Halloween Steelers Style!

A scary night for some Steelers

Wednesday, October 31, 2007
By Teresa VarleySteelers.com

Some Steelers players got an early jump on Halloween when they hosted a fund-raiser at the Hundred Acres Manor Haunted House in Pittsburgh’s South Park.

Kicker Jeff Reed and long snapper Greg Warren organized the event, which benefitted Animal Friends and Homeless Children’s Education Fund.
Players signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans, but that was just a prelude to the eerie happenings that would soon come.

The plan was for many of the Steelers players to hide out in the haunted house and scare those who attended, but the tables were turned and it was some of the players who were a bit jumpy and let out some screams of their own.

Players and team staff were led into the house before it opened and some quickly learned it wasn’t going to be a smooth ride. Whether it was the haunted house’s “graveyard” or “psych ward,” every turn had something unexpected and made more than a few people jumpy.

“It was a lot of fun, but it was scary,” admitted wide receiver Santonio Holmes. “There were a lot of people just jumping out, grabbing at your legs, jumping out in front of you when you didn’t expect them. Especially around the corners they would jump out. Every time you turned a corner there was a new person there ready to scare somebody. I had a real good time though.”

Fellow wide receiver Nate Washington didn’t even want to enter the house, so instead he got in costume of a black hooded robe, full face paint and was a wielding a chain saw to scare his teammates while they made their way through the house.

“I just went through the back area,” said Washington. “I didn’t go through the whole house. I can’t do that. If I would have gone through there they would have had to carry me up out of there. I would have fainted.

“It was definitely fun scaring the guys. The only person I couldn’t find to scare was Carey Davis. He was hard to find. Santonio Holmes was the worst, hands down. I saw people scare the heck out of him.”

And Holmes didn’t deny that his teammate was one of the scarier aspects of the night.

“He got me twice,” said Holmes, who first encountered Washington in a maze that had every player turning the wrong way. “He is the one who made me lose my phone in the maze and I had to go back and find my phone. He had a chain saw chasing after me.

“He was the worst part. He got me real good with that one.”

After finishing their tour the fun continued for the players. They headed to the makeup room, where all of the players got into costume and were then placed around the house to scare the evening’s customers.

“Who isn’t a fan of haunted houses?” said offensive tackle Max Starks. “I hadn’t been to one in so long. The last time I went was when I was in college, just because of our time constraints. Having this opportunity to support the charities is was a great opportunity.

“I scare them on the football field, might as well scare them off the field.”

New Steeler Nation Pics From DVE

Big Ben Speaks With The Ravens Media.

Sun reporters coverage of the Baltimore Ravens

October 31, 2007

Big Ben talks

A transcript of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger's conference call with Baltimore reporters:

On how much healthier and happier he is this year compared to 2006: ”Obviously being healthy and feeling good, it’s good to back out on the football field and feel like you’re having fun again.”
On his improvisational ability: “It’s just, when things break down, you’ve got to have that emergency exit door, and try and find it when you need to, and just be patient, try not to do it too much, and make plays. But a lot of the credit when you do that goes to the offensive line, because they’ve got to hold their blocks longer, and I go downfield. So it’s kind of a combination of everybody when I have to do that.”
On forgetting the hit he sustained from LB Bart Scott last year: “You have to. You have to forget about it. You have to have short-term memory loss, because every game you get hit. You have to be able to put things behind you and move on.”
On film from last year’s games against Baltimore being motivation: “Actually, as quarterbacks, we haven’t even watched last year’s game yet. We’ve watched all this year’s stuff that they’ve done. We know that they put a hurting on us twice last year pretty bad.”
On the Ravens’ defense being less intimidating than it once was: “Well, I know you guys are going to try to get me to say something, but I’m a little smarter than that. You know what? Their defense is unbelievable. We anticipate them having everybody back full strength – obviously they don’t have Adalius Thomas. You can go right down the list and every guy is a threat, every guy is someone that you need to keep your eye on. And you can’t say that about any defenses in the NFL. So, I’m trying to hurry up and get off the phone with you guys so I can go watch some more film, because the things that they do, it’s pretty intense and pretty crazy.”
On working with a new coaching staff: “It’s been great. I think the new coaches, all the way from the head coach to the coordinators to the quarterback coach – it’s been great. I think we’ve all meshed pretty well.”
On bonding with new coach Mike Tomlin during the offseason: “No, more of that was Bruce Arians and I. We play a lot of golf together, so I think that was more of the off-the-field stuff.”
On working with a new center this season: “It’s been good. I think Sean [Mahan] has done a great job. Having Jeff [Hartings], the same center for three years, you get used to a guy like that. But Sean has done a great job of stepping in. I think Sean and I have developed a rapport and a relationship, and have done a great job together.”
On the health of WR Hines Ward: “Well, Hines is one of those guys that’s going to come out and give you his all every time, whether he’s healthy or not. He looks healthy to me. He’s playing well and I’m happy to have him out there.”
On what is enjoyable about playing a defense like the Ravens’: “I don’t know if there is anything enjoyable while playing a defense like this. They bring pressure, they do a lot of different things. They throw things at you. There’s nothing enjoyable about the preparation about the actual game.”
On the difference DT Trevor Pryce makes for Baltimore: “They’re a great defense with or without him. He may be considered by many as their best pass rusher. So, obviously they’re going to be better when he’s in there. But they’re a pretty good defense regardless of who’s in there.”
On what he learned from last season: “Just that you have to have a short-term memory. You have to be able to move on, to learn, and to not hold things in your memory bank too long.”
On how tough last season was: “Obviously, it was tough. You want to win games, you feel like you let guys down, you’re disappointed. But, like I said, it’s a learning tool.”
On the difference for him this year: “I think it’s gotten to the point where I’m more comfortable with the offense and I’m understanding what’s going on. Therefore, I think you’d have to say my decision-making has been a little better.”

Posted by Jamison Hensley at 5:26 PM

Tomlin Understands Steelers/Ravens Rivalry!

Even though it's his first year, Tomlin understands intensity of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry

By The Associated PressWednesday, October 31, 2007

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is new to this AFC North rivalry with the Baltimore Ravens. That doesn't mean he needs to be briefed about its history or its nasty personality.
The tapes from last season's two games told him all he needed to know.
During former coach Bill Cowher's 15 seasons, no other division team roughed up the Steelers the way the Ravens did last year in winning 27-0 in Baltimore and 31-7 in Pittsburgh.
The scoreboard wasn't all the Ravens dominated. They stuffed the Steelers at the line of scrimmage, shut down their running game, sacked Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch 14 times without giving up a sack themselves and generally played school-yard bully during the two mismatches.

No, Tomlin didn't need someone to break down the tapes.
"I didn't look at last year's tape with a mentality of looking for mismatches or having an understanding of what our guys were being asked to do," Tomlin said Tuesday. "I was just looking for their playing personality when they play the Pittsburgh Steelers, what they were intent on getting done and how they went about executing it."
What Tomlin saw was a Baltimore team that knew it was better and played like it, never giving the Steelers a chance to settle into a rhythm or establish an offensive flow. The Ravens went on to finish 13-3 and win the division by five games.
Times change quickly in the NFL, however, and so has the rivalry.
Now, it's the Ravens (4-3) who are chasing the Steelers (5-2), with Monday night's game in Pittsburgh representing a two-game swing in the standings.
Should the Ravens win, they'll even up the race with half a season to go. If the Steelers win, they'll be up by two with games against the Jets (1-7) and Dolphins (0-8) later this month.
Obviously, Tomlin is about to learn what Ravens-Steelers games are like. After years with big-talking linebackers Ray Lewis on one side and Joey Porter on the other, though Porter is now with Miami, there is understandably an intense dislike between the two.
"I don't like too many people I compete against when I am competing," Tomlin said, suggesting it won't be difficult to work up disdain for Baltimore. "The dislike is probably something that sizzles and sells. The reality is it's a hot matchup because it is generally two good football teams that play football in a similar style.
"I expect it to be heated and it definitely will be in terms of the hatred and things of that nature."
Baltimore is the only division team that has played Pittsburgh nearly even since the Steelers moved into Heinz Field in 2001. Since then, the Steelers are 13-1 against Cleveland, 10-4 against Cincinnati, counting the postseason, but only 7-6 with three consecutive losses against Baltimore.
Still, the Steelers believe the rivalry is in better hands this season. Roethlisberger is healthy again and in control of the offense as he was while winning the Super Bowl during the 2005 season. He is playing much better than he did while being intercepted by Baltimore four times last season.
That improvement is reflected by his statistics: 15 touchdowns and six interceptions in seven games compared to seven TDs and 14 interceptions a year ago.
Again, Tomlin didn't need to be around last year to see major improvement by a quarterback who was good enough to win 27 of his first 31 NFL starts before his off season a year ago.
"I wasn't here, so I don't know the things that happened on a day-to-day basis leading up to those performances," Tomlin said. "I am pleased with the professional approach he has taken. I am pleased with way he has taken the leadership role. He is communicating well with his teammates. He is a football junkie. He is into the game plans. He is the same guy every day and that is what makes it fun."

Coach Takes A Look At Special teams!

Steelers Notebook: Special teams put on notice

Wednesday, October 31, 2007
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Mike Tomlin told the rest of his team just how serious he is about improving his special teams when he cut cornerback Ricardo Colclough yesterday.
Colclough, a second-round draft pick in 2004, blew an assignment in Cincinnati that helped Glen Holt return a kickoff 42 yards for the Bengals. Apparently, Tomlin had seen enough of Colclough and cut him loose, replacing him with Anthony Madison, one of their best special-teams players as a rookie last season.
The Steelers announced the release after Tomlin's news conference, and the coach was unavailable for comment.
"This is the first year for us as a staff and a football team, but we have more continuity on offense and defense than we have in the kicking game," Tomlin said earlier.
Colclough not only played poorly on special teams, but he was a bust as a second-round pick from tiny Tusculum. Not only did the Steelers draft him in the second round, but they traded away their fourth-round choice to move higher in the second round, the 38th overall choice in the 2004 draft.
He never started a game in the 33 he played. He played in only three last year before he was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury.
Rookie William Gay, a fifth-round draft pick, moved ahead of him on the depth chart at the start of the season as the No. 4 corner.
Colclough was not active until after Bryant McFadden severely sprained his ankle Sept. 30. Since then, Colclough has played only on special teams, although not well enough.
Tomlin criticized the kick coverage team yesterday.
"We have to do a better job in the kicking game in terms of covering kicks," Tomlin said. "We addressed that yesterday with the team and look forward to getting out and working this week in that area specifically ... ."
Madison made the team as an undrafted rookie from Alabama last season. He was a terror on special teams in training camp.
Colclough had a $510,000 salary in 2007 as part of the four-year contract he signed as a rookie. The Steelers are not liable to pay him the rest of this year's salary.

Steelers Release Ricardo Colclough

Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers today released fourth-year cornerback Ricardo Colclough, the team's second-round draft pick in 2004.
The roster move made room for the team to resign second-year cornerback Anthony Madison to their active roster.
Madison (5-9, 180) was signed as a rookie free agent out of Alabama and played in 12 games for the Steelers in 2006, recording three defensive tackles and 10 special teams tackles. He was released after training camp this year and spent a week with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before being waived Sept. 12.
Colclough (5-11, 195) played in three games this year and had one special teams tackle. For his career, he had one interception and 33 defensive tackles.

NFL Network Videos

Steelers @ Bungles Game Highlights:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d803acf9c

Coach Tomlin & Big Ben's Post Game Press Conference:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d803af426

Steelers Announce All Time Team!

Steelers Announce All-Time Team as Part of Club’s 75th Season Celebration


Players to be Honored at Nov. 4 Gala and Nov. 5 Monday Night Game

PITTSBURGH — Thirty-three players were named to the Steelers All-Time Team today when the club announced the members as part of the Steelers 75th Season Celebration. The squad includes both former and current Steelers players who make up the official Steelers All-Time Team.

The players will be honored at the team’s Nov. 4 Gala event at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and at the Steelers Nov. 5 Monday Night game against the Baltimore Ravens when the Steelers will wear their throwback uniforms for the second and final time this season. Thirty-three players were selected in recognition of the team being founded in 1933.

“Our All-Time Team represents the best of the many great players who have put on a Steelers uniform,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II. “We thank our fans and everyone who took the time to vote on our website for selecting a group of truly special men who represent what it means to be a Pittsburgh Steeler.”

Players were selected through a fan vote on the Steelers official website http://www.steelers.com/, and through ballots in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and at participating PNC Bank locations throughout Pittsburgh . The Steelers All-Time Team includes 15 offensive players, 16 defensive players and two kicking specialists. Among the 33 players are 10 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and four players on the Steelers current roster.

“We have had so many great players over the years, including before we won Super Bowls,” said Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney. “The accomplishments of each of these players have played a key role in contributing to the long-standing tradition of Steelers football.”

In September, the Steelers introduced their Legends Team consisting of the top players who played for the team prior to 1970. Legends Team members were also eligible to be selected to the Steelers All-Time Team.

Make sure to check back on http://www.steelers.com/ beginning the week of October 29 for bios on all of the members of the 75th Season All-Time Team.

Following is a list of the members of the Steelers’ All-Time Team:

OFFENSE

Terry Bradshaw - Quarterback (1970-83)
Jerome Bettis - Running Back (1996-05)
Rocky Bleier - Running Back (1968, 1970-80)
Franco Harris - Running Back (1972-83)
Bennie Cunningham - Tight End (1976-85)
Elbie Nickel - Tight End (1947-57)
John Stallworth - Wide Receiver (1974-87)
Lynn Swann - Wide Receiver (1974-82)
Hines Ward - Wide Receiver (1998-Present)
Larry Brown – Offensive Tackle (1971-84)
Dermontti Dawson – Center (1988-00)
Alan Faneca – Guard (1998-Present)
Tunch Ilkin – Offensive Tackle (1980-92)
Jon Kolb – Offensive Tackle (1969-81)
Mike Webster – Center (1974-88)


DEFENSE
Joe Greene – Defensive Tackle (1969-81)
L.C. Greenwood – Defensive End (1969-81)
Casey Hampton – Nose Tackle (2001-Present)
Ernie Stautner – Defensive Tackle (1950-63)
Dwight White – Defensive End (1971-80)Jack Ham – Outside Linebacker (1971-82)
Jack Lambert – Middle Linebacker (1974-84)
Greg Lloyd – Outside Linebacker (1988-97)
Joey Porter – Outside Linebacker (1999-2006)Andy Russell – Outside Linebacker (1963, 1966-76)
Mel Blount – Cornerback (1970-83)
Jack Butler – Defensive Back (1951-59)
Carnell Lake – Safety (1989-98)
Troy Polamalu – Safety (2003-Present)
Donnie Shell – Safety (1974-87)
Rod Woodson – Cornerback (1987-96)SPECIALISTS
Gary Anderson – Kicker (1982-94)
Bobby Walden – Punter (1968-77)

Great Job Ben!

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
Announces Grant to the Oxford K-9 Unit

(Findlay, OH) – October 25, 2007 - Findlay, Ohio native and Pittsburgh Steelers’ Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger announced today that the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation will be distributing a grant to the Oxford, Ohio Police Department’s K-9 unit.

The Oxford Police Department patrols a seven square mile area including the Miami University campus, Ben’s alma mater. The current K-9 unit is comprised of “Dover”, “Simon”, and “Scarlet”---two German Shepherds and a Blood Hound. The Ben Roethlisberger grant will be used to purchase vital handler and training equipment that the department does not currently have the budget to buy.

“Ben played his college football at Miami University and we have always enjoyed cheering him on,” said Sergeant Horvath of the Oxford Police Department. “We are so grateful that he has chosen to give back to the Oxford community this way.”

“Oxford is a community that was so good to me during my years at Miami University,” said Roethlisberger. “It is important to me that Oxford remains a safe environment for students and residents. I am happy to contribute to their Police K-9 unit, as a token of gratitude to the men and women protecting Oxford, and to the community as whole for the experience I enjoyed.”

This NFL season The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation will be distributing grants to Police and Fire Departments in Pittsburgh and in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away opponent for the Steelers in 2007. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invited police and fire departments in the 9 cities to submit proposals detailing their needs.

The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation seeks to provide support for police and fire departments throughout the US and to enhance the quality of life for residents of Findlay, OH and Pittsburgh, PA.

In commenting on why establishing a charitable foundation is important to him, Roethlisberger said, “I was raised with a grounded perspective on life, to recognize my blessings and help others as best I can. I feel fortunate to establish a foundation committed to servicing our communities in its own unique way. This is something I am sincerely passionate about.”

In 2006, the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation distributed its first grant to the Police Department in Findlay Ohio, Ben’s hometown. The grant helped to replace their service dog, Flip, who was tragically shot and killed. The grant also purchased a K-9 ballistic vest for the new dog.

For more information about the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation or The Giving Back Fund, please contact Stephanie Sandler or visit www.bigben7.com or www.givingback.org
ces Grant to the Oxford K-9 Unit

Big Ben At It Again!

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger Announces Grant to the Aurora K-9 Unit

(Findlay, OH) – October 19, 2007 - Findlay, Ohio native and Pittsburgh Steelers’ Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger announced today the latest in a series of grants the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund will be distributing during the 2007 NFL Season. The grant will be distributed to the Spirit of Aurora, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, on behalf of the Aurora, Colorado Police K-9 Unit. The City of Aurora has 7 full-time officers assigned to the Police K-9 unit.

The K-9 unit will use the grant to purchase and train a new dog. Zacko, the city’s only bomb sniffing dog, is ready for retirement. The new dog is critical to prepare for the National Democratic Convention in 2008. “If we are to acquire a new dog and have him completely trained and familiar with his surroundings and responsibilities, we need to have that dog now in order to have the time and opportunity to train him to his full potential,” said Police Chief Oates. “We don’t have the budget for acquiring new dogs and rely completely on donations.”

“I respect and appreciate the efforts of our police and fire departments across America, and I admire their use of specialized K-9s to further protect our communities.” said Roethlisberger. “I feel honored to provide this grant to the City of Aurora’s K-9 unit, and hope it will serve to enhance safety in the area

This NFL season The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation will be distributing grants to Police and Fire Departments in Pittsburgh and in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away opponent for the Steelers in 2007. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invited police and fire departments in the 9 cities to submit proposals detailing their needs.

The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation seeks to provide support for police and fire departments throughout the US and to enhance the quality of life for residents of Findlay, OH and Pittsburgh, PA.
In commenting on why establishing a charitable foundation is important to him, Roethlisberger said, “I was raised with a grounded perspective on life, to recognize my blessings and help others as best I can. I feel fortunate to establish a foundation committed to servicing our communities in its own unique way. This is something I am sincerely passionate about.”

In 2006, the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation distributed its first grant to the Police Department in Findlay Ohio, Ben’s hometown. The grant helped to replace their service dog, Flip, who was tragically shot and killed. The grant also purchased a K-9 ballistic vest for the new dog.

For more information about the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation or The Giving Back Fund, please contact Stephanie Sandler or visit www.bigben7.com or www.givingback.org

Gameballs!

Gameballs this week are being handed out to Willie Parker, Hines Ward, & Anthony Smith.

Willie Parker rushed the ball 22 times for 126 yards and a touchdown. Willie leads the AFC in rushing currently, and is number two in the NFL currently.

Hines Ward caught eight balls for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Hines demonstrated once again how valuable he is to our offense, and Big Ben loved having his favorite receiver back in the lineup for the second straight week. The only bad thing about Hines this week is I went against him in fantasy football. Ouch! Welcome back Hines!

The last gameball this week is being awarded to second year player Anthony Smith from Syracuse. He had a monster game in filling in for the injured Ryan Clark. I personally thought that Smith may beat Clark in training camp for this starting job, but I think we all saw on Sunday where the future is at Free Safety for our Steelers.

Cincy Or The Burg?

Team...

Steelers 24 @ Bungles 13

Steeler/Broncos Highlights

Game Highlights From NFL Network:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8037eec0

Big Ben Highlights from NFL Network:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8037e6ea

Coach Tomlin Post Game Press Conference:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8037f515

The Nation Takes Invesco!

Team...

Steelers 28 Ponies 31

Steelers @ Ponies

Mile High Magic?

Magic is missing at Mile High
By Bill Williamson The Denver Post

Exactly 91 weeks ago today, the Broncos awakened masters of the universe. A glorious, cold Sunday morning shined on Denver's house of invincibility.
All that was keeping the Broncos from playing in their seventh Super Bowl and first in seven years was a home victory. Three hours from glory. Book it.
The Pittsburgh Steelers humbly stumbled into Invesco Field at Mile High, hoping for the best. How else could the visitors feel? This was the Broncos' house. Long one of the premier home teams in the NFL, the Broncos were as nasty as they'd ever been at the old Mile High Stadium. They were a perfect 9-0 at home, peaking with the electric playoff victory over the once playoff-perfect New England Patriots the week before.
Denver Broncos
Then the game began and the Mile High magic was gone. It disappeared, and it hasn't come back since. There's an all-points bulletin throughout Colorado trying to find it. What happened to the altitude advantage? What happened to the noise? What happened to the tradition?
"I don't have any answers," Denver safety John Lynch said. "I have no idea. But what I do know is that we need to find that magic again very quickly if we are going to turn this thing around and get where we want to be. That's what I do know."
Tonight, the Steelers and their fans will not be tip-toeing into Invesco. They'll barge in.
Not only did the Broncos lose a chance for another Super Bowl as the Steelers threw lefts and rights from the opening bell and manhandled the Broncos 34-17. Not only was the 2005 season lost, but so was the 2006 season, and now the early portion of 2007.
The Broncos were 4-4 last year at home and have stumbled to a 1-2 record there this year. The last home game was the worst of all. The San Diego Chargers beat the Broncos 41-3, and by the time the fourth quarter, started fewer than 10,000 of a packed house remained.
The next day, Denver coach Mike Shanahan wasn't angry about the Blue and Orange exodus.
"I would have left, too," he said.
The loss was the worst home defeat for Denver since 1966. Including the loss to the Steelers, the Broncos are 5-7 at home in their past 12 games at Invesco.
"No one is scared of going into Denver anymore," television commentator Joe Theismann said.
A disturbing trend
Since the beginning of last season, Denver is 5-6 at Invesco and one of 18 NFL teams with a losing record at home. Defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis has the best home mark (11-0) and Oakland the worst (3-7).
In the past eight home games the Broncos are 2-6. The last time Denver lost six home games in a season was 1967. In the past eight-game stretch, Denver beat Cincinnati on Christmas Eve and Oakland, on Sept. 16, but by a total of four points.
Denver lost three straight home games last season, and if it loses to the Steelers, a rare road favorite in Denver, it will match that streak. This is a critical time as the Broncos try to stay above water in the AFC. A home game against the Green Bay Packers follows before the Broncos start a stretch in which they play six of eight on the road.
"Every team in the National Football League knows the importance of its home games," Shanahan said. "To have success, you have to win those
games. We have to get back to that. We just haven't been very good lately."
A telling tale of Denver's recent woes was the final game last season. On Dec. 31, the San Francisco 49ers staggered in with a 6-9 record and were playing out the season with nothing but pride to play for. All Denver had to do was beat the 49ers to advance to a wild-card date at New England. It seemed a formality.
Against all odds
How could the Broncos lose at home with so much on the line against a losing team with nothing to play for?
The Las Vegas oddsmakers bought into that logic, making Denver a prohibitive double-digit favorite. But the sloppy Broncos squandered a 10-point halftime lead and lost in overtime, 26-23, ending their season. It was widely considered the team's worst home defeat since the 1996 playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"That was shocking," former Denver offensive lineman and current ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth said. "There's always been such a decided advantage at Mile High with all those things going on. It was a foregone conclusion that the Denver Broncos would win a majority of their home games. I hate to go back to the day, but our approach was that we would win all of our home games, split our road games and go 12-4. But that doesn't seem to be the case there right now."
The Broncos' perfect home record in 2005 was their fifth perfect record at home. The zenith was when Denver went 8-0 in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
"It was great here," said Broncos running back Mike Bell, who grew up in Denver. "We have to get there again. It's all there for us. Nothing's changed. We go out every home game thinking we're going to win. We just have to do it like the old days."
While some have complained about various aspects of Invesco, which opened in 2001, the home dominance remained until recently. Until midseason last year, the Broncos were 34-9 at Invesco.
"It's not the new stadium," Theismann said. "There's still the great fans, the altitude. All the extras are there. Denver is one of the toughest places to play in the league. It just is."
Another school of thought is that the talent just isn't there.
"The fans can scream as loud as they want, but is it going to mean anything if a linebacker is not lining up in the right place?" ESPN's Merril Hoge said. "Denver just isn't as talented as it was, especially on defense. That has hurt them both at home and on the road."
Schlereth agrees.
"The Broncos are struggling in the red zone, on defense and on special teams, that's why they are losing," he said. "There is a great environment, but it doesn't translate always to winning. You have to have a good football team and a good environment. The Broncos are still trying to be a good team again, whether it's at home or on the road."

AFC North Update!

Our Steelers sit alone in first place of the AFC North at 4-1 and 1-0 within the division coming out of our bye week. We travel this week to Denver to play the Broncos at 8:15 Sunday evening. I think we will all remember the last time we travelled to Invesco Field... My original thoughts before the season were that we would hopefully go 5-0 out of the gate, then go 5-6 down the stretch, to finish at 10-6 and take either the 5th or 6th seed in the AFC for the playoffs. I was very disappointed when we lost in Arizona, and thought this may be the game we look back at season end and scratch our heads why we would not playing in January. We had two of those such games last year. Cincy & Oakland. I have had time to think about it since a couple of weeks ago, and our games coming out of the bye do not look as daunting as they once did. I actually expect us to play better than I did coming out of training camp. We have historically had our issues with playing in Denver, but I have faith in our Steelers. Here we go Steelers, here we go...

The Ravens are in second place with a record of 4-2, but more importantly, 0-2 in the division. The Ravens have had perhaps more injuries thus far, and have played like a team that lacks depth and desire. Perhaps a slight hangover in Baltimore... Everyone in the media said the AFC North belonged to team wearing "purple". (Can you believe a grown man or football team wearing "purple"?) It is still October, and we all must agree that there is a lot pf season still to be played. The Ravens travel to Buffalo this Sunday to play the Bills at 1PM. Do I smell an upset?

The surprising Brownies are 3-3 and 2-1 in the division. How about them Browns? Woohoo... The Dawg Pound has awakened after several dreadful years. Going into the season a lot of people were wondering whether they would even win "one" AFC North game this year. Guess What? They have already won two...

LAST and certainly LEAST, the Bungles are 1-4 and 1-1 in the division. They host the Jets this Sunday at 4:05 and are looking to get their second win this season. Is Marvin Lewis feeling the heat? This is going to be a different team when Chris Henry comes back from his suspension. I do not think they will make the playoffs, but this will be a team that can beat any team in the NFL on any given Sunday.

New Steeler Wallpaper!

Here are some cool new wallpaper I found on http://www.steelersfever.com/