Steelers Talk

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

8/7/06

NFL notebook
Steelers lineman arrested after motorcycle chase; Brooks charged with fleeing and eluding

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->PITTSBURGH - Steelers tackle Barrett Brooks was arrested early Sunday after police said he fled from them on motorcycle.
The 34-year-old offensive lineman was charged with fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, driving at an unsafe speed and other traffic violations. He was taken to Allegheny County Jail, police Sgt. Dennis Washington said.
Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett said he was aware of the arrest but did not have any further information.
The arrest occurred shortly before 2:30 a.m. on the city's South Side when Brooks allegedly drove recklessly around a police car, prompting officers to try to pull him over, Washington said. Brooks did not stop and officers gave chase for about five minutes, he said. Brooks rode through a red light and a stop sign, Washington said.
When Brooks dropped his motorcycle at an intersection, he tried to get back on his bike and drive away when officers made the arrest, Washington said.
Police said Brooks was not legally intoxicated and was not wearing a helmet.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger broke his jaw, nose and orbital bones in a June 12 motorcycle crash in which he was not wearing a helmet.
Brooks spent the last two seasons with the Steelers after originally signing with the team in October 2003. He played for Philadelphia from 1995-98 and for Detroit in 1999-00. He also played two games for Green Bay in 2002.

[iambrutus]

heard about this this morning, what a dick. apparently he has learned nothing

[AJHawkfan]

Ward targeting some big goals for the 2006 season

Tuesday, August 08, 2006
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Hines Ward was the first player in Super Bowl XL to perform in a national commercial ad when he accepted a trip to Disney World -- "and I'm taking the Bus" -- in the moments after the Steelers defeated Seattle in Detroit.

Since then, there has been little advertising activity, at least in this country.

Ward has become a popular commercial spokesman in his native South Korea, where he is trying to fight bigotry against mixed-race people there, and where the citizens know little about the game of football.

Yet the Super Bowl MVP couldn't muster much ad time in America, the birthplace of the game, although KDKA-TV will replace "The Jerome Bettis Show" with "The Hines Ward Show" this fall.

Not that he's complaining, nor did he suggest race as a reason for it. (Disney was criticized in the past for not picking black Super Bowl MVPs Jerry Rice, Ray Lewis and Dexter Jackson.) Ward believes others on the team overshadowed him, such as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and safety Troy Polamalu.

"It's hard to get marketed here, America," Ward said. "You have Troy and Ben. It's tough. I don't know what's the reason. I'm not marketable like that, I guess.

"I don't get caught up in it. My thing is, if I keep producing on the field, keep being a consistent player, then positive things will happen to me."

A year after his two-week holdout to start training camp, Ward said he prefers to take a lower profile anyway.

"I'm staying under the radar," Ward said. "Just stay low and get better. That's my thing, just continue to get better as a player, continue to be a leader."

Ward holds the team record with 574 receptions and, with 7,030 yards, needs 1,694 to pass John Stallworth for the all-time club lead. His aim is higher.

"My personal goal is to get 10,000 yards," Ward said yesterday. "If I can do that in my career, that will be my final accomplishment. If I can do it all with the Steelers -- 10,000 yards with this team being in this offense -- that would be like the icing on the cake."

Ward insisted that reaching that goal would not necessarily mean retirement and that turning 30 (March 8) should not signal that he'll slow down, although a hamstring injury has kept him off the field since Friday and might keep him out of Saturday's first preseason game in Arizona.

"Some of the best receivers in the game are in their 30s," Ward said.

There are, for example, Terrell Owens, 32; Marvin Harrison, 34 in two weeks; Rod Smith, 36; Torry Holt, 30; and Derrick Mason, 32.

"Keenan McCardell, he's still going 15 years in the league," Ward said. "What makes those guys any different than me? They know the game, they know how to run routes. I see all these fast defensive backs and fast receivers come in. How does someone like a Keenan McCardell or Jerry Rice or Tim Brown -- all these guys who played the game so long -- how do they continue doing this?

"I'm always looking at them and studying film on them and trying to learn the game. I put myself kind of in their category. They say he's not blazing fast, yet he can still get open. I can create separation and I can catch the ball. That's all you really need in this game."

He says he does not worry about losing speed, because he never had it.

"A lot of people in this league don't have blazing speed, yet what makes them last so long, what makes them so productive? I think by understanding the game, understanding coverage and route-running. Some people lose their speed and they don't know how to adjust their games."

Ward enjoyed the fruits of winning the Super Bowl so much -- visiting South Korea twice and meeting the presidents of that country and this one, among them -- he wants to do it again.

"The experience after the Super Bowl feels so good. That's the thing that motivates me. I'm happy to win one, but I want to get another one."

Students of Ward's history also know that perceived means for motivation is crucial to him. As a three-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl MVP and Steelers' multirecord holder, he no longer can play the lack-of-respect card.

"People think, 'What's his motivation?' " Ward said. " 'What's the thing that's going to make him go? Is he content where he is?' It's more, I guess, trying to prove myself over again."

And, he said, to take on a leadership role left vacant when Bettis retired.

"Somebody who wants help, I'll try and help him," said Ward, who stays after virtually every practice working with other receivers, including the team's two prized rookies, Santonio Holmes and Willie Reid. "Going out of my way to help these guys learn the game, that's what Jerome would do."

Steelers receivers

Hines Ward needs 1,694 receiving yards to pass John Stallworth for most all time.

Rank/Player

Rec. Yds.
1. John Stallworth 8,723
2. Hines Ward 7,030
3. Louis Lipps 6,016
4. Lynn Swann 5,462
5. Elbie Nickel 5,133
6. Buddy Dial 4,723
7. Plaxico Burress 4,164
8. Ray Mathews 3,919
9. Roy Jefferson 3,671
10. Yancey Thigpen 3,641
11. Charles Johnson 3,400
12. Ron Shanklin 3,047
13. Gary Ballman 2,949


(Ed Bouchette can be reached at ebouchette@post-gazette.com or 412-263-3878. )

[AJHawkfan]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns

Steelers' Porter all dressed up, but still has nowhere to go
By ALAN ROBINSON, AP Sports Writer
August 8, 2006

LATROBE, Pa. (AP) -- Joey Porter must be losing patience with sitting out Steelers practice. Restricted to rehabilitating his knee, he knew he couldn't work out with the team.

Yet there he was Monday, in full uniform.

Maybe it was the sight of James Harrison, his injury replacement, scoring a touchdown while lined up at fullback in a scrimmage Saturday that made Porter all the more eager to return.

"No, I told him he sold us out," Porter said, laughing. "But I can't be mad about him because I've always wanted to get on the goal line and score me a touchdown, too. But I wouldn't do it just in training camp."

Porter's biggest concern is getting back by the Sept. 7 opener against Miami. He had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in May to repair damage done early last season against New England.

"It feels different each day, but it's been getting better each day," Porter said. "I feel a lot better than when I came in for the first day of camp. I'm definitely making progress."

Porter played in 17 games after getting hurt last year, counting the playoffs, so the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker didn't think the injury would be a problem this year. But then it started bothering him again during the team's offseason workouts this spring.

Still, he doesn't feel as rushed to get back as he did last summer, when he needed surgery on his left knee early in training camp and had to push to be back in time for the season.

"I've been through this situation before, so now is no different," Porter said. "Just be smart about it. Last year, I didn't have any extra time to take off -- if I had more time I would have, I wouldn't have come back as soon as I had to. But the season was starting and I had to get ready for the first game.

"Now, instead of forcing myself back for a preseason game, I'm going to take the time I need and wait for Coach (Bill) Cowher to give me the green light and go from there," he said.

That's why the 29-year-old Porter isn't pestering Cowher daily to get back onto the field. Porter said the worst thing he could do is to return prematurely and risk putting up with a bothersome knee all season.

The Steelers also don't want to take any chances with one of the NFL's most valuable defensive players. Porter led all NFL linebackers with 10 1/2 sacks last season, then had three more during the Steelers' Super Bowl run.

"Joey's coming along and we anticipate maybe in the next two to three days getting him out here to start doing some things, but still proceed cautiously with that," Cowher said Monday. "But I'm very encouraged by his progress."

Among Porter's big plays in the postseason were consecutive sacks of Peyton Manning during the Steelers' second-round upset of Indianapolis and a key sack of Jake Plummer and a forced fumble he had during the AFC championship game in Denver.

Because he played at a high level despite missing most of camp last year -- he also had five forced fumbles and two interceptions last season -- Porter is confident he can return without difficulty from this layoff. The Steelers haven't said when he might return.

"It's the same defense I've been running for eight years -- I know what I'm doing and where I'm supposed to be at," Porter said. "It's going out there and competing at a level I like to compete at. We have a long season and it's barely starting the second week of training camp. I don't want to do anything silly that's going to set me back for the season."

Wide receiver Hines Ward said the same after sitting out practice again Monday with a sore left hamstring. He was held out of practice Saturday after first feeling discomfort late in practice Friday.

Ward missed a game due to injury for the first time in eight NFL seasons last year because of a sore hamstring, but said that injury was to his right hamstring.

"It's just precautionary, I don't want to have a nagging hamstring injury during the season, so they gave me a couple of days off," Ward said.

[AJHawkfan]

Steelers Notebook: Rookie safety is opening eyes

Wednesday, August 09, 2006
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Rookie safety Anthony Smith, the team's second draft pick, is not involved in the competition with Ryan Clark and Tyrone Carter for the starting free-safety spot. At least, not now.

But Smith, a three-year starter at Syracuse, has shown enough to the players and coaches that it's only a matter of time until he lines up alongside Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu in the secondary.

That time might not come until next season, but Smith has been a training-camp standout.

"Wait till next year," cornerback Ike Taylor said. "You can already see when he's out there in the sub packages. Once he understands the defense more, he's going to be something."

Said defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau: "He's ahead of the curve right now. I think the coaching sessions helped all those guys in terms of running our defense and making the calls."

Porter returning

Coach Bill Cowher said Pro Bowl linebacker Joey Porter, who has not practiced since having surgery on his right knee in May, likely will resume practicing today.

Wide receiver Hines Ward tried to test his injured hamstring early in practice, but he still felt tightness and sat out the remainder of the afternoon session.

"I wanted to see where I was," Ward said. "I got to go back and get it better."

Ward said he did not know if he would play in the preseason opener Saturday in Arizona.

On the move

One week after being moved from defensive end to outside linebacker, free-agent rookie Lee Vickers was moved back to defensive end -- the position he played at North Alabama.

Vickers is tall (6 feet 6, 285) and rangy like a lot of the team's other defensive ends, including Brett Keisel and Shaun Nua. He has impressed the coaches with his quickness and ability to rush the passer.

"He's a guy like Brett Keisel -- if he's able to make this team he'll have some luxury in being able to play outside linebacker," Cowher said. "I think he's got a lot of upside."

Changing sides

Rookie tackle Willie Colon, a fourth-round draft pick, began working at left tackle because of the injury to Trai Essex (groin), who could be out a week to 10 days. Colon was used solely on the right side during the first week of training camp.

Right tackle Max Starks, who was a left tackle at the University of Florida, said switching sides involves more than just a change in stance and technique.

"Being on the right side, you generally get the stronger, more powerful pass-rushers," Starks said. "On the left side, you get more of your quicker, outside linebacker-build type guys who are quicker and more elusive. The speed and the technique are the two biggest changes that you have to make."

Quick hits

Inside linebacker Mike Kudla, a rookie free agent from Ohio State, was released -- the second injured player in as many days to be waived by the Steelers. Kudla (6-3, 265), a former nose tackle with the Buckeyes, had not practiced with the team since reporting to camp with a hamstring injury. ... The Steelers will practice twice today with the second session beginning at 6 p.m. It is the final night practice of training camp. The Steelers will have only one more double practice, and that's next Wednesday.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ESPN.com

8/10/06

Big Ben to start Steelers' first preseason game


PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger will start the Pittsburgh Steelers' exhibition game at Arizona on Saturday, two months to the day of the serious motorcycle accident that left him with a broken jaw, nose and other facial injuries.
<!--------------------------START PLAYER CARD------------------><TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Ben Roethlisberger</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Quarterback
Pittsburgh Steelers

Profile</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width=190 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR class=stathead align=middle><TD align=middle colSpan=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Att</TD><TD width="17%">Comp</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD><TD width="17%">Int</TD><TD width="17%">Rat</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>268</TD><TD>168</TD><TD>2256</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>98.6</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!---------------------INLINE MINI-PLAYER CARD ENDS HERE--------------------->


Roethlisberger has been lobbying coach Bill Cowher since camp opened July 28 to allow him to play, but Cowher had not confirmed until Thursday that the quarterback would start.
Roethlisberger will play only a series or two before Cowher inserts Charlie Batch. Most of the playing time is expected to go to the quarterbacks competing for the No. 3 job, free agent Shane Boyd and fifth-round draft pick Omar Jacobs.
Roethlisberger, who led the Steelers to a Super Bowl championship in his second season as a starter earlier this year, had not missed any training camp practice time due to the accident and has not seemed to be affected by it.
His weight is down to about 235 pounds, about 15 pounds lighter than last season, but Roethlisberger said he planned to lose weight in advance of camp even if there hadn't been an accident.
A year ago, Roethlisberger failed to lead a single touchdown drive during limited playing time in the preseason, but the Steelers went on to score 61 points in winning their first two regular-season games.
Wide receiver Hines Ward, out since Friday with a sore hamstring, won't play and will be replaced by second-year receiver Nate Washington. However, Cowher said first-round draft pick Santonio Holmes of Ohio State is expected to see considerable playing time.

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