After by far his best game of the season, Willie Parker is unlikely to play in Week 4 of the 2009 NFL season. Parker, the starting running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has been diagnosed with turf toe and hasn’t been able to practice all week. The Steelers have officially listed him as doubtful.
On the season, Parker has 159 rushing yards, 44 receiving yards and one touchdown. Last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, Parker had 93 rushing yards, 36 receiving yards and a touchdown.
If Parker can’t go on Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, the Steelers will turn the starting …read more

After Week 1 of the 2009 NFL season, the power rankings of the best teams in the league is easier to determine. Here’s a look at the 2009 NFL power rankings heading into Week 2:
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
Although their running game needs some work, the Steelers looked strong in Week 1 and should be considered the favorites for the time being.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
The Donovan McNabb injury is worrisome but the Eagles were scary good to begin the 2009 NFL season as they dismantled the Panthers.
3. New York Giants
The Giants looked strong and Eli Manning appears to have enough receiving options to …read more

The 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers look a lot like the Steelers we saw at the end of last season as they were on their way to a Super Bowl championship. Led by a rugged defense and the undying nerve of Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback, the Steelers beat the Tennessee Titans in overtime by a final score of 13-10.
To send the Steelers to a 1-0 start, Jeff Reed nailed a 33-yard field goal less than five minutes into overtime. Reed was 2-for-2 on field goals for the game, while Titans kick Rob Bironas hit only one of his three attempts.
Offensively, the Steelers …read more

With the kickoff to the 2009 NFL season just hours away, it’s time for a final NFL power rankings prior to the beginning of the year. Here is a look at the top ten teams in the NFL heading into Week 1:
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
The reigning Super Bowl champions return a very stacked team that has a chance to go back-to-back.
2. New England Patriots
With Tom Brady back in control, the Patriots will be good as long as their defense holds up.
3. New York Giants
The loss of Plaxico Burress hurts but Eli Manning and the Giants know how to win.
4. San Diego …read more

To kickoff the 2009 NFL season, the Tennessee Titans travel to Pittsburgh to take on the reigning Super Bowl champion Steelers. The game takes place on Thursday at 8:30 PM ET at Heinz Field.
For the Steelers, they were able to keep their squad pretty much the same. On offense, Ben Roethlisberger is the quarterback and Willie Parker is the running back. The wide receivers are still Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes. The only difference is that backup running back Rashard Mendenhall may get more touches this year.
Defensively, the Steelers also bring back mostly the same unit. After their dominant defensive …read more

With training camps now open, it’s time to start figuring out which NFL teams are the cream of the crop. Here’s is the first look at power rankings for the 2009 NFL season:
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are the reigning Super Bowl champions and did nothing in the offseason to hurt their chances. As long as this team stays healthy and focus, sky is the limit.
2. New England Patriots
Another season, another very good year forthcoming for the Patriots. Tom Brady is back and both sides of the ball are very strong. As long as the offense finds a running back, they …read more

Heath Miller, the starting tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers, recently agreed to a lucrative extension that will keep him in Pittsburgh until the 2015 season. According to multiple reports, Miller’s extension is worth more than $35 million over the next six years. He’ll also received a signing bonus worth $12.5 million.
The 26-year-old who played college football at Virginia has steadily improved in his career. Last season, Miller played in 14 games and had 48 catches for 514 yards and three touchdowns. In each of his four seasons, he has improved his receptions from the previous season.
When Miller isn’t catching …read more

According to multiple reports out of Houston, the Texans have given Kris Brown an extension that is worth $10 million over four years. The 32-year-old has been the kicker for the Texans since 2002 — the year the Houston Texans came into existence
Out of the $10 million, about one-fourth of the money is guaranteed. The deal makes sense for the Texans because Brown has emerged as one of the better kickers in the NFL.
Last season, Brown connected on 87.9% of his field goal attempts — 29-of-33. The 29 field goals made were the most he’s ever had with the Texans. …read more

Sometimes there are sports stories that make you scratch your head. This is one such story featuring James Harrison of the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
Harrison, who set a record during the Super Bowl with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, said he will skip the customary visit with the President of the United States. Why will Harrison pass on the invite to meet Barack Obama?
This is what Harrison told Andrew Stockey of WTAE Channel 4 Action News: “This is how I feel — if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don’t win the …read more

Many NFL experts have speculated recently about the Larry Foote getting traded or released by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In now appears like just a matter of time before Foote is officially released by the team.
The 28-year-old Foote has played his entire career in Pittsburgh. He joined the team in 2002 and has only missed two games in his career — both in his rookie season. He has recorded 432 tackles and 14.5 sacks in 110 career games.
The Steelers will likely release Foote to make room for Lawrence Timmons, a fellow linebacker who will be entering his third year in the …read more