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AJHawkfan
Wanna make $14 the hard way?
Ward targeting some big goals for the 2006 season
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Hines Ward was the first player in Super Bowl XL to perform in a national commercial ad when he accepted a trip to Disney World -- "and I'm taking the Bus" -- in the moments after the Steelers defeated Seattle in Detroit.
Since then, there has been little advertising activity, at least in this country.
Ward has become a popular commercial spokesman in his native South Korea, where he is trying to fight bigotry against mixed-race people there, and where the citizens know little about the game of football.
Yet the Super Bowl MVP couldn't muster much ad time in America, the birthplace of the game, although KDKA-TV will replace "The Jerome Bettis Show" with "The Hines Ward Show" this fall.
Not that he's complaining, nor did he suggest race as a reason for it. (Disney was criticized in the past for not picking black Super Bowl MVPs Jerry Rice, Ray Lewis and Dexter Jackson.) Ward believes others on the team overshadowed him, such as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and safety Troy Polamalu.
"It's hard to get marketed here, America," Ward said. "You have Troy and Ben. It's tough. I don't know what's the reason. I'm not marketable like that, I guess.
"I don't get caught up in it. My thing is, if I keep producing on the field, keep being a consistent player, then positive things will happen to me."
A year after his two-week holdout to start training camp, Ward said he prefers to take a lower profile anyway.
"I'm staying under the radar," Ward said. "Just stay low and get better. That's my thing, just continue to get better as a player, continue to be a leader."
Ward holds the team record with 574 receptions and, with 7,030 yards, needs 1,694 to pass John Stallworth for the all-time club lead. His aim is higher.
"My personal goal is to get 10,000 yards," Ward said yesterday. "If I can do that in my career, that will be my final accomplishment. If I can do it all with the Steelers -- 10,000 yards with this team being in this offense -- that would be like the icing on the cake."
Ward insisted that reaching that goal would not necessarily mean retirement and that turning 30 (March 8) should not signal that he'll slow down, although a hamstring injury has kept him off the field since Friday and might keep him out of Saturday's first preseason game in Arizona.
"Some of the best receivers in the game are in their 30s," Ward said.
There are, for example, Terrell Owens, 32; Marvin Harrison, 34 in two weeks; Rod Smith, 36; Torry Holt, 30; and Derrick Mason, 32.
"Keenan McCardell, he's still going 15 years in the league," Ward said. "What makes those guys any different than me? They know the game, they know how to run routes. I see all these fast defensive backs and fast receivers come in. How does someone like a Keenan McCardell or Jerry Rice or Tim Brown -- all these guys who played the game so long -- how do they continue doing this?
"I'm always looking at them and studying film on them and trying to learn the game. I put myself kind of in their category. They say he's not blazing fast, yet he can still get open. I can create separation and I can catch the ball. That's all you really need in this game."
He says he does not worry about losing speed, because he never had it.
"A lot of people in this league don't have blazing speed, yet what makes them last so long, what makes them so productive? I think by understanding the game, understanding coverage and route-running. Some people lose their speed and they don't know how to adjust their games."
Ward enjoyed the fruits of winning the Super Bowl so much -- visiting South Korea twice and meeting the presidents of that country and this one, among them -- he wants to do it again.
"The experience after the Super Bowl feels so good. That's the thing that motivates me. I'm happy to win one, but I want to get another one."
Students of Ward's history also know that perceived means for motivation is crucial to him. As a three-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl MVP and Steelers' multirecord holder, he no longer can play the lack-of-respect card.
"People think, 'What's his motivation?' " Ward said. " 'What's the thing that's going to make him go? Is he content where he is?' It's more, I guess, trying to prove myself over again."
And, he said, to take on a leadership role left vacant when Bettis retired.
"Somebody who wants help, I'll try and help him," said Ward, who stays after virtually every practice working with other receivers, including the team's two prized rookies, Santonio Holmes and Willie Reid. "Going out of my way to help these guys learn the game, that's what Jerome would do."
Steelers receivers
Hines Ward needs 1,694 receiving yards to pass John Stallworth for most all time.
Rank/Player
Rec. Yds.
1. John Stallworth 8,723
2. Hines Ward 7,030
3. Louis Lipps 6,016
4. Lynn Swann 5,462
5. Elbie Nickel 5,133
6. Buddy Dial 4,723
7. Plaxico Burress 4,164
8. Ray Mathews 3,919
9. Roy Jefferson 3,671
10. Yancey Thigpen 3,641
11. Charles Johnson 3,400
12. Ron Shanklin 3,047
13. Gary Ballman 2,949
(Ed Bouchette can be reached at [email protected] or 412-263-3878. )
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Hines Ward was the first player in Super Bowl XL to perform in a national commercial ad when he accepted a trip to Disney World -- "and I'm taking the Bus" -- in the moments after the Steelers defeated Seattle in Detroit.
Since then, there has been little advertising activity, at least in this country.
Ward has become a popular commercial spokesman in his native South Korea, where he is trying to fight bigotry against mixed-race people there, and where the citizens know little about the game of football.
Yet the Super Bowl MVP couldn't muster much ad time in America, the birthplace of the game, although KDKA-TV will replace "The Jerome Bettis Show" with "The Hines Ward Show" this fall.
Not that he's complaining, nor did he suggest race as a reason for it. (Disney was criticized in the past for not picking black Super Bowl MVPs Jerry Rice, Ray Lewis and Dexter Jackson.) Ward believes others on the team overshadowed him, such as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and safety Troy Polamalu.
"It's hard to get marketed here, America," Ward said. "You have Troy and Ben. It's tough. I don't know what's the reason. I'm not marketable like that, I guess.
"I don't get caught up in it. My thing is, if I keep producing on the field, keep being a consistent player, then positive things will happen to me."
A year after his two-week holdout to start training camp, Ward said he prefers to take a lower profile anyway.
"I'm staying under the radar," Ward said. "Just stay low and get better. That's my thing, just continue to get better as a player, continue to be a leader."
Ward holds the team record with 574 receptions and, with 7,030 yards, needs 1,694 to pass John Stallworth for the all-time club lead. His aim is higher.
"My personal goal is to get 10,000 yards," Ward said yesterday. "If I can do that in my career, that will be my final accomplishment. If I can do it all with the Steelers -- 10,000 yards with this team being in this offense -- that would be like the icing on the cake."
Ward insisted that reaching that goal would not necessarily mean retirement and that turning 30 (March 8) should not signal that he'll slow down, although a hamstring injury has kept him off the field since Friday and might keep him out of Saturday's first preseason game in Arizona.
"Some of the best receivers in the game are in their 30s," Ward said.
There are, for example, Terrell Owens, 32; Marvin Harrison, 34 in two weeks; Rod Smith, 36; Torry Holt, 30; and Derrick Mason, 32.
"Keenan McCardell, he's still going 15 years in the league," Ward said. "What makes those guys any different than me? They know the game, they know how to run routes. I see all these fast defensive backs and fast receivers come in. How does someone like a Keenan McCardell or Jerry Rice or Tim Brown -- all these guys who played the game so long -- how do they continue doing this?
"I'm always looking at them and studying film on them and trying to learn the game. I put myself kind of in their category. They say he's not blazing fast, yet he can still get open. I can create separation and I can catch the ball. That's all you really need in this game."
He says he does not worry about losing speed, because he never had it.
"A lot of people in this league don't have blazing speed, yet what makes them last so long, what makes them so productive? I think by understanding the game, understanding coverage and route-running. Some people lose their speed and they don't know how to adjust their games."
Ward enjoyed the fruits of winning the Super Bowl so much -- visiting South Korea twice and meeting the presidents of that country and this one, among them -- he wants to do it again.
"The experience after the Super Bowl feels so good. That's the thing that motivates me. I'm happy to win one, but I want to get another one."
Students of Ward's history also know that perceived means for motivation is crucial to him. As a three-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl MVP and Steelers' multirecord holder, he no longer can play the lack-of-respect card.
"People think, 'What's his motivation?' " Ward said. " 'What's the thing that's going to make him go? Is he content where he is?' It's more, I guess, trying to prove myself over again."
And, he said, to take on a leadership role left vacant when Bettis retired.
"Somebody who wants help, I'll try and help him," said Ward, who stays after virtually every practice working with other receivers, including the team's two prized rookies, Santonio Holmes and Willie Reid. "Going out of my way to help these guys learn the game, that's what Jerome would do."
Steelers receivers
Hines Ward needs 1,694 receiving yards to pass John Stallworth for most all time.
Rank/Player
Rec. Yds.
1. John Stallworth 8,723
2. Hines Ward 7,030
3. Louis Lipps 6,016
4. Lynn Swann 5,462
5. Elbie Nickel 5,133
6. Buddy Dial 4,723
7. Plaxico Burress 4,164
8. Ray Mathews 3,919
9. Roy Jefferson 3,671
10. Yancey Thigpen 3,641
11. Charles Johnson 3,400
12. Ron Shanklin 3,047
13. Gary Ballman 2,949
(Ed Bouchette can be reached at [email protected] or 412-263-3878. )
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AJHawkfan
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http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-steelers-porter&prov=ap&type=lgns
Steelers' Porter all dressed up, but still has nowhere to go
By ALAN ROBINSON, AP Sports Writer
August 8, 2006
LATROBE, Pa. (AP) -- Joey Porter must be losing patience with sitting out Steelers practice. Restricted to rehabilitating his knee, he knew he couldn't work out with the team.
Yet there he was Monday, in full uniform.
Maybe it was the sight of James Harrison, his injury replacement, scoring a touchdown while lined up at fullback in a scrimmage Saturday that made Porter all the more eager to return.
"No, I told him he sold us out," Porter said, laughing. "But I can't be mad about him because I've always wanted to get on the goal line and score me a touchdown, too. But I wouldn't do it just in training camp."
Porter's biggest concern is getting back by the Sept. 7 opener against Miami. He had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in May to repair damage done early last season against New England.
"It feels different each day, but it's been getting better each day," Porter said. "I feel a lot better than when I came in for the first day of camp. I'm definitely making progress."
Porter played in 17 games after getting hurt last year, counting the playoffs, so the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker didn't think the injury would be a problem this year. But then it started bothering him again during the team's offseason workouts this spring.
Still, he doesn't feel as rushed to get back as he did last summer, when he needed surgery on his left knee early in training camp and had to push to be back in time for the season.
"I've been through this situation before, so now is no different," Porter said. "Just be smart about it. Last year, I didn't have any extra time to take off -- if I had more time I would have, I wouldn't have come back as soon as I had to. But the season was starting and I had to get ready for the first game.
"Now, instead of forcing myself back for a preseason game, I'm going to take the time I need and wait for Coach (Bill) Cowher to give me the green light and go from there," he said.
That's why the 29-year-old Porter isn't pestering Cowher daily to get back onto the field. Porter said the worst thing he could do is to return prematurely and risk putting up with a bothersome knee all season.
The Steelers also don't want to take any chances with one of the NFL's most valuable defensive players. Porter led all NFL linebackers with 10 1/2 sacks last season, then had three more during the Steelers' Super Bowl run.
"Joey's coming along and we anticipate maybe in the next two to three days getting him out here to start doing some things, but still proceed cautiously with that," Cowher said Monday. "But I'm very encouraged by his progress."
Among Porter's big plays in the postseason were consecutive sacks of Peyton Manning during the Steelers' second-round upset of Indianapolis and a key sack of Jake Plummer and a forced fumble he had during the AFC championship game in Denver.
Because he played at a high level despite missing most of camp last year -- he also had five forced fumbles and two interceptions last season -- Porter is confident he can return without difficulty from this layoff. The Steelers haven't said when he might return.
"It's the same defense I've been running for eight years -- I know what I'm doing and where I'm supposed to be at," Porter said. "It's going out there and competing at a level I like to compete at. We have a long season and it's barely starting the second week of training camp. I don't want to do anything silly that's going to set me back for the season."
Wide receiver Hines Ward said the same after sitting out practice again Monday with a sore left hamstring. He was held out of practice Saturday after first feeling discomfort late in practice Friday.
Ward missed a game due to injury for the first time in eight NFL seasons last year because of a sore hamstring, but said that injury was to his right hamstring.
"It's just precautionary, I don't want to have a nagging hamstring injury during the season, so they gave me a couple of days off," Ward said.
Steelers' Porter all dressed up, but still has nowhere to go
By ALAN ROBINSON, AP Sports Writer
August 8, 2006
LATROBE, Pa. (AP) -- Joey Porter must be losing patience with sitting out Steelers practice. Restricted to rehabilitating his knee, he knew he couldn't work out with the team.
Yet there he was Monday, in full uniform.
Maybe it was the sight of James Harrison, his injury replacement, scoring a touchdown while lined up at fullback in a scrimmage Saturday that made Porter all the more eager to return.
"No, I told him he sold us out," Porter said, laughing. "But I can't be mad about him because I've always wanted to get on the goal line and score me a touchdown, too. But I wouldn't do it just in training camp."
Porter's biggest concern is getting back by the Sept. 7 opener against Miami. He had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in May to repair damage done early last season against New England.
"It feels different each day, but it's been getting better each day," Porter said. "I feel a lot better than when I came in for the first day of camp. I'm definitely making progress."
Porter played in 17 games after getting hurt last year, counting the playoffs, so the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker didn't think the injury would be a problem this year. But then it started bothering him again during the team's offseason workouts this spring.
Still, he doesn't feel as rushed to get back as he did last summer, when he needed surgery on his left knee early in training camp and had to push to be back in time for the season.
"I've been through this situation before, so now is no different," Porter said. "Just be smart about it. Last year, I didn't have any extra time to take off -- if I had more time I would have, I wouldn't have come back as soon as I had to. But the season was starting and I had to get ready for the first game.
"Now, instead of forcing myself back for a preseason game, I'm going to take the time I need and wait for Coach (Bill) Cowher to give me the green light and go from there," he said.
That's why the 29-year-old Porter isn't pestering Cowher daily to get back onto the field. Porter said the worst thing he could do is to return prematurely and risk putting up with a bothersome knee all season.
The Steelers also don't want to take any chances with one of the NFL's most valuable defensive players. Porter led all NFL linebackers with 10 1/2 sacks last season, then had three more during the Steelers' Super Bowl run.
"Joey's coming along and we anticipate maybe in the next two to three days getting him out here to start doing some things, but still proceed cautiously with that," Cowher said Monday. "But I'm very encouraged by his progress."
Among Porter's big plays in the postseason were consecutive sacks of Peyton Manning during the Steelers' second-round upset of Indianapolis and a key sack of Jake Plummer and a forced fumble he had during the AFC championship game in Denver.
Because he played at a high level despite missing most of camp last year -- he also had five forced fumbles and two interceptions last season -- Porter is confident he can return without difficulty from this layoff. The Steelers haven't said when he might return.
"It's the same defense I've been running for eight years -- I know what I'm doing and where I'm supposed to be at," Porter said. "It's going out there and competing at a level I like to compete at. We have a long season and it's barely starting the second week of training camp. I don't want to do anything silly that's going to set me back for the season."
Wide receiver Hines Ward said the same after sitting out practice again Monday with a sore left hamstring. He was held out of practice Saturday after first feeling discomfort late in practice Friday.
Ward missed a game due to injury for the first time in eight NFL seasons last year because of a sore hamstring, but said that injury was to his right hamstring.
"It's just precautionary, I don't want to have a nagging hamstring injury during the season, so they gave me a couple of days off," Ward said.
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AJHawkfan
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Steelers Notebook: Rookie safety is opening eyes
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Rookie safety Anthony Smith, the team's second draft pick, is not involved in the competition with Ryan Clark and Tyrone Carter for the starting free-safety spot. At least, not now.
But Smith, a three-year starter at Syracuse, has shown enough to the players and coaches that it's only a matter of time until he lines up alongside Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu in the secondary.
That time might not come until next season, but Smith has been a training-camp standout.
"Wait till next year," cornerback Ike Taylor said. "You can already see when he's out there in the sub packages. Once he understands the defense more, he's going to be something."
Said defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau: "He's ahead of the curve right now. I think the coaching sessions helped all those guys in terms of running our defense and making the calls."
Porter returning
Coach Bill Cowher said Pro Bowl linebacker Joey Porter, who has not practiced since having surgery on his right knee in May, likely will resume practicing today.
Wide receiver Hines Ward tried to test his injured hamstring early in practice, but he still felt tightness and sat out the remainder of the afternoon session.
"I wanted to see where I was," Ward said. "I got to go back and get it better."
Ward said he did not know if he would play in the preseason opener Saturday in Arizona.
On the move
One week after being moved from defensive end to outside linebacker, free-agent rookie Lee Vickers was moved back to defensive end -- the position he played at North Alabama.
Vickers is tall (6 feet 6, 285) and rangy like a lot of the team's other defensive ends, including Brett Keisel and Shaun Nua. He has impressed the coaches with his quickness and ability to rush the passer.
"He's a guy like Brett Keisel -- if he's able to make this team he'll have some luxury in being able to play outside linebacker," Cowher said. "I think he's got a lot of upside."
Changing sides
Rookie tackle Willie Colon, a fourth-round draft pick, began working at left tackle because of the injury to Trai Essex (groin), who could be out a week to 10 days. Colon was used solely on the right side during the first week of training camp.
Right tackle Max Starks, who was a left tackle at the University of Florida, said switching sides involves more than just a change in stance and technique.
"Being on the right side, you generally get the stronger, more powerful pass-rushers," Starks said. "On the left side, you get more of your quicker, outside linebacker-build type guys who are quicker and more elusive. The speed and the technique are the two biggest changes that you have to make."
Quick hits
Inside linebacker Mike Kudla, a rookie free agent from Ohio State, was released -- the second injured player in as many days to be waived by the Steelers. Kudla (6-3, 265), a former nose tackle with the Buckeyes, had not practiced with the team since reporting to camp with a hamstring injury. ... The Steelers will practice twice today with the second session beginning at 6 p.m. It is the final night practice of training camp. The Steelers will have only one more double practice, and that's next Wednesday.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Rookie safety Anthony Smith, the team's second draft pick, is not involved in the competition with Ryan Clark and Tyrone Carter for the starting free-safety spot. At least, not now.
But Smith, a three-year starter at Syracuse, has shown enough to the players and coaches that it's only a matter of time until he lines up alongside Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu in the secondary.
That time might not come until next season, but Smith has been a training-camp standout.
"Wait till next year," cornerback Ike Taylor said. "You can already see when he's out there in the sub packages. Once he understands the defense more, he's going to be something."
Said defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau: "He's ahead of the curve right now. I think the coaching sessions helped all those guys in terms of running our defense and making the calls."
Porter returning
Coach Bill Cowher said Pro Bowl linebacker Joey Porter, who has not practiced since having surgery on his right knee in May, likely will resume practicing today.
Wide receiver Hines Ward tried to test his injured hamstring early in practice, but he still felt tightness and sat out the remainder of the afternoon session.
"I wanted to see where I was," Ward said. "I got to go back and get it better."
Ward said he did not know if he would play in the preseason opener Saturday in Arizona.
On the move
One week after being moved from defensive end to outside linebacker, free-agent rookie Lee Vickers was moved back to defensive end -- the position he played at North Alabama.
Vickers is tall (6 feet 6, 285) and rangy like a lot of the team's other defensive ends, including Brett Keisel and Shaun Nua. He has impressed the coaches with his quickness and ability to rush the passer.
"He's a guy like Brett Keisel -- if he's able to make this team he'll have some luxury in being able to play outside linebacker," Cowher said. "I think he's got a lot of upside."
Changing sides
Rookie tackle Willie Colon, a fourth-round draft pick, began working at left tackle because of the injury to Trai Essex (groin), who could be out a week to 10 days. Colon was used solely on the right side during the first week of training camp.
Right tackle Max Starks, who was a left tackle at the University of Florida, said switching sides involves more than just a change in stance and technique.
"Being on the right side, you generally get the stronger, more powerful pass-rushers," Starks said. "On the left side, you get more of your quicker, outside linebacker-build type guys who are quicker and more elusive. The speed and the technique are the two biggest changes that you have to make."
Quick hits
Inside linebacker Mike Kudla, a rookie free agent from Ohio State, was released -- the second injured player in as many days to be waived by the Steelers. Kudla (6-3, 265), a former nose tackle with the Buckeyes, had not practiced with the team since reporting to camp with a hamstring injury. ... The Steelers will practice twice today with the second session beginning at 6 p.m. It is the final night practice of training camp. The Steelers will have only one more double practice, and that's next Wednesday.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
ESPN.com
8/10/06
8/10/06
Big Ben to start Steelers' first preseason game
PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger will start the Pittsburgh Steelers' exhibition game at Arizona on Saturday, two months to the day of the serious motorcycle accident that left him with a broken jaw, nose and other facial injuries.
<!--------------------------START PLAYER CARD------------------><TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Ben Roethlisberger</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Quarterback
Pittsburgh Steelers
Profile</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width=190 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR class=stathead align=middle><TD align=middle colSpan=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Att</TD><TD width="17%">Comp</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD><TD width="17%">Int</TD><TD width="17%">Rat</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>268</TD><TD>168</TD><TD>2256</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>98.6</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!---------------------INLINE MINI-PLAYER CARD ENDS HERE--------------------->
Roethlisberger has been lobbying coach Bill Cowher since camp opened July 28 to allow him to play, but Cowher had not confirmed until Thursday that the quarterback would start.
Roethlisberger will play only a series or two before Cowher inserts Charlie Batch. Most of the playing time is expected to go to the quarterbacks competing for the No. 3 job, free agent Shane Boyd and fifth-round draft pick Omar Jacobs.
Roethlisberger, who led the Steelers to a Super Bowl championship in his second season as a starter earlier this year, had not missed any training camp practice time due to the accident and has not seemed to be affected by it.
His weight is down to about 235 pounds, about 15 pounds lighter than last season, but Roethlisberger said he planned to lose weight in advance of camp even if there hadn't been an accident.
A year ago, Roethlisberger failed to lead a single touchdown drive during limited playing time in the preseason, but the Steelers went on to score 61 points in winning their first two regular-season games.
Wide receiver Hines Ward, out since Friday with a sore hamstring, won't play and will be replaced by second-year receiver Nate Washington. However, Cowher said first-round draft pick Santonio Holmes of Ohio State is expected to see considerable playing time.
<!--end leftcol -->
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Steelers' spiritual leader
By Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports
August 11, 2006
LATROBE, Pa. – Troy Polamalu may believe that training camp is an utter waste of time, but the Pro Bowl safety also can't seem to get enough of it.
Take Monday when the Pittsburgh Steelers held two practices. In the morning, Polamalu finished by working with the receivers on catching passes from a JUGS machine. As Polamalu came to the end of his work, he got progressively closer to the machine until he stood only four yards away as footballs shot out at high velocity.
When he was done, receivers coach Bruce Arians walked over from behind the machine where he had been launching footballs. He hugged Polamalu and said, "If you came another step closer, I wasn't going to do it."
In the afternoon, Polamalu could be seen on the field again, this time in deep conversation with Steelers defensive lineman Shaun Nua as the two kneeled there long after their teammates had left.
"Sort of what I was explaining to Shaun is that life is not about football. Football is all a part of life, so we have to face each moment and – him being a Christian – to glorify God in each situation," Polamalu said. "So we can't be overburdened with football things and Xs and Os, trying to please a coach or the media or the fans who live to glorify God."
As the Steelers prepare to defend their Super Bowl title this year, many players are contemplating the retirement of leader and bullish running back Jerome Bettis by jokingly asking "WWJD?" Or "What would Jerome do?"
But in the pursuit of spirit and perspective, Polamalu is a deep thinker who is capable of being a leader by example.
Entering his fourth season, Polamalu has the requisite skill as a player and has a vital role as the strong safety in Pittsburgh's blitz-oriented defense. More importantly, he has a belief system that seems to stop short of being holier than thou. In other words, he's a good man who also appears to be a good guy who can fit into a locker room filled with diverse personalities and lifestyles.
While talking about his faith, Polamalu emphasized that "these are my beliefs."
"He is a highly intellectual player," Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. "He has a real feel for the game. He studies tape and he's one of the smartest guys I have been around in my 15 years. So I just respect him. When he does something that makes you wonder, you usually listen to what he says because there is usually some good reason."
Including Polamalu's perspective on training camp. In a nutshell, he thinks it's useless.
"I think Bill Romanowski said that he went into football camp in the best shape of his life and came out in the worst shape of his life," Polamalu said. "The thing about that is that people are so scared to revolutionize anything and are so quick to conform. If everybody is getting beat-up, nobody has an edge.
"Everybody is getting beat-up and we're all coming out of camp beat-up. So if someone wants to revolutionize the game and really focus on all the idiosyncrasies that are overlooked, like hire a full-time massage therapist or chiropractors or [have] one practice a day during football camp, something like this, I believe it can really turn this in a positive direction and revolutionize the game. They all do it, but I guess they're all scared … or they don't know any better."
That sounds really nice, but it ignores the fact that not all players come to training camp in football condition. There is this whole issue about trust between management and players.
"Yeah, but they choose the players who come in here and [the team gets] to choose their character, who they are, what their training methods are. I did not choose to come here, they chose me through the draft process," Polamalu said.
It's all true and the essence of what Polamalu is saying is part of his beauty. He is a trusting, hard-working soul who doesn't see himself as unique.
Perhaps that's what makes Cowher smile so broadly when talking about him, even though there are moments that frustrate Cowher. Such as when the Pittsburgh defense comes off the field and Cowher wants to talk to Polamalu. The coach has to wait.
Polamalu has a higher authority to address.
"After a series, you want to go talk to him about what he sees, but after every series he goes over and prays," Cowher said. "So you kind of have to give him his time while he puts his head down. I'm usually trying to get back to the offense to watch them, so I'm waiting and waiting and I just couldn't wait anymore. He was in a really deep thought and I just couldn't wait anymore."
Polamalu smiles softly when asked about that.
"Mother Theresa said that she got to a point in her life where she had constant conversation with God. If God, as everyone describes it, can be omnipresent and omnipotent, we could essentially be walking around and talking to him like we are now," Polamalu said. "So there was a point where I would always come to the sideline [and pray], but even during the game I feel [I'm talking to God] because the game is all about struggle. The game is about adversity, life is about adversity. The same struggle you face in life, you face in football.
"If I see somebody open over there, should I take him? Well, if I do, then this comes open. These are the small things in football that have a direct correlation to life. It is life because the temptation that football brings to you – whether it's women, whether it's money, whether it's all those different things – it helps you to become a better person."
Jason Cole is a national NFL writer for Yahoo! Sports.
Send Jason a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.
Steelers' spiritual leader
By Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports
August 11, 2006
LATROBE, Pa. – Troy Polamalu may believe that training camp is an utter waste of time, but the Pro Bowl safety also can't seem to get enough of it.
Take Monday when the Pittsburgh Steelers held two practices. In the morning, Polamalu finished by working with the receivers on catching passes from a JUGS machine. As Polamalu came to the end of his work, he got progressively closer to the machine until he stood only four yards away as footballs shot out at high velocity.
When he was done, receivers coach Bruce Arians walked over from behind the machine where he had been launching footballs. He hugged Polamalu and said, "If you came another step closer, I wasn't going to do it."
In the afternoon, Polamalu could be seen on the field again, this time in deep conversation with Steelers defensive lineman Shaun Nua as the two kneeled there long after their teammates had left.
"Sort of what I was explaining to Shaun is that life is not about football. Football is all a part of life, so we have to face each moment and – him being a Christian – to glorify God in each situation," Polamalu said. "So we can't be overburdened with football things and Xs and Os, trying to please a coach or the media or the fans who live to glorify God."
As the Steelers prepare to defend their Super Bowl title this year, many players are contemplating the retirement of leader and bullish running back Jerome Bettis by jokingly asking "WWJD?" Or "What would Jerome do?"
But in the pursuit of spirit and perspective, Polamalu is a deep thinker who is capable of being a leader by example.
Entering his fourth season, Polamalu has the requisite skill as a player and has a vital role as the strong safety in Pittsburgh's blitz-oriented defense. More importantly, he has a belief system that seems to stop short of being holier than thou. In other words, he's a good man who also appears to be a good guy who can fit into a locker room filled with diverse personalities and lifestyles.
While talking about his faith, Polamalu emphasized that "these are my beliefs."
"He is a highly intellectual player," Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. "He has a real feel for the game. He studies tape and he's one of the smartest guys I have been around in my 15 years. So I just respect him. When he does something that makes you wonder, you usually listen to what he says because there is usually some good reason."
Including Polamalu's perspective on training camp. In a nutshell, he thinks it's useless.
"I think Bill Romanowski said that he went into football camp in the best shape of his life and came out in the worst shape of his life," Polamalu said. "The thing about that is that people are so scared to revolutionize anything and are so quick to conform. If everybody is getting beat-up, nobody has an edge.
"Everybody is getting beat-up and we're all coming out of camp beat-up. So if someone wants to revolutionize the game and really focus on all the idiosyncrasies that are overlooked, like hire a full-time massage therapist or chiropractors or [have] one practice a day during football camp, something like this, I believe it can really turn this in a positive direction and revolutionize the game. They all do it, but I guess they're all scared … or they don't know any better."
That sounds really nice, but it ignores the fact that not all players come to training camp in football condition. There is this whole issue about trust between management and players.
"Yeah, but they choose the players who come in here and [the team gets] to choose their character, who they are, what their training methods are. I did not choose to come here, they chose me through the draft process," Polamalu said.
It's all true and the essence of what Polamalu is saying is part of his beauty. He is a trusting, hard-working soul who doesn't see himself as unique.
Perhaps that's what makes Cowher smile so broadly when talking about him, even though there are moments that frustrate Cowher. Such as when the Pittsburgh defense comes off the field and Cowher wants to talk to Polamalu. The coach has to wait.
Polamalu has a higher authority to address.
"After a series, you want to go talk to him about what he sees, but after every series he goes over and prays," Cowher said. "So you kind of have to give him his time while he puts his head down. I'm usually trying to get back to the offense to watch them, so I'm waiting and waiting and I just couldn't wait anymore. He was in a really deep thought and I just couldn't wait anymore."
Polamalu smiles softly when asked about that.
"Mother Theresa said that she got to a point in her life where she had constant conversation with God. If God, as everyone describes it, can be omnipresent and omnipotent, we could essentially be walking around and talking to him like we are now," Polamalu said. "So there was a point where I would always come to the sideline [and pray], but even during the game I feel [I'm talking to God] because the game is all about struggle. The game is about adversity, life is about adversity. The same struggle you face in life, you face in football.
"If I see somebody open over there, should I take him? Well, if I do, then this comes open. These are the small things in football that have a direct correlation to life. It is life because the temptation that football brings to you – whether it's women, whether it's money, whether it's all those different things – it helps you to become a better person."
Jason Cole is a national NFL writer for Yahoo! Sports.
Send Jason a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.
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AJHawkfan
Wanna make $14 the hard way?
Steelers observations
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-observations081106&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
By Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports
August 11, 2006
LATROBE, Pa. – One of the Pittsburgh Steelers' subplots is the future of Bill Cowher.
Cowher has two years remaining on his contract, but he raised eyebrows around the Steel City when he moved his wife and youngest daughter to North Carolina this offseason. Plenty of rumors have him quitting after this season and then coming back to coach in a couple of years.
Cowher, who is entering his 15th season as Steelers head coach, said he's trying to keep the issue from being a distraction.
"I don't discuss it," said Cowher, 49. "I am who I am, and I don't change. I haven't missed any meetings. I haven't missed any practices, and I haven't changed how I approach the game. All that stuff will take care of itself. The things you're discussing are speculation. I'm not going to sit here and talk about speculation.
"Sure it is [distracting]. It's like reading your own obituary sometimes – people talking about who is going to be the next coach – but I can't control it. What I can control is that people know I've been here for a period of time and I'm taking it year to year as I have the past couple of years. I think people are reading too much into it and speculating."
# One of the most impressive players in camp has been second-year receiver Nate Washington, who looks like he will push for the No. 3 job vacated by Antwaan Randle El. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Washington plays bigger than he measures and made a series of catches on difficult passes in practice during the past week.
"I don't want to talk about him too much. His head might get too big," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said of Washington. "But he's a guy [who is] coming along well."
# If you didn't know Roethlisberger had been in a motorcycle accident this offseason, you probably couldn't tell by looking at him. About the only truly noticeable difference is the slimmed-down look from losing roughly 15 pounds after the accident.
Asked if he was going to put the weight back on, Roethlisberger said: "I feel like I'm at a good weight right now. If I put on any weight at this point, it's going to be muscle mass and stuff from working out."
As for the accident, which happened in June, Roethlisberger's answers are primarily quick and well-rehearsed, an obvious sign that he's done talking about it. "It's in the past and it's time to talk about football," Roethlisberger said.
# The Pittsburgh coaching staff is thinking of giving Roethlisberger more freedom to throw this season. In 32 career starts, including six playoff games, Roethlisberger has attempted more than 30 passes in a game only once, when he threw 41 times last December in a 38-31 loss to Cincinnati. He has reached 30 attempts only two other times.
For his part, Roethlisberger doesn't care so much about the number of throws. He's more concerned about what he can do for the offense.
"I don't think it's one of those things where I want to come out and throw it 80 times a game," he said. "I want to come out and be more productive myself with my decisions. I want to have more options so that if something doesn't look good, I can check out of it, make some adjustments so we can be in the best position possible."
Jason Cole is a national NFL writer for Yahoo! Sports.
Send Jason a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.
Updated on Friday, Aug 11, 2006 3:41 am EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-observations081106&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
By Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports
August 11, 2006
LATROBE, Pa. – One of the Pittsburgh Steelers' subplots is the future of Bill Cowher.
Cowher has two years remaining on his contract, but he raised eyebrows around the Steel City when he moved his wife and youngest daughter to North Carolina this offseason. Plenty of rumors have him quitting after this season and then coming back to coach in a couple of years.
Cowher, who is entering his 15th season as Steelers head coach, said he's trying to keep the issue from being a distraction.
"I don't discuss it," said Cowher, 49. "I am who I am, and I don't change. I haven't missed any meetings. I haven't missed any practices, and I haven't changed how I approach the game. All that stuff will take care of itself. The things you're discussing are speculation. I'm not going to sit here and talk about speculation.
"Sure it is [distracting]. It's like reading your own obituary sometimes – people talking about who is going to be the next coach – but I can't control it. What I can control is that people know I've been here for a period of time and I'm taking it year to year as I have the past couple of years. I think people are reading too much into it and speculating."
# One of the most impressive players in camp has been second-year receiver Nate Washington, who looks like he will push for the No. 3 job vacated by Antwaan Randle El. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Washington plays bigger than he measures and made a series of catches on difficult passes in practice during the past week.
"I don't want to talk about him too much. His head might get too big," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said of Washington. "But he's a guy [who is] coming along well."
# If you didn't know Roethlisberger had been in a motorcycle accident this offseason, you probably couldn't tell by looking at him. About the only truly noticeable difference is the slimmed-down look from losing roughly 15 pounds after the accident.
Asked if he was going to put the weight back on, Roethlisberger said: "I feel like I'm at a good weight right now. If I put on any weight at this point, it's going to be muscle mass and stuff from working out."
As for the accident, which happened in June, Roethlisberger's answers are primarily quick and well-rehearsed, an obvious sign that he's done talking about it. "It's in the past and it's time to talk about football," Roethlisberger said.
# The Pittsburgh coaching staff is thinking of giving Roethlisberger more freedom to throw this season. In 32 career starts, including six playoff games, Roethlisberger has attempted more than 30 passes in a game only once, when he threw 41 times last December in a 38-31 loss to Cincinnati. He has reached 30 attempts only two other times.
For his part, Roethlisberger doesn't care so much about the number of throws. He's more concerned about what he can do for the offense.
"I don't think it's one of those things where I want to come out and throw it 80 times a game," he said. "I want to come out and be more productive myself with my decisions. I want to have more options so that if something doesn't look good, I can check out of it, make some adjustments so we can be in the best position possible."
Jason Cole is a national NFL writer for Yahoo! Sports.
Send Jason a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.
Updated on Friday, Aug 11, 2006 3:41 am EDT
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BrutusMaximus
I Heart Boobs
Holmes looked real good too. The first pass that was thrown to him was way high, he went up and got it without his feet leaving the ground. He did have one glance off his hands and get picked, but it wasnt his fault. The QB threw a rocket from about 3 yards away, that was also high and behind him.
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Cowher unhappy with Bettis' comment
By Joe Rutter
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
After giving Jerome Bettis the ball for 11 seasons, Steelers coach Bill Cowher gave his former running back a reprimand Monday afternoon.
Cowher spoke to the Bus yesterday and expressed his displeasure with Bettis predicting Sunday night that the Steelers coach would leave his job at the end of the season.
"I was very disappointed in what he said," Cowher said.
Bettis, an NFL analyst for NBC, made his proclamation during his network broadcasting debut Sunday night in Cincinnati.
"I really think this is the last year for Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh," Bettis said. "I say that because I got an opportunity to talk to him after the season was over, when everything really settled down, and he was a different coach, he was a different guy. He was very reflective. He talked about his family. He talked about spending more time with his family.
"He bought a house down in Raleigh (N.C.). His daughter's enrolled in school there. I think all that leads to coach not coming back."
Cowher has two years remaining on his contract - a point he reiterated yesterday when he addressed Bettis' comments. He also said - twice - that Bettis' statement wasn't based on any inside information gleaned by the Bus, who retired immediately after the Steelers won Super Bowl XL in February.
"He understands my position," Cowher said. "I wanted to make sure he understood it, because I think a lot of people thought we've been speaking. We haven't been speaking. There was one conversation, and there was nothing confidential given to him at that time."
Cowher admitted to talking with Bettis at length in March and agreed that the conversation was "reflective" in nature. But Cowher said they hadn't talked since, aside from a conversation "in passing" at the ESPY awards last month.
Bettis, the NFL's fifth-leading career rusher, also told USA Today last week that he was concerned about Cowher's focus, wondering whether this was a "lame-duck year" for his former coach.
Cowher emphatically dismissed that notion yesterday.
"As you get closer to training camp, time has a way of refocusing people," Cowher said. "I think there has been a lot of speculation about my future. I'm here to say once again that it's purely that - speculation. I don't like talking about the contract because I'm in camp. I love coaching football. I love coaching here."
Linebacker Clark Haggans said Cowher's contract status hasn't been a distraction during training camp. He also poked fun at Bettis' prediction.
"I guess he's got a crystal ball, and 'Bussie' is starting to look into the future and see some things," Haggans said. "I don't know, we're just focused on training camp and trying to get better."
Speculation has persisted that Cowher would leave the Steelers since it was revealed that he and his wife, Kaye, purchased a $2.5 million home near Raleigh. His youngest daughter reportedly has enrolled in a private school there.
"I can't control the future," Cowher added. "It takes two sides. I do have two years left on the contract, contrary to what some people may think. That's all I really want to talk about (on the matter)."
Although Cowher has two years remaining on his contract, he previously received extensions when he had two years left on his deal. With training camp in full swing, the Steelers have tabled negotiations with Cowher until the end of the season.
"I've been very focused on getting this football team back this year, and that's where my focus is," Cowher said. "I don't like talking about anything other than that, anything personal, because it's really about our football team. Contract situations and other things, they take care of themselves. I'll deflect all that to management. I'd rather keep it at that."
Cowher said he no longer will discuss his future with the media, and team president Art Rooney II also declined comment.
Cowher also said he has put the Bettis episode behind him and harbors no ill feelings toward the Bus.
"Jerome is a good guy," Cowher said. "We've had too many good times to let something like that stand in the way. That will not come between us, trust me."
Joe Rutter can be reached at [email protected].
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_466078.html
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