The Pittsburgh Sports Notebook - 10/17

Fernando Velasco Has Helped Anchor A Sorry OLine

Time for another Pittsburgh Sports Notebook.  Let me dust off the October 17th edition and get to it...

STEELERS
- Kelvin Beachum seems to have solidified (for now) the Steelers' LT position.  This will be the second week in a row that the offensive line will be as follows: Beachum, DeCastro, Velasco, Foster, Gilbert

- Antonio Brown is slowly becoming the #1 receiver everyone thought of when he signed that lucrative contract last season.  Brown is 2nd in the AFC in receptions and is on pace to break Hines Ward's single season reception record.

- As great as "AB" has been at WR, he has lacked in the punt return game.  Not only has there been ZERO splash plays in that capacity, but some questionable fair catches to go along with the lack of production.  Don't expect Brown to leave his punt return duties any time soon, but plays are expected to be made from such a dynamic player.

- Steelers LB Jarvis Jones was diagnosed with a concussion on Wednesday afternoon after being evaluated by team doctors.  He will have to pass the usual protocol to play on Sunday, but as of right now he is a question mark heading into the game on Sunday.

- If Jones is unable to be cleared for play, Jason Worilds will take over at the OLB position opposite of Lamarr Woodley.

- If you were wondering why the Steelers haven't employed more of the new "zone blocking" schemes that were the topic of discussion at training camp, the answer is that the turnover on the offensive line has hindered them implementing the scheme more often.

PENGUINS
- As the Pens prepare for their cross state rivals tonight, here is what the morning skate line combinations were:
     - Kunitz / Crosby / Dupuis
     - Jokinen / Malkin / Kobasew
     - Glass / Sutter / Adams
     - Zolnierczyk / Vitale / Englelland (No thats not a typo...)
     - Orpik & Martin
     - Scuderi & Niskanen
     - Maatta & Bortuzzo

- Kris Letang practiced again with the team, but is not expected to play tonight.  Other players still out of the lineup are Beau Bennett (did NOT make the trip), and James Neal.

- Game time is 7:00pm tonight on NHL Network.  Be ready for a showdown!

PIRATES
- Pirates Prospect, Josh Bell (OF), is primed to crack the top 100 prospect list.  He is a switch hitting OF that can hit for power and has the athleticism to play the OF as well.  A knee injury has kept his production at a minimum, but with a clear bill of health Bell looks to progress towards the Big League club.