Steelers' Roethlisberger has it when it counts the most

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1 Steelers' Roethlisberger has it when it counts the most Page 1 of 3 SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL Steelers' Roethlisberger has it when it counts the most Sunday, December 21, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Matt Freed/James Hilston/Post-Gazette Ben Roethlisberger's ability to scramble can get him in trouble, but it also has its rewards. John Elway was the greatest fireman in football, the best at pulling out dramatic victories at the tail end of games. No one did it better nor more often. Not only does the name "The Drive" belong to Elway, it was forged in a bronze sculpture titled "Master of the Drive,'' to honor the famous 98-yarder he delivered in Cleveland, and stands as a tribute to the quarterback with the most game-winning drives in history. Elway pulled games out of the fire so often in the fourth quarter that Denver Broncos public-relations man, Jim Saccomano, a legend in his own right, developed a statistic to quantify it. He devised the "game-winning drive" to put in perspective Elway's late heroics. "It became something I could no longer recite off the top of my head,'' Saccomano said this week about the many requests for the statistic that came his way during Elway's career. So, in conjunction with the NFL's official stats keepers, the Elias Sports Bureau, Saccomano researched other quarterbacks and compared them to what Elway had done. He came up with the game-winning drive. The game-winning drive must be a fourth-quarter drive that either wins the game or ties it for an ultimate victory. It's not an official NFL stat, but unofficially Elway has the most at 47 and that's never been disputed. It may never be approached either, but there's one fellow who is off to a good start. He, too, wears No. 7, mainly because he loved John Elway. Ben Roethlisberger, the quarterback fastest to win 50 NFL games, has 18 winning touc hdown drives (including one in the playoffs), five of them this season. Elway's rate of GWTDs during his 16-year career was 2.9 per season. Roethlisberger, with at least three games left in this season, has a rate of 3.6. His passer rating this season is down (80.1, from a team-record last season), and his touchdowns passes are way down (15, from a team-record 32), but the way Roethlisberger is performing late in games might be enough for him to earn some of the league's MVP votes. One off-shore oddsmaker lists Roethlisberger's chances of winning the MVP at 5-1, or third behind Adrian Peterson (3-2)

2 Steelers' Roethlisberger has it when it counts the most Page 2 of 3 and Peyton Manning (2-1). Roethlisberger could be called the "It" guy, as in he has it when it counts. "I just think that's the difference between good quarterbacks and average quarterbacks,'' said veteran Byron Leftwich, Roethlisberger's backup this season. "What makes good quarterbacks good is that they can come through in situations like that, put teams on their backs and win football games. And you have some guys in those same situations and no matter what, they can't get the job done." Roethlisberger showed that winning games late would be a trademark of his when he had six game-winning drives as a rookie, one in the playoffs against the Jets. He will be the first to note that he is not alone in these things, but he has been the common denominator. Asked about it this week, he recalled an old joke, once told by Jake Plummer, that if he didn't play so poorly in the first three quarters there might be no need for game-winning drives in the fourth. "I wish it didn't come down to that, but sometimes it does,'' Roethlisberger said. "We'll take it. It adds to the fun and suspense. "Sometimes we do it just so the fans keep watching." His most memorable one occurred a week ago, a 92-yarder that beat Baltimore and delivered a division title and first-round playoff bye to the Steelers. "I didn't give any big rah-rah speeches,'' he said of that drive. "I think the guys look at me now and know me enough to say, 'Let's just go out and do it.'" Veteran quarterback Charlie Batch, Roethlisberger's backup until a broken collarbone put him on injured reserve this summer, said, "He's one of those guys who understands the situation and thrives on that. You do have to be special to do that.'' His teammates believe as long as they have time on the clock and are within a touchdown, they have a chance behind Roethlisberger. "That's why everybody calls him one of the best in this game,'' Leftwich said, "because, when the team needs you the most, when it's time to make plays, he jump-started all that. It's what good quarterbacks do. They live for those moments. "I know what kind of quarterback he is; I played against the guy and now I'm playing with him. I think everybody knows what Ben does for this team." Fourth-and-Ben Ben Roethlisberger has won 50 games in the NFL. Eighteen have come after the Steelers were down or tied in the fourth quarter or overtime. The go-ahead drives: Opponent Down Won Yards Go-ahead score Time left 2004 Bengals Bettis 1 run 9:03 at Cowboys Bettis 2 run 0:30 at Jaguars Reed 37 FG 0:18 Jets Tuman 10 pass 12:51 at Giants Bettis 1 run 4:57 Jets (ot) Reed 33 FG 3: at Chargers Reed 40 FG 0:06 Ravens Reed 37 FG 1: Saints Parker 3 run 14:55 at Browns Parker 4 pass 0:32 at Bengals (ot) Holmes 67 pass 13:

3 Steelers' Roethlisberger has it when it counts the most Page 3 of 3 Browns Roethlisberger 33 run 11:32 Dolphins Reed 24 FG 0: Ravens (ot) Reed 46 FG 9:01 at Jaguars Ward 8 pass 1:59 Chargers Reed 32 FG 0:15 Cowboys Townsend 25 INT ret.1:51 at Ravens Holmes 4 pass 0:50 Roethlisberger in the fourth quarter: Pass attempts Pass comps. Comp. percent. Yards passing Ed Bouchette can be reached at ebouchette@post-gazette.com. First published on December 21, 2008 at 12:00 am TD passes Pass INTs Pittsburgh Steelers Tones New Pittsburgh Steelers Tones Get Pittsburgh Steelers Ringtones! Steelers Thongs Find Your Steelers Thongs; View Our Steelers Thongs!

4 Clark, Polamalu developed deep trust Page 1 of 2 SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL Clark, Polamalu developed deep trust Sunday, December 21, 2008 By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Steelers safety Troy Polamalu pretty much had his mind made up. There was no chance the new man -- that Clark guy from Washington -- was going to be as good as former teammate Chris Hope. There was just no way. No disrespect to anyone, but hadn't the team gone 15-1 in 2004 with Hope and Polamalu terrorizing opponents in the secondary? Hadn't it won the Super Bowl in 2005? Poor Ryan Clark, right? Not exactly. Turns out the man had his own preconceived ideas when he replaced Hope after that Super Bowl season. "I said there was no way I'd like Troy as much as I liked [former Redskins teammate] Sean Taylor and that there was no way Troy would be as good as Sean or as good as everyone was saying he was," Clark said after practice the other day in the Steelers' cafeteria. You might guess what's coming next. "I'm sure glad both of us were wrong," Clark said, grinning. Ya think? Clark is on a legitimate Super Bowl contender for the first time in his career, an 11-3 team that will play Hope -- what a coincidence -- and the Tennessee Titans in Nashville today with the top seed in the AFC playoffs at stake. "We feel like we have the goods to get [a Super Bowl] done," Clark said. "If we don't, there are going to be 53 very disappointed people." The Steelers' defense -- the best in the NFL -- has been huge in the team's success. "Without a doubt, this is the best [secondary] group we've had," Polamalu said. "In the past, our Achilles' heel may have been pass defense. Not anymore. That's all attributable to Ryan." It's official. Clark and Polamalu are thrilled both were wrong. So are the other Steelers. "I was hoping this would be how it turned out," Clark said. "I talked to [Steelers linebacker] Larry Foote about it. He said it wasn't like the guys didn't like me. It was just that I was replacing a guy that they loved." Polamalu remains close with Hope, who left as a free agent and signed a six-year, $30 million deal with the Titans. The two are looking forward to playing together again in the Pro Bowl Feb. 8. Polamalu, a defensive player of the year candidate, made it for the fifth consecutive year. Hope, who has four interceptions this season and ranks third on the Titans in tackles, made it for the first time. Hope's story is remarkable because he came back from a serious neck injury last season that required surgery in January. But it's no more amazing than Clark's tale. He came back from near death. "The first speech I got from the doctors in the hospital was that my lungs had filled, my kidneys were dented and my stomach was closing," Clark said. "My spleen had gotten enlarged and infected and it died... "I never really thought I was going to die except for maybe one day when I was at home. I was so cold, I couldn't stop shaking. My wife got out the hair dryer and was blowing it on me. My mother was there, putting hats and coats on me while I was in bed. I still couldn't get warm. That was rough."

5 Clark, Polamalu developed deep trust Page 2 of 2 Clark had his spleen removed in November 2007, then his gall bladder in December. His weight plummeted from 203 to 170. "A lot of people were skeptical I'd ever be able to play again," he said. "They didn't think someone could lose that much weight and strength." But doctors cleared Clark for training in late January. By June, his weight was up to 198. He was back in the starting lineup next to Polamalu the first day of training camp. The Steelers had learned just how valuable Clark was last season when he was out. Anthony Smith and Tyrone Carter tried and failed to play his position. Is it any wonder that Clark says this is the most fun he has had in football? "I learned that tomorrow isn't promised," he said, referring not just to his illness, but also the shooting death of his good friend Taylor little more than a year ago. "I'm convinced God picked me and kept me for a reason... Why not play with a smile on your face?" So Clark has, through a dislocated right shoulder injury that forced him to miss the Nov. 3 Washington game -- of all games -- and despite some nasty hate mail after his brutal hit on New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker Nov. 30. I thought that hit was late and told Clark so. He said he respected that opinion, but he couldn't disagree more. "I did my job on that play," he said. "I don't like that people said I tried to hurt him. I don't like being called a dirty player. I know what it's like not to be able to play and to almost have football taken away from me. I never want to be a guy who takes it away from someone else." It's a shame that the Welker hit received more attention than Clark's many other contributions to the Steelers. The latest came in the win against the Baltimore Ravens last week when he intercepted a pass that was tipped by teammate Ike Taylor. "I feel like I'm playing well, but it's hard to feel like you're playing great when you see Troy out there," Clark said. "I see him do things that I've never seen anyone do. There's no one else I'd rather play with." The two really have come a long way. "I feel like we've played all our lives together," Polamalu said. "Ryan is so unselfish and so smart. We communicate with each other and trust each other. That trust is the big thing." The same sort of trust Polamalu had with Hope. The same trust Clark had with Taylor. Imagine that. Ron Cook can be reached at rcook@post-gazette.com. First published on December 21, 2008 at 12:00 am Buy Steelers Jersey Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey On Sale. Home & Away. Only $ Troy Polamalu Memorabilia Troy Polamalu autographs Wide variety of sports collectibles

6 Bouchette on the Steelers: Harrison wins a Tony Page 1 of 2 SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL Bouchette on the Steelers: Harrison wins a Tony Steelers linebacker receives a major endorsement from Tony Dungy in the race for the NFL's MVP of 2008 Sunday, December 21, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The debate over what is the most valuable player in a sport, argued for years in baseball, has new meaning this season in football. Is it someone who is the most valuable to his team because without him they would have had no chance of winning? Or is it merely someone who performs at the highest level? Baseball voters generally consider MVPs only on teams that make the playoffs. In football, voters are given an "out" because they don't have just the MVP to award to the outstanding player, they also have the offensive and defensive players of the year. Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson? Yes. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning? Yes, again. But what about Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger or Steelers linebacker James Harrison? They're not far-fetched choices; in fact they are among the five favorites to win it. According to oddsmakers at Bodog, Peterson is the favorite at 3-2 to win the league MVP, followed by Manning at 2-1. In third is Roethlisberger at 5-1 and tied for fourth is Harrison along with Dallas quarterback Tony Romo at Not only that, but Harrison picked up the biggest endorsement this week since the Electoral College met and picked Barack Obama. Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy appeared on "The Sirius Blitz" on Sirius NFL Radio and was asked by host Adam Schein, "Peyton Manning, league MVP?'' Peyton Manning's coach said not so fast. "If I had to vote right now I'd vote for James Harrison from Pittsburgh,'' Dungy replied. "He's just been phenomenal in anchoring a defense that's playing as well as anyone in the league and he does so many things for them." Dungy explained that, "He's like a Randy Moss or Dwight Freeney. You have to game-plan for him in terms of how you're going to block him in the passing game. So he puts that on the table even before the game starts and then he does other things. He drops in pass coverage. He covers tight ends. They move him around, and he's not just a one-dimensional rusher. He's a linebacker that also rushes and he's been the most dominant player on the best defense in football and, shoot, by next Sunday they may have the best record in football." CBS analyst Phil Simms, on a different Sirius Radio show, also picked Harrison. "Right now, I would give it to James Harrison. But I think Peyton is in that mix, and I'll tell you the other one, this Troy Polamalu. Wow. It's real. He is the best safety in football, and I'll argue it forever. He does everything. Tremendous tackler, he can cover and he can blitz. He is a unique safety. And he has the size to do it all, too. He's a short guy with a big body, that's what I think separates him." Don't forget Tomlin

7 Bouchette on the Steelers: Harrison wins a Tony Page 2 of 2 And how about Mike Tomlin for NFL coach of the year, or at the least AFC coach of the year? He's not likely to win it for the same reason Chuck Noll won it only once in 23 seasons or Bill Cowher once in 15. The expectations are too high for a Steelers coach -- once Noll established the bar, that is. Coach of the year usually goes to the guy who led a team that won only a few games the previous season to a.500 record or a little better. Those honors likely will go to rookie coaches Tony Sporano in Miami and Mike Smith in Atlanta, even though both teams might not make the playoffs. Me, I'm likely to vote for one of four: Tomlin or Tennessee's Jeff Fisher in the AFC, and Tom Coughlin of the New York Giants or Carolina's John Fox in the NFC. All had to overcome plenty to place their teams among the top two in each conference. Tomlin had the toughest NFL schedule and injuries, including a couple to his quarterback. Fisher changed quarterbacks. Coughlin had injuries and Plaxico Burress. Fox had everyone wanting to fire him entering this season so they could hire Bill Cowher. Cowher power -- not More on Cowher. Another Ohio reporter popped up in the Steelers' locker room to quiz players about Cowher possibly coaching the Cleveland Browns next season. It says here he never will coach the Browns and he won't coach anywhere at all next season, which would be his third since he resigned from the Steelers. Also, there have been suggestions that if and when Cowher does return to coaching, Kevin Colbert, the Steelers' director of football operations, would join him. Colbert is signed until May 2010, and, if he were to leave while under contract, it would have to be for a significant promotion, like general manager with clear say over the coach or team president. I don't think Colbert is going anywhere, even if Cowher would take a job next year and offer the GM post to him. From the front line... Here are explanations for why the Steelers had a delay penalty and let the play clock often get almost to zero before the ball was snapped in Baltimore, and why center Justin Hartwig keeps lifting his head -- all from tackle Willie Colon. Hartwig's head has something to do with starting their silent snap count on the road. As for the game clock and delay, "Sometimes, that's our fault,'' Colon said of the line. "It's us walking to the line a little too slow. It takes time for Justin to declare [the defense they're in], and, once he gets what he has to do, we look up and the clock is running down. Anytime that happens, it's usually us taking a little too much time getting on the ball." But there are extenuating circumstances when you play in a place like Baltimore against a defense like the Ravens. "With that defense, they walk around so much, you're trying to find out who's who, trying to get it to all five guys, Ben knowing where we're at, do we not have his back?" Colon said, ticking off everything that must happen. "All that has to go down in 25 seconds. With that defense, they'll show you something and then with the silent count, Justin brings his head up and then they re-declare late and that has to be re-declared. In that span, everything has to go real fast." Ed Bouchette can be reached at ebouchette@post-gazette.com. First published on December 21, 2008 at 12:00 am Da Burgh N@ YNZ YOI Sports! Oval Stickers/Decals, Mugs, More Avg Steelers Fan IQ=98 Can you beat this score? Take the challenge now!

8 Head to Head: Titans RB Chris Johnson vs. Steelers S Ryan Clark Page 1 of 2 SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL Head to Head: Titans RB Chris Johnson vs. Steelers S Ryan Clark A closer look at the game within the game Sunday, December 21, 2008 By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Chris Johnson, left, and Ryan Clark. When asked if he has seen anyone faster than Titans rookie Chris Johnson, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu paused for a second and said, "I watched Usain Bolt this summer. "Usain Bolt would run this guy down," he said, referring to the world-record sprinter. Not many others. Johnson, the leading rusher among all NFL rookies with 1,159 yards, is one-half of Tennessee's "Smash & Dash" tandem -- LenDale White is the other -- that has gained more yards than any other duo in the AFC. He also is the fastest running back the Steelers will face this season, a player who was timed at 4.24 at the NFL Scouting Combine. Johnson is the Titans' home run hitter, a back with eight runs of 20 yards or longer, including three of 40 yards or longer. More impressive, he leads all NFL backs with 100 or more carries with a 4.9-yard average per attempt. "He's one of the fastest guys I've ever seen since I've been playing, and that's just on tape," cornerback Bryant McFadden said. "It's a whole different vibe in person." "When you have a guy who runs 4.2, when he finally gets a crack it's a touchdown," Steelers safety Ryan Clark said. "It's almost like watching Willie [Parker]. He runs, runs, runs and when he gets a crack, it's 40 yards." That will be the top priority for the Steelers, who lead the NFL in total defense, are ranked No. 1 against the run in the AFC and have allowed fewer long runs than any other team in the league. The Steelers have allowed just three runs longer than 20 yards this season, and only one longer than a 41-yarder by New England's Kevin Faulk against their nickel defense. No other team has allowed fewer. "With him, you can't allow him to hit a crease," McFadden said. "He hits a crease, he's not like any other back where guys can have an angle and go get him. He can just outrun the angle." Why are the Steelers so efficient at preventing long runs? Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said part of the reason is because all the members of the secondary are good tacklers. Also, Polamalu said the Steelers' two-gap style of defense, which requires the defensive linemen to "read" which way the play is going, forces a running back to move laterally and doesn't create as many gaps. "When you're always two-gapping, you can never go downhill on the linebacker," Polamalu said. "Everything is forced to go laterally and, with the speed we have on defense, it's an advantage to us." Either way, Clark, who is second on the team with 101 tackles, is ready for Johnson. "I look at it like, the faster he runs, the more pad I get on him, the farther he's going to fly," Clark said. "Even a 4.2 slows up

9 Head to Head: Titans RB Chris Johnson vs. Steelers S Ryan Clark Page 2 of 2 when you hit him enough." Away. Only $ Gerry Dulac can be reached at gdulac@post-gazette.com. First published on December 21, 2008 at 12:00 am Buy Steelers Jersey Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey On Sale. Home & Steelers Thongs Find Your Steelers Thongs; View Our Steelers Thongs!

10 Game 15 Matchup: Steelers vs. Titans Page 1 of 2 SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL Game 15 Matchup: Steelers vs. Titans Gerry Dulac breaks down the showdown for the AFC's top seed Sunday, December 21, 2008 By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Peter Diana / Post-Gazette Safety Troy Polamalu was one of three Steelers named to the Pro Bowl this week. Game plan When the Steelers have the ball: The Titans will be without Pro Bowl DT Albert Haynesworth and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch because of injuries, and also suspended backup DT Kevin Vickerson, so it might be a good opportunity to get some juice for their stagnant running game. They have rushed for 161 yards in their past two games and Willie Parker hasn't had a 100-yard game since Nov. 16. Parker has 196 yards in his past four games -- his lowest four-game total since QB Ben Roethlisberger has averaged yards passing in his past six games and has thrown just one interception in his past five, including none in his previous 104 attempts. But the Titans have 18 interceptions, third most in the AFC, though just three in the past four games. When the Titans have the ball: There is little question what they will try to do: Run the ball with Chris Johnson and LenDale White, the No. 1 rushing tandem in the AFC with a combined 1,859 yards and 22 touchdowns. But one of the things Kerry Collins has been able to do is minimize mistakes, throwing only seven interceptions in 384 attempts -- the second-lowest interception percentage (1.8) in the AFC. They do not have a vertical passing game that likes to strike deep; rather, they will throw over the middle to TEs Bo Scaife (53 catches) and Alge Crumpler (21), or even check-downs to Johnson (41), a style that fits perfectly into how the Steelers play defense. WR Justin Gage is the lone deep threat, averaging 18.9 yards on 29 catches. Data Game: Steelers (11-3) at Tennessee Titans (12-2). When: 1 p.m. Where: LP Field, Nashville, Tenn. Keep an eye on... K Rob Bironas: It is a matchup of two of the best, and most accurate, kickers in the game -- Bironas and Jeff Reed, once competitors at Steelers training camp. Bironas was with the Steelers in 2004, but was cut and eventually picked up by the Titans. Last year, he set an NFL record with eight field goals in a game against the Houston Texans, was selected to the Pro Bowl and named to the All-Pro team. He has converted 28 of 31 field-goal attempts this season, a 90.3 conversion rate that ranks second in the AFC. Intangibles TV: KDKA. Radio: WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970) and Steelers Radio Network. The Steelers have won five in a row and could claim the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs with a victory against the Titans and Cleveland in the regular-season finale. They have the best conference record (9-1) and are tied for the best road record (6-1). But they have not had much success in Tennessee, losing three in a row and seven of the past eight. The Titans come off a loss in Houston and have lost two of their past four after a 10-0 start. But they will clinch the No. 1 seed with a victory.

11 Game 15 Matchup: Steelers vs. Titans Page 2 of 2 Keys to victory To win, the Titans must Have a Big Snack. Seven-time Pro Bowl C Kevin Mawae needs to have success with NT Casey Hampton to spark the running game. 2. Not give them Hope. One of the reasons they are fifth in pass defense is ex-steelers DB Chris Hope, one of three Titans with at least four INTs. 3. Put a Kearse on Ben. Without three of their D-linemen, they will have to generate pressure on Roethlisberger with DE Jevon Kearse. To win, the Steelers must Harry Kerry. Collins has been sacked fewer times than any NFL QB, but the Steelers have held five of the past seven QBs to ratings of 49.2 or lower. 2. Make a splash. The Texans gouged the Titans with big plays last week, getting a 34-yard run and pass plays of 40 and 65 yards. 3. Crash on Smash & Dash. Their No. 2 rush defense has allowed just two teams to rush for more than 100 yards this season. Gerry Dulac can be reached at gdulac@post-gazette.com. First published on December 21, 2008 at 12:00 am Watch Tennessee Titans See All NFL Games Right On Your Computer w/ Our TV Software! Buy Steelers Jersey Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey On Sale. Home & Away. Only $16.99.

12 Curtain call for Steelers? - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 1 of 7 Steelers use 2005 as measuring stick By Joe Starkey TRIBUNE-REVIEW Sunday, December 21, 2008 In many ways, these Steelers are similar to the Super Bowl champions of They still play championship-level defense under coordinator Dick LeBeau. They still have a solid leadership core featuring veterans such as Hines Ward, James Farrior, Aaron Smith and Casey Hampton. They remain a team of high character, and they win a lot of games. "It's still the same, man," Hampton said. But to hear others tell it, the differences outweigh the similarities. Start with the head coach Mike Tomlin, who replaced Bill Cowher and consider that half the starting lineup and nearly all of the special teams have changed since Super Bowl XL. The team's personality has changed a bit, too. Back in 2005, vibrant vets Joey Porter and Jerome Bettis neither of whom was known to shy away from the spotlight stirred the Steelers' drink. Now, offensive tackle Max Starks says, it's a different feel. "I think we're a lot closer of a unit than we were back then," said Starks, who played right tackle on the Super Bowl team but has replaced Marvel Smith at left tackle this season. "You have young guys who've grown together and have matured through situations, so it's more of a collective effort than having certain figureheads in place. "I think that's what makes us unique, is that everybody in here takes equal accountability." Sixth-year strong safety Troy Polamalu agreed. "The younger guys who were just filling in roles then have a lot more experience," Polamalu said. "I think we really have an identity for ourselves this year."

13 Curtain call for Steelers? - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 2 of 7 Polamalu added that the Steelers maintain a college-like tradition, where players such as Bettis and Porter remain part of the program at least in spirit when they leave. "They do leave something," Polamalu said. "Guys still talk to Joey (now with the Miami Dolphins). He's still a good friend of ours. He still roots for us. He's a Pittsburgh Steeler at heart and always will be. That's what's so special about being here, is that the fraternity we have is deeper than what we're aware of on the outside." To a man, the Steelers will tell you that fourth-year quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has stepped into a much more significant leadership role than he had during his rookie year of "He says a little bit more now," Hampton said. "You always want look to your quarterback as the leader of the team," Starks said. "And he has matured into that position." Roethlisberger's numbers aren't quite on par with those of his his rookie year, but he has engineered five fourth-quarter comebacks and says he feels like a much different player. "It's easier to go on the football field. It's fun," Roethlisberger said. "Not that it wasn't fun then, but it was more panic and stress then. Now, it's just going out and doing what I love to do." The Steelers have relied much more on the pass this season, compared to 2005, and have not been as effective offensively. They have run the ball 46.7 percent of the time, compared to 59.2 percent in 2005, and are averaging 36 fewer rushing yards and nearly three fewer points per game. Defensively, they possess more explosive play-making ability, thanks largely to edge pass rushers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, plus second-year linebacker Lawrence Timmons. They are allowing 48 fewer yards and 2.4 fewer points per game and have the same amount of sacks (47) with two games to play. Polamalu was asked if this defense trumps the '05 group. "With our style of play (on offense), we've depended more on our defense," Polamalu said. "In that sense, our defense is way better than it was back then. Our run game back then was strongly enforced. Our will was strongly enforced on people with our run game. It's not really like that now. "In that sense, the personality of our team is different." In another sense, Polamalu agrees with Hampton: This defense - this team - has a long ways to go to before it can be compared to the Steelers of 2005.

14 Curtain call for Steelers? - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 3 of 7 "That defense won a Super Bowl," Hampton said. "So until we win a Super Bowl, you can't say we're better." BREAKING IT DOWN How does this Steelers team understanding that it hasn't yet written its playoff story stack up with the '05 Super Bowl champs? Trib columnists Mike Prisuta and Joe Starkey take a position-by-position look: QUARTERBACK Ben Roethlisberger's numbers don't match those of his historic second season in '05, but he has become a master of the fourth-quarter comeback. Byron Leftwich has replaced injured Charlie Batch as the backup. Prisuta: Roethlisberger is much more confident, and his game is more versatile. If he gets there, his Super Bowl passer rating will exceed Edge: 2008 Starkey: I'll take Ben the wily veteran, even if he has absorbed more punishment than a hockey puck since his rookie season. Edge: 2008 RUNNING BACK Willie Parker's still the starting tailback. Gary Russell is the short-yardage back, and Mewelde Moore the third-down back, compared to Jerome Bettis and Verron Haynes, respectively, in those roles in '05. Prisuta: Parker's the same in name only. Third-and-1 has become a passing down. Edge: '05 Starkey: I like Moore better than Haynes, but I'd take a fresh, young Parker (he's averaging a yard less per carry these days) and a punishing old Bus. Edge: '05 TIGHT END Heath Miller's still the man, but the Steelers use two tight ends much more often, with Matt Spaeth complementing Miller. Jerame Tuman was the second tight end in '05. Prisuta: The Steelers want to feature Miller more, and though Tuman had his moments, Spaeth is a pass-catching upgrade. Edge: '08 Starkey: Somebody should ask Parker about the use of two tight ends. Looks like a wash to me. Edge: Even RECEIVERS

15 Curtain call for Steelers? - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 4 of 7 Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington are the top three, as compared to Ward, Antwaan Randle El and Cedrick Wilson in '05. Prisuta: Ward was better in '05. Randle El was more consistent than Washington and Holmes have been this season. This year's WR corps also misses Randle El's arm. Edge: '05 Starkey: Randle El and Wilson came on in playoffs, but Holmes' explosiveness makes this a better overall unit. Edge: '08 OFFENSIVE LINE Four of five starters and all five positions have changed. From left to right, the Steelers go with Max Starks, Chris Kemoeatu, Justin Hartwig, Darnell Stapleton and Willie Colon, compared to Marvel Smith, Alan Faneca, Jeff Hartings, Kendall Simmons and Starks at right tackle in '05. Prisuta: Think the short-yardage/goal-line problems have anything to do with Faneca's absence? Edge: '05 Starkey: This year's group has begun to jell, but as we sit here today, it's not close: Edge: '05 DEFENSIVE LINE Nose tackle Casey Hampton and left end Aaron Smith are manning their old spots. Brett Keisel has replaced Kimo von Oelhoffen on the right side. Chris Hoke remains Hampton's backup. Keisel was a reserve in '05. Travis Kirschke and Nick Eason play a lot for this year's team. Prisuta: Keisel's an upgrade on Kimo, and the veteran backups have been solid contributors, especially Kirschke, who has been more prominent than in '05. Edge: '08 Starkey: Tough call, but I'll take Big Snack (Hampton) when he was just an oversized Hors' d oeuvre, plus Kimo and Keisel alternating. Edge: '05 LINEBACKERS James Farrior and Larry Foote remain the inside starters. LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison have replaced Clark Haggans and Joey Porter on the outside. Prisuta: The outside rushers are obvious upgrades no offense to Porter but the real difference-maker is Timmons, who is, in effect, a fifth starter. Edge: '08. Starkey: Two maniacal edge pass rushers are better than one. And, yes, Timmons is a beast. Edge: '08. SECONDARY

16 Curtain call for Steelers? - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 5 of 7 Ike Taylor (cornerback) and Troy Polamalu (strong safety) remain starters. Bryant McFadden has replaced Deshea Townsend at one corner, and Ryan Clark has replaced Chris Hope at free safety. Townsend still plays a major role. McFadden was a rookie spot player in '05 and provided depth at the corner with Ricardo Colclough. Prisuta: Tyrone Carter played an underappreciated role in the sub-packages in '05; William Gay is doing the same. Hope was better than given credit for, much as McFadden is now. Edge: Even Starkey: More quality depth, playmaking ability with this group. Edge: '08 SPECIAL TEAMS Jeff Reed remains the kicker. Mitch Berger is the punter, compared to Chris Gardocki in '05. Gary Russell is the No. 1 kick returner, compared to Ricardo Colclough/Quincy Morgan in '05, and Santonio Holmes is the primary punt returner, compared to Antwaan Randle El. Prisuta: Reed's a little better, as is coverage, but lack of a breakaway threat on kickoff returns something Morgan and Colclough provided in 2005 is a glaring weakness. Holmes needs to continue popping big punt returns. Edge: '05 Starkey: Gardocki had a great playoff, so the punting needs to improve radically to measure up. The return game is much worse, but the coverage units are much better. Edge: '05 TALE OF THE TAPE The 2008 Steelers, through 14 games, compared to the 2005 Steelers through 16 regular-season games: OVERALL Category 2008/2005 W-L 11-3/11-5 Home 5-2/5-3 Road 6-1/6-2 Opp. record / OFFENSE PPG 21.6/24.3

17 Curtain call for Steelers? - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 6 of 7 Total yds 303.4/321.8 Rush 102.9/138.9 Pass 200.5/182.9 TOP 31:24/31:44 Third-down 39.7/35.0 Sacked 44/32 DEFENSE PPG 13.7/16.1 Total yds /284 Rush 75.8/86.0 Pass 163.3/198.0 Pass rating 63.8/74.0 Third-down 32.7/40.0 Sacks 47/47 INT 18/15 Turnovers +7/+7 SPECIAL TEAMS Punting avg. 39.2/41.7 Punt ret. 6.5/10.2 Opp. punt ret. 6.1/9.1 Kick ret. 20.4/21.6 Opp. kick ret. 19.4/21.9 FGs 26-29/24-29 Joe Starkey can be reached at jstarkey@tribweb.com or

18 Curtain call for Steelers? - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 7 of 7 Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

19 Starkey: Steelers pity paper Lions - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 1 of 3 Steelers pity paper Lions By Joe Starkey TRIBUNE-REVIEW Sunday, December 21, 2008 Sean McHugh, this could have been you. Instead of pulling a paycheck from the NFL's model franchise, you could still be working for the league's biggest joke. Instead of playing for a team that has employed three coaches in 40 years, you could be playing for one that has torn through six in 13. Instead of traveling to Nashville, Tenn., this weekend to battle the Titans for the AFC's No. 1 seed, you could be in Detroit. Playing for the Lions. Staring at the prospect of Enduring endless streams of abuse. And wondering if it was this bad for the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whose coach, John McKay, delivered the greatest line in sports history when asked what he thought of his team's execution. "I'm in favor of it," McKay said. You're even listed on the Lions' 2008 roster in their media guide, Mr. McHugh, so people who watched you play at Penn State might think you're a still a backup fullback in Detroit. They might not know you were released Sept. 1 and signed by the Steelers. Ever marvel at your luck? "Oh yeah," McHugh says. "It's amazing. You go from potentially making history for being the worst team to having a chance to play for it all. It's pretty neat." Now, before we talk to a man who has spent his career in Cleveland and Detroit, to another who grew up a Lions fan and is deeply ashamed, and to another who was happier to escape Detroit than Clint Eastwood was to escape Alcatraz, let's address the NFL's most pressing question:

20 Starkey: Steelers pity paper Lions - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 2 of 3 Are the Lions going to win a freakin' game? They play at home Sunday against 7-7 New Orleans and visit 5-9 Green Bay in the season finale. Two losses will put them at 0-16 (this is why Motown has become 'O' Town), but at least they could boast of a moral victory: They could top the '76 Bucs (0-14) for the worst season in NFL history. So, Sean, you played with these guys for three years and call some your friends. Will they win a game? "No," McHugh says, incredulously, at once laughing and scoffing at the question. "I watched them on Thanksgiving (a loss to the Titans), and, ah, I don't think they will." In another corner of the Steelers locker room, we find Detroit native Larry Foote, who is man enough to admit the truth. "Yeah, I grew up a Lions fan," Foote says. "We're just in a little funk right now." The Lions have won precisely one playoff game since 1957, two years before a cornerback named Dick LeBeau joined the team. Which brings us to a current Lions cornerback, Duquesne University graduate Leigh Bodden. He's the fellow who spent his first five NFL seasons in Cleveland before getting traded to the Lions in February. I'm tempted to ask Bodden if he ever imagined, six years into his NFL career, that Duquesne would still be the best team he ever played on. Instead, I inquire about the atmosphere around "the city of Detroit" during our phone conversation. "I don't really go out in the city of Detroit," Bodden says. "The fans, I mean, we haven't given them anything to cheer for. Everybody's seen that." Foote feels bad for players who spend an hour with the Lions, let alone the better part of a career. "Can you imagine getting drafted there and going 8-10 years with that?" Foote said. "You don't know anything else. I couldn't imagine it. Here, the expectations are so high, it's like doomsday when you're not winning. That's why them Lions players, when they come here, they're in awe. "Go ask Kirschke." OK, let's go talk to defensive end Travis Kirschke, who toiled in Detroit for five years (and San Francisco for one) before a blessed landing in Pittsburgh. Any difference between the programs here and there, Travis?

21 Starkey: Steelers pity paper Lions - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 3 of 3 "Obviously, this program is winning," he said, "so that's one humongous difference." You wonder what runs through Kirschke's mind when he sees his old team on TV or reads about them in the newspaper. "The spectacle," he says. "Every year, I'm as optimistic as they are. They can't do that again. Yet, they keep doing that." And if they do it two more times, they will never be forgotten. Pity the paper Lions. Joe Starkey can be reached at jstarkey@tribweb.com or Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

22 Steelers matchup: Week 16 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 1 of 1 Steelers matchup: Week 16 By Mike Prisuta TRIBUNE-REVIEW Sunday, December 21, 2008 TITANS TIGHT ENDS ALGE CRUMPLER AND BO SCAIFE Scaife (6-foot-3, 249 pounds) leads the Titans in receptions (53) and ranks second in receiving yards (528), even though he's listed as the backup to Crumpler (6-2, 262). The pair has accounted for three of the Titans' 12 touchdown receptions (two for Scaife). But where they really contribute is in blocking. The Titans run a lot of two-tight ends sets, and they run the ball a lot (459 times, as opposed to 407 passes). STEELERS OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS JAMES HARRISON AND LAMARR WOODLEY Harrison (6-0, 242) and Woodley (6-2, 265) are the most prolific pair of passrushing OLBs in Steelers' history. Harrison ranks fourth in the NFL in sacks with 19 and Woodley is tied for eighth with But the two are also critical elements of the Steelers' No. 2 run defense. And the Steelers always endeavor to stop the run first and foremost. That attitude should prove particularly useful in Tennessee. THE MATCHUP One or both of the Steelers' OLBs will be matched up against a TE on running plays, and those individual battles may dictate the success of Tennessee's No. 5 rushing attack and, ultimately, decide the game. The Steelers won't necessarily always want to funnel the play inside, but they will have a specific plan as to where to force the ball-carrier depending upon the call of the defense. Harrison and/or Woodley have to dominate, lest RBs Chris Johnson and LenDale White move the sticks with regularity and, perhaps, add to their total of 22 combined rushing touchdowns. EDGE: STEELERS LAST WEEK The Ravens had some success running the ball, particularly in their "jumbo" package, and got 87 yards from RB Le'Ron McClain and 112 overall (their second 100-yard day rushing against the Steelers' defense in two tries). But they never ran it over the goal line or crossed the goal line in any way, shape or form. EDGE: STEELERS Mike Prisuta can be reached at mprisuta@tribweb.com or Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

23 .: Print Version :. Page 1 of 2 Print Page MONDAY DECEMBER 22, 2008 :: Last modified: Sunday, December 21, :19 AM EST Sowing the seed Mike Bires Times Sports Staff At this stage of the season, the Steelers have accomplished virtually everything they set out to do. Basically, there are only two things left on their to-do list. One: Enter the playoffs playing well and healthy. Two: Enter the playoffs as the AFC s No. 1 seed. Right now, the Steelers are definitely on a roll. Going into today s game at Tennessee, the AFC North champs have won five straight. Only the red-hot Indianapolis Colts, winners of seven in a row, are playing better. The Steelers are also healthy. If defensive end Brett Keisel returns as expected from a sprained knee, the Steelers top-ranked defense will have all its first stringers in the lineup for the first time since Week 2. That brings us to the subject of the coveted No. 1 seed. Do the Steelers really need it? If the Steelers lose to the Titans, they will enter the playoffs as the No. 2 seed. But if they beat Tennessee and then handle struggling Cleveland (4-10) next week at Heinz Field, they ll secure the AFC s top seed. That would be impressive. But might it also be a curse? Since the NFL implemented its current seeding system in 1990, the Steelers have been the No. 1 seed four times. In each instance, they failed to reach the Super Bowl. Since 1990, the Steelers have made it to the Super Bowl twice, once in 1995 as the No. 2 seed and then again in 05 as the No. 6 seed. So, is being the No. 1 seed and the home-field advantage it brings overrated? No, no, no, Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward says. You definitely want to take the easiest way and there s naothing easy about going on the road and beating a team in their backyard. What we did in 05 and what the Giants did last year, that was probably something like the first time in history that a five and a six seed went all the way. You definitely want to take the easiest path and getting that No. 1 seed, you have two games at home to try to go to a Super Bowl. You really can t ask for anything more. We would love to have that No. 1 seed to play two games here in Heinz Field for the opportunity to go down to Tampa. Historically, it is proven to be a big advantage to play at home (in the playoffs), added strong

24 .: Print Version :. Page 2 of 2 safety Troy Polamalu. It is important for us to win, and as a result of that to get the No. 1 seed. In the 18 years in which AFC and NFC playoff teams have been seeded one through six, 18 top seeds have made it to the Super Bowl. In the NFC, the No. 1 seed has especially been important as 11 of the 18 top seeds have made it to the Super Bowl. In the AFC, only seven of the 18 No. 1 seeds advanced to the Super Bowl. The reality is that the 12 teams that will be in the playoffs are all capable, good football teams capable of winning, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. You like to be able to do it at home in front of your fans. That s one of the things that s most exciting about trying to secure home-field advantage. You want that for your fans. You want to be able to perform in front of them. But ultimately a ticket in the tournament is a ticket in the tournament and anyone is capable of winning it. That s what the Steelers did in 05. After winning three straight playoff games on the road, they became the first and only No. 6 to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. Last year, the New York Giants also won three road playoff games and became the first No. 5 seed to win the Super Bowl. I don t know if it is so important to have the No. 1 seed, Keisel said. We re excited (if we can), mainly because we just want to keep rolling. We want to win games and go into the playoffs on the rise. Right now we have a little win streak going, and we don t want to have any distractions toward that. We want to keep wining on to the playoffs and on to the Super Bowl. Still, most Steelers would rather be at home if they advance to the Jan. 18 AFC Championship. If you have a mature team, you can handle it on the road, defensive end Aaron Smith said. Still, you want people to come into your house because it is tougher to play on the road. And we do have the best fans. So it s a big advantage. Since 1990, the Steelers are 8-6 in the playoffs when playing at home and 3-3 on the road. We re just trying to win as many games as we can, Tomlin said. We play a good team in the Tennessee Titans this week. They are the No. 1 seed (right now). If we should happen to play them again in the playoffs, I would prefer to play them in Pittsburgh.

25 .: Print Version :. Page 1 of 2 Print Page MONDAY DECEMBER 22, 2008 :: Last modified: Sunday, December 21, :19 AM EST Bires: Aaron Smith for MVP By Mike Bires Times Sports Staff Last season, the Steelers created quite a stir by choosing James Harrison as their Most Valuable Player. This year, they may cause a fuss by not voting for their star outside linebacker. That s right. Don t be surprised if Harrison doesn t repeat as team MVP. That sounds outrageous considering he s a candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors. Harrison may get his share of votes as the league s MVP. So why would his teammates not choose him as the Steelers MVP? It s because of Aaron Smith. First of all, Smith is an outstanding football player. It s just so happens that he plays defensive end on a 3-4 defense. In a 3-4, it s the linebackers, especially the outside backers, who are put in position to make the most splash plays. Just look at what Harrison and LaMarr Woodley have done this season. They have combined for 26.5 sacks. Smith only has 5.5 sacks this year. But that doesn t mean he isn t playing at a high level. He s especially good at stuffing the run. He s been long regarded as one of the league s most underrated defenders. Secondly, Smith is one of the most admired players on the team. His down-to-earth personality and strong-minded work ethic have endeared him to his teammates the past nine years. Then this year, the Steelers rallied around Smith when it was learned in October that his 5-year-old son Elijah was battling leukemia. For awhile, there was fear that Smith s son would not survive. But now, it s been determined that young Elijah has an 80 percent chance of surviving. How refreshing it is for the Steelers to see Smith going about his business as a football player the past few weeks knowing that his son has a promising prognosis. This past Wednesday, however, there was genuine disgust in the locker room when the Pro Bowl rosters were announced. Only three Steelers were picked. That s not a whole lot of all-stars for an 11-3 team with the NFL s best defense. Ben Roethlisberger, Casey Hampton, Woodley and Ike Taylor were some of the Steelers who may