View topic - Aaron Smith out till January with torn rotator cuff

[DirtDawson Profile]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... l-january/






FUCK.

FUCK!!!!



Fuck.....


There goes the backbone of our defense. You think losing Polamalu hurts, you have no idea how the running game will suffer with the absence of Smith.

Having Troy back next week is kind of a redeeming factor, but nobody ever...EVER gives Aaron Smith the credit he deserves.

If you look at any major pass rush play, Aaron Smith is the one DE penetrating the offensive backfield. He's EASILY the best D-lineman we have.

When fat Casey Hampton is on his belly with two defenders on top of him, Aaron Smith is the guy plugging the gap, holding the spine of goal line stands...

this one really hurts.



As a surgeon in training, i also know how detrimental it is for an athlete to have a torn rotator, although alot of it really depends on the location and extent of the tear.

Some tears can span a wider range of the aligned muscles around your shoulder, which is why to some players the tear can end a season completely. Which this virtually does for Aaron.


We can really only hope that someone can step up in this position. And even though Tomlin said what he did about Ziggy, i'm looking in his direction. Kirschke is mediocre at best.



Next year's draft has to be about depth. It has to. Losing the key backups and #3's is starting to catch up on this team.

[frankensmith91 Profile]

this is really bad, i was getting happy about troy being able to play soon, but this may even be a bigger blow to the defense than losing troy. aaron smith isn't only the best lineman on our defense, but probably the best 3-4 lineman in the NFL. he can't be replaced.

[oldschoolhunkie Profile]

Yep it's bad. But this shit happens to teams every year. Gotta keep plugging away. Ziggy will get a trial by fire, even if he is being eased in. He has to rise to the occasion and Keisel has to step it up too.

[Nashsteeler Profile]

It'll be interesting to see what happens. This is a different team from when the run D collapsed when smith had the biceps tear in 2007. Granted, they are a better defense with the guy, who is probably one of the top 2 or 3 3-4 DE's in the league, but maybe Ziggy or Sonny step up. Maybe teams will run the ball instead of shredding the pass d in the 4Q . Of course, Smith is also tied for the team lead in hurries with SB.

You can bet teams will test the defensive left side early and often, starting with the Browneyes this week. I think AP might be salivating a little at the prospect of the Vikes getting to play at Heinz without Smith in. Next two games will tell us whether we're a team that will have to win 35-31 shootouts the rest of the year.

[Sun and Steel Profile]

It is official, Smitty on the IR. This is most likely not only a season ending injury but possibly a career ending one, I'm afraid. Smitty has been around a long time and I hope he has something left in the tank for next season. These injuries are a little more difficult to come back from with each year in the trenches in the NFL...Godspeed and recover quickly Smitty

[lloydgreene Profile]

Damn. Aaron Smith was underrated only by those who didn't pay attention to the staff or his play on the field. There were many on this board that questioned why Ziggy wasn't already playing more with our earlier defensive subpar performances.

Just a thought. I can remember the same feeling of uneasiness when we had a young unproven slinger step in for a veteran QB who was injured a few years back. The plan was to let the youngie sit and learn for a year, the outcome was Big Ben. I can remember my man Faneca even expressing dismay at turning the Ferrari keys over to a rook. That season turned out remarkably well when the odds were against it.

All is not lost. We move on. We will not fold. But we lost a monster today. Damn.

[frankensmith91 Profile]

Damn. Aaron Smith was underrated only by those who didn't pay attention to the staff or his play on the field. There were many on this board that questioned why Ziggy wasn't already playing more with our earlier defensive subpar performances.

Just a thought. I can remember the same feeling of uneasiness when we had a young unproven slinger step in for a veteran QB who was injured a few years back. The plan was to let the youngie sit and learn for a year, the outcome was Big Ben. I can remember my man Faneca even expressing dismay at turning the Ferrari keys over to a rook. That season turned out remarkably well when the odds were against it.

All is not lost. We move on. We will not fold. But we lost a monster today. Damn.

good point but it's harder to be optimistic in this case. tommy maddox was an average qb, aaron smith is the best 3-4 DE in the NFL.

[indysteel Profile]

Reality check ---

Smith has been as quiet as a church mouse since - and including - the SB.

He is NOT the best DE in football (3-4 or otherwise).

He will be missed but our season will not turn on him.

BR7? TP43? SH10? Sure. Smith?? Probably not.

[frankensmith91 Profile]

Remember the last time smith got injured for an extended amount of time? how did our defense look that year? He's as big a part of the defense as troy P is. If I'm proven wrong I'll be happy as hell. If he isn't the best 3-4 DE in the league who would you rather have to anchor the run defense on his side?

[DirtDawson Profile]

It is official, Smitty on the IR. This is most likely not only a season ending injury but possibly a career ending one, I'm afraid. Smitty has been around a long time and I hope he has something left in the tank for next season. These injuries are a little more difficult to come back from with each year in the trenches in the NFL...Godspeed and recover quickly Smitty

Well, since he underwent surgery immediately after the injury, chances are it's not really a "career" ending injury.

He'll be back next year, it just sucks we wont have him this season.

[Pommah Profile]

"Ziggy Hood is no way ready to replace Aaron Smith"

How the hell could he be? He's gotten no playing time!

While its true a lack of blowouts has prevented 2nd and 3rd team mop-up time, our lack of subbing in the next string always comes back to haunt us. Several-game and season-ending injuries are a fact of life in a 16+ game season. You have to have people come in and be immediate producers, maybe not at the same level as a top guy, but close. Also why you can't have specialists, players have to be able to take on several roles. We were lucky last year, not many injuries in the grand scheme of things, maybe we won't be that lucky this year.

[lloydgreene Profile]

Reality check ---

Smith has been as quiet as a church mouse since - and including - the SB.

He is NOT the best DE in football (3-4 or otherwise).

He will be missed but our season will not turn on him.

BR7? TP43? SH10? Sure. Smith?? Probably not.

"Quiet as a churchmouse" means not making tackles or getting sacks, I assume? You need to have an understanding of the 3-4 defense and the DE's role in it. No DE of ours will lead the team in tackles or sacks or interceptions or touchdowns or field goals! Their job is to blow up the line so our LB's get to the ball. Smith did that as well as anyone. HE IS ONE OF THE BEST!

[SteelPower Profile]

HE IS ONE OF THE BEST!


No question and now watch what happens to our run defense

[IronCity__Man Profile]

He was having an incredible season and the bright spot on the spotty defense this year. One of the best 3-4 DEs, particularly against the run.

[Still CA Still Profile]

Agree about the effects of this big loss but Tomlin's statements and actions are puzzling: First it was "Ziggy Hood is absolutely not ready to step in." Then to fill the rtoster spot, they reach to sign an earlier rookie castoff on a 1-3 Carolina practice squad.
WTF?

[Steel Holiday Profile]

Losing Smith hurts, but it shouldn't be as crucial as it was in 07. That team relied more on its defense than this current squad to get to where it was. Not only was he playing at high level, but he was one of the only starters that was healthy on the defensive side of the ball. Losing Smith for the 07 team might have been the straw that broke the camels back. (Honorable mention to FWP who went down about a week or two later)

This years Steelers are far more dynamic than that seasons. Not only do we see Pittsburgh winning games by means other than suffocating D, but for the first time in years there are players with youth who can fill in along the Dl. Travis Kirschke is no AS 91, or spring chicken, but he has the ability to hold the POA. Eason, Hood, and eventually maybe Harris should all see opportunities to push the pocket. Keeping guys fresh and getting experience should pay off in the future. This team is still searching for its winning identity this season, and has to much potential to let this one missing element hold them back.

As much as I will miss watching one of my favorite players, he won't be the reason this team doesn't win #7. OTOH, if Pgh can't balance the pass with an effective running game...Can't say I currently like the chances of squaring off late in the playoffs.

[ibleedBLACKandGOLD81 Profile]

Remember the last time smith got injured for an extended amount of time? how did our defense look that year? He's as big a part of the defense as troy P is. If I'm proven wrong I'll be happy as hell. If he isn't the best 3-4 DE in the league who would you rather have to anchor the run defense on his side?

Potentially Richard Seymour. I say he and Aaron Smith are the top 3-4 DEs in the league however Seymour is 3.5 years younger and has more left in the tank. 3-4 DEs and even NTs seem to be about the hardest positions to fill. Hampton is going to be tough to replace but I agree with the Steelers decision to not resign him to a long term deal.

[ibleedBLACKandGOLD81 Profile]

Agree about the effects of this big loss but Tomlin's statements and actions are puzzling: First it was "Ziggy Hood is absolutely not ready to step in." Then to fill the rtoster spot, they reach to sign an earlier rookie castoff on a 1-3 Carolina practice squad.
WTF?

Dude, what the HELL are you talking about?? The Steelers wanted to sign Rashon Harris to their practice squad however Carolina prevented them from doing that because they signed him to their ACTIVE ROSTER after he kicked their ass in the final preseason game. Had Carolina not had some injuries he would have remained on their active roster. He played in 2 games for Carolina and had 1 solo tackle and 1 assisted tackle. They lost their first 3 games so that wasn't in cleanup time either. We are VERY FORTUNATE we were able to get him back. Had the Steelers known Carolina was going to sign him they might even have kept Rashon on our active roster and instead released Nick Eason (typically there isn't too much of a risk releasing a 6th round draft pick to then sign onto your practice squad and with Nick Eason not being eligible for the practice squad they made the right decision although this time it almost cost us a good prospect in Harris). The Steelers signing Rashon Harris over a serviceable veteran like Orpheous Roye who was on the team last year and knows the defense tells you what the Steelers think about Rashon Harris. Other than Ziggy Hood our DL is very old (Aaron Smith is 33, Travis Kirshche is 35, Brett Keisel is 31, Casey Hampton is 32, and Chris Hoke is 33) and I'm very happy we got Rashon back.

[steelcitymetal Profile]

Aaron Smith out till January with torn rotator cuff

you gotta look at the glass half-full:

he'll be back just in time to play in the super bowl

[ibleedBLACKandGOLD81 Profile]

Aaron Smith out till January with torn rotator cuff

you gotta look at the glass half-full:

he'll be back just in time to play in the super bowl

Aaron Smith was put on IR which means his season is over