Steelers deserve high grades against Texans

Grade B:  The next-man up philosophy appeared to work effectively

Despite tossing his cookies on the field, Lawrence Timmons didn’t let a little vomit keep him from playing – and it was almost as if the team embraced the fact that he tapped-out but returned to the field.  It may have been gutsy enough to get guys that are normally in backup rolls ready to take that next step up.  After all, how can you not appreciate that level of dedication?

When offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert had to leave the game due to concussion symptoms with the team trailing 13-0 in the second quarter, Mike Adams came onto the field.  An audible groan emitted from the stadium.  Adams has been criticized for slow feet, being beaten in one-on-one blocking situations and allowing defenses to get into his own offensive backfield.  He was a started at left tackle last season, but has rode the bench only to be called to action.  And the end result was successful.

Center Maurkice Pouncey, who made a statement more than once by pushing the Texans defensive linemen into their backfield (second-level play is fantastic), called Adams’ insertion into the game “huge”.  “I told Mike (Adams) already, that’s major.  That showed us a lot.  That just goes to show that if any guy goes down he can step in there and do the job right away.”

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