I ran into former Steelers PR guy Joe Gordon in the lobby of the hotel Friday night while waiting for a ride out to Tank's Tap Room - actually, we took a limo since it was the only thing available at the time.
Gordon, was, of course, the Steelers' PR guy during the 70s and was without a doubt, the best in the business.
He retired back in the early 90s, but has remained close with the team over the years.
He mentioned how much bigger the Super Bowl has gotten over the years and few would know more about that than Joe - a class act all the way.
© The crowd at Tank's Friday night was ridiculous - in a good way.
I think half of Pittsburgh was there. It's a good thing they don't get too concerned with open container laws down here - or maybe just not this week - because there was quite an overflow outside the bar.
Apparently, they weren't too concerned with fire codes, either, because there had to be about 500 more people in that bar than what was supposed to be there. And it's a pretty good-sized place.
© Just so the bosses don't get too worked up about the limo, the driver agreed to take five of us out to Tank's for $25. His scheduled fare didn't arrive until 9 p.m., so we were good to go.
© I really believe weather will be a big factor for the Steelers Sunday. They haven't played a good weather game in months and it's really affected their offense.
I believe that's been a big factor in Ben Roethlisberger's completion percentage being down from previous seasons.
© What's the over/under on the number of times Brenda Warner's face is seen on TV Sunday? I'm punching in at seven, which is about seven more times than she needs to be seen.
© Congratulations to Rod Woodson for his election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But how in the hell does Bob Hayes get in and not Dermontti Dawson?
I know some people will say that about Randall McDaniel, but if you look at his career honors, he's deserving. But so is Dawson.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Time for a pick
I guess since all the other media types are making their predictions, the time has come for mine.
I'm 8-2 in these playoffs against the spread and would hate to blow that by missing the Super Bowl pick.
That said, this is a tough game to figure because the Cardinals have been a tough team to figure. I did, however, pick them to beat Atlanta in the first round and Philadelphia in the NFC Championship game. I totally blew the Carolina game, however, as did most of the rest of the country.
I'm 2-0 with the Steelers this postseason, picking them to win and cover against both San Diego and Baltimore.
But I was put on the spot the other night on the radio and asked for my pick in this game and I'm going to stick with my first inclination, that the Steelers win and cover, 27-17.
I haven't seen an offense all season that's been able to figure out this defense and if the Steelers don't turn it over, the Cards will have a tough time breaking 20 points.
The Steelers, on the other hand, should be able to have some success against Arizona's defense.
I'm 8-2 in these playoffs against the spread and would hate to blow that by missing the Super Bowl pick.
That said, this is a tough game to figure because the Cardinals have been a tough team to figure. I did, however, pick them to beat Atlanta in the first round and Philadelphia in the NFC Championship game. I totally blew the Carolina game, however, as did most of the rest of the country.
I'm 2-0 with the Steelers this postseason, picking them to win and cover against both San Diego and Baltimore.
But I was put on the spot the other night on the radio and asked for my pick in this game and I'm going to stick with my first inclination, that the Steelers win and cover, 27-17.
I haven't seen an offense all season that's been able to figure out this defense and if the Steelers don't turn it over, the Cards will have a tough time breaking 20 points.
The Steelers, on the other hand, should be able to have some success against Arizona's defense.
Local ties
While walking into the Observer-Reporter's media booth at the media center today – we're tucked in here between the New York Post and Dallas Morning News – I noticed a policeman following me back.
I didn't think I had done anything wrong recently, but you never know.
Turns out, Detective Philip C. Eonda is a 1978 graduate of Trinity High School and grew up in North Franklin Township.
Det. Eonda is one of the many members of law enforcement on patrol here at the media center – Tampa's Convention Center. He has been here in Tampa for a number of years, but wanted to stop back and say hello to somebody from his hometown.
I've given his information to Mike Jones, one of our news writers who's arriving here in Tampa today, so I'm sure Det. Eonda will appear in some way, shape or form in the Observer-Reporter over the weekend.
I didn't think I had done anything wrong recently, but you never know.
Turns out, Detective Philip C. Eonda is a 1978 graduate of Trinity High School and grew up in North Franklin Township.
Det. Eonda is one of the many members of law enforcement on patrol here at the media center – Tampa's Convention Center. He has been here in Tampa for a number of years, but wanted to stop back and say hello to somebody from his hometown.
I've given his information to Mike Jones, one of our news writers who's arriving here in Tampa today, so I'm sure Det. Eonda will appear in some way, shape or form in the Observer-Reporter over the weekend.
Friday morning
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt held their final press conferences of the week Friday morning, much, I'm sure, to both men's pleasure.
I can't speak for Whisenhunt, but I know that Tomlin has spoken to the media every day – except last Sunday - since beating the Baltimore in the AFC Championship.
They've got to be talked out.
© Speaking of talking, I'll be on Fox 970-AM tonight live from Tank's Tap Room here in Tampa from 8:30 to 10 p.m. with Tim Benz. Our segment will follow one by Gerry Dulac and Joe Bendel.
Tank's is a Steelers bar here that's owned by a guy from Johnstown. It should be hopping tonight.
© I finally saw my first fans in Arizona Cardinals jerseys last night. I haven't seen a ton of Steelers fans here yet, but it had been 100-to-one before last night.
© People are saying economics are playing a factor in the lack of fans here. I think it had more to do with the weather in Pittsburgh this week. People just couldn't get out of town.
That said, there are still plenty of tickets available for this game and they should start going at discount rates soon.
© We had our first major rainfall here in Tampa last night. The monsoon-like rain lasted a couple of hours.
It wouldn't be a Steelers game this season without some poor weather.
It's in the 50s here today and threatening rain again.
I can't speak for Whisenhunt, but I know that Tomlin has spoken to the media every day – except last Sunday - since beating the Baltimore in the AFC Championship.
They've got to be talked out.
© Speaking of talking, I'll be on Fox 970-AM tonight live from Tank's Tap Room here in Tampa from 8:30 to 10 p.m. with Tim Benz. Our segment will follow one by Gerry Dulac and Joe Bendel.
Tank's is a Steelers bar here that's owned by a guy from Johnstown. It should be hopping tonight.
© I finally saw my first fans in Arizona Cardinals jerseys last night. I haven't seen a ton of Steelers fans here yet, but it had been 100-to-one before last night.
© People are saying economics are playing a factor in the lack of fans here. I think it had more to do with the weather in Pittsburgh this week. People just couldn't get out of town.
That said, there are still plenty of tickets available for this game and they should start going at discount rates soon.
© We had our first major rainfall here in Tampa last night. The monsoon-like rain lasted a couple of hours.
It wouldn't be a Steelers game this season without some poor weather.
It's in the 50s here today and threatening rain again.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The mouth that roared
Thursday, one of the Steelers took some shots at the Arizona Cardinals. And it wasn't somebody anyone would have expected.
It wasn't Anthony Smith guaranteeing a win over New England, but it was surprising none the less.
I was talking to center Justin Hartwig about the offensive line and if getting to the Super Bowl is some vidication for that group when he started questioning the Cardinals a bit.
I'm sure Hartwig didn't really think he was being all that disrespectful as he was doing it, but questioning the team's schedule and talking about how they got pounded by New England when the Steelers beat New England sure won't go over well in Arizona's locker room.
You can read all of Hartwig's comments in Friday's Observer-Reporter.
© These guys are obviously getting tired of the constant questions coming from the gathered media.
In fact, it's gotten to the point now where when they see a familiar face from Pittsburgh, you get a reaction like you're an old friend they haven't seen in years.
The two-week lag between the championship games and the Super Bowl is too long, but I really don't see any way around it.
The logistics of having a Super Bowl in different host cities just makes holding the game the week after the championship games unworkable.
© Head coach Mike Tomlin was named the Motorola coach of the year today. That one's voted on by the fans, so Steelers fans can give themselves a pat on the back for getting Tomlin that award.
© Tomlin put the word "Wetsu" on the black board in the team's locker room Thursday. It's short for We Eat That Shit Up.
Apparently, it's something his high school coach came up with to talk about big plays.
It wasn't Anthony Smith guaranteeing a win over New England, but it was surprising none the less.
I was talking to center Justin Hartwig about the offensive line and if getting to the Super Bowl is some vidication for that group when he started questioning the Cardinals a bit.
I'm sure Hartwig didn't really think he was being all that disrespectful as he was doing it, but questioning the team's schedule and talking about how they got pounded by New England when the Steelers beat New England sure won't go over well in Arizona's locker room.
You can read all of Hartwig's comments in Friday's Observer-Reporter.
© These guys are obviously getting tired of the constant questions coming from the gathered media.
In fact, it's gotten to the point now where when they see a familiar face from Pittsburgh, you get a reaction like you're an old friend they haven't seen in years.
The two-week lag between the championship games and the Super Bowl is too long, but I really don't see any way around it.
The logistics of having a Super Bowl in different host cities just makes holding the game the week after the championship games unworkable.
© Head coach Mike Tomlin was named the Motorola coach of the year today. That one's voted on by the fans, so Steelers fans can give themselves a pat on the back for getting Tomlin that award.
© Tomlin put the word "Wetsu" on the black board in the team's locker room Thursday. It's short for We Eat That Shit Up.
Apparently, it's something his high school coach came up with to talk about big plays.
Thursday morning
I can't believe the week is only halfway complete. It already seems like we've been here forever.
The players are getting a little tired of the bombardment of questions as well. They probably wouldn't mind so much if many of the questions weren't so repetetive.
I can only imagine how annoying that gets. I know it annoys the hell out of me when I'm standing there and hear the same question three times from three different people - and it's something I covered in a story in, say, November.
© Did radio from Tank's Tap Room here in Tampa last night.
Tank's is a big Steelers bar here in Tampa. It's owned by a Johnstown guy (actually Southmont, I checked since I went to Pitt-Johnstown) and has about 60 different beers on tap.
I got a sandwich there, I believe it was called the Tankenator or something like that. It was roast beef, cheese, hot peppers, green peppers, onions and mushrooms.
I ordered the small - it comes in three sizes - and it was a monster. I can only imagine what the $20-plus sandwich looks like.
© A few weeks ago, I alluded to an interesting game plan the Steelers were working on for the Ravens.
During the season, we're not allowed to talk specifically about what we see in practice under agreement with the Steelers. We don't talk about what we see other than basic stuff and they keep their practices completely open - something few teams now do.
But since we're shut out of practice now, I can tell you they've been working a wildcat package with Mewelde Moore in the backfield. No more secrets.
The players are getting a little tired of the bombardment of questions as well. They probably wouldn't mind so much if many of the questions weren't so repetetive.
I can only imagine how annoying that gets. I know it annoys the hell out of me when I'm standing there and hear the same question three times from three different people - and it's something I covered in a story in, say, November.
© Did radio from Tank's Tap Room here in Tampa last night.
Tank's is a big Steelers bar here in Tampa. It's owned by a Johnstown guy (actually Southmont, I checked since I went to Pitt-Johnstown) and has about 60 different beers on tap.
I got a sandwich there, I believe it was called the Tankenator or something like that. It was roast beef, cheese, hot peppers, green peppers, onions and mushrooms.
I ordered the small - it comes in three sizes - and it was a monster. I can only imagine what the $20-plus sandwich looks like.
© A few weeks ago, I alluded to an interesting game plan the Steelers were working on for the Ravens.
During the season, we're not allowed to talk specifically about what we see in practice under agreement with the Steelers. We don't talk about what we see other than basic stuff and they keep their practices completely open - something few teams now do.
But since we're shut out of practice now, I can tell you they've been working a wildcat package with Mewelde Moore in the backfield. No more secrets.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Ward looking good
Hines Ward will wear a brace on his right knee Sunday, but it's looking highly likely that he'll play, not that it's a huge surprise.
It would be more surprising if Ward, a warrior, didn't play in a game of this magnitude.
© I just finished a huge feature story on Mike Tomlin for Sunday's paper.
Sometimes you just have too much information to delve through. Every word Tomlin has spoken publicly in the past two weeks is transcribed and put up on the net. It's also e-mailed directly to me along with all of the other quotes from this week.
You don't realize how much stuff that is until you open you e-mail and see 500 different collections of quotes. And that's pretty much just from the last two days.
© As the week wears on, there are more and more former players milling around.
I just stopped over at radio row - it's actually a big room - and Darrelle Revis and Franco Harris were being shuffled about to various radio shows.
I'll be on 970-AM tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. from Tank's Tap Room here in Tampa. But we won't have any big names, just me, Jim Wexell and Tim Benz.
I guess the listeners will have to live with that.
It would be more surprising if Ward, a warrior, didn't play in a game of this magnitude.
© I just finished a huge feature story on Mike Tomlin for Sunday's paper.
Sometimes you just have too much information to delve through. Every word Tomlin has spoken publicly in the past two weeks is transcribed and put up on the net. It's also e-mailed directly to me along with all of the other quotes from this week.
You don't realize how much stuff that is until you open you e-mail and see 500 different collections of quotes. And that's pretty much just from the last two days.
© As the week wears on, there are more and more former players milling around.
I just stopped over at radio row - it's actually a big room - and Darrelle Revis and Franco Harris were being shuffled about to various radio shows.
I'll be on 970-AM tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. from Tank's Tap Room here in Tampa. But we won't have any big names, just me, Jim Wexell and Tim Benz.
I guess the listeners will have to live with that.
Wednesday morning
I went to the Tampa media party last night - probably the only party I'll get to this week. But it was worth it.
The food - from many of Tampa's best joints - and liquor were plentiful and the price was just right.
The event was held at the Cuban Club in Ybor City. When I found that was where it was going to be, I looked the place up on line to learn a little more about it.
It was an interesting place, much like a party being held at the Duquesne Club in Pittsburgh.
Many of the buildings down here aren't that old - the city itself was barely a blip on the map 100 years ago. But cigar makers moved their production centers here around that time, turning this area into a giant smokehouse.
As such, there were gentlemen at the party last night rolling cigars on the spot. I'm not a cigar smoker, but some of the guys I was with are and they took advantage of the opportunity getting several different varieties.
Like everything else at the party, they were free as well.
The main entertainment was .38 Special, a band that I guess at this point would be considered classic rock. God, I must be getting old because I remembered every song they played from my high school days. But they were pretty good.
After that night, it's back to the grind today. There are more interviews to be done and plenty of stories to be written. Just thought I'd update you all on some of the non-football stuff going on here.
The food - from many of Tampa's best joints - and liquor were plentiful and the price was just right.
The event was held at the Cuban Club in Ybor City. When I found that was where it was going to be, I looked the place up on line to learn a little more about it.
It was an interesting place, much like a party being held at the Duquesne Club in Pittsburgh.
Many of the buildings down here aren't that old - the city itself was barely a blip on the map 100 years ago. But cigar makers moved their production centers here around that time, turning this area into a giant smokehouse.
As such, there were gentlemen at the party last night rolling cigars on the spot. I'm not a cigar smoker, but some of the guys I was with are and they took advantage of the opportunity getting several different varieties.
Like everything else at the party, they were free as well.
The main entertainment was .38 Special, a band that I guess at this point would be considered classic rock. God, I must be getting old because I remembered every song they played from my high school days. But they were pretty good.
After that night, it's back to the grind today. There are more interviews to be done and plenty of stories to be written. Just thought I'd update you all on some of the non-football stuff going on here.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Sitting down with Rod
I sat down with length today with former Steelers cornerback and current Hall of Fame finalist Rod Woodson.
Woodson, now an analyst for the NFL Network, was very concerned about the Steelers' matchup with the Cardinals because of what Arizona can do offensively spreading a defense out.
I'll have more on that in Thursday's Observer-Reporter.
Woodson, now an analyst for the NFL Network, was very concerned about the Steelers' matchup with the Cardinals because of what Arizona can do offensively spreading a defense out.
I'll have more on that in Thursday's Observer-Reporter.
Media day madness
Media day has just ended. It should actually be called media/I'm just a guy who wants to be on TV or get my picture taken day.
The lunatics were out in full force as usual today.
Just a quick rundown of what I saw:
© A guy interviewing players in a wedding dress. (As Casey Hampton said, "that's f-ed up.")
© An idiot in a coonskin hat.
© Several female reporters - apparently all from Spanish-speaking stations – who were either scantily clad or wearing clothing so tight they apparently had it painted on.
© A ponytailed dude from the islands who got off getting the players to say aloha to him.
The craziness seemed a little toned down this year as opposed to others - or maybe I'm just getting used to it. I hope not.
I did get a chance to get a lot of interviews done with some people I normally don't get to speak to on the record.
Director of football operations Kevin Colbert is one of those people. Colbert doesn't speak to the media during the season because he doesn't want to be a distraction.
But he's kind of forced to talk today, so we had a nice long chat about the team's future and its current roster.
I'll have a story on it later this week.
© Today was when I saw a big difference in the two teams.
The Cardinals went first with their media day and they seemed a little tight. They didn't have a lot of fun with all of the silliness that goes on.
The Steelers were very loose. Even James Harrison was having some fun with it, sitting down at Mike Tomlin's table for a while before Tomlin came in.
The lunatics were out in full force as usual today.
Just a quick rundown of what I saw:
© A guy interviewing players in a wedding dress. (As Casey Hampton said, "that's f-ed up.")
© An idiot in a coonskin hat.
© Several female reporters - apparently all from Spanish-speaking stations – who were either scantily clad or wearing clothing so tight they apparently had it painted on.
© A ponytailed dude from the islands who got off getting the players to say aloha to him.
The craziness seemed a little toned down this year as opposed to others - or maybe I'm just getting used to it. I hope not.
I did get a chance to get a lot of interviews done with some people I normally don't get to speak to on the record.
Director of football operations Kevin Colbert is one of those people. Colbert doesn't speak to the media during the season because he doesn't want to be a distraction.
But he's kind of forced to talk today, so we had a nice long chat about the team's future and its current roster.
I'll have a story on it later this week.
© Today was when I saw a big difference in the two teams.
The Cardinals went first with their media day and they seemed a little tight. They didn't have a lot of fun with all of the silliness that goes on.
The Steelers were very loose. Even James Harrison was having some fun with it, sitting down at Mike Tomlin's table for a while before Tomlin came in.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday afternoon
We just finished up with the Steelers' portion of Monday's media schedule, as head coach Mike Tomlin, linebacker James Harrison, safety Troy Polamalu, wide receiver Hines Ward, tight end Heath Miller, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and defensive end Brett Keisel were made available to the media.
I had a nice moment with Tomlin and a couple of other reporters before he went up and answered questions from the masses as he arrived a little early.
Tomlin made a joke about making us work an extra week, to which I replied that at least he wasn't still working next week. My line of thinking was that if he were working next week, it would mean he would be coaching in the Pro Bowl - the job that falls on the losing coach in the conference championship game.
But he went another way with it, saying he wouldn't mind taking the Steelers and playing against the NFC in the Pro Bowl.
Tomlin really seemed to be enjoying the moment in the sun.
© I asked Keisel if the rumors about defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's retirement after the Super Bowl had been addressed.
He said they had and that they weren't true.
I'll have more in Tuesday's edition of the Observer-Reporter.
I had a nice moment with Tomlin and a couple of other reporters before he went up and answered questions from the masses as he arrived a little early.
Tomlin made a joke about making us work an extra week, to which I replied that at least he wasn't still working next week. My line of thinking was that if he were working next week, it would mean he would be coaching in the Pro Bowl - the job that falls on the losing coach in the conference championship game.
But he went another way with it, saying he wouldn't mind taking the Steelers and playing against the NFC in the Pro Bowl.
Tomlin really seemed to be enjoying the moment in the sun.
© I asked Keisel if the rumors about defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's retirement after the Super Bowl had been addressed.
He said they had and that they weren't true.
I'll have more in Tuesday's edition of the Observer-Reporter.
Greetings from Tampa
We touched down in Tampa at 11:55 a.m. after a quick and painless flight.
The players are having a lot of fun with this. A number of them are carrying camcorders to record the memories of this week.
Some even ventured back into our part of the plane to record us. I guess since we record them all the time, fair's fair.
After the plane touched down, a pillow fight was started in the front of the plane, with the little airplane pillows flying freely.
The team is very loose.
The players are having a lot of fun with this. A number of them are carrying camcorders to record the memories of this week.
Some even ventured back into our part of the plane to record us. I guess since we record them all the time, fair's fair.
After the plane touched down, a pillow fight was started in the front of the plane, with the little airplane pillows flying freely.
The team is very loose.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Ready to go
The bags are officially packed and the plane leaves in the morning.
Tonight will be the last night of normalcy for me for the next eight days until I return home Monday afternoon.
There's a lot happening at the Super Bowl – every day, in fact. I've gotten the schedule of events for the week from the NFL and will try to get to as much stuff as I can.
I'll be updating this blog several times per day, so check back often.
And I'll try to get to as many questions as I can - but the daily newspaper is my master and the master has me very busy this week.
Dale
Tonight will be the last night of normalcy for me for the next eight days until I return home Monday afternoon.
There's a lot happening at the Super Bowl – every day, in fact. I've gotten the schedule of events for the week from the NFL and will try to get to as much stuff as I can.
I'll be updating this blog several times per day, so check back often.
And I'll try to get to as many questions as I can - but the daily newspaper is my master and the master has me very busy this week.
Dale
Saturday, January 24, 2009
What's the big deal?
From the AP: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonathan Dekker was arrested early Saturday and charged with obstruction of justice.
Dekker, who injured his knee in August and spent the season on injured reserve, was released on $1,000 bond, police said.
Police said they responded to a complaint at 3:30 a.m. near Old Town Alexandria. When they arrived, police said, Dekker tried to flee but was apprehended.
Police did not provide details of the complaint. A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 2.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Dekker played three games for the Steelers in 2007. He was signed by the Steelers in 2006 as a free agent from Princeton and spent that season on the practice squad.
Pittsburgh plays Arizona in the Super Bowl on Feb. 1.
The Steelers put Dekker on injured reserve after he tore knee ligaments, but his chances of making their final roster weren't great. He's a receiving threat at tight end, not a blocker.
But that won't stop some from saying this will be a distraction for the Steelers as they prepare for the Super Bowl.
Puhleez. Dekker has spent time in Pittsburgh rehabbing his knee, but he's hardly relevant in the grand scheme of things.
Dekker, who injured his knee in August and spent the season on injured reserve, was released on $1,000 bond, police said.
Police said they responded to a complaint at 3:30 a.m. near Old Town Alexandria. When they arrived, police said, Dekker tried to flee but was apprehended.
Police did not provide details of the complaint. A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 2.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Dekker played three games for the Steelers in 2007. He was signed by the Steelers in 2006 as a free agent from Princeton and spent that season on the practice squad.
Pittsburgh plays Arizona in the Super Bowl on Feb. 1.
The Steelers put Dekker on injured reserve after he tore knee ligaments, but his chances of making their final roster weren't great. He's a receiving threat at tight end, not a blocker.
But that won't stop some from saying this will be a distraction for the Steelers as they prepare for the Super Bowl.
Puhleez. Dekker has spent time in Pittsburgh rehabbing his knee, but he's hardly relevant in the grand scheme of things.
Record breakers?
Assuming he plays, Hines Ward has a good chance to set a franchise record for postseason receiving yards.
Despite playing just the first quarter last Sunday against the Ravens, Ward passed Lynn Swann for second place on the team's all-time posteason receiving yards chart.
Ward now has 1,021 postseason receiving yards and needs 34 in the Super Bowl to pass John Stallworth and become the Steelers' all-time leader.
Placekicker Jeff Reed needs one field goal to tie the franchise postseason record of 14 held by Roy Gerela and Gary Anderson. Reed is two back of Gerela’s record of 34 extra points.
He's got a ways to go to catch Gerela in career postseason attempts, though. Gerela had 27. That's right, the great Roy Gerela was 15 of 27 on field goal attempts in his career.
Put up those kind of numbers these days and you won't last very long.
© Here's a did you know: Troy Polamalu's interception return for a touchdown was the first in Steelers' postseason history.
Despite playing just the first quarter last Sunday against the Ravens, Ward passed Lynn Swann for second place on the team's all-time posteason receiving yards chart.
Ward now has 1,021 postseason receiving yards and needs 34 in the Super Bowl to pass John Stallworth and become the Steelers' all-time leader.
Placekicker Jeff Reed needs one field goal to tie the franchise postseason record of 14 held by Roy Gerela and Gary Anderson. Reed is two back of Gerela’s record of 34 extra points.
He's got a ways to go to catch Gerela in career postseason attempts, though. Gerela had 27. That's right, the great Roy Gerela was 15 of 27 on field goal attempts in his career.
Put up those kind of numbers these days and you won't last very long.
© Here's a did you know: Troy Polamalu's interception return for a touchdown was the first in Steelers' postseason history.
Friday, January 23, 2009
An injury report already?
In a suprising move since the game won't be played until Feb. 1, the Steelers issued an injury report for the Super Bowl.
Hines Ward and linebacker Patrick Bailey are questionable, Ward with a knee injury, Bailey with an ankle problem.
Oensive tackle Max Starks and linebacker Lawrence Timmons all returned to practice Friday after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday.
Center Justin Hartwig still isn't practicing to rest his injured knee, but is listed as probable for the Super Bowl.
Running back Mewelde Moore (ankle) and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (back) are also listed as probable despite returning to practice Thursday.
I realize head coach Mike Tomlin wanted to treat this week as if the Steelers were playing Sunday, but this is a little ridiculous.
But the Steelers aren't alone in the craziness.
The Cardinals issued a practice report for Wednesday, even though they did not practice, but did not issue one Thursday, even though they did.
The league doesn't require them this week.
© The Steelers are making an extra effort to help Ward recover quickly from his sprained MCL suffered in the AFC Championship against the Ravens.
The Steelers are sending Ward's hyperbaric oxygen chamber to Tampa to help with his rehab regimen.
Hines Ward and linebacker Patrick Bailey are questionable, Ward with a knee injury, Bailey with an ankle problem.
Oensive tackle Max Starks and linebacker Lawrence Timmons all returned to practice Friday after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday.
Center Justin Hartwig still isn't practicing to rest his injured knee, but is listed as probable for the Super Bowl.
Running back Mewelde Moore (ankle) and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (back) are also listed as probable despite returning to practice Thursday.
I realize head coach Mike Tomlin wanted to treat this week as if the Steelers were playing Sunday, but this is a little ridiculous.
But the Steelers aren't alone in the craziness.
The Cardinals issued a practice report for Wednesday, even though they did not practice, but did not issue one Thursday, even though they did.
The league doesn't require them this week.
© The Steelers are making an extra effort to help Ward recover quickly from his sprained MCL suffered in the AFC Championship against the Ravens.
The Steelers are sending Ward's hyperbaric oxygen chamber to Tampa to help with his rehab regimen.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Thursday update
Ben Roethlisberger and Mewelde Moore were back on the practice field today after sitting out Wednesday. Roethlisberger had a sore back, Moore an ankle injury suffered against Baltimore.
Linebacker Patrick Bailey (hamstring), center Justin Hartwig (knee), offensive tackle Max Starks (knee), linebacker Lawrence Timmons (illness) and wide receiver Hines Ward (knee) missed their second consecutive day.
© Interesting note out of Arizona:
The Cardinals are using former Steelers backup QB Brian St. Pierre to simulate Ben Roethlisberger's scrambling ability in practice according to coch Ken Whisenhunt.
“We have Brian St. Pierre who was in Pittsburgh, so he has seen Ben do that. I’m not saying that physically he can do the things that Ben can do, but as far as scrambling and moving around in the pocket and those kinds of things, extending the play, we are trying to give them a picture for that. I think it’s not just Ben. It’s their receivers too because they are on the same page as Ben as far as where they are going when he scrambles. You are trying to give (the defense) that look, but it is not always easy.”
© The Pittsburgh Steelers will host a Super Bowl Pep Rally Friday, January 23, at Heinz Field in anticipation for the team’s trip to Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday, Feb. 1, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
The following is a schedule of events for the Pep Rally, which is being presented by PNC Bank and Comcast.
Here's the schedule of events rundown:
Admission - FREE
3 p.m. – Stadium lots and Carnegie Science Center lots open (parking for $5 available)
3 – 7 p.m. – WDVE live broadcast (Coca-Cola Great Hall)
5 – 7 p.m. – KISS FM live broadcast (Coca-Cola Great Hall)
5 p.m. – Gates A & B open
Highlights to be shown on Jumbotron
Concession stands will be open
Official Steelers merchandise will be available
5:40 p.m. – Performance by Pittsburgh Poison All-Stars Dance Team
5:45 p.m. – Performance by South Fayette Marching Band
6 p.m. – Free concert by The Clarks
7 p.m. – Pep Rally to begin
Big Machine Recording Artist Dusty Drake to perform 12th Man song
Hosted by KDKA-TV’s Bob Pompeani and Ken Rice, along with Steelers’ Radio Network talent Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley
Steelers’ players and local dignitaries will be on stage
7:30 p.m. – KDKA-TV Live Steelers Super Bowl TV Special
8:05 p.m. – Pittsburgh Fan Club performance – “Here We Go”
8:10 p.m. – Pep Rally to conclude
Linebacker Patrick Bailey (hamstring), center Justin Hartwig (knee), offensive tackle Max Starks (knee), linebacker Lawrence Timmons (illness) and wide receiver Hines Ward (knee) missed their second consecutive day.
© Interesting note out of Arizona:
The Cardinals are using former Steelers backup QB Brian St. Pierre to simulate Ben Roethlisberger's scrambling ability in practice according to coch Ken Whisenhunt.
“We have Brian St. Pierre who was in Pittsburgh, so he has seen Ben do that. I’m not saying that physically he can do the things that Ben can do, but as far as scrambling and moving around in the pocket and those kinds of things, extending the play, we are trying to give them a picture for that. I think it’s not just Ben. It’s their receivers too because they are on the same page as Ben as far as where they are going when he scrambles. You are trying to give (the defense) that look, but it is not always easy.”
© The Pittsburgh Steelers will host a Super Bowl Pep Rally Friday, January 23, at Heinz Field in anticipation for the team’s trip to Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday, Feb. 1, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
The following is a schedule of events for the Pep Rally, which is being presented by PNC Bank and Comcast.
Here's the schedule of events rundown:
Admission - FREE
3 p.m. – Stadium lots and Carnegie Science Center lots open (parking for $5 available)
3 – 7 p.m. – WDVE live broadcast (Coca-Cola Great Hall)
5 – 7 p.m. – KISS FM live broadcast (Coca-Cola Great Hall)
5 p.m. – Gates A & B open
Highlights to be shown on Jumbotron
Concession stands will be open
Official Steelers merchandise will be available
5:40 p.m. – Performance by Pittsburgh Poison All-Stars Dance Team
5:45 p.m. – Performance by South Fayette Marching Band
6 p.m. – Free concert by The Clarks
7 p.m. – Pep Rally to begin
Big Machine Recording Artist Dusty Drake to perform 12th Man song
Hosted by KDKA-TV’s Bob Pompeani and Ken Rice, along with Steelers’ Radio Network talent Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley
Steelers’ players and local dignitaries will be on stage
7:30 p.m. – KDKA-TV Live Steelers Super Bowl TV Special
8:05 p.m. – Pittsburgh Fan Club performance – “Here We Go”
8:10 p.m. – Pep Rally to conclude
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Wednesday update
The Steelers are treating this as a regular work week - albeit with five times the media – as Mike Tomlin had said.
Wednesday was a normal practice day, though a number of players sat out, including Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Aaron Smith, Deshea Townsend, Patrick Bailey, Justin Hartwig, Mewelde Moore and Willie Parker.
For Roethlisberger, Townsend, Smith and Parker, Wednesdays is a normal day off - a veteran's day off as I call it. Hines Ward is usually included in that group, but he's actually nursing a knee injury this week.
The others who sat out Wednesday are injured as well.
© The crush of ticket requests and such is great on these players, but usually abates toward the end of the week as players let people know they don't get a bunch of tickets for free. Yes, they have to pay as well for anything above the two they normally get.
You can imagine the friends and family that come out of the woodwork for something like this.
But pulling a Nancy Reagan and just saying no is probably the best tact to take. If you get tickets for one friend or family member and not another, I'm sure it can lead to hard feelings.
© The worst thing about covering a team that reaches this point - at least for the guys who cover the team regularly - is the crush of national media that descends.
Suddenly, guys you've spoken privately with all season long are no longer available even for a quick word.
Wednesday was a normal practice day, though a number of players sat out, including Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Aaron Smith, Deshea Townsend, Patrick Bailey, Justin Hartwig, Mewelde Moore and Willie Parker.
For Roethlisberger, Townsend, Smith and Parker, Wednesdays is a normal day off - a veteran's day off as I call it. Hines Ward is usually included in that group, but he's actually nursing a knee injury this week.
The others who sat out Wednesday are injured as well.
© The crush of ticket requests and such is great on these players, but usually abates toward the end of the week as players let people know they don't get a bunch of tickets for free. Yes, they have to pay as well for anything above the two they normally get.
You can imagine the friends and family that come out of the woodwork for something like this.
But pulling a Nancy Reagan and just saying no is probably the best tact to take. If you get tickets for one friend or family member and not another, I'm sure it can lead to hard feelings.
© The worst thing about covering a team that reaches this point - at least for the guys who cover the team regularly - is the crush of national media that descends.
Suddenly, guys you've spoken privately with all season long are no longer available even for a quick word.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
What they're playing for
Just in case you think NFL players are only there for the payday, consider what they actually get paid for the playoffs:
Wild-card games (division winners): $20,000.
Wild-card games (fifth- and sixth-seeded teams): $18,000.
Divisional games: $20,000.
Conference championship games: $37,500.
Super Bowl winners: $78,000.
Super Bowl losers: $40,000
That may seem like a lot of money, but when you consider the cut the government and their agents get, it's really not.
If the Steelers win the Super Bowl, the players will have pocketed an extra $135,500, of which they'll probably actually get between $60 to $70 thousand per player.
It's a nice chunk of change, but when you consider the risk involved – ask Willis McGahee – it's not all that great.
This is much more about winning a championship to these guys than anything.
Injury update:
Here's what Mike Tomlin has to say about injuries Tuesday:
"Hines Ward has a right knee sprain. We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure he gets the medical attention he needs. In his mind, he’s playing. So chances are, he is. It’s not going to be comfortable between now and game day in terms of making that happen. But it’s not about comfort, particularly for Hines. This guy, this morning, was down there aggressively getting after his rehabilitation and putting himself in position to help this football team. We’re definitely not going to count him out. We’re going to save a seat on the bus for 86."
Other injuries are:
Mewelde Moore right ankle sprain.
Darnell Stapleton ankle sprain.
Patrick Bailey hamstring strain.
Justin Hartwig knee
Max Starks knee sprain
Wild-card games (division winners): $20,000.
Wild-card games (fifth- and sixth-seeded teams): $18,000.
Divisional games: $20,000.
Conference championship games: $37,500.
Super Bowl winners: $78,000.
Super Bowl losers: $40,000
That may seem like a lot of money, but when you consider the cut the government and their agents get, it's really not.
If the Steelers win the Super Bowl, the players will have pocketed an extra $135,500, of which they'll probably actually get between $60 to $70 thousand per player.
It's a nice chunk of change, but when you consider the risk involved – ask Willis McGahee – it's not all that great.
This is much more about winning a championship to these guys than anything.
Injury update:
Here's what Mike Tomlin has to say about injuries Tuesday:
"Hines Ward has a right knee sprain. We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure he gets the medical attention he needs. In his mind, he’s playing. So chances are, he is. It’s not going to be comfortable between now and game day in terms of making that happen. But it’s not about comfort, particularly for Hines. This guy, this morning, was down there aggressively getting after his rehabilitation and putting himself in position to help this football team. We’re definitely not going to count him out. We’re going to save a seat on the bus for 86."
Other injuries are:
Mewelde Moore right ankle sprain.
Darnell Stapleton ankle sprain.
Patrick Bailey hamstring strain.
Justin Hartwig knee
Max Starks knee sprain
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Post AFC Championship thoughts
Sunday's game was the seventh AFC Championship I've covered, but it was perhaps the best one that I've seen.
If you like football, you liked this game. The hitting was phenomenal. The chess match between the two teams was interesting to watch. And there were some great plays made out there.
That was the good.
The bad was the length. It just shouldn't take four hours to play an NFL game under any circumstances.
The officiating crew was an "all-star" group that included Tony Steratore at back judge. Tony is, for those of you who don't know, a Washington business owner and a McMurray resident.
Part of the problem with the length of the game, in my opinion, was that these guys weren't accustomed to working with each other. It led to a few more post-play huddles than usual.
© I thought going into this game that the play of Joe Flacco would be the difference – and I didn't mean that in a good way.
These really were two pretty evenly matched teams, with the only glaring difference being Flacco's inexperience. That proved to be the case.
Flacco never solved what the Steelers' defense was doing to him. Even though the Ravens generated more of a running game than the Steelers did, they couldn't take advantage of it.
© Limas Sweed, you've got to catch that deep ball. There's just no excuse for a guy who's paid to get open and catch the ball not to catch that pass.
On the plus side, that's two weeks in a row he's gotten himself wide open.
And he did come up with some catches later in the game while also making a crushing block on a catch by Heath Miller.
But you've got to catch the ones when you're wide open like that behind the defense.
© LaMarr Woodley has six sacks in three career postseason games. That's called a money player.
© We got a glimpse of what the Steelers offense might look like without Hines Ward and it wasn't pretty.
But Ward's got a few more years left in him and should be back for the Super Bowl. That gives some other guys – are you listening Sweed? – some time to polish their game.
© Ryan Clark's hit on Willis McGahee may have been the exclamation point on this game, but it was Carey Davis' decleater of Daren Stone on the opening kickoff that was the opening statement.
© Listeing to the radio on the way into the game, I heard my good friend Joe Starkey say that nobody has a winning record picking games in these playoffs.
Joe must not read this site – I don't know why – because I'm now 8-2 in these here playoffs picking games.
With that said, I'm picking … well you're just going to have to wait to see who I pick in the Super Bowl because I'm not even sure how I feel about this one yet.
Tampa beckons.
If you like football, you liked this game. The hitting was phenomenal. The chess match between the two teams was interesting to watch. And there were some great plays made out there.
That was the good.
The bad was the length. It just shouldn't take four hours to play an NFL game under any circumstances.
The officiating crew was an "all-star" group that included Tony Steratore at back judge. Tony is, for those of you who don't know, a Washington business owner and a McMurray resident.
Part of the problem with the length of the game, in my opinion, was that these guys weren't accustomed to working with each other. It led to a few more post-play huddles than usual.
© I thought going into this game that the play of Joe Flacco would be the difference – and I didn't mean that in a good way.
These really were two pretty evenly matched teams, with the only glaring difference being Flacco's inexperience. That proved to be the case.
Flacco never solved what the Steelers' defense was doing to him. Even though the Ravens generated more of a running game than the Steelers did, they couldn't take advantage of it.
© Limas Sweed, you've got to catch that deep ball. There's just no excuse for a guy who's paid to get open and catch the ball not to catch that pass.
On the plus side, that's two weeks in a row he's gotten himself wide open.
And he did come up with some catches later in the game while also making a crushing block on a catch by Heath Miller.
But you've got to catch the ones when you're wide open like that behind the defense.
© LaMarr Woodley has six sacks in three career postseason games. That's called a money player.
© We got a glimpse of what the Steelers offense might look like without Hines Ward and it wasn't pretty.
But Ward's got a few more years left in him and should be back for the Super Bowl. That gives some other guys – are you listening Sweed? – some time to polish their game.
© Ryan Clark's hit on Willis McGahee may have been the exclamation point on this game, but it was Carey Davis' decleater of Daren Stone on the opening kickoff that was the opening statement.
© Listeing to the radio on the way into the game, I heard my good friend Joe Starkey say that nobody has a winning record picking games in these playoffs.
Joe must not read this site – I don't know why – because I'm now 8-2 in these here playoffs picking games.
With that said, I'm picking … well you're just going to have to wait to see who I pick in the Super Bowl because I'm not even sure how I feel about this one yet.
Tampa beckons.
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