Thursday, November 29, 2007

Wake of the Flood

Remember a couple weeks ago when Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls expressed concern that the ridicule-ous playing surface at Heinz Field would provoke a serious injury?

Well, it was only a matter of time.

The Steelers today placed stalwart fullback Dan Kreider on injured reserve, ending his season. Kreider, who started the game Monday night, injured his knee in the game against the Dolphins.

Knee injuries happen all the time in football, and on any surface. Maybe the sloppy turf caused Kreider’s injury; maybe not – but we wouldn’t be surprised if it did.

To take Kreider’s place on the active roster, the Steelers promoted tight end Jon Dekker from the practice squad, which he occupied last season as well as this year. With Jerame Tuman placed on injured reserve last week, the Steelers were down to two tight ends. Now, with Dekker on board, they have as many tight ends (three) as centers (plus long-snapper Greg Warren). Dekker (6-5, 250) went to Princeton. Let’s hope he can block and contribute on special teams.

In any case, one can’t help but wonder how many injuries the Heinz Field turf has caused, or at least aggravated.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

We also can't help to wonder how many it has prevented..

Unknown said...

Damn, just when Kreider was starting to get more playing time.

Cotter said...

"Dekker (6-5, 250) went to Princeton. Let’s hope he can block and contribute on special teams."

If not, I bet he can debate the hell out of Marvin Lewis...Princeton is in New Jersey, enough said.

Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls said...

A Jon Dekker debate with Chad Johnson would be fun to see.

Cotter said...

He probably won't want to mess with a guy from Oregon State. I think they call that the Princeton of the West...

Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls said...

That's right: Chad Johnson went to Oregon State. That makes him a Beaver. Hey-oh!

Cotter said...

Cymbal crash...You'll be here all week?

By the way, that makes two beavers on that team - Ocho Cinco AND Horse Balls Anderson

Anonymous said...

I hope Dekker can block because he made easy catches look hard every time he went out for a pass in preseason.

Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls said...

That doesn't sound good. I don't remember anything at all about the guy.