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Pittsburgh Steelers (official thread)

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Coach gets his Way
Crafton honors Bill Cowher by renaming an alley behind his old home for him
Thursday, May 25, 2006

By Jim McMahon, Tri-State Sports and News Service

20060525cowher_230.jpg

Lake Fong, Post-Gazette
Crafton officials dedicate Alley Q as Cowher Way on Saturday in honor of Bill Cowher, head coach of the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Coach Cowher is a former resident and 1975 Carlynton High School graduate. The alley is behind Hawthorne Avenue.

Players on the Pittsburgh Steelers no doubt are familiar with doing things the Cowher Way, but it's new in Crafton.

Coach Bill Cowher was present Saturday when Alley Q was renamed Cowher Way in his honor. The alley runs behind the Hawthorne Avenue home where the coach grew up.

Mayor Susan O'Connell had declared Saturday as Bill Cowher Day and about 150 people, including the coach's parents, attended the hour-long ceremony.

Although some at first criticized the selection of an alley as a lasting tribute to the borough's distinguished son, Mr. Cowher found it to be "very appropriate" and gave his approval to the idea proposed in February by council President Ed Stewart and Vice President Tom Byers.

Local sports media personality and Steelers commentator Ellis Cannon took the borough to task for its seemingly paltry honor, but he recanted and served as an entertaining master of ceremonies of the event.

Mr. Byers promised Mr. Cowher, "If you keep at it, we'll keep naming everything in Crafton after you."

Accompanying Mr. Cowher to the event were his parents, Laird and Dorothy, and older brothers, Doug and Dale, who sat next to him on a small, portable stage.

Former classmates and coaches provided tributes and humorous anecdotes about the 1975 Carlynton High School graduate who displayed an aggressive style as middle linebacker on a close-knit team that finished with a 7-2 record.

Former high school coach Dan Saunders emphasized, "Streets and alleys are important training grounds in sports."

"I'm very proud to be from Crafton," said Mr. Cowher, who expressed his appreciation for all the support and guidance he had received from his family, friends, coaches and neighbors.

He explained that the selection of the alley to bear his name had special significance since it represented such an important part of his life's journey.

"It's not where you are in life, it's where you came from," said the Steelers coach, who noted, "This will always be my roots."

He offered some words of wisdom to the many children attending the event, saying, "If you have a dream, chase it, and you'll meet a lot of nice people on the way."
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http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06145/692894-66.stm
 
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Same old Steelers

By Mike Prisuta
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, May 31, 2006


If the Steelers are as distracted as the soap operas, mini-dramas and other headline-inspiring highlights of their Super Bowl offseason suggest, they're hiding it well.
Coaching sessions resumed Tuesday on the South Side.

It might as well have been St. Vincent College in August.

The steamy conditions contributed mightily to what was taking place resembling just another training camp practice, the type that has been integral to the Steelers going 13-3, 10-5-1, 15-1 and 11-5 in four of the past five regular seasons.

The exception in that run of double-digit victory totals and playoff appearances was the 6-10 disaster of 2003, an injury-plagued campaign that also was dragged down by soggy conditions that affected the Steelers' ability to practice in the preseason and, in retrospect, an overall attitude that fell short of the nose-to-the-grindstone approach Bill Cowher has since consistently gleaned from his team.

There was no evidence to suggest that commitment had waned yesterday afternoon.

Even though linebacker Joey Porter has had to offer an explanation/clarification of tongue-in-cheek comments directed at President Bush.

Even though wide receiver Hines Ward has had to clarify the context of quotes attributed to him relative to his relationship with Cowher in a national publication.

Even though No. 1 pick Santonio Holmes has been arrested and briefly detained in South Florida.

It's still all business on South Water Street as far as the Steelers are concerned, which includes the players entertaining themselves while going about the business of getting their work in.

It has been all along this spring.

"These have been the best coaching sessions since I've been here, unquestionably," said defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, acknowledging the "effort and focus" of the players he coaches.

Speaking for the offense, tight end Jerame Tuman allowed for a certain ragged character surfacing on occasion due to the preponderance of inexperienced newcomers taking part. Still, "When it's the No. 1's and No. 2's going against each other, it's been very competitive," Tuman said.

You'd expect them to say nothing less, not because of their ties to the team, but because LeBeau and Tuman know NFL titles aren't won in May and June.

When training camp cranks up July 28, the Steelers will begin to reveal how committed they are to repeating.

Until then, conspiracy theorists can deduce what they will from offseason developments that are about as relevant to the upcoming season as Ben Roethlisberger riding a motorcycle without a helmet ultimately was to the quest for Super Bowl XL.

In the meantime, the Steelers will do their thing, which includes linebackers paying for dropped interceptions with push-ups and injured players such as Mike Logan running individual sprints during team drills.

The Steelers are doing it this spring with an approach that suggests they're out to make a statement about winning The Big One having in no way, shape or form altered their resolve.

"I would hope so," LeBeau observed, although on this point he and Tuman disagree.

"I'm not consciously thinking about that, and I don't know if the rest of the guys have," Tuman said. "It's just something that's in the character and the makeup of this team.

"When it's a work day we come to work."

Film at 11.

Mike Prisuta is a columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
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http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_456032.html
 
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Big Ben raises his own expectations

Roethlisberger
Chaz Palla/TRIBUNE-REVIEW

0601roethisberger-f.jpg



By The Tribune-Review
Thursday, June 1, 2006


In the immediate aftermath of Super Bowl XL, Ben Roethlisberger momentarily lamented having completed just 9 of 21 passes for 123 yards with no touchdowns, two interceptions and a passer rating of 22.6 in the Steelers' 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
"It's not how you picture your Super Bowl moment," Roethlisberger said.

Still, with a record of 27-4 as the Steelers' starting quarterback and an NFL title on his resume after just two professional seasons, Roethlisberger need not apologize to anyone.

In an interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Mike Prisuta, Roethlisberger paused during the Steelers' offseason activities to look back, look ahead and attempt to put his whirlwind NFL career in perspective.

T-R: What type of impact will winning a Super Bowl have on your game, your attitude and your expectations?

BR: It gives you more confidence, obviously, naturally. You've done something that even some of the greats have never done, something that people work for their whole lives. That's given me more confidence out here. It's helped me understand what everybody's doing, and I think it gives guys more confidence in me.

T-R: Have your career goals changed as a result?

BR: A little bit. I've reached a couple goals that I set out for my life, and I've reached them already. I've had to go back and cross out some of those goals and make them a little loftier. The big thing is I want to keep trying to get better. That's the biggest key for me, always improve. Hopefully, if I improve, we'll improve as an offense.

T-R: Have you come to better grips with your performance in the Super Bowl, as it relates to what you did during the games that got the Steelers there?

BR: I, obviously, didn't play my best game, but it's the Super Bowl. The final score is all that mattered, and that's all that matters to me. You look back to all the things we did to get there, there are things I'd like to think helped contribute to that, and, hopefully, it was good enough to help.

T-R: You progressed last season from a quarterback who looked for his first option and then vacated the pocket to one that was able to take advantage of multiple options in the pocket. How do you expect to expand your game this season?

BR: Hopefully, knowing what everybody on the field is doing instead of just two or three guys. Hopefully, maybe even having enough confidence in myself, and coach (Bill Cowher) having it also, to go no-huddle (other than in standard two-minute situations), to be able to call no-huddle plays. If we can get to that point, where we're able to do the stuff that Cincinnati does and be able to go no-huddle, then we can be pretty effective.

T-R: No. 1 pick Santonio Holmes observed in minicamp that you have to be on your p's & q's with Roethlisberger in the huddle. Are you making more of a conscious effort to assume a leadership role in the wake of Jerome Bettis' retirement?

BR: I'm not trying to force the issue of taking over the leadership role. We've got (wide receiver) Hines (Ward). We've got (guard) Alan Faneca. Those are kind of our leaders on offense. I'm just going to accept the role they're giving me. Guys are kind of naturally putting me in the leadership role, being the quarterback. I'm just trying to make sure I can take charge of the offense, because I know a lot of guys are looking at me and counting on me to be able to make plays and not make mistakes. I want to be able to do that for them.

T-R: Does having more younger, less-experienced receivers around make it easier to assume more of a leadership role?

BR: Hines is doing plenty of yelling at those guys, which is good; they need it. My thing is to try to just keep them encouraged, keep their heads up, keep them focused, because it's a lot (to absorb). Watching (rookie QB) Omar (Jacobs), it's like deja vu. Omar's hitting the check-down on every play, because he's not sure where everybody's going to be. I was the same way. Just keep those guys encouraged and keep their heads up, and they'll be fine.

T-R: What should this team be wary of, nervous about or determined to avoid in 2006?

BR: We can not allow the title of Super Bowl champions to bog us down. We can enjoy that all we want, but once this year starts, we have to realize everybody's starting equal. The only difference is we have a big bull's-eye on our chests. We have to go out and play as a group, play as a team, as we've always done, and just throw that title of Super Bowl champions out the window.
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http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_456165.html
 
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Notebook: Steelers to receive rings Sunday

By Joe Bendel
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, June 1, 2006


The Steelers will receive their Super Bowl rings at a banquet Sunday at Heinz Field. Players such as Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward said the event will officially close the team's Super Bowl ride.
"After that, it's all about next season," Ward said. "We start over from there. So, let's get our rings and enjoy them, then concentrate on what's ahead."

• Ward returned Tuesday from his second trip to Seoul, South Korea, his last until after the 2006 season. While there, he contributed $1 million to his Helping Hands Foundation for biracial children. The group also raised another $1.5 million. The money is earmarked for educational needs, in addition to a scholarship fund named after Ward's mother, Kim Young-hee. Ward said he plans to bring as many as 40 biracial children from Korea to Pittsburgh to watch a Steelers game.

"I want them to see Heinz Field and see crazy fans who are so passionate about their team," Ward said.

• The Steelers will meet with President Bush at the White House on Friday.

"You always see championship teams standing there with the president," said left tackle Marvel Smith. "Now it's going to be us. That's a good feeling."

• The team has five voluntary workouts remaining, one today and four next week. They will then meet for training camp, which opens July 28 in Latrobe.


Joe Bendel can be reached at [email protected] or (412) 320-7811.
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http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_456166.html
 
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Steelers to visit the White House today
Friday, June 02, 2006

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



Alan Faneca has one goal this afternoon when he meets the President in the Rose Garden at the White House.

"Shake his hand, hopefully," Faneca said.

Two days later, Faneca and the rest of the Steelers might have to think twice before they shake anyone's hand. Sunday, they will receive their Super Bowl rings in a private ceremony in a lounge at Heinz Field. Big, tough football players have been brought to their knees by their reaction to wearing a Super Bowl ring, not because of the emotion it brings, but the pain.

Chuck Noll once said that he discontinued wearing any of his four Super Bowl rings because of the pain it caused when he shook someone's hand. And those rings were small by comparison to the gold and diamond hubcaps Super Bowl teams receive today.

The Steelers will issue at least 150 rings to players, coaches and members of the organization Sunday and, yes, they will be gaudy. They still have a reputation as a mom-and-pop franchise as far as NFL teams go, but the size of their Super Bowl ring will keep up with the Joneses.

Dan Rooney, with help from Jerome Bettis and Ben Roethlisberger, came up with the idea for the ring. Rooney's initial plan was to design a ring that separated this championship from the franchise's first four. But Bettis convinced him otherwise. The retired halfback told him that the modern Steelers played in the shadows of the 1970s teams for so long that they finally believed they belonged with them now. Bettis wanted a ring that would display that.

So the design team of Rooney, Bettis and Roethlisberger came up with a ring that will display five Vince Lombardi Trophies on its face, all in diamonds. Rooney, though, did reject one of the players' requests, that the ring be constructed of white gold. Perhaps that might have represented their four postseason victories on the road in their white shirts, but, as Rooney said, "We're the black and gold." Yellow, not white.

"It really looks good in gold," Rooney said. "I'm pleased with it, and they're pleased with it, too."

For Rooney and a handful of others in the organization, this will be one for the thumb, a fifth Super Bowl ring after a 26-year quest.

"It's been a long time since we won that fourth one," said Dick Hoak, who will receive his fifth ring in the same job that he earned his first, as the Steelers' running backs coach.

Unlike many who store their rings in safe-deposit boxes, Hoak wears his, not daily, but on many occasions. During the season, he would wear the third or fourth ring on the day before the game.

"I don't know why people win them and don't wear them," Hoak said. "What's the sense of winning one?

"What I'll do now is put one of those away and wear this one. I just have to decide which one to put away. I just may wear this one now. Those other two are from so far back."

Receiving the ring not only represents the culmination of a pursuit for a generation, but also the beginning of the next one.

"Once we get it, we can kind of really put this year behind us," Hines Ward said. "It's really been a memorable year, and this ring is kind of the icing on the cake, something we worked hard for.

"Once you get it you look at it, reflect back on the year and all the people who supported you along the way. Then, after the ring ceremony, it's time to focus on starting a new chapter in the upcoming season. We really can't live off the past."


NOTES -- Retired Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope was released from UPMC-Presbyterian after nearly a two-week stay for pneumonia.
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http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06153/695113-66.stm
 
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Steelers set for presidential treatment

By Joe Bendel
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, June 2, 2006


Casey Hampton was going about his business in the University of Texas weight room one afternoon when the future president of the United States approached.
"He asked about an article that was written about me and my mom," Hampton said. "He was interested."

Hampton's conversation with George W. Bush -- governor of the Lone Star State while Hampton was starring at UT -- was no different from the many previous chats they'd had.

Bush was a big UT fan. Hampton was a big-time UT performer.

"He was cool, down to earth," Hampton said. "It was funny, because we always used to say, 'One day, that man's gonna be our president -- and we know him.' It's pretty wild."

At about 1:45 today, Hampton, along with the rest of the Steelers, will join Bush on the White House lawn to celebrate the team's Super Bowl victory over the Seattle Seahawks last February.

Former Steelers Antwaan Randle El, Kimo von Oelhoffen and Chris Hope, all of whom signed elsewhere after the season, are expected to be on hand, along with scouts, coaches and front-office personnel.

This marks the franchise's second White House visit, 27 years after the 1978 squad was honored by President Carter. The '74, '75 and '79 teams did not make the trek.

"The White House ..." backup center Chukky Okobi said, shaking his head. "This is when you start to realize how special winning the Super Bowl is."

Asked what he would say to the president, Okobi revealed a huge smile.

"What's up, George? How's it going?" he said, laughing. "Where are your daughters?"

Okobi paused.

"Just kidding," he said.

Okobi probably didn't want to stir up controversy, like the Northwestern women's lacrosse team did last summer when several players wore flip-flop sandals with their dresses and skirts. Critics believed the look was too casual for the White House.

A few weeks ago, Steelers linebacker Joey Porter elicited some reaction when he jokingly told media members that he had "something to say" to Bush. He didn't like the way the quotes came across in print and sent out a statement clarifying them.

The usually loquacious Porter has barely spoken with the media since.

"Joey was talking all crazy, just having fun," fellow outside linebacker Clark Haggans said. "That's all."

The Steelers were scheduled to touch down in Washington late this morning, tour the White House, then congregate on the lawn to be honored by the president. Most team members were anxiously awaiting the opportunity to celebrate their Super Bowl win with the commander in chief.

"I'll have my camcorder, so I can always remember it and show it to my kids," left tackle Marvel Smith said. "Just to be able to be a part of this, to be a part of a place with so much history, is an honor."

Indeed, Mr. Smith is going to Washington.

"I'm really looking forward to this," the big lineman said.

In recent years, Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel watched as other championship teams -- the New England Patriots, the Boston Red Sox, the Detroit Pistons -- celebrated on the White House lawn for all the world to see.

Now, it's his turn.

"When you see those other guys there, you think, 'Hey, they go there and get their picture taken, that's all it is,'" Keisel said. "But that's not right. It's one of the things that comes with being a champion, one of the things that make it special. I've been on the other side of the fence a few times, just checking things out. But to actually be in there, and being honored, it's going to be awesome. It really is."

Veteran center Jeff Hartings has experienced plenty during his 10 NFL seasons, and a trip to the White House will add one more powerful memory.

"I think it's a great privilege," Hartings said. "Politics aside, I think the opportunity to go to the White House is special. No. 1, we're going there because we're world champs. And whether you agree or disagree with the politics of the White House right now, I would hope everybody goes there with the feeling that it's a great privilege and honor that few get to experience."

As for Hampton, somebody asked if he expected Bush to single him out because of their history together.

"Probably not," Hampton said. "We'll see."

Joe Bendel can be reached at [email protected] or (412) 320-7811.
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http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_456335.html


Tuman_Smith_A_64600.jpg


Smith and Tuman thrilled to be headed to the White House
Friday, June 2, 2006

By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

Aaron Smith made the trip to Washington, D.C. as a teenager, seeing all of the sights, visiting the key locations and learning a little more about American history.

"We went to the monuments and the White House," remembered Smith. "It was something else. We weren't there long. At the White House it was from outside. I was looking through the fence.

"Just to see all of the history and tradition was great. I love this country and to see all of that was really special."

Jerame Tuman has made the trip there before as well. Tuman was a member of the University of Michigan football team that won the 1997 National Championship and was invited to visit the White House.

But when the Steelers visit the White House on Friday, it is going to be a real thrill for the two of them, as both can't wait for the opportunity to meet President George W. Bush.

"I am looking forward to it," said Tuman. "It's a very exciting thing. Not only does it celebrate our championship, our Super Bowl win, but it's also a chance to go and meet the President. That is very exciting."

"It will be more special this time," added Smith. "This time I get to go inside."

Tuman and Smith both have a goal for when they get to the White House – to stand next to the President and have their photo taken with them.

"We have some inside connections at the Steelers, trying to work on their connections at the White House," Tuman joked. "We are trying to see what we can get done. We'll see what comes of it."

Smith and Tuman have even been having a friendly battle over which one should get to stand next to the President.

"If I get the chance to even touch him, just shake his hand, I will be happy," said Smith, who jokingly didn't rule out having to push Tuman out of the way if necessary. "It's all free game when we get there."

Both know, though, that there might be a few other people who get the honor of standing next to the President – most notably Dan Rooney, Art Rooney, II and head coach Bill Cowher.

"The chance of that happening is probably pretty good," said Tuman. "If not them, then there are probably people ahead of us that could make it next to him.

"We are going to do our best to get in close somewhere around him. We are very big supporters. We should have some standing among the team. We want to get close to him or at least try to get our picture taken with him."

While wild horses won't be able to keep Smith away from the trip to the White House, there is one thing that might.

"It will be interesting because my wife is due on June 9," said Smith, whose wife Jaimie is expecting their third child. "It depends on what is going on with her. I am hoping to make it to the White House and the ring ceremony. I am trying to get her to hold off on it. Either way I will be happy."

The trip will be a quick one for the team. It will be strictly going to the White House and then heading right back to Pittsburgh. A few players, though, will arrive in Washington early and visit injured military members at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

http://media3.steelers.com/article/64604/
 
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Bush jokes with the Steelers at White House
Friday, June 02, 2006

Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


20060603pd_bush_reed_hamptonPJ_230.jpg

Peter Diana, Post-Gazette
Kicker Jeff Reed, left, and nose tackle Casey Hampton join President Bush in the front row of a White House photo opportunity honoring the Super Bowl XL champion Steelers. Hampton, who played football at the University of Texas, used to lift weights at the school with Bush when he was governor of that state.


WASHINGTON -- During a 14-minute ceremony this afternoon at the White House, President Bush lightheartedly compared his plight to that of the Steelers, when they were 7-5 last season.

"Halfway through the season, a lot of people counted the Pittsburgh Steelers out, said you don't have a chance."

Bush paused for effect.

"I kind of know the feeling."

The ceremony to honor the Super Bowl XL champions took place in the East Room of the White House this afternoon. Steelers President Art Rooney presented Bush with a No. 43 black Steelers jersey with his name and the number 43 on the back to honor him for being the 43rd president of the United States. Hines Ward presented Bush with a Super Bowl football autographed by the team.

Pennsylvania Senators Rick Santorum and Arlen Specter and U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, attended, as did Allegheny County executive Dan Onorato and former Pennsylvania governor and attorney general Richard Thornburgh.

Also attending along with his family was the new CIA chief, Gen. Michael Hayden, a native of Pittsburgh's North Side. Hayden was once coached in midget football by Steelers chairman Dan Rooney.

"You have no greater fan than the new director of the Central Intelligence Agency," Bush said.

Bush alluded to the Steelers going after a second straight championship next year when he commented, "I'll be around here next year to see you come back."

As the ceremony ended, Bush made a quick pass back to Ward with the football. He shook hands with many of the Steelers standing behind him, and singled out linebacker Joey Porter and nose tackle Casey Hampton. Porter, who joked two weeks ago that he would walk into the White House with a swagger, wore big dark sunglasses during the entire ceremony.

"You got a man known for his swagger," Bush said. "I've been looking forward to Joey Porter's new dance."

Porter smiled, and the two shook hands. Hampton, who played football at the University of Texas, used to lift weights at the school with Bush when he was governor of that state. "You got a Longhorn -- we used to pump iron together," Bush said, prompting a round of laughter from the room. "His took, mine didn't."

The president did commit a faux pas, if you will, when he said he was a fan of the "Texas Cowboys". He quickly amended that to the Dallas Cowboys.

The Steelers filed into the East Room with chants from the crowd of "Here we go, Steelers". The ceremony ended after Bush shook hands and photos were taken and the president finally said. "All right, I'm going back to work."

After the ceremony, Coach Bill Cowher said the visit, which included a tour of the White House for the team and officials, will be "a day we will always remember."

And Ward reviewed the President's passing skills: "One hundred percent very accurate," Ward said with a big smile. "It had a nice spiral to it."
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http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06153/695242-66.stm
 
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Starkey: No-huddle twist for Ben?

By Joe Starkey
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, June 6, 2006


The Steelers aren't about to revamp their offense -- they've won 31 of their past 38 games -- but they'll surely add some wrinkles to keep defensive coordinators off their trail.
If quarterback Ben Roethlisberger gets his wish, one such wrinkle will be sprinkling in the kind of no-huddle attack that colleagues Carson Palmer and Peyton Manning run on a full-time basis. Roethlisberger's experience, combined with the infusion of speed around him, makes this a realistic and potentially explosive possibility, if only for an occasional series.

It seems like a logical next frontier for the 24-year-old Roethlisberger. He'd relish the challenge of calling plays at the line of scrimmage.

In an interview last week with The Trib's Mike Prisuta, Roethlisberger was asked to identify ways in which he's looking to expand his game.

"Hopefully ... having enough confidence in myself, and coach (Bill Cowher) having it also, to go no-huddle, to be able to call no-huddle plays," he said. "If we can get to that point, where we're able to do the stuff that Cincinnati does, then we can be pretty effective."

Wide receiver Hines Ward would love to participate in such an experiment.

"Of course I'm up for it," Ward said Monday. "When we get into a lull and things aren't going our way, we could pull out our no-huddle just to light a spark under our tails. But, I don't see us opening up the game with a no-huddle, because that's not who we are."

The Steelers already include a no-huddle package in their weekly repertoire, and not just for hurry-up situations.

"We've always had it in," offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said. "In fact, we've done it a few times with Tommy (Maddox). We haven't done it so much with Ben, just because it hasn't been the time. But we're kind of gravitating towards that. The thing is, when he says he wants to do that, that's the first sign we're ready to do it. He's ready to take that next step and do a little bit more, and it's exciting to see."

The beauty of the Steelers offense in the playoffs was that it was able to "open up" without abandoning its allegiance to the run. The idea was to throw to get a lead and run to shorten the game. In the AFC Championship, Roethlisberger dropped back on 15 of the first 23 snaps.

Ultimately, though, the Steelers ran the ball 58 percent of the time in the postseason. That was a slight increase on the regular season and just below their astounding 61 percent mark of 2004.

That figure might dip to the mid- or even low-50s this season, but no more than that, so long as they are winning with frequency.

Even though they love to run, the Steelers hardly are a predictable team. NFL.com analyst Pat Kirwan, a former NFL assistant coach and personnel evaluator, had this to say in a recent column: "The Steelers are often perceived as a very conservative, 'old-fashioned' offense, but coordinator Ken Whisenhunt stresses opponents with personnel as well as any coach in the league. Pittsburgh used 11 offensive packages last season to mix-and-match and find ways to create advantages."

In other words, they were a very tough team to defend. A sprinkling of the no-huddle could make them that much tougher -- and keep them a step ahead of the pack.


Joe Starkey is a sports writer for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He can be reached at [email protected]
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http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_456801.html
 
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