SEAHAWKS SWING AX
Ryan Shazier has returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since the Steelers linebacker suffered a scary spinal injury in a game against the Bengals last month.
Shazier posted a photo of himself on Instagram in a wheelchair on the sideline.
“I want to thank the Lord for the first downs that he has been allowing me to achieve. The touchdown is going to come in his timing, but today was a first down. I was finally able to make it to practice with my teammates,” Shazier wrote on Instagram. “It’s great to be back for practices and meetings. Just to be able to feel a part of it means the world. So I’m working harder than I ever have to get back. I’ve been making strides over the past month and continue to make progress. Taking it day-byday, but I’m far from done. The Lord has not finished his work yet.”
Shazier also praised Steelers fans for all of their support while he continues his recovery.
“I want to say thank you to the fans and Steelers Nation for the prayers. If it wasn’t for my family, friends and your prayers I wouldn’t be were I am now. They have lifted me and my family through this journey and I ask for you to continue praying for me, as I continue to work daily on improving my health,” Shazier wrote.
Shazier’s father, Vernon Shazier, told WPXI last week that his son had feeling in his legs, but wouldn’t say if the 2014 first-rounder was walking again.
“He’s much better,” Vernon said, “but we’ve agreed to keep his progress private until he’s ready to share where he’s at.”
Shazier suffered the injury in the first quarter of the Steelers’ game against the Bengals on Dec. 4. He was taken to a local hospital before being moved to Pittsburgh two days later.
The Steelers have been using their injured teammate as motivation as they prepare to meet the Jaguars on Sunday.
— Brett Bodner INSTAGRAM that think LeBron James sucks, so if that happens, I’m sure there will be a lot of people that always think I suck.”
The latest insults came from Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard and retired NFL quarterback Chris Simms.
Byard told the Tennessean this week he wants to make Tom Brady look like Bortles. Byard intercepted two of Bortles’ passes in the regular-season finale in Nashville.
“This is a playoff game, so I don’t really care if it was Joe Montana,” Byard said. “You know what I’m saying? I’m trying to go out there and win the game. I want to make him look like Blake Bortles if I can and try to catch a couple picks. Tom Brady is a great quarterback, but it’s a playoff game.”
Simms told The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz on Tuesday that Bortles is 70th in his NFL quarterback rankings, below backups Chad Henne (Jacksonville), T.J. Yates (Houston) and Nathan Peterman (Buffalo).
The Seahawks fired offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and offensive line coach Tom Cable. Bevell was in charge of calling plays, while Cable was responsible for a run game and offensive line that failed to meet expectations.
It was a stunning sweep for head coach Pete Carroll, who has been immensely loyal to his assistants during his tenure. Carroll’s only other significant firing was offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates following the 2010 season, Carroll’s first in Seattle.
“We are challenged by change, but excited to attack the future with great purpose,” Carroll said in a statement. “I want to thank both Tom and Darrell for their role in helping take this program to a championship level. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to coach and compete alongside these great men.”
Seattle has been backsliding since appearing in the Super Bowl three years ago. The Seahawks missed the playoffs for the first time since 2011 after going 9-7 this season. It was clear there would be significant personnel changes going into 2018 and it started with the coaching staff.
Bevell and Cable had been with the team since 2011, responsible for developing an offense that was good enough to appear in two straight Super Bowls but that had regressed since. Bevell was let go on Tuesday night and Cable was dismissed a day later. It seemed unlikely Cable would be retained after Bevell was let go.
Carroll hinted that changes were likely when he recapped the 2017 season last week. It may be his last chance to refashion the Seahawks into a championship contender. Carroll is the oldest coach in the league at 66 — although he often acts like the youngest — and has two years remaining on his contract.