Short Week for the Steelers Starts Today

The Steelers begin preparations for Thursday night’s game at St. Louis with practice today on the South Side.  Head coach Mike Tomlin will not have the full compliment of players available this afternoon.  Linebacker Clark Haggans has a knee sprain, Linebacker and special teams ace Clint Kriewaldt has a stinger-injury and offensive tackle Marvell Smith’s cranky back is acting up again.  Tomlin categorized Smith as out but said he’ll know more about the status of Haggans and Kriewaldt as the week goes on.  Tomlin says the Steelers need to be more fundamentally sound this week against St. Louis, especially when it comes to tackling.  Tomlin says if they don’t tackle well on defense, Steven Jackson will run all over the Steelers.  Offensively Tomlin says they need to control the line of scrimmage better which will open up the running game and keep quarterback Ben Roethlisberger from getting killed.