November 20
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 20
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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. ..."
November 19
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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."
November 19
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 19
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 18
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 18
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 17
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 17
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 17
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 16
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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. ..."
November 16
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 16
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 16
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 16
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 16
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 16
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 16
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
columnist John Harris
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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. ..."
November 15
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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."
November 15
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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."
November 14
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 14
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 13
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
columnist Joe Starkey
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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 ..."
November 13
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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.'' ..."
November 12
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 12
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 12
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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 ..."
November 12
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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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."