Wednesday Headlines

The major talking points for Wednesday around The Burgh:

STEELER NEWS AND NOTES

Travis Kirschke is expected to call it a career, writes John Harris at the Trib. 

The 35-year-old joined the team in 2004 and has two Super Bowl rings to show off for his efforts. He started a Steeler career-high seven games in 2009, and 17 games over the past three seasons, and has played in all but four games in his six seasons in Pittsburgh. [Trib]

DE Nick Eason, an unrestricted free agent, reached a deal with the Steelers that will keep him in town for at least one more season.

Eason was on and off the roster in 2009, released on October 3 and re-signed on October 5. He ended up playing in eight games, starting five in place of injured linemen Aaron Smith, Brett Keisel and Kirschke. [PG]

Idaho guard Mike Iupati was one of six college players to visit the team on Thursday. 

Others in town included center Maurkice Pouncey of Florida, defensive linemen Clifton Geathers of South Carolina and Linval Joseph of East Carolina, South Florida WR Carlton Mitchel and Arizona TE Rob Gronkowski. [PG]

Ken Laird reports that he's told WR Santonio Holmes would rather play in a big market after this season, and that 2010 could be the final season for the Super Bowl MVP in Pittsburgh. [ESPN1250.com]

Adam Swickle, lawyer for Holmes, concluded his own investigation into claims that his client threw a glass at Anshonae Mills, and that the information was overnighted to Orlando police yesterday. According to Swickle, his findings are overwhelmingly in favor of Holmes.

"This is nothing more than frivolous and extortion and we believe we are going to show that," Swickle said. "I have an obligation to defend (Holmes') reputation. These lawyers have recklessly tried to ruin that reputation with no investigation." [Trib]

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STEELER FREE AGENT UPDATE: WILL ALLEN TO SIGN

S Will Allen, who spent last year with Tampa Bay, is in for a visit today, a clear sign that the team is preparing for life after Ryan Clark. A 4th-round pick by the Bucs out of Ohio State in 2004, Allen is a special-teams wiz, chosen as an alternate for the Pro Bowl at the position in 2008. He missed half of the 2009 season with a thumb injury.

UPDATE 1:10 PM:
Allen will be signing with the Steelers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

WR Arnaz Battle is also in town today to take in all things Pittsburgh. This is not music to Limas Sweed's ears.

DE Nick Eason is expected to visit with Pittsburgh West on Tuesday. That's quite a pipeline the Cardinals have managed to set up. At least we know where most of the Steelers will end their careers someday.

RB Willie Parker is visiting with the Redskins today and will then travel to Houston and meet with Gary Kubiak. He's determined to land with a former Denver coach one way or another.

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EASON IN, REDMAN OUT

The Steelers' game of roster musical chairs found a seat for recently-released DE Nick Eason and once again sent RB Red Zone Redman away without a chair. The Steelers do have room on their practice squad, so the possibility exists that Redman could be headed there. But for now, he's fair game for any team to sign.

As riveting as this news is, I feel the need to fill this post out with a few other Steeler links, etc., from today:

--When you talk about Ben Roethlisberger as much as I do, you can expect to get pummeled with emails when Lord Peter King proclaimeth our celebrated quarterback the third-best in the NFL right now. And to answer your question, no, I'm not nearly as excited about this development as you would imagine. I think even I'm tired of hearing myself talk about how great Roethlisberger is at this point.

--Hines Ward talked to the boys at the Kiss 96.1 Morning Show on Monday about a variety of colorful topics, and you can listen to that here.

--Rapper Common is making blog headlines for his in-person diss of Browns QB Brady Quinn at a Cleveland show last week. Dissing Brady Quinn? That's so 2007. [Fan Sided]

--And finally, one of my most loyal e-mailers has twice reminded me today to mention that it's Mario Lemieux's birthday. So let's all blow out a candle for the best thing to happen to Pittsburgh sports, quite possibly of all time. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some WWE Raw to watch. This just in: Eric Tangradi will be in the crowd!

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ISAAC REDMAN COMING TO SAVE THE DAY

The much-maligned Steeler running game will get help in the form of camp standout and fan favorite Isaac Redman, who was promoted to the active roster today. Willie Parker is now officially out with his turf toe, and Rashard Mendenhall will enter the sink-or-swim portion of his pro career as the starter. The musical chairs at the position also leaves Mewelde Moore and newly-signed Carey Davis on the active roster and Frank the Tank Summers on IR. Also, DE Nick Eason was released today to make room for Redman, who will wear the #33 made famous by Frenchy Fuqua, Merrill Hoge, Bam Morris, and Gary Russell.

Redman ran for 145 yards on 37 carries (3.91 YPC) and three touchdowns during the 2009 preseason. His ability to find the end zone earned him the nickname "Red Zone", but he was unceremoniously released on the final cut in favor of Summers. The team was obviously desperate for depth at the position with just two halfbacks on the roster, but we'll see what Redman can do with this second chance.

Redman returns, Parker out against San Diego [PG]

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BREAKING: BRETT KEISEL OUT UP TO 2 MONTHS

KDKA is reporting that Steeler DE Brett Keisel will be out up to two months due to a calf injury suffered in the first half of last night's game against the Browns. That's not good news.

Although it's not on the level of losing a Tom Brady, it is still a major loss for the Steelers. Keisel's backup is Nick Eason, a 6th-year man out of Clemson who goes 6'3", 305. He played in all 16 games for the Steelers last season and started one. He joined the team after three years of futility in Cleveland and a very quiet 2003 with Denver. He also played for NFL Europe's Scottish Claymores in 2004. I'd suggest you become more familiar with him ASAP.

Steelers' Keisel Expected To Be Out For 2 Months [KDKA]

A. Smith Out for Season

There's a portion of you that would probably be excited about that headline if it were another player, but it was revealed today that it is actually Aaron Smith who is out for the season with torn biceps.

The injury was suffered during the Patriots game, which looking back on it turned out to be a crappier day than anyone could've ever imagined. A combo meal of Travis Kirschke, Nick Eason and Chris Hoke are expected to fill the now gaping hole at defensive end.

Combined with the nagging injuries to Santonio Holmes and Troy Polamalu, this could really continue the slide the Steelers have been on for the past month or so.

And to clear up any confusion, Anthony Smith, nursing a bruised ego, is not listed on the injury report.

Also, the Steelers promoted Steely, I mean Ryan, McBean from the practice squad.

What You're Reading

A few selected links that have filled my inbox on a busy Wednesday...

The easy choice for email of the day was the Deadspin article telling us we need to root for the Golden State Warriors tonight. Thanks to all of you who sent it in. As one of Deadspin's emailers pointed out:

Folks who will have perhaps-unexpected interest in tonight's Golden State-Portland game: Pittsburgh Pirates fans. The Bucs have compiled 14 losing seasons -- and counting. The Warriors stand at 12 -- meaning at least that the Pirates have a friend in the double digits. Should GS win tonight, the next closest on the list are the Orioles (nine straight losing seasons), the Devil Rays (all nine of their seasons) and -- yes -- your Buzzsaw [Arizona Cardinals] (eight).

The perfect band for this year's Skyblast: Bon-Journey, the nation's only Bon Jovi & Journey tribute band. But we're too late...the triumvirate of Styx, Smash Mouth, and Povertyneck will entertain us in mid-August.

ESPN's Scott Burnside said Game Four looked like a goodbye for the Penguins.

From the "no comment necessary" department: Spezza: 'We want to bury [Penguins]'

Start sizing the guys for their rings...the Steeler sign free agent DE Nick Eason away from the Browns.

Anyone else catch 18-year-old freshman and Shadyside Academy alum Monty Singh Harika declaring for the NBA draft?

A man is accused of drunken lawnmower driving, and surprisingly, he doesn't play in the NFL.

Your new Incredible Hulk? Edward Norton.

When not blowing up thebiglead.com, Colin Cowherd picks a fight with Keith Olbermann.

Paris Hilton and Hilton Hotels, OWNED by a guerilla graffiti artist