Hurricane Sandy affects Steelers' travel plans
Mike Wallace of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. (Oct. 21, 2012) Credit: Getty Images
Pittsburgh did not feel the brunt of Hurricane Sandy, but that doesn't mean the Steelers aren't affected by the aftermath of the storm.
The Post-Gazette reported Thursday that the team's hotel in Jersey City has no power, and with no available alternatives on short notice because of local residents staying in area hotels, the Steelers were forced to change their travel plans for Sunday's game against the Giants. Instead of flying into the area on Saturday, as most teams do the day before a road game -- something NFL rules stipulate -- the Steelers will fly from Pittsburgh to Newark on Sunday morning, have team meetings at (but not check in to) a hotel near MetLife Stadium, then return to Pittsburgh after the 4:25 p.m. game.
Locklear now sixth man
David Diehl will be back starting at right tackle for the Giants on Sunday, replacing Sean Locklear, who had played there the last six weeks. Locklear, who started the first two games of the season at left tackle for Will Beatty, will become the team's sixth lineman.
"It's tough," Locklear said. "You've been playing all year. It's tough. But at least I'm not just standing on the sideline. I'll still get in there as the extra guy and get to play a little bit."
The alignment on Sunday -- Beatty at left tackle, Diehl at right tackle -- was how the Giants had their line penciled in for the start of the season. "Coming in, in the beginning, I thought I was going to be in this role and things happen and you get a chance to start for half a season," Locklear said. "Now this. I'm not really thrilled about it, but it is what it is."
Giant steps
Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell expressed confidence in Mark Herzlich if he should have to start for linebacker Chase Blackburn (hamstring). "I think Mark will do an outstanding job for us," Fewell said. "He's done it before, so it's not like it's new to him, and he'll be excited to do it." . . . Lawrence Tynes was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October, making 13 of 14 field-goal attempts (his only miss was a block) and 12 extra points . . . Running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), center David Baas (ankle) and linebacker Keith Rivers (calf) were limited.
