clark's absence from steelers' defense case of deja...

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Clark's absence from Steelers' defense case of deja vu?Wednesday, October 29, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers found out just how valuable Ryan Clark was to their defense when health issues forced him to miss the second half of last season.

Now, they may get a refresher course.

While coach Mike Tomlin will welcome receiver Santonio Holmes back from the banished list, Tomlin will have to do without Clark at safety when the Steelers play Monday night in Washington against the Redskins.

Not long after his shoulder was dislocated Sunday, Clark thought he would be able to play against the Redskins. Tomlin and the team's medical experts think otherwise and the coach listed Clark as doubtful yesterday.

Veteran Tyrone Carter "is the lead candidate" to replace Clark, although Tomlin gave Anthony Smith a chance to change that in practice this week.

Smith was promoted to free safety for the seventh game last season when Clark, who has sickle cell trait, had a blood reaction in the high altitude in Denver that ultimately prompted a surgeon to remove his spleen.

That game against the Broncos was the first time the Steelers allowed more than 21 points, and without Clark they went on to breach that mark in five more games. Smith eventually was replaced by Carter as the starting free safety.

Clark is the team's second-leading tackler with 54, behind linebacker James Farrior's 60 tackles. Clark also helps set the defenses.

"He's been playing at a high level," Tomlin said. "He's a communicator. He's a leader among leaders out there."

The team lost more than his statistics over the second half of last season.

"We didn't respond to it well in the long haul because we didn't play as good as when we had him in there," Tomlin said. "That's the reality of it. Will that unfold the same way this year? We don't intend on it to. We're going to work toward playing at a high level."

At least now, the Steelers know Clark will return and likely not miss much time.

"The injury he's dealing with right now is a little different than the injury he dealt with a year ago," Tomlin said. "I think a year ago we were more concerned about his health than dealing with a short-term misery of dealing with an injury. Hopefully, it's a week and then we move forward. In the meantime, guys will need to step up and deliver a winning performance for us, one of which I know they're capable of delivering."

Tomlin, who said recently he has a small rear-view mirror, hopes to put the Santonio Holmes marijuana fiasco there quickly.

Holmes will return to play Monday and take his familiar spot as the Steelers' starting split end. Tomlin made him inactive for last Sunday's game against the New York Giants after Holmes was charged with a small possession of marijuana Thursday.

There will be no further disciplinary action taken by the Steelers and there may be none by the NFL. Jacksonville's Reggie Williams was similarly charged for possessing a small amount of marijuana; he performed community service, and he was not suspended.

"In terms of what action the league will take, it really depends on the outcome of the criminal case," Tomlin said.

A player must first be in the NFL "system" on a drug violation before a suspension occurs -- unless he is found guilty of a serious charge, which would then allow commissioner Roger Goodell to take action. The incident Thursday, though, will put Holmes in the NFL system and if there is another violation, an automatic suspension would occur.

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"Santonio came in to visit with me [Monday] morning," Tomlin said. "It was a very productive meeting from my standpoint.... We had a team meeting yesterday at 2 p.m. and he addressed his peers about the issue."

Tomlin said "we've laid it to bed" and want to move on.

Ed Bouchette can be reached at [email protected].

First published on October 29, 2008 at 12:00 am

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of 2Clark's absence from Steelers' defense case of deja vu?



Steelers Notebook: Parker making yet another comeback from knee injuryWednesday, October 29, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The anticipated return of running back Willie Parker to the lineup will take place again this week with, the Steelers hope, better results.

Parker went through a workout while coach Mike Tomlin watched yesterday.

"We'll see how he feels in the morning and see if he's capable of practicing tomorrow after today's workout," Tomlin said.

Parker has not played since he sprained a ligament in his left knee in the season's third game, in Philadelphia. He ran for more than 100 yards in each of his first two games.

He resumed practice two weeks ago but ran into physical trouble on the practice field and was scratched from the Oct. 19 game against Cincinnati. Again, he practiced last Wednesday, but the knee did not respond well and he was inactive Sunday against the New York Giants.

Offensive tackle Marvel Smith continues to try to return from back spasms that caused him to miss the past two games. Tomlin called him "day to day" and said the team will see where he is today or tomorrow.

Nose tackle Casey Hampton developed a new injury after he missed two games with a groin problem. Now it's turf toe that might cause him to miss practice today but likely won't keep him out of Monday's game at Washington, Tomlin said.

Special teams player Keyaron Fox still is recuperating from a hamstring injury.

Tomlin mentioned that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a sore shoulder after being sacked five times and hit 10 other times by the Giants.

"All in all, the list is gaining some clarity," Tomlin said of his injured players. "We'll continue to make adjustments to be able to put a winning caliber unit out there on the field and that's what we intend to do."

New long snapper signed

The Steelers have a new long snapper. His name is Jared Retkofsky, who signed with them as an undrafted rookie from Texas Christian University this year but was released before training camp.

Greg Warren was placed on injured reserve after surgery to repair a torn ACL in his knee that was injured Sunday.

The Steelers also signed punter Ricky Schmitt to their practice squad. Veteran punter Mitch Berger has a hamstring injury. Tomlin said Berger should be OK to punt Monday.

Courage award for Clark

Safety Ryan Clark, who returned to start at free safety this year after missing more than half of last season, is the winner of the Ed Block Courage Award for the Steelers.

The NFL names a winner from each team and an overall winner in March. Clark, who has sickle cell trait, had his spleen removed last year when his blood had a reaction in the high altitude in Denver.

Pa. sports 'hall' inductees

Franco Harris, already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, will make it as an "inductee of distinction" Saturday at the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Induction at the Holiday Inn Meadowlands in Washington, Pa. He will be joined by former Pitt and NFL kicker Fred Cox, former Baltimore Colts player Jim Mutscheller of Beaver Falls and Notre Dame, and former Cy Young Award winning pitcher Pete Vuckovich of Johnstown and Clarion University.


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Page 1 of 1Steelers Notebook: Parker making yet another comeback from knee injury



Steelers' Woodson among '09 nominees for Pro Hall of Fame Wednesday, October 29, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Post-Gazette file photo

Rod Woodson

Former Steelers great Rod Woodson and Buffalo defensive end Bruce Smith, both eligible for the first time, highlight the 133 nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2009, released yesterday.

Woodson would be the first post-Steel Curtain-era Steelers player inducted into the Hall of Fame and the first since John Stallworth was inducted in 2002. He was voted to the NFL's prestigious all-75th anniversary team and played 17 seasons as a cornerback and safety in the NFL.

He played his first 10 seasons as a cornerback with the Steelers, then left as a free agent and played with San Francisco, Baltimore and Oakland, winning a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens.

Woodson made the Pro Bowl 11 times and his 71 career interceptions rank third all time in the NFL.

Hall of Fame selectors will whittle the list to 25 modern-era semifinalists next month, then to 15 finalists. A final vote will take place Jan. 31, when between four and seven members are selected from the 15 finalists and two senior nominees, Bob Hayes and Claude Humphrye. Former Steelers center Dermontti Dawson, linebackers Kevin Greene and Hardy Nickerson, personnel director Art Rooney Jr. and coach Buddy Parker are repeat nominees, as are former Pitt linemen Russ Grimm and Mark May and linebacker Rickey Jackson.

The complete list of nominees:

First-Year Eligible Nominees Running Backs -- Larry Centers, Brian Mitchell (also KR/PR)

Tight Ends -- Shannon Sharpe, Frank Wycheck

Offensive Tackle -- Lincoln Kennedy

Defensive Linemen -- John Randle (DE/DT), Bruce Smith (DE), Dana Stubblefield (DT)

Linebacker -- Jessie Armstead

Defensive Backs -- Darren Woodson (S), Rod Woodson (CB/S)

Additional Nominees

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Quarterbacks -- Ken Anderson, Boomer Esiason, Jim Plunkett, Phil Simms, Ken Stabler, Joe Theismann, Doug Williams

Running Backs -- Ottis Anderson, Roger Craig, Terrell Davis, Greg Pruitt (also KR/PR), Herschel Walker, Ricky Watters

Wide Receivers -- Cliff Branch, Harold Carmichael, • Cris Carter, Wes Chandler, Gary Clark, Isaac Curtis, Henry Ellard, Irving Fryar, Roy Green, Harold Jackson, Herman Moore, Stanley Morgan, • Andre Reed, Sterling Sharpe

Tight Ends -- Mark Bavaro, Todd Christensen, Ben Coates, Russ Francis, Brent Jones, Steve Jordan

Offensive Linemen -- Tony Boselli (T), Lomas Brown (T), Jim Covert (T), Randy Cross (G/C), Dave Dalby (C), DermonttiDawson (C), Ray Donaldson (C), • Russ Grimm (G), Jay Hilgenberg (C), Kent Hill (G/T), Chris Hinton (G/T), Kent Hull (C), Joe Jacoby (T), Mike Kenn (T), • Bob Kuechenberg (G), Jim Lachey (T), Henry Lawrence (G/T), Mark May (G/T/C), •Randall McDaniel (G), Max Montoya (G), Marvin Powell (T), Steve Wisniewski (G)

Defensive Linemen -- Ray Childress (DT/DE), • Richard Dent (DE), Chris Doleman (DE/LB), Carl "Big Daddy" Hairston (DE/DT), Charles Haley (DE/LB), Ed "Too Tall" Jones (DE), Cortez Kennedy (DT), Joe Klecko (DE/DT/NT), Steve McMichael (DT/NT), Leslie O'Neal (DE), Fred Smerlas (NT), Art Still (DE)

Linebackers -- Cornelius Bennett, Robert Brazile, Kevin Greene (LB/DE), Ken Harvey, Rickey Jackson, Tom Jackson, Clay Matthews, Karl Mecklenburg, Sam Mills, Hardy Nickerson, Chris Spielman, Pat Swilling, Darryl Talley, • Derrick Thomas

Defensive Backs -- Eric Allen (CB), Steve Atwater (S), Joey Browner (S), LeRoy Butler (S), Deron Cherry (S), Raymond Clayborn (CB), Kenny Easley (S), Lester Hayes (CB), Albert Lewis (CB), Ken Riley (CB), Eugene Robinson (S), Donnie Shell (S), Louis Wright (CB)

Punters/Kickers -- Rich Camarillo (P), • Ray Guy (P), Nick Lowery (K), Reggie Roby (P)

Special Teams -- Steve Tasker

Coaches -- Don Coryell, Tom Flores, Jimmy Johnson, Chuck Knox, Buddy Parker, Dan Reeves, Clark Shaughnessy

Contributors -- Bud Adams, Gil Brandt, C.O. Brocato, Leo Carlin, Ed DeBartolo, Jr., Ben Dreith, Bob Harlan, Jerry Jones, Art Modell, Art Rooney Jr., Ed Sabol, Steve Sabol, • Paul Tagliabue, Ralph Wilson, Jr., Ron Wolf, George Young

• Finalist in 2008

Ed Bouchette can be reached at [email protected].


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Page 2 of 2Steelers' Woodson among '09 nominees for Pro Hall of Fame


Steelers battle injuries in specialty areas By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, October 29, 2008

That injuries have piled up for the Steelers doesn't make them unlike many teams in the NFL.

Where the Steelers have been hit hard does set them apart.

Depending on how the Steelers' injury situation shakes out over the next couple of days, they could be down to their third punter and third holder this season. The Steelers will have a new long snapper for Monday night's game against the Redskins, as the team signed Jared Retkofsky Tuesday to replace Greg Warren, who is out for the season with a knee injury.

The team also signed punter Ricky Schmitt to the practice squad Tuesday and will promote him to the active roster if Mitch Berger, who is nursing a strained hamstring, is unable to play Monday night.

The rash of injuries to Steelers specialists has been almost freakish because those players are the least susceptible to getting hurt. And it is enough to make one wonder if somebody has been shattering mirrors at the team's South Side practice facility.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has, at least, kept his sense of humor about it.

While discussing contingency plans that the Steelers have at positions such as punter, long snapper and holder at his weekly news conference, Tomlin stopped himself.

"We're talking a lot about emergency plans," Tomlin said. "If I go down (assistant head coach), John Mitchell is the guy."

The Steelers were forced to use an emergency plan last Sunday in a 21-14 loss to the Giants. The results were not favorable, though somewhat predictable.

With Warren out, Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison had to snap when the Steelers punted from deep in their own territory in the fourth quarter. Harrison's snap sailed over the head of Berger, and the ball rolled out of the back of the end zone for a game-tying safety. After the free kick, the Giants marched 53 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

Harrison has been the team's emergency long snapper since Tomlin became coach in 2007. Tomlin said Harrison regularly practices snapping.

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"In practice and at training camp is one thing," Tomlin said. "Inside the stadium and in the fourth quarter of a football game versus the defending world champion is another is another thing. I appreciate him. If I had to do it all over again, I'd do the same (thing)."

Retkofsky, who spent parts of the last two training camps with the Steelers, will allow Harrison to focus on what he does best: rushing the quarterback.

The 5-2 Steelers, however, may need to go with alternate plans at punter and holder against the 6-2 Redskins.

Berger, whom the Steelers signed after punter Daniel Sepulveda tore the ACL in his right knee during training camp, also holds for kicker Jeff Reed. Charlie Batch, the regular holder, is on injured reserve, and if Berger doesn't play against Monday night, wide receiver Hines Ward will be pressed into holding duties.

If Berger does play against the Redskins but gets hurt during the game, Reed would take over for the 14th-year veteran at punter.

When asked if he has ever seen this many injuries among specialists as a coach, Tomlin chuckled.

"Every day I walk through this door, I expect the unexpected," Tomlin said. "It's one of the exciting things about this job at this level in this league. If you don't like it, you've got a problem. I embrace it."

Scott Brown can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.

Images and text copyright © 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co.

Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

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Steelers' return game stinks By Joe Starkey TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The Steelers tried out four long-snappers Tuesday before settling on somebody named Jared Retkofsky.

If only Retkofsky could return kicks.

Somebody needs to.

A "splash" return, as coach Mike Tomlin might put it, could help the Steelers win a game in what is shaping up to be a tight divisional race.

If the Steelers lose Monday at Washington, and Cleveland beats Baltimore, the AFC North would look like this at the midway point:

Steelers -- 5-3

Ravens -- 4-4

Browns -- 4-4

Bengals -- Don't ask.

If the Steelers and Ravens win, it's still a one-game difference atop the division.

Meanwhile, the Steelers' return game doesn't just stink, it infuriates. Tell me you don't turn red and want to hit something every time 247-pound Najeh Davenport settles under a kickoff.

It would be one thing if Davenport was an emergency replacement as the primary kickoff returner.

This has been going for parts of three years.

True, Davenport once averaged 30 yards per return in Green Bay and has his strengths. As Tomlin said Tuesday, "What he does is catch the ball and get vertical."

Not for long, though. Davenport's 21.7-yard average is an improvement on his past two years but ranks 28th in a 32-team league among players who have returned at least 10 kickoffs.

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It's easy to find the Steelers' return-game statistics, by the way. Just scroll to the bottom of the page.

Their kickoff-return average is 20.0, which ranks 30th in the NFL. They are one of seven teams without a return of 40 or more yards.

Their punt-return average is 4.8, tied for last in the NFL. They are one of four teams without a return of 20 or more yards.

At this point, Ricardo Colclough is beginning to look like Billy "White Shoes" Johnson.

The Steelers' issues are underscored this week, because Washington's Antwaan Randle El provides a reminder of how good things used to be in the return game.

Randle El hasn't been dynamic for the Redskins, but in his final year here, in 2005, he averaged 10.2 yards per punt return with two touchdowns and seven returns of 20-plus yards.

In 39 games since, the Steelers have one punt-return touchdown and just eight of 20-plus yards.

The wasted third-round pick of Willie Reid two years ago didn't help. Reid was supposed to be a game-breaker. He turned out to be a heart-breaker.

Something went seriously wrong with Allen Rossum, too. He was mostly awful for the Steelers last season but is averaging 26 yards on kick returns and 20.8 yards on punt returns for San Francisco.

What's going on here?

"More than anything, we haven't cracked a big one," Tomlin said. "Nothing's wrong with what we're doing schematically or how the guys are executing. ... If we continue to get comfortable with the men who are returning and continue to work with our schemes, we'll get what we're looking for.

"They'll deliver a field-position play or a splash play."

That seems more plausible on a punt return, seeing as Santonio Holmes and Mewelde Moore have big-play ability.

It's past time to change something on the kickoffs.

How about activating 5-foot-7 rookie return specialist Jayson Foster, whom the Steelers signed to their practice squad two weeks ago?

How about giving Nate Washington a shot?

Shoot, maybe it's time to put Jared Retkofsky, Jared Zabransky or Jared the



Subway Guy back there.

They couldn't do any worse.

Joe Starkey can be reached at [email protected] or 412-320-7810.





Holmes to start Monday night By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, October 29, 2008

• Wide receiver Santonio Holmes will start Monday night after missing a game because of a traffic stop last week that resulted in a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession for the third-year veteran. Holmes apologized to his teammates during a meeting Monday. The Steelers' second-leading receiver also apologized in a two-paragraph statement that the team issued. "From our standpoint, we dealt with it sufficiently, and we're ready to move forward," said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, whose team plays the Washington Redskins on Monday night. Tomlin declined to say whether he had fined Holmes, who didn't play in the Steelers' 21-14 loss to the Giants last Sunday. Holmes could still be disciplined by the NFL for violating its substance-abuse policy. "In terms of what action the league will take, it really depends on the outcome of the criminal case," Tomlin said. "We'll let that process run its course."

• Ryan Clark is doubtful for the Redskins game because of a dislocated right shoulder, putting Tyrone Carter in line to start at free safety. Clark hurt his shoulder after making a jarring hit on Giants wide receiver Steve Smith. "He is better than we anticipated at this point," Tomlin said. Carter will get the first crack at replacing Clark, and Tomlin said Anthony Smith also is a possibility at free safety if Clark is unable to play. Smith started 10 games in place of the injured Clark in 2007 but lost his starting job late in the season.

• Willie Parker worked out for the Steelers' coaches Tuesday, and the Pro Bowl running back will try to practice today. Parker hasn't played since spraining his left knee Sept. 21 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Steelers anticipated Parker returning to action sooner, but he re-aggravated the injury a couple of weeks ago while working out on his own. Tomlin said Parker looked "very good" yesterday. In addition to Parker, the Steelers will monitor left tackle Marvel Smith (back) and linebacker Keyaron Fox (hamstring) closely this week. Each player has missed the past two games because of injuries, and their status for Monday night is uncertain. Nose tackle Casey Hampton (toe) and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder) could be limited in practice this week but each are expected to play Monday, Tomlin said.

• Tomlin said he will leave it up to Aaron Smith as far as how much the veteran defensive end works with the team this week. Smith didn't practice last week because of a family issue, but he played against the Giants. "When he's here, he's here," Tomlin said. "He's got some personal issues that he's dealing with at this point that require his attention. We respect the heck out of that. We respect him. We are very much in full support of him and what he's going through."

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• Clark is one of five finalists for the NFL's Ed Block Courage Award. The seventh-year veteran missed most of last season with a spleen injury and overcame a harrowing ordeal to return to the playing field. "I think a year ago we were more concerned about his health than dealing with a short-term misery of dealing with an injury," Tomlin said. The other finalists are Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme, Buffalo Bills defensive end Chris Kelsay, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard and New York Giants punter Jeff Feagles.

Digits

0 -- Interceptions Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell has thrown this season.

2 -- Redskins' NFL rank in rushing offense (155.2 yards per game).

Scott Brown can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.



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WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 29, 2008 :: Last modified: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 12:19 AM EDT

Black & Gold are black and blue By Mike Bires Times Sports Staff

PITTSBURGH — You’ve got to hand it to Mike Tomlin. Even though the Steelers are in dire straits, he’s able to keep his sense of humor. With injuries mounting at an alarming rate, he poked fun at the possibility of who would coach the team if he couldn’t.

“If I go down, John Mitchell is the guy,” Tomlin said with a laugh. Don’t worry. There’s nothing wrong with Tomlin. He appears in perfect health. So Mitchell, the Steelers’ assistant head coach/defensive line coach, can concentrate on preparing the D-line for Monday night’s game against the Washington Redskins. But on a serious note, Tomlin does have more injury issues to deal with. They may seem insignificant but as Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants proved, even the loss of a long snapper can be the difference between victory and defeat. On Tuesday, the Steelers hoped they solved one health issue by signing Jared Retkofsky to replace injured long snapper Greg Warren. But also on the long list of injured Steelers is punter Mitch Berger, who’s been hobbling around for a few weeks with a hamstring strain on his left plant leg. Berger limped noticeably late in the fourth quarter Sunday while trying to chase down the ill-fated long snap of linebacker James Harrison, who was filling in for Warren. Even though he had no chance of preventing the safety, Berger was in obvious pain as he watched the ball bounce out of the end zone for a safety. Keep in mind that Berger does more than just punt. He’s also the holder for kicker Jeff Reed. If Berger can’t play Monday, the Steelers will promote punter Ricky Schmitt, who they signed to their practice squad. That would mean wide receiver Hines Ward would become the holder for extra points and field goals. “We’re talking a lot about emergency plans,” Tomlin said. Well, emergencies do happen. Such was the case Sunday when Warren went down.

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That will be the case Monday if Ward has to hold, or when Tyrone Carter or Anthony Smith replaces injured free safety Ryan Clark, who’ll miss the Redskins game with a dislocated shoulder. If there’s anything encouraging about Ward having to hold is that he’s a sure-handed guy who practices holding twice a week. But there’s not much to be encouraged about with Carter and Smith replacing Clark. Last year, when Clark missed 10 games with a spleen ailment, he was sorely missed. “We didn’t play as good as when we had (Ryan) in there,” Tomlin said. “That’s the reality of it.” Compounding the Steelers’ health front is the status of running back Willie Parker, who’s missed four games with a sprain knee; quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, whose shoulder is sore again after the pounding he took against the Giants; and tackle Marvel Smith, who’s missed two games with back spasms. Beyond that, there’s the uncertainly of defensive end Aaron Smith making the trip to Washington due to a serious family matter. Despite the Steelers’ gloomy injury situation, Tomlin remains upbeat and positive he’ll field a competitive team against the 6-2 Redskins. “Every day I walk through this door, I expect the unexpected,” Tomlin said. “It’s one of the exciting things about this job. If you don’t like it, you’ve got a problem. “I embrace it. I love it. It’s awesome. The things that go with (this job), dealing with situations and making adjustments and keeping the team focused, all of those things drive us.”


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WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 29, 2008 :: Last modified: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 12:12 AM EDT

Steelers Notes: Special circumstances hinder return game By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff

PITTSBURGH — When it comes to covering kicks, few do it better than the Steelers. But when it comes to returning kicks, the Steelers are among the worst. “More than anything, we haven’t cracked a big one,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “That’s what averages are all about. There’s not much difference between an average return team and a poor return team. An average return team has popped a big one. We have yet to do that.”

The Steelers rank eighth in the NFL in covering kickoffs (20.9 yards per return) and second in covering punts (4.9). But they rank 30th in kickoff returns (20.0) and are tied for last in punt returns (4.8). By comparison, the Titans lead the league with a 27.3 kickoff return average while the Saints rank first in punt returns at 20.4. The Steelers’ punt return team, wide receiver Santonio Holmes and running back Mewelde, who’ve been splitting time, have only returned seven punts. They have signaled fair catch 10 times. Due to injuries to running backs Willie Parker (sprained knee) and Rashard Mendenhall (season-ending broken shoulder), Najeh Davenport has been returning kickoffs. He’s averaging 21.7 yards per return. That’s a lot less than New England’s Ellis Hobbs, who leads kick returners with at least nine returns with a 30.3 average. “We’ve been consistent at about 20, 21 yards a return. We’ve been consistent at getting the ball out around the 30 (yard line). But we haven’t popped a big one,” Tomlin said. “Nothing is wrong with what we’re doing schematically or how the guys are executing.” MORE ON HOLMES In Tuesday’s editions, The Times reported that WR Santonio Holmes would start Monday against the Redskins after sitting out Sunday’s 21-14 loss to the Giants. On Tuesday, coach Mike Tomlin explained that decision and why he no longer wants to discuss the charge pending against Holmes for marijuana possession. “As a football team and organization, in terms of our view of the situation, we’ve laid it to bed,” said Tomlin, who would not say if the Steelers fined Holmes for his misdemeanor. “Satisfactory action has taken place from our standpoint. We had a team meeting yesterday and he addressed his peers about the issue. He released a statement that expressed his feelings about the issue. For us, we’re moving forward.” When told that the NFL Players’ Association expressed disappointment that Tomlin de-activated

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Holmes for Sunday’s game, Tomlin said, “I’m not concerned about their view about whether we chose to activate him.” There is a chance the NFL can suspend Holmes for as many as four games pending the outcome of the criminal case. DEFENDING BIG BEN Tomlin took offense when asked if he would like to see QB Ben Roethlisberger throw the ball away more often when under heavy pressure from pass rushers. “When he holds the ball and we beat people like we did in Jacksonville, then we sit in press conferences and we cheer him,” Tomlin said. “When we lose like we did the other night, we question him. He’s a competitor. He’s a great player. He’s our quarterback. We’ll ride into stadiums and we’ll play with him.” Roethlisberger was sacked five times in the loss to the Giants and 23 times this year. The only QBs dumped more often are San Francisco’s J.T. O’Sullivan (32) and New England’s Matt Cassel (28).


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Portis has Redskins on the run By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer

[email protected]

PITTSBURGH - To win in Washington D.C., Monday, the Steelers must keep a Clinton in check on the night before a presidential election.

This Clinton, however, will be trying to garner yards rather than votes.

Washington's Clinton Portis leads the NFL with 944 rushing yards - nearly 300 more than the league's No. 2 rusher, Minnesota's Adrian Peterson.

Stopping Portis will be the main task for the Steelers (5-2) when play at Washington (6-2). It's a job no team has been able to accomplish in recent weeks as Portis has rushed for more than 120 yards in each of Washington's last five games.

"(Portis) is really on top of his game, physically and mentally," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. "He's doing a really nice job of running and reading the zone schemes. When you come up short in the gap, he exploits you. He's putting together big plays, he's very consistent, he's finishing off runs, driving with his legs through contact. He is a premier runner in this game."

The Redskins rank second in the NFL in rushing offense, averaging 155.2 yards per game.

But the Steelers are a premiere run-stopping defense.

Pittsburgh boasts the NFL's No. 1 defense and is third in stopping the run, giving up 71.6 yards per game.

In a 21-14 loss Sunday to the New York Giants, the Steelers limited the league's No. 1 rushing offense to a season-low 83 yards on 35 carries (2.4 yards per carry).

"We heard all week about how good their offensive line was and we took that as a challenge," said Steelers defensive tackle Chris Hoke.

The Steelers will likely hear similar things this week about Portis and the Redskins.

Washington, however, might choose to attack the Steelers through the air. Pittsburgh could be without two starting defensive backs as cornerback Bryant McFadden will miss his second game after suffering a broken forearm in a win at Cincinnati, and free safety Ryan Clark suffered a dislocated shoulder against the Giants.

"(Clark) is doubtful at this point for the game, but he is better than we anticipated," Tomlin said.

If Clark is unable to play, Tyrone Carter will likely make his first start of the season.

Clark has the important role of making the calls in the Steelers' secondary. When he missed the final 10 games of the 2007 season with a spleen injury and the Steelers' secondary was decidedly different

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without him.

"We value what Ryan is to our football team," Tomlin said. "He's been playing at a high level. He's a communicator. He's a leader among leaders out there. We didn't respond to it well (last year) because we didn't play as good as when we had him in there. That's the reality of it."

Odds and end zones

Long snapper Greg Warren had surgery Monday to repair his torn ACL in his left knee and was placed on injured reserve. The Steelers signed Jared Retkofsky to take Warren's place. Retkofsky signed with the Steelers as a rookie free agent in 2007 and spent the offseasons with the team. ... The Steelers also signed punter Ricky Schmitt to the practice squad as insurance if Mitch Berger is unable to play against the Redskins. Berger has a strained hamstring in his left (non-kicking) leg. Schmitt played collegiately at NCAA Division II Shepherd and spent the last two training camps with San Francisco. ... Running back Willie Parker worked out Tuesday. Parker has missed four games with a sprained right knee. ... Linebacker Keyaron Fox is questionable with a hamstring, and nose tackle Casey Hampton (toe) and left tackle Marvel Smith (back) are being evaulauted day-to-day. Hampton is expected to play Monday. Smith has missed the last two games.

Copyright Observer Publishing Co.

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Tomlin defends using Harrison as snapper Alan Robinson

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin vigorously defended his decision to use Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison as an emergency long snapper, a move that may have cost the team its key game against the Giants on Sunday.

Tomlin denied Tuesday the team didn't have an emergency snapper ready after Greg Warren tore a knee ligament, saying two linebackers - Harrison and James Farrior - practiced the specialist's role.

"James snaps at least once a week, every week since I've been here," Tomlin said of Harrison, a Pro Bowl starter and team MVP last season. "In practice and training camp is one thing. Inside stadiums and in the fourth quarter of a football game against the defending world champions is another thing. ... If I had to do it all over again, I'd do the same thing. I'd hope for a different outcome, but I'd do it again."

Harrison's snap sailed over punter Mitch Berger's head for a game-tying safety in the fourth quarter. Given excellent field position following the ensuing free kick, the Giants drove for the decisive touchdown with about three minutes remaining and a 21-14 victory.

Some fans questioned why Tomlin didn't use center Justin Hartwig or right guard Darnell Stapleton, a former Rutgers center, for such an important snap. Tomlin explained that punt snapping is much different from centering the ball to the quarterback, even in a shotgun formation.

"Two totally different skill sets," Tomlin said.

Tomlin gave a lengthy explanation for a decision that made the Steelers (5-2) look ill-prepared during one of their key games of the season. On Monday, Giants coach Tom Coughlin said he has three players capable of being a long snapper, including his backup center.

Being a center doesn't prepare a lineman to snap, Tomlin said, because velocity is as important as accuracy - one reason why NFL teams carry a player who does nothing but snap to the punter.

"A center in shotgun snaps with one hand," Tomlin said. "When you're a long snapper in a punt situation, you're a two-handed snapper. Velocity is very important. Operation time, snap to kick, defines you.

"Velocity and accuracy are less important from a center standpoint because you cut down on distance. Really, it's a significant distance. Anybody is capable of delivering a shotgun snap."

Warren was placed on injured reserve and is out for the season. Jared Retkofsky, a rookie free agent cut during training camp, was signed to replace him after the Steelers worked out three other snappers.

With punter Mitch Berger's sore left hamstring also a worry, left-footed punter Ricky Schmitt joined the practice squad.

As a result, the Steelers may have a new punter, long snapper and holder for Monday night's game

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against the Washington Redskins (6-2). Berger also is kicker Jeff Reed's holder so, if he can't play, wide receiver Hines Ward would hold.

Backup quarterback Charlie Batch was the backup holder last season, but he is out with a broken collarbone.

"Hines has done it every week, twice a week since Charlie went down," Tomlin said. "Hines has a little comfort and continuity with Jeff."

And if a punter gets hurt in a game, Tomlin said, Reed can punt.

Copyright Observer Publishing Co.

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Man of steel: LeBeau remains defensive whiz in 50th NFL season 01:06 PM CDT on Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Dick LeBeau signed a contract as a rookie defensive back with the Detroit Lions in 1959. Fifty years later, LeBeau is still cashing paychecks in the NFL.

LeBeau is celebrating his 50th anniversary in pro football this season in grand style -- he's the coordinator of the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense. It's a continuation of 2007 for LeBeau, whose Pittsburgh Steelers led the NFL in defense last season as well.

LeBeau, 71, spent the first 14 years of his professional life as a cornerback with the Lions (1959 to '72). Then he went directly from the field to the sideline in 1973 as a special-teams coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Over the last 36 years LeBeau has spent three years as a head coach (Cincinnati, 2000 to '02), one as an assistant head coach (Buffalo, 2003), 18 as a defensive coordinator (Cincinnati, Pittsburgh), 11 as a defensive backfield coach and three as a special-teams coach.

But LeBeau has been more than a coach, he's been an innovator. He's the father of the zone blitz, introducing it during his stint as defensive coordinator of the Bengals in the 1980s.

His defenses have ranked in the top 10 in six of the last seasons with three different teams. Over the years, his defenses have led the NFL in sacks, interceptions and takeaways. There's little he hasn't accomplished as a coach.

"I've been to four Super Bowls -- twice in Cincinnati, twice here -- and got a ring," LeBeau said. "A lot of guys have never been there once. And I've been blessed to coach some of these Steelers defenses that have been tremendous."

But his career on the sideline only tells half the story of the LeBeau legacy. He also was a great player, setting an NFL record for the cornerback position by playing 171 consecutive games.

LeBeau led the NFC in interceptions in the first year of the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 with nine and finished his career with 62. That puts him eighth on the all-time interception list and third among cornerbacks.

"When I was a player, I thought the Detroit Lions could not possibly play a game without me," LeBeau said. "I played in 171 straight. That's my position -- this team can't play unless I'm out there. But guess what? It's been 36 years since I played there and they haven't missed a game."

LeBeau went to three Pro Bowls and was selected to the all-time Detroit Lions team this month along with Hall of Fame cornerbacks Dick "Night Train" Lane and Lem Barney.

"That's truly a great honor," LeBeau said.

Yet LeBeau has never been discussed for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. When I talk about players who have mysteriously fallen through the cracks in the selection process, LeBeau immediate comes to mind.

John Madden was enshrined in Canton for his post-football contributions in television and video games as much as for his football contribution as the head coach with the Oakland Raiders. Here's hoping one day LeBeau gets the same consideration for his two-pronged contribution as both a player and coach.

October 29, 2008

The Jets Gross $16 Million in a Seat-License Auction

By RICHARD SANDOMIR

The Jets sold 620 of the 2,028 personal-seat licenses for the Coaches Club section at their new stadium

during an eight-day online auction that ended Monday. The auction brought in gross revenue of $16 million,

the Jets’ owner, Woody Johnson, said.

“This is a pretty good number, and we’re happy with it,” he said Tuesday by telephone. “Selling 620 seats on

StubHub is pretty amazing by any standard, and selling them at an average of $26,000 each proves that there

was a public market for them.”

Johnson added: “We didn’t set the prices. The public determined them.”

The Jets set a $5,000-a-license minimum and required that buyers purchase at least two to sit in the Coaches

Club behind the team’s bench. Johnson refused to say that selling less than a third of the licenses was a

disappointment or that the results showed that fans were skittish about the economy.

The Jets consistently marketed the auction (Donald Trump starred in one television commercial) as one for

the best 2,000 seats in sports. But they never specifically said they expected to sell all of them or what portion

of them would constitute a success. The rest of the Coaches Club licenses will be sold conventionally, at a

variety of fixed prices.

The final prices for the auctioned Coaches Club licenses ranged from $10,000 to $82,500 each. The licenses

in the section are fees for the right to buy season tickets that will cost fans $700 a game in 2010.

The $26,000 auction average is $1,000 higher than the most expensive price the Jets have set for a seat

license outside the Coaches Club.

Kyle Burks, the president of the online ticket broker SeasonTicketRights.com, said the Jets and StubHub

mistakenly flooded the market with too many license auctions during the first two days, causing a dilution in

prices. He estimated that the oversupply of auctions provided buyers up to 50 percent discounts off the prices

the licenses may sell for when the Jets allow owners to sell their licenses on the secondary market in 2011.

The Jets agreed that they had too many early auctions, as many as 140 in a day.

“Putting up that many at once, to close during business hours, didn’t make a lot of sense,” Johnson said.

“People couldn’t focus on them and make decisions.”

Later in the auction, as few as 12 licenses were auctioned in a day. Burks criticized the Jets and StubHub for

extending by about 11 hours the proposed deadlines for about 20 auctions that were supposed to end on the

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night of Oct. 19.

“They breached the trust of buyers who thought their auctions were ending at 8:30 p.m., and extended them

to get higher prices,” he said.

The user agreement for bidders allowed changes in the auction-ending times. The Jets defended the change

because StubHub used the Pacific time zone, not the Eastern.

“The auctions were closing at 1 in the morning,” said Matthew Higgins, a Jets executive vice president, who

said he was unaware of bidder complaints.

Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company

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SAN DIEGO (AP) — Norv Turner, of all people, came up with the San Diego Chargers' hardest hit in weeks when he fired defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell on Tuesday.

Cottrell was sacked by the head coach in large part because his defense couldn't get to opposing quarterbacks, the most glaring shortcoming for a unit that has had little spark since losing star outside linebacker Shawne Merriman to season-ending knee surgery after the first game.

Cottrell was replaced by inside linebackers coach Ron Rivera, a Super Bowl winner with the Chicago Bears in 1985. Rivera will have the bye week to figure out why the Chargers (3-5) have underperformed.

"Probably the things that we have needed to improve in are the same things that affected us in Week Two and so on," Turner said. "The same things have been an issue throughout the first eight games, at different times."

Any kind of week-to-week improvement "hasn't been there," Turner said. "We've been inconsistent and we've had the same things happen to us over and over in terms of teams throwing for a lot of yardage early in games, making big plays in the passing game and keeping the football."

Cottrell didn't return a call seeking comment. This is the third time he's been fired as a defensive coordinator. He was let go by the New York Jets after the 2003 season and by the Minnesota Vikings after Brad Childress took over as head coach following the 2005 season.

The Chargers have no sacks or interceptions in the last nine quarters. They are at or near the bottom of the league in several statistical categories, including 32nd in passing yards per game (265.1) and 23rd in points allowed per game (24.9).

Cottrell had become a popular target of fan ire as the Chargers lost three of their last four games, including a 37-32 loss to former teammate Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in London on Sunday.

That game was indicative of the Chargers' defensive shortcomings, with no pressure on the quarterback and a lot of passing yards. Brees threw for 339 yards and three touchdowns.

Cottrell was a personal favorite of general manager A.J. Smith going back to their days with the Buffalo Bills. Smith didn't return several calls seeking comment.

With the bye week coming up, Turner said he decided after Sunday's game that Cottrell had to go.

"Ultimately we had a lot of discussion after the game. Ultimately I've got to make a decision based on what's best on our football team and where we need to go and that was the decision I made," said Turner, who is 72-92-1 as an NFL head coach.

"We know what we have to do," the coach said. "We have to create more pressure on the quarterback, and obviously when we create pressure, not give up big plays."

After leading the NFL with 30 interceptions and 48 takeaways last year, the Chargers have only six pickoffs and 10 takeaways after eight games. After getting 42 sacks last year, they have 17 at the halfway point.

Advertisement Chargers fire D-coordinator Cottrell,

promote Rivera

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Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

"Of course it's unfortunate but it is what it is," outside linebacker Shaun Phillips, who has a team-high 3½ sacks, said in a text message. "I'm excited because it gives us some spark."

Turner, Cottrell and Rivera all joined the Chargers on Feb. 19, 2007. Rivera had interviewed for the job Turner got a week after Marty Schottenheimer was fired. Cottrell was given a two-year contract that day, and Rivera was hired hours later after the Bears said he wouldn't be back after a three-year run as their defensive coordinator.

"I think it's a great opportunity for myself personally and I think it's also an opportunity for us a team to do some things differently," Rivera said. "I think it's a good challenge."

Rivera "interacts well with players," Turner said. "He communicates extremely well. I believe he's experienced. I think his expectation level is very, very high, and I believe there's something to having done it and then having a feel for who you're playing and what you need to do to give your guys the best chance to succeed."

Rivera said he's been influenced by coaches with different philosophies and attitudes, including defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan when he played for the Bears.

"To come out and say I'm going to be aggressive all the time isn't a fair evaluation of my thought process," Rivera said. "I try to do it based on the situations."

Rivera said he still wants to be a head coach someday, "but right now my aspirations are to get this defense going, to get us to play to the way we did last year, and better. I feel very comfortable, very confident in these guys, that we will do the best we can to put them in position to give them the opportunity to make plays and help this football team win some games."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Find this article at: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/chargers/2008-10-28-cottrell-out_N.htm

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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Rams send tape to NFL over what they believe are missed calls

ESPN.com news services The New England Patriots were assessed zero penalty yards in their win over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday -- and the Rams want to know why.

The Rams are sending a videotape to the NFL's offices, highlighting plays the team believes should have resulted in penalties against the Patriots on Sunday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

"Never ever, ever, ever played a perfect team before," Rams guard Richie Incognito said about the disparity, according to the report. "That's all I am going to say on that one."

During the game, the Rams were flagged 12 times (with three penalties declined) for 63 yards; the Patriots were flagged once, with the Rams declining that penalty.

"It doesn't help. It just lets them know you know," Rams coach Jim Haslett said of the decision to send the tape, according to the report.

The Post-Dispatch reported that Haslett pointed out three plays he believed should have resulted in personal fouls against the Patriots: a grab of quarterback Marc Bulger's face mask; a late hit on Bulger; and an out-of-bounds hit on cornerback Fakhir Brown following an interception.

Haslett also said the Rams were hurt by a poor placement on a punt that Donnie Jones kicked out of bounds during the fourth quarter, according to the report. New England took possession at its 48-yard line and tied the score at 16 on a field goal six plays later.

"I thought we should've had at least another 10 yards," Haslett said of the placement, according to the report.

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