after the zone blitz, the deadpan...

January 9, 2009

After the Zone Blitz, the Deadpan Defense

By HOLLY BRUBACH

PITTSBURGH — Access to his head is by invitation only. A former cornerback for the Detroit Lions and

inventor of the zone blitz, Dick LeBeau now masterminds the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense, the N.F.L.’s best.

During games, he stands on the sideline surveying the drama, arms folded, his face blank, betraying nothing.

Not the pride he takes in his players, who regard him as a father. Not the vast knowledge of football he has

acquired in a 50-year career — 14 as a player, 36 as a coach. Not his Midwestern small-town roots or a

sentimental streak as wide as “The Wizard of Oz,” his favorite movie. And certainly not his age, 71.

Joe Schmidt, 76, a former Lions teammate and later his coach in Detroit, said it’s annoying how young

LeBeau looks.

Now in his second stint as the Steelers’ defensive coordinator, LeBeau has built a career on being opaque. To

such an extent that during his years in Detroit, people didn’t even take him for a football player. “A politician,

maybe, or a con artist,” said Charlie Sanders, another Lions teammate who played poker with LeBeau. “You

always knew he knew something, but you never knew what it was. I learned the hard way, and it cost me a

few bucks.”

Whatever the outcome of the game, LeBeau doesn’t say much. He checks in with his players, asking about

their physical condition. James Farrior, a Steelers linebacker and captain of the defense, said, “If you didn’t

know Coach LeBeau and you ran into him after a game, you could never tell if we won or lost.”

What makes LeBeau’s deadpan different from so many other coaches’ is that it is not a mask. Unlike, say, Bill

Belichick, whose unchanging expression exudes all the calm of Vesuvius, LeBeau is hard to read in part

because he is so steady. “He doesn’t get too high with the highs or too low with the lows,” defensive end

Aaron Smith said.

Soft-spoken, he shifts his voice to a baritone growl for practices and games. LeBeau never yells or flies off the

handle. Almost never.

Two years ago at Carolina, in the fourth quarter, with Pittsburgh ahead, one of the Steelers’ defensive backs

intercepted the ball and began celebrating before the play was over. LeBeau was irate. “He really got in this

guy’s face and chewed him out,” recalled Ken Whisenhunt, the team’s offensive coordinator at the time and

now head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. “Because he thought that that was fundamentally disrespectful to

the game.”

“You make a mistake, he can deal with that,” Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton said. “He gets more mad if

you hotdog and you show off. If he gets on you, you really done did something.”

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It counts for a lot with his players that LeBeau was himself a player, and the few occasions when the time is

right, he reminds them how good he was. He retired in 1972 with 62 interceptions, which is tied for seventh

on the career list, and 171 consecutive starts, a record for cornerbacks.

“He’s not a real rah-rah guy,” strong safety Troy Polamalu said. “He doesn’t have to give us some speech

before the game, because we respect him on a day-to-day basis.”

LeBeau said: “If I make a bad call, I’m not going to stand up in front of them on Monday and say, ‘You guys

messed up that play.’ I’m going to say: ‘That was really a lousy call. I had a reason for doing it, but guess

what? I was wrong.’ ”

TEACHER AND STUDENT

He knew that he would be a coach back in high school, in London, Ohio. “I watched the coaches that I had” —

among them, Ohio State’s Woody “This Is Not a Democracy” Hayes — “and I’d say to myself, ‘Geez, I would

never do that.’ ”

LeBeau said that as a player, he wanted to be instructed. “And so I’ve coached the way I wanted to be

coached,” he said. “Players just want to get better, and they will respond to the instructor who is making

them better.”

Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin, a former defensive coordinator, credited LeBeau with “making the complex

seem simple — and that’s what we strive to do, as teachers.” Whisenhunt praised LeBeau’s “calming

influence” on players.

“I think the Steelers’ defense now reflects how he played,” Schmidt said.

LeBeau’s teammates in Detroit remember him reading scouting reports, watching film. “People would try to

pick on him,” Sanders said, because, at 6 feet 1 inch and 185 pounds, “he didn’t have all the physical

attributes that most guys had in the secondary. But the fact that he was as smart as he was and studied as

much as he did, that’s what made him excel — that’s why he had the numbers. He was ahead of the

quarterback.”

Schmidt, captain of the Lions’ defense until 1965, said: “I called defensive signals, and Dick dropped

information to me in the game that was helpful to me and helped our defense. And he had that information

because he studied more than anybody else on the team.”

Lem Barney, who arrived as a rookie in 1967, considers the six years he played with LeBeau his

apprenticeship — Barney at left corner and LeBeau on the right.

“Dick taught me to be able to understand what offensive coordinators would try to do to you as a defensive

back,” Barney said, adding, “Dick was a very astute defensive ballplayer, and with his insight and his

intuition, he was almost like a coach out there playing.”

THE ROAD TO NOW

In 1963, the late author George Plimpton took part in the Lions’ training camp, an experience that became



the basis for his book, “Paper Lion,” in which LeBeau figures as an appealing if enigmatic character, playing

his guitar in the dorm at night and singing “mournful” songs he composed.

As the Joe Schmidt Trio, LeBeau, Schmidt and defensive back Bruce Maher cut a 45-r.p.m. record whose B

side, a LeBeau song called “The Lonesome One,” appeared briefly on the local charts. The unsold copies,

which LeBeau jokingly numbers in the tens of thousands, are still in his mother’s basement. There were no

live engagements. “Thank God,” Schmidt said.

Since his retirement as a player in 1972, LeBeau’s career path as a coach has passed through Philadelphia,

Green Bay, Cincinnati (where he had a 12-33 record in three seasons as head coach, beginning in 2000),

Buffalo and Pittsburgh, twice. First in 1992, when Bill Cowher, the Steelers’ head coach at the time, hired him

as the defensive backs coach and three years later promoted him to coordinator. In 1997, he left for the

Bengals.

In 2004, the Steelers were looking for a defensive coordinator once again. “I watched Pittsburgh play a

quote-unquote meaningless game against Baltimore, when Baltimore was already in the playoffs and

Pittsburgh was out,” LeBeau said. “I’d kind of kept an eye on the defense because there were still quite a few

of the players I had coached. And I saw how hard they played and I thought, Man, that’s a pretty special

bunch of guys — I sure would like to be associated with them.” He called Cowher and asked for his old job

back.

“The defense was there that we had put in place in ’92,” Cowher said. “We continued to do the same thing

with some differences, adding to it. So it was pretty much a case of him picking up where he left off and

getting a feel for the guys we had.”

“I knew all about him,” said Farrior, one of the players who had arrived in LeBeau’s absence. “Who he was,

where he played and coached. I was excited to finally meet the guy who wrote a lot of the defenses we had

been running. He told us he was happy to be back in Pittsburgh, and that was one of the things that struck

me the most — that he’s not one of these coaches trying to get a better job, that he’s happy with where he is in

his life right now. All he wants to do is coach this defense.”

CREATING 1 FROM 11

LeBeau makes defense compelling: the perfect unison it requires, the complexity, the unsung heroics. “Many

of the offensive plays are going to happen on one side of the formation, and these guys over here are not

going to be as involved as the guys over there,” LeBeau said. “But defensively, if all 11 of your guys aren’t

fitting together, then you’re going to have seams and holes. So a perfect play for us is the perfect mesh as it

moves across the field.”

Polamalu, who had seven interceptions this season, including one so improbable and acrobatic that it became

a hit on YouTube, said that LeBeau does not make a big deal over picks and sacks. “I think the thing that

really impresses him the most is not those highlight plays but everybody being really disciplined and doing

our jobs: they run for 2 yards, they run for 2 yards, then we force them to punt.

“Anyway,” Polamalu added, “he has 62 interceptions, which is more than our whole defense.”



Asked why LeBeau and the Steelers have turned out to be such a good fit, the team’s chairman, Dan Rooney

replied, “Maybe we do things similar.”

LeBeau’s brand of charisma is a sort of anticharisma, and along with Tomlin he has created a culture in

which players thrive on selflessness.

“In any particular snap,” LeBeau said, “there are four or five guys defensively who make wonderful plays that

no one in the stands would even notice.”

The running joke, Smith said, is that nobody wants to be the superstar.

“Great defense is more than just great players,” Tomlin said. “It’s guys understanding how what they do fits

in the big picture. It’s guys making personal sacrifice for the betterment of the group, spilling and taking on

blocks, doing things that are against human nature.”

In LeBeau’s hands, defense is both physical and cerebral. “We have an extremely intelligent defense,” he said,

“and our guys take pride in being correct and understanding what’s being asked of them and getting their

part of it done. There’s no way you can play defense without being smart.”

As a strategist, LeBeau continues to innovate. The schemes he devised for the Steelers in 2005 stymied four

of the N.F.L.’s best offenses in the playoffs, beating the Colts with a new blitz and holding the Seahawks to 10

points in the Super Bowl.

Though the zone blitz and other schemes that LeBeau created have been widely copied, Tomlin contends that

there is a big advantage in having the guy who wrote the play running the play.

“Success in football is all about anticipating the game’s evolution,” Tomlin said. “Working with the author of

the scheme keeps you on that cutting edge. I would imagine that a lot of people wait for the off-season to

study Dick, what adjustments and changes he’s made. And we get a chance to be part of that on a day-to-day

basis.”

SHOWS OF RESPECT

When the word came down this season that the league intended to honor LeBeau for his 50 years in football,

his initial reaction was to decline.

“I didn’t want to take the focus off of the game,” he said. “It was a real important part of the season for us. I

just wanted the guys focusing on the ballgame, getting ready to win.”

It was Dan Rooney and his son Art II who finally talked him into going along with the plan. In the end,

LeBeau complied, standing on the field for a pregame ceremony in November, looking vaguely embarrassed

by all the fuss, with tears in his eyes. His players stayed on the field to watch.

Among the biggest tributes to LeBeau are the private ones. Smith claimed that knowing LeBeau has made

him not only a better player, but also a better man. Defensive end Brett Keisel said playing for LeBeau has

made him love the game more than he ever thought possible.



“We genuinely come to work and think, I can’t wait to hear what he’s got to say and where we’re going to go

next,” Keisel said.

Always smiling. Always glad to see you. Always interested in you. Always asks after your family. Never in a

hurry. If Dick LeBeau has detractors, no one seems to know who they are. Asked if he has ever seen anyone

disrespect LeBeau, Smith said: “I don’t think anybody would be crazy enough to do that. We’d take care of

them. I don’t think they would make it out alive.”

Sanders, Barney and Schmidt have all been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Not LeBeau. Not yet.

“I think he knows that he had the respect of his peers,” Sanders said. “But he also had the numbers that

qualify him to be there, especially during that era.”

Last year, when the Steelers played an exhibition game in Canton, his defense turned out in retro Lions

jerseys with No. 44, LeBeau’s number — as a not-so-subtle statement. The Hall of Fame recently asked all its

living members to write in names of players who have been overlooked; Barney said that LeBeau’s name was

first on his list.

Talking to LeBeau and his players, it is hard to resist the notion of football as family, except that so few

families get along as well as the Steelers’ defense. They even have a holiday tradition in LeBeau’s annual

customized recitation of “The Night Before Christmas, “ which he began for the benefit of his mother and

aunts some 40 years ago and continued for his five children and later his players. He still recites it for his

mother, now 95.

Tomlin said LeBeau has never talked to him about retirement. “When he wants to have that conversation,”

Tomlin said, “I’m not available.”

Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company

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Playoff Xtra: Steelers face first test in hunt for sixth Super Bowl titleFriday, January 09, 2009

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

The photos of the Steelers defense and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau were taken and compiled by Post-Gazette photographer Peter Diana. For a look behind the making of the portrait, view the video by the PG's Steve Mellon.

A pregame look at the past season and the Steelers who will take field Sunday against San Diego -- with a special look at the defensive unit and its storied coordinator, Dick LeBeau.

First published on January 9, 2009 at 3:09 am

More Steelers More online about the Black and Gold plus your chance to share your views and your photos with the Steeler Nation.

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Galvanized: This Steelers defense is one tough bunch Coordinator Dick LeBeau stands front and center in the Steelers' defense with his clever schemes and disguises and because his players would not have it any other way.

Special Teams: The Steelers' kickoff and punt coverage units evolved into some of league's best

Offensive Line: Steelers' blockers choose to meet on own time

Head to Head: Chargers RB Darren Sproles vs. Steelers ILB Keyaron Fox

Gerry Dulac's Picks: NFL Divisional Playoff predictions

Gene Collier: Don't sell Tomlin short Season recap: The Steelers' road to

12-4 Scouting Report: Steelers vs.

Chargers Steelers Notebook: Run game found

room vs. Chargers in spread Fan events and notices Playoff Viewer's Guide: Simms

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Page 1 of 1Playoff Xtra: Steelers face first test in hunt for sixth Super Bowl title

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Galvanized: This Steelers defense is one tough bunchThe players don't want to let each other down, and most of all, they don't want to let down their coach, 50-year NFL veteran Dick LeBeau. Friday, January 09, 2009 By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Peter Diana / Post-Gazette

William Gay (22), (94) Lawrence Taylor (94) and Ryan Clark gang tackle the Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams Dec. 7 at Heinz Field.

In the two years he worked as a wide receivers coach with the Steelers, Bob Bratkowski learned one very important lesson about their defense: Man, can they run to the ball. Now, having spent the past eight years trying to solve their defense as the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, Bratkowski discovered another indelible element of their defense: Man, are they good.

And it doesn't seem to matter which aspect of the defense he might seek to attack. Finding a weakness is like trying to find Jimmy Hoffa.

"They get to spots where they are extremely hard to cut off," Bratkowski said. "They're always staying ahead of you. Every year, we look back at all their games, who ran best against them, and we still have a tough time figuring it out. Dick LeBeau has them put together extremely well right now."

The Steelers will bring more than the league's top-ranked defense into the postseason when they play the San Diego Chargers Sunday at Heinz Field in an AFC divisional playoff game. They will trot out a defense that, statistically, conceptually and strategically, is one of the best in modern history, a unit perhaps even more complete than the 2000 Baltimore Ravens and one that came within a whisker of several NFL standards.

Consider:

Some teams load up to stop the run and, in the process, sacrifice the pass. Other teams drop extra players into coverage, use a cover-two or even cover-three scheme to stop the pass, and, in the process, sacrifice the run.

Not the Steelers. They shut down each with equal tenacity. If that's not enough, they also pressure the passer, forcing quarterbacks to run for cover from the AFC's No. 1 sack tandem -- outside linebackers LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison, the NFL's Defensive Most Valuable Player.

"They have developed a sense of pride," said Bratkowski, who was with the Steelers in 1999-2000. "You have a lot of teams who have more individual interests in mind, but, when you get it like the Steelers get it, when you got 11 guys gang-tackling and running to the ball, that's what's special about them. They play for each other."

The Steelers finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the league in fewest points (223), total defense (237.2), pass defense

Page 1 of 3Galvanized: This Steelers defense is one tough bunch


(156.9) and yards per play (3.89). They were No. 2 in rush defense (80.3) and sacks (51)

They are a combination of The Steel Curtain and Blitzburgh, a unit that doesn't have a fancy nickname -- Woodley suggested The Steel Pit -- but certainly one that doesn't need any introduction. They use aggression, speed and the element of disguise to prevent 100-yard rushers and make many of the league's top-rated passers look like Sunday morning pickup quarterbacks.

"They're consistency, week in and week out, speaks for itself," said LeBeau, the team's defensive coordinator and mastermind of a unit that didn't allow a 100-yard rusher or 300-yard passer this season. "That's definitely the thing I'm most proud of. They just didn't have that low spot, they didn't have that game where the opponent made four or five [big] plays. And, in the NFL, you can play pretty well sometimes and give up three or four pretty good size plays. It's hard to do what they've done."

Talk about domination ...

How dominant were the Steelers?

They came within 54 rushing yards of becoming the first team since the 1991 Philadelphia Eagles to lead the NFL in total defense, rush defense and pass defense. After allowing Cleveland's Jamal Lewis more rushing yards (94) in the regular-season finale than any opposing back this season, they finished second behind the Minnesota Vikings in rush defense, allowing an average of 80.3 yards per game

Another NFL standard also eluded their grasp, this, though, by a much smaller margin.

The Steelers finished the regular season allowing an average of 3.897 yards per play, just 7/1000th of a yard from tying the 16-game record set by the 1979 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who allowed an average of 3.890 yards per play.

"They look like some of the Steelers defenses in the past and also they look a lot like Baltimore when they killed everybody and won the Super Bowl that year," said Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips, whose father, Bum, coached the Houston Oilers teams of the 1970s that faced the great Steel Curtain defense. "They're a stifling defense and they've played against some good offensive teams and made them look bad. They're playing really well."

The Baltimore defense to which Phillips referred was in 2000 when the Ravens allowed only 165 points, an NFL record for a 16-game season, and won the Super Bowl by allowing just 23 points in four postseason games.

But, while the Ravens' defense led the NFL in points allowed and yards rushing (60.6 yards per game), the unit did not exhibit the same type of total dominance as the Steelers. For example, the Ravens ranked eighth in the league in yards passing (187.3) and just 22nd in sacks (35).

"They have such a great combination of strength and speed," said Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher, whose team was the only one to score more than 24 points against the Steelers this season.

"They close so quickly. I looked back over the course of six to eight games and looked for explosive plays ... there are very few of them. When you do find them, the ballcarrier is going down right at 20 or 21 yards. They just recover so well because of their team speed."

The Steelers allowed fewer big plays (20 yards or longer) than any team in the league. They ranked No. 1 in 20-yard runs (4), 20-yard passes (23) and 40-yard passes (2) and tied for second in fewest 40-yard runs (1).

Perhaps, the primary reason is the emphasis LeBeau, who has been the team's defensive coordinator since 2004, places on preventing big plays. It is the No. 1 mantra for his players. But right behind that is the importance he places on tackling the ball, or, as he said, forcing the opponent to snap the ball again.

"All I ever sensed from having coached there is that team tackling is like a snowball going downhill -- once you get it going, nobody wants to be left out," said Bratkowski. "If somebody isn't pulling their weight, they probably get heat from the other players.

"When I was at the University of Miami, when we won the national championship two out of three years, there was such a pride that a player was afraid to be the guy to make a mistake. Not only did he not want to let his teammates down, he didn't want to let past teammates down. The Steelers are the only other team I've seen like that."

"That's like our trademark," said defensive end Aaron Smith. "When we turn on the film, we want to see a group of guys running to the ball."

Following their leader



The Steelers want to do more than just support each other. They also want to make sure they don't disappoint LeBeau, the man they affectionately refer to as "Coach Dad."

"I don't know if there's anyone like him," said Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu. "He's awesome. He's the best."

LeBeau, 71, is in his 50th year of coaching in the NFL, 10 of which have been spent with the Steelers. Since returning for his second tour of duty in 2004, the Steelers defense has finished No. 1 in the league three times -- 2004, 2007 and 2008 -- and never ranked lower than No. 9.

"It's kind of like a big brother or father figure up there teaching you the way and you want to make sure you make him proud," said cornerback Deshea Townsend.. "That's why we go out and play so hard."

"He treats the last guy on the team like the first guy on the team," inside linebacker Larry Foote said. "He treats Pro Bowlers and free agents the same way. I want to get into coaching one day, not at this level, at the high school level, but I definitely want to model myself after him, his style."

LeBeau still runs the zone-blitz defense he helped devise and conceptualize with defensive coordinator Dom Capers when Bill Cowher brought him in as the secondary coach in 1992. It is built on speed, aggression and deception, and it can be so confusing that opposing quarterbacks would have an easier time trying to solve a Rubik's Cube.

Just look at the passer ratings of five quarterbacks who faced the Steelers this season: Baltimore's Joe Flacco (22.2), New England's Matt Cassel (39.4), San Diego's Philip Rivers, the NFL passing leader (44.4), Dallas' Tony Romo (44.9) and Washington's Jason Campbell (49.2).

That doesn't even count Cleveland's Bruce Gradkowski, who finished with a 1.0 rating, nearly becoming the 10th quarterback in NFL history to finish with the Blutarski-esque 0.0 rating. And the Steelers were able to do that despite playing four games without Townsend and six without cornerback Bryant McFadden and defensive end Brett Keisel because of injuries.

"I don't think there's any coach in the business who can scheme like he schemes and game-plan like he does," said inside linebacker James Farrior, who, at age 33, was selected to his second Pro Bowl. "His wisdom and knowledge of the game gives him a great advantage over teams and over coaches. I don't see anybody outfox him."

About as often, perhaps, as someone gouges his defense.

Gerry Dulac can be reached at [email protected].



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Special Teams: The Steelers' kickoff and punt coverage units evolved into some of league's best Friday, January 09, 2009 By Chuck Finder, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Peter Diana / Post-Gazette

Steelers special teamer Keyaron Fox, center, celebrates after recovering a fumble by the Patriots' Matthew Slater on a kickoff in the third quarter on Nov. 30.

Josh Cribbs. Josh Cribbs. Terrence McGee. Terrence McGee. Derek Stanley. Derek Stanley.

Steve Breaston.

You remember the starting gate that was the Steelers' special teams in 2007?

They wish they could forget.

"We were the laughingstock. Seriously," Anthony Madison remembered. "Last year, you know? It was almost comical.

"It was embarrassing, man. Seriously. It was embarrassing that a phase of the game where really it should kind of neutralize [play] -- really, it should help you, and, at the end of the day, it shouldn't hurt you. Last year, it was hurting us.

"This year ... we feel like we're an asset, not a liability."

Cleveland's Cribbs dashed off a 90-yard kickoff return and a 100-yard touchdown return on the same Nov. 16, 2007, afternoon -- "Surprisingly, we still won that game [31-28], because we were a huge part in keeping that one close," kicker Jeff Reed mused.

Arizona's Breaston, a Woodland Hills High School graduate, sprinted 73 yards with a punt return for a touchdown in a Sept. 30 loss by, ahem, a touchdown. The four longest plays wreaked upon the Steelers a year ago were kick or punt returns. Same for nine of the 13 total encompassing 40 yards or more -- two each on kick returns by Cribbs, Buffalo's McGee and St. Louis' Stanley.

Not so special then.

"That's the great thing now," continued Madison, a cornerback and special-teams ace. "We don't have to worry about squibbing it."

The Steelers finished 2008 with the AFC's No. 1 special teams in both kick- and punt-return defense. They finished as the NFL's No. 1 in kickoff defense and No. 4 in punt defense, a hefty hike from Nos. 16 and 14 in those respective categories a year ago.

The measurable difference, Reed explained, is "huge. You have a bunch of playmakers. And I try to give them the best ball I can so they do their jobs. We always use the motto: Sometimes the kick covers them, a lot of times they cover the kick. I

Page 1 of 2Special Teams: The Steelers' kickoff and punt coverage units evolved into some of league...


think it's huge. It's also huge because it's our first play on defense."

Perhaps the units deserve an assist in helping the Steelers' defense rank No. 1 in the NFL. After allowing three kickoffs of 90-plus yards and a half-dozen of 44-plus last season, the special teams permitted one return of as much as 44 yards over the 2008 regular season. They pared almost 4 full yards off the opposition's average start after kickoffs, from the 30 to 26.4.

Madison, the regular-season leader with 25 specialty tackles, traces the about-face transformation in part to special-teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky and assistant Amos Jones, along with a new attitude and new cohesion.

"You have to credit the coaches to a certain degree, because they've allowed us to play," Madison said. "It's also continuity. And I think guys have really embraced their roles. We have a lot of different guys stepping in and contributing and making some plays for us. It's just a blessing, man, to have guys that really embrace their role, guys that say, 'This is my job. This is what I get paid to do.' That's why we've been doing so well this year.

"We all know how key special teams are. You look across the league, in these last few playoff games, you see where special teams have played a big role in teams winning and losing games."

It's Keyaron Fox, with a second-high 21 tackles -- despite missing three games. It's team rookie of the year Patrick Bailey, with 12 tackles.

"It's a group of guys. Shoot, the league MVP [on defense], he runs down and make plays," Madison said of James Harrison. "He's, what, third on the team in tackles [with 12]? It's Andre Frazier, man. He's as key as anybody. He doesn't complain about not making tackles. He's getting double-teamed every game. He's taking on two, so we can free up guys like myself and Fox. That's what it's about, though, man.

"And you can go down a long list of guys. You got Andre Frazier, you got Carey Davis, you got Gary Russell, Lawrence Timmons, William Gay, Anthony Smith. ... You know, we got a lot of guys making plays, man. That's going to be an asset for us in the playoffs."



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Page 2 of 2Special Teams: The Steelers' kickoff and punt coverage units evolved into some of league...



Offensive Line: Steelers' blockers choose to meet on own time More meetings pay off in improvement Friday, January 09, 2009 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Lake Fong/Post-Gazette

Mike Tomlin watches his team practice yesterday with offensive lineman Max Starks, who took over at left tackle in the sixth game of the season for Marvel Smith.

Football players always have meetings. Team meetings, offensive and defensive meetings, meetings with their positioncoach, special teams meetings, pregame meetings.

Meetings, meetings, meetings. So why would any football players want more meetings on their own time?

That is precisely what the Steelers' offensive linemen have done. They meet once, sometimes twice a week at night for two hours each session at center Justin Hartwig's house, and it's not to play video games.

They watch movies, i.e., tapes of their next opponent.

"It was a collection of guys who came together and thought about it,'' left tackle Max Starks said. "We just came up with it ourselves. It was just something we wanted to do. We started it a little bit later in the season, the second time we played Baltimore. We thought it was advantageous for us and help us out as a unit to get closer."

Linemen generally are the closest units on and off the field of any football team. They're the blue-collar guys, the ones who never get votes for MVP or offensive players of the year. And this year, the Steelers' offensive linemen are as close as they get off the field as they circled the wagons to ward off all the brickbats thrown their way.

Perhaps no offensive line of a 12-4 team with a No. 2 playoff seed has been more disparaged. They have taken the blame forall of Ben Roethlisberger's 46 sacks and the offense's decline to a No. 23 ranking in the run game, the second lowest in their AFC history.

But it's not like they're not trying -- or not getting better because of it. The weekly meetings are part of it.

"We're starting to click. and I think we're hitting our stride at the right point of the season going into the playoffs," right guard Darnell Stapleton said.

This season was the first time the Steelers have not had a Pro Bowl offensive lineman in the past eight seasons and only the third in the past 17. One, because guard Alan Faneca made the past seven Pro Bowls and the other because center Dermontti Dawson made seven.

One problem this season for the line is that Faneca made an eighth Pro Bowl this season, as a guard with the New York Jets, where he signed as a free agent.

Page 1 of 2Offensive Line: Steelers' blockers choose to meet on own time


Yank one possible future Hall of Fame guard out of the lineup, add a new center, two new guards and, in essence, a new left tackle and what you have is a line that has taken a long time to learn to play together.

Hartwig signed as a free agent to become the Steelers' third starting center in three seasons. Chris Kemoeatu became a starter for the first time for Faneca at left guard. Starting right guard Kendall Simmons was lost in the fourth game with a ruptured Achilles, and replaced by Stapleton. And Starks, their starting right tackle in 2005 and 2006, took over in the sixth game for Marvel Smith, who had back surgery and was placed on injured reserve.

Only Willie Colon, who beat out Starks for the job at right tackle in 2007, has remained in place from last season.

"One of the biggest things is, unlike any other position on the football field, an offensive line has to operate as one," Starks said. "Generally, you see the most cohesive offensive lines are ones who spent the most time together.

"For us, we've had injuries and guys have filled in. That usually messes with the chemistry and harmony of an offensive line."

How have they done lately? Pretty well against the Cleveland Browns in the final game of the season. Could it be they have made steady improvement and it all came together against Cleveland?

"We did pretty well the week before,'' coach Mike Tomlin said this week. "We'll see what happens. All I'm concerned about is their performance. If criticism motivates them, then keep criticizing them."

Ed Bouchette can be reached at [email protected].



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Page 2 of 2Offensive Line: Steelers' blockers choose to meet on own time



Head to Head: Chargers RB Darren Sproles vs. Steelers ILB Keyaron FoxA closer look at the game within the game Friday, January 09, 2009 By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers have faced Darren Sproles before in a playoff game at Heinz Field. Only then, his name was Maurice Jones-Drew.

They are similar players with similar roles, even similar body types. They run the ball, catch the ball and return kicks. The Steelers are hoping the similarity ends there.

Sproles is the 5-foot-6, 181-pound dynamo for the San Diego Chargers who single-handedly tossed the Indianapolis Colts from the playoffs with 328 all-purpose yards last week.

Jones-Drew is the 5-foot-7, 208-pound sparkplug for the Jacksonville Jaguars who was largely responsible for giving the Steelers an early playoff exit last year. Like Sproles, Jones-Drew wasn't the feature back in the Jaguars' offense. But he had 168 all-purpose yards in Jacksonville's 31-29 playoff victory at Heinz Field -- catching a 43-yard touchdown pass, scoring on a 10-yard touchdown run and effectively changing the complexion of the game with a 96-yard kick return right after the Steelers scored on their first possession for a 7-0 lead.

"He did it to us right away -- he hit us with a big one," said linebacker Andre Frazier, a member of the Steelers' special teams.

The Steelers want to be sure the Chargers' Sproles doesn't have a similar impact with his multitalented abilities.

Used to be, the Steelers' top priority when playing the Chargers was stopping LaDainian Tomlinson, their five-time Pro Bowl running back. Now, though, with Tomlinson expected to be limited -- and maybe not even play -- because of a groin injury, the focus will shift to Sproles, both for the Steelers' No. 1-ranked defense and the improved special teams.

"You can see from watching the [Indianapolis] game the impact Sproles had," said defensive end Brett Keisel. "And not just running the ball, but screens and catching the ball out of the backfield."

Sproles did everything in the Chargers' 23-17 overtime victory against the Colts, amassing the third-most yards in NFL playoff history with 105 yards rushing, 45 receiving, 106 on kick returns and 72 on punt returns. He touched the ball 35 times and averaged 9.3 yards every time he did.

"He took over the game the other night," Frazier said. "He has God-given natural ability. He's able to see the hole and hit it full speed. I've seen him break tackles and spin off guys. He's going to be a handful."

Because of his size and quickness, Sproles is difficult to catch, maybe even tougher to corral. His quarterback, Philip Rivers, said he doesn't think he could tackle Sproles in a phone booth.

"He's a little guy," said inside linebacker Keyaron Fox, one of the special teams standouts. "Even if you do find him, once you get there to make a tackle, it's still a job to wrap him up."

Sproles touched the ball four times for 21 yards in the Nov. 16 game at Heinz Field -- rushing once for no gain, catching one pass for 9 yards, returning one kickoff for 12 yards and fair-catching a punt. That's the way the Steelers hope to keep it.

Last year, Jones-Drew's kickoff return was one of three of 90 yards or longer against the Steelers. This year, they rank No. 1 in the league in kick coverage, fourth in punt coverage. Their longest return allowed was a 44-yard kickoff by New England's Ellis Hobbs.

"With a guy like that, you just have to make sure you cover your lanes," said cornerback Anthony Madison, who led the team with 25 special-teams tackles. "You can't give him any gaps. We need to keep it like that."

And avoid a repeat of what happened last season.

Page 1 of 2Head to Head: Chargers RB Darren Sproles vs. Steelers ILB Keyaron Fox



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Page 2 of 2Head to Head: Chargers RB Darren Sproles vs. Steelers ILB Keyaron Fox


Don't sell Tomlin short NFL.com pundit deigns to list Five Most Prepared Coaches Friday, January 09, 2009 By Gene Collier, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Gene Collier

Though there is no clinical term for it -- at least there shouldn't be -- the lust to list remains plainly evident among your humans, who still make up the bulk of the national football audience.

The primal urge to list the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse, the Seven Deadly Sins, the Seven Dwarfs and the Seven Wonders of the World, to which someone is always adding an eighth, has had a wicked spillover, condemning us to centuries and even millennia of top-10 lists, of 12-step programs, of 50 ways to leave your lover, the all-time 100 best this and the all-time 100 worst that, which generally involves Sylvester Stallone.

This week's topical irritant appears on NFL.com, and it's called the Five Most Prepared Coaches, or the five playoff coaches who will have their teams most prepared for the divisional playoffs.

I don't think those are the same thing, but that's neither there nor here.

Prepared by the redoubtable Thomas George, the FMPC list looks like a made-to-order accompaniment to his typically cogent commentary for people who can no longer read the full text of anything that doesn't appear on the screen of something they can carry in their pockets -- not to be bitter.

But this list has problems.

To begin with, since there are only eight teams in the divisional playoffs, two of the coaches on the Five Most Prepared Coaches list would also appear, if my math is correct, on the Five Least Prepared Coaches list, were it to exist, and wouldn't that create a little more interest?

Anyway, if you haven't seen it, the Five Most Prepared Coaches here on the eve of the divisional round are said to be John Fox of the Carolina Panthers, Tom Coughlin of the New York Football Giants, Jeff Fisher of the Tennessee Tuxedos, Norv Turner of the San Diego Chargers and John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens, in that very order.

Relatively unprepared, apparently, would be the remaining three, Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles, Ken Whisenhunt of the Arizona Cardinals and the Steelers' Mike Tomlin.

Whisenhunt, Bill Cowher's last offensive coordinator, can plausibly be judged to be relatively unprepared based on the way his team has played in the Eastern time zone, where it was traumatized in five of its seven losses, the last two by 28 and 40 points. Arizona's best game in the East this year came at Carolina, where the Cardinals play tomorrow night. In that one, the Cardinals out-gained the Panthers, 425-351, but let a second-half lead slip away and lost, 27-23. This would be a difficult trip on its face for Whisenhunt, but now that Fox is the Most Prepared Coach, I don't see the Cardinals keeping it within fourtouchdowns.

Reid, on the other hand, has as many playoff victories as Fisher and Turner combined, as many as Fox and Turner combined, more than Turner, Harbaugh and Whisenhunt put together, and more than any other coach remaining, including Coughlin. How he came to be relatively unprepared is quite the mystery.

All of which brings us to Tomlin, who doesn't need me to defend him from the perils of the lust to list. We're in full recognition that such lists as the Five Most Prepared Coaches are for amusement only, at best, and are, often as not, a preposterous undertaking, as tastes vary even more wildly than clinical evaluation. Were I to list the best movies ever made, for example, I'd start with "Psycho," whereas others would start with "Revenge of the Nerds IV" or even the Elvis tour de force, "Girl Happy."

Page 1 of 2Don't sell Tomlin short


But the omission of Tomlin from the Five Most Prepared Coaches (and for all we know the Seven Most Prepared Coaches) is just wrong.

It's true that Tomlin is at least 10 years younger than any of the remaining head coaches and a full quarter-century younger than Coughlin, who when Tomlin was born was already a head coach, leading the orange and burnt umber Tigers of Rochester Institute of Technology into their legendary frays.

It's further true that of the eight remaining playoff coaches, Tomlin is the only one without a playoff victory, even if he had one until there were 37 seconds left in the only playoff game he ever coached.

But there simply is no evidence that even implies that Tomlin's team is unprepared, presuming that teams that are unpreparedwould be taken apart in this league. Of Tomlin's 11 career losses, only three have been by more than a touchdown, only two by more than 10 points. None of the remaining coaches has a higher winning percentage than Tomlin, and none of them should even hope the Steelers will be unprepared, least of all Turner, the fourth Most Prepared, who happens to be 18 games under .500 for his career.

There's never been much purpose in getting yourself on the list of people who underestimate Mike Tomlin.




Page 2 of 2Don't sell Tomlin short



Season recap: The Steelers' road to 12-4Friday, January 09, 2009 By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Sept. 7 vs. Houston Texans

W, 38-17

The host Steelers scored on their first three possessions and the defense had five sacks and two interceptions to win their season opener for the sixth consecutive season, the longest streak in the NFL. In his first regular-season game since he broke his leg in Week 15 last season, RB Willie Parker rushed for 138 yards and scored on runs of 7, 13 and 4 yards.

Sept. 14 at Cleveland Browns W, 10-6

On a wind-whipped day at Cleveland Browns Stadium, the Steelers beat their division rival for the 10th consecutive time. CB Bryant McFadden intercepted QB Derek Anderson's pass in the second quarter to set up the only touchdown, an 11-yard pass from QB Ben Roethlisberger to WR Hines Ward.

Sept. 21 at Philadelphia Eagles L, 15-6

In what was their most dreadful offensive performance of the season, the visiting Steelers managed just 180 yards, including only 33 rushing, and were held without a touchdown by an aggressive Eagles defense. QB Ben Roethlisberger was sacked a season-high eight times before he was injured and replaced by Byron Leftwich.

Sept. 29 vs. Baltimore Ravens W, 23-20

The Steelers rallied from a 13-3 deficit to hand the visiting Ravens their first loss of the season. K Jeff Reed kicked three field goals, including the winning 46-yarder in overtime, as the Steelers defense, led by OLB James Harrison's 2.5 sacks, held the Ravens to 97 yards offense after halftime.

Oct. 5 at Jacksonville Jaguars W, 26-21

QB Ben Roethlisberger, who had an interception returned 72 yards for a touchdown on the first series, threw three touchdowns and led the Steelers to an impressive comeback victory against the host Jaguars. Roethlisberger led the team on an 11-play, 80-yard drive to produce the winning touchdown with 1:53 remaining.

Oct. 19 at Cincinnati Bengals

Page 1 of 3Season recap: The Steelers' road to 12-4


W, 38-10

The defense registered a season-high seven sacks and the Steelers broke loose for 21 fourth-quarter points to win their eighth consecutive game in Paul Brown Stadium. Mewelde Moore, playing for injured Willie Parker, rushed for 120 yards on 20 carries and scored three touchdowns, one on a 2-yard pass from QB Ben Roethlisberger.

Oct. 26 vs. New York Giants L, 21-14

A holding penalty against RT Willie Colon wiped out a touchdown pass from QB Ben Roethlisberger to WR Nate Washington, allowing the Giants to score 12 points in the final quarter and hand the Steelers their first home loss. OLB James Harrison, subbing for injured long snapper Greg Warren, snapped the ball for a safety.

Nov. 3 at Washington Redskins W, 23-6

QB Byron Leftwich replaced an injured QB Ben Roethlisberger in the second half and threw a 50-yard pass to WR Nate Washington on his first attempt to set up a touchdown, allowing the Steelers to post an easy victory at FedEx Field on "Monday Night Football." Leftwich finished 7 of 10 for 129 yards for a 145.8 passer rating.

Nov. 9 vs. Indianapolis Colts L, 24-20

The Steelers lost their second game in a row at Heinz Field when they failed to protect leads of 17-7 and 20-17 against the Colts, who won in Pittsburgh for the first time since 1968. QB Peyton Manning threw a 17-yard touchdown to RB Dominic Rhodes with 3:04 remaining for the winning score.

Nov. 16 vs. San Diego Chargers W, 11-10

In a bizarre game that featured the first 11-10 final score in NFL history, the Steelers came up with another late rally to beat the visiting Chargers on K Jeff Reed's 32-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining. The game also featured S Troy Polamalu's fumble return for a touchdown on the game's final play that was incorrectly overturned by the officials.

Nov. 20 vs. Cincinnati Bengals W, 27-10

On a Thursday night at Heinz Field, the Steelers scored 20 consecutive points after the winless Bengals had taken a 7-0 lead to improve to 8-3. QB Ben Roethlisberger was not sacked for only the second time and passed for 243 yards and a touchdown.

Nov. 27 at New England Patriots



W, 33-10

The visiting Steelers forced turnovers on five consecutive possessions in the second half to score 23 points and win in New England for the first time since 1997. OLB James Harrison had two sacks and two forced fumbles against Patriots QB Matt Cassel, who was held to a 39.4 passer rating.

Dec. 7 vs. Dallas Cowboys W, 20-13

In one of the most dramatic endings in franchise history, the Steelers scored 17 points in the final seven minutes and capped the comeback with a 25-yard interception for a touchdown by CB Deshea Townsend with 1:40 remaining. The host Steelers were held to 238 yards, but QB Ben Roethlisberger passed for 141 yards in the second half.

Dec. 14 at Baltimore Ravens W, 13-9

The Steelers won their fifth game in a row in dramatic fashion again, scoring on a 4-yard touchdown pass from QB Ben Roethlisberger to WR Santonio Holmes with 43 seconds remaining to clinch the AFC North division title. Roethlisberger led a 12-play, 92-yard drive for the winning score against the league's No. 2 defense.

Dec. 21 at Tennessee Titans L, 31-14

Despite battling back from a 10-0 deficit to take a 14-10 lead, the Steelers gave up their most points of the season and had their five-game winning streak ended in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans finished with 323 yards offense, the first opposing team to have more than 300 yards against the Steelers this season.

Dec. 28 vs.Cleveland Browns W, 31-0

The defense put the finishing touches on a dominating season by holding the inept Browns to 126 yards offense and posting its first shutout since Week 11 last season. RB Willie Parker had 116 yards rushing, including a 34-yard TD run, but QB BenRoethlisberger had to be carted off the field in the second quarter with a concussion.







Scouting Report: Steelers vs. ChargersFriday, January 09, 2009 By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Matt Freed/Post-Gazette

Ben Roethlisberger was sacked four times by the Chargers in the Steelers' 11-10 win in Week 11.

Game plan

What the Steelers will do: Despite having a 300-yard passer, 100-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver and possessing the ball for more than 36 minutes, the offense did not produce a touchdown in the Nov. 16 meeting against the Chargers. Part of the problem was an inefficient red-zone offense that was stopped on fourth down at the Chargers' 1 and settled for field goals on two other occasions inside the Chargers' 10. Since Ron Rivera took over as defensive coordinator, the Chargers went from allowing 25 points and 372 yards per game in the first nine games to 19 points and 328 yards in the final seven games.

What the Chargers will do: QB Philip Rivers, the league's passer-rating leader (105.5), had a season-low rating of 44.4 in the first meeting and had problems getting the ball to his top receivers, even though the Steelers' secondary was minus two of its top three cornerbacks. Despite having size mismatches, TE Antonio Gates (6-4, 260), WR Vincent Jackson (6-5, 241) and WR Malcolm Floyd (6-5, 225) each had only two catches for a combined 65 yards.

Keep an eye on ...

Chargers P Mike Scifres: Punters are not usually factors in a playoff game, at least, not like Scifres (pronounced SI-furs) was against the Colts. He had a net average of 51.7 yards on six punts, a postseason record for a player with more than five punts. More impressive, all his punts were downed inside the 20 -- also a playoff record -- including two inside the 10. The biggest was a 52-yarder that was downed at the Indianapolis 1, forcing the Colts to go three-and-out and resulting in the tying field goal that forced overtime.

Data

Game: San Diego Chargers (9-8) at Steelers (12-4).

When: 4:45 p.m.

Where: Heinz Field.

Online: Live blog of the game at Blog 'n' Gold

TV: KDKA.

Radio: WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970)

Intangibles

The Chargers have never won a regular-season game in Pittsburgh (0-13), including the 11-10 game Nov. 16, and are 1-3 in games in the Eastern time zone this season. But they are 2-0 in playoff games here -- winning a divisional playoff game in

Page 1 of 2Scouting Report: Steelers vs. Chargers


1982 and the AFC championship in 1994 -- and have won their past five games.

Keys to victory

To win, the Chargers must ...

1. Get more lightning strikes. Their offense managed just 213 yards and didn't have a play longer than 26 yards in the first meeting.

2. Ward off the pass. Hines Ward had 11 catches for 124 yards in the first meeting, and the Steelers threw for 300 yards.

3. Get some action for Jackson. The Steelers held him to two catches for 25 yards and kept him from being a factor in the last meeting.

To win, the Steelers must ...

1. Get Jamal off the ball. Willie Parker had 115 yards in the last meeting because of packages that kept NT Jamal Williams off the field.

2. Keep Sproles in a hole. He is shorter and quicker than LaDainian Tomlinson and never seemed to tire against the Colts, especially in overtime.

3. Give Rivers the shivers. He had his worst outing of the season in the first meeting, completing just 15 passes and throwing two picks.




Page 2 of 2Scouting Report: Steelers vs. Chargers



Steelers Notebook: Run game found room vs. Chargers in spreadFriday, January 09, 2009 By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Don't get too enamored with that I-formation, two-back stuff the Steelers used to run the ball successfully against the Cleveland Browns.

They did just the opposite in the first meeting with the San Diego Chargers, and Willie Parker had the same amount of success.

"It was similar to what we've been doing the whole season -- spreading things out," center Justin Hartwig said of the Nov. 16 game at Heinz Field.

Parker, who had 116 yards and a 34-yard touchdown run in the regular-season finale against the Browns, had 115 yards on 25 carries against the Chargers, including 79 yards on 14 carries in the second half.

What's more, Parker ran six times for 30 yards on the winning scoring drive and even had a 4-yard touchdown run negated by a holding penalty against H-back Sean McHugh, forcing Jeff Reed to kick a 32-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining.

Most of the time, the Steelers used spread formations with three wide receivers and one running back, most notably in their no-huddle offense at the end of the game.

"It was a nice mixture [of run and pass]," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said yesterday. "It was a six-minute drive, it wasn't a two-minute situation, and we were able to stay with the run and the pass. We were able to stay very well-balanced and, when we got down there, able to knock it in."

It was another example, Arians said, of having success running the ball without a fullback. And the offense will need some of that Sunday against the Chargers.

The Steelers averaged just 105.6 yards rushing per game in the regular season, their lowest average of any previous playoff team in franchise history. That is 8 yards per game fewer than the previous low held by their 1989 team, which averaged 113.6 yards rushing per game.

"I think we came off the ball pretty well and the footing was really bad in the first game," Hartwig said. "The field was really sloppy. Everybody was sliding all over the place. It was hard to keep our footing. We've watched film of [San Diego] since then and they're playing a lot faster. Probably the surface had a lot to do with it."

Lack of sacks

After getting 18 sacks in the first nine games, the Chargers have had only 12 in the past eight games under new defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, including just one in the playoff victory against the Indianapolis Colts.

But four of those sacks came in the first meeting against Ben Roethlisberger -- two by defensive end Jacques Cesaire, the only two he had all season.

"They brought quite a bit of pressure," Roethlisberger said. "We expect the same thing. That's kind of been their M.O. recently -- bringing people and using their athletes in the secondary to cover. We have to be ready for it as a line and as a unit. We are going to have to be ready for everything."

Coach Mike Tomlin said the Chargers have had to learn how to rush the passer without Pro Bowl outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, who has been on injured reserve since the second week of the season. Merriman has 39.5 sacks in threeseasons.

"I think that when you lose a guy the caliber of Shawne Merriman, and you are then moving guys around, you've got to learn to find your mojo, if you will," Tomlin said. "Over the course of time, they have learned to do that -- just like we have

Page 1 of 2Steelers Notebook: Run game found room vs. Chargers in spread


learned how to play without Marvel Smith and Kendall Simmons."

Linebackers make history

Despite combining for only two sacks in the final three games, James Harrison (16) and LaMarr Woodley (11.5) had the fifth-most sacks by a linebacker duo since the NFL began keeping such official statistics in 1982.

Their total of 27.5 sacks -- most in franchise history -- was just one shy of tying the league record set by Rickey Jackson and Pat Swilling of the New Orleans Saints in 1991 and tied by Merriman and Shaun Phillips in 2006.

Woodley, though, did not have a sack in the final four games.

"Sacks are just that -- they're not a measure of performance of an individual or a unit, for that matter," Tomlin said. "What we ask from him and ask from everybody is consistent pressure, and he's provided that. There's been no dip in his performance whatsoever. Production, yes, in terms of sacks. But he's playing well and playing at a high level."

Quick hits

The Steelers have the lowest-ranked offense of the remaining playoff teams (No. 22), but they have faced six of the top eightdefenses, including No. 2 Baltimore twice. The others are Philadelphia (3) Washington (4), New York Giants (5), Tennessee (7) and Dallas (8). ... Free safety Ryan Clark, who missed the final game of the regular season with another dislocation of his right shoulder, has practiced all week and is ready to go. "He appears to be fine," Tomlin said. "Of course he hasn't had to hit anyone this week."


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Page 2 of 2Steelers Notebook: Run game found room vs. Chargers in spread



Playoff Viewer's Guide: Simms getting a second lookFriday, January 09, 2009 Chuck Finder, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bolts out of the blue, all right.

CBS's Phil Simms was present for the only 11-10 outcome in NFL history Nov. 16, when the San Diego Chargers began flipping around their fizzling season, even though they lost. He will be in attendance Sunday when they and the Steelers reunite at Heinz Field, this time for this AFC divisional playoff. He is surprised, and he isn't.

"I thought it was probably the first game where they started to turn the corner a little bit," Simms said of that Chargers-Steelers contest eight weeks ago. "They played well at times that day. Just interested to see the adjustments both teams make. And I'm anxious to see with my own eyes how far San Diego has come in the past five weeks of the season."

Winners of five consecutive games to advance here, the Chargers are playing a stout brand of defense last seen from San Diego in the AFC championship loss to New England last year, he opined.

"They have changed their defense," Simms added, referring to Ron Rivera replacing the fired Ted Cottrell as defensive coordinator in late October. "Their pressure defense has changed their whole football game. And what they're doing with what I think is one of the most talented teams in the NFL, it gets [their offense] back on the field. There's a lot of talent. We used to talk about them standing on the sidelines, watching their defense getting pushed around the field.

"I probably wrote the Chargers off, no exaggeration, at least five times [this season]. ... I've fallen into that trap many times. How could you not? They were fortunate that the [AFC West] Division wasn't that strong. They took advantage of that. ... You better have the coaches first who know how to put them in a position to at least have a chance to show their physical abilities. That is what the Chargers have done here, and it's really been the difference in what they do."

Simms and Jim Nantz will handle the CBS broadcast starting at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Playoff programing

Today

1 p.m. NFL Network: "Playbook" with ex-Ravens coach Brian Billick breaking down Dick LeBeau's defense (re-played noon Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday).

2 p.m. NFL Network: Rebroadcast of that Week 11 Chargers at Steelers.

6 and 11 p.m. Showtime: "Inside the NFL."

Tomorrow

7:30 a.m. ESPN: "NFL Matchup," where, among other topics, ex-Steelers fullback Merril Hoge will show how San Diego rushed through the Steelers' offensive line in Week 11.

11 a.m. ESPN: "Sunday NFL Countdown" with Mike Ditka.

4:30 p.m. CBS: Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf bring you Ravens-Titans.

8 p.m. Fox: NFC divisional playoff.

Sunday

9 a.m. NFL Network: "NFL Gameday Morning."

11 a.m. ESPN: "Sunday NFL Countdown" with a story about the Steelers' linebacker lineage, including interviews with Jack Ham, Kevin Greene and Greg Lloyd.

Page 1 of 2Playoff Viewer's Guide: Simms getting a second look


1 p.m. Fox: NFC Divisional playoff.

4 p.m. CBS: "NFL Today" with ex-Steelers coach Bill Cowher, followed by Chargers-Steelers telecast.




Page 2 of 2Playoff Viewer's Guide: Simms getting a second look


Sproles excels since replacing Tomlinson By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Friday, January 9, 2009

A game of hide and seek figures to break out in Sunday's AFC divisional playoff contest at Heinz Field.

With San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson (groin) unlikely to play in the 4:45 p.m. game, the Steelers figure to get a heavy dose of Darren Sproles, who stands just 5-6 and might have to stretch to meet the height requirement for some of the rides at Kennywood.

Sproles may be the shortest player in the NFL, but he has stood tall since his role in the Chargers' offense has grown.

Sproles has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of San Diego's past two games, and he has helped the Chargers to victories that secured a division title and a pass into the second-round of the playoffs. His emergence is a big reason why San Diego, once left for dead, is just two wins away from the Super Bowl.

For a defense that did not allow a 100-yard rusher all season, the first objective when it comes to containing Sproles is simply finding the sawed-off back.

"A lot of times, you don't see him come through the line," Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel said.

Indeed, Sproles' size allows him to hide behind the mass of humanity that is the Chargers' offensive line and then dart through openings after he has taken a handoff or caught a screen pass.

His explosiveness makes him a threat in the Chargers' running, passing and return games, and he showed in last Saturday's 23-17 win over the Indianapolis how valuable he is in all three phases.

Sproles piled up 328 all-purpose yards -- the third-highest total in NFL playoff history -- and scored the game-winning touchdown on a 22-yard run in overtime.

After his recent breakthrough, the only question regarding Sproles is how long he can continue at his current pace before breaking down.

The 181-pound Sproles averaged less than four carries per game before the final week of the regular season. Since getting thrust into the role of feature

Page 1 of 3Sproles excels for Chargers - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

1/9/2009http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/print_606310.html

back, Sproles has carried the ball almost 40 times.

He has also gotten touches as a receiver out of the backfield and has served as San Diego's primary kickoff and punt returner.

"He was pretty sore Monday," said Chargers coach Norv Turner, whose team was just 4-8 at the end of November and has won five consecutive games. "He recovered, and he is ready to go. I don't think he feels like he has any limits. We are going to have to help him because this is a very physical team we are playing, and he is going to get banged around pretty good."

That is not to say the Steelers can underestimate Sproles' ability to break tackles.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Sproles reminds him of 5-9 Warrick Dunn, another undersized back he got to know well when the two were together with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Both Sproles and Dunn, Tomlin said, run with surprising power.

"I think that to consider them small is naïve," said Tomlin, who got his NFL coaching start in Tampa. "These guys' legs run through contact, and they finish off runs. They are powerful people who just happen to be short."

One thing the Steelers' defenders cannot be short on Sunday is discipline given Sproles' quickness and cut-back ability.

"It's going to be hard to find him," outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley said. "But if you stay in your gap, I think we can stop the run."

Scott Brown can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.

Little big manRunning back Darren Sproles, a late-season revelation for the Chargers, is expected to get the bulk of the carries for San Diego in Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game at Heinz Field. Sproles is just 5-6, but he uses his size to his advantage. Here is a look at what he has done since becoming the Chargers' feature back, compared to what he did in a support role for most of the regular season.San Diego's last two gamesAtt. Yds TDs Rec. Yds. TD37 220 3 7 63 1San Diego's first 15 gamesAtt. Yds. TDs Rec. Yds. TD47 215 0 27 325 4*Did not play in San Diego's Nov. 30 game against Atlanta.



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Harris: Healthy Parker should get Steelers off and running By John Harris TRIBUNE-REVIEW Friday, January 9, 2009

Fully healthy again, running back Willie Parker's contributions are required now more than ever for the Steelers in Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game against San Diego at Heinz Field.

When healthy, Parker is a game-changer. In the five games this season in which he carried the football at least 20 times, Parker registered four 100-yard games, scored five touchdowns and helped the Steelers to a 5-0 record.

In four of those games, Parker's ability to move the chains and drain the clock enabled the Steelers to win the time of possession. That's an important statistic when you consider it gave the Steelers' top-ranked defense more time to rest.

Steelers linebacker James Farrior suggested this week that Parker is playing with a new level of confidence.

"Right now, it looks like he's to the point where he's got everything back and he's got an extra step in his walk," Farrior said.

Confidence can be a fleeting thing. Missing five games because of shoulder and knee injuries as Parker did this season can play mind games with a player in general, and running backs in particular.

Running backs depend on their knees to cut, avoid tacklers and earn a living.

"I can look in your eyes and say that I am feeling better," Parker said. "It is playoff time. It is a great time to get your body back."

When the Steelers defeated San Diego, 11-10, on Nov. 16 at Heinz Field, Parker rushed 25 times for 115 yards. Confidence won't be a problem for Parker entering Sunday's rematch.

"The confidence is definitely going to be there," he said. "Instead of going into the playoffs on a decline, we're going in on an incline. We've got to ride that wave."

It is possible that the soft-spoken Parker may have been going through the motions Thursday when he cautioned against overconfidence. It sounded like the right thing to say, and Parker made sure to say all the right things, this being the playoffs and all.

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On the other hand, he also sounded like the Fast Willie Parker of old, the one who rambled for a 75-yard touchdown run in Super Bowl XL.

His previous concerns about the coaching staff's lack of commitment to the run - and to him - made a hasty retreat. The Steelers are no longer their own worst enemy.

When the Steelers ran the ball down Cleveland's proverbial throat in the final regular season game, that was all Parker needed to become a believer again in offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.

It wasn't so much that Arians called Parker's number 23 times, or that Parker responded with 116 yards. It was more that Arians called Parker's number 12 times in the second half of what became a 31-0 rout in what could best be described as a statement game for the Steelers' offense.

"It was significant," Parker said. "We said we were going to run the ball when we went into the game, and we ran the ball. We did what we said we were going to do. And we were successful."

If Parker does it again on Sunday, the Steelers should feel good about their chances for success against the Chargers.

John Harris can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.



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Terrible! NFL 'Trophy Towel' plays off 'Burgh original By Rob Biertempfel TRIBUNE-REVIEW Friday, January 9, 2009

Steelers fans' beloved Terrible Towel has been trampled, torn, sullied, spit on and used as a handkerchief. The terrycloth rooter has been copied by teams in practically every pro league.

But ol' Terrible, a Pittsburgh original, never has been replaced. The latest copycat is coming not from another team, but the National Football League itself.

The NFL has given its blessing to a jumbo-sized "Trophy Towel," which will be draped over players on the field after Super Bowl XLIII. It will be hawked in television ads immediately after the game and, of course, sold in stores nationwide.

"They're trying to piggyback off Myron Cope's wondrous product," said Steelers play-by-play announcer Bill Hillgrove. "It's a cheap imitation. I think it's wrong."

Hillgrove shared the broadcast booth for 12 seasons with Cope, the colorful creator of the Terrible Towel. Cope died last year.

The Trophy Towel will be produced by Wisconsin-based McArthur Towel and Sports -- the company that makes the Terrible Towel.

Although the Trophy Towel might receive a rude reception in Pittsburgh, the NFL hopes it will fly off store shelves like the hot-selling "locker room edition" championship T-shirts and hats.

"We thought it was time to add something new," said Leo Kane, the NFL's vice president of consumer products. "The towel just felt right."

The league won't reveal much about its newbie towel. Publicity photos are locked in the NFL's New York office until after next week's AFC and NFC championship games.

Without being too descriptive, Kane said the Trophy Towel will be heavier and much larger -- 24 inches by 42 inches -- than the Terrible Towel. It will be available only in white, not any particular team's colors.

"It was never, ever intended to try to cannibalize the great tradition of the Terrible Towel," Kane said. "We wanted to make sure it was different."

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Different? Maybe. But it still seems sacrilegious to Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith.

"Would you want to wave a towel (for another team) when we all know where it started?" Smith said. "Everybody knows where the idea came from. I'm always shocked when they have towels in other stadiums.

"It started here, so why would anyone else want to have a towel? Why not kazoos?"

Steelers fans have bought countless Terrible Towels since Cope came up with the idea in 1975.

Originally, Cope urged fans to twirl simple yellow dish towels to cheer on the Steelers. The concept evolved into a heavyweight, golden towel emblazoned with "Myron Cope's Official Terrible Towel" and the team logo.

Proceeds from Terrible Towel sales have generated more than $2.2 million for Allegheny Valley School, which assists mentally disabled children and adults. Cope donated the trademark to the school in 1996.

The Trophy Towel will retail for $25, three times as much as the Terrible Towel.

"For (the NFL) to piggyback on it and try to make money doing it, I have an ethical problem with that," Hillgrove said. "Shame on the NFL for doing it."

The Trophy Towel is only the latest Terrible wannabee. Green Bay Packers fans wave "Title Towels" at Lambeau Field. The Vancouver Canucks' faithful began bringing white towels to playoff games in the early 1980s.

After beating the Steelers 31-14 three weeks ago, Tennessee Titans players LenDale White and Keith Bullock stomped a Terrible Towel on the sideline.

On Saturday, however, White and Bullock will have their own towels to wave. The Titans will hand out thousands of blue rally towels for their AFC Divisional playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at LP Field.

"Cheap imitations," Hillgrove grumbled.

For its debut game, only 50,000 to 60,000 Trophy Towels will be produced.

"If the Steelers win their sixth Super Bowl, we'd love to think there'll be just as many Terrible Towels sold as always," Kane said. "We want the Trophy Towel to be something (about which) Steelers fans would say, 'This is just something else to add to my collection.' "

Rob Biertempfel can be reached at [email protected] or 412-320-7811.



Tomlinson misses practice again By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Friday, January 9, 2009

• LaDainian Tomlinson missed practice again Thursday, and the Chargers running back has said he is doubtful for Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game because of a torn tendon in his groin. The Steelers are preparing for Tomlinson, a five-time Pro Bowler and the 2006 NFL MVP, anyway. "We don't want to be surprised if (Tomlinson) shows up over there," Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said. "It wouldn't surprise me at all. He's a great player, a great competitor. I know he'll be there if he can be." The Chargers have been without another key offensive player this week at practice. Tight end Antonio Gates has been sidelined by a bad ankle though the Steelers expect him to play Sunday. In addition to Tomlinson and Gates, kicker Nate Kaeding (groin) did not practice Thursday for San Diego.

• All of the Steelers, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, practiced yesterday at the team's South Side training facility. Roethlisberger, who got knocked out of the Steelers' regular-season finale with a concussion, has practiced all week. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said the injury Roethlisberger sustained on Dec. 28 won't have any effect on his game plan for Sunday. "The doctors say he's OK, he's OK," Arians said. "We march on." When asked how Roethlisberger has looked in practice, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, "He's fine."

• Tomlin dismissed the notion that weather will play a factor in Sunday's game while Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison abruptly ended an interview session over the subject. Temperatures are expected to be in the teens Sunday though Harrison said, "We both have to play in it, so what's the advantage?" When asked if it might prove tougher for San Diego to adapt since it is used to playing and practicing in considerably warmer weather, Harrison said, "Why are you asking me stupid questions? I'm done." Said Tomlin, "If anybody's concerned about the weather, they're going home." Free safety Ryan Clark said he hopes Sunday brings snow because that could have an adverse effect on San Diego's passing game. "It is hard to throw and catch the ball down the field, the way that they do deep, in difficult weather conditions," Clark said.

• Former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis will serve as an honorary co-captain Sunday and take part in the pregame coin toss. Styx will sing the national anthem prior to the 4:45 p.m. game, and it will be accompanied by a military flyover. ... The Steelers practiced indoors yesterday for the second consecutive day because of the bad weather. ... Tomlin's take on yesterday's practice: "I thought it was better than (Wednesdays)."

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Digits

1 -- Game the Steelers lost during the regular season when they outrushed the opposition

11 -- Times the Steelers outrushed the opposition during the regular season

Scott Brown can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.



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FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2009 :: Last modified: Friday, January 9, 2009 12:10 AM EST

Harrison doesn't want to talk about the weather By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff

PITTSBURGH — James Harrison may be an all-star linebacker. But he’s not an all-star talker. He just doesn’t enjoy talking to the media, even when he’s being asked about how well he’s playing for the Steelers.

And when he’s asked a question that he deems “dumb,” well, the NFL’s 2008 Defensive Player of the Year can be downright ornery. He was at one point Thursday during an interview while talking about Sunday’s playoff game against the San Diego Chargers. He didn’t appreciate fielding questions from a Pittsburgh sportscaster about how the weather might affect Sunday’s game. Question: “Did you hear the weather forecast for Sunday?” Harrison: “No.” Question: “It’s going to be 18 degrees. Coming from San Diego, is that an advantage for you?” Harrison: “We both have to play in it, so what’s the advantage?” Question: “But they are practicing in 75 degrees doesn’t that …” Harrison: “We can go practice in the heated indoor facility so what does that matter? That’s a stupid question. I’m done.” With that, Harrision walked away from a huge contingent of local and national media types. Yes, Harison was right about the Steelers practicing in their indoor facility the past two days. But that field is not heated. This week in San Diego, several Chargers were asked about the weather. After all, when the Steelers beat the Chargers in Pittsburgh on Nov. 16, it was 35 degrees at kickoff. With snow flurries and 14 mphwinds, the wind chill factor was 26 degrees. It just so happened that Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who led the NFL this year with a 105.5 passer rating, played his worst game of the year. He threw only for 159 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions and had a 44.4 passer rating, easily his worst performance of the season. After practice Thursday, Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said that the Steelers don’t mind playing in wintry conditions. “It’s like a walk in the park for us,” Arians said. “We love it.”

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Short drops are slowing Steelers' pass rush By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer

[email protected]

PITTSBURGH - You don't become an NFL coach is you can't make adjustments.

If an opponent is beating his team in one phase of the game, coaches won't hesistate to adjust and take away - or at least neutralize - what the opponent is doing.

So it has been with the Steelers' pass rush.

The Steelers had 32 sacks in the first eight games of the regular season, putting them on a team record-setting pace. But Pittsburgh had only 19 sacks over its final eight games as opponents adjusted to keep outside linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley from getting to the quarterback.

"A lot of people feel like maybe I hit a wall or something, but I don't feel like I hit a wall or anything," said Woodley, who had 91/2 sacks in the first half of the season and finished with 111/2.

"I haven't been able to get in there and get the sacks that I was getting earlier in the season, but are we still winning? Yeah, we're still winning. I'm going in there and doing what I'm supposed to do, putting pressure on the quarterback, stopping the run."

It wasn't so much that Woodley and Harrison, who combined for 191/2 sacks in the first eight games, hit the wall as much as opponents built a wall against them.

That will be the case again Sunday when the Steelers (12-4) play the San Diego Chargers (9-8) at Heinz Field in an AFC divisional playoff game.

"You always want to weigh the consequences. When you have those guys rushing off of the edge, and you have Troy (Polamalu) running around there in the secondary - he can end up anywhere - you have to be smart about what you do and how many chances you take," said San Diego head coach Norv Turner.

The Chargers didn't get much going offensively the first time they played the Steelers, an 11-10 Pittsburgh victory Nov. 16. The Chargers gained only 218 yards. But they did keep Woodley and Harrison in check for most of the game and gave up only two sacks.

One of the sacks was costly as Harrison got to quarterback Philip Rivers in the end zone, forcing a fumble. The ball was recovered by the Chargers in the end zone but resulted in a safety.

San Diego did what many other teams have done against the Steelers - use the three-step and five-step passing game, allowing the quarterback to get rid of the ball quickly.

"They're not dropping back as deep into the pocket," Woodley said. "You're not going to get as much pressure when a team's doing that to you."

As a result, most of Rivers' 15 completions against the Steelers went to running backs and tight ends. San Diego's wide receivers caught only five passes.

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"Teams aren't letting our outside linebackers take shots at their quarterback," said cornerback Bryant McFadden. "They're throwing more short stuff and forcing us to come up and tackle. It's a cat-and-mouse game. We try to mix things up and show that we're coming and have guys drop into coverage. They think they've got to get it out quickly, and then we're rushing three or four guys with everybody else in coverage."

The result has been more interceptions. Over the second half of the season, while the sacks were down, the interceptions were up. The Steelers had 12 in their final eight games.

"When you get pressure the way that we do, teams have to change up," said safety Ryan Clark. "You can't run your schemes ... somebody has to stay in to block."

Odds and end zones

Wide receiver Hines Ward returned to practice Thursday. ... San Doego tight end Antonio Gates (ankle) and running back LaDainian Tomlinson (groin) missed their second day of practice.

Copyright Observer Publishing Co.

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Foes sigh when Chargers punt Associated Press

SAN DIEGO - Peyton Manning's biggest nemesis in Saturday night's wild-card loss to the Chargers wasn't a defender eager to pound him into the ground or pick off a pass.

It was punter Mike Scifres, San Diego's secret weapon who stuck six punts inside the 20-yard line and was as big a reason as any that San Diego stuck a fork in Manning's MVP season.

Darren Bennett, the former Australian Rules football star who punted for the Chargers for nine years and helped break in Scifres as a rookie, called it "the best punting game I've seen."

It was the first time in playoff history a punter dropped that many kicks that deep, and his 52.7-yard average was third-highest in playoff history.

Bennett was doing a postgame radio show at Junior Seau's restaurant in Mission Valley when Scifres (pronounced SEYE'-furz) walked in.

"It was the first time I've ever seen a punter get a standing ovation in a restaurant," said Bennett, a two-time Pro Bowler who made the NFL's All-Decade team for the 1990s. "That was pretty cool."

Scifres, who has a booming leg and a sky-high hang time, tried to deflect the credit for his big night.

"Luck, man," he said with a laugh.

"We work at it," Scifres said, turning serious for just a minute. "I punted how I'm capable of punting and I feel good about it."

Scifres' impressive night didn't totally dispel the myth that NFL specialists just stand around for most of practice.

"No, we really do just stand around for two hours every day," said Scifres, an easygoing sixth-year pro from Louisiana. "We just kick every once in a while."

Scifres continually put Manning and the Colts in horrible field position. His punts of 51, 58, 50, 67, 38 and 52 yards forced the Colts to start drives at the 10, 19, 3, 7, 9 and 1-yard lines.

His biggest punt was the 52-yarder that bounced out of bounds at the 1 with 2:41 to play and the Chargers trailing 17-14. Had it bounced into the end zone for a touchback, the Colts probably would've had a better shot at a first down to put the game away. Instead, Manning was sacked, the Colts punted, Darren Sproles had a 26-yard return and Nate Kaeding kicked a tying 26-yard field goal to force overtime. The Chargers won 23-17 on Sproles' 22-yard run 6:20 into OT.

"I think that their punter is the MVP of the game," Colts running back Dominic Rhodes said afterward.

"It's not often another team has to acknowledge the other team's punter was the difference in the game," Bennett said.

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"I think he was hotter than a pistol," general manager A.J. Smith said. "Things were really, really falling in line."

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hopes he doesn't get saddled with similarly bad field position when the Chargers visit Sunday.

"He won that game for them," Roethlisberger said. "That's enormous, especially when you have a team backed up and they're punting and you think you are going to get field position and all of a sudden they put it inside the 10-yard line."

The Steelers beat the Chargers on Nov. 16 at Pittsburgh in the only 11-10 game in NFL history. After the Steelers came up with a safety early in the second quarter, Scifres boomed a 75-yard free kick to the Pittsburgh 5. The Steelers returned only to the 12 and had a penalty, winding up with the ball on the 6.

"He knocked us back deep again," Roethlisberger said. "That's big. The field position game is huge, especially in the playoffs. We will have to hope he has a bad day."

Scifres was a fifth-round pick in 2003, Bennett's final year in San Diego and Smith's first draft as Chargers GM.

"I thought Mike Scifres was one of the greatest talents that I had seen in my scouting career," Smith said. "I thought the physical attributes were there, incredible leg. I thought the potential was immense. He's been just unbelievable."

Scifres had practically the equivalent of a redshirt year as a rookie. He handled kickoffs in six games and was inactive in the other 10. Meanwhile, he picked up as much as he could from Bennett.

"A decision had to be made on that one that was a little bit different because of his ability at that time," Smith said. "We had a punter here, a good punter here, in Darren Bennett. I just felt we couldn't bypass this individual and wait down the road for another punter. I felt it had to happen immediately."

Bennett taught Scifres a drop punt used in Australian Rules Football. When he wants to stick a punt inside the 20 and increase the odds for a favorable bounce, Scifres drops the ball nose down and kicks the end of the ball.

The Chargers rave about how long Scifres' punts hang in the air.

"If I didn't have Mike out there, I wouldn't do half the stuff I'm able to do," said coverage ace Kassim Osgood. "He gives you so much time to be able to get down there and cover the ball."

Special teams coach Steve Crosby said Scifres' best hang time was 5.87 seconds on a 69-yard punt against Oakland three years ago. His best this season was 5.7 seconds on the 67-yarder against the Colts.

"Five seconds was always the benchmark," Bennett said. "People don't understand what a difference that extra second in the air makes. It's a massive difference. There's times where other punt returners will resign themselves to the fact Mike is hitting a high ball, so they'll call a fair catch the second it comes off his foot.

"So he's really become a massive weapon."



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01/09/2009

Parker to Sproles: don't try to cutback By Jim Wexell , For the Herald-Standard

PITTSBURGH - Willie Parker has some advice for Darren Sproles, the diminutive San Diego Chargers running back who cuts like a cat on fire. "On this surface," said Parker, "all that cutting won't be effective." Sproles will play tailback in place of LaDainian Tomlinson, who finally admitted to reporters Wednesday that his groin tendon "is definitely torn." The Chargers still list Tomlinson as doubtful, but he'll miss his second consecutive AFC Championship Game with an injury. Last week, Tomlinson carried five times for 25 yards and a touchdown, while Sproles, the 5-foot-6, 181-pounder, became the star of the overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts. He carried 23 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns and also caught five passes for 45 yards. It was Sproles's second consecutive 100-yard game. He'd rushed for 115 yards on 14 carries the previous week against the Denver Broncos. His only other 100-yard game came in 2007 against the Detroit Lions. Sproles set 23 school records as a running back at Kansas State, but since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2005 draft he's been used primarily as a return man in the NFL ... until now. "That cutting and quickness and all that, it's great," Parker said. "But I don't think he's going to like it here." Parker has rushed for 213 and 223 yards in games at Heinz Field, but said it takes experience to get a feel for the running surface. "I've played on it enough to know when to cut and when not to," he said. "It really does take some getting used to." WEATHER ON THEIR MINDS The Chargers played in snow and a 26-degree wind chill factor at Heinz Field on Nov. 16, and apparently it bothered them. The Chargers have requested to bring along their own generator to Heinz Field in order to provide adequate warmth on their sideline in what the National Weather Service predicts will be 20 to 27-degree weather. The Steelers have never fielded such a request, but are expected to relent. That background may explain Coach Mike Tomlin's response Thursday to a question about the weather. "Weather's not going to be an issue," Tomlin said. "We are in the divisional round of the playoffs. If anybody is concerned about the cold, there's a strong chance they're going to go home." EARLY ARRIVAL REQUESTED The Steelers request that fans arrive early to Heinz Field to avoid logjams at the entrance gates near kickoff (4:45 p.m.). To that end, the Steelers scheduled the corporate 1980s rock band Styx to sing the national anthem, followed by a military flyover. Styx will attempt to sing at 4:30 p.m., followed by player introductions. The coin toss with honorary co-captain Jerome Bettis will occur at 4:40 p.m. Gates A and B will open at 1:30 p.m. and Gate C will open at 2:30 p.m. Fans can shop at the merchandise store, peruse the Great Hall, or watch the NFC playoff game on the scoreboard. The Mystic Knights, a real rock band, will perform before the game in the West Main concourse.

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Bolts defense making plays when it counts Kevin Acee (Contact)

Thursday, January 8, 2009 The Colts had third-and-2 at their 9-yard line with a three-point lead and 2½ minutes to play Saturday. Convert and their path to victory would be a fait accompli.

Joseph Addai was split wide left. He was going to be Peyton Manning's target on a slant. On that side, tight end Dallas Clark was going to clear a path. Tight end Gijon Robinson was on the right to help against the rush.

The ball was snapped. Linebacker Shaun Phillips jammed Clark at the line, rendering him nothing more than an impediment to Manning's view. Linebacker Tim Dobbins, who had been inside, suddenly ran wide around his left side, right past an unaware Robinson. Manning pulled up to throw but had no pass. Dobbins, completely unimpeded, dropped Manning from behind at the 1.

The Colts had to punt. The Chargers tied the game 17-17 with a field goal and went on to win in overtime and advance to Sunday's Divisional playoff game at Pittsburgh.

It was not merely symbolic that coach Norv Turner gave a game ball to any defender on the field at that time rather than just to Dobbins.

“That is a big play that was a function of another guy doing his job exceptionally well,” end Luis Castillo said. “Great coverage and Dobbins gets the sack. The play doesn't happen otherwise. It's not always one guy stepping up and making a huge play. It's the rest of the defense allowing him to do that.”

It was a play that typifies the improvement that has been manifest over the past five games in the midst of a game that typifies how the defense has played over the past five games.

The Chargers allowed Indianapolis 366 total yards. But the Colts scored just 17 points, their third-lowest total in 17 games and just the second time in nine games they scored fewer than 21 points.

It was the fourth time in five games the Chargers have given up 21 points or fewer, something they did just five times in their first 12 games.

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“We're getting stops, not giving up points,” Quentin Jammer said. The Chargers defense is the only one of the remaining four AFC playoff teams not ranked in the top three in the conference in yards allowed. Pittsburgh is No. 1, Baltimore No. 2, Tennessee No. 3 and the Chargers No. 12.

The Chargers are sixth in the conference in yards allowed over their past five games. The 310.8 yards per game they are allowing in that span is an improvement of 57 yards over their first 12 games but not altogether phenomenal.

However, what is much improved is the Chargers' ability to create takeaways, put pressure on the quarterback, get off the field in a timely manner and, most importantly, limit how many times the opponent scores.

“I'm going to be very honest about this,” defensive coordinator Ron Rivera said. “I could give a (expletive) about the yards. Excuse my language, but I really could. It doesn't matter.”

The Chargers defense under Rivera has four goals each game:

– Allow 17 or fewer points.

– Force four or more three-and-outs.

– Force two or more turnovers.

– Score or put the offense in scoring position.

Only once did they achieve all four of those somewhat lofty ambitions in the past five games. But they achieved at least one in every game. In the first 12 games, they never achieved all four and four times failed to achieve any.

“We're playing team defense,” linebacker Stephen Cooper said. “Guys are doing their jobs. Guys are not making mental errors. When you play selfish is when you give up big plays. Early in the season, guys were trying too hard to make big plays.”

Strange then that recently is when the Chargers are making the big plays – with



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10 turnovers in the past five games versus 14 in the first 12 games.

Actually, it's not strange.

Rivera demands discipline. Players have told tales of him both praising and calling individuals out in meetings and practice. (He also holds himself accountable, as he did on the sideline Saturday when he gathered his defense around him and told them Peyton Manning catching them by surprise on a 71-yard touchdown pass was on him.)

The accountability Rivera demands has made a difference.

“We get better every week,” Phillips said. “Guys were playing hard before. We just weren't mentally sharp enough. Ron holds everyone accountable. You never want to be that guy in the meeting he calls out.”

Despite what players say about it being “a mentality,” playing disciplined is most often what creates big plays.

“Big plays are a function of everyone doing their assignment, doing things the right way,” Castillo said. “It's not that guys are stepping up and making bigger plays. It's that as a defense we're playing more disciplined and allowing those plays to happen.”

Just ask Dobbins, who got his first sack and owes an assist to Shaun Phillips and to Clinton Hart, who covered Addai, and Rivera, who devised a defense that was constantly moving and confusing the Colts, and

“It's just knowing your role and knowing what plays you can contribute,” Dobbins said.

“It's 11 guys making one play at a time,” Phillips said. “It ain't one guy making all 11 plays. You've got to make plays on the way to doing your assignment.”

Kevin Acee: (619) 293-1857; [email protected] Find this article at: http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/08/chargers-s9chargers/?chargers

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Rivers taking better care of ball Tod Leonard (Contact)

Thursday, January 8, 2009 It was an awful stretch for Philip Rivers. Over the course of six games – five of them losses in the middle of the season – turnovers plagued the Chargers quarterback.

In the five defeats, including an 11-10 loss at Pittsburgh, Rivers threw six interceptions and lost three fumbles.

Be it circumstance, more careful handling or just plain luck, Rivers has been taking better care of the ball of late, and wins have come with it.

In their 4-8 start, the Chargers lost six fumbles and had 10 interceptions. In the five straight games they've won to reach the divisional portion of the postseason, they've lost four fumbles (only one by Rivers) while suffering just two picks.

“No quarterback ever wants to fumble or throw a pick, so it's not like I'm trying harder not to do that,” Rivers said. “But certainly, the fact we have stayed away from a lot of turnovers lately has helped us go on the run we have.”

Rivers' protection has been better at times, and he seems to be sliding well out of the pocket so as to avoid a blind tackle. He's also been quick to put two hands on the ball if he feels extreme pressure.

“I do believe there's been an extra emphasis on it over the last month,” Chargers coach Norv Turner said. “Philip has done a great job in the pocket; he hasn't had a lot of turnovers. But he's had a couple of turnovers that were glaring to people.”

GM TAKES A SHOT

General Manager A.J. Smith was clearly upset that the extent of LaDainian Tomlinson's groin injury was leaked before Saturday's game and that Tomlinson confirmed the extent of the injury Wednesday. Teams prefer their injury information to be vague, and while no one expected

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Tomlinson to play against the Steelers, the Chargers preferred his status remain at least somewhat up in the air.

Asked Thursday about Tomlinson's specificity, Smith was peeved, even making a pointed reference to the relationship between Tomlinson's camp and the ESPN reporter who first reported the severity of Tomlinson's injury.

“I don't discuss (injuries),” Smith said. “Any medical information you may want on LT from our organization will come from our head coach and (public relations director) Bill Johnston.

“If you would like additional injury updates, I suggest you contact LT, his agent Tom Condon and (ESPN's) Chris Mortensen.”

The team initially said Tomlinson's injury was a strain. Mortensen reported Tomlinson had a totally detached abductor tendon, a report team sources said was “exaggerated.” Tomlinson said he has a partially detached tendon.

JACKSON CASE UPDATE

Prosecutors are reviewing the case of wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who was arrested Tuesday in Clairemont on suspicion of drunken driving, an official said Thursday.

Gina Coburn, a spokeswoman for the San Diego City Attorney's Office, said the office had received the case from the California Highway Patrol, the agency that arrested Jackson.

No announcement has been made as to whether DUI charges will be filed. Jackson, 25, was driving east on state Route 52 near Interstate 805 just after 2:30 a.m. when he was stopped for a traffic violation, according to CHP officer Brad Baehr. Jackson was booked into county jail and released by 6 a.m.

Jackson has a previous DUI conviction, a misdemeanor, from 2006. He was on probation for that offense when he was arrested Tuesday.

WHERE'S MALCOM

With 27 catches in a nine-game span, Malcom Floyd was emerging as a considerable threat for the Chargers until he suffered a collapsed lung Dec. 14 at Kansas City. Floyd is healthy again, but he wasn't activated for last week's wild-card game, and he might not suit up Sunday.

“I'd love to have him up (on the roster),” Turner said. “You only get 45 (players on the active roster), so it's a tough deal.”

Turner explained that tight end Kris Wilson, who took Floyd's roster spot, has played well on special



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teams, and the staff has been satisfied going with four receivers.

INJURY UPDATE

Tomlinson, tight end Antonio Gates (ankle) and kicker Nate Kaeding (groin) didn't practice Thursday.

Gates said he doesn't want to risk aggravating his high ankle sprain. He also said he has been experiencing tightness in his Achilles' tendon, which he believes is the result of altering his gait because of the ankle. “The part I worry about more than anything is the Achilles',” he said.

Though Kaeding didn't work, Turner expects him to be ready Sunday.

Staff writers Kevin Acee and Dana Littlefield contributed to this report.

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By Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY

PITTSBURGH — A tough running game that pounds it out no matter how foul the weather has long been a trademark of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs. This time around, it is a question mark.

Forecasts call for high temperatures in the mid-20s and a few snow showers for Sunday's game here against the San Diego Chargers. Pittsburgh will turn loose a typical defense ranked No. 1 in the NFL in the regular season. Atypically, Pittsburgh's running game ranked 23rd.

On Sunday, a day former Steelers power back Jerome Bettis will be an honorary captain for the coin toss, the team could use a return to its former running form.

THE HUDDLE: Simms says he gave up on Chargers CHARGERS-STEELERS PREVIEW: Matchups, analysis PLAYOFF PICKS: Our analysts' projections

With quarterback Ben Roethlisberger coming off a concussion on the last weekend of the regular season, this game could come down to how well the Steelers can run the ball and keep the Chargers from loading up on the pass rush.

"We like to think that we can run the ball when we need to," says Steelers center Justin Hartwig. "We definitely have our highs and lows running the ball. But this is the time when we have to step up and get it done when we're called on."

Prior to this season, the Steelers lost Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca to the New York Jets via free agency. Early this season, they lost two starting offensive linemen, guard Kendall Simmons and tackle Marvel Smith, to injuries.

In the first nine games, running back Willie Parker missed four games with a knee injury and another with a shoulder injury.

FINDING SPROLES: Steelers say it won't be a problem KEY MATCHUP: Philip Rivers vs. Steelers' defense

In the regular season finale against the Cleveland Browns, the same game in which Roethlisberger was carted off, Parker ran for 116 yards and had his longest run of the season on a 34-yard touchdown. Does Parker think opposing defenses still respect the Pittsburgh running game?

"Probably not," Parker says. "If I was on the defensive side of the ball, I wouldn't respect the running game because we haven't been that successful this year. So we've just got to take our respect."

He says he is feeling "great" and that the Steelers can get it done.

"We've definitely got a lot of confidence in the running game," Parker says. "That comes from the guys up front, and we've got confidence in ourselves."

After off year, Steelers' run game intent on taking respect

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Pittsburgh's passing game ranked 17th during the regular season. Overall, the Pittsburgh offense ranked 22nd, lowest among the eight teams left in the playoffs.

"We've had a lot of people talk about our offense because we have the No. 1-ranked defense in the world, and that is awesome," says Roethlisberger, who has returned to practice this week.

"They're going to shine, and we don't mind that. We know that when the time comes and when it matters, we will step up and deliver like we have a couple of times this year, and we'll continue to hopefully do it in the postseason."

A running game could help.

"We do have to have balance," says wide receiver Hines Ward, whose blocking is a key factor in the running game.

"We can't put all of the emphasis on the passing game. … Definitely in the playoffs, I always say you have to be able to run the ball well and be able to do both. … And for us to be known as a physical team, it's kind of hard to be a physical team when you're passing the ball all the time."

In the regular season, Pittsburgh averaged 206.3 yards passing per game and 105.6 yards rushing.

"Willie Parker definitely had a great day against Cleveland to finish the year off, and I think that's something we can gain momentum from," says Ward.

"We're definitely going to try to establish our run game. … We've got to at least be more balanced, and I think if we do that we'll be fine."

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By Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY

PITTSBURGH — At 6-6, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel is a foot taller than running back Darren Sproles of the San Diego Chargers. But the game here Sunday will be football, not basketball.

"He's the type of guy that does it all," Keisel says. "He returns kicks. He returns punts. He not only runs the ball well out of the backfield, he catches screens … Our guys are going to be geared up for him at all times."

Subbing for injured LaDainian Tomlinson, the 5-6, 181-pound Sproles did it all last weekend in San Diego's 23-17 overtime victory against the Indianapolis Colts in the wild card round of the playoffs.

Sproles had 328 all-purpose yards (105 rushing, 45 receiving and 178 on kick returns). He scored two touchdowns on runs of nine and 22 yards, the latter the game-winner in overtime.

CHARGERS-STEELERS PREVIEW: Matchups, analysis DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF PICKS: Our analysts' projections

"There were a lot of guys that had opportunities to get him down, to get hands on him or hit him, but you never him really see him take a flush hit," Steelers safety Ryan Clark says. "So he's elusive, and he's strong. Coach (Mike Tomlin) has a saying, "He's not small, he's just short.' … He still runs strong. So it's going to be a challenge for us."

That said, Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau downplays a notion that is often repeated about backs of Sproles' stature: That he is so short defenders can't see him behind big offensive linemen.

"I suppose there are some plays … (but) most running backs aren't as tall as the defensive linemen and the offensive linemen," LeBeau says.

"So they're all to a certain extent hidden on certain positions in the play. The thing that 43 (Sproles' number) does is he goes a little quicker than most running backs, and if you miss him he's by you a little quicker. But I don't think that (Sproles' stature) is going to be a major factor in the game."

Though Tomlinson has been hampered by a groin injury, the Steelers haven't ruled out the possibility of him playing.

"He's one of those great champions that play hurt and this is a huge game," Keisel says. "I'm sure he wants to play and will do everything in his power to play. So we're going to plan for him and Sproles, and Sunday we'll take whoever we get."

LeBeau says Pittsburgh will prepare for both.

"I think you have to," he says. "You don't want to be surprised. … It wouldn't surprise me at all (if Tomlinson plays). He's a great player, great competitor."

Steelers: Finding Sproles will not be a problem

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Thursday, January 8, 2009

Ravens' Reed ultimate 'center fielder' By James Walker ESPN.com OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Here is something you didn't know about Ed Reed: He'd like to give baseball a try.

And he's serious about it.

"I'm a professional player right now," the Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl safety said. "I feel like -- not that I'll be better than [Michael Jordan] -- but with a little practice, I definitely could be effective in the outfield, stealing some bases and pinch-hitting."

Here is another little-known tidbit: Reed was an awful quarterback at Destrehan High School in Louisiana.

"I threw more interceptions than I caught … I had like four interceptions in one game," he said with a deadpan expression.

Want to know more? Reed's favorite NFL player is Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.

"We play the same position," Reed said. "I know Troy personally, we've talked about it, and I know he's working hard to do what he does on Sunday."

This is a peek behind the curtain of one of the NFL's most low-key superstars, a game changer who will lead the Ravens into an AFC divisional playoff game Saturday against the Tennessee Titans. In just seven NFL seasons, Reed already has 43 career interceptions in regular-season play and an additonal five thefts in playoff games.

Reed is among several stars remaining in this postseason -- including Polamalu, the Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner and the Philadelphia Eagles' Donovan McNabb -- who seemingly have Hall of Fame credentials.

But enshrinement in Canton might be the last thing on Reed's mind, if he even thinks about it at all.

Away from the field, Reed is thoughtful and intelligent -- he graduated from the University of Miami with a liberal arts degree in three years -- but he also is a very private person. He's what those in the NFL community call a "football player." It describes one who enjoys winning and the competition of the game but not necessarily the publicity that comes with it.

Reed is a throwback to a time when game day was the only day that mattered in the NFL. He is not a fan of the incessant sideshow, hype and smack talk that goes on in between games today. Reed's approach would make many old-timers proud.

On Saturday in Nashville, Tenn., Reed will be an important player to watch when the sixth-seeded

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Ravens (12-5) play the top-seeded Titans (13-3) for the right to advance to the AFC Championship Game. Until then, ESPN.com will help you get a better understanding of the five-time Pro Bowler and this season's interception leader.

Who is Ed Reed?

No one covers the gridiron like Reed. Off the field, no one gets Reed to uncover himself.

He doesn't enjoy lengthy media interviews. His stall is in the back corner of the Ravens' locker room, closest to the shower, training room and the exit door so he can efficiently get in and out of meetings. Everything has a purpose when it comes to the extent and seriousness of Reed's preparation.

When first-year coach John Harbaugh was asked this week whether he had any funny Reed stories, his response was brief.

"No," he said bluntly.

Reed's teammates cannot relate funny Reed tales, either. But a tour through the Ravens' locker room drew various descriptions of Reed as "quiet," "humble," "soulful," "laid back" and "a great guy."

"He is real low key; that's definitely him," Baltimore safety Jim Leonhard said. "He's one of those guys that you don't necessarily see a lot [publicly] or know what's going on all the time about him."

Scott Martin coached Reed for two and a half years at Destrehan. Martin said Reed -- who spent his high school years splitting time between his family's home near a violent section of New Orleans and a family friend's home in a more peaceful neighborhood -- was always quiet in nature. Martin added that Reed also has a lot of character and depth to him and is passionate about things beyond football, such as helping underprivileged children.

"He is a very private person," Martin said. "He's unlike a lot of NFL stars. He's very gracious, and when I've talked to him and asked about the future of his career, he's got a good handle on it.

"Ed's not going to be a man that plays for 20 years just because he's got nothing else to do. He has a good grasp on life and where he wants his future to go."

The playmaker

The Reed everyone knows is the person we see on game day. He is arguably the league's most dominant defensive player with the potential to change games.

Ed Reed

#20 S Baltimore Ravens



2008 STATS

Tot41 Solo34 Ast7 FF1 Sack1 Int9

Former NFL quarterback (and current ESPN analyst) Trent Dilfer vividly recalls throwing an astonishing interception to Reed. In a 2007 game between the Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, Dilfer spotted Reed playing the deep third of the field before the snap. He threw a hook route on the outside hash.

The throw was too high for both the receiver and the cornerback, but Reed gambled by leaving his area so early he was in the right place to pick off the errant pass. Dilfer said he couldn't believe Reed flashed in that area and never saw a safety make that type of play in his 13 years in the league.

"He is the only guy I've ever seen that has the ability to be completely out of position at all the right times and never be out of position in the wrong times," Dilfer said.

Some credit goes to Reed's film study. Every player watches game tape, but few can break it down like Reed. While others watch for execution, Reed is looking for tendencies as well.

Where are the quarterback's presnap reads? Who is his favorite target on third down? Does the signal-caller have any quirks to give away play-action fakes?

One teammate estimated Reed watches about 25 hours of game tape per week outside of his normal film study and practice with the team.

"It's to the point where he knows more than the coaches at times," Ravens defensive back Evan Oglesby said.

The combination of smarts, lengthy preparation and rare athletic ability produces results on the football field. Reed has reached the end zone four times this season -- three interception returns and one fumble recovery -- and Baltimore is 4-0 in those games. Including the postseason, Reed has 11 interceptions on the year.

Reed often makes his interceptions in full stride -- and that leads to big returns. He has an amazing 1,144 career return yards. Because the NFL considers regular-season records separate from postseason marks, his career return totals do not include his 64-yard touchdown on one of his two interceptions in the Ravens' 27-9 wild-card victory over the Miami Dolphins this past Sunday.

"You can flat out tell that he goes out every Sunday and knows exactly where the reads are going," former Dallas Cowboys safety and current ESPN analyst Darren Woodson said. "I know he played quarterback at some point in his life, because he knows how to read offenses from the middle of the field."

Greatest safety ever?



Is Reed the greatest safety in NFL history? Let's open the discussion.

First, consider the big picture. Reed is a ball-hawking safety with unique coverage skills and responsibilities. He often plays the deep third or deep half of the field, while other all-time greats such as Ronnie Lott physically dominated closer to the line of scrimmage. It's difficult to compare, for instance, Lott's ferocious hitting with Reed's ability to intercept passes from that position.

"Every safety has something different that he brings to the table," said Reed, who refuses to partake in the debate.

Statistically, the all-time interception leader is longtime Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings safety Paul Krause with 81. He played 16 years. Reed's 43 career interceptions put him at an average of 6.14 per season, compared to Krause's 5.06 per season.

At Reed's current pace, he would need a little more than six seasons to surpass Krause's all-time mark. It's certainly possible if Reed, 30, desires to play well into his 30s.

Regardless of Reed's future plans, his journey likely will include a trip to the Hall of Fame. Who knows, with a little work, maybe he can make a few basket catches in the major leagues similar to one of his interceptions against the Dolphins this past weekend.

"I'd like to give baseball a try, coaching and doing some things in the neighborhoods, helping kids out across the world," Reed said. "It's really no limit. So hopefully in the future sometime I'll be doing that."

AFC North blogger James Walker covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

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