Battle of Pennsylvania 9/21/08

cpawfan · Sep 17, 2008

The Steelers visit Philadelphia on Sunday for the infrequent battle of Pennsylvania

# Game: Steelers (2-0) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-1).
# When: 4:15 p.m. Sunday.
# Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
# TV: KDKA.
# The line: Eagles by 3.
# The skinny: The Steelers are 0-7 in Philadelphia since winning there in 1965.

For the Steelers, the biggest news of the week will once again be Ben's shoulder

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08261/912674-66.stm

Notes about the injury

• A shoulder separation is not truly an injury to the shoulder joint. The injury actually involves the AC (acromioclavicular joint) -- the point where the clavicle (collarbone) meets the highest point of the shoulder blade.

• The most common cause for a separation is from a fall directly on the shoulder, such as when Houston's Mario Williams, above, sacked Roethlisberger in Week 1. The fall injures the ligaments that surround and stabilize the AC joint.

• A mild shoulder separation -- such as Roethlisberger's reportedly is -- involves a sprain of the AC ligament that does not move the collarbone and looks normal on X-rays.
Click to expand...

Mike Tomlin appeared at his weekly news conference yesterday dressed casually. He should have worn blue scrubs or a white smock because he was asked to play doctor instead of Steelers coach. Or, he might have pulled out a magnifying glass because he turned into a private eye halfway through it.

The subject was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and his sore right shoulder. That's what Tomlin called it last week and what he called it again yesterday, even though NBC-TV Sunday night made a big deal about Roethlisberger having a separated right shoulder.

"Ben is still nursing the sore shoulder," Tomlin began. "He could be limited here in the first part of the week. Hopefully, he progresses like he did last week. I just met with him, and he said he feels better this week than he did a week ago, which is good."

Roethlisberger did not practice last Wednesday, and he was limited Thursday to handing the ball off in practice. He practiced and threw gingerly on Friday. He played Sunday night in Cleveland and threw at least one pass 60 yards in the air, another 50 or so and completed 12 of 19 for 186 yards and a 113.0 passer rating, boosting his rating to 136.3, which leads the NFL.

But during its broadcast of the game Sunday night, NBC-TV talked about Roethlisberger's "separation" and, after the game, Tomlin was asked about that report.

"They know more than I do," Tomlin said. "That's good television, I guess."

The Post-Gazette confirmed Monday that indeed Roethlisberger has a low-grade separated shoulder, or, more technically, a slight injury to the AC joint, a Type 1 shoulder separation. There are six types of shoulder separations, and the more serious can require surgery. But, basically, Roethlisberger's injury is how Tomlin described it, a sore shoulder. Technically, though, NBC-TV was correct in calling it a separation.

"I have no idea where that report came from," Tomlin said yesterday. "It didn't come from me or my medical staff. If anybody has any information in here about where that report came from, send them to me. I appreciate it. The guy has a sore shoulder."

Tomlin was asked if the information was passed along to NBC-TV staffers at the pregame production meetings.

"Again, I'd like to hear from someone who got that information first-hand. That did not come from me or my medical staff."

He said Roethlisberger did not tell anyone either, and the quarterback refused to talk about his shoulder to NBC-TV on the air after the game Sunday night.

One more time, Tomlin yesterday was asked if it were separated or sore.

"It's an AC sprain," he answered. "It's a sore shoulder."

Tomlin said Roethlisberger does not risk more serious injury to the shoulder by playing. As for how the lack of practice again this week might affect his play Sunday afternoon against the Eagles in Philadelphia, Tomlin said Roethlisberger has an advantage that some quarterbacks do not.

"It really depends on the quarterback," Tomlin said. "Some guys need a lot of snaps to be ready. Some guys can learn visually in the film room and so forth. Some guys need physical reps.

"Thankfully, with Ben, he's a pretty quick study and sharp guy. He can learn in a variety of ways, film study and visual reps. It doesn't take him a great number of reps to be ready to play. At least, that's been my experience with him. I thought he played pretty well the other night. Hopefully, that will be the case again this week. I know it won't be an excuse."

NOTES -- Tomlin said he is not sure who will start at right defensive end in place of Brett Keisel, who will miss between one month and two with a right calf strain. Travis Kirschke has been behind him on the depth chart and replaced him Sunday night, but he has a back issue this week, although Tomlin believes he'll be able to play. Nick Eason and Orpheus Roye are the other possibilities. ... Tomlin hopes to get cornerback Deshea Townsend back this week after he missed the game in Cleveland with a bruised heel. ... Cleveland nose tackle Shaun Rogers hit Roethlisberger late on one play and was not penalized, even though Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley was penalized for hitting quarterback Derek Anderson earlier in the game on a similar play. "They looked very similar to me," Tomlin said. "I don't cry about calls because you can't change them; ask Norv Turner." ... Tomlin had planned to give rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall some carries, but the tenor of the game and Willie Parker's running changed that. "That was the plan, but Willie had that look in his eye," Tomlin said.
Click to expand...

cpawfan · Sep 17, 2008

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08262/913049-66.stm

The Steelers detest seeing Ben Roethlisberger bounced around in the pocket with what they feel are late and illegal hits and promise to handle it one way or another.

"A lot of us as a line feel we have to protect him a little more outside the whistle," tackle Willie Colon said yesterday. "Guys are going to take shots at him and try to knock him down. He makes us run, so if we see stuff like that we have to kind of be there and get after guys who try to do stuff like that. I'm going to be looking for it, especially this Sunday."

Roethlisberger, who went through a full practice yesterday, has been sacked five times and has a slight separated right shoulder because of one. That's bad enough, but he also has been hit twice on questionable calls not involving a sack. One occurred late in the first half against Houston when defensive tackle Amobi Okoye hit him low, causing a slightly hyperextended knee. Hitting quarterbacks low is illegal in the NFL, but no flag was thrown on that play.

Then Sunday, Cleveland's 350-pound nose tackle Shaun Rogers slammed into Roethlisberger well after he threw a pass. No flag was thrown on that play either, which incensed some of his teammates. Linebacker LaMarr Woodley was penalized earlier in the game for hitting Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson just as he released the ball.

"I saw that, now that was very late," guard Kendall Simmons said of Rogers' hit.

"How can you not see Shaun Rogers make a hit like that?" Colon wondered about the officials who called no penalty. "Especially before the game when Andra Davis was saying he'll take the fine?"

Davis, the Browns' middle linebacker, was quoted Saturday in the Cleveland Plain Dealer that he and his teammates had to rough up Roethlisberger even if it meant doing so against the rules.

"This game, we've just got to not worry about fines or late hits or whatever the referee is going to do," Davis told the Plain-Dealer. "We've just got to go out and get him down because you know they take care of the quarterbacks in this league. But we've just got to put that behind us. If we get fined, we get fined. We've just got to make sure we get the job done."

Said Colon: "You hear remarks like that, you kind of take it personally. I know I do. We just have to be able to keep him as clean as possible and make sure there's nothing really dirty going on."

The Steelers have sent a video clip of the Rogers hit to the league office.

"When Woodley hit Derek Anderson, I don't think it was particularly late," Hines Ward said. "But they made the call. You'd just like to see it called both ways. It definitely wasn't.

"What can you do? You turn it into the league and you hope the league comes back and judges it. But for us, we definitely want to protect our quarterback as much as possible. That's why it's so important for us as a unit to try to keep as many hits off him as possible."

No one in the NFL has been sacked as often as Roethlisberger the past two seasons. He was sacked 46 times in 2006 and 47 last season, second and third most in franchise history.

Five sacks in two games projects to 40 for the season, down slightly, but his percentage of sacks are higher. Last season, counting sacks, he dropped back to pass 451 times and was sacked 10.42 percent of the time. This season, he dropped back 38 times and has been sacked 13.15 percent.

Now comes the blitzing defense of the Philadelphia Eagles, who will go after Roethlisberger with everything they have.

"Oh, of course, no doubt about that," Simmons said. "So there will probably be a couple of skirmishes in there. I can guarantee that. That's part of it."

The linemen, though, say they are prepared to do whatever it takes to protect Roethlisberger the rest of the way.

"You do whatever you have to do, if they want to take it to that step," Simmons said. "I'm not the type of guy to play dirty, that has never been my issue, but you don't sit there and let your guy get beat up on. You protect him. If they want to go after the whistle, then you do it and let the referees decide on what's going to happen after that because they can't let it happen, they have to do something about it."

"He's taken some shots," Colon said. "For the most part, you can't help worry about him. He's a key factor for our success this year.

"Hopefully they'll be clean about it. If not, as a line we have to protect him a lot more outside the whistle."

NOTES -- The NFL named safety Troy Polamalu AFC defensive player of the week. ... Nose tackle Casey Hampton (groin) was limited in practice yesterday. Those who did not practice were linebacker James Farrior (back), guard Chris Kemoeatu (ankle), cornerback Deshea Townsend (heel), linebacker Donovan Woods (hamstring) and Ward (no injury reason).
Click to expand...

ghoti · Sep 17, 2008

Go Not Eagles!

cpawfan · Sep 17, 2008

Time to remember the 1943 Steagles. I'll use wikipedia's words

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steagles

The "Steagles" is the popular nickname for the team created by the temporary merger of two National Football League (NFL) teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, during the 1943 season. The teams were forced to merge because both had lost many players to military service due to World War II.

Officially the team was known simply as the Eagles (without a city designation), the Eagles-Steelers, or the Steelers-Eagles. (The NFL never even registered "Steagles" as a trademark.) However, the official NFL record book refers to the team as "Phil-Pitt."

The "Steagles" finished the season with a record of 5-4-1, the first winning season in the history of the Philadelphia franchise and just the second in the history of the Pittsburgh franchise. The merger had a slight lean in favor of Philadelphia, as the team played four home games at Shibe Park and two home games at Forbes Field. The team also wore the Eagles uniforms, which officially marked the only time in the Steelers history that the team colors were something other than black and gold. In addition, Eagles head coach Greasy Neale served as the offensive coordinator while Steelers head coach Walt Kiesling served as the defensive coordinator, with both coaches splitting head coaching duties.

The merger was dissolved the day the season ended, as it was not intended to be permanent. The Eagles, now having enough players back from the war, resumed their traditional operation. The Steelers, still short of players, merged with the Chicago Cardinals for the 1944 season, creating a team known as Card-Pitt (derisively called "carpet" due to going winless).

A book by Matthew Algeo on the history of the team, called Last Team Standing: How the Steelers and the Eagles—"The Steagles"—Saved Pro Football During World War II (ISBN 0-306-81472-2), was published by Da Capo Press on September 30, 2006.
Click to expand...

The Steelers celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Steagles on August 17, 2003 during the pregame and halftime ceremonies at Heinz Field.

Six of the nine surviving members of that team were honored at halftime. Those members were quarterback Allie Sherman, running back and defensive back Ernie Steele, center Ray Graves, and tackles Al Wistert, Vic Sears, and Bucko Kilroy.

In addition the Steelers recreated the Steagles era in their "Turn Back the Clock" ceremonies, including broadcasting in black and white on the Jumbotron and airing World War II footage during the national anthem. All live entertainment reflected the 1940s. [1] During the festivities the Steelers gave each of the six members a replica Steagles jersey to wear. The jerseys worn by honorees were later given back to the Steelers and sold to help benefit a local charity.
Click to expand...

cpawfan · Sep 17, 2008

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_588794.html

Ben Roethlisberger said the condition of his throwing shoulder has improved and won't prevent him from facing the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

"It's good," the Steelers quarterback said Wednesday. "It's not even worth talking about."

Asked if he feels better than he did a week ago, when he missed the first two days of practices, Roethlisberger replied, "Yeah, I do. I was just sore. Who in here isn't sore that plays this game? Definitely better and making progress."

Roethlisberger participated fully in yesterday's practice. Most of his passes were to receivers running short and intermediate routes.

"Last week, I didn't really practice until Friday," Roethlisberger said. "Thursday, I actually took all of the snaps. Instead of throwing, I just went through all the motions and pointed to the guy I would have thrown to. It's a way to see the play, as coach says, in the helmet."

Roethlisberger's injury, which he suffered in the Sept. 7 opener against Houston at Heinz Field, was diagnosed as a sprain of the AC joint in his right shoulder. He started the second game of the season against the Cleveland Browns and completed 12 of 19 passes for 186 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in a 10-6 win.

Center Justin Hartwig spoke for most of his teammates when he said that Roethlisberger's performance against the Browns inspired the offense.

"It's a morale booster when a guy's playing through pain," Hartwig said. "You lean on that guy a little more."

Roethlisberger said defenses are probing the Steelers' offensive line, which yielded 47 sacks in 2007, looking for ways to get him on the ground. So far this year, Roethlisberger has been sacked five times and is on pace for 40.

"We gave up a lot of sacks last year, so teams are really trying to exploit that," Roethlisberger said. "But I think my guys up front have done a pretty good job of shutting people down.

"If I happen to get hit, it seems like they're right there to pick me up. They've got my back, and I've got theirs."

Roethlisberger, who attempted a total of 33 passes in the Steelers' first two games, expects the offense to lean on him more in the coming weeks, perhaps beginning Sunday in Philadelphia.

"If you look at the way we played the first game, we didn't have to throw the ball much because we were winning," he said. "We were just running the clock out. Last week, the elements just kind of kept us from throwing too much. I think our true offense will start showing itself very soon."
Click to expand...

cpawfan · Sep 17, 2008

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_588804.html

Nick Eason said he split about half of the snaps with Travis Kirschke at right defensive end after Brett Keisel left the Cleveland game with a calf injury. Eason doesn't know if the snaps will be divided the same way in Sunday's game at Philadelphia. "I've felt better, more comfortable. By being more comfortable in this defense, I'm able to play a little faster and with more confidence," said Eason, who joined the Steelers last season as a free agent.

Safety Troy Polamalu was named AFC defensive player of the week for his performance against Cleveland. Polamalu recorded his second inteception of the season and added four tackles, one tackle for a loss and two passes defensed.

According to center Justin Hartwig, the Steelers revamped offensive line passed an important test at Cleveland. "It was a good test for us to go on the road, play in a hostile environment where the noise was a factor," Hartwig said.

Several Steelers missed Wednesday's practice. Cornerback Deshea Townsend, who didn't play against Cleveland because of a heel injury, sat out as Bryant McFadden worked with the first team. Other players who didn't practice: guard Chris Kemoeatu (ankle), linebackers James Farrior (back) and Donovan Woods (hamstring), and receiver Hines Ward (coach's decision). Nose tackle Casey Hampton (groin) was limited in practice.

Digits

23 -- Points allowed by the Steelers after two games in 2008.

10 -- Points allowed by the Steelers after two games in 2007.
Click to expand...

Vintage · Sep 18, 2008

I second ghoti's notion....

Go Not Eagles.

cpawfan · Sep 20, 2008

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08263/913418-66.stm

Can aging 'D' fill in Keisel's end spot?

With one defensive lineman younger than the age of 30, the Steelers have one of the most veteran-laden groups at that position in the NFL. Now that Brett Keisel is out indefinitely with a calf injury, the Steelers will lean on that experience to get through this stretch without their starting right end.

Keisel, the starter since 2006, injured his right calf in the 10-6 victory at Cleveland Sunday night. Coach Mike Tomlin has listed him as week-to-week, but he could miss as much as two months.

The Steelers will replace him with a trio of thirtysomething reserves, all of whom have starting experience in the league. Travis Kirschke, a 12-year player who has been with the team since 2004, will step into the starting spot. Nick Eason, the youngest defensive lineman on the team at 28, will rotate in, as will 35-year old Orpheus Roye.

There were plenty of remarks made during the preseason about the average age of the defensive line, but that experience could come in handy.
"I definitely think it helps when you have guys who have been there and done that," said Kirschke, who signed as a free agent with the Steelers in March 2004 after playing with Detroit and San Francisco. "Obviously, losing Keisel is big. He's a big, athletic guy who made plays. We're going to miss him. But between me, Nick and Orpheus, we have to step up and fill that gap."

This is the second time in as many years that Kirschke will step in for a starter. Last season, he started the final four games when left defensive end Aaron Smith missed the remainder of the season with a torn right biceps. Kirschke has a history of back problems, but they have not prevented him from playing 66 consecutive games for the Steelers.

"It's nothing too major," Kirschke said. "I'm always going to have issues here and there. But we've done a good job of finding ways to get it back to feeling good. When it does start acting up, I'll take some time off. It's something I've been able to manage well. It's one of those things that I can't worry about. I just go out there and do my thing. If it goes, it goes. Hopefully, it doesn't."

Smith does not expect the Steelers' defense to change much with Keisel out of the lineup.

"We'll run the same stuff," Smith said. "That's why you keep veterans, for circumstances like this. They can step in and not miss a beat.

"I don't think we have to adjust at all. Travis and Nick and Orpheus are very capable. The worst thing you can do is try to compensate for Keisel being gone. You just go about your business. Those guys will get job done just fine."

Eason will slide into the role as top reserve for both defensive end positions. A six-year veteran who played with Denver and Cleveland before joining the Steelers last season, Eason will be given more opportunities to make his presence felt on the defense.

"I'm typically the left end, the right end and something else. I'm the wherever guy," Eason said. "I just go out and play. It's good. I can play both sides with my hand down because some guys can't do that. It's good I can do that and also contribute on special teams. It's good to be able to be out there on the field and contribute and be part of the team."

Roye, signed in the middle of training camp because the coaches were unhappy with the depth at defensive end, will dress for the first time this season. He played for the Steelers for four years at the beginning of his career and spent the past eight years with Cleveland.

"I feel good about it," he said. "When you have veteran guys who have started and have been around the league, it's to your advantage because when someone goes down, they can step in and the defense will stay strong. If you stay consistent, things will just keep flowing.

"You could have young guys or veteran guys. You just need guys to step up and make plays. You have to have guys behind the starters who can go in [and] fill that position as if he was a starter."
Click to expand...

cpawfan · Sep 20, 2008

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08263/913416-66.stm

Steelers guard Kendall Simmons is expecting his third child in a little more than a week. Celesta Simmons is due Sept. 29, the same day the Steelers play host to the Baltimore Ravens in a Monday night game at Heinz Field.

The only problem is, Celesta has been a week or two early with the couple's previous two children, which is making Simmons anxious heading into the game Sunday at Philadelphia.

Simmons said he will return home to Pittsburgh if Celesta goes into labor this weekend and is prepared to miss the game.

"I'm hoping it doesn't happen during the game or Saturday night," Simmons said. "But I have to be there for that. I can't pass up a situation like that."

Simmons is keeping coach Mike Tomlin updated on the situation, and he said Tomlin has given his blessing to return for the birth. But Tomlin apparently was one of the few in the Steelers' organization aware that Simmons might miss the game.

Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians did not know about it yesterday and neither did center Justin Hartwig nor reserve guard Darnell Stapleton.

Stapleton has been taking a few repetitions with the first team during practice this week, but no more than any other week, he said.

If Celesta makes it through this weekend, Simmons said she will be induced sometime next week before the Monday night game.

"I just pray she makes it through this weekend and everything goes well," he said.

Ben completes pass ... to himself

The good news for Ben Roethlisberger is he has one fewer sack, one more completion and one more pass reception than Nate Washington and Mewelde Moore.

The bad news: His league-leading passer rating dropped.

The Elias Sports Bureau, which handles statistics for the National Football League, has taken away a sack against Roethlisberger in the Steelers' 10-6 victory in Cleveland after reviewing video of the play.

The play occurred with 10:51 left in the second quarter when Roethlisberger was sacked by Browns nose tackle Shaun Smith -- one of three sacks originally credited to Cleveland. Elias changed the call, saying Roethlisberger was actually attempting a pass, hit one of his linemen in the back with the ball and caught the deflection before being tackled by Smith for a 7-yard loss.

So, instead of his statistics being 12 of 19 for 186 yards with a 113.0 passer rating against the Browns, Roethlisberger is officially credited with being 13 of 20 for 179 yards and a 110.2 passer rating.

He also is credited with a pass reception -- something Washington, the No. 3 receiver, and Moore, the third-down back, haven't managed in two games.

Because of the yardage loss, Roethlisberger's two-game passer rating changed from 136.3 to 133.9, still enough to lead the NFL over Arizona's Kurt Warner (128.5).

Farrior fined

The NFL informed Steelers linebacker James Farrior yesterday that he had been fined $7,500 for flashing an obscene gesture at fans in Cleveland during the game Sunday night. Farrior drew a penalty on the play for "taunting." He said afterward that he became upset because Browns fans were celebrating a temporary injury to Steelers safety Ryan Clark.

Injury update

Defensive end Brett Keisel (calf), cornerback Deshea Townsend (heel) and linebacker Donovan Woods (hamstring) did not practice yesterday. Nose guard Casey Hampton returned to practice after limited participation Wednesday.

For the Eagles, guard Shawn Andrews (back) and center Jamaal Jackson (not injury related) did not take part in their workout.
Click to expand...

cpawfan · Sep 20, 2008

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08264/913653-66.stm

Healthy McNabb stern test for defense

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb gave defensive coordinators fits earlier this decade with his double-threat abilities. His passing and scrambling skills led a football renaissance in Philadelphia as he took the Eagles to four NFC championship games and one Super Bowl appearance as well as receiving personal accolades, which included five consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl.

That was before three injury-plagued seasons curtailed his production and placed some doubt as to whether he would regain his status as one of the league's top quarterbacks.

McNabb has no injury issues this season, and it looks as if he is in the beginning stages of a big comeback. McNabb has thrown for 642 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in the first two games, and the Eagles are second in the league in scoring with 37.5 points per game.

"A big part of it is Donovan being healthy for the first time in a while where he didn't have to go into the offseason rehabbing something," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He is making plays mentally and physically and he is enjoying playing."

That hasn't been the case for the past few years. Two times in the past three seasons, McNabb has been placed on injured reserve with season-ending injuries. A sports hernia injury ended his season in 2005, and a torn ACL ended his season in '06. Last season, ankle and thumb injuries kept him from playing in two games.

"Now that McNabb is healthy, he just brings another dimension to their offense," Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden said.

"When he's healthy, he's one of the top quarterbacks in the league, I feel. If you look at his numbers before he was injured, he was in the top of the league."

Steelers safety Ryan Clark played against McNabb twice a season when he played for the New York Giants and Washington Redskins from 2002-05. He knows firsthand how dangerous McNabb can be.

"He's an awesome player, a guy who takes flak he shouldn't have to take," Clark said. "He's one of best quarterbacks in this league over the past decade if you look at the things he's done -- four NFC championship games, a Super Bowl game, multiple Pro Bowls. He's had some great years and he really hasn't had receivers, other than the year with [Terrell Owens]."

McNabb played parts of two seasons with Owens in 2004 and '05 and enjoyed two of his better statistical passing seasons. In '04, the year the Eagles lost to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, McNabb had a career-high 3,875 passing yards with 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

In '05, Owens played in the first seven games before being suspended by the team for the remainder of the season. McNabb was placed on injured reserve two weeks later with a sports hernia, but he still threw for 2,507 yards and 16 touchdowns in what amounted to half a season.

That was the last time McNabb had a bona fide top-flight receiver at his disposal. It is too early to tell whether Eagles rookie DeSean Jackson will develop into that type of receiver in the league, but he is off to a pretty good start.

Jackson, who played collegiately at Cal, is averaging 18 yards per reception and is fourth in the league with 216 receiving yards. He is the deep threat McNabb has not had in recent years.

"He adds more fuel to their fire," McFadden said. "[McNabb] has big-play capability now. That's the last thing that offense needed because that offense had enough before."

The Steelers had great success the last time they faced McNabb in '04. They sacked him four times and intercepted a pass as the Eagles' offense was shut down in a 27-3 Steelers victory.

Pressuring McNabb and keeping him in the pocket will be of utmost importance for the Steelers in tomorrow's game in Philadelphia.

"You get your hands on him, and he can still get out of tackles, and once he gets out of tackles, he still knows where all his guys are," Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith said. "Most quarterbacks, if they get scrambling, they don't want to throw the ball. They're so disoriented that they don't know where anyone is.

"You have to be careful. They have big-play potential. ... Obviously, that's something we have to have to prepare for, try to eliminate -- big plays."

NOTES -- Starting cornerback Deshea Townsend did not practice again yesterday and McFadden will get a second consecutive start against the Eagles. ... Cleveland defensive lineman Shaun Smith was fined $5,000 by the NFL office for pulling the facemask of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in Sunday's game at Cleveland, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Smith said he would appeal.
Click to expand...

cpawfan · Sep 20, 2008

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_589175.html

Steelers Notebook from the Tribune-Review

• Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb appears to be all the way back from his torn ACL of two seasons ago. McNabb has four touchdown passes and no interceptions through two games and has been moving nimbly. "Better than I've ever seen him look," Steelers linebacker James Farrior said. "They couldn't get him on the ground (Monday against Dallas), and he's throwing the deep ball as well as I've ever seen him throw it." Quarterback scrambles hurt the Steelers last season. The key to containing McNabb? "Stay in your rush lanes," Farrior said.

• Right guard Kendall Simmons and wife Celesta are expecting their third child any day now. If it happens this weekend, Simmons says he will return home and miss the game Sunday. In that case, second-year pro Darnell Stapleton figures to get the call. "I prepared the same way I prepare every week," Stapleton said. "It's a possibility he won't be there, but I have to be ready no matter what."

• Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson is attempting to become the first rookie in NFL history to open a career with three consecutive 100-yard receiving games.

story continues below

• The Steelers list DE Brett Keisel (calf), CB Deshea Townsend (heel) and LB Donovan Woods (hamstring) as out for Sunday's game. Listed as probable are Farrior (back), NT Casey Hampton (groin), G Chris Kemoeatu (ankle), and QB Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder). For the Eagles, DE Victory Abiamiri (wrist) and WR Kevin Curtis (hernia) are out; G Shawn Andrews (back) is doubtful; WR Reggie Brown (hamstring), S Sean Considine (hand), RB Tony Hunt (hamstring), DT Dan Klecko (hand) and DT Trevor Laws (quadricep) are probable.
Click to expand...

cpawfan · Sep 21, 2008

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08265/913846-66.stm

Safety Ryan Clark refers to Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook as the Marshall Faulk of his era, a multi-purpose back who presents a two-pronged problem for a defense: He is a tough matchup, and even tougher to tackle.

Clark should know. He played two seasons with the Washington Redskins and two with the New York Giants, teams that shared the NFC East Division with the Eagles.

"I always said he's one of hardest guys I ever had to tackle," Clark said. "He's elusive and stronger than you think. He doesn't weigh much, but he's a short guy, so all that weight is compact and he'll break a lot of tackles.

"But you have to honor his moves. He gives you a little shake to the right or left and you start to lean that way, and if you want to get an arm on him he's going to break that tackle."

Then Clark added, "I put him up there with LT, as far as getting him on the ground," a reference to LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers.

Here's another two-pronged problem: Westbrook is a quality running back and quality receiver.

The Steelers will try a variety of different ways to stop Westbrook when they play the Eagles at 4:15 p.m. in Philadelphia, and it won't be easy. He was named first-team on the All-Pro team in 2007 after leading in NFL in yards from scrimmage (2,104) and set a team record for receptions in a season (90).

Only seven players in NFL history have ever scored at least 25 rushing touchdowns and 25 receiving touchdowns in their career. Westbrook is one of them.

"He can hurt you in the air and he can hurt you running the ball," said Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley. "You can see they going to try to get Westbrook matched up with linebackers such as myself, kind of get a mismatch, and let him make big plays against guys like me."

Perhaps. But maybe not.

Among the defensive strategies the Steelers could employ against Westbrook, especially in pass situations, is to get him matched against linebacker Lawrence Timmons in their nickel defense.

Timmons is the fastest and most athletic linebacker on the team, one of the reasons he has been used to play Troy Polamalu's spot in the dime defense when Polamalu was injured.

"He's a terrific athlete," Timmons said, "I know they revolve the offense around him. He can beat you with the pass and the run. He's just a great back, and you have to prepare for him. You never know what to expect from him."

The Steelers did not use their nickel defense much in last week's victory in Cleveland, primarily because of the formations the Browns like to use with tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. as a wide receiver. That could change against the Eagles, who are aware of Dick LeBeau's intricate and varied defensive schemes.

"He just does a lot of things with that 3-4 defense ... as much with that 3-4 as anybody," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "Then you add in there all of the crazy things that he does with his nickel and dime package. It is amazing that those players can digest it all."
Click to expand...

cpawfan · Sep 21, 2008

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08265/913826-66.stm

Family before team ... before Eagles

Steelers guard Kendall Simmons made it clear the past week that if his wife, Celesta, were to give birth to their third daughter today, he would be in Pittsburgh by her side and not play against the Eagles in Philadelphia.

It's a decision many pro athletes have faced in recent years, and it's a more difficult one for football players. Baseball has 162 games and to miss a game or two to witness the birth of a child is routine. In baseball, they skip games for high school graduations.

But football's a different animal.

They play 16 games, and each takes on more importance for a team trying to make the playoffs or to earn a playoff seed and homefield advantage, which can have a bearing on a Super Bowl berth.

Some make the choice to play; many get lucky because the baby arrives during the week.

The Houston Oilers once docked player David Williams a week's salary because he missed a game to be with his wife and child the day after the birth.

Years ago, there was little choice because players rarely missed games for anything. Former Pirates shortstop Dick Groat tells stories how players in the 1960s would not even miss a few days of spring training for a birth.

Times are different.

Back then, they would not allow fathers in the delivery room. He waited outside until a nurse walked in and introduced him to his new son or daughter.
Click to expand...

Testing, testing ... 1, 2, 3

The helmet radio receivers worked perfectly in Cleveland last Sunday, unlike in previous years when Steelers quarterbacks could not at times hear the signals from the sideline in their helmets.

That's because the NFL has taken complaints about the problems with the system seriously and done something about it this year. After an item here last week detailing the problems the Steelers had in the past with the system going out in Cleveland, Tim Davie, the NFL's game operations director, called to say there were no issues with the helmet device in Cleveland last Sunday and there have been few issues around the league this year.

When the league this year approved a second communicator helmet to be used by one player on defense, the NFL contracted with the communicator's inventor, Harvey Shuhart of Control Dynamics near Philadelphia, to monitor its operation.
Defense and freshness dating

Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton believes he and the defense will be better served late in this season because coach Mike Tomlin took it easier on the players in training camp.

"We were the No. 1 defense in the league last year," Hampton said. "We didn't finish good but I think we got tired toward the end. I think we got worn down."

Tomlin did not run as harsh a camp as he did his first season, and he gave veterans time off in practices.

"I think he took better care of us during training camp and things like that this year, no question about it," Hampton said.

The Pro Bowler disagreed with his coach when he placed him on the physically unable to perform list for the first two weeks of camp because Tomlin said he reported to Saint Vincent overweight and out of shape. While his teammates practiced, Hampton ran on the side, rode a stationary bike and tried to lose weight.

Hampton believes that ultimately will help keep him fresher this season but did not like how it occurred.

"No, he went about it in a bad way," Hampton said. "We talked about it, got over it. We're both men. I said what I had to say ... He thought he was being [mean]."

The Steelers' defense ranks fourth in the league in total yards allowed (221.0) and third against the run (64.0). Hampton said you've seen nothing yet.

"I think when we're fresh and ready to go we'll be hard to score against."
Click to expand...

cpawfan · Sep 21, 2008

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08265/913827-66.stm

Here's a question maybe you hadn't anticipated at the dawn of this Steelers autumn: Can Ben Roethlisberger, Willie Parker, and Hines Ward take their place in the club's rich lore bestride the hoary legends of Bill Nelsen, Gary Ballman, and Dick Hoak?

Put more bluntly: Can the Steelers win a game in Philadelphia tonight for the first time since Oct. 24, 1965, when the Steelers' quarterback was Nelsen, his primary target Ballman, and the essential ball-toter and coach-in-waiting Mr. Hoak, an offensive trinity that befuddled the Eagles that day for the Steelers' first win in a football season that would include exactly two of them?

As it happens, there is relevant history for this 4:15 p.m. kickoff against Philadelphia, but rather than snake back 43 years, it reflects only four, to the fading dusk of Nov. 7, 2004 at Heinz Field.

The Eagles came here 7-0, with Donovan McNabb piloting the eventual NFL champions, who were then jet-fueled by none other than Terrell Owens.

That's right, Ocho Uno.

The Steelers whomped Andy Reid's team, 27-3, with a defensive effort that not only remains one of Dick LeBeau's finest conceptions, but included six keystone defensive players who are still in his charge.

"We can look back at that, yeah," defensive captain James Farrior was saying as Mike Tomlin's team was completing preparations for this other turnpike rivalry. "They'll run a lot of the same stuff, but it's not really the same, not at all."

Not that he wouldn't like it to be.

That day four years ago, McNabb converted none of eight third-down opportunities.

None.

He threw for an anemic 109 yards, the passing game against LeBeau's blitz packages still being relatively robust when you held it next to Philadelphia's running game, which totaled 23 yards. The passing offense was more explosive in Philadelphia's immediate bench area, where McNabb and Owens exchanged words in a fast-curdling relationship that ultimately led to Owens' banishment.

"I think we were just really hot then," said Steelers nose tackle Chris Hoke, who was playing for the injured Casey Hampton that fall. "We had just beaten New England, who was also undefeated and we were just flyin' high. It was like we couldn't be beat."

As fearsome as the Eagles' offense looked Monday night, running up 37 points on the road in Dallas but somehow forgetting to, um, win, the case might be made that those Super Bowl-bound Eagles of 2004 were superior offensively to the attackers LeBeau's defense confronts tonight.

But though Farrior and Hoke admitted that, schematically at least, this game will be very much like the one four years ago, there is a major difference.

"McNabb," Farrior said. "He's just playing so well. He looks like a young quarterback again, and he's throwing a great deep ball."

Philadelphia has been going deep pretty much as a matter of policy for a long time, tabulating for itself 390 plays of 20 yards or more since 2002, more than anyone in the league who includes running plays in that total. How it is that McNabb looks younger to Farrior at 31 than he did at 27 isn't clear, but I suppose it's all right as long as Farrior looks younger to McNabb at 33 than he did at 29.

The more reliable indicator of the way Philadelphia is producing offense are the 75 points it has scored in the season's two games, an Eagles record. Despite getting sacked four times in Texas, McNabb hasn't been intercepted. He has orchestrated eight offensive touchdowns in eight quarters, four in the air and four on the ground. The additional X-factor is rookie wideout DeSean Jackson, who can become the first player to gain 100 receiving yards in each of his first three NFL games should he do so today. I'm guessing the thing that will be most obvious to Jackson, however, is that this isn't the Dallas defense, nor is it the St. Louis version, which is a defense in name only, having surrendered 79 points in two games.

The Steelers have allowed three first-half points in two games, or 21 fewer than the Eagles allowed before intermission Monday night. Moreover, Hoke, Farrior, Troy Polamalu, Aaron Smith, and Larry Foote have all seen this act and remember it pretty well. A sixth defender, injured cornerback Deshea Townsend, likely won't play in this one but will be available to the capable substitute Bryant McFadden for consultation.

"Schematically, they're pretty much the same; they'll do a lot of the same things," Hoke said. "There will be a lot of things with Brian Westbrook out of the backfield, just like last time, and even though they're a throwing team we have to do what we do, which is stop the run first. That way, we can blitz McNabb and get some help on the back end. That's what we do."

Generally, that's enough, but for this franchise in particular, it's rarely been sunny in Philadelphia.
Click to expand...

cpawfan · Sep 21, 2008

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08265/913843-66.stm

Game plan

When the Steelers have the ball: RB Willie Parker has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of his first two games, but has been most impressive running inside and grinding out the tough yards. The Eagles did a nice job on Cowboys RB Marion Barber, a runner similar to Parker, holding him to 63 yards on 18 carries. They acquired CB Asante Samuel in free agency so they can isolate him on some of the top receivers, but they have to be careful about leaving CB Sheldon Brown on Santonio Holmes. QB Ben Roethlisberger has attempted fewer than 20 passes in each of the first two games, but he has been efficient and hasn't thrown an interception.

When the Eagles have the ball: Donovan McNabb is one of the most dangerous quarterbacks, especially when he is healthy ... and he appears to be that. He has completed 65.7 percent of his passes and thrown for 642 yards and four touchdowns. However, even though he is difficult to tackle because of his size and strength, he was sacked four times against the Cowboys. The Eagles could get WR Reggie Brown (hamstring) back. However, Kevin Curtis, their leading receiver in 2007, remains out with a sports hernia. They could also be without Pro Bowl G Shaun Andrews, who left Monday's game with back spasms.

Keep an eye on ...

WR DeSean Jackson: The Eagles' No. 2 draft choice became the first rookie in 68 years to have more than 100 yards receiving in each of his first two NFL games. The Steelers liked Jackson in the draft because of his speed and his ability to return punts, and he has already displayed that with the Eagles. Jackson has 12 catches for 216 yards, including receptions of 47 and 60 yards, and has a punt return for 60 yards. The Steelers haven't allowed a pass play longer than 25 yards in two games.
Intangibles

The Steelers have lost their past seven in Philadelphia, going back to 1965, and are 3-5 in their past eight on the road. But they are 13-2 in their past 15 against teams from the NFC. The Eagles come off a Monday night loss to Dallas and have several injuries to key players on offense. Coach Andy Reid is 6-2 against teams from the AFC North, though one of those losses was to the Steelers at Heinz Field in 2004.
Keys to victory

To win, the Eagles must ...

1. Have Brian flyin'. They do a good job of getting Westbrook into space and creating mismatches with linebackers.

2. Get action from Jackson. The rookie receiver has quickly become their big-play threat without Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown.

3. Pen Ben. The Eagles need to pressure Roethlisberger from the outside and force him to step into their pressure.

To win, the Steelers must ...

1. Nab McNabb. The defense has seven sacks in two games and will have to pressure the Eagles QB, even if the defense doesn't sack him.

2. Not dread the red. They have been the NFL's most efficient team in the red zone, scoring TDs on all six trips inside the 20.

3. Put the blitz on the fritz. The Eagles love to blitz with defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, sometimes sending seven or eight guys at the QB.
Click to expand...

cpawfan · Sep 21, 2008

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08265/913914-66.stm\

The Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, once joined at the hip, renew a rivalry today that virtually disappeared after nearly 40 years of bitter battle.

This game was the Browns for the Steelers long before the Browns were born. This game was the Cowboys for the Eagles long before the Cowboys came into existence.

Now the Steelers and Eagles play about once every four years instead of twice annually and the sting has gone out of it. One emotion remains, however: Philadelphia envy.

Fans there lust after a Super Bowl victory every bit as those here, only Steelers fans have been fed five Lombardi trophies and the Eagles have none. The Steelers are 5 of 6 in Super Bowl games, the Eagles 0 for 2.

When it comes to Super Bowls, the state of Pennsylvania tilts heavily to the west.

"Yeah, they're very frustrated," said one of those former Eagles fans, nose tackle Scott Paxson, a member of the Steelers' practice squad. "Philly fans in general are frustrated people with all the sports not winning."

Paxson, born in Philadelphia and schooled at Penn State, was a fervent Eagles fan. As a Penn State student, he wore a Donovan McNabb jersey in the stands at Heinz Field the last time the Eagles and Steelers played, a 27-3 thumping of previously unbeaten Philadelphia Nov. 7, 2004.

He pulled for his Eagles through three consecutive NFC championship game losses in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

"We were like the second coming of the [Buffalo] Bills is what we were," said Paxson. "It's frustrating. They were close with T.O. there and everything, but they just didn't come through."

That was 2004 when the addition of Terrell Owens helped to put the Eagles in the Super Bowl. That was to be the year of the Keystone State Super Bowl. But, after the Steelers went 15-1 in Ben Roethlisberger's rookie year, they fell in the AFC championship game at home to New England to fall short.

It would have been a grand meeting for two franchises born in the same year, 1933, when the repeal of Pennsylvania's blue laws allowed play on Sunday. The two franchises were swapped for each other in 1940 (for years, the Steelers' charter read "Philadelphia Eagles"), and they joined forces during World War II to field the Steagles for one season (1943) with two head coaches.

As Dan Rooney pointed out the other day, that season was the first winning one for Philadelphia, when the Steagles went 5-4-1. The Eagles then went on to more glory while the Steelers fell on hard times. The only playoff game in Steelers history before the Immaculate Reception in 1972 came against Philadelphia in 1947, and the Eagles won to advance to the NFL championship game, which they lost.

Philadelphia then won the next two NFL championships and added a third in 1960 to give the Eagles three while the Steelers had none.

Everything changed with the NFL merger in 1970. The two Pennsylvania teams parted ways; the Steelers joined the AFC, and the Eagles stayed in the NFC. The Steelers flourished after that with four Super Bowl victories in the 1970s and another in 2005.

Today when they meet, they each can stake a claim as a Super Bowl contender, and the outcome will boost that assertion for one of them.

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, still looking for that championship in his 10th season, has to be a tad jealous that Roethlisberger earned a ring in his second.

"You know, I had my opportunity," McNabb said, "and, hopefully, I will have another opportunity. It is not about being upset with anyone; you are excited for them because it is a wonderful achievement. I know everything that you have to go through to get to a Super Bowl; to win it is that much harder. I think that they all played well to take some pressure off of Ben. I'm sure that he will tell you that he didn't play as well as he wanted to in the Super Bowl, but the team rallied around each other and they played well."

Today, the two teams face different historical tasks. The Steelers have not won in Philadelphia since 1965, their only victory on the road that year. Mike Nixon was their coach. Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher never won a real game in Philadelphia. The Steelers have lost their past seven games in that city.

On the other hand, the Steelers are 13-2 in their past 15 games against NFC teams. The Eagles have lost 14 games in a row to AFC teams that made the playoffs in the same season, including the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, who broke into the league with the NFC's Detroit Lions, has a theory as to why the Steelers have had so much success against the NFC. He said it's because NFC offenses aren't used to playing against the 3-4 defense -- most of them are in the AFC. It takes time, Batch said, to adjust.

The Eagles have an advantage there because they played Dallas on Monday night and the Cowboys play a 3-4. Plus, the Eagles played the Steelers in the preseason. Anyone who saw the Monday night game knows the Eagles had little trouble with the 3-4 as played in Dallas, but Philadelphia coach Andy Reid believes the Steelers' defense under coordinator Dick LeBeau might cause more problems.

"Dick LeBeau is about as creative a guy as you are going to find in this league," Reid said. "His players believe in what he does. He just does a lot of things with that 3-4 defense; he does as much with that 3-4 as anybody, and then you add in there all of the crazy things that he does with his nickel and dime package; it is amazing that those players can digest it all."

The idea is to give the Eagles offense indigestion, and thus add to all that Philadelphia envy.
Click to expand...

cpawfan · Sep 21, 2008

<table style="font-size: 12px;" class="detailSummary" width="227" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" height="270"><tbody><tr style="background-color: rgb(255, 204, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><td colspan="3">Why the envy?</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3">Steelers and Eagles numbers since the NFL merger (1970):</td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(255, 204, 0); font-weight: bold;"> <td width="48">
Steelers
</td> <td width="111">
Stat
</td> <td width="75">
Eagles
</td> </tr> <tr> <td>
353
</td> <td>
Victories*
</td> <td>
296
</td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td>
231
</td> <td>
Losses*
</td> <td>
283
</td> </tr> <tr> <td>
2
</td> <td>
Ties*
</td> <td>
7
</td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td>
.602
</td> <td>
Winning pct.*
</td> <td>
505
</td> </tr> <tr> <td>
6
</td> <td>
Super Bowl appearances
</td> <td>
2
</td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td>
5
</td> <td>
Super Bowl wins
</td> <td>
0
</td> </tr> <tr> <td>
28-18
</td> <td>
Postseason W-L
</td> <td>
13-16
</td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(255, 204, 0); font-weight: bold;"> <td colspan="3"> *-regular season
</td></tr></tbody></table>

cpawfan · Sep 21, 2008

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_589314.html

NFL Network analyst Rod Woodson said he hasn't seen any weaknesses on the Steelers through the first two weeks of the season and added that they look like the "best overall team" in the AFC.

He made another interesting observation about his former team.

"They looked tired at the end of the year," said Woodson, who starred as a defensive back for the Steelers from 1987-96. "I think you saw a young head coach in Mike Tomlin, who worked them pretty hard. I think they weren't used to doing that, working that hard throughout the year and they wore down."

The Steelers lost four of their last five games in 2007 after starting the season 9-3.

Outside linebacker James Harrison has said he hopes Tomlin eases up on the players in December to preserve their legs. Woodson said he sees that happening.

"I think that Mike understands the team better," the 11-time Pro Bowler said. "I think he made his point last year of being well-conditioned and playing tough throughout the whole year. Everybody's talking about the NFC teams but after two weeks the (Steelers) look phenomenal."

Time well spent: Hurricane Ike forced the postponement of last Sunday's Ravens-Texans game but it may have aided in the development of rookie quarterback Joe Flacco.

Flacco, the Ravens' first-round pick in last April's draft, used the unexpected bye week to work on things such as making the correct reads on blitzes and his accuracy on short and intermediate throws.

"You can look at it in a couple of different ways," Flacco said of the Ravens not playing last Sunday, "and I'm going to look at it like it was a good thing. I'm going into my second game as prepared as I can be."

Flacco, who started his college career at Pitt and transferred to Delaware, led the Ravens to a 17-10 win over the Bengals in his NFL debut.

He completed 15 of 29 passes for 129 yards and did not throw an interception. His numbers would have been better had the Ravens not dropped five passes, including one by tight end Todd Heap that might have gone for a touchdown.

Flacco did account for one of the Ravens' scores with a 38-yard touchdown run.

If Flacco wins his second NFL start today he will put the visiting Browns in an early hole.

Cleveland enters the 4:15 p.m. game with an 0-2 record.

"I'm looking for Joe to do well this game as he did the first game," Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason said.

Extra points: The Giants might miss Jeremy Shockey's hands more than they do his mouth. Giants tight ends have yet to catch a pass this season, and they have a relatively unproven group at the position. New York traded the disgruntled Shockey, whose 371 receptions are fourth on the Giants' all-time list, to New Orleans in the offseason...The Colts, who play a division game today against the Jaguars, are 28-8 in their last 36 games against AFC South foes...New Orleans has 156 rushing yards as a team. Rookie running back Matt Forte, who played his college ball at nearby Tulane, has rushed for 215 yards.
Click to expand...

cpawfan · Sep 21, 2008

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_589336.html

EAGLES RB BRIAN WESTBROOK: In Monday night's 41-37 loss to Dallas, Westbrook (5-foot-10, 203) had a fairly typical Brian Westbrook game. He carried 18 times for 58 yards (a 3.2 average) and two touchdowns, and caught six passes for 45 yards (a 7.5 average) and another score. In other words, he was heavily involved. The Eagles ran 64 offensive plays and Westbrook was officially credited with 24 touches. Not included in that total were a pair of botched handoffs by QB Donovan McNabb and at least one pass on which McNabb overthrew Westbrook. The Eagles like to get him the ball.

THE STEELERS' DEFENSE: In two games the Steelers' defense has yet to allow an opposing team 100 yards rushing or 200 yards passing -- or a meaningful touchdown (Houston managed a couple at garbage time in the opener). The Steelers have collected seven sacks, four pass interceptions and five total takeaways. Defensively, they're on their game. But the attrition process that gradually weakened the unit a season ago has already started to rear its ugly head. CB Deshea Townsend (heel) missed a start last Sunday night in Cleveland and DE Brett Keisel will miss one this afternoon in Philly.

THE MATCHUP: Westbrook lines up everywhere, which means just about everyone will need to get a piece of him at some point. When he's lined up at wide receiver it might be up to the cornerbacks to keep him contained. When he's in the slot it could be incumbent upon the safeties to cover him. The linebackers may be responsible for pitchouts and passes to the flat, and the rest of the front seven will need to keep an eye on him as McNabb play-actions on his way back to the pocket. If anyone blinks Westbrook may well be able to add to his NFL-high total of five TDs. He'll pressure the Steelers' defense all game long. EDGE: WESTBROOK

LAST WEEK: QB Derek Anderson wasn't a disaster, but he never did get the Browns into the end zone in a 10-6 Steelers victory. SS Troy Polamalu's interception inside the 5-yard line at the end of the first half was critical, and Anderson was also picked off by CB Bryant McFadden. EDGE: STEELERS
Click to expand...

cpawfan · Sep 21, 2008

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_589313.html

The Cowboys are the defending NFC East champions and a trendy pick to represent their conference in the Super Bowl. Yet, they needed quarterback Tony Romo, one of eight players on Dallas' offense that made the Pro Bowl in 2007, to engineer a late touchdown drive to beat the Eagles this past Monday night.

"We felt we were the better team and should have won," Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb said of the 41-37 shootout won by the Cowboys. "We lost that game."

McNabb's statement is as much a testament to the strength of the NFC East as the Cowboys' star-studded roster and the shiny Super Bowl rings the Giants received a couple of weeks ago. The Eagles, after all, were the only team in the NFC East that missed the playoffs last season. And, as McNabb said, they could make a legitimate case that they let one get away in Dallas.

"They're definitely playing the overall best football in the league," NFL Network analyst and former Steelers great Rod Woodson said of the NFC East. "Everyone thought the Giants would be the last (place) team in the East, but I still think they're plenty strong."

The Steelers will find out how strong the Giants are as well as the rest of the NFC East starting today when they visit the Eagles for a 4:15 p.m. game. How they fare against the four teams in what is arguably the toughest division in football could go a long way toward determining whether the Steelers are legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

"That's the main reason why everyone said we had a tough schedule," Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said, "playing the NFC East."

The Steelers are on a level playing field in one sense since their division rivals also have games against every team in the NFC East.

Holding their own against the NFC East won't be easy for the AFC North teams since the latter division appears to be as lacking as the former is loaded.

The Cowboys are 2-0. So are the defending world champion Giants, who can still punish opponents with their running game and pass rush despite the loss of several key players. The Redskins, like the Eagles, are 1-1. And after they beat the Saints this past Sunday, it was hard to tell whether the Redskins had improved that much from the first week to the second or whether they had looked so bad in their season opener because they had played against the Giants.

"Do I play in the toughest division in football?" McNabb said. "Yes, I would say yes."

That the NFC East is at least prominent in that discussion can be traced to the head coaching hires teams made to keep pace in the division. As recently as 2006, the four head coaches in the division were Bill Parcells (Cowboys), Joe Gibbs (Redskins), Tom Coughlin (Giants) and Andy Reid (Eagles).

Gibbs has won three Super Bowls and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Parcells has won two Super Bowls and is a future Pro Hall of Famer.

Coughlin, meanwhile, added the one thing missing from his coaching resume when he guided the Giants to an improbable Super Bowl title last season. And all Reid has done in nine seasons in Philadelphia is win five division titles and a conference championship.

While Gibbs and Parcells are no longer coaching -- they were replaced by Jim Zorn and Wade Phillips, respectively -- their impact on the division is evident by how strong it has become.

"I think right now we're at a point where all the teams are highly competitive," McNabb said, "and teams that people are definitely watching across the league."

Stellar play at the most important position in football is a big reason why for each of those.

Romo has blossomed into a star in Dallas, and Giants quarterback Eli Manning stepped out of the shadow cast by his older brother, Peyton, by winning the Super Bowl last season. Jason Campbell has shown promise, and the Redskins will only go as far as the 2005 first-round draft pick takes them.

None of those three quarterbacks are older than 28, which makes McNabb, 31, the graybeard of the group.

Not that McNabb, perhaps the most underappreciated quarterback in the NFL, has looked like he is on the downside of his career even though he is in his 10th season. McNabb leads the NFC with 642 passing yards and has thrown four touchdown passes and no interceptions.

"He's throwing the deep ball as well as I've ever seen him throw it," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said.

The Eagles have one of the NFL's premier running and receiving threats in Brian Westbrook, and rookie wideout DeSean Jackson has given Philadelphia another big-play threat in the passing game as well as the return game.

The Eagles' offense will test a Steelers defense that finished first in total defense in 2007 and has yet to give up a meaningful touchdown this season.

Then again, the entire NFC East will be the equivalent of the bar exam for the Steelers and not just because the offenses in the division can score points in bunches.

"I think defenses, physically, in the NFC East, (are) closest probably to the AFC North," said Steelers safety Ryan Clark, who played for the Giants in 2002-03 and the Redskins in 2004-05.

Whether any other division comes close to matching up with the NFC East will be determined during the course of the season. As several Steelers said last week the NFC East looks great on paper but that doesn't always translate to success on the field.

"I guess that's why they play these AFC-NFC games," Clark said, "to see who is the best."
Click to expand...

Log in or Sign up

Battle of Pennsylvania 9/21/08

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

ghoti A PhD in Horribleness

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

Vintage Defeating Communism...

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Battle of Pennsylvania 9/21/08

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

ghoti A PhD in Horribleness

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

Vintage Defeating Communism...

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

cpawfan Monsters do exist

Share This Page

Useful Searches