As Steelers fans process the latest volley in the simmering feud between quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley, notions of “dink-and-dunk” could become “drink-and-drunk” if the Steelers struggle in Cincinnati on Sunday night.
Contributing to the potential overserving of Pittsburghers could be the absence of center Maurkice Pouncey from the lineup.
Pouncey injured his knee 10 days ago, during a Thursday night loss to the Titans. Though it initially appeared he possibly would miss no games at all, the Saturday decision to elevate an extra offensive lineman (as pointed out by Gantt) points to Pouncey being down for the Sunday night game.
We’ve got no specific knowledge that Pouncey won’t play, primarily since the folks who are in position to know his status aren’t saying anything. Which, of course, points to Pouncey not playing.
If he’s out, Doug Legursky will slide over to center. While Legursky has done well in that spot in the past, the absence of Pouncey and the scratching of running backs Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman could set the stage for the inevitable sideline blowup between Roethlisberger and Haley.
Start popping the corn now.