Impressive statistics, offensively and defensively, belie a sub-par Steelers record

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1 Impressive statistics, offensively and defensively, belie a sub-par Steelers of 2 12/10/2009 9:39 AM SPORTS / STEELERS Impressive statistics, offensively and defensively, belie a sub-par Steelers record Thursday, December 10, 2009 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Peter Diana/Post-Gazette It's possible after tonight's game that the Steelers could have an elite offense with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger throwing for more than 3,000 yards. It is possible before tonight ends in Cleveland that the Steelers will have a 1,000-yard rusher, a 3,000-yard quarterback, and a 1,000-yard receiver, with another waiting in the wings. It is possible that they will have all that, plus a top-five defense, and not make the playoffs. How to explain it? "There have been some unusual things happening," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger mentioned. Indeed. Roethlisberger has 3,145 yards passing. Rashard Mendenhall needs 113 yards rushing to hit 1,000. Santonio Holmes needs 13 yards receiving to reach 1,000 for the first time. Hines Ward, who likely will not play tonight, needs 78 yards receiving to reach 1,000 for the sixth time. Only once in history have the Steelers had a 3,000-yard passer, two 1,000-yard receivers and a 1,000-yard rusher. That occurred in 2001 when they went Never have they had a 4,000-yard passer, which is well within Roethlisberger's range. Even their time of possession is up, at 32:28 nearly a minute more than last season's 31:29. Yet, their record stands at 6-6 and they are on the brink of not making the playoffs a year after they won the Super Bowl. It does not make sense. "Last year, the ball bounced our way and things happened good for us and we went on to win the Super Bowl," Roethlisberger said. "This year, the ball is not bouncing our way and we are not getting those lucky breaks that are sometimes involved in a football game." Is that it? Just bad luck and the bounce of the football here and there? "You look at situational red zone and third-down efficiency, we're just not doing what we need to do," Ward said. "Statistically, yeah, we're putting up numbers, but when we get down in the red zone we're not putting up touchdowns. On third down, we're below average." Inside the 20, the offense ranks 18th in the NFL in touchdown percentage at It ranks seventh in total yards. On third downs, the Steelers rank 16th by converting 39.7 percent of them into first downs. Perhaps, as Ward noted, those two mediocre performances in two vital areas have helped hold an otherwise productive offense down.

2 Impressive statistics, offensively and defensively, belie a sub-par Steelers of 2 12/10/2009 9:39 AM There seems to be no one explanation for the Steelers' failure in those two areas. "I think it's just maybe one guy not being on the same page," said Ward, repeating a reason that is age-old in football. "You look at it: We miss a 'hot' here, a block here. It accumulates. If one guy has a perfect game but messes up in situational football, it becomes huge. "That's just been the case this year. It's more us beating ourselves than anything. The stats aren't comparable to what we're actually putting up in wins and losses by being an efficient team in red zone and third downs." Similar missteps seem to afflict the NFL's fifth-ranked defense. The skimpy yards the Steelers have allowed in games (297.3 on average) cannot explain their many fourth-quarter collapses. Opponents have scored 45.5 percent (105) of their total points against the Steelers in the fourth quarter and overtime. "I guess it's just those last drives that have been getting to us," said safety Troy Polamalu, who will miss his fourth consecutive game and eighth this season with a knee injury. "We're not finishing," nose tackle Casey Hampton said. "We're not finding a way at the end to finish games. Bottom line. The main thing is, we're giving up too many big plays. We have to stop that." The defenders are at a loss to explain why that occurs in the fourth quarter but not in the first three. Last season, opponents produced two pass plays longer than 40 yards; that number stands at seven this season with five games left. Five of those big passes have come during this four-game losing streak. "It's not the same thing every week, which may be disappointing because it would probably be an easy Band-Aid to cover that mistake," Polamalu said. The defense also has not fared well in allowing third-down conversions -- ranking 20th, at 40 percent. It also ranks last in the league in fourth-down conversions by allowing seven of nine. However, its performance inside the 20 remains good -- tied for seventh. That defense has lost four starters from its Super Bowl team, including two -- Polamalu and defensive end Aaron Smith -- to injuries this season. But as Hampton noted, it does not explain the defense's high rankings in many categories, including points allowed (eighth). "I don't know," Polamalu said. "I think we're all kind of searching for answers." Palko released; WR signed The Steelers released quarterback Tyler Palko and signed rookie receiver Tyler Grisham from their practice squad. There are two reasons for the move: Charlie Batch's broken left wrist has healed well enough to allow him to serve as the No. 3 quarterback, and Ward's hamstring injury -- the least severe, with minor tearing of the muscle -- has not healed well enough for him to play. Ward and cornerback William Gay were officially listed as "questionable" by the Steelers, who listed Batch and Rashard Mendenhall as "probable." Troy Polamalu was declared out for tonight's game. For more on the Steelers, read the new blog, Ed Bouchette on the Steelers at Ed Bouchette can be reached at ebouchette@post-gazette.com. Ed Bouchette's blog on the Steelers and Gerry Dulac's Steelers chats are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details. First published on December 10, 2009 at 12:00 am

3 Head to head: Browns QB Brady Quinn vs. Steelers CB Joe Burnett 1 of 1 12/10/2009 9:40 AM SPORTS / STEELERS Head to head: Browns QB Brady Quinn vs. Steelers CB Joe Burnett A closer look at the game within the game Thursday, December 10, 2009 By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette For a team that had scored just five offensive touchdowns in the previous 15 games, Brady Quinn's sudden offensive production as the Cleveland Browns' quarterback must look like a volcanic eruption. And, based on the number of big plays and second-half passing yards surrendered by the Steelers during a four-game losing streak, the prospect for more touchdowns should be tantalizing for the league's worst offense. After all, if the Steelers can allow 27 points each to the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders -- the 30th- and 31st-ranked offenses, respectively, in the NFL -- there is good reason to suspect that even the anemic Browns can muster a touchdown or three against a listing secondary. "I don't know," said Quinn, when asked about the recent foils of the Steelers' secondary. "Pittsburgh's a great team regardless of their record. We know what they're capable of and how good they can be, so this isn't one of those things where you feel you're catching a team at a good time. They're a good team." Nonetheless, there is no better time for a quarterback to do his holiday shopping than in the store known as the Steelers' secondary, where big-play gifts abound and shoppers can move freely through the passing lanes and zone coverages. After allowing only two pass plays of 40 yards or longer last season, the Steelers have allowed seven in the past four games -- none longer than the 75-yard touchdown to Oakland's Louis Murphy, a play in which Ike Taylor not only had the wrong technique (he was supposed to have inside coverage, not outside), he also failed to shove Murphy out of bounds at the Steelers' 15. What's more, the secondary appears to dissipate and crumble as the game progresses, a disturbing trend that has been occurring since Week 2. In just the past three games, the Steelers have allowed 590 yards passing in the second half alone. On top of that, coach Mike Tomlin plans to either start or rotate two rookie cornerbacks against the Browns, using Joe Burnett for William Gay and Keenan Lewis for Taylor. That should be very inviting for Quinn, who is starting to throw the ball downfield out of the Browns' no-huddle offense. Not only has he passed for 675 yards and seven touchdowns in the past three games, he hasn't thrown an interception in the past three games, either -- not that it would matter against the Steelers' cornerbacks. "I think it's a function of a few different things," Browns coach Eric Mangini said of his team's new-found passing attack. "Some of it is opportunity, based on the coverage. Some of it is protection, being able to pick up the different pressures that come, being able to sit back and let the route develop. It's not a specific emphasis where we say, 'OK, we have to throw this many shots this game.' "We have those downfield patterns; every game they're called. But what you don't want to do is force the ball merely for the sake of throwing it deep." Ed Bouchette's blog on the Steelers and Gerry Dulac's Steelers chats are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details. First published on December 10, 2009 at 12:29 am

4 Gerry Dulac breaks down meeting No. 116 between the teams 1 of 2 12/10/2009 9:45 AM SPORTS / STEELERS Gerry Dulac breaks down meeting No. 116 between the teams GAME 13 MATCHUP: STEELERSvs BROWNS Thursday, December 10, 2009 Peter Diana/Post-Gazette Receiver Santonio Holmes needs 13 yards receiving tonight to go over 1,000 for the season. Game plan When the Browns have the ball: Brady Quinn has brought the vertical passing attack to the anemic Browns. He has passed for 675 yards and accounted for eight touchdowns in the past three games. And that after the Browns had scored just five offensive touchdowns in their previous 15 games. With the season-ending injury to RB Jamal Lewis, the Browns have to rely on Jerome Harrison, who is tied for the team lead with 28 catches; and former CFL free-agent Chris Jennings, an inside runner who was signed from the practice squad in October. Right tackle John St. Clair has struggled with penalties and protection, which could be a problem against OLB LaMarr Woodley, who has six sacks in the past four games. When the Steelers have the ball: When coach Mike Tomlin talked about changes in schematics, he might have been referring to a return to an emphasis on the run. And surely that would make sense against the Browns, especially after they lost NT Shaun Rogers and both inside linebackers, Eric Barton and D'Qwell Jackson, to season-ending injuries. The Browns allow an average of yards per game and gave up 210 yards to the Bengals two weeks ago. But they have just as many problems against the pass, where they have allowed 905 yards the past three games. CB Brandon McDonald, who had problems in the first meeting against Hines Ward (eight catches, 159 yards, 52-yard TD) has been benched and replaced by Mike Adams. Ward could play tonight despite a hamstring injury. With a season-ending injury to S Brodney Pool, former Steelers CB Hank Poteat has been moved to safety. It's so bad the Browns have used WR Mike Furry, a converted defensive back, at safety, too. Keep your eye on KR Joshua Cribbs: The Steelers have not allowed a kick return for touchdown in the past two games, a credible accomplishment after allowing four in the previous five games. But one of those TDs was by Joshua Cribbs, who had a 98-yard kick return in the first meeting. Since that game, Cribbs hasn't had a kick return longer than 42 yards. His return average of 25.8 yards, fifth in the AFC, actually ranks behind Stefan Logan (26.7). Data Game: Steelers (6-6) at Browns (1-11). When: 8:30 p.m. Where: Cleveland Browns Stadium.

5 Gerry Dulac breaks down meeting No. 116 between the teams 2 of 2 12/10/2009 9:45 AM TV: KDKA, NFL Network. Radio: WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970). Skinny: While tied for the final AFC wild-card spot, the Steelers don't hold any of tiebreakers. Intangibles The Browns have lost a league-high seven in a row and are 1-17 in their past 18 games, dating to last season. They lost the first meeting with the Steelers, 27-14, on Oct. 18 at Heinz Field. The Steelers have lost four in a row -- only Cleveland has lost more consecutive games -- but they have won the past 12 meetings and 18 of the past 19 against the Browns. To win, the Browns must Throw, throw, throw. Quinn has to throw against a secondary that has allowed 590 yards passing in the 2nd half the past three games. 2. Burn Burnett. CB Joe Burnett will start or rotate with CB William Gay and will likely be tested on deep passes. 3. Have dibs on Cribbs. Teams have been kicking away from the Pro Bowl return specialist, who has two scoring returns this season. Keys to victory To win, the Steelers must Make more plays than Shakespeare. The failure to protect leads is surpassed only by the inability of the CBs to have an interception this season. 2. Get to Brady in bunches. Quinn has brought some energy to the Browns, throwing for seven TDs and rushing for another in the past three games. 3. Not bar Heath. TE Heath Miller, who had just two catches in the past two games, needs to be more involved. Ed Bouchette's blog on the Steelers and Gerry Dulac's Steelers chats are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details. First published on December 10, 2009 at 12:35 am

6 Penbrook residents face ultimatum over Steelers sign 1 of 2 12/10/2009 9:45 AM LOCAL / REGION Penbrook residents face ultimatum over Steelers sign Thursday, December 10, 2009 By Paula Reed Ward, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Alissa Myers The American Civil Liberties Union has sent Dauphin County officials a letter supporting Alissa Myers, owner of the house and sign, and threatening a federal lawsuit. Alissa Myers grew up in Centre County, but her family's football loyalties were never divided between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. They are strictly Steelers fans. Ms. Myers' love for the black and gold has never wavered, not even now, living in Penbrook, Dauphin County. "It gets in your blood, and you can't get rid of it," she said. So, when she was told in September by Penbrook officials that she could not hang a 2-foot by 8-foot banner that says, "You're in Steelers Country," on the porch of her home, she was angry. "The more I thought about it, I thought this was ridiculous," said Ms. Myers, 34. "It's not obstructing anything. It's not vulgar. "It's not offensive unless you're an Eagles fan." She and her husband received a letter from borough officials telling them that they needed to either pay a $40 permit fee to hang the sign or face potential fines. A new citation could be issued every day. The only alternative offered by Penbrook officials was to only hang the banner on game days. Ms. Myers went to the American Civil Liberties Union, and yesterday, the organization sent a letter to the borough demanding that it provide written assurance that it will rescind all threatened sanctions against her and take no further action. If the borough doesn't respond to the letter, Valerie Burch, who is representing Ms. Myers, anticipates filing a federal free-speech claim within days. Yesterday, borough Solicitor Bruce Foreman said his client was interested in what the ACLU has to say about the ordinance. "We are certainly anxious to hear what suggestions they have," he said. "I'm not sure if the ordinance will be changed, but it certainly could be. "We take the First Amendment very seriously." According to Ms. Burch, Penbrook's ordinance values commercial signs over personal signs. "It's content-based discrimination," Ms. Burch said. The borough's ordinance allows permanent commercial signs up to 20 square feet, and signs that identify businesses to be up to

7 Penbrook residents face ultimatum over Steelers sign 2 of 2 12/10/2009 9:45 AM 100 square feet. But, Ms. Burch said, non-commercial messages -- either political, religious or personal, are limited to 16 square feet, permitted only for brief time periods and allowed only if they "advertise political parties or candidates for election," "nonprofit, charitable and similar events," or qualify as "holiday decorations." Inflatable Santas are allowed, Ms. Burch said, but not Ms. Myer's banner, which she described as "not very obtuse." "It doesn't glow. It doesn't blow in the wind," Ms. Burch said. After she learned of the borough's ordinance, Ms. Myers spent a few hours on a Saturday afternoon walking around her neighborhood with a petition. Out of the 40 or 50 houses that she stopped at, only one person would not sign it. "The people who would be exposed to it the most weren't offended by it," said Ms. Myers, who is an engineer for the state. Despite her opposition to the borough's regulations, Ms. Myers has not put up the sign since the threat of sanctions. "If I put it up [on game days] and then take it down, I feel like I'm giving in to their silly rules," she said. It was unclear how much the fine for violating the ordinance would cost, Ms. Burch said. "You don't have to pay for rights you already have," she said. For the record, the Harrisburg area is considered Baltimore Ravens territory, with Ravens games taking priority on local television if there is a conflict with the Steelers because it is only about 75 miles away. Paula Reed Ward can be reached at pward@post-gazette.com or Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details. First published on December 10, 2009 at 12:00 am

8 Is age taking its toll on the defense? 1 of 1 12/10/2009 9:46 AM Click here to submit your question SPORTS / STEELERS / STEELERS Q&A Is age taking its toll on the defense? Steelers Q&A with Ed Bouchette Thursday, December 10, 2009 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Q: Is there any validity to the idea that the Steelers are giving up late leads because of the age of the starters on defense? Chris Krafchek, Arlington, Va. BOUCHETTE: This seems to be a popular, simplistic, wrongheaded theory. But the most criticized area of this team is cornerback, and there is no starter there older than 29, including William Gay, 24. James Harrison, 31, is still playing in top form. Many point to James Farrior, 34, but I do not believe he's playing poorly, either. Lawrence Timmons is only 23 and in his first year as a starter, LaMarr Woodley only 25 and in his second. I think they do miss one old guy, defensive end Aaron Smith, 33. For more on the Steelers, read the new blog, Ed Bouchette on the Steelers at PG+. Ed Bouchette's blog on the Steelers and Gerry Dulac's Steelers chats are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details. First published on December 10, 2009 at 9:27 am

9 NFL Notebook: Eagles reward Reid with contract extension 1 of 2 12/10/2009 9:47 AM SPORTS / STEELERS NFL Notebook: Eagles reward Reid with contract extension Thursday, December 10, 2009 The Associated Press The usually stoic Andy Reid has plenty of reasons to be happy. Despite failing to win a Super Bowl in his first 10 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Reid got a three-year extension through "He has all the ingredients: leadership, football knowledge, the ability to gain the respect of everybody that he works with, especially the players, assembling the staff," owner Jeffrey Lurie said. Reid reportedly will earn between $5 and $6 million per season. "I love Philadelphia. The fans, there is nothing like them. They have just been unbelievable. They're fair. If we stink, they let us know we stink, if we're doing OK, they let us know we're doing OK, but they're always there. That support is phenomenal," Reid said. Reid is the winningest coach in team history, leading the Eagles to the playoffs seven times with five trips to the NFC title game and one Super Bowl appearance in 10 seasons. Since joining the team in 1999, Reid has won 115 games and compiled a.611 winning percentage, both best in Eagles history. More Eagles Back at practice for the first time since sustaining two concussions in a three-week span, Brian Westbrook said he wasn't completely healed the last time he returned to the Eagles. "That's what the doctor said, he said that although some of the symptoms were gone, I was not healed completely." Texans Houston running back Steve Slaton is done for the season after being placed on injured reserve because of a nerve issue in his neck. Slaton, who ran for 1,282 yards last season, has had a fumbling problem this year and the Texans recently revealed that the injury on his right side was more serious than they initially believed. Jets Coach Rex Ryan decided that Mark Sanchez will not play at Tampa Bay Sunday because of a sprained right knee, and Kellen Clemens will start in his place. "It's just a frustrating part of this game," Sanchez said. "I asked him if I could at least try to practice and he said, 'No way, we don't want to run any risk of further injury.' " Ryan said he consulted with team doctors and made the call to sit Sanchez, who's "mad as a hornet" at him. Cowboys The NFL has docked left tackle Flozell Adams $50,000 for shoving Giants defensive end Justin Tuck in the back. League spokesman Randall Liu said the fine was for unnecessary roughness, his fifth such infraction this season. Adams already has been fined $25,000 for incidents in three other games this season, including $12,500 stemming from Dallas' first meeting with New York in Week 2. Rams Safety Oshiomogho Atogwe, the second-leading tackler for St. Louis, was placed on injured reserve with a dislocated shoulder and will miss the rest of the season. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Ed Bouchette's blog on the Steelers and Gerry Dulac's Steelers chats are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details. First published on December 10, 2009 at 12:00 am

10 NFL Notebook: Eagles reward Reid with contract extension 2 of 2 12/10/2009 9:47 AM

11 Players standing up for coordinator LeBeau - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 1 of 2 12/10/2009 9:57 AM Players standing up for coordinator LeBeau By Mark Kaboly Daily News Sports Editor Thursday, December 10, 2009 If you are one of the many who have come to the conclusion that 72-year-old defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is the root of all the problems experienced by the once-dominant Steelers defense, veteran team captain James Farrior has a message for you. "Those are people who really don't know football, don't really know our defense...," he said. LeBeau has come under scrutiny lately after his once impenetrable defense has blown five fourth-quarter leads that led to losses. That criticism was ratcheted up this past week after his defense permitted an Oakland offense that had scored 10 touchdowns all season, to put up three in a matter of eight minutes last week, including the game-winner in the final seconds. "Last year, they were praising him as the best defensive coordinator ever," defensive tackle Chris Hoke said. "Now, we are not making the plays at the end of the game, and all of a sudden, coach LeBeau is losing a step. That is totally ridiculous. Coach LeBeau still is very much with it." Safety Troy Polamalu could be a big reason why LeBeau has come under scrutiny. The Steelers are 4-1 in games the All-Pro has started. Polamalu hasn't been on the field for any of the late-game collapses. Polamalu labels the blame being place on LeBeau, the oldest coach in the NFL, as fans just being fickle. "I always think about Presidents and policies," Polamalu said. "I always think there must be a lot more that he knows about the situation than I know. That is definitely the case here." LeBeau has enjoyed unparalleled success with the Steelers. In his seven years spread over two stints as the Steelers' defensive coordinator, his unit has finished in the top five in total defense six times, including the top spot three times. And he has basically done it with the same core group of people. Half of the 25 defensive players currently on the roster never have played under a different defensive coordinator than LeBeau. Only eight have played for a different coordinator while with the Steelers. That has made some, if not all, loyal to LeBeau. Some of his players wore a replica of LeBeau's No. 44 Detroit Lions jersey before a New Year's Day game in 2006 and again before the Hall of Fame Game two years ago in Canton, Ohio. "He is one of a kind," safety Tyrone Carter said. "He is one of the best defensive coordinators in the league. I don't think anybody can second guess what he has done. As players, we still believe in him. It is up to us to execute." The players feel it is as simple as making plays and executing what LeBeau calls to turn things around. "We are the ones out there who have to make plays," cornerback Ike Taylor said. "Regardless of what they want to say about coach LeBeau, it still comes down to the players on the field making plays." Despite the turmoil, the Steelers still are one of the top defenses in the league. They rank fifth in total defense, but that pales in comparison to the defense from a year ago, when they came within 4 rushing yards per game allowed of

12 Players standing up for coordinator LeBeau - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2 of 2 12/10/2009 9:57 AM being No. 1 across the board. There has been some changeover from that team. Polamalu has missed seven games, Pro Bowl defensive end Aaron Smith was lost for the year after Week 5 and cornerback Bryant McFadden signed with Arizona in the offseason. Still, the team has total confidence in LeBeau. "You don't do this as long as he has because you are not good at it," safety Ryan Clark said. "We need to play better. It's not his fault. It's not his fault at all." Polamalu added: "I don't think anybody knows the game as much as coach LeBeau. I don't know if anybody knows the game three-quarters as much as coach LeBeau." Mark Kaboly can be reached at mkaboly@dailynews .com or Images and text copyright 2009 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from Trib Total Media

13 Steelers CB Gay practices again, could play - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 1 of 2 12/10/2009 9:59 AM Steelers CB Gay practices again, could play By Scott Brown PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW Thursday, December 10, 2009 Cornerback William Gay practiced Wednesday for the second consecutive day, and he could play tonight in Cleveland, even though the Steelers listed him as questionable on their injury report. Even if Gay, who got knocked out of last Sunday's game with a concussion, suits up for the 8:20 p.m. game, he may not start. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that he may make changes to the lineup and that could translate into rookie cornerback Joe Burnett making his first career start. Burnett played in place of Gay when the latter got hurt last Sunday, and he dropped an interception on the Raiders' final drive. The missed opportunity loomed large in the Steelers' loss, but Burnett and rookie Keenan Lewis have shown Tomlin enough that both could get significant playing time at cornerback against the Browns. Burnett, a fifth-round draft pick out of Central Florida, watched a replay of his dropped interception the night of the Raiders' game, and he later talked about it with veteran free safety Ryan Clark. "I beat myself up all night for that," Burnett said. "I hold myself to higher expectations, and as a professional, you've got to be accountable, you've got to make that play. It was a missed opportunity, but as a corner, you have to have a short memory and move on and make the next play."» Hines Ward practiced on a limited basis yesterday, and the Steelers' wide receiver may play tonight against the Cleveland Browns. Strong safety Troy Polamalu (knee) has been ruled out. Ward is nursing a minor hamstring pull, and the Steelers listed him as questionable on their injury report. With Ward's availability in question, the Steelers promoted rookie wide receiver Tyler Grisham from the practice squad to their 53-man roster yesterday. The Steelers released quarterback Tyler Palko to make room on the roster for Grisham.» Steelers backup quarterback Charlie Batch practiced this week, and he likely will be in uniform tonight. Batch, who broke a bone in his left wrist Nov. 22, has been wearing a soft cast. He's listed as probable for the Browns' game, as is starting running back Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall was limited in practice Tuesday because of swelling in his ankle. The Steelers' leading rusher was a full participant in practice yesterday.» The Browns could be without several starters tonight, as they try to beat the Steelers in Cleveland for the first time since Linebacker Kamerion Wimbley (knee), cornerback Eric Wright (hamstring) guard Rex Hadnot (knee) and fullback Lawrence Vickers (hamstring) are listed as questionable. All four practiced on a limited basis yesterday. Wimbley leads the Browns in sacks with 6.5.» The Steelers are close to having a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers for the first time since Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger already has more than 3,000 yards passing, while Santonio Holmes (987 receiving yards) and Ward (922) are close to the 1,000-yard receiving mark. Mendenhall has 887 rushing yards. DIGITS 31 Browns' NFL rank (out of 32) in passing offense Passing yards the Browns average per game. QUOTABLE "We knew coming into the season we were going to get everybody's best shot.

14 Steelers CB Gay practices again, could play - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2 of 2 12/10/2009 9:59 AM We had to be prepared for it, and we know that we're going to get Cleveland's best game, and it would definitely make a brighter season over there if they could beat the Pittsburgh Steelers." Steelers inside linebacker James Farrior Scott Brown can be reached at sbrown@tribweb.com or Images and text copyright 2009 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from Trib Total Media

15 Bleier delivers holiday cheers to Canonsburg patient - Pittsburgh Tribune of 2 12/10/ :00 AM Bleier delivers holiday cheers to Canonsburg patient By Jeremy Boren PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW Thursday, December 10, 2009 One by one, legendary Steelers running back Rocky Bleier dropped his four Super Bowl rings Wednesday into the unsteady right hand of 89-year-old Peter Bobick. "I wear this one all the time," Belier told Bobick about his triple-diamond Super Bowl XIII ring. "Primarily because it's the largest and gaudiest of all four of them. It's got more diamonds and bling in it than the rest," he said with a laugh. Bleier visited Bobick at TownView Health & Rehabilitation Center in Canonsburg as part of Presents for Patients, a program started by St. Barnabas Charities in 1984 that will provide Christmas gifts and visits by volunteers to 27,012 nursing home patients living in 315 facilities in five states. The idea is to bring some holiday cheer to patients whose physical problems often are compounded by loneliness brought on by the loss of a spouse, relatives and lifelong friends. "A lot of these people don't get any visitors, and I think that's terrible," Bobick told Bleier, who spent 25 minutes chatting with Bobick, the former owner of Hearex, a company that provided medical equipment and testing. Bobick, an Air Force veteran of WWII and Korea, has had a difficult year. His wife, Betty, died in February. In June, he suffered a debilitating stroke that confined him to a wheelchair and weakened the right side of his body. His nurses and son, Bob, and daughter, Paula Sims, both of Eighty Four, said he needed some cheering up amid the grind of physical therapy. "Rehabilitation is the hardest thing he's had to do in his life," Bob Bobick said about his father. "This really made his day." Bobick didn't waste his visit with Belier on small talk. Wearing a black-and-gold Steelers ball cap, the lifelong Steelers fan had serious questions and some jokes to share. "Are you going to go for tryouts again?" Bobick jokingly asked Belier, 63, who retired from professional football at age 35. "I'm thinking about it. I think I could possibly get them to negotiate a contract where I could play one game and make more than when I was playing," Belier said, prompting laughs from a room full of nurses, patients and others eager to meet Bleier. "I wonder what's wrong (with the Steelers) now?" Bobick asked, noting the team's four consecutive losses and disappointing 6-6 season so far. Bleier said the biggest problem is the team's inability to "finish games" and prevent opponents from taking the lead in the final minutes. Kathy Brenneman, a spokeswoman for St. Barnabas Charities, said Bleier has volunteered to visit nursing home patients for five years. He's the "flashiest" visitor the foundation has arranged. The nonprofit is seeking volunteers to visit with patients and donate gifts such as oft-requested sweaters, candy and pajamas. Nursing home residents are given cards with space for three wishes. "For me it has fulfilled a niche, but more importantly, it's a chance to spread the word and get more people involved in Presents for Patients," Bleier said. Most gifts cost $5 to $25. To donate or volunteer next year, call (724) or visit Jeremy Boren can be reached at jboren@tribweb.com or

16 Bleier delivers holiday cheers to Canonsburg patient - Pittsburgh Tribune of 2 12/10/ :00 AM Images and text copyright 2009 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from Trib Total Media

17 Week 14: Steelers Key Matchup - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 1 of 1 12/10/ :01 AM Week 14: Steelers Key Matchup By The Tribune-Review Thursday, December 10, 2009 STEELERS' SECONDARY VS. CLEVELAND QB BRADY QUINN STEELERS SECONDARY The Steelers secondary is in shambles forcing Coach Mike Tomlin to ponder some massive changes. Cornerback Ike Taylor has been average and fellow corner William Gay has been downright bad. Ever since Troy Polamalu has been out of the lineup, the safeties have been poor, and that's including the usually steady Ryan Clark. Gay probably won't play because of a concussion, giving way to rookie Joe Burnett. Ryan Mundy might also see considerable action in favor or Tyrone Carter at safety while another rookie, Keenan Lewis, could also find himself on the field at times. The Steelers rank 17th defending the pass and that's the lowest a Dick LeBeau coached defense has been in his eight years coaching the Steelers' defense. BROWNS QB BRADY QUINN After being benched for five games during the middle of the season because of poor play, the former first-round pick out of Notre Dame has had an inconsistent return to the starting lineup. He had poor games against division foes Baltimore and Cincinnati, when he threw for 99 and 100 yards respectively, but put up better numbers in the other two games against Detroit and San Diego. He threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns against the Lions three weeks ago, and 271 and three scores against San Diego last week all while not throwing an interception. Quinn has been successful going deep during his second stint as the starter. He has completed four passes of 35 yards or more. ADVANTAGE STEELERS' SECONDARY The Steelers have been giving up long plays without Polamalu in the lineup. They are giving up nearly 220 yards passing per game and have had trouble with deep pass. They have allowed six passes for 30 yards or more during their four-game losing streak. They allowed seven all of last year. Look for the secondary to bounce back in a big way. With Tomlin threatening the secondary with changes, it should have the effect for which he is looking, but maybe not as much as Mother Nature. With heavy winds expected in Cleveland tonight, it could make the passing game irrelevant for both teams and that just might be fine with Tomlin and the Steelers for now. The Tribune-Review can be reached at or. Images and text copyright 2009 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from Trib Total Media

18 TimesOnline.com: Steelers' future watch 1 of 2 12/10/ :02 AM Thursday December 10, 2009 Steelers' future watch By: Mike Bires Beaver County Times Coach Mike Tomlin during the first half of the Steelers' pre-season game against the Arizona Cardinals at Heinz Field on Thursday, August 13, CLEVELAND -- Tonight, the Steelers will get a sneak peak into their future. If coach Mike Tomlin stays true to his word, youth will be served at Cleveland Browns Stadium. After Sunday s stunning defeat to the Oakland Raiders, Tomlin vowed to make some personnel changes. He s going to give his Kiddie Corps a chance to make plays that many of his veterans are failing to make. We re 6-6, so he has to do something, said 34-year-old inside linebacker James Farrior. I mean, you just can t let the same thing happen over and over again. I m not blaming one person and he s not blaming only one person. But even if you re a guy who s getting called out, it may not all be your fault, it may be a group effort, but changes have to made be made and (Tomlin) has to do what he has to do. The most obvious change could come at cornerback where William Gay has struggled mightily and is coming off a concussion. There is a good chance that rookie Joe Burnett will replace Gay in the starting lineup. It s hard to imagine Tomlin benching Ike Taylor, the other corner, even though Taylor did not play well against the Raiders. But Tomlin did say that rookie cornerback Keenan Lewis still get some reps. Lewis and Burnett, drafted in the third and fifth rounds of this year s draft, could be the starting corners in the not-too-distant future. That s why we re here, Lewis said. We re here to make plays. Burnett had a chance to make a play that would have given the Steelers a win Sunday. He didn t. Late in the fourth quarter, Burnett dropped a pass that was right in his hands. Had he made the pick, Burnett would have been the first Steelers cornerback to intercept a pass this season. Hopefully, I ll still be our first corner to get a pick, Burnett said. Maybe I ll get one in Cleveland. I m beating myself over that one I dropped the other day. I could have been the star of the game. But as a corner, you have to have a short memory. You have to move on to the next play. On the offensive side of the ball, there s a chance another rookie might start. Due to a hamstring pull, Hines Ward is questionable. If the venerable wide receiver doesn t play, Mike Wallace, another third-round pick, will start. That would also mean that seldom-used Limas Sweed, a second-round pick last year, will be the No. 3 wide receiver. I am ready to step in and play, said Sweed, whose brief career has been plagued by crucial drops that have kept him from earning more playing time. I ve been sitting back patiently, waiting for the opportunity however it might come. It looks like the opportunity has come and the door is open a little bit. I m confident in the younger guys, Ward said. I ve always told the younger guys we have a bunch of young guys capable of being a starter. You re just one (injury) away from becoming a starter, so be ready. With 30 catches for 519 yards and three touchdowns this season, Wallace has proven he s ready. Sweed may get another chance to prove himself tonight. Burnett and Lewis may get their first extended playing time. Maybe even rookie defensive end Ziggy Hood, last year s first-round pick, will see his playing time increase.

19 TimesOnline.com: Steelers' future watch 2 of 2 12/10/ :02 AM As Farrior said, something has to be done to end this four-game losing streak. I m ready, Lewis said. The coaches told me and (Burnett) that we may be in there. They told to us to play fast and at a high level. When our number is called, we have to be ready to go. That goes for all the young Steelers.

20 TimesOnline.com: Game 13: Key matchups 1 of 1 12/10/ :04 AM Wednesday December 9, 2009 Game 13: Key matchups By: Mike Bires Beaver County Times Miller vs. Elam In the last two weeks, Steelers tight end Heath Miller has vanished at least when it comes to catching the ball. In a Nov. 22 loss at Kansas City, Miller caught seven passes for 95 yards and a TD. That was also the game in which he dropped a pass that was then intercepted, a turning point in the Steelers eventually losing in overtime. In the last two weeks, Miller had one catch (2 yards) in a loss at Baltimore and one catch (27 yards) in a loss to Oakland. Tonight, however, Miller could be a focal point of the offense. Last week in a win in Cleveland, San Diego TE Antonio Gates caught eight passes for a career-high 167 yards. Very often, the man who unsuccessfully tried to defend Gates was Browns SS Abram Elam. Defense vs. Quinn Tonight should be Redemption Thursday for the Steelers beleaguered defense. Yes, Cleveland has played better in recent weeks with Brady Quinn starting at QB. And yes, Quinn has thrown 126 consecutive passes without an INT. That s the second-longest current streak in the NFL (Washington s Todd Collins has thrown 222 straight balls without a pick). Still, Quinn, the former Notre Dame star taken by the Browns in the first round of the 2007 draft, is 1-9 as a starter. He s leading a team that s 1-11 and hasn t started the same 11 on offense in any game this season. Last week, the Steelers allowed Oakland QB Bruce Gradkowski to light them up for 308 yards and three TDs. Going into that game, Gradkowski was 4-10 as a starter, including 0-2 against the Steelers. If Quinn rips the Steelers to shreds like Gradkowski did, Tomlin should make every member of his defense walk the 120 miles home from Cleveland. Kickoff coverage vs. Cribbs Steelers special teams coach Bob Ligashesky has been able to breathe a sigh of relief the past two weeks. His unit has now gone consecutive games without allowing a TD on a kickoff return. That qualifies as a dramatic improvement from the previous five weeks when four returns specialists took one to the house against the Steelers. The first to do it was Cleveland s Joshua Cribbs, who returned a kickoff 98 yards on Oct. 18 when the Steelers beat the Browns at Heinz Field. Cribbs third such return against the Steelers tied an NFL record for most kickoff return TDs against a single opponent. A fifth-year pro who also starts at wide receiver, Cribbs has scored seven TDs on kick returns in his career (six kickoffs, one punt return). One reason the Steelers have fared better covering kickoffs the last two games is because starting LB James Harrison has covered a few kicks. Also, the Steelers brought back former kick coverage ace Anthony Madison last week and he responded by making two special teams tackles against the Raiders.

21 TimesOnline.com: Game 13: Insider 1 of 1 12/10/ :04 AM Wednesday December 9, 2009 Game 13: Insider By: Mike Bires Beaver County Times ON THE AIR TV KDKA (Ch. 2) RADIO WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970), WBVP-AM (1230), WMBA-AM (1460) SERIES HISTORY The Turnpike Rivalry isn t what it used to be. Still, it is the longest running series among all AFC teams. Tonight s game marks the 116th time the Steelers and Browns will play. The Steelers lead the all-time series by virtue of having beaten the Browns in 12 straight games. In games played in Cleveland, the Steelers are but they have won eight straight on the Lake Erie shore and are 9-1 at Cleveland Browns Stadium since it opened in On Oct. 18 of this season, the Steelers beat the Browns, THE STORYLINE After losing in Baltimore two weeks ago, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin vowed to unleash hell in December. Well, that didn t happen this past Sunday as the Steelers lost to Oakland. After the stunning loss to the Raiders, Tomlin said he would make personnel changes in an attempt to end the Steelers four-game losing streak. Regardless of who Tomlin puts on the field, the Steelers (6-6) need a win. If the reigning Super Bowl champs hope to make the playoffs as a wild card, they will have to win out. INJURY REPORT STEELERS SS Troy Polamalu (sprained knee) will miss his fourth straight game and eighth overall this season. Polamalu missed four games earlier in the year. Tyrone Carter will start. WR Hines Ward (hamstring pull) is listed as questionable. If Ward can t play, second-year pro Mike Wallace will make his first career start. Gay (concussion) is questionable. Reserve QB Charlie Batch out since breaking his wrist in a Nov. 22 loss in Kansas City will be the No. 3 QB behind Roethlisberger and Dennis Dixon. BROWNS Out: DE Kenyon Coleman (knee). Questionable: G Rex Hadnot (knee), RB Lawrence Vickers (hamstring), LB Kamerion Wimbley (knee), CB Eric Wright (hamstring). Probable: S Mike Adams (finger), LB David Bowens (knee), LB Blake Costanzo (shoulder), TE Michael Gaines (shoulder), RB Jerome Harrison (illness), RB Chris Jennings (shoulder), WR Brian Robiskie (toe), TE Robert Royal (finger), DE Robaire Smith (shoulder). QUOTING THEM Slimmer than a dog on a diet. Ike Taylor CB on the Steelers chances of making the playoffs THE LINE Steelers by 10 points THE PREDICTION Steelers 27, Browns 10

22 Win will solve many problems 1 of 1 12/10/ :06 AM Win will solve many problems 12/10/2009 3:33 AM CLEVELAND - Two teams searching desperately for a victory meet tonight at Cleveland Stadium. But the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns are looking for that victory for entirely different reasons. For the Steelers (6-6), they need a victory to end their four-game losing streak and stay alive in the AFC playoff race. "There's a light at the end of the tunnel," said Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. "It's a long tunnel and a small light. It's still flickering down there." The Browns (1-11), meanwhile, want something, anything, to build upon in what has been one of the franchise's most frustrating seasons since rejoining the NFL in "What I'm looking for is it to be consistent. Defensively, there's been some points where it's been the same," said Cleveland head coach Eric Mangini. "What I'm looking for is us to play a complimentary game, where all three phases play well, which we haven't been able to do." Neither have the Steelers in recent games. Whether it has been a red zone turnover, giving up a kick return for a touchdown or making a defensive lapse, the Steelers have found ways to squander a 6-2 first half into an 0-4 start to the second half of the season. That has put the defending Super Bowl champions in danger of missing the playoffs. Despite a short week of preparation to play the Browns, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he might have some lineup changes in store after watching Pittsburgh give up the lead three times in the fourth quarter Sunday in a loss to Oakland. Some changes are obvious. Both wide receiver Hines Ward and cornerback William Gay are out after suffering injuries against the Raiders. Ward strained a hamstring and Gay suffered a concussion. Rookie Mike Walllace and second-year man Limas Sweed will share time in Ward's spot, while rookies Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis will replace Gay. As for other changes, Tomlin isn't announcing anything. That leaves Mangini and the Browns guessing about what they'll see from the Steelers. "It's hard to say," Mangini said. "You look at the depth of each position, you study each player and you try to anticipate the differences." For the Steelers, a game against the Browns, who are last in the NFL in both yards gained and allowed, might be just what they need. Pittsburgh has won 12 straight over Cleveland, 18 of 19 and 19 of 22 since the Browns' return to the NFL. The Steelers haven't lost in Cleveland since "Every game we've got to see as a playoff game," said Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton. "That's the mentality we've got to take because we've got no room for error." Odds and end zones With Ward out, the Steelers promoted rookie wide receiver Tyler Grisham from the practice squad. Quarterback Tyler Palko was released.... Charlie Batch, who returned to practice this week after suffering a fractured left wrist three weeks ago, will be the third quarterback behind Roethlibserger and Dennis Dixon.... Browns defensive end Kenyon Coleman is out with a knee injury. Coleman started Cleveland's first 11 games.... Snow is in the forecast with temperatures in the 20s. Copyright Observer Publishing Co.

23 1 of 1 12/10/ :09 AM Cleveland may be tonic Pittsburgh needs By: JIM WEXELL Herald Standard PITTSBURGH - The Cleveland Browns might be 1-11, but in their minds they're playing the Super Bowl tonight against the 6-6 Steelers. "For our fans, it would mean the season for us," said the Browns' star kick returner Josh Cribbs. "They would be like, 'OK, we forgive you.'" Pittsburgh fans would also call it a season should their skidding Steelers lose tonight in Cleveland. The Steelers may have beaten the Browns 12 straight times, but a four-game losing streak has turned tonight's game into a sudden elimination proposition for the visitors. "We have no room for error right now," said nose tackle Casey Hampton. Are the Browns the perfect tonic? "Anybody's the perfect tonic," Hampton said. "It's just the point of getting a victory and getting out of this slump, no matter who we play. We've just got to find a way to win." The Browns have lost six games since losing to the Steelers, 27-14, on Oct. 18, and they've also lost the guts of their defense: Nose tackle Shaun Rogers, inside linebackers D'Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton, and safety Brodney Pool have all been place on injured reserve. The Browns also expect to be without defensive end Kenyon Coleman. His replacement, C.J. Mosley, went on IR this week. The Browns have also lost a bit on offense, with running back Jamal Lewis on IR, but a change at quarterback has put a spark into the team. Brady Quinn replaced Derek Anderson at quarterback four games ago. Quinn sputtered in his first start, but in his last three games he's led the Browns to 67 points after the team had scored only 78 in its first nine games. In his last three games - against Detroit, Cincinnati and San Diego - Quinn has thrown seven touchdown passes without an interception for a passer rating of Last week against the Chargers, Quinn directed the Browns to 16 fourth-quarter points with two touchdown passes and a field goal. It's a foreboding sign for the Steelers, who earlier that day allowed 21 fourth-quarter points in losing to the Oakland Raiders, The Steelers have allowed 45 percent of their opponents' point total in the fourth quarter and overtime this season. "We're giving up too many big plays," Hampton said. "We ain't focusing in and doing our job as a whole. That's the bottom line." Against the Raiders, the Steelers allowed quarterback Bruce Gradkowski to complete fourth-quarter passes of 75 (TD), 19, 23, and 11 (TD) yards to rookie receiver Louis Murphy alone. Coach Mike Tomlin promised to consider changes after the game, and much of the media attention has been on cornerbacks William Gay - who left late in the fourth quarter with a concussion - and Ike Taylor, who was responsible for Murphy. Gay and Taylor resumed their first-team status this week at practice, but Tomlin also gave first-team reps to rookies Keenan Lewis and Joe Burnett. Lewis was a third-round pick who's similar in stature to the physical Taylor. Burnett was a fifth-round pick who finished his prep career with the second-most interceptions (31) in Florida history. As a four-year starter at Central Florida, Burnett intercepted 16 passes to rank third all-time in Conference-USA. Even with all of his apparent ball skills, Burnett dropped an interception that hit him in the chest Sunday and would've stopped the Raiders' final drive. "If they throw 100 to me, I'll catch 99 because I missed one already," said Burnett. "I think of myself as having great ball skills. That never happened to me before. Unbelievable. I was shocked about it, and just blessed to have the opportunity to go out there and do it again." Only the cornerbacks of the Steelers and St. Louis Rams have yet to intercept a pass this season. The Steelers' unofficial team record for fewest interceptions by their cornerbacks in a season is two in 1955, 1956 and The Steelers' secondary will again miss safety Troy Polamalu, but the Browns' receiving corps is even less threatening than that of the Raiders. The Browns' starting wide receivers are Cribbs (18 catches, 6.8 yards per catch) and rookie Mohamed Massaquoi (28, 18.2). Running back Jerome Harrison was the leading receiver last week with seven catches for 62 yards and two touchdowns, just ahead of tight end Evan Moore, who caught six passes for 80 yards after being called up from the practice squad before the game. It's certainly not an imposing group, but Quinn hasn't thrown an interception in 126 passes, and when forced to pass in the fourth quarter on Sunday he directed the Browns to three scoring drives. Anyone in Pittsburgh panicking yet? "I'm not panicking," Hampton said. "No one else in this locker room is panicking. We know what we're capable of doing. We're just not finishing." One more loss and they can consider themselves finished. December 10, 2009

24 Meaningless? There's plenty of heat on both Cleveland Browns and Pittsb of 2 12/10/ :12 AM Meaningless? There's plenty of heat on both Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers for Thursday night matchup By Tony Grossi December 09, 2009, 6:14PM John Kuntz/The Plain Dealer While most Browns say they understand a victory over slumping Pittsburgh on Thursday night would remove a lot of the fans' frustration from a 1-11 season, is a win needed for Eric Mangini to get a second season with the franchise? "Beating Pittsburgh, I wouldn t say necessarily saves anybody s job," said linebacker David Bowens, "but it would show the potential we can have as a team under certain situations, with injuries. Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, 8:20 p.m., Cleveland Browns Stadium. TV: NFL Network, WKYC Ch. 3 CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns' short work week for Thursday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers began with coach Eric Mangini saying, "I've been looking forward to this for a while." He wasn't talking about avenging the Steelers' win in Pittsburgh in Game 6. Mangini meant that after he got the job as Browns coach and the 2009 schedule was released, this game -- a prime-time NFL Network event at home against the Steelers -- stood out. "I remember the Pittsburgh games back when I was here the first time [1994], and playing them and that feeling," Mangini explained. "To be able to do that at Browns Stadium, it's something you look forward to." What Mangini couldn't have realized at the time, however, was the extra significance this game would take on. Not in his worst nightmare could he have imagined the Browns would be Neither could he have expected the Steelers' playoff hopes to be hanging by a thread. Thus, the stakes for this game are higher than any Browns-Steelers games of recent vintage, except for the 2002 season playoff game. A loss for the Browns could seal Mangini's fate as a "one-and-done" Browns coach. A win for the Browns would virtually knock the defending NFL champions off their throne. Let's break it down. Despite owner Randy Lerner's periodic statements that he plans to bring back Mangini, the fact is he has to leave that decision to his next head of football operations. And that search should intensify now that Lerner has added high-profile lawyer Fred Nance to his organization. Nance likely will serve as a point man to navigate the murky NFL waters during the search process. It doesn't mean he will select the next "football czar," but he can provide the savvy needed to attract the best available candidate. Mangini's fate, it would seem, hinges on how the team performs in the remaining four games, starting Thursday. "For our fans, [beating Pittsburgh] would be the season for us," said receiver and return specialist Josh Cribbs. "They would [say], 'OK, we forgive you.' Seriously. I've been to Browns Backers banquets and [they say], 'You just beat Pittsburgh and I'm good for the rest of the year.' That would truly put a pep in their step going into next season." Left tackle Joe Thomas agreed... kind of. "It would be huge," he said. "Obviously, we're not playing for the playoffs. It's a huge rivalry for us, our biggest rivalry and a team we haven't beaten for a long time and I think it would mean a lot to the team and mean a lot to the city. "People in the city say it all the time. 'Just beat Pittsburgh, that's all we care about.'" Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press A four-game losing streak has put the Steelers' playoff future on the line in Cleveland. We re in desperate need of a win, said coach Mike Tomlin. Tony Grossi's four things to watch and Plain Dealer staff picks Video preview: Tony & Mary Kay talk Browns-Steelers Bill Livingston: When will Browns find a leader like the Steelers Bud Shaw: Can Brady be like Tim Couch?

25 Meaningless? There's plenty of heat on both Cleveland Browns and Pittsb of 2 12/10/ :12 AM If you follow that sentiment, beating Pittsburgh would make the season for fans. But would it save Mangini's job? Not even linebacker David Bowens, a defensive captain and ardent supporter of Mangini, would crawl out on that limb. "I'm not sure," Bowens said. "We've been dealt a bad hand. We lost a little bit early. Now, this part of the season, our adversity is the injuries. We have a bunch of new faces. Guys that we depended on aren't there. So what we're doing is making the best of what we've got. In the spotlight: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger Browns to be shorthanded defensively again Browns have lost 12 straight, 18 of last 19 against Steelers Tonight's game could be coldest ever of rivalry "The way we finished Sunday (in a loss to San Diego) shows the kind of character we have, given the hand we're dealt. Beating Pittsburgh, I wouldn't say necessarily saves anybody's job, but it would show the potential we can have as a team under certain situations, with injuries." More certain is what a Browns win would mean to the Steelers, who come in with a four-game losing streak. They would fall to 6-7 with games left against Green Bay, Baltimore and Miami. A loss would force the Steelers to win their final three games and sweat out tie-breaker scenarios with Denver (8-4), Jacksonville (7-5), Miami (6-6), the Jets (6-6) and Baltimore (6-6). Presently, Pittsburgh's 4-5 record in AFC games is the worst among the wild-card contenders. "We're in desperate need of a win," Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said this week. "It's not like we can lose any games, actually, and expect to make it any further," said Steelers linebacker James Harrison. The Browns haven't defeated Pittsbugh since 2003, hurtling the Steelers to a 6-10 final record. They've won the Super Bowl twice over the 5 1/2 years since the last Browns win. Injury update: The Browns ruled out defensive end Kenyon Coleman (knee) for Pittsburgh. Also out is Coleman's replacement, C.J. Mosley, who was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week with a broken ankle. That means the Browns likely would start the Pittsburgh game with a front three of Robaire Smith at left end, Ahtyba Rubin at nose tackle and Corey Williams at right end. The only other available linemen are Brian Schaefering, who was activated from the practice squad last week, and Derreck Robinson, who was signed this week and hasn't played since the 2007 season with Miami. The Browns' injury report players long -- included four questionables: guard Rex Hadnot (knee), fullback Lawrence Vickers (hamstring), linebacker Kamerion Wimbley (knee) and cornerback Eric Wright (hamstring). The team lists nine players as probable, including five who were downgraded on Thursday: running back Jerome Harrison (illness), special teamer/linebacker Blake Costanzo (shoulder), running back Chris Jennings (shoulder), receiver Brian Robiskie (toe) and defensive end Smith (shoulder). The Steelers ruled out safety Troy Polamalu (knee) and listed receiver Hines Ward (hamstring) and cornerback William Gay (head) as questionable. The Steelers list two players as probable cleveland.com. All rights reserved.

26 Steelers get the best of the MAC quarterback crop - Canton, OH - Canton... Back Home Share: ShareThis Print Comment Steelers get the best of the MAC quarterback crop By Steve Doerschuk CantonRep.com staff writer Posted Dec 09, 10:55 PM CLEVELAND If the Browns had a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers for every Mid-American Conference quarterback they have trotted through Berea, Romeo Crennel still might have a headset. In 2005, they drafted Charlie Frye (Akron) and signed undrafted rookie Joshua Cribbs (Kent State). In 2006, they acquired Josh Harris (Bowling Green). In 2008, they brought in Bruce Gradkowski (Toledo). Instead, Crennel sealed his doom by going 0-8 against Pittsburgh. Heading into tonight s home game against the Steelers (6-6), Cleveland is 1-18 against Pittsburgh since To put that in perspective, the Browns (1-11) have been worse against Pittsburgh the last 10 years than their 1-17 stretch against the entire league since late Blame the failure against Pittsburgh on Ben Roethlisberger, the MAC quarterback who got away. The former Miami RedHawk is 10-0 against Cleveland and has turned his Western Ohio hometown of Findlay into little Pennsylvania. The city s WFIN-AM airs every Steelers game. Browns Head Coach Eric Mangini calls the two-time Super Bowl winner unique. How so? Great arm strength... tremendous overall strength... avoids rushers to his right, to his left... throws really accurate passes on the move... senses the rushers even when he doesn t see them, Mangini said. Mangini is 0-1 against Roethlisberger, and it was a Big Ben beatdown. On. Oct. 18, Roethlisberger threw for 417 yards in a win, the secondbiggest passing day of his pro career. In 2003, 417 yards was a typical day during Roethlisberger s senior year at Miami. But not every day was perfect, as a few current Browns can attest. Linebacker Matt Roth helped Iowa beat Miami, 21-3, by sacking Roethlisberger twice. We gave him his only loss for a year and a half, Roth said. He s a big guy, man... just huge... like a tight end playing quarterback. If you let him run around and throw that ball, he s gonna kill you. You ve got to wrap him up. It usually takes two or there guys to get him down. Cribbs was a college quarterback who plays just about everything but QB for the Browns. As a 2001 freshman, Cribbs rushed for 151 yards to help Kent State end Roethlisberger s sophomore year with a loss. In 2003, Cribbs passed for 349 yards, and had Roethlisberger on the ropes before Miami rallied to win. I like the 2001 game better, Cribbs said. We won. Our coach, Dean Pees, put that score in a frame. We were down by something like 18 and came back. Steelers linebacker James Harrison, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was a Kent State senior when Cribbs outdueled Roethlisberger. We knew Cribbs had been a great high school player, Harrison said. He came in and did well for us. Harrison didn t mention the fact he sacked Roethlisberger four times in Dix Stadium that day. At Browns Stadium eight years later, Harrison will be taking aim at Brady Quinn, who will face Pittsburgh for the first time. Who knows how Roethlisberger would have fared had the Browns drafted him instead of Kellen Winslow Jr. in As it was, he landed on an established Steelers team and won his first 15 starts as a rookie, including one in the playoffs. Quinn landed in Cleveland in He is 1-9 as a starter. Copyright 2009 GateHouse Media, Inc. Some Rights Reserved. Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. 1 of 1 12/10/ :14 AM

27 Ohio.com - Browns hope to dash Steelers' playoff hopes 1 of 2 12/10/ :15 AM Powered by SAVE THIS THIS Close Browns hope to dash Steelers' playoff hopes By Marla Ridenour Beacon Journal staff writer POSTED: 07:34 p.m. EST, Dec 09, 2009 BEREA: Browns rookie center Alex Mack was well aware that Cleveland Browns Stadium could be filled with Pittsburgh Steelers fans tonight. But when it was suggested that thousands of Terrible Towels might be waving at the 8:20 p.m. kickoff, Mack merely grunted at the thought. No matter how many home fans attend, this season's second installment of the supposed archrivalry has turned into the Browns' version of the Super Bowl. The Browns (1-11), last in the league in offense and defense, are reduced to finding solace in a 16-point fourth quarter in Sunday's loss to the San Diego Chargers. The Steelers (6-6) have lost four consecutive games by a total of 15 points and are fighting for their playoff lives, especially with more challenging games against the Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins to close out the season. The Browns have lost 12 in a row to the Steelers, 18 of the past 19, and eight consecutive games at home. The Browns' lone victory among those 19 was a triumph in Pittsburgh in 2003, when the Steelers finished 6-10 and had their previous long losing streak of five consecutive games. The Browns' last home victory came on Sept. 13, 2000, a decision highlighted by injury-plagued defensive end Courtney Brown's three sacks of Steelers quarterback Kent Graham and a 316-yard passing day by Tim Couch. Since then, the Browns have had six other starting quarterbacks, not counting the Ken Dorseys of the world. All that could be forgotten, at least for a few days, by dealing the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers a major blow to their postseason hopes. ''We're not purposely trying to [knock] them out of the playoffs, but if winning does that, so be it,'' Browns receiver/returner Joshua Cribbs said. ''I've met fans who said, 'If you can just beat the Steelers that will make our year, no matter what your record is.' ''I feel like it's the only way we can show our fans we hate losing as much as y'all hate losing. You'd hate to see us look like we're quitting.'' Browns left tackle Joe Thomas believes he was a freshman at Wisconsin the last time the Browns defeated the Steelers. ''It's been forever,'' Thomas said. ''It would be huge. Obviously we're not playing for the playoffs. It's a huge rivalry for us, it's our biggest rivalry, it's a team we haven't beat in a long time. It would mean a lot to this team, and it would mean a lot to this city, really. ''People in the city say it all the time, 'Just beat Pittsburgh, that's all we care about.' '' Asked if he believed them, Thomas said, ''Sometimes I do, yeah.'' Browns coach Eric Mangini cares more about a victory for his struggling team than what it would do to the Steelers. But he isn't sure the Steelers' losing streak means they're fading fast. ''I know they've gone through a stretch where it hasn't gone the way they've expected,'' Mangini said. ''But understanding what it's like coming off a Super Bowl and the challenges you face, difficulty makes you more resolved to get it fixed. I'm sure that's what they're experiencing right now. I'm sure we'll get their best.'' That's the focus of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, not what this game means to the Browns and their fans. ''I hadn't pondered that perspective, I'm more concerned about our perspective,'' Tomlin said. ''We're in desperate need of a win. I've spent my time wondering about what we need to do to assure we play at our best.'' Tomlin might have accidentally inspired the Oakland Raiders, who defeated the Steelers Sunday with drives of 84 and 88 yards in the fourth quarter. After a overtime loss to the Ravens in Baltimore on Nov. 29, Tomlin vowed the Steelers would ''unleash hell in December,'' and the Raiders said they used that as motivation. Tomlin doesn't regret the statement at all. ''We have to,'' Tomlin said. ''It's what's required if we want to get in the tournament. I was just stating the obvious.'' That comment could provide more ammunition for Mangini, who said he has been looking forward to facing the Steelers at home for a long time. ''One thing you understand is the consistent rivalry,'' Mangini said. ''I know we haven't been on the plus side of that rivalry, but it doesn't change the emotion that goes into the game.'' He thought back to 1994, when he broke into the NFL as a Browns ball boy and public relations intern and the Steelers won three times, including a playoff game. ''It was a great atmosphere... even during the course of the week,'' Mangini said. ''You feel it. It may not be something that's spoken about, but it's just understood. It's different.'' That was after free agency began and players started to change teams more frequently. But Mangini doesn't believe that has diluted the rivalry. ''The faces may change, but the spirit stays the same,'' he said. Injury report Defensive end Kenyon Coleman (knee) was declared out for the Browns, and linebacker Kamerion Wimbley (knee), cornerback Eric Wright (hamstring), fullback Lawrence Vickers (hamstring) and guard Rex Hadnot (knee) are questionable. Safety Troy Polamalu (knee) is out for the Steelers, and receiver Hines Ward (hamstring) and cornerback William Gay (concussion) are questionable. Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at Follow the Browns on Twitter at /ABJ_Browns. 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28 Ohio.com - Browns hope to dash Steelers' playoff hopes 2 of 2 12/10/ :15 AM Copyright 2008 Ohio.com

29 Tony Grossi's Four Things to watch in tonight's Browns-Steelers game; PD of 1 12/10/ :16 AM Tony Grossi's Four Things to watch in tonight's Browns-Steelers game; PD staff predicts outcome By Tony Grossi December 10, 2009, 6:00AM 1. Just wing it, baby The way to beat the Steelers defense is by keeping it on its heels and attacking it through the air. The Browns shouldn't even think about running the ball except for an occasional change-up. They should spread out the Pittsburgh defense with multiple receiver formations -- every down. Now, watch them begin the game in that plodding formation with two tight ends, two backs, Hank Fraley as tackle-eligible, and a partridge in a pear tree. 2. Force them to kick to Cribbs Joshua Cribbs' 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in Game 4 started a stretch of four scoring returns in five games allowed by the Steelers. They are so vulnerable on coverage that they might show the ultimate disrespect to the Browns' offense by willfully angling their kickoffs out of bounds. If that happens, the Browns must maximize their field position and score. Same thing if the Steelers "pooch" the ball short to avoid Cribbs. Then the Steelers probably would change their mind and try to defend Cribbs conventionally. 3. Knocking down Big Ben Ben Roethlisberger's 10-0 record against the Browns has been forged by numerous big plays while being chased and eluding the grasp of would-be sackers. I've always said the Browns won't defeat him until Kamerion Wimbley goes the distance and finally fells Roethlisberger with the game on the line. Wimbley missed the first meeting in Pittsburgh because of flu symptoms. 4. Roll call At the rate they're advancing, the next Browns coach to beat the Steelers might be one of the team's current ball boys. Here's the roll call since 1999: Chris Palmer, 2-2. Butch Davis, 1-8. Romeo Crennel, 0-8. Eric Mangini, 0-1. PLAIN DEALER STAFF PICKS Mary Kay Cabot Record: 12-0 Steelers 27, Browns 20 View full size Joshua Gunter / PD The Browns need to figure out a way tonight to counter the Steelers' efforts to avoid Joshua Cribbs on kickoff and punt returns. Comment: Hell hath been unleashed. Bill Livingston Record: 11-1 Steelers 35, Browns 14 Comment: Wile E. Coyote won more often against the roadrunner. Tony Grossi Record: 10-2 Steelers 21, Browns 13 Comment: Browns' worst fear: Steelers fullback Carey Davis catching a pass in the left flat. They can't defend it. Bud Shaw Record: 9-3 Steelers 20, Browns 13 Comment: Browns caught looking ahead to Kansas City cleveland.com. All rights reserved.

30 For decades, the Steelers haven't lacked for a leader; when will the Brown of 1 12/10/ :16 AM For decades, the Steelers haven't lacked for a leader; when will the Browns find one? Bill Livingston By Bill Livingston, The Plain Dealer December 10, 2009, 1:28AM CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The face of the Pittsburgh Steelers, once they got over decades of early inconsequence, wore a defender's scowl. "Jack Lambert," said the Browns' former tackle Doug Dieken, when asked to identify the Steeler who symbolized the Pittsburgh side of the rivalry during Dieken's playing days. In this case, the face of the rivalry had unusually bad dentition and a worse attitude. "If things were going bad for them, he would be the one to start pitching a fit and stirring up the hornets nest," Dieken said of the linebacker from Kent State. The "Steel Curtain" defense that Lambert led in the 1970s gave the team its identity. Many fans think of Terry Bradshaw as the face of those Steelers. They cannot forget how Joe "Turkey" Jones defaced the face by driving Bradshaw headfirst into the worn turf at old Cleveland Municipal Stadium. But the symbolic leader of the Steelers could not be a skill position player. It could not even be Lynn Swann with that crushed velvet name and elegant style in the air or Franco Harris pounding off tackle. The face of the Browns, before they became inconsequential in the playoff picture, was usually a quarterback. A guy who succeeded on guile and finesse. It was Brian Sipe in 1980 with the Kardiac Kids, when he was the NFL's Most Valuable Player. That year, the Browns, for the second time -- the first resulted from the Turkey Jones hit -- helped break up a Steelers run at a three-peat by winning the division title. Later in the 1980s, the face of the Browns was Bernie Kosar, going deep on the first play from scrimmage, attacking relentlessly as he broke the Three Rivers Stadium jinx, starting a brief, giddy period of Cleveland supremacy. The old rivals will be on view Thursday night, when the embattled Steelers play the never-answered-the-bugle-call Browns on the lakefront. Many fans might say quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is the face of the Steelers now because defenses can't dominate in the NFL the way they used to. But the results say the face of the team is safety Troy Polamalu, the wrecking ball of the defense, whose absence due to a knee injury has led to four straight defeats. The Browns really have no identity, although two out of three weeks of relative offensive competence leads fans to make the case for quarterback Brady Quinn. If he seems a faint facsimile of Sipe and Kosar, well, you work with what you have. The Steelers might be in a tailspin, but the Browns have been in a nosedive for most of their 11 seasons as a restored franchise. Thursday, they are left with the traditional spoiler's role of trying to knock the Steelers out of the playoffs. Often, particularly since the return of the Browns as an expansion team, the Steelers have simply been the better team. Remember Pittsburgh's 43-0 "welcome back" whitewash? But in other memorable games, they were also the luckier team. This generation's fans remember Dennis Northcutt's drop of Kelly Holcomb's game-clinching, third-down pass in the playoffs. Dieken remembers the Browns recovering Larry Alexander's fumble on the overtime kickoff in 1978 at Three Rivers Stadium, except referee Fred Wyant overruled it, saying the ground had caused the fumble. The Steelers then scored on the ensuing drive. David I. Anderson / The Plain Dealer Fans have to go back 20 years to Bernie Kosar to find a Brown who frequently found success against the Steelers. Until someone steps up on either offense or defense to do the same, the franchise figures to have a hard time finding solid ground in the AFC North, says Bill Livingston. "It's not the rule if a guy trips over his own man, and that's what happened," Dieken said. The NFL did not let Wyant do another Browns game until Quickly, Dieken got a holding penalty that day and complained. "One more word out of you and I'll flag you for unsportsmanlike conduct," Wyant said. "Oh, I see you remember that game," said Dieken. Dieken has a long memory. The current Browns, however, have forgotten how to win cleveland.com. All rights reserved.

31 Call at End of Half Points Out Contradiction in N.F.L. Rule - NYTimes.com 1 of 2 12/10/ :19 AM This copy is for your personal, noncommercial use only. You can order presentation-ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers here or use the "Reprints" tool that appears next to any article. Visit for samples and additional information. Order a reprint of this article now. December 8, 2009 Adams s Shove of Giants Tuck Is a Rules Conundrum By JOE LAPOINTE Cowboys tackle Flozell Adams may be disciplined by the N.F.L. for shoving Giants defensive end Justin Tuck in the back and starting an altercation between the two teams Sunday. At the very least, Adams s deed could prompt a change or a clarification in a league rule about how penalties are assessed after time has expired in a half. Or, perhaps, the league could simply enforce a different provision of the rule that is already in the book. There is no place in our game for the act that he took, Giants Coach Tom Coughlin said Monday of the incident at the beginning of halftime in the Giants victory. After the Cowboys missed a field-goal attempt at the end of the second quarter, Adams pushed Tuck from behind and was penalized for a personal foul. Officials announced that the penalty was declined by the Giants. The league said Monday that this was in accordance with Rule 4, Section 8, Article 2, Paragraph (c). It stipulates: If there is a foul by the offense, there shall be no extension of the period if the foul takes place on the last play of a half as time expires. But another section of the rule, Paragraph (d), says a personal foul after the first half shall be enforced on the ensuing kickoff. But an N.F.L. spokesman said Monday night that this part of the rule would be enforced only when the foul occurred later and was not in the continuing action after the end of a down, as Adams s deed was apparently ruled to be. There was no option given to us, Coughlin said. To say the penalty was declined, that gives the wrong impression. The ruling at least as interpreted by the N.F.L. exposed a loophole in the letter of the law as opposed to its spirit. If a defensive team fouled on such a play were to accept a penalty, that would mean walking off yardage and replaying the down. This would give the offending team (in this case, Dallas) another chance to score by virtue of having broken a rule. That is why assessing a penalty on the second-half kickoff would seem to comply not only with common sense but also with a different portion of the rule. From what I understand, that is the only direction you can go in, Coughlin said. That particular aspect of the rule has to be addressed. Coughlin said he discussed the matter with Mike Pereira, the league s director of officiating. He had already reviewed it, he had already had a meeting with his staff, Coughlin said. Mike will be sure that the Competition Committee has it as one of the things that will be reviewed. Discipline of Adams is a different matter, and Coughlin would not say if he thought Adams should be suspended. That is not for me to decide, he said. The N.F.L. refused to comment on pending action, but released three previously reported instances this season in which Adams was fined. The first was in Week 1 against Tampa Bay, $5,000 for unnecessary roughness for striking an opponent on the head. The second was in Week 2 against the Giants, $12,500 for two kicking fouls, one of them against Tuck that left Tuck with a shoulder injury. The third was in Week 3 against Carolina, $7,500 for unnecessary roughness, kicking an opponent. After Sunday s game, Tuck said that it takes a coward and some more words that I can t say right here to push a guy in the back when the play is dead. Other Giants confronted Adams and, Tuck added, he was kind of engulfed on our sideline, so I didn t get to sneak any cheap shots in.

32 Call at End of Half Points Out Contradiction in N.F.L. Rule - NYTimes.com 2 of 2 12/10/ :19 AM After the game, Adams called Tuck a nobody. The Cowboys declined to comment Monday, although Coach Wade Phillips said in a news conference, I m sure the league will take care of whatever they need to take care of, as we do ourselves. Phillips also discussed the fine line of aggression. It comes down to responsibility sometimes, he said. You get overaggressive and get away from your responsibility. Phillips said he talked with Adams about the incident at halftime but said, I m not going to get into all that with people asking for more details. EXTRA POINTS Giants right guard Chris Snee was sore, very sore Monday, Coach Tom Coughlin said. Snee left Sunday s game with a knee injury Coughlin called a hyperflexation. Kevin Boothe was Snee s replacement and did a good job, Coughlin said, adding: He works hard at his craft. He is a student of the game. Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company Privacy Policy Terms of Service Search Corrections RSS First Look Help Contact Us Work for Us Site Map

33 ESPN.com - Wild-card races not so wild 1 of 3 12/10/ :22 AM ESPN.com: NFL [Print without images] Wednesday, December 9, 2009 Wild-card races not so wild By John Clayton ESPN.com Without making this too complicated, the AFC wild-card race probably will come down to the Week 17 matchup between the Steelers and Dolphins. Any questions? Have a question for John Clayton? Connect with him here. The Broncos appear to have the AFC's first wild-card spot locked up unless the San Diego Chargers slip and the AFC West title becomes a possibility. Denver is 8-4 and has winnable home games against the Chiefs and Raiders. The Broncos will reach 10 wins. There is no guarantee that the No. 6 seed will do the same. The Jaguars face the biggest problem even though they are currently sixth in the AFC with a 7-5 record. Their next three games are against the Dolphins, Colts and Patriots, and they could lose all three. The Ravens (6-6) still can reach nine wins because they'll play Detroit and Chicago at home and finish the season in Oakland, but to reach 10 wins, they also would have to beat the Steelers at Heinz Field in Week 16. Depending on how things shake out, the AFC's last playoff berth could be at stake when Big Ben's Steelers take on Joey Porter and the Dolphins in Week 17. The Steelers should beat the Browns on Thursday night. Then they'll need to win home games against the Packers and Ravens to head into the season finale in Miami at 9-6. The Dolphins would have to beat the Jaguars, Titans and Texans to be 9-6 heading into that last week. The NFC wild-card race is pretty straightforward. The Packers are 8-4 and appear destined to earn the first wild-card spot. The second spot likely will go to the second-place team in the NFC East. From the inbox Q: I have played, coached and watched football for 40 years, and it is really jumping out at me how few NFL players tackle correctly or even attempt to. This commentary goes to the increased number and severity of concussions and how almost every defensive back or linebacker likes to lead with his head like a hammer or missile. Are proper tackling fundamentals not being emphasized enough in practice? Dave in Wilmington, N.C. A: Your knowledge and experience are needed in helping the league and players figure out ways to minimize concussions. A friend of mine suggested the face mask is the worst thing that happened to football because it gave players the confidence to use their helmets as a weapon. Better tackling techniques need to start in junior high and continue through high school, college and the pros. Tacklers love to intimidate, but what they don't realize is they are suffering injuries that could shorten their careers and make their postcareer lives miserable. Jeffri Chadiha identifies some reasons for the poor tackling in our latest Hot Read. Short takes Red in Denver asks whether the true value of the Jay Cutler-for-Kyle Orton trade will be revealed in how much the Bears fall and how high the Broncos' first-round choice in the 2010 draft becomes. The true value of the trade will be who ends up with the better quarterback. Orton is in the last year of his contract. Cutler has to change his game, but he has talent. You win in this league with quarterback play. Orton may not be scoring many points, but he's not losing games like Cutler. This discussion requires more than one season of evaluation. Sharif in Augusta, Ga., has seen some of Terrell Owens' good games lately and wonders what people around the league think about him. Owens is still respected, but many think his days as a 1,000-yard receiver are over. Someone will sign him next year. Eddy in San Diego asks whether Philip Rivers will ever win an MVP. He does get overlooked, which is easy to do when Peyton Manning is on the verge of clinching his fourth MVP award. If Rivers can put together a 14-2 season, he could win it, and he certainly has the skills to be a top MVP candidate. Doug in Cleveland wonders whether the Cowboys' biggest problem is their offensive line's poor play. I'm not ready to go there yet, but my fear this year was that the offensive line would start to have age problems during the second half of the season. Derek looked at my list of 14 elite quarterbacks and wondered where I had Orton. I put him in the next category, which is a good quarterback who has the ability to take a team to the playoffs. I call it the middle class of quarterbacks. To get into the elite class, you have to score more than 21 points a game, complete at least 60 percent of your passes and throw for more than 220 yards a game. He's just short of those numbers but is still a winner. Adam in Sacramento, Calif., noted that I wrote the phrase "when the league goes to 18 games" in last week's mailbag. Trust me, once the league sorts through all its labor problems, the end result will be an 18-game schedule. More games mean more revenue. Adrian in Norfolk, Va., asks whether the Bills will use free agency, trades or the draft to get a top-caliber quarterback. Unless you believe in Jason Campbell, free agency might not offer much. I'm not buying Michael Vick as an option. The draft would offer better hope. Kyle in Hartford, Conn., wonders why Darrelle Revis isn't being discussed as the leading contender for defensive MVP. He's a candidate, but not the leading candidate, because guys such as Elvis Dumervil have a lot of sacks. Brandon in Los Angeles has a great question: What will the Chargers do at running back if they don't bring back LaDainian Tomlinson? First, you sign Darren Sproles to a long-term deal, and then you draft a good inside runner in the first three rounds. Shane in Aberdeen, Wash., reminds me that the Packers went to a short-passing offense in 2007 to cover for a nonexistent run game and now are doing it to help their struggling pass protection. He's wondering why I should give credit to Mike McCarthy for doing it

34 ESPN.com - Wild-card races not so wild 2 of 3 12/10/ :22 AM this late in the season. You make adjustments as the season progresses, and at 8-4, something must be working. Q: Will Brett Favre come back for another year with the Vikings? What changes must the Bears make to have better success with Jay Cutler? Pat G. in Chicago A: If the Vikings reach the NFC title game and lose, I still think Favre could come back for another season. He's having a blast. As for the Bears, they need to find an offensive coordinator who can get more out of Cutler. Mike Martz, Charlie Weis and Jeremy Bates would be top candidates. They also need to upgrade at wide receiver because Devin Hester isn't a No. 1 receiver. Their problem is not having a 2010 draft choice in the first or second rounds. They probably will have to sign a free agent, but free-agent receivers usually don't offer much of an upgrade. When Cutler's right, he can make his receivers better, but the franchise needs to do something to make Cutler right. Q: Would you agree with the claim that the NFC is a stronger conference than the AFC this season? This decade seemed to be dominated by the AFC, but with teams like the Vikings, Saints, Eagles, Cowboys and Cardinals, the NFC in my mind has surpassed the AFC as the superior conference. Jim in Duluth, Minn. A: I thought this would be the NFC's year to take control of the league, but the NFC trails the AFC in interconference wins. I think there is a stronger middle class of teams in the NFC and a deep group of elite quarterbacks emerging in the NFC. When you have a rebuilding team such as Jacksonville with the AFC's sixth-best record after 13 weeks, you have to say the AFC isn't dominating. But facts are facts. When AFC teams meet NFC teams, AFC teams prevail more often. They haven't backed down yet. Q: What do you see Seattle doing in the 2010 draft? Zheray in Seattle A: This has to be an offensive draft for the Seahawks. Their main needs are left tackle, quarterback and running back. Their offensive line is a disaster, and it's one of the reasons Tim Ruskell isn't the general manager anymore. Maybe people also would say the Seahawks need help at defensive end, cornerback and safety, but Ruskell tried to fix those positions during the past five years at the expense of helping the offense. Now, it's time to rebuild the offense, which is one of the reasons it makes sense for Mike Holmgren to return as the general manager. Q: Do you think Cincinnati's approach of running the ball and playing good defense gives it the best chance to get to the Super Bowl, or will the Bengals need to let Carson Palmer scan the field a little more to compete with New England, Indy and San Diego? Jason in Boca Raton, Fla. A: That might be the most astute question of the week. I've wondered about it for weeks. The Bengals are averaging 21.2 points a game, just about a field goal less than most of the other playoff contenders. With so many good quarterbacks scheduled to make the playoffs, there will be an urgency to score more points. The Bengals' coaching staff is starting to think it's been getting a little too conservative of late. A couple of injuries on defense could turn playoff games into higher-scoring affairs. I'm wondering whether Cincinnati has enough offense to go far in the playoffs. Q: Why isn't Chris Johnson in the MVP race? Will Steven Jackson make the Pro Bowl? Daryl in Florida A: Johnson is in the MVP race, but he's a distant fourth. His team's record is one of the reasons. Quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Drew Brees have their teams undefeated through 12 games. Favre has helped the Vikings to a 10-2 start. Johnson may reach 2,000 yards, but the Titans might finish at 8-8 or worse. Jackson will make the Pro Bowl easily. Our NFC West blogger Mike Sando has Johnson seventh in his latest MVP rankings. Q: Can you put this debate to rest please? I have grown tired of people saying Marvin Lewis deserves coach of the year. I strongly disagree, although the Bengals are playing great. I credit defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and the offensive line for the team's great improvement. What do you think? Brandon in Houston A: Lewis deserves a contract extension and a lot of praise for a good season, but he definitely will fall short of the coach of the year honors. The Saints' Sean Payton is my runaway choice. He's unbeaten. I know the Colts' Jim Caldwell deserves consideration as a first-year coach on an unbeaten team, but he inherited a team that annually wins 12 games. Payton will have a seven- or eight-game improvement over last season. He's my winner at the moment. Q: C'mon, John! Joe Flacco, an elite QB? That's an obvious reach. Remember, he got the starting nod only because Troy Smith got sick. He has the prototypical size, but he doesn't have "it." He had another chance to prove his elite status on Monday night and failed miserably. Robert in Los Angeles A: Despite his struggles on Monday night in Green Bay, Flacco is elite. He won 11 games as a starter as a rookie. It's not as though he's surrounded with great receiving talent. Normally, it takes four years for a quarterback to become elite. I watched him put together three fourth-quarter touchdown drives against the Vikings on the road. Flacco's a good one, indeed. We can agree to disagree. Q: What do you think the Jets will do with their running back situation next year? If Leon Washington comes back 100 percent, will the Jets keep both him and Thomas Jones even though Shonn Greene looks like a solid back? Frankie in Stratford, Conn. A: I don't think the Jets need to do anything. In many ways, they are lucky. Jones' success allows them to see whether they can squeeze one more year out of him as a feature back. If there is no salary cap, they'll get Washington back as a restricted free agent. Greene is available as an inside runner who can slowly take over for Jones if age starts catching up to him. It's the best of all worlds.

35 ESPN.com - Wild-card races not so wild 3 of 3 12/10/ :22 AM John Clayton, a recipient of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's McCann Award for distinguished reporting, is a senior writer for ESPN.com. ESPN.com: Help PR Media Kit Sales Media Kit Report a Bug Corrections Contact Us Site Map Mobile ESPN Shop Jobs at ESPN Supplier Information 2009 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. All rights reserved.

36 ESPN.com - Coming to grips with poor tackling 1 of 5 12/10/ :23 AM ESPN.com: NFL [Print without images] Wednesday, December 9, 2009 Coming to grips with poor tackling By Jeffri Chadiha ESPN.com SAN FRANCISCO -- Patrick Willis had heard all the whispers about Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James. Now he was about to face reality. Willis was starting his first game as the San Francisco 49ers' middle linebacker two years ago when he found James barreling toward him on an off-tackle play. It was the kind of moment when Willis expected to justify his value as a big-hitting first-round pick Instead, James crashed into him with so much force that Willis blacked out briefly upon impact. If that play hadn't been humbling enough, Willis found himself racing toward James later in the same game. This time, he took a perfect angle, lowered his shoulders and slammed into James near the goal line. By the time Willis looked up after landing on his back, the official was raising his arms to signal a Cardinals touchdown. HOT READ: LOST ART OF TACKLING Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, stepping over Steelers DB William Gay here, said there should be a simple approach to tackling: "I don't think it would be that hard to tackle a guy if you just attack him." Chadiha: Fundamental reasons Scouts: Best tacklers? NFL Live: Ball carriers beware Stats: Follow the leaders "People kept telling me [James] was done, and I kept thinking, 'This is the same guy?'" Willis said in a recent interview. "That's when I knew this was a grown man's game. And if you're going to play it well, you had better bring it when you're tackling somebody." Willis can laugh about that moment today because his two Pro Bowl appearances prove he knows a few things about tackling. What he can't do is argue that most of the league is as good at takedowns as he is. One of the most fundamental aspects of football since the days when Red Grange and Bronko Nagurski were running wild, proper tackling seems to have regressed as the NFL has evolved in recent years. In fact, many people think it never has been worse than it is today. If that's the case, how bad is it? Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith said: "Tackling is definitely an art form and, in some ways, it's becoming an aging art form." Another AFC personnel director, speaking on the condition of anonymity, was even more candid: "There's no question that tackling has gotten worse. And that's because I'm not so sure that you really can teach it. It's about instincts, and there are some people who have them and some people who don't. "Plus, it hardly ever gets practiced in the NFL. And when you don't do something often enough, you're not going to be very good at it." Plenty of possible culprits Lack of practice is actually just one factor in the decline in tackling. For one thing, it doesn't help that the league has seen an influx of incredibly elusive runners through the years.

37 ESPN.com - Coming to grips with poor tackling 2 of 5 12/10/ :23 AM Coaching philosophies play a role, as well. Spread offensive formations are met with alignments that put more defenders in space, making them more vulnerable. Some defensive coaches emphasize gang-tackling over one-on-one take-down ability. And good, old-fashioned desire can't be overlooked, either. "I don't think it would be that hard to tackle a guy if you just attack him," said Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson, who has broken many reluctant embraces. "If a guy doesn't attack me, I can stutter-step or make some moves. But if he comes right at me, it makes it harder for me to do things." As easy as it is for people to bash today's tackling, it's much harder for them to articulate the rationale behind those criticisms. After all, the league doesn't keep statistics on tackling -- individual teams do -- so it's an argument that is based mainly on perception. But the important thing to understand about tackling is that subtle details are what ultimately determine whether it's done properly. Some defenders have not mastered approaching ball carriers at proper angles. As the AFC personnel director noted, "[Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl safety] Troy Polamalu isn't a great tackler by definition because he makes plays by diving at people or throwing his body around. But he gets people on the ground, and that's what you're supposed to do." Although Polamalu consistently finishes plays, other defenders have noticeable flaws. Some defenders launch their bodies at ball carriers, which can lead to highlight-reel hits -- and to just as many blown tackles. Peterson said he sees more egregious mistakes among cornerbacks, of whom he said, "Some guys are ankle-biters or just don't like contact." "The main thing I see is players putting their heads down or closing their eyes when they go for a tackle," said 49ers coach Mike Singletary, who was a Hall of Fame middle linebacker with the Chicago Bears from 1981 to '92. "One of the first things that you have to remember about tackling is that you have to see what you're hitting." Five fundamentals of proper tackling Although getting a runner on the ground by any means possible is the goal of any defender, there are other essential fundamentals to tackling. A proper tackle usually involves a player: (1) putting himself in position to make the play; (2) getting his head across the body of a ball carrier; (3) grabbing hold of the jersey (or "grabbing cloth," as it is called); (4) keeping his feet moving after contact; and (5) taking the opponent to the ground. Before any of that can happen, a defender must know how to take proper angles to the ball. To understand the importance of this, just consider how bad angles led to four Pittsburgh defenders missing Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice on a critical fourth-and-5 catch-and-run late in the Steelers' overtime loss in Week 12. "That's the most important thing about tackling," said Texans strong safety Bernard Pollard. "If you take a bad angle in this league, it's going to turn into a big play in a hurry." Pollard should know. Before the former Kansas City Chiefs regular signed with the Texans in September -- and entered the lineup in Week 4 -- Houston had allowed a league-high average of rushing yards in its first three games. The arrival of Pollard gave that defense a 6-foot-1, 224-pound banger, but he wasn't the only reason that unit has allowed just an average of 90.2 rushing yards per game since. "I think we struggled early because we weren't tackling well," Smith said. "Since you don't practice it at this level -- mainly because you don't want to lose players -- it can take three or four weeks to just get used to doing it." It seems Lofton got the best of his old Oklahoma teammate Peterson on this play in Smith added that most people in the NFL assume that players are expected to know how to tackle before they reach the league. In fact, it's harder than some might suspect to find players who are used to practicing tackling as frequently as one might think. It doesn't happen nearly as much in college, where the NCAA limits practice time. Also, collegiate defenses have to cope with the ubiquitous spread offense. That formation, as Texans defensive coordinator Frank Bush said, "makes defenders get used to tackling at all sorts of weird angles." It also appears that some of today's best tacklers honed their skills with the help of special circumstances. For example, Willis became a better tackler after breaking a finger on his right hand in his junior year at Mississippi. Because he had to wear a cast, he didn't have the strength to grab runners. A banged-up left knee also sapped his explosiveness. So Willis decided to wrap his arms around runners the same way he watched his father -- a logger in Bruceton, Tenn. -- wrap his arms around a tree on the job. To this day, Willis exaggerates that motion while tackling to ensure his success. Hard to pinpoint tackling's "decline" Atlanta Falcons middle linebacker Curtis Lofton benefited from his own experience in college, although his growth resulted from having to deal with a teammate in practice: former Oklahoma teammate Peterson.

38 ESPN.com - Coming to grips with poor tackling 3 of 5 12/10/ :23 AM When Lofton was a freshman, he once thought he had a bead on Peterson as the halfback ran around end. Then Peterson blew past him on his way to the end zone. "Playing against him definitely helped me learn how to tackle better," Lofton said. That lesson paid off for Lofton as soon as he hit the NFL. He was a rookie starter for the Falcons last season. This year, he's ranked among the league leaders in tackles. Some might be surprised by his quick success -- he slipped to the draft's second round despite a stellar career at Oklahoma. Peterson said his old teammate excels at tackling because "He doesn't wait for things to happen. He fills the gap and comes right through it." "The thing that Curtis does well is that he doesn't overcomplicate tackling," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "When he gets his read, he goes fast and he runs through ball carriers. Plus, he has such good vision that it helps him see things peripherally and avoid getting caught up with blockers. Those are all marks of good tacklers." Lofton and Willis are two of the names most commonly mentioned when people start rating the league's best young tacklers. Veterans such as Baltimore Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis, Washington Redskins middle linebacker London Fletcher and Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield also generate praise for their skills. Shortly after his arrival in September, Texans safety Bernard Pollard (31) helped Houston improve its run defense. But a bigger challenge for most observers is determining just when tackling started to decline. After all, it's not as if it has become a less valuable skill as the years have passed. Singletary actually remembers players hitting every day in practice when he was a star linebacker in Chicago in the 1980s. That was just how former Bears coach Mike Ditka liked to prepare his team. Other coaches of that era -- such as former 49ers head coach Bill Walsh -- thought it was better to limit contact as the season progressed. "Even though the 49ers did that, you still saw great tacklers like Ronnie Lott and Keena Turner on their defense," Singletary said. "That's why I really think your mentality plays such a huge role in tackling. You have to want to do it right." Singletary also recognizes that tackling in today's game has been affected by changes to the sport. The rules have hindered some of the aggressiveness -- tactics such as leading with the head or horse-collaring are now illegal -- and offensive coaches are far less interested in playing smashmouth football. "If you watch a game from the '70s or '80s, you'll see the game is played way more in open space today," said Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker Barrett Ruud. "They ran the ball 60 percent of the time back then, and it's a lot easier to make tackles in those close quarters than it is to do it in the open field against Reggie Bush." The risks, rewards of tackling drills The lack of practice doesn't help matters, either. All teams understand the logic behind avoiding contact in the regular season, but there are still moments when it is necessary. In fact, the Texans' Smith admitted he's never more nervous in a season than when he has to watch goal-line drills in training camp. Every time a play ends in that session, Smith prays all his players get up without the assistance of a trainer. Singletary, on the other hand, believes heavily in the value of the "nutcracker" drill, which he runs a couple of times a day for the first three days of camp. The drill -- which involves a defender and a ball carrier lining up 5 yards apart and the runner trying to elude the defender in a tight space -- is so old-school that a trainer once asked Singletary how it helps players. "I told him that for five seconds you're making contact at full speed and you're doing it the right way," Singletary said. San Francisco coach Mike Singletary (not pictured) is an advocate of the "nutcracker" drill, pictured here, as a way to improve tackling fundamentals. "It helps a guy become a better tackler, and when a guy tackles correctly, there is less chance that he'll hurt himself or somebody else. It's just good for the game." That's an especially helpful approach when considering whom defensive players are trying to tackle. There used to be a time when ball carriers were easily differentiated -- you primarily had bruisers such as Jerome Bettis, elusive types such as Barry Sanders and hard-charging tough guys such as Emmitt Smith. Now you have more runners who possess all those traits (such as Peterson). As Falcons coach Smith said, "You have to give some credit to the runners. There used to be four or five guys who were really hard to bring down, but now there are a lot more." Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff added that two- and three-headed backfields also create problems. "The two-back approach does make it harder to tackle," he said. "When you look at what we have -- with Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood -- that's hard on a defense because you get used to seeing the same thing over and over. If you've been used to seeing a big, durable back and then a speedy guy comes at you, it's going to throw you off." Read and react

39 ESPN.com - Coming to grips with poor tackling 4 of 5 12/10/ :23 AM That little bit of confusion can be dangerous for defenders, especially because it leads to hesitation. I got him down eventually, but he wound up getting the first down. But that's a crucial thing when you're tackling somebody -- you can't be afraid to miss. -- Buccaneers LB Barrett Ruud, recalling hesitating before making a tackle on Bills RB Fred Jackson in a game earlier this season Ruud, who is considered to be among the league's best tacklers, knows what that feels like because uncertainty cost him a tackle in an early-season loss to the Buffalo Bills, a miss that still drives him crazy. It was just a simple swing pass that Bills running back Fred Jackson caught on a third-and-2, but, Ruud said, "I started thinking too much [on the play]. I was thinking if I do this or I do that, then he's going to get by me. "I got him down eventually, but he wound up getting the first down. But that's a crucial thing when you're tackling somebody -- you can't be afraid to miss." Ruud's experience also speaks to one of the subtler factors in declining tackling skills: how coaching philosophies affect it. When Ruud joined the Bucs as a second-round pick out of Nebraska in 2005, he prided himself on being a secure tackler. But the Bucs played a Cover 2 scheme that relied on having several players rally to the football. So instead of attacking a ball carrier and breaking down -- which is football lingo for steadying your body and lowering your center of gravity to make a tackle -- Ruud was told to fly at runners at angles that always forced the ball carrier back toward the rest of the defense. It took him a year before he felt comfortable doing that. Some people also believe the emphasis on forcing turnovers has led to more blown tackles in recent years. "That's the biggest thing I see," said Houston middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans. "There are so many people now trying to strip the ball out when they make tackles that they don't wrap up the runner. And once you're doing that, it's easy for a guy to break a tackle." Passion for the 'lost art' Ryans is like many of the tacklers in today's NFL who have the right mentality for the job. They want to excel at it, and they're always searching for ways to hone their skills. Take Baltimore's Lewis, for example. When the Ravens hired Singletary as their linebackers coach in 2003, he and Lewis met to talk about ideas. Despite being a perennial Pro Bowler, the first thing Lewis said was, "Everything you know, I want to learn." Lewis was just as intense on the practice field later that week. In fact, he came over to Singletary midway through one session and said he was trying so hard to follow Singletary's instructions that Lewis' calves were throbbing. After watching Lewis some more, Singletary realized the problem: Instead of staying on the balls of his feet, as Singletary had advised, Lewis was standing on his toes when lining up for plays. "That's how much he wanted to improve," Singletary said. "His calves were cramping up, and he was still trying to do it right." Singletary has been just as meticulous in his approach to helping Willis. "I always had people telling me 'good play' when I did something on the field but it wasn't that way with [Singletary]," Willis said. "Even if I made a tackle for a loss, he would say, 'You don't have to do it that way.' Or if I made a great play, he would say, 'Pat, that's not it.' Now I've gotten to the point where I know when I'm not doing something correctly." What Willis understands is that his coach played at a time when tackling wasn't taken for granted. That seems to be the biggest problem with the skill today -- that it's becoming a lost art because there are too many reasons not to focus on it. Miles Austin left the Kansas City Chiefs grasping for air and answers after he led the Cowboys to a victory in October. That also happens to be one reason so many NFL people don't foresee tackling improving any time soon. The passion for the art isn't what it used to be. That's why the 49ers are happy to have a player such as Willis. He's always reminding himself about the importance of angles, and he has even agitated some teammates with his fervor for contact in light drills. But every time a 49ers player shoots him a dirty look after Willis has thumped him in practice, Willis explains that he doesn't want to be another player with bad tackling habits. "When people see me on film," Willis said, "I want them to know I'm playing this game the right way." Senior writer Jeffri Chadiha covers the NFL for ESPN.com.