Not much is new for the Steelers during the bye week.  None of the players showed up in the police blotter, which is always a good thing.  Tomlin kept the rookies inhouse to practice during the bye week and sent the vets home.  I like this move as it ‘s good for the rookie development and the team still has an extra day of practice due to this week’s game on Monday night.

The Steelers swapped out Tight ends on the practice squad.  Perrenial PS feature Dezmond Sherrod was exchanged for Kevin Brock.  Brock was released from the Jets PS Sept 4.  He’s a blocking TE who converted from playing DE at Rutgers.

DE Kirshke is out for this week and perhaps next.  Timmons is questionable with another ankle injury.

The Steelers have a very good record after a bye week and also on Monday night.  I’m not sure of the numbers — but trust me they’re ridiculous. 

Some things to look for this week vs. Denver

Steelers on Defense:

Debut of the Ziggy and Sunny show:  Rookie DEs Sunny Harris and Ziggy Hood will see significant play time in relief of Nick Eason and Brett Keisel.  We might see Hoke over there as well.  The D-line will go against one of the better O-Lines in the league. 

Casey Hampton could potentially have a very disruptive game versus LG Hamilton and C Wiegman.  They are weak at the point of attack and the Big Snack could be collapsing the pocket on the Broncos.

The Broncos are expected to start second year man Tyler Polumbus at right tackle.  This will be his first start.  He was an undrafted free agent picked up out of Colorodo.  He’ll face Lamar Woodley in a key matchup.  Woodley has not had the same production as last year.  He could have a big impact in this game.  On the other side, Harrison will be in a good matchup versus Ryan Clady.

Ryan Clark’s status or even if he’s traveling to Denver won’t be revealed until game day.  The expectation from the Pittsburgh media is that Tomlin will not play Clark.  One key question is whether or not Dick Lebeau will be more conservative in scheme without Clark back there.  Earlier this year, conservative defensive approaches have not been very successful.

Expect Ike Taylor to cover Brandon Marshall all day and to and largely shut him down.

The Steeler linebackers and Polamalu have the opportunity so seal the deal in this game.  Orton has a fairly low YPA stat.  The ability of this group to make up for any weakness in the front 3 and cover the underneath passing could effectively shut down the Broncos Offense.

Steelers on Offense:

Denver looks to be an interesting team on paper.  They’re the top team in total yards per game and rushing yards per game defensively – a stat accomplished with very limited star power.  Outside of Champ Bailey and a dinged up Brian Dawkins they’re having good success with very average talent.  To me that means they’re playing well as a team so it will be difficult to exploit them.

The Broncos start former Steeler Draft bust Ryan McBean at Left Defensive End.  A pulling Kemoeatu will be barreling towards McBean Monday night.  If the Steelers O-line can impose their will on this defensive line, it could be a statement game from a unit that has shown huge improvement already this year.

The Broncos linebackers are a fairly average group.  Coupled with some underwhelming performance from the nickel back, it could be a productive game for Heath Miller and Hines Ward over the middle.  Likewise if Arians dials up some bubble screens and short pass plays for the backs, there could be some good success there.