Steelers News

DE Keisel is an unheralded hero for Steelers
"LaMarr Woodley called Brett Keisel the "most underrated defensive end in the NFL." James Farrior probably wouldn't argue with something else Woodley said earlier this week: that Keisel merits consideration for the Pro Bowl. "Best year since I've been here," Farrior said when asked how Keisel has been playing. By applying the transitive property to Farrior's claim, Keisel is having the best year of his career since both players joined the Steelers in 2002. Keisel leads the Steelers in quarterback pressures (16) and is tied for second in sacks (three). He has also proved to be a stabilizing force up front since the Steelers lost Aaron Smith to a season-ending shoulder injury. When Smith went ..."
History shows QB Big Ben rebounds quickly
"The timing of the Steelers' offense seemed to be off last Sunday in an 18-12 loss to the Bengals. That could translate into the timing not being right for the Chiefs Sunday when the Steelers visit Kansas City for a 1 p.m. game. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will try to rebound from his worst performance of the season against the Chiefs. "In the past, you didn't want to play him (following a bad game)," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said. "He's been outstanding bouncing back, and he takes it personal - like all of us." That is not exactly good news for the Chiefs, who rank 24th in the NFL in passing defense and probably will see a different Roethlisberger than Cincinnati did. ..."
Rip Arians? It still boils down to execution
"Some days, you walk into Giant Eagle and want to shout to the world: "I'm here!" Other days ... "You wear a hat and sunglasses at night so no one recognizes you," Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said, fairly giggling. It was a hat-and-sunglasses week for Arians. That's hardly surprising. The Steelers were beaten by the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday on a day when the Steelers' offense repeatedly got lost on its way to the end zone. Of course, it was Arians' fault, if you listen to the masses. Isn't it always? A few people blamed Ben Roethlisberger, but it's pretty hard to hold a grudge against one of the NFL's great quarterbacks and a two-time Super Bowl winner, to boot. A few more ..."
Roethlisberger hopes to redeem himself
"It is bounce-back time for Big Ben, his coach says, and that often means trouble for an opposing defense. "In the past, you didn't want to play him; he's been outstanding at bouncing back," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said. "He takes it personal, like all of us. He can't wait to come back and play the next one." Ben Roethlisberger's chance at redemption comes Sunday in Kansas City, one of two venues in the AFC in which the Steelers quarterback has never played. He reiterated again yesterday that he had a "bad day" Sunday in an 18-12 loss to Cincinnati at Heinz Field. Roethlisberger was 20 of 40 for 174 yards and one interception. His 51.5 passer rating was his lowest in a full game ..."
NFL fines Steeler linebacker Harrison for shoving Whitworth
"The NFL has fined outside linebacker James Harrison $5,000 for hitting Bengals tackle Andrew Whitworth in the Steelers '18-12 loss to Cincinnati last Sunday. Harrison shoved Whitworth in the face after a play in the fourth quarter."
Steelers' Harrison fined $5,000 for punch
"Steelers linebacker James Harrison told the Post-Gazette today he was fined $5,000 by the NFL for punching Cincinnati offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth Sunday. Harrison responded to a push from Whitworth by punching him on the helmet. He was penalized on the first-down play -- a two-yard run by Brian Leonard -- 15 yards, which gave Cincinnati a first down at the Bengals' 49."
Polamalu told to keep quiet about injury
"Safety Troy Polamalu, who did not practice Wednesday, was not permitted to speak to the media about his injured left knee. Spokesman Dave Lockett informed the media that questions about Polamalu's injury would not be answered by Polamalu, who attended practice wearing a cumbersome brace on his leg that stretched from his shin to the middle of his calf. • Put Ryan Clark down as one player who wouldn't have been very happy if his coach went for it on a fourth-and-2 in their own territory late in the game, like New England's Bill Belichick did Sunday against the Colts. "Our guys would've been extremely (mad)," Clark said. "We all have a little bit of an ego defensively. But when said he guys ..."
Steelers' linemen slowly gain experience
"Talk to an offensive lineman, and before long, the words continuity, cohesiveness or chemistry will likely be mentioned. It turns out that there is a pretty good explanation why offensive linemen always turn to those words as if it was their mantra - because continuity, cohesiveness and chemistry are that important. The Steelers' offensive line is finding that out. The beleaguered unit that ranked near the bottom in nearly every category last year is slowing making the climb toward respectability, and it all can be traced back to how long they have lined up next to each other. "It is about chemistry and experience," tackle Max Starks said. "The longer the group plays together as an ..."
This Rooney spends time on a different carpet
"Bumping into a Rooney at a film festival probably should never be considered surprising, and now that Hollywood producer Thomas Tull owns a chunk of the Steelers, the incidence of Rooney sightings among the popcorn and Sno-Caps set and/or the red carpet glitterati should only increase. For the record, Michael Rooney already has chatted with Tull about the business of DVD distribution, but Michael has been a film producer in the making from just about the moment he became an ex-Steelers ball boy a quarter-century ago. "I figured if I was going to prolong my career with the team, I was going to have to get into something a little more technical," Rooney joked the other night at the Regent ..."
Look for improved running game
"Guard Chris Kemoeatu likes nothing better than to block for the run. It remains his forte, a big reason Sports Illustrated chose him to its midseason All-Pro team. "Love it," professed Kemoeatu, who goes 6 feet 3, 344 pounds. He and others who love the Steelers' running game did not have much to like in their 18-12 loss against Cincinnati Sunday at Heinz Field. They ran 18 times, and one of those was a quarterback scramble. It is the fewest times they have run this season and their second-fewest yards at 80, 15 of those on Ben Roethlisberger's scramble. That no longer comes as much of a surprise on an offense where balance seems to equate to 60-40 (percentage of pass plays to runs). But it ..."
Steelers release backup LB Arnold Harrison
"Backup linebacker Arnold Harrison is the first confirmed victim of the three touchdowns scored against the Steelers kickoff team. The Steelers today released Harrison, who has been with the team off and on since 2005. They replaced him on the roster with linebacker Donovan Woods from their practice squad. Harrison missed all of last season with a torn ACL -- he has had surgeries on both ACLs in his knees. He had seven tackles on special teams this season."
Steelers one of many giving up special teams touchdowns
"You inevitably hear it from the head coach after his team loses a game when it gives up a kickoff or punt return for a touchdown. While coaches may truly believe that, the statistics say something else. Giving up a special teams touchdown doesn't necessarily translate into an automatic loss -- at least over the past decade. Indianapolis, Minnesota and the Steelers are prime examples. Since 2000, and including the playoffs, those three teams have allowed the third-, fourth- and fifth-most special teams touchdowns in the NFL. Still, in those games, the Colts, Vikings and Steelers have a combined 28-13 record. Indianapolis has given up 15 special teams touchdowns during that span and has a ..."
Polamalu's injury not considered serious
"Troy Polamalu almost certainly won't play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, but the Steelers probably couldn't have gotten much better news on the knee that the All-Pro safety re-injured earlier this week. Polamalu strained the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the Steelers' 18-12 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He sprained the medial collateral ligament in that same knee Sept. 10. Much to the relief of the Steelers, an MRI showed that Polamalu, who left the Bengals game near the end of the first quarter, did not damage the MCL again. Coach Mike Tomlin said Polamalu's status for the 1 p.m. game Sunday is "questionable at best," but he added that the five-time Pro ..."
Steelers' Polamalu shouldn't miss much time
"Troy Polamalu is unlikely to play Sunday in Kansas City but the strong safety is not expected to be sidelined for a significant period of time after re-injuring his left knee in the Steelers' 18-12 loss to the Bengals. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Polamalu sustained a sprain of his posterior cruciate ligament in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals. The injury, Tomlin said, is not as serious as the medial collateral ligament sprain that Polamalu suffered in the Steelers' season opener. Polamalu missed four games because of the MCL sprain. "It's not a re-injury," Tomlin said today at his weekly news conference. Tomlin said Polamalu is "probably questionable at best" to play ..."
Polamalu questionable for Steelers game Sunday
"Safety Troy Polamalu has what coach Mike Tomlin called a strained PCL in his left knee and will be listed as questionable for the Steelers' game in Kansas City Sunday. Tomlin would not venture a guess on how long Polamalu will be out but said there was no setback to his previous injury in the left knee, a MCL. Tomlin said the Steelers will let the injury run its course and see what happens as the week goes on. "Everyone's initial response was that it was a re-injury; that is not the case,'' Tomlin said."
Steelers release backup LB Arnold Harrison
"Backup linebacker Arnold Harrison is the first confirmed victim of the three touchdowns scored against the Steelers kickoff team. The Steelers today released Harrison, who has been with the team off and on since 2005. They replaced him on the roster with linebacker Donovan Woods from their practice squad."
No official word on Steelers safety Polamalu
"Troy Polamalu attended team meetings Monday afternoon, and he made his way around the Steelers' South Side practice facility without crutches or even a limp. The Steelers did not give an officialon Polamalu's status yesterday - coach Mike Tomlin will address it today at his weekly news conference - but the All-Pro strong safety appears to have received a scare more than anything else regarding his left knee injury. Polamalu left the Steelers' 18-12 loss Sunday to the Cincinnati Bengals near the end of the first quarter and didn't return to the game. Two things made the injury noteworthy, even if Polamalu did not require assistance to leave the field: he re-injured the same knee he sprained ..."
Put Harrison, Keisel on special teams
"As a concession to potential injury and their status on the team, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin relieved Pro Bowl outside linebacker James Harrison and starting defensive end Brett Keisel of important special teams responsibilities. It's time for Tomlin to stop being Mr. Nice Guy and return Harrison and Keisel to the trenches with the other special teams grunts. It was 2007 all over again for the Steelers during Sunday's special teams meltdown in a critical 18-12 loss to Cincinnati at Heinz Field. Only this time it wasn't Cleveland's Joshua Cribbs returning kickoffs for 100 and 90 yards in the same game, or Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew's backbreaking kickoff return in the AFC Wild Card ..."
Steelers' Polamalu to miss one game, maybe more
"The Steelers' defense that played without Troy Polamalu for all but one series Sunday likely will have to do it again without him for one game, two, maybe three. If they perform the way they did against the Cincinnati Bengals, they will have played winning defense. That is what happened Sunday, only no one on offense or special teams joined them. The Steelers were mum yesterday on the results of the MRI on Polamalu's left knee, and issued no prognosis, but the All-Pro safety joined his teammates for meetings at the team's facility and it appears whatever reinjury there is will not end his season. He left after the game's first series, and the NFL's fifth-ranked defense Sunday still rose to ..."
All is not lost for the Steelers
"Nothing had changed by the Mourning After. "We're still looking up," Steelers linebacker James Farrior said. At the first-place Cincinnati Bengals. It seems so strange. The Bengals? "They're definitely a better team than they've had in the past," Farrior said. "You've got to give them credit. They're the team to beat in the division right now. They've earned it. They're in a great spot." So are the Steelers, hard as that is to believe after their deflating 18-12 home loss Sunday to the Bengals. Repeat after me: The world is not ending. The Steelers are in a terrific spot in terms of making the playoffs as a wild-card team. And as long as they get in ... It's hard to think the Bengals won't ..."
Cincinnati Bengals continue to rip through the AFC North with 18-12 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers
"All season long the Bengals have talked about having this team having the most depth in Marvin Lewis' seven-year tenure as head coach. On Sunday, in the biggest game of the last four seasons, it was the players who you least expected who gave the Bengals sole possession of the AFC North and their first sweep over Pittsburgh in 11 years. In a 18-12 victory over the Steelers at Heinz Field, which Lewis called "probably the most physical, grinding football game I've ever been on the sideline to experience" it was a core cast of supporting players who took the limelight as injuries and opportunity forced them to deliver. The win improves the Bengals record to 7-2 and gives them the edge in ..."
Bengals Steeler-ed the Steelers
"The win was sweet for the Cincinnati Bengals, in so many ways. It was a dirty-shirt brawl that handed the home team a fistful of its own teeth. The Bengals came to Pittsburgh and Steeler-ed the Steelers. That last drive was pure religion. Cincinnati expanded a three-point lead to six by pounding Pittsburgh's prideful defense for 11 plays, four first downs and much hostility between the tackles. After a drive that consumed four minutes of the remaining six, Shayne Graham delivered the Amen with a 43-yard field goal, straight into a cloud of little, yellow hankies. Winner by technical knockout, 18-12, the challenger. And now the Bengals are alone and dominant. They're 7-2, they've beaten ..."
Mean Joe Greene spot finally gets award
"Joe Greene got his first taste of the impact of his Coca-Cola commercial at the 1980 NFL Pro Bowl, when Hawaiian school children ran past Roger Staubach, O.J. Simpson and Earl Campbell at recess. "They came right to me, with Coke bottles, Coke cans, and they went right past all the stars," said Greene, the Steelers' Hall of Fame defensive tackle and special assistant for player personnel. "That was the first inkling where I thought: 'Maybe this Coca-Cola thing is something special.'" Thirty years after swapping a Coke for a smile, Tommy Okon and Mean Joe Greene reunited Sunday before the Steelers-Bengals game at Heinz Field to accept a long overdue Clio award for their iconic commercial. ..."
Bengals' final drive able to throw off Steelers
"With the game on the line and the Steelers' defense in dire need of a stop to have any chance at a victory, the last thing they expected was for the Cincinnati offense to shove the ball down their throats. It was especially unexpected considering who the Bengals had on the field - an offensive line that features three undrafted free agents and a rookie running back from Abilene Christian. But when the Bengals - who led 15-12 at the time - got the ball back with 6:17 left in Sunday's AFC North showdown against the Steelers, that's exactly what they did. "Carson (Palmer) came into the huddle and told us not to give them the ball back," tackle Andrew Whitworth said. The Steelers got the ball ..."
Bengals' special-teams TD 'unacceptable'
"When Josh Cribbs returned a kickoff for a touchdown against the Steelers, it was because he's the NFL's top special-teams talent. When Percy Harvin did the same, it was because he's the league's most dynamic rookie. So, how to explain Cincinnati's Bernard Scott? The Steelers could only call it "unacceptable." That was Stefan Logan's response to Scott's 96-yard kickoff return in the first quarter, the only touchdown scored Sunday, as the Bengals beat the Steelers, 18-12, in a pivotal AFC North Division game at Heinz Field. "Any time you allow people to score touchdowns and your defense is not on the field, (then) you expose yourself to losing football," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "You ..."
Comeback incomplete for Big Ben, Steelers
"A defense that has not allowed a touchdown in the past two weeks forced the Cincinnati Bengals to kick a field goal late in a slumbering game Sunday afternoon. That set up a made-for-Ben Roethlisberger moment. And free safety Ryan Clark - and probably more than a few fans at packed but subdued Heinz Field - had no doubt the Steelers quarterback would deliver as he has done so many times in his career. "He's one of the premier quarterbacks in the league and definitely one of the premier two-minute quarterbacks in the NFL," said Clark, the Steelers' starting free safety. "My thing is, we're going to go down there and score. Offense will get the praise, but we'll get the win as a team." The ..."
Bengals no longer a secret in the NFL
"Cincinnati guard Bobbie Williams cherishes the fact the Bengals aren't being mentioned among the top teams in the NFL. But after sweeping the two teams that were in the AFC Championship Game a year ago within the first 10 weeks of the season, Williams is afraid that may be impossible now. "I think we might be peaking up on people's radar now," Williams said. "But let's keep it quiet. We like nobody talking about us. Let them keep questioning us, so we can stay under the radar." • Overlooking the Bengals might be difficult to do. They have a one-game lead in the AFC North over the Steelers with games against oft-beaten Oakland, Cleveland, Detroit and Kansas City left on the schedule. "This ..."
Steelers safety Polamalu limps out of game
"The Steelers are hoping to get good news about strong safety Troy Polamalu, who re-injured his left knee in the Steelers' 18-12 loss Sunday to the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field. Polamalu left the game in the first quarter and did not return. He had an MRI taken on the knee that he sprained in the season opener Sept. 10. After the game, several of Polamalu's teammates said they did not know the severity of the injury. Asked how it happened, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, "I don't know the details of it." Tomlin is well aware of the impact if Polamalu is out for an extended period. He missed four games earlier this season when his knee first was injured. The five-time Pro Bowler is one ..."
Uninspired Steelers lose to Bengals
"Sloppy, uninspired play by the Steelers translated into an 18-12 loss to the Bengals in front of the second-largest crowd ever today at Heinz Field. As a result of perhaps their worst showing of the season, the Steelers dropped to 6-3 and essentially fell two games behind the Bengals in the AFC North. The Bengals are 7-2, but they hold the tiebreaker over the Steelers after sweeping their arch rivals for the first time since 1998. "It's a step back today," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "We've got some work to do. We're a team that is developing." The Steelers' defense did not allow a touchdown for the second straight game. The Steelers, however, allowed 96-yard kickoff return for a ..."
With eyes wide open, Steelers stung
"For the first time during the Mike Tomlin era, the Steelers are struggling to win key head-to-head battles in the AFC North. It's a strange, uncomfortable feeling for the defending Super Bowl champions, but there's a first time for everything. The Steelers, under Tomlin, don't normally lose big games the way they did Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field - flailing and out-of-sync. After all, it was a home division game against the Cincinnati Bengals, who beat the Steelers, 23-20, in September. If anything, yesterday's rematch hurt more than the first loss because this time the Steelers knew what was coming. Their eyes were wide open. November is when the Steelers take control of their destiny. ..."
Here's hoping Polamalu will return soon
"The Steelers' collective psyche after a day when their offense did nothing, their defense couldn't make a late stand and their special teams were absolutely atrocious in a brutal home loss to a division opponent? It's just fine, thank you very much. "The season didn't end today," linebacker LaMarr Woodley growled. "There's a lot of football left to be played." But All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu's left knee? That might be a much different story. His potentially serious injury yesterday was, by far, the worst part of the hurtful 18-12 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, a defeat that left the Steelers in a jackpot as far as the AFC North Division race goes and means they probably will have to take ..."
Bengals ground the Steelers
"The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Steelers 18-12 today to sweep their two-game series and take a one-game lead in the AFC North Division. Shayne Graham's 32-yard field goal with 7:29 left broke a 12-12 tie and he kicked another from 43 yards with 1:56 left. Cincinnati climbed to 7-2. The Steelers lost for the first time at home to fall to 6-3. Neither team scored a touchdown on offense. Jeff Reed kicked four field goals for the Steelers and Graham kicked three. The only touchdown came on a 96-yard kickoff return in the first quarter by Cincinnati rookie Bernard Scott. Both teams lost star players. Steelers All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu left the game after Cincinnati's first drive with a left ..."
Bengals beat Steelers, 18-12
"Two teams tested a theory yesterday at Heinz Field that if you cannot run and you cannot pass, you cannot win a football game. That is, unless you have the luxury of the Steelers kicking off to you. Neither the Steelers nor the Cincinnati Bengals scored an offensive touchdown, yet for the third time in four games the Steelers' kickoff team allowed a return for a touchdown and it stood up enough for the Bengals to pull off the improbable victory, 18-12, and the two-game sweep of this year's series. It is the first time the Bengals have swept the series in 11 seasons and it may deliver an AFC North Division title to Cincinnati, which at 7-2 took a one-game lead over the 6-3 Steelers and also ..."
Bengals best in AFC North?
"Early in the fourth quarter of a game that had long since forfeited any chance of turning up on ESPN Classic, it actually began to appear as though the Steelers were going to lose to the Cincinnati Bengals twice in seven weeks, and the reaction was reflexive: You're pullin' my leg. No wait, or was that what quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said to Bengals linebacker Brandon Johnson, who was quite literally pulling his leg as Big Ben lay in a pile of humanity after sneaking the football to a first down at the Cincinnati 11? Johnson stood behind the pile, reached in, and yanked No. 7's foot like a guy trying to drag a deer out from under a Ford Taurus. Seeing this, Steelers guard Chris ..."
Steelers place cornerback Ratliff on inactive list
"The only surprise among the Steelers inactives for today's game against the Bengals — and it is a mild one — is cornerback Keiwan Ratliff. Ratliff was inactive for the season opener but he has since dressed for every game. Travis Kirschke is out, as expected, for a second consecutive game because of a calf injury. Nick Eason will start in his place. Fullback Carey Davis won't play today because of a bad hamstring. Rookie David Johnson will play in place of Davis."
Polamalu re-injures left knee
"Troy Polamalu has left today's Steelers game against the Bengals with a left knee injury, and the strong safety is not expected to return to the AFC North showdown. It is the same knee Polamalu sprained in the Sept. 10 season opener. The five-time Pro Bowler missed four games and had been playing with a brace on his left knee."
Bengals fed up with Steeler bullies
"It's always Pittsburgh. In Cincinnati, no pro football conversation of substance can occur that does not include Pittsburgh. It has been that way, with occasional blips, for more than 30 years. Almost since there was a Cincinnati Bengals, the Cincinnati Bengals have been climbing that Pittsburgh hill. The road to salvation goes through Pittsburgh again, as it must, on Sunday afternoon. Bengals-Steelers. Or, rather, Steelers-Bengals. They define Us. They tell us who we are, they show us how it can be. We seek their approval. They are who we want to be. It is the sad truth. It will make you angry. I understand. Pittsburgh Fan is a mindless slob/internet troll who can get downright medieval ..."
Head to Head: Bengals RB Cedric Benson vs. Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall
"There aren't many running backs in the National Football League who have gained more yards the past five games than Rashard Mendenhall. But one of them is Cincinnati's Cedric Benson, who is starting to perform Jerome Bettis-like feats for the Bengals. Mendenhall has vaulted to No. 11 among the league's rushing leaders with a torrid five-game roll that began the week after the Steelers had their eight-game winning streak in Paul Brown Stadium snapped by the Bengals. He did not play in the 23-20 loss in Cincinnati because he was being punished for not knowing his practice assignments during the week. Since then, he has been punishing the opposition. "He's making big plays happen in a hurry," ..."
Mike Tomlin has Steelers on right track
"After Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger won his first Super Bowl, the Steelers began their next season 2-6. Mike Tomlin, now the Steelers head coach, had nothing to do with the free fall with which the Steelers opened their 2006 season. But he's had something to do with the Steelers' 6-2 title defense so far this year. Although he didn't give his team a preseason talk about "don't get complacent just because you're defending Super Bowl champs," he did emphasize that this year has nothing to do with winning the Super Bowl last year. "The big thing is each year you start anew regardless whether you won it all or didn't play well," said Tomlin, formerly an assistant coach at the ..."
Steelers Kirschke and Davis out for Bengals game
"Defensive end Travis Kirschke (calf) and running back Carey Davis (hamstring) did not practice all week and won't play in Sunday's 1 p.m. game against Cincinnati at Heinz Field. Kirschke will miss his second consecutive game. Davis was injured last week against Denver. Safety Tyrone Carter returned to practice after sitting out Thursday because of illness. Linebacker Lawrence Timmons, who did not play against Denver because of an ankle injury, is expected to start against the Bengals. • Cincinnati linebacker Keith Rivers, who is second on the team with 67 tackles, is listed as doubtful with a calf injury. Guard Evan Mathis is also doubtful. Rivers and Mathis are not expected to play. Wide ..."
Steelers much improved since Bengals loss
"It was a different Steelers team, at a different point of the season. All of the pieces were in place on offense. Most of them, anyway. Still, the Steelers make no excuses for their 23-20 loss at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 27 that left them with a 1-2 record. "We could have closed the game out," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "We could have done it on offense." Added offensive coordinator Bruce Arians: "We left so many points on the field." The 6-2 Steelers have won five consecutive games since losing to the Bengals, thanks in no small part to their resurgent offense, ranked No. 5 in the NFL. The rematch with Cincinnati is at 1 p.m. Sunday at Heinz Field. "It's going to be a big ..."
Ochocinco fans mail mustard to secondary
"Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, pride of Fort Cherry High School, vowed to make Chad Ochocinco hold the mustard that the pass- and attention-grabbing Cincinnati receiver initially wanted to ship to members of the Steelers' secondary this week. But that did not stop someone from greater Cincinnati, identified on the package's return address as "Fans of Chad Ochocinco," from mailing the Steelers a box of the yellow condiment, which arrived yesterday. It was a result of Ochocinco's midweek Twitter pledge to send the Steelers' defensive backs mustard because they couldn't "ketch up." Heinz Field puns intended"Thanks, Chad," cornerback Ike Taylor noted after peeking into the box on his ..."
The man behind the Steelers' line
"Larry Zierlein never had flashbacks of his time in Vietnam, just dreams. "I dreamt I had to go back," he said, during our conversation on Veterans Day. "That would wake me up." Growing up in Lenora, Kan., Zierlein, the Steelers' 63-year-old offensive line coach, was captivated by comic-book depictions of World War II and the Korean War. As a junior at Emporia State (Kan.) College, he determined it was now or never and joined the Marines. Without telling his parents until after the fact, Zierlein signed up for a two-year volunteer program. That led to boot camp in San Diego and war preparation at Camp Pendleton. Before long, he found himself in South Vietnam. And it was nothing like the ..."
Playing in space, Steelers practice good tackling
"If good tackling has indeed become a lost art in the NFL, the defending Super Bowl champions might be the exception to the rule. Playing good defense is one thing for the Steelers, who enter Sunday's pivotal AFC North clash against Cincinnati at Heinz Field ranked No. 5 in total defense. But the Steelers took the concept to a higher level in their 28-10 Monday night win at Denver. "Regarding people saying tackling is the worst it's ever been, I'd have to refute that and say it's the best it's ever been,'' said strong safety Troy Polamalu, one of the surest tacklers in the league. "There are quicker guys now on offense. The game is more wide open. Tackles are harder to make in space.'' ..."
Steelers' defensive plan pays dividends
"It starts with a plan. You do not rise to become the NFL's top defense against the run without a plan. You do not go 30 games without allowing a 100-yard rusher without a plan. The Steelers always have had such a plan, from Mike Tomlin to Bill Cowher to Chuck Noll. Above all else, stop the run. "That's what we do," said nose tackle Casey Hampton, the fulcrum of the line. "That's our No. 1 goal, obviously; you know that," defensive end Brett Keisel said. "When you come into this defense, we always say run first, pass second. That's just what they preach when you're a young kid to a seasoned veteran." Recently, the Steelers have stopped some of the best, including the NFL's three rushing ..."
Steelers safety feeling fine after workout
"Not everything was a loss for Steelers safety Ryan Clark during his trip to Denver. His team won despite Clark sitting out because of the possibility of complications with his sickle-cell trait in the high altitude. But just as important to Clark, he may have got the peace of mind he needed if the Steelers have to make a return trip to Denver in January for the playoffs. Clark said Wednesday that he worked out before the game Monday and had tests done to see how his body reacted to the thin air after having his spleen and gall bladder removed two years ago. He passed all the administered tests, although the level of exertion wasn't close to what he would experience during games. So does ..."
Steelers are amused by Ochocinco's antics
"Steelers defensive backs apparently won't be getting mustard sent to them in advance of Sunday's AFC North showdown at Heinz Field. Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis has told Chad Ochocinco to refrain from a gesture similar to the one the star wideout made last week when he sent deodorant to the Baltimore Ravens. Ochocinco posted on his Twitter account that he planned to mail mustard to the Steelers' practice facility because their defensive backs wouldn't be able to "ketch-up" with him. Starting free safety Ryan Clark said he would be offended if the Steelers didn't get the gift that one of the NFL's biggest hot dogs had promised for them. "If he doesn't send us anything, that means ..."
Steelers react to Roethlisberger's 'E:60' talk
"News that franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger called himself a bad teammate early in his career caught Steelers players off-guard Wednesday. Roethlisberger made the admission one night earlier during a national television interview on ESPN's primetime news program, "E:60." "That surprises me," said defensive lineman Brett Keisel, who is Roethlisberger's closest friend on the team. "That doesn't sound like something he would say." In a 10-minute interview Tuesday that also focused on pending sexual assault allegations against Roethlisberger, the Steelers' quarterback talked about the relationships he has forged with his teammates since entering the NFL in 2004. "I wasn't a good leader ..."
Tyrone Carter AFC Defensive Player of the Week
"Tyrone Carter, who intercepted a pair of passes in the Steelers' 28-10 win over the Broncos last Monday, has been named AFC Defensive Player of the Week. Carter started at free safety for Ryan Clark, who was held out of the game because of a medical condition, and he scored the Steelers' first touchdown on a 48-yard interception return. In the last three starts at free safety dating back to last season, Carter has intercepted five passes and returned two of them for touchdowns."
Mendenhall responds to Tomlin
"Some players do not respond well when embarrassed publicly, benched for a game and called out by the head coach for not practicing well. One of them was not Rashard Mendenhall. Mike Tomlin apparently pushed another right button when he did not play his young running back on offense in Cincinnati Sept. 27. The coach cited this as his reason after that game, a 23-20 Steelers loss: "Rashard wasn't on his details this week, so I chose not to play him on offense." Imagine how Larry Johnson or Allen Iverson might react to that kind of public humbling. Mendenhall responded by not only paying attention to details but starting the past five games and helping the Steelers to five consecutive ..."