPN.com[/url])

[theFRANCHISE]

Effects of the so-called Super Bowl hangover? We'll see.

The Cardinals are already feeling it, but the Steelers are still on-the-fence.

[darklight1216]

That's interesting. I'm not going to get too excited though; it's not like the Steelers are lacking in defensive depth. If Ben R. went down, it would be another story...

[mhead66]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='13 October 2009 - 05:58 PM' timestamp='1255471085' post='256401']
As per PFT the Steelers will be without Aaron Smith for 3 months due to a torn rotator cuff. This is a large loss for the steelers Dline.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/10/13/report-aaron-smith-out-until-january/
[/quote]
Pittsburgh's very fortunate to have drafted Ziggy Hood.

[NorthShoreChicago]

Huge loss.

They were without him in 2007, and was a huge puzzle piece that initiated the collapse of that season for the Steelers.

Ziggy has been behind him learning, but don't think Ziggy can fill the void that Smith will leave.

[mhead66]

[quote name='NorthShoreChicago' date='13 October 2009 - 08:05 PM' timestamp='1255478748' post='256511']
Huge loss.

[b]They were without him in 2007, and was a huge puzzle piece that initiated the collapse of that season for the Steelers.[/b]

Ziggy has been behind him learning, but don't think Ziggy can fill the void that Smith will leave.
[/quote]
Agreed.

He's by far their best DL. Casey Hampton gets more publicity, but Smith's loss is almost as significant as having Polamalu out... and Smith is out until January (acc'd to PFT).

[NorthShoreChicago]

[quote name='mhead66' date='13 October 2009 - 08:08 PM' timestamp='1255478898' post='256517']
Agreed.

He's by far their best DL. Casey Hampton gets more publicity, but Smith's loss is almost as significant as having Polamalu out... and Smith is out until January (acc'd to PFT).
[/quote]

There will be a notable difference in the line without him. He's been there longer than any other player on the Steelers, next to Hines Ward.. Invaluable to the Steelers.

[thewarden86]

Best 3-4 Defensive end in the NFL, BAR NONE. This is going to hurt, but I I think the three guys who will rotate into his spot all bring at least one aspect that he does (size, strength, experience, pass def/run def/Block eater). It'll be like having only 1/3 of him on the field for any given play.

[JO_75]

Ok question, does this mean Ziggy Hood will be starting in place of him now? If so, it will be interesting to see how he performs. I remember hearing about how he had a great pre-season so now let's see how he does going against 1st stringers.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='JO_75' date='13 October 2009 - 10:45 PM' timestamp='1255488340' post='256687']
Ok question, does this mean Ziggy Hood will be starting in place of him now? If so, it will be interesting to see how he performs. I remember hearing about how he had a great pre-season so now let's see how he does going against 1st stringers.
[/quote]


He'll fill in but not exclusively. Tomlin says he's not ready yet. So it'll be Nick Eason (who has the size and some experience), Travis kirschke (experienced but vanilla) and Ziggy Hood (inexperienced, but lots of up side).

[Gtown Purple]

This will hurt there pass rush some but they'll be getting Troy back soon.

[theFRANCHISE]

[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4558028"]ESPN[/url] has confirmed that it's a season-ending injury and Smith has been placed on Injured Reserve.

[Gtown Purple]

Must have been a really bad tear.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='13 October 2009 - 06:53 PM' timestamp='1255474403' post='256427']
That's interesting. [b]I'm not going to get too excited though[/b]; it's not like the Steelers are lacking in defensive depth. If Ben R. went down, it would be another story...
[/quote]


Uh, yep..., and why would you or anyone else get excited over an injury anyway, right?

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='14 October 2009 - 12:43 PM' timestamp='1255538629' post='257006']
Uh, yep..., and [b]why would you or anyone else get excited over an injury anyway, right?[/b]
[/quote]
Uhhh...let's not get into that. If you'll remember correctly, there was a member (who's no longer with us) that wanted the Ravens to play dirty football. Some people just have no sense or decency. I think that's enough of a hint.

[Bltravens]

yikes season ending? Talk about all the stuff that could go wrong is well on its way too going wrong.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='14 October 2009 - 01:00 PM' timestamp='1255539623' post='257025']
Uhhh...let's not get into that. If you'll remember correctly, there was a member (who's no longer with us) that wanted the Ravens to play dirty football. Some people just have no sense or decency. I think that's enough of a hint. [img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif[/img]
[/quote]


I'm not the one who needed the hint. I thought the statement I responded to was questionable, so I called it out.

I actually didn't notice he was gone until just now. Oh well.

[thewarden86]

FYI -

[quote]To replace Smith on the 53-man roster, the Steelers have signed rookie defensive end Ra'Shon "Sunny" Harris, their sixth-round draft choice who was cut in September. Harris has been on the Carolina Panthers practice squad.

Read more: [url="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09287/1005355-100.stm#ixzz0TwG2WaNI"]http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09287/1005355-100.stm#ixzz0TwG2WaNI[/url]
[/quote]

They tried to sign him to their practice squad a while back but he rejected it because he had a better chance at playing time with the Panthers. Looks like it's a win-win now.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='14 October 2009 - 12:43 PM' timestamp='1255538629' post='257006']
Uh, yep..., and why would you or anyone else get excited over an injury anyway, right?
[/quote]
It's not that I [i]want[/i] players to get injured, because I don't. But if the Steelers started losing games I'd be pleased... unless of course, the Ravens kept losing games, then it wouldn't matter either way.
[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='14 October 2009 - 01:00 PM' timestamp='1255539623' post='257025']
Uhhh...let's not get into that. If you'll remember correctly, there was a member (who's no longer with us) that wanted the Ravens to play dirty football. [b]Some people just have no sense or decency.[/b] I think that's enough of a hint.
[/quote]
Thanks, man.

[Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan]

Anytime a team loses one of their long time, premier players it really hurts. Unfortunately it is part of the game and if not for these injuries we may be declined to see the rise of fresh, young, dominating new talent. Good luck though!

[thewarden86]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='14 October 2009 - 06:41 PM' timestamp='1255560075' post='257264']
It's not that I [i]want[/i] players to get injured, because I don't. But if the Steelers started losing games I'd be pleased... unless of course, the Ravens kept losing games, then it wouldn't matter either way.

[b]Thanks, man.[/b]
[/quote]


I don' think he directed that at you.

As for me, I just wanted to make sure you weren't saying what it sounded like you were saying.....and for the most part, I figured you didn't mean it that way (gave you the benefit of the doubt this time)...plus, I enjoy giving you a hard time. ;-)