Wednesday, November 28, 2007

The Coach Speaks

Tomlin hands out atta-boys
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
By BOB LABRIOLA
Steelers.com

Very early in his tenure as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Tomlin took part in a roundtable with local reporters that had a getting-to-know-you feel about it. During the session, Tomlin described himself as someone “who says what I mean and means what I say.”

When a coach talks like this, the assumption is that he’s referring to critical evaluations, to discipline, to the NFL version of tough love. But during his news conference on Tuesday, Tomlin showed that also applies to platitudes.

He began by recognizing four players who haven’t been on the receiving end of too many public compliments to this point in the season – Tyrone Carter, Max Starks, Daniel Sepulveda and Cedrick Wilson.

“I’d like to acknowledge some guys who stepped up for us,” said Tomlin. “We talk about the level of expectation not changing regardless of who is playing for us, and the guys understand that standard, but some guys did step up in some expanded roles against the Dolphins.”

While it was impossible to ignore the steady rain that made the playing conditions so difficult last Monday night at Heinz Field, Tomlin views that as something beyond the team’s control. What he sees as within the team’s control is how the players deal with those conditions, how the players deal with injuries.

As last weekend began, the Steelers knew they would be playing the Dolphins without Troy Polamalu and Santonio Holmes, and they had planned for that. But then as game day dawned, they learned they also would be without starting left tackle Marvel Smith, and for that there had been no time to plan.

“Marvel experienced back pain (Sunday),” said Tomlin after the Steelers defeated the Dolphins, 3-0, to run their record to 8-3. “We did the best we could to get him to a level of comfort where he could participate. It was a decision that we made at the 11th hour. We decided to go with the healthy guys.”

That meant Starks started at left tackle, where his assignment often would be Jason Taylor, only the defending NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

“We’ve been giving Marvel Wednesdays off because of his back, but that has a dual purpose,” said Tomlin. “It gives him a day off to keep him healthy, and it also provides a bunch of snaps for a guy like Max should that back act up on (Marvel), and that’s what unfolded. Thankfully, Max has been getting wire-to-wire work on Wednesdays for the last month or so.”

In 2005, Starks was the starting right tackle on a team that won a Super Bowl, but through most of 2007 he has been a backup on the offensive line, a fill-in as a No. 3 tight end. But for one night, Starks was a big part of an important win for the Steelers.

So were Carter and Wilson, two other veterans often forgotten or relegated to minor roles come game day. Wilson, in fact, was passed over for the starting job that opened because of Holmes’ injury. Nate Washington was tabbed as the starter against the Dolphins, likely because of his speed and how that added to the potential to create big plays.

But while Washington caught one pass for 6 yards, Wilson caught three for 29, two of which were good for first downs on a night when moving the chains almost felt like crossing the goal line.

“Cedrick Wilson had an opportunity to step up and made three catches for us,” said Tomlin. “Being without Santonio was significant. We needed men to step up, and he was one of them. Cedrick is a guy that we always know that we can count on. Under those circumstances he is always ready to deliver. He prepares as if he’s a starter. He wants to be a playmaker like a lot of these men do.”

The game against the Dolphins was the second this season Polamalu missed because of injury, and if Carter didn’t start that first time (vs. Seattle), he did contribute six tackles and half-a-sack against the Seahawks. Then against the Dolphins, he led the team with 12 tackles, 11 of which were solo.

“Tyrone Carter is a guy who jumped out at me on tape as I looked at it this morning,” said Tomlin.

In bad weather, the punter can become a weapon, and that’s exactly what Sepulveda proved to be against the Dolphins. He punted five times, all of them inside the 20-yard line, and Dolphins returner Ted Gin Jr. couldn’t return a single one. He fair caught four and the fifth stuck in the turf as if it had been hit by a nine-iron.

“Danny Sepulveda, I thought, did an awesome job of his placements, particularly with his red zone kicks,” said Tomlin. “Not only did he keep the ball in the field of play and give them a long field to work with, but he did it in a manner in which their return man didn’t have the opportunity to get returnable kicks. Those were big.”

As were all of these performances in a game the Steelers had to win in order to hold onto first place in the AFC North.

“That’s the kind of culture that we want to build, that everybody is a playmaker,” said Tomlin. “Week in and week out sometimes if you stop to look at it, you see that you get contributions from a lot of men that don’t get a bunch of headlines.”

The Turf Debate

Steelers aim to dry out Heinz Field sod
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The sod installed over the weekend that combined with a heavy rain Monday to turn Heinz Field into a quagmire will remain in place the rest of the season.

Steelers President Art Rooney II told the Post-Gazette today that workers will do everything they can to try to dry out the grass for their next game Sunday night against Cincinnati.

"We're going to continue to try to dry it out, which today's weather helps a lot," Rooney said, the sun shining in the background.

He said there's little rain forecast this week, other than possibly on Thursday, and "from that standpoint, weather conditions are in our favor."

"We'll try to dry it out. They'll roll it, aerate it, do all the things they need to do to get it in good shape for Sunday. I think by Sunday it will be in good shape.

"I think it would have been in great shape frankly Monday if it weren't for really having rain of, from what I understand, near record levels."

The NFL has assigned one of its officials to remain in Pittsburgh this week to help the Steelers prepare the field.

"We are working closely with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the grounds crew at Heinz Field to prepare the field for Sunday's game," an NFL spokesman said in a statement today. "Our football operations department will be available to provide any and all necessary assistance as preparations continue for Sunday's game.''


Rooney also issued a statement this afternoon acknowledging the turf problems.

"The field conditions on Monday night were less than satisfactory for playing the Monday Night Football game," the statement said. "We consulted with the NFL prior to laying down new sod and our grounds crew did the best it could under the circumstances.


"Unfortunately, we were faced with about the worst possible weather conditions and we acknowledge that it did have an impact on the playing surface. We will continue to work with the NFL Game Operations people this week as our grounds crew works to improve the conditions of the field in time for Sunday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals."

Monday, November 26, 2007

More Cool Steeler Pics.



























































































I found these yesterday afternoon while surfing the net.


Sunday, November 25, 2007

Anyone Up For A Little "Fish Fry" Monday Evening?


Fins @ Steelers 8:30PM. Give me a shout as to how you want your fish prepared!

New Improvements To The Steelers Blog

I am in the mood to do a little house cleaning this morning.

I have recently added a slide show of pics from our "Stiller Nation". These pics were all either taken by myself or contributed from people on our e-mail list. I got a kick out of looking through some of the older pics. I hope you enjoy as well.

I have removed the link for the "Steelers Podcast" as it has been inactive for most of the season. They are currently having problems in finding a host to do the talk show, so I am going to remove the link until this is resolved. For those of you who were not using this link, let me just take a second to explain what it was all about. You could sync your Ipod with their Internet show and get free downloads where people discuss our Steelers and analyze past and upcoming games. It was pretty cool. For those of you needing a fix, you can do the same through the recently added "Steelers Live" link. You have to set up a free account, but you can have access to their bulletin/discussion boards and free Ipod downloads.

I have also added a link to the "Pittsburgh Steelers Fan Club Of Maryland" website. You can click below or on the link to the right to find the site:

www.psfcom.net

Saturday, November 24, 2007

The Stiller Nation In Canton, MD




One of the Steeler bars Anita and I go to is called NcDevins located in Canton, MD. I have posted pics and stories of this place before. On most Sundays you will find between 30-75 Steeler fans all cheering for the black and gold. These two pics were taken last week at NcDevins during the Jets game. The first pic is of Matt Stewart from Baltimore, MD originally from Lock Haven, PA. The second pic just gives you an idea of Steeler fans that show up on any given Sunday.

Giving A Helping Hand






Helping out at the holidays
Friday, November 23, 2007
By Teresa VarleySteelers.com



Hines Ward, Deshea Townsend, Heath Miller, Carey Davis and Anthony Madison helped serve Thanksgiving dinner, sang carols and visited with those who take part in the programs at the Light of Life Rescue Mission. The players left practice on Thanksgiving Day and headed right to the mission to spend their time with those who are down on their luck.
“It’s nice to bring a smile to someone’s face,” said Ward “You just want to give them a sense of hope, even for that one split second. That’s all you can ask for. For us to be able to make a contribution to the community to bring a smile to someone’s face makes you feel good as a player. Thanksgiving is a time to go out and be thankful and feel bless that we are doing something we love to do. To be able to give back in the community is a wonderful thing.”
Some of the players helped with the food duties, while others spent time talking to those who were on hand and in need of a warm meal on the holiday. “It’s another way to give back,” said Townsend. “The more that you can do, you should do it. If we can bring a smile to their face just by showing up and having a conversation with them, it’s the least we can do.”

Hank Is In The Stiller Nation



Hank Williams, Jr. is alway ready for Steelers football
Friday, November 23, 2007
By Teresa VarleySteelers.com

The best of all-time in Steelers history were gathered around, getting ready to take the group photo for the 75th Season All-Time Team.
In one end of the room, country music legend Hank Williams, Jr. looked on, decked out in his black and a cowboy hat, with a smile as big as can be and the look of a kid in a candy store.
Jerome Bettis came in, running a few minutes late, gave him a bear hug, and then it was picture time.
“This is just great,” said Williams. “Just great.”
Williams was there to sing the national anthem before the Steelers Monday night game against the Ravens, but it was more than that. He was there because he loves the Steelers.
“The Rooney’s are great,” said Williams. “They have done so many special things for me. They know that my love for the team comes from inside my heart. I’ve worn so many Steelers things in so many auditoriums in my life. It doesn’t matter what city I am in. They wrote in the Nashville paper about me walking out on stage in a Joey Porter jersey once.”
He has been a fan since the day he learned that the Steelers quarterback, Terry Bradshaw, was born in the same Louisiana hospital that he was, just a little over a year apart.
“He was an underdog and so was I so that’s when it started,” said Williams.”I kept saying we are from the same place, me and him. I have something in common with him. That’s how it started.”
And the love for the team has grown over the years. While he didn’t have the opportunity to get to know the players of the 70s at that time and was just like any other fan on the street, he has forged a relationship with many of them over recent years, especially Bradshaw.
“Terry and I laughed so much, talking about his brief recording career years ago,” said Williams. “We are cut from the same era. It’s been a fun thing. To have the Rooney’s invite me to Pittsburgh and to be a part of the celebration was great.”
Williams and former head coach Bill Cowher became friends over the years and that’s when he had the opportunity to meet some of the current Steelers players, including a visit to training camp before the 2005 season. He capped the year by going to Detroit to watch them win Super Bowl XL. “I was down there in the stands with my own sign that I made,” said Williams. “I was watching Bill Cowher realize his dream along with guys like Ben Roethlisberger, Alan Faneca, Willie Parker, Jerome Bettis all of those guys. From camp all the way through I was there.
“That was just a very special and my most favorite time. There was no doubt in my mind. Detroit was like a home game. The whole place was black and gold. It was so exciting.”

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Big Ben Makes Contribution To Children's Hospital!



Children's Hospital benefits from Roethlisberger's play
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Ben Roethlisberger made a special delivery to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Roethlisberger was selected by NFL.COM voters as the week nine FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week. Roethlisberger, who threw five touchdowns in the first half of the match-up against the Baltimore Ravens, was selected from among finalists in the air category as the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week.

Fans voted for more than their favorite players. The weekly FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards are also a win for the local community. Along with the player awards, FedEx is awarding Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh a check for $5,000. Roethlisberger and Mike Hmel, Senior Vice President, IT and CIO, of FedEx Ground presented the check to Delana Murphy, Director of Special Events for Children's Hospital on Tuesday.
The children’s hospitals in the two season-long winner’s markets, announced at Super Bowl XLII in Arizona, will be awarded $25,000 each. That means that FedEx will deliver nearly $250,000 to local children’s hospitals around the country in recognition of the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Award winners.
About the Free Care Fund
When Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh opened its doors on June 5, 1890, its mission was to provide care to sick and injured children in Pittsburgh regardless of their families’ ability to pay. To ensure this mission is met year after year, Children’s established the Free Care Fund. Children’s Free Care Fund ensures that all children receive the medical care they need, and that no child from the tri-state area be denied care because of an inability to pay.

About FedEx
FedEx, the premier global provider of transportation, e-commerce and supply-chain management services, is the Official Delivery Service Sponsor of the NFL, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl. Through the weekly FedEx Air & Ground Awards, FedEx recognizes those NFL players who represent the same speed, precision and teamwork that their customers have come to expect from the full range of FedEx air, ground, freight and international shipping services.

FedEx Ground, headquartered in Moon Township, has more than 2,500 employees and contractors in the Pittsburgh area and is a supporter of both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Children’s Hospital.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

NFL Network Videos

Steelers @ Jets Lowlights:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8044d27d

Steelers Post Game Press Conference:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8044ce7e

Tomlin Says Steelers Will Improve:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8045e9a9

Fins @ Steelers Preview:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80464b7b

Steelers 16 Jets 19





































Steelers @ Jets





































New Turf?

Steelers to install new sod at Heinz Field Saturday
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


Heinz Field will have a new look to it when the Steelers play the Dolphins Monday night.
It will have a whole new field.
The Post-Gazette has learned that the Steelers this weekend will cover their entire field with new sod, placing it over the DD GrassMaster field that is mostly composed of grass. However, that grass has deteriorated as usual into November and it won't be any better after the four WPIAL high school championship games are played at Heinz Field Friday, followed by Pitt vs. South Florida Saturday afternoon.
The current turf won't be replaced but covered up by the new sod, which is heavy enough that it won't have to be tied down. The work will begin after Pitt's game ends.
It's the first time sod will cover the DD GrassMaster that was installed four years ago.
"Our goal is to do everything in our power to provide the best possible conditions for both teams,'' Jimmie Sacco,, director of Heinz Stadium management said in a statement released by the Steelers this afternoon.
"After considering the number of high school, college and pro football games being played at Heinz Field in November, combined with the possibility of inclement weather, we believe this will be the best way to go.
"We will continue to use our regular playing surface in the future, but feel this option will provide for the most enjoyable game day experience for both the players and the fans in the final games of the season."
The sod will stay in place through the rest of the 2007 NFL season.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

"Home Field" Advantage?

Ed Bouchette on the Steelers: Turf at Heinz Field gains reputation as worst in NFL
Time for holidays, another playoff run and the annual complaint-fest about the grass
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


Congratulations to the eight WPIAL football semifinalists who have worked their way through the playoffs and will play in the four high school championship games Friday.
After playing on some of the best football fields Western Pennsylvania has to offer during your playoff drive, now you get to play on one of the worst -- Heinz Field.
Many high schools throughout the WPIAL have converted their fields to artificial turf, mostly FieldTurf. Every playoff game from the quarterfinals on, in fact, has been played on that surface.
Yet in their most important game of all, the championship, they will play in the muck/dirt at Heinz Field. The playing surface there is DD GrassMaster, described as a combination of Kentucky bluegrasses, reinforced with polypropylene fibers that are sewn vertically into the sod every 3/4 of an inch.
The fibers may be there somewhere, but good luck finding that Kentucky bluegrass. And if there is any left before Friday's four WPIAL championship games are played there and Pitt plays on Saturday, it should be gone for the Steelers' Monday night game against Miami. Get out the green paint, fellas.
In the most recent playing surface survey of its membership conducted by the NFL Players Association in 2006, Heinz Field was voted the second-worst grass playing surface in the league, right after New England's Gillette Stadium. But since that survey, the Patriots tore out their grass and installed FieldTurf.
That means the players now consider Heinz the worst grass field in the league. Even their own players judged it the worst. Of the 48 Steelers players polled in the survey, 25 of them rated Heinz Field as "poor" and 16 as "fair". Only seven rated it "good" and none "excellent.''
It's a good bet that a back such as Willie Parker, who depends on his speed, quickness and cutting ability, was not among the seven Steelers who rated Heinz Field's surface as "good.'' Parker was slipping all over it in his most recent game there last Sunday.
It's time for a change. The Steelers should follow the path of most every other team that plays its home games in the Northeast and install the latest breed of artificial turf.
The Rooneys, I believe, had their players' best interests in mind when they installed grass at Heinz Field when it opened in 2001. In survey after survey, the players have -- and still -- say they prefer grass fields to artificial surfaces. And, especially after playing on the old-style artificial turf at Three Rivers Stadium for 31 seasons, the Steelers wanted to try grass.
It was a noble idea, but one that has proven a failure. Yes, in the old days NFL teams played on fields where grass had given way to muck, and on the dirt infields and pitcher's mounds in such baseball parks as Forbes Field, Yankee Stadium and Cleveland Stadium.
But these aren't the old days. They've developed artificial surfaces that look like grass, give like grass, and are no more detrimental to the health of players than real grass. The Steelers can get a close-up view of such a surface today at Giants Stadium, where the latest version of FieldTurf was installed, the same surface New England installed mid-season last year.
An artificial playing surface also would permit more events at Heinz Field -- concerts, soccer, band competitions, small-college doubleheaders, etc.
The Steelers gave grass a chance, and in its seventh season, it's time to put it out to pasture.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

NFL Network Videos

Jets Coach Mangini Talks About Our Steelers:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d804360e6

NFL Playbook With Hines Ward:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80438837

Anatomy Of A Play "Big Ben":

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8043b027

The Big Man Speaks!


When Faneca raises voice, Steelers listen
Friday, November 16, 2007
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


His teammates, especially the ones on the offensive line, swear there is nothing different about guard Alan Faneca, aside from a Bunyan-esque beard and red hair that flows to his shoulders.
They say his emotional rallying cry in the huddle on the winning touchdown drive against the Cleveland Browns, while conceding it was a little out of character, was not anything new.
Or that his post-touchdown celebrations with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger are a sign that Faneca, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, is savoring what appear to be his final days with the Steelers.
"To me, it wasn't too far off from how he normally is on game day, especially at crucial parts of the game," said left tackle Marvel Smith, who plays next to Faneca on the offensive line.
"He's been the same guy I've played with the last two years," said tight end Heath Miller. "He's going to give 100 percent no matter what."
"He was doing what a good leader does," said right tackle Willie Colon. "Alan has been doing it for a while."
Not many offensive linemen have been doing it as well for so long as Faneca, even for a franchise that boasts two of the greatest centers in NFL history -- Hall of Famer Mike Webster and seven-time Pro Bowl selection Dermontti Dawson.
He is in the middle of his 10th season with the Steelers, playing at the same level he always has, remaining the most important component in the offensive line that helps fuel the National Football League's No. 2 rushing attack.
Faneca, though, is also in the final year of a contract that will pay him $4,375,000, including a $1 million roster bonus, in 2007. And there appears to be no hope for renewal in sight -- a prognosis that has existed almost from the time Faneca had an uncharacteristic public spat with the organization in minicamp.
Nonetheless, Faneca said he has not approached this season any differently than the others, nor has he embraced what is happening on the field more fervently than past seasons. A possible exception is being humbled by his selection to the Steelers' 75th anniversary team, one of four current Steelers to be named to the all-time team.
"I don't think about it in that way," Faneca said. "It's a more generalized way -- that I've been here 10 years -- in that manner. I don't think anything else makes it mean any more or any less."
But, his teammates wouldn't blame him if he did.
"How can you not," Colon said. "He's only human. If you know it's your last time doing something ... it's what you want to make of it. He realizes it's out of his hands, all you can do is go out there and play his hardest."
Smith, who has been a starter since 2000, said he has had some small discussions with Faneca, 30, about his future with the organization, but it wasn't a "real important, sit-down conversation."
Added Smith: "To me, it's like business as usual. I don't see him sitting back, taking everything in, like it's the last time it's going to happen."
Nonetheless, Faneca stepped out of character when he came into the huddle and exhorted his teammates for what proved to be the winning touchdown drive in the 31-28 comeback victory against the Browns. According to guard Kendall Simmons, Faneca yelled: "You got to get it in [the end zone]. It's time to go. No matter who it is, we got to get it in and win this game."
"It put a little bit more fire in us," said Miller, who caught the winning 2-yard touchdown pass. "I don't think it's typically his demeanor, but, when something needs to be said, he'll step up and say it. He's the type of guy who has respect in this locker room. Everyone is going to listen when he says something because they know it's important."
Faneca said he did not recall exactly what he said, but he spoke up in the huddle because the offense had to go back on the field sooner than expected because of Joshua Cribbs' 100-yard kick return for touchdown. He said the offense was still tired from the previous drive that culminated with Roethlisberger's 30-yard touchdown run.
"It's a situation where we went down and scored, we had this big drive to get back in it, and they came back and scored a touchdown -- it kind of deflates you a little bit," Faneca said. "All of a sudden, you have to get back out there real fast. We got cut short on our break a little bit, and it deflates you a little. You have to get amped up to get back out there."

Big Ben Named Player Of The Week!


Steelers Notebook: Big Ben is best of week in AFC
Thursday, November 15, 2007
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


Ben Roethlisberger was named AFC player of the week, yet the biggest surprise is that it's only the second time he has won it in his four-year career.
He's also moving up in the Steelers' record books. He's second with 74 touchdown passes and is on pace to snap his passer-rating record. He has a 110.2 passer rating. His 98.6 rating in 2005 is the team's all-time best, and his 98.1 in 2004 ranks second.
"I honestly don't even know it until people bring it up," Roethlisberger said of the records and honors. "That's not something I've ever focused on. I focus on what the Steelers are doing. Obviously, I hope I can play here for many years, and that will take care of itself as time comes."
The AFC honored Roethlisberger for his performance in a 31-28 victory Sunday against Cleveland.
He completed 23 of 34 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a 30-yard score to rally the Steelers from a 21-6 deficit to victory.
Although coach Mike Tomlin said earlier that minor injuries might prevent Roethlisberger from practicing yesterday, he went through a full drill.

The Nation...






















Gameball!






















I am only going to hand out one gameball this week. Is there really any question as to whom the ball goes? Our field general gets the gameball this week. Big Ben finished the afternoon against the Brownies 23/34 for 278 yards with two touchdowns and one pick. He also rushed the ball five times for 49 yards and a rushing touchdown. His 30 yard scramble for the touchdown was the play of the game in my opinion. Hats off to our field general!

Team...