October 22, 2009 News Clippings

October 22, 2009 News Clippings Pittsburgh Steelers

Hines Ward leads the NFL in receiving at the age of 33 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09295/1007470-66.stm Page 1 of 2 SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL Hines Ward leads the NFL in receiving at the age of 33 Thursday, October 22, 2009 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Peter Diana/Post-Gazette Who would have imagined after six weeks of the season that Hines Ward would lead the NFL in receiving yards and be tied in receptions? On a gorgeous fall afternoon, Hines Ward left his workplace yesterday with a good three hours of sunlight remaining. Enough to get in a little golf? "No," Ward, 33, said. "I'm going to go sleep in my hyperbaric chamber. It's my fountain of youth." Who could argue? Ward not only is off to the fastest start of his 12-year career with the Steelers, but he also is atop the NFL receiving statistics this week. No Steelers receiver has ever led the league, but more than a third of the way through this season no one has more than Ward's 599 yards. He and Steve Smith of the New York Giants are tied for the league lead with 41 receptions. At that rate, he'll catch 109 passes for nearly 1,600 yards. "I would hope people would be proud of me," Ward said. "There's a guy 33 years old leading the league." Ward earlier exposed the myth that a Steelers receiver could not break into the top echelon in the league when he caught 112 passes for 1,329 yards in 2002, both team records. But that occurred when he was 26. Who saw this coming? Part of it has to do with coordinator Bruce Arians' open-air attack, part to the no-huddle offense, part to Ben Roethlisberger and also to Ward's ability to, well, stay young and healthy. "I'm having the best time of my life," he said. "I'm having fun. This is definitely fun. I look forward to Sundays." Ward kept the hyperbaric oxygen chamber that he credits with helping him return from a sprained MCL in his knee to play in the Super Bowl two weeks after it was injured in the AFC championship game. He said he gets into the thing four times a week, for preventive medicine, a.k.a. his fountain of youth. He also had rotator cuff surgery on a shoulder after the 2008 season, but he's playing like new today. "This is great. I'm having the most fun I had in 12 years because when I was younger, it was all about the stats and trying to make the money. Got the money, made the Pro Bowls. When I got closer to 10,000 yards that was like a milestone. I said if I get 10,000 I'm going to retire." Of course, that did not happen after he hit 10,000 career yards this season. He's signed through 2012 and believes he could make it to the end of that contract. "I'm still here," said Ward, who credits coach Mike Tomlin for giving him Wednesdays off at practice as another tonic. "When I retire is the day when I watch on film and say the Hines I know can beat this guy and then I can't get open on this guy. Then I'm done, because I don't want to end on that note. I want to go out on top." He's on top of the NFL now. It looked as if the only Steelers receiver to have four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons would

Hines Ward leads the NFL in receiving at the age of 33 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09295/1007470-66.stm Page 2 of 2 experience no more when he dipped below 1,000 between 2005-07, to a low of 732. But he rebounded with 1,043 yards last season and is blowing that away today. His yards per reception also has increased, by nearly 2 yards over last season to 14.6, which would be the highest of his career as a starter. "Not bad for a guy without speed, right?" Ward said. He always has been somewhat of a possession receiver, playing next to deep threats such as Plaxico Burress and then Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington and now rookie Mike Wallace. But with the no-huddle has come some deeper routes for Ward, who has the team's longest reception of the season, a 52-yard touchdown against Cleveland, and another of 41 yards. "People ask how long I will play, I don't know how long. It's just a great feeling to go out there and help contribute. All the guys -- Heath [Miller] is catching TDs and his stats are right up there, Santonio is on pace for 1,000 yards. Mike Wallace is coming in and giving us great splash plays. Ben is having a Pro Bowl year. "It's great to be part of that mix because I wasn't supposed to be in the mix being I was 33." Parker OK with No. 2, for now Willie Parker won't argue with Tomlin's decision to give Rashard Mendenhall the brunt of the carries Sunday. "He's the coach, he has to make a decision and live with it. He thinks that's the best for our offense right now and pretty much I have to prove him wrong. I'm cool with it." Parker carried only seven times last Sunday after missing the previous two games with turf toe. Mendenhall has started the past three games and rushed for 304 yards and four touchdowns. "I'm not all the way back," said Parker. "I'm not Willie Parker, I'm not myself right now." Spaeth's splash play Tight end Matt Spaeth apologized yesterday for getting into trouble with the law that helped spark teammate Jeff Reed's arrest Sunday night outside of McFadden's near Heinz Field. Spaeth was cited for public urination. "I apologized for the distraction that it caused both to the organization and to my teammates," he said. For more on the Steelers, read the new blog, Ed Bouchette on the Steelers at www.post-gazette.com/plus. 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 October 22, 2009 at 12:00 am

Heinz Field sod replaced between the numbers - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/print_649233.html Page 1 of 1 Heinz Field sod replaced between the numbers By Mark Kaboly TRIBUNE-REVIEW Thursday, October 22, 2009 One of the reasons why the Steelers decided to do away with the DD GrassMaster turf at Heinz Field and go strictly with grass this year was so they could re-sod the middle of the field at any time. Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings will have freshly laid sod in between the numbers. "It wasn't in good shape last week," kicker Jeff Reed said. Workers started tearing out the old sod after last week's game. The field is scheduled to be resodded one more time at the end of the year. In years past, the field wasn't able to be patched because of its reinforced artificial fibers (DD GrassMaster). Instead, the field had to be totally resodded and placed over the existing surface. Professional athletes rarely are in awe of another pro athlete. However, Brett Favre is as close as it gets for veteran cornerback Deshea Townsend. "Not in awe, but he is capable of doing things that other guys can't do," Townsend said. "You can't take chances against Brett Favre." After DE Aaron Smith went out with a shoulder injury, all of the attention turned to rookie first-round pick Ziggy Hood. It turned out that Hood barely got on the field against the Browns. Veteran Travis Kirschke took 31 of the 51 defensive snaps, compared to Hood's six. Kirschke did not play the final 13 snaps because of a neck injury. He was replaced by Nick Eason. Not practicing for the Steelers on Wednesday were Kirschke (not injury related), WR Hines Ward (not injury related) and S Troy Polamalu (knee). RB Rashard Mendenhall (left knee) was limited. For Minnesota, CB Antoine Winfield (foot) sat out practice, and RB Adrian Peterson (ankle) was limited. Mark Kaboly can be reached at mkaboly@dailynewsemail.com or 412-664- 9161. Images and text copyright 2009 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from Trib Total Media

Steelers' Parker still has starter's mentality - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/print_649232.html Page 1 of 1 Steelers' Parker still has starter's mentality By Mark Kaboly Daily News Sports Editor Thursday, October 22, 2009 Coach Mike Tomlin said running back Rashard Mendenhall has earned the right to take the majority of snaps as the Steelers move forward toward the middle part of the season. Willie Parker may not have gotten that memo. Parker, who has been nursing a turf toe injury for the past three weeks, said Wednesday that the reason why he didn't start last week against Cleveland and won't start this week against Minnesota is because he isn't completely healthy. "I am not ready to take the load right now," Parker said. "When I am ready, we will make another decision." Parker has had a daily dialogue with Tomlin and let him know that he is physically unable to carry the ball 25-30 times a game. "I am not 100 percent," Parker said. "Everybody knows I am not 100 percent. I am not ready to take 30 carries. When I am healthy, I will let you know." Mendenhall has rushed for 304 yards over the past three weeks, all Steelers victories. "He is kind of hot right now, so I understand why they want to stay with him," tackle Willie Colon said. Mendenhall is averaging two more yards per carry than Parker for the season with virtually the same amount of carries. "I feel like they are confident in me and my abilities and what I can bring to this team," Mendenhall said. "I am sure Willie wants to be out there, too." Mark Kaboly can be reached at mkaboly@dailynewsemail.com or 412-664- 9161. Images and text copyright 2009 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from Trib Total Media

Reed apologizes for 'distraction' - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/print_649211.html Page 1 of 2 Reed apologizes for 'distraction' By Mark Kaboly TRIBUNE-REVIEW Thursday, October 22, 2009 Jeff Reed said the entire thing was shocking to him. Reed was arrested Sunday night outside of McFadden's bar on the North Shore just hours after the Steelers beat Cleveland. He was charged with simple assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public intoxication. Reed, talking publicly Wednesday for the first time since being arrested, refused to address those issues. But he said he was surprised when he heard questions asked during coach Mike Tomlin's press conference dealing with whether veteran kicker should be allowed to play this week against the Minnesota Vikings. "I was kind of shocked to hear that people were asking if I was going to play or not," Reed said. "Stuff like this, you just have to deal with. It will make you tougher." Reed, however, was apologetic about the incident. "I apologize for this being a distraction to the team," Reed said. "I am a captain of this team. I may not sound like it when something like this comes up, but I like to represent the community the best that I can." It wasn't Reed's first run-in with the law. Reed pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and disorderly conduct following an incident with a bathroom paper towel dispenser at a Sheetz in New Alexandria earlier in the year. The NFL fined him $10,000 for that incident. Reed said he isn't worried about possible sanctions against him by the team or the league. "Once the investigation is done, whatever happens, happens," Reed said. "As for right now, it is going to be a long process." Reed was arrested when, according to police, he tried to come to the aid of teammate Matt Spaeth, who was being cited for public urination. According to police reports, Reed exited the vehicle, and when he refused to get back into the car when asked by officers, put his fist and got "into a fighter's stance."

Reed apologizes for 'distraction' - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/print_649211.html Page 2 of 2 Reed refused to go into details about the incident. "I decline talking about the charges, that's coach Tomlin, and that's in his hands," Reed said. "Any questions about that stuff goes to him." Spaeth also addressed the situation for the first time. "I apologize for the distraction that it had on both the organization and my teammates," Spaeth said. "We are going to resolve it internally." Reed said he is getting support from the community, organization and teammates. He said he received a lot of support from fans when he attended the Penguins' game Tuesday night. "I talked to (Art) Rooney, Kevin (Colbert) and coach Tomlin, and they told me what they thought, and it was not negative," Reed said. "There is a lot more investigating to do with this." Reed declined to expand on what more investigating needed to be done. "For me, I can move on," Reed said. "My job is to make points, make field goals and kick off for this team. It is quite embarrassing to be in the news like that." Mark Kaboly can be reached at mkaboly@dailynewsemail.com or 412-664- 9161. Images and text copyright 2009 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from Trib Total Media

TimesOnline.com: Double vision for Steelers http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sports_details/article/1501/2009/october/22/double-vi... Page 1 of 2 Thursday October 22, 2009 Double vision for Steelers By: Mike Bires Beaver County Times Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson (28) is congratulated by Brett Favre (4) after Peterson rushed for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) PITTSBURGH --- From a defensive perspective, James Farrior has the precise description for what awaits the Steelers on Sunday. Double trouble, he said. When Farrior and the rest of the Steelers defense face the Minnesota Vikings, they ll have not one but two superstars to contend with. One is 40-year-old quarterback Brett Favre, the ageless wonder who s been the most compelling story in the NFL so far this season. The other is Adrian Peterson, who s rushed for more yards and more touchdowns than any other running back since he entered the league in 2007. A (future) Hall of Fame quarterback and the best running back in the NFL this is probably going to be the toughest match-up we ll face this year, said Farrior, an inside linebacker.

TimesOnline.com: Double vision for Steelers http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sports_details/article/1501/2009/october/22/double-vi... Page 2 of 2 A legendary player in Brett Favre and an up-and-coming legendary player in Adrian Peterson, added Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend. Now in his 19th pro season, Favre joined the Vikings this summer after a much-ballyhooed saga of will he or won t he. In desperate need of a reliable quarterback who would be the final piece of a Super Bowl-contending team, coach Brad Childress basically begged Favre to play for the Vikings. After great debate, Favre finally turned his back on retirement for the second time in two years and agreed to a two-year deal worth $12 million this season and $13 million in 2010. He s a game manager, Childress said. You know as a quarterback, if you touch the ball 60 times in this game, you re going to have something to do with the outcome. Favre, who spent most of his career with the Green Bay Packers, is managing the Vikings offense better than even Childress could have expected. Favre ranks third in the league with a 109.5 passer rating. The only two QBs with higher ratings are New Orleans Drew Brees at 118.4 and Indianapolis Peyton Manning 114.1. Unlike last year when he threw 22 touchdown passes and 22 interceptions for the New York Jets, Favre has a much better ratio this year: 12 TDs and only two picks. He s a good story, Steelers free safety Ryan Clark said of Favre, who holds NFL records for most career TD passes (476) and passing yards (66,474). Peterson, too, is a good story. As a rookie, he ranked second in the league with 1,341 rushing yards. In a game against San Diego, he set an NFL record with 296 yards. Last year, Peterson led the league with 1,760 yards. This year, he s rushed for a league-high 624. This guy that plays running back for them is arguably the best football player in the world right now, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. The Steelers (4-2) are 4-point favorites over the Vikings (6-0). But they know that playing against the one-two punch of Favre and Peterson, winning won t be easy. It s a nightmare for a defense, linebacker LaMarr Woodley said. If you focus on the run, they ll throw the ball downfield and beat you with the pass. If you focus on the pass, Adrian Peterson will run on you. That s double trouble indeed. Mike Bires can be reached online at mbires@timesonline.com

Steelers face dominant defensive line http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/print/10-22-steelers-o-line-anxious Page 1 of 2 Steelers face dominant defensive line 3:30 AM PITTSBURGH - For the past few years, the defensive line of the Minnesota Vikings has lived up to the marauding nature of their namesakes. Since 2006, no NFL team has allowed fewer rushing yards than the Vikings. Since 2004, no player has more quaretrback sacks than than Minnesota defensive end Jared Allen. You might think that, given they must block Minnesota's talented defensive line Sunday when the Steelers (4-2) host the Vikings (6-0), the Steelers' offensive linemen might be worried. If you did, then you'd be wrong. The Steelers' offensive linemen are looking forward to facing Minnesota. "They're one of the better defensive lines and they have been for a few years. They've got the résumé," said Steelers guard Trai Essex. "As an offensive line, we're looking forward to showing that we're a good and up-and-coming offensive line." After allowing 49 sacks and paving the way for a running game that averaged just 3.7 yards per carry last year, Pittsburgh's offensive line was considered a weak link. Just one change was made on that unit - Essex replaced Darnell Stapleton at right guard. The sack totals are down this season, as the Steelers have given up 16 in six games, and running back Rashard Mendenhall has averaged 5.1 yards per carry. More importantly, the Steelers are averaging more than 400 yards of offense, nearly 100 more than last year when the team won its sixth Super Bowl. The criticism of the offensive line has subsided considerably. "It seems we only hear about the bad; we never hear about the good. I think we're getting better each week," Essex said. "Personally, I feel like I'm getting more comfortable at right guard every week. As a unit, I think that helps us out. In terms of communication, we're operating at an all-time high and not having nearly as many mental errors.... I think it's all coming together." It better, especially with the Vikings on deck. In Allen and defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams, the Vikings have perhaps the best defensive line in the NFL. Each was selected to the Pro Bowl last year, just the third time in NFL history one team has had three defensive linemen so honored. The Williams duo - all 630 pounds of them - present a particularly tough matchup for the Steelers and are a big reason why the Vikings are allowing only 93 yards rushing per game. "Any time you get a chance to go against a worthy opponent, you want to go out and do your best," said Steelers right tackle Willie Colon. "We're looking forward to it, especially those two big boys in the

Steelers face dominant defensive line http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/print/10-22-steelers-o-line-anxious Page 2 of 2 middle. It will be a good look for us. "If we can run against these guys, it will be a shoutout to the NFL that we're pretty good." "If we're doing good, we'll stay with it," Colon continued. "If we're not, we put it on (quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's) shoulders and let him take us home." Odds and end zones Safety Troy Polamalu (knee), defensive end Travis Kirschke (back) and wide receiver Hines Ward (coach's decision) did not practice Wednesday. Mendenhall (knee bruise) was limited. None of the injuries are considered serious. Copyright Observer Publishing Co.

http://www.heraldstandard.com/news_detail/article/1636/2009/october/22/to-beat-vikings... Page 1 of 1 To beat Vikings, Steelers must shut down Adrian Peterson By: HERALD STANDARD STAFF Herald Standard PITTSBURGH (AP) - They've met with their coaches, watched tape, talked among themselves. The Pittsburgh Steelers still aren't certain how they're going to do it. Shut down Brett Favre, who remains one of the NFL's prolific passers? For certain, that's a worry. To beat the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings (6-0) on Sunday, the Steelers (4-2) understand their top priority must be finding a way to slow down Adrian Peterson, something no opposing game plan or defensive scheme has accomplished this season. Peterson's 624 yards rushing lead the NFL, and his 5.16 yards per carry average through 36 career games is the highest in NFL history at that stage of a career. Barry Sanders had a 5.12 average and Jim Brown had a 5.07 average, according to Stats LLC. In Minnesota's other two games against AFC North opponents, Peterson gained 180 yards against Cleveland and 143 yards against Baltimore. He gained 85 yards or more in four of Minnesota's first six games. "It's double trouble," Steelers linebacker James Farrior said Wednesday. "It's probably going to be the toughest matchup that we face. They've got a Hall of Fame quarterback, the best running back in the league, one of the best offensive lines. They've got the total package." Calling Peterson the NFL's best running back is insufficient, according to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. "Arguably the best football player in the world right now is Adrian Peterson," Tomlin said. The Steelers aren't backing away from the challenge. They are No. 2 against the run, and limited No. 2 rusher Chris Johnson of Tennessee to 57 yards and No. 3 Cedric Benson of Cincinnati to 76 yards - the most by any opposing back against them this season. The Steelers haven't allowed an 100-yard game in their last 24 regular season games, or since Fred Taylor ran for 147 yards during the Jaguars' 29-22 victory on Dec. 16, 2007. The Steelers were No. 1 in defense the last two seasons and were No. 2 against the run last season. This will be the Steelers defense's first big test against an elite runner without defensive end Aaron Smith, one of the NFL's top run stoppers. He is out for the season with a right shoulder injury. "I just think we've got to do a good job wrapping (Peterson) up, tackling as a team, not expecting one guy on this team to tackle him by themselves," linebacker LaMarr Woodley said. "I feel like if we hit him as a unit, he will go down." It normally takes more than one tackler to slow him, Woodley said, because the 6-foot-1, 217-pound Peterson is so adept at running through arm tackles. Then again, he excels at running through entire teams. Peterson has 3,725 yards rushing since 2007, or 529 yards more than any other player. He also has 1,216 yards, a 135.1 yards per game average and 11 touchdowns in nine games against AFC teams. "He hits the holes with speed," Woodley said. "Once he sees it, he hits it. It doesn't take him long to get it started. He's got great footwork. He's powerful and he's just a combination of everything. It's hard to tackle a guy like that." Tomlin sees something else, too. "The (video) tape says he's ridiculously competitive," Tomlin said. "He doesn't turn down challenges. He does a lot of things well, even when the ball's not in his hands." Because Peterson creates so many problems, it proves distracting to defenses that already must worry about Favre's long-proven ability to complete passes under pressure and to improvise when a play breaks down. Sidney Rice had a career-high 176 yards receiving as the Vikings rallied to beat the Ravens 33-31 on Sunday. "You can't focus on one thing," Woodley said. "If you focus on the run, Brett Favre will beat you downfield with guys like Sidney Rice. If you focus on the pass, Adrian Peterson can run the ball. You have to balance it out and maybe try to stop both." October 22, 2009

http://www.heraldstandard.com/news_detail/article/1636/2009/october/22/reed-fields-que... Page 1 of 2 Reed fields questions about recent citations By: JIM WEXELL Herald Standard PITTSBURGH - Jeff Reed stood in front of his locker Wednesday and met a mob of Pittsburgh reporters who had questions about Reed being cited by Pittsburgh police Sunday night for simple assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public intoxication outside a downtown bar. Here's the transcript: Q: Your agent said you're going to fight it. Are you? A: I'm not going to answer any questions about it. I told my agent to keep his mouth shut because he doesn't know what's going on. So if you guys ask him, I told him to tell you the same thing. Q: Are you satisfied with the way Mike Tomlin and the organization handled this? A: Very satisfied. I was kind of shocked to hear people ask if I was going to play or not. Stuff like this you just have to deal with. It makes you tougher. And I'm a captain of this team. It may not sound like it when something like this comes up, but I like to represent this team as well as I can. You know that through all the charity stuff I do. Q: Will this ever be a distraction for you? A: I apologize for being a distraction to this team. For me, now I can move on. There are other players that have done this and played well, so it's not an excuse. My job is to make points, kick field goals and kick off for this team, and I will always do my best. Q: Are you worried at all about a suspension from the league? A: Not at all. Once all the investigation is done, whatever happens happens, but as for right now it's going to be a long process. Q: Is it disappointing that something like this comes up at this point in the season? A: Very disappointing. You know, after the Chicago game I was down. I'm coming around. The team's doing great now and I'm contributing like I should. That's part of it. It's disappointing but we'll move forward. Q: What has been the response by your teammates? A: All of them told me to keep my head up, don't worry about it, we need you. Stuff like that keeps me going. Q: What do you say to the fans? A: To the fans, I went to the hockey game last night and everybody was real complimentary and real nice to me. They know that I love this community, I love Steeler Nation, so I if I need to apologize to them, I do apologize to them and I will never let this city down. Q: What investigation are you talking about? A: I'm not going to answer that. Q: Is the best way to get past this by putting yourself in the Baltimore kicker's shoes and make a kick? A: The best way to get past this is to go to work today and move on. I'm not going look and compare myself to - I've been in his shoes before. If it wasn't Baltimore, man, I'd really feel for him. We need guys in our conference to not do as great, but for him, I've been in his shoes before - obviously this year - and I know how that feels. I'm not looking to hit a game-winner, but if it's necessary, yes. Q: This game could come down to your leg, couldn't it?

http://www.heraldstandard.com/news_detail/article/1636/2009/october/22/reed-fields-que... Page 2 of 2 A: Yeah. And I actually approach every game like that. We always have a bull's eye on our backs, or chests. But it's one of those situations where you can call it a distraction all you want. I apologize to the community and to this team and to this organization because that's very important to me and my family. It's been embarrassing to be in the news like that, but at the same time my job is to kick field goals and extra points and kick off for this team, and I will. Q: Is it bad timing for this to happen when you'll soon be looking for another contract? A: Not at all. You can't think like that. Somebody asked me after Chicago that, since it's a contract year, does that affect how much money you're going to make. I mean, come on, give me a break. October 22, 2009

Favre proving his arm's still up to task http://www.startribune.com/templates/print_this_story?sid=65370532 Page 1 of 2 Favre proving his arm's still up to task By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune October 21, 2009 As Brett Favre rolled right and looked downfield for Sidney Rice late in Sunday's game against Baltimore, the Vikings quarterback had no idea if he could complete the pass he was about to attempt. At the age of 40, with a biceps tendon that had been surgically repaired and a rotator cuff that remains partially torn in his throwing arm, the odds probably were against him. But with less than three minutes remaining and his team trailing by a point, Favre scrambled to his 21-yard line and let fly. Sixty-one yards downfield, Rice caught the nearly perfectly thrown pass while being interfered with to set up Ryan Longwell's eventual winning field goal. "I didn't know if I could make [that throw] before I made it the other day," Favre said Wednesday. "But I was willing to take that chance and it was kind of like after I threw it, I went, 'Whew, all right.'" With that, Favre provided another answer to himself -- and everyone else -- about whether he made the right decision in returning for a 19th season. The Vikings will take a 6-0 record into Sunday's game at Pittsburgh in large part because Favre continues to perform at a level higher than anyone could have expected. And the veteran is playing at that level because the arm that gave him so much trouble last year continues to feel good. Favre's 109.5 passer rating ranks third in the NFL behind New Orleans' Drew Brees (118.4) and Indianapolis' Peyton Manning (114.1), and he has thrown 10 more touchdown passes than interceptions (12-2). Last season with the New York Jets, Favre had thrown one more touchdown pass at this point but had six more interceptions. "I just expected him to come in and play good football," Vikings coach Brad Childress said when asked if Favre had exceeded expectations. "Just like somebody asked me, 'Did you expect him to only throw two interceptions?' I expect no interceptions. That is my expectation every single week, just like I expect to win. But I'm not clairvoyant, so I just expected him to come in and play well. He has done a good job of building as we go, growing with the guys that he's playing with and in the system and in our place here." It was in the fifth game last season when Favre took a hit against Cincinnati that led to his biceps injury. Favre did not begin to struggle on a consistent basis until the final five games when he failed to register a passer rating above 61.4. On Sunday, Favre passed for more than 200 yards for the fourth consecutive game, threw three touchdown passes

Favre proving his arm's still up to task http://www.startribune.com/templates/print_this_story?sid=65370532 Page 2 of 2 for the second time in three games and his 136.9 rating was his highest for a full game since he had a 142.4 rating in October 2007. "He's playing at a very high level, and the thing is he has guys around him to help him play at that level," said tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, who is tied for first in the NFL with five touchdown catches. "Everything is not on him. Everybody is doing their part. That's what we brought him here to do. That's why Coach [Brad] Childress was willing to cut off his arms and legs to bring him here." Childress' primary concern now will be keeping Favre healthy and making sure his quarterback doesn't have a repeat of 2008. Favre said the rotator cuff hasn't bothered him and that his arm has felt great. "I ice it when I feel like I need to," Favre said. "When's the last time I iced? I couldn't tell you." It helps that the Vikings have continued to keep Favre on a pitch count in practice to make sure he doesn't throw too many passes. As for the Vikings' success, Favre isn't surprised the team is undefeated. He does admit, however, the proficiency of the aerial attack in what is really a run-first offense has been a pleasant surprise. "I didn't think we would be as productive in the passing game," he said. "I didn't think we would need to be. If I have to think back as unsure of my arm as I was, I knew it was fixed, but there still was a little bit of pain. How long it would hold up. Up to this point it's been way better than I would [have expected]. I thought I would kind of work into it. "To be honest with you from day one, not that I've taken every rep, but I've really just kind of practiced and gone about it as if I was 25. I felt like I could do it but there were a lot of question marks coming off the surgery and then finding a tear in my rotator cuff. It's hard to be that optimistic." Actually, for Favre, it should be getting easier with each game. 2009 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.