Steelers News

Clark not likely to play
"Ryan Clark practiced again Friday, but the Steelers' free safety is unlikely to suit up Monday night against the Broncos due to the life-threatening complications he suffered the last time he played in Denver. If Clark doesn't play in the nationally televised game, Tyrone Carter will start in his place. Clark's blood sickled two seasons ago due to his rare form of sickle-cell trait and the high altitude in Denver. He later had to have his spleen and gall bladder removed in separate operations. "Same exact answer," Clark said of his playing status following practice. "Ya'll will know when everybody else knows Monday night. Everybody will find out together." • Defensive end Travis Kirschke ..."
Woodley's play validates hype
"One by one, LaMarr Woodley took note of the players selected ahead of him in the 2007 NFL Draft. Gaines Adams, Jamaal Anderson, Adam Carriker, Jarvis Moss and Anthony Spencer -- Woodley still doesn't understand why he was the sixth defensive end taken. "Everybody that got drafted in front of me, I'm doing better than them. Not being cocky, that's just the way it is," said Woodley, the Steelers' second-round pick two years ago who was the 46th overall selection. Woodley, whose foot speed was questioned coming out of Michigan, made the seamless transition from college defensive end to NFL outside linebacker. Woodley has 17 1/2 career sacks in 35 career games, or 1/2 sack per game. He ..."
Fast Willie's future clouded
"Willie Parker carried the ball 50 times in the first two games of the 2007 season, prompting somebody to ask first-year Steelers coach Mike Tomlin if he planned to continue riding Parker so hard. Tomlin replied that he would "ride Willie until the wheels come off." Earlier this week, I reminded Parker of that quote. He managed a smile but quickly turned serious. "That year," Parker said, "he did run me a little too much." Too much? "I think I was leading the league in carries that year," Parker said. "I don't think that was smart of us as an offensive unit. You can look back at it, and I guess we would change some things. But it is what it is. It's about now." Actually, offensive ..."
No-huddle might be fun, but it does have its flaws
"To those who yearn to see the Steelers implement the K-Gun offense run by Jim Kelly and the Buffalo Bills in the late 1980s, forget it. To those who want to see the Steelers run their no-huddle offense for an entire game, don't hold your breath. Even though it has a high success rate, the no-huddle will remain what it has always been for the Steelers: A tactic to change the tempo of the game and give the offense, when needed, an emotional and strategic lift. It will remain an element of surprise, a package no different than the way some NFL teams employ the Wildcat formation. "It's hard," said wide receiver Hines Ward, who leads the team with 42 catches and 602 receiving yards. "You get ..."
No word on Clark's status
"While safety Ryan Clark is not expected to play in Monday night's game in Denver, there will be no official confirmation from him or coach Mike Tomlin on his status before the game. The Steelers will not release any kind of public statement on Clark's availability and will leave the question to be answered when they face the Broncos at 8:30 p.m. at Invesco Field. Clark, though, sounded like a player who wasn't going to play when he was asked about his status yesterday after practice. "This is not about me," said Clark, whose rare sickle-cell trait can be complicated by high altitudes. "It's two good teams playing on Monday. Whether I play or not, the game is going to go on, and that's what ..."
Broncos will be running up hill against Steelers
"Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels often will say an offense can't force the ball to specific spots or players, that it has to go where the openings are against any defense. That said, McDaniels also believes the Broncos are going to have to find a way to run the ball some against the league's No. 1 run defense Monday night. The Steelers lead the NFL, having allowed only 76.6 yards a game rushing. They also have faced the fewest rushing attempts from opposing offenses - 140, or 20 attempts per game - well below the league average of 198.2 attempts and 20 fewer than the next team in line. The Bengals' defense has faced only 160 rushing attempts from opposing offenses this season and the ..."
In a down economy, NFL viewership is up
"When this NFL season began with some franchises struggling to sell tickets, there were concerns about the impact that the uncertain U.S. economy would have on the nation's most prosperous sport. While those concerns have turned out to be justified in a few NFL cities and unfounded in others, there has been an unforeseen development: The NFL's television ratings are soaring this season, and some analysts say it appears to be the result of consumers cutting back on other, more costly leisure activities in favor of watching pro football on TV. "I think there's only one answer and that is the NFL and television are actually getting the so-called 'benefit' of the recession," said Neal Pilson, ..."
Clark unlikely to play Monday night
"Ryan Clark practiced Thursday, but the Steelers' free safety is unlikely to suit up Monday night against the Broncos due to the life-threatening complications he suffered the last time he played in Denver. If Clark doesn't play in the nationally televised game, Tyrone Carter will start in his place. Clark's blood sickled two seasons ago due to his rare form of sickle-cell trait and the high altitude in Denver. He later had to have his spleen and gall bladder removed in separate operations. The eighth-year veteran has been medically cleared to play. The Steelers, however, will likely deactivate Clark for the game even if he wants to play in it. "I told him I want him out there because of ..."
Kirschke may miss Monday's Denver game
"It appears likely the Steelers will be without starting defensive end Travis Kirschke for Monday night's game in Denver. Kirschke, who has filled in for the injured Aaron Smith at left end the past two weeks, said Wednesday he has a tear in his calf and it doesn't look promising that he will be able to play against the Broncos. "It might be a little close for this type of injury," said Kirschke about having more than two weeks to heal. "I'd like to (play), but we've just got to take it one day at a time. We'll see as it goes through the week." Kirschke has been rehabbing the injury by doing laps in a swimming pool. "I've got to be patient," Kirschke said. "It takes some time for it to ..."
Dependable Starks prepares for next test
"Max Starks has stated numerous times over his career that he would hate to face teammate James Harrison in a game. Well, what about a James Harrison clone? Denver linebacker Elvis Dumervil, a converted defensive end, is as close as the NFL has to offer as a twin to the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in stature and production. The 5-foot-11, 248-pound Dumervil is an inch smaller than Harrison and six pounds heavier. This season, Dumervil has two more sacks than Harrison's eight. To most left tackles in the league, going up against a guy such as Dumervil on Monday Night Football would be overwhelming, but not to Starks. That's because Starks has one big advantage over Dumervil, and it ..."
Roethlisberger pushing for no-huddle
"One thing that stood out to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as he watched film of the Denver Broncos' 30-7 loss to the Ravens last Sunday could impact how the Steelers try to attack the No. 1 defense in the NFL. "It seemed like in the second half, (the Ravens) did a lot of no-huddle," Roethlisberger said Thursday. "They kind of just picked up tempo and had a couple of plays that got things going." So does that mean Roethlisberger, who excels in a no-huddle attack, has been lobbying Bruce Arians to employ the change-of-pace offense more against the Broncos? "He lobbies every week," Arians said. "It's something that Ben likes to do," wide receiver Hines Ward said. "We've got a great feel for ..."
Bad things happen in NFL pileups
"You've probably seen the video. Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes didn't try to strip the football when he went after Georgia running back Washaun Ealey last Saturday; he tried to strip an eyeball. It sure looked that way, anyhow, as Spikes plunged his hand into Ealey's facemask. And it led to my somewhat surreal conversation with Steelers linebacker James Harrison Wednesday. My initial reaction to the Spikes incident was that Florida coach Urban Meyer should suspend him for the rest of the season (Spikes will sit out only this weekend's game against Vanderbilt). Before forming a final opinion, I decided to check with the pros, to see what's kosher and what's not at the bottom of a pile. ..."
What, Ward worry?
"A day later Hines Ward still couldn't stop smiling as he talked about getting voted the dirtiest player in the NFL in a poll of almost 300 of his peers. Maybe that is because Ward knows that getting under opponents' skin gives the 33-year-old wideout and the Steelers and edge - and I suspect that the smile he wears as if they're a game day accessory, such as a pair of wristbands, infuriates opponents as much as his physical style of play. "I'm going to tear it out and frame it," Ward said of the poll in this week's editions of Sports Illustrated. "I finally got a title. Last time I think I was second behind (former NFL safety) Rodney (Harrison)." Ward seemed to take pride in the fact that ..."
Roethlisberger accuser quits hotel job in Nevada
"The woman who has filed a civil lawsuit against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger claiming he sexually assaulted her last summer has quit working for the Nevada hotel where she said the incident occurred. Calvin R.X. Dunlap, the Reno-based attorney for the woman, last night confirmed that his client quit late last week because of "the way she was being treated" by managers at Harrah's Lake Tahoe, where she was a casino host. She was not forced to quit, he said. The woman sued Roethlisberger in July, claiming that he sexually assaulted her while staying at the Lake Tahoe hotel in 2008 for a charity golf outing. She also sued eight current or former employees of Harrah's, saying they ..."
Orton expects Broncos to rebound against Steelers
"Quarterback Kyle Orton expects the Broncos offense to bounce back nicely from last week's disappointing performance at Baltimore. He said the platform to do so - hosting the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers on "Monday Night Football" - is a perfect scenario. "Guys like to play on primetime," Orton said during his weekly news conference today. "There is extra emotion on Monday night games. We'll be excited and we'll be ready to go." Orton said Denver's primary objective is to execute while playing its most physical game of the season. "We're going to have to play physical. We're going to have to play smart. We're going to have to play our best game," Orton said. "We feel ..."
Roethlisberger accuser quits hotel job in Nevada
"The woman who has filed a civil lawsuit against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger claiming he sexually assaulted her last summer has quit working for the Nevada hotel where she said the incident occurred. Calvin R.X. Dunlap, the Reno-based attorney for the woman, last night confirmed that his client quit late last week because of "the way she was being treated" by managers at Harrah's Lake Tahoe, where she was a casino host. She was not forced to quit, he said. The woman sued Roethlisberger in July, claiming that he sexually assaulted her while staying at the Lake Tahoe hotel in 2008 for a charity golf outing. She also sued eight current or former employees of Harrah's, saying they ..."
Ward voted NFL's dirtiest player
"Josh McDaniels said Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward is the kind of player around whom franchises are built. "He's one of those guys when you say tough, physical football player, his face is probably right there in the dictionary," the Denver Broncos coach said Wednesday. Ward's peers say he's synonymous with more than just a physical brand of play, though. A panel of 296 NFL players -- less than 18 percent of the players on active rosters -- voted Ward the dirtiest player in the league. The anonymous voting, which was conducted in September, will be printed in this week's edition of Sports Illustrated. Ward, widely considered the best blocking wide receiver in the game, got 11 percent of ..."
Carter capable of filling in for Clark
"Mike Tomlin has listed five possible Steelers to play free safety when they take the Mile High plunge Monday night in Denver, and if one of them is not named Ryan Clark the correct answer will be Tyrone Carter. Somehow, the Steelers survived to an extent with Carter playing four games at strong safety for Troy Polamalu, so this assignment should not be quite as demanding. While Clark has been an important ingredient to a Steelers defense that dominated the NFL last season, he just is not Troy Polamalu. Neither is Carter a Ryan Clark, but the fact is the Steelers' defense turns on its All-Pro strong safety, and Polamalu looked better in his second game than he did in his first back from a ..."
Steelers DE Hood making steady progress
"Late October is generally not an ideal time to go to a beach north of the Mason-Dixon line. That didn't stop Ziggy Hood from using the break last week to trek to Atlantic City, N.J., and see the ocean for the first time. "It's like taking a Deep South kid and taking him somewhere where it snows," said Hood, the Steelers' rookie defensive end who grew up in the panhandle of Texas. "They're intrigued by it. So, I was out there messing with the seashells and just walking along the sand." Hood also went in the water while in Atlantic City, which is fitting since he may feel like he is swimming against the current at times during another unfamiliar experience. Hood has had to make the ..."
Timing is everything with Big Ben's sacks
"Maybe the offensive line isn't that bad after all. For the past four years (including this season), the Steelers offensive line has come under heavy scrutiny for allowing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to be sacked time and time again. The line gave up 49 sacks in 2006; 47 in 2007; 49 in 2009; and is on the pace to allow the franchise quarterback to hit the ground another 46 times this year. Including the playoffs, Roethlisberger has been sacked 233 times since he came into the league in 2004. That's nearly three times a game over his 5 1/2-year career. In that perspective, it is astonishing that Roethlisberger has missed only seven games in his career, including sitting out only one of ..."
No decision yet from Steelers on safety Clark
"Coach Mike Tomlin said starting free safety Ryan Clark's status is still in question for the Steelers' game Monday night in Denver. Doctors have cleared Clark, whose sickle-cell trait and the low altitude in Denver resulted in life-threatening complications two seasons ago, to play against the Broncos. Tomlin said Tuesday that the Steelers and Clark are still weighing the risks of the eight-year veteran playing in Denver. Tomlin said a final decision won't be made until later in the week. "We're going to make the decision once, and then we're going to play football," Tomlin said. · Santonio Holmes also has the sickle-cell trait, but the wide receiver is not susceptible to what Clark ..."
No decision made on Ryan Clark's playing status for Monday
"Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said a decision still hasn't been made as to whether free safety Ryan Clark will play Monday night in Denver. He said Clark, who suffered life-threatening complications when he played in Denver two seasons ago, and the Steelers won't make a decision until later this week. "We're going to make the decision once and then we're going to go play football," Tomlin said today at his weekly news conference. The high altitude in Denver caused Clark's blood to sickle in October of 2007, and he eventually had his spleen and gall bladder removed in separate operations. Clark, who has sickle-cell trait, has been medically cleared to play against the Broncos."
LeBeau feeling good about Steelers' defense
"Dick LeBeau, the man in charge of the Steelers' defense, wants to exercise the same sense of caution after a four-game winning streak that he urged after the Steelers lost consecutive road games in Chicago and Cincinnati by blowing fourth-quarter leads. His message in both instances is the season still has a long way to go. LeBeau can deliver that message to his players with less concern in his voice and fewer wrinkles in his forehead. If anything, he has to mask his satisfaction and curb his enthusiasm for the way his defense -- the best in the National Football League in 2008 -- has closed out each of the past three games: • Three consecutive sacks against Detroit Lions quarterback ..."
Holmes' sickle cell not affected in Denver
"Like Ryan Clark, Santonio Holmes, too, has the sickle-cell trait, which he only discovered this year. Unlike Clark, Holmes played in Denver two years ago without any adverse health problems other than one visiting players experienced for decades in Mile High Stadium. "I just had a lot of trouble breathing when I was up there last time," Holmes said yesterday. "I was in there before the game, I went out and I was trying to catch my breath and I couldn't do it, so I stayed in [the locker room] a little bit longer [before] coming out on the field." Holmes started that game and caught six passes for 54 yards and one touchdown in the Steelers' 31-28 loss in that Oct. 21, 2007, game. "Every time ..."
Steelers rested, ready to get back to work
"Strange but true: Hines Ward actually wanted to go to work on a Monday morning. "I missed football," the Steelers' wide receiver said. The Steelers practiced yesterday for the first time in more than a week. Coach Mike Tomlin gave most of the players last week off since the Steelers had a bye. The only ones who had to report were practice squad players and rookies. "It gave guys a chance to go home and just get away from football," Ward said. It also gave some of them extra time to recover. Troy Polamalu said his sprained left knee "feels much better." The strong safety added that he hopes to practice later this week."
Steelers weigh risks of Clark's participation
"Ryan Mundy said he is preparing as if he is going to play a lot next Monday when the Steelers visit the Denver Broncos. The Woodland Hills graduate could see extensive action with Ryan Clark's status in question, even though the starting free safety has been medically cleared to play in the nationally televised game. If Clark doesn't play, then Mundy or veteran Tyrone Carter would get the nod. "I'm just going to prepare as if I'm going to play a lot and if I don't, then I don't," Mundy said. "If I do (play), I have to make sure I'm ready." The high altitude and a couple of medical conditions caused Clark's blood to sickle when the Steelers played in Denver in October 2007. The deprivation ..."
Ward carves out remarkable career
"Of the 12 wide receivers selected before Hines Ward in the 1998 NFL Draft, only one still plays in the NFL. Randy Moss, a certain Hall of Famer, was drafted in the first round that year - 71 picks ahead of Ward, a third-rounder and the 92nd player taken overall. The draft that delivered wide receiver washouts Kevin Dyson, Marcus Nash, Jacquez Green, Patrick Johnson, Brian Alford, E.G. Green and Larry Shannon could ultimately become the only draft to produce two Hall of Fame receivers in Ward and Moss, now with New England. Another possibility could be Michael Irvin and Tim Brown, both drafted in 1988. Irvin is in the Hall of Fame; Brown isn't ... yet. That Irvin is in the Hall of Fame with ..."
Illness sidelines Steelers veteran RB Parker
"Steelers running back Willie Parker did not practice Monday because of an illness. Parker reported to the Steelers' practice facility with the rest of his teammates. The Steelers sent him to the doctors because he was running a fever. "We didn't want him to deliver anything to anybody else," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "I anticipate him being fine." · The bye week and the fact that the Steelers are playing Monday night in Denver gives them two extra days of practice this week. The Steelers normally watch film and get treatment on Mondays, but they did not have a game last weekend. They will practice Saturday, which is usually a walk-through for a Sunday game. "We should be well ..."
Steelers safety Clark practices, but decision on Denver game awaits
"Ryan Clark practiced with the Steelers today but a decision as to whether or not the starting free safety will play Monday night in Denver has not been made, coach Mike Tomlin said. "We're not going to hurry the process, we're going to proceed through our week," Tomlin said today. "He's going to take in information and reps and prepare to play in the football game. His backups are going to do the same and then at an appropriate time we'll sit down and come to a decision." When the Steelers played in Denver in October of 2007, the high altitude caused Clark's blood to sickle. The ordeal led to the removal of his spleen and gall bladder in separate operations and almost cost Clark, who has ..."
Broncos' Polumbus tasked with big challenge in Steelers' Harrison
"For his first NFL start, Tyler Polumbus gets to take on James Harrison, Lawrence Timmons and the mighty 3-4 Pittsburgh Steelers defense. Then again, Polumbus just did a good job holding off Terrell Suggs and the Baltimore Ravens so there's evidence he's ready for his next challenge. In Harrison, Polumbus will see the NFL's defending defensive player of the year. Polumbus, a former standout from Cherry Creek High School and the University of Colorado, is the Broncos' new right tackle after Ryan Harris suffered two dislocated toes on his right foot Sunday. Harris could be out three weeks, although the Broncos are hopeful he can return earlier."
Tomlin: Decision on Clark will come later
"Ryan Clark practiced today with his teammates, but it remains unclear whether he will play for the Steelers in Denver next Monday night. Coach Mike Tomlin said that determination will be made later in the week. He and Clark, his starting free safety, met with doctors last Thursday and "he's received medical clearance to play in this football game," Tomlin said. "So now, the decision lies with he and myself. We're going to weigh all ouroptions and evaluate this thing as we proceed throughout the week." Clark has sickle cell trait and his blood reacted so poorly in the exertion of playing in the thin Denver air with the Steelers in 2007 that he became almost deathly ill after the game. He ..."
LeBeau feeling good about Steelers' defense
"Dick LeBeau, the man in charge of the Steelers' defense, wants to exercise the same sense of caution after a four-game winning streak that he urged after the Steelers lost consecutive road games in Chicago and Cincinnati by blowing fourth-quarter leads. His message in both instances is the season still has a long way to go. LeBeau can deliver that message to his players with less concern in his voice and fewer wrinkles in his forehead. If anything, he has to mask his satisfaction and curb his enthusiasm for the way his defense -- the best in the National Football League in 2008 -- has closed out each of the past three games: • Three consecutive sacks against Detroit Lions quarterback ..."
Sickle cell hits 'closer to home' for Clark
"Football isn't a game of life or death to Ryan Clark, yet he knows first-hand the risk of playing in the high altitude could make it one. That's why the Steelers' starting free safety still hasn't decided whether he will play against the Denver Broncos next Monday night. "I think it would be big for me to play," Clark said Saturday afternoon at South Hills Village, where he signed autographs for the $10,000 Man Cave Makeover contest through Verizon FiOS. "Sickle cell would be acknowledged a little bit more, because it is an ethnic disease. Let's be honest, it's not a disease that affects all." While Clark lost his spleen and gall bladder in separate surgeries after the sickle-cell trait ..."
Doctors clear Steelers' Clark for Denver
"Steelers starting free safety Ryan Clark said he has been cleared by doctors to play next Monday night in Denver, but hasn't decided whether or not he will play against the Broncos because of his sickle-cell trait. While signing autographs this afternoon at South Hills Village as part of the Man Cave Makeover contest through Verizon FiOS, Clark told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review the decision was up to both him and the Steelers coaches. "I think it would be big for me to play," Clark said. "(Sickle cell) would be talked about a lot." Clark had health complications the past two times he played in Denver, with the Washington Redskins in 2005 and the Steelers in '07. The high altitude caused ..."
Farrior still plays young
"You can say just about anything to Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, probably the nicest, most revered man in the NFL. Just don't suggest to him that his captain, James Farrior, might be losing a step now that he's 34 and spending a 13th consecutive autumn fighting off big, mean-spirited NFL offensive linemen just to get a chance to run head-on into fast, powerful running backs. Nice or not, LeBeau doesn't tolerate fools kindly. The last thing he wants to hear is that a fella might be getting too up in years to be productive. Said the NFL's oldest coach at 72: "James Farrior hasn't lost a thing. He's just as quick now as he ever was. He's plenty quick." LeBeau was fairly growling ..."
Steelers: Doctors say Clark can play, but ...
"Steelers safety Ryan Clark said yesterday he has been "cleared by doctors" but remains unsure whether he will play in Denver a week from tomorrow. "Basically, I've been cleared by all the doctors, but the decision still hasn't been made," Clark said during an ESPN Radio 1250 interview. "We still have time. Obviously, it's a Monday night game, so it's a long way from now." Clark has sickle-cell trait, and his blood reacted so poorly in the exertion of playing in the thin Denver air with the Steelers in 2007 that he became almost deathly ill after the game. He wound up having his spleen and gall bladder removed, lost 30 pounds and missed the second half of the 2007 season. He has been ..."
Steelers count on Eason on defense
"Nick Eason spent four of the first five games of the season not even wearing a uniform on game day. Even though he had played in 61 National Football League games in his seven-year career, he was one of the eight players usually deactivated by coach Mike Tomlin. His spot on the roster was taken by rookie Ziggy Hood, the Steelers' No. 1 draft choice. That, though, did not necessarily reflect what the team thought of Eason, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound defensive end. When Aaron Smith was placed on the injured reserve list Oct. 14, ending his season, it was Eason who moved up on the depth chart, not Hood. In the ensuing two games, it was Eason who would mostly back up Travis Kirschke, the new ..."
Denver decision looms for Clark
"A sickle cell trait expert said Thursday that Ryan Clark should be OK if he plays in Denver on Nov. 9 -- provided that the Steelers free safety takes the necessary precautions. "I think that means aggressive hydration and oxygen," said Dr. Mark Gladwin, director of vascular medicine and chief of the pulmonary, allergy and critical care medicine division at UPMC. Clark met with doctors again yesterday as he weighs the risks of playing in the Steelers' game that follows their bye week. The mile-high altitude in Denver caused Clark's blood to sickle in a game two years ago. The resulting deprivation of oxygen to several major organs triggered a harrowing ordeal that eventually led to Clark ..."
On the Steeler: A different 5-2 record
"Chuck Noll had a saying, "How do you prefer to die?" He used it on occasion when asked about the particulars of a loss. Close loss, blowout loss, a loss from a fluke play or a spectacular one, it did not much matter to Noll. It was a loss, which is all that mattered. The Steelers are 5-2, and all five victories had their anxious moments in the fourth quarter. They were 5-2 last season as well, and three of those victories came by four points against Cleveland, three against Baltimore and five against Jacksonville. This team goes about it differently, however, and it is a case of "how do you prefer to live?" The Steelers had the most dominant defense in the NFL last season, No. 1 nearly ..."
Steelers police locker room themselves
"It's easy to say Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson is a jerk, has been a jerk since he left Penn State and always will be a jerk. Who will argue with that? Johnson was suspended again this week for twice using a gay slur. Last season, he was benched for three games and suspended for another one after he was accused of throwing a drink on a woman and pushing another in separate incidents for which he pleaded guilty to two counts of disturbing the peace and was given two years of probation. Those were not his first problems with women. This is a bad guy. "It's not how he was raised," Johnson's father, Larry Sr., told the Kansas City Star this week. The elder Johnson coaches the ..."
Steelers linebacker Harrison is AFC Defensive Player of the Month
"Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison today was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October. Harrison, last year's NFL Defensive Player of the Year, recorded 25 tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in four victories."
Steelers get value in free agency
"He broke down the 82-yard run for reporters, one that resulted in his first touchdown since high school. He accepted a congratulatory handshake from Steelers' president Art Rooney II. Linebacker Keyaron Fox, the man of the moment last Sunday afternoon, showed why he is such a valuable Steelers reserve in their 27-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings. In a larger sense, Fox serves as an affirmation of the Steelers' team-building philosophy. In the spring of 2008, the Steelers stayed out of the annual shopping spree that commences at the start of the free-agent signing period. Instead of targeting big-ticket free agents, they quietly signed Fox, center Justin Hartwig and running back Mewelde ..."
Steelers' Clark has tough decision
"Ordinarily, I believe that an NFL player should never miss a game for any reason other than an injury or a life-threatening situation at home. The impending birth of a child? Play the game, then rush to the hospital. A death in the family? Unless there are children to comfort, schedule the funeral around the game. I know I'll be heavily criticized for those opinions, but I truly believe them. That's the way it used to be in professional sports, emphasis on the word "professional." It's the way it still should be. Pirates great Dick Groat has told of missing the birth of his daughter, Allison, in 1963 when he was with the St. Louis Cardinals. "They wouldn't let me go home because it was ..."
Smith awaits twice-delayed surgery
"Aaron Smith decided to have surgery on his shoulder rather than risk making the injury worse because he wants to play again next season. Now, if those clouds would just part so he at least could get on with it. Twice, the surgery was postponed on consecutive Fridays after the injury was discovered after the Steelers' Oct. 11 game in Detroit. First, he had the flu, postponing his Oct. 16 surgery until Oct. 23. That too was postponed because of a sinus infection. Once that clears, he will have the surgery to repair his torn rotator cuff and then begin the road back to 2010, when he plans to be back at his position at left defensive end. He never doubted he would play again at age 34 next ..."
The lights are out
"In the NFL, it is becoming very fashionable to wear white after Labor Day. It used to be that dark uniform jerseys were worn at home, and white ones on the road -- except, of course, if you were the Dallas Cowboys or Washington Redskins. No more. Through the first seven weeks of the season, 15 teams have decided to wear their white jerseys at home. Nine have done it more than once. Through 103 games, 30 times teams have worn their whites at home rather than the traditional darks (29 percent). In those games, the white-wearing home teams are 16-14. "I think they are doing it because of the weather in some of these cities gets hot," said Steelers long-time equipment manager Rodgers ..."
All work, no play for Steelers' practice squad
"You never know where you'll spot a member of the Steelers' practice squad on game day, typically the only day of the week he is not with the team. This past Sunday at Heinz Field, during halftime of the Minnesota game, running back Justin Vincent was standing in line for a hot dog in the press box. During the season opener against Tennessee, center A.Q. Shipley was sitting in the stands. That was not new for Shipley, a Coraopolis native who starred at Moon High School. But it was the first time he attended a game after practicing with the Steelers all week. Did he stand up and cheer for big plays? "A little bit," Shipley said, laughing. "I've been going to Steeler games my whole life. That ..."
Timmons says ankle is OK for Denver
"The Steelers' bye week couldn't have come at a better time for at least one player. Lawrence Timmons is nursing a sprained right ankle, but the starting inside linebacker wrote on his blog Tuesday that he expects to play Nov. 9 against the Broncos in Denver. Timmons missed the season opener because of a sprained left ankle. He got hurt early in the fourth quarter of the Steelers' 27-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday when nose tackle Casey Hampton "rolled up" on his ankle. He did not return to the game. "It's a Grade One sprain, not a big deal," Timmons wrote on his blog. "I should come back faster than I did from that high ankle sprain." Timmons, in his first season as a starter, ..."
Steelers' Clark has tough decision
"Ordinarily, I believe that an NFL player should never miss a game for any reason other than an injury or a life-threatening situation at home. The impending birth of a child? Play the game, then rush to the hospital. A death in the family? Unless there are children to comfort, schedule the funeral around the game. I know I'll be heavily criticized for those opinions, but I truly believe them. That's the way it used to be in professional sports, emphasis on the word "professional." It's the way it still should be. Pirates great Dick Groat has told of missing the birth of his daughter, Allison, in 1963 when he was with the St. Louis Cardinals. "They wouldn't let me go home because it was ..."