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steelcurtain311 · 10-14-2009, 10:31 AM

http://www.steelers.com/article/112109/

Crappppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp.

Most people who don't follow Steelers football probably don't realize the importance Aaron Smith has on this defense. He's one of the best DE's in the game, and a stud when it comes to stopping the run. The Steelers number 1 strength is having their dominating front 7, and Aaron Smith is arguably the MVP of that group.

It's probably a more devastating injury than Polamalu, the only difference is we have more depth at the DL than we do in the secondary.

So, probably going to see some Ziggy Hood in a more expanded role now. I don't see why else you draft him.

BlackNGold · 10-14-2009, 10:59 AM

Definitely bad news. Anytime Smith has been out for multiple games our run D has suffered dramatically. Kirschke will start this week against Cleveland, rotating with Eason and Hood.

Hood apparently isn't quite ready to step into a starting role just yet, though he has gotten better at holding the point of attack. From what I've read they're putting the hard-sell on Hood and will likely try to get him ready to take on a starting role coming out of the bye in a few weeks.They are currently #2 against the run and hopefully Ziggy can help keep them there.

I know a lot of people on the Steelers message board are happy about Harris being back. He had a nice pre-season and showed some potential.

z Revis · 10-14-2009, 11:04 AM

They'll be fine.

CreatineKasey · 10-14-2009, 11:38 AM

Not happy seeing this.. hopefully Polamalu can return real soon to help out. Smith has been a stalwart in this system for a decade. Can't replace his savvy and strength.

tyler289 · 10-14-2009, 12:07 PM

Just in time for Polamalu to come back. Luckily, they drafted Hood as his eventual replacement and he'll get a shot to play along with the newly signed Sonny Harris, Kirshke, and Eason.

BurghFan · 10-14-2009, 03:07 PM

Yeah, definitely bad news about Smith. They keep talking about how last time Smith went down with a season ending injury (2007) the Steelers lost 3 of their last 4 games. As others have said, hopefully Kirschke, Hood, and Eason can step in and help stop the run.

elgreazy1 · 10-16-2009, 09:11 AM

I think the Steelers are screwed at this point. Smith's production doesn't show up in the stat-book individually but he basically solidifies the entire defense. I can't remember the stats Mark Schlereth threw out but I belive the Steelers defense, on average, gives up twice as many rushing yards WITHOUT him in the lineup. He's a big body, smart player, very consistant & demands & destroys double teams; you can't replace that easily.

Couple that with Polumalu still being out and the defense is losing some bite.

steelcurtain311 · 10-16-2009, 11:18 AM

Can you replace him against say, Cleveland? Sure, why not. But when we're facing power run teams, we're very much going to miss him. For the way he commands double teams alone, he'll be missed. He's one of the most unblockable DE's in the game. He's doubled on every play and he still gets pressure on the QB, and still fills his gaps. He's a ridiculous player, but like Richard Seymour, he doesn't have the flashy numbers, so you ignore him and pay attention to someone Shawn Merriman instead.

10-14-2009, 10:31 AM	#1
steelcurtain311 Banned OVR: 17 Join Date: Feb 2009	Let the Ziggy Hood era begin? http://www.steelers.com/article/112109/ Crappppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp. Most people who don't follow Steelers football probably don't realize the importance Aaron Smith has on this defense. He's one of the best DE's in the game, and a stud when it comes to stopping the run. The Steelers number 1 strength is having their dominating front 7, and Aaron Smith is arguably the MVP of that group. It's probably a more devastating injury than Polamalu, the only difference is we have more depth at the DL than we do in the secondary. So, probably going to see some Ziggy Hood in a more expanded role now. I don't see why else you draft him.

10-14-2009, 11:04 AM	#3
z Revis Hall Of Fame OVR: 28 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SW FL Posts: 13,649	Re: Let the Ziggy Hood era begin? They'll be fine. __________________ Indianapolis Colts Indiana Pacers Indiana Hoosiers Notre Dame Fighting Irish

10-14-2009, 11:38 AM	#4
CreatineKasey MVP OVR: 55 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Minnesota Blog Entries: 29	Re: Let the Ziggy Hood era begin? Not happy seeing this.. hopefully Polamalu can return real soon to help out. Smith has been a stalwart in this system for a decade. Can't replace his savvy and strength. __________________ Xbox Live Gamertag: CreatineKasey M - I - N - N - E - S - O - T - A

10-14-2009, 12:07 PM	#5
tyler289 MVP OVR: 24 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: College Park, MD	Re: Let the Ziggy Hood era begin? Just in time for Polamalu to come back. Luckily, they drafted Hood as his eventual replacement and he'll get a shot to play along with the newly signed Sonny Harris, Kirshke, and Eason.

10-14-2009, 03:07 PM	#6
BurghFan #BurghProud OVR: 34 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 10,082 Blog Entries: 2	Re: Let the Ziggy Hood era begin? Yeah, definitely bad news about Smith. They keep talking about how last time Smith went down with a season ending injury (2007) the Steelers lost 3 of their last 4 games. As others have said, hopefully Kirschke, Hood, and Eason can step in and help stop the run.

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10-14-2009, 10:59 AM	#2
BlackNGold Pro OVR: 6 Join Date: May 2003	Re: Let the Ziggy Hood era begin? Definitely bad news. Anytime Smith has been out for multiple games our run D has suffered dramatically. Kirschke will start this week against Cleveland, rotating with Eason and Hood. Hood apparently isn't quite ready to step into a starting role just yet, though he has gotten better at holding the point of attack. From what I've read they're putting the hard-sell on Hood and will likely try to get him ready to take on a starting role coming out of the bye in a few weeks.They are currently #2 against the run and hopefully Ziggy can help keep them there. I know a lot of people on the Steelers message board are happy about Harris being back. He had a nice pre-season and showed some potential. __________________ Rod Woodson HOF 2009 71 carrer INTs (#3 All-Time), 12 ret for TDs (#1 All-Time), 1483 Int Return Yards (#1 All-Time) Member of NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team (Along with 5 other Steelers) http://www.nfl.com/history/legends/75th-anniversary Last edited by BlackNGold; 10-14-2009 at 11:10 AM.

10-16-2009, 09:11 AM	#7
elgreazy1 MVP OVR: 28 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 8	Re: Let the Ziggy Hood era begin? I think the Steelers are screwed at this point. Smith's production doesn't show up in the stat-book individually but he basically solidifies the entire defense. I can't remember the stats Mark Schlereth threw out but I belive the Steelers defense, on average, gives up twice as many rushing yards WITHOUT him in the lineup. He's a big body, smart player, very consistant & demands & destroys double teams; you can't replace that easily. Couple that with Polumalu still being out and the defense is losing some bite. __________________ Online Portfolio Site XBL: El Greazy 1 Currently Playing: XONE: Madden 16, GOW:UE, FIFA 15 + X360: APF2K8

10-16-2009, 11:18 AM	#8
steelcurtain311 Banned OVR: 17 Join Date: Feb 2009	Re: Let the Ziggy Hood era begin? Can you replace him against say, Cleveland? Sure, why not. But when we're facing power run teams, we're very much going to miss him. For the way he commands double teams alone, he'll be missed. He's one of the most unblockable DE's in the game. He's doubled on every play and he still gets pressure on the QB, and still fills his gaps. He's a ridiculous player, but like Richard Seymour, he doesn't have the flashy numbers, so you ignore him and pay attention to someone Shawn Merriman instead.

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Let the Ziggy Hood era begin?