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Rooneys still trying to hammer out deal By Scott Brown and Carl Prine TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, November 4, 2008

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Monday that he was still trying to broker a deal that would resolve the Rooney family's ownership of the Steelers, ending an impasse with the league.

Rumors continue to swirl that a deal could emerge that would lead to chairman Dan Rooney buying all or part of the shares controlled by his brother, Art Rooney Jr. The Rooneys have run afoul of NFL rules that bar franchise owners from running casinos.

The league also prefers that Hall of Famer Dan Rooney comply with NFL bylaws by controlling at least 30 percent of a team that's won five Super Bowls. As a football dynasty, however, Dan Rooney is grandfathered into a league clause that would allow him to remain the principal owner with a 20 percent stake, so long as another relative held a 10 percent share.

"I've been in very close touch with Dan and Art, including over the weekend. I think some progress is being made to in trying resolve the matter on behalf of the entire family and consistent with NFL rules. We have to get them in compliance with NFL rules, and Dan and his family are cooperating in trying to get them done. I'm hopeful it will get done some time soon," said Goodell during an interview with the Trib in Washington, D.C.

Dan and Art Rooney and their brothers -- successful paramutuel racing and casino execs in Florida and New York -- declined to comment on ongoing talks. They previously told the Trib they wanted to sell because of looming estate and capital gains taxes. Currently, each of the five sons of deceased patriarch Art Rooney Sr holds 16 percent of the club, and their relatives, the McGinley clan, another 20 percent stake.

Also remaining mum: Former commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who has been working behind the scenes on behalf of the Rooneys to strike a deal for a team potentially worth more than $1 billion.

An offer by rabid Steelers' fan Stanley Druckenmiller -- $840 million in cash, minus business debt -- collapsed in September after the Manhattan hedge fund billionaire yanked his bid, frustrated by slow progress in the negotiations.

When asked by the Trib if he remained interested in making another push for the team, Druckenmiller said firmly, "No comment."

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Goodell said it was "unrealistic" to assume the Rooneys could hash out the gambling and equity ownership rules "in a quick time period." He said he regularly spoke to Dan and several of the brothers and that they've kept him "informed" of their positions. He said that NFL owners want Dan Rooney to remain the principal owner of the club, but to do that Dan would need to divest from the casino operations.

In August, Goodell brought the Rooney brothers together for a pow-wow at the league's Manhattan headquarters, but he now doesn't "foresee a meeting together as a group unless that can be helpful."

On Oct. 21, Dan Rooney told reporters that NFL owners "should begin working on a contract extension" for Goodell, saying that a long-term deal "is merited but has not been officially discussed among the owners yet." He praised Goodell for doing "a wonderful job."

Goodell inked a five-year deal in 2006, after replacing Tagliabue.

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

Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

of 2Rooneys still working deal - Tribune-Review


SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL

Steelers overcome bad start, injuries to Ben Roethlisberger, Heath Miller as defense puts a big hurt on Redskins Tuesday, November 04, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

James Harrison upends Redskins running back Clinton Portis last night at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.

LANDOVER, Md. -- The Steelers won't say they thrive off their injuries, but they did it again last night and this was the bigone.

It was all about shoulders. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left the game at halftime with a right shoulder injury. Byron Leftwich replaced him and carried the Steelers on his shoulders to a 23-6 victory against the Washington Redskins.

"I can play this game," said Leftwich, a Washington D.C., native who described himself as a "die-hard Redskins fan."

"I can play this game in Canada, I can play this game in Alaska, I can play this game anywhere."

Their first win against an NFC East team in three tries this season lifted the Steelers to 6-2 at the midway point of the season.Washington fell to 6-3.

Roethlisberger said his right shoulder was injured when he pulled a quarterback sneak for a 1-yard touchdown with 32 seconds left in the first half. Earlier in the second quarter, he shook his right hand in pain after it struck a defensive player on a follow through.

Roethlisberger completed just 5 of 17 passes for 50 yards and one interception. He said after the game that he felt he would be "OK." Coach Mike Tomlin said he'll know more about the injury today.

Leftwich came on, and the Steelers' sluggish offense came to life. He led them to a touchdown on his first drive, after completing a 50-yard pass to Nate Washington. Willie Parker, who finished with 70 yards rushing in his first game since Sept. 21, ended that drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Leftwich then guided them to a second touchdown early in the fourth quarter, throwing a 5-yard pass to Santonio Holmes to complete a 12-play, 77-yard scoring drive.

Leftwich, signed as a free agent in August after Charlie Batch's collarbone was broken, completed 7 of 10 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown.

"Byron Leftwich came home tonight to D.C. and put together a winning performance for us," Tomlin said. "He's a popular guy in that locker room right now."

Leftwich had help on the other side of the ball, too, because the Steelers' defense suffocated the Redskins. They sacked

Killer B's

Here's a look at how Ben Roethlisberger managed the offense in the first half and how Byron Leftwich did in the second half:

Category Big Ben Byron

First downs 5 9

3rd down eff .2-9 5-7

Total yards 90 140

Cmp.-att .5-17 7-10

Pass yds .44 121

TD pass 0 1

Sacked 3 1

Interceptions 1 0

Page 1 of 3Steelers overcome bad start, injuries to Ben Roethlisberger, Heath Miller as defense puts ...

11/4/2008http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08309/925166-66.stm

Washington quarterback Jason Campbell seven times with LaMarr Woodley getting two and James Harrison 1 1/2. They held the Redskins to 60 yards rushing and 221 total yards.

When Washington had a good drive going in Steelers territory late in the third quarter, cornerback Deshea Townsend ended it with an interception at the 23, the first interception thrown by Jason Campbell this season, ending a Redskins record of 271 completions without one.

"That was big," Townsend acknowledged. "It was one of the best drives they had going.

"The one thing about the West Coast offense, once you get a bead on it, you can figure it out. We stopped the run, we got to the quarterback well and we didn't give up big plays and, when you do that, chances are you're going to win."

The defense kept the Steelers in the game early while the offense did little and a roll of the dice put them in a quick hole.

Tomlin's gamble on the opening kickoff backfired when the Redskins recovered an onside attempt, and turned it into a 3-0 lead on Shaun Suisham's 44-yard field goal.

"We came in to play aggressively," Tomlin explained.

The Redskins then intercepted Roethlisberger's third pass on the Steelers' first series. Defensive end Andre Carter batted the pass into the air, it bounced off the back of offensive tackle Max Starks and into the hands of defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin at the Steelers 30.

Again, the Redskins could not pick up a first down, so Suisham booted a 43-yard field goal for a 6-0 lead.

The Steelers finally scored with 8:09 left in the first half on Jeff Reed's 35-yard field goal. The score was set up when Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers was flagged for a 43-yard pass-interference penalty on Hines Ward.

It gave the Steelers the ball at Washington's 36 and, two plays later, Holmes might have had a 36-yard touchdown reception, except the ball went through his hands at the goal line for his second drop of the game.

Nevertheless, the Steelers took their first lead soon thereafter, and it came about in rare fashion -- a blocked punt. Andre Frazier broke free of the right side and stretched out to block Ryan Plackemeier's punt. William Gay recovered at the Redskins 13. It was the first punt blocked by the Steelers in more than two seasons.

A sack and a penalty pushed the Steelers back to the 24, but Roethlisberger completed a 9-yard pass to Holmes and, on third down, 12 yards to Ward, who almost got a touchdown. Roethlisberger finished the drive by sneaking less than a yard to the left of center Justin Hartwig.

Soon after, the seemingly indestructible quarterback was running into the locker room to be checked by the doctors.

Leftwich added some quick punch when he replaced Roethlisberger to start the second half. His first pass was caught by Nate Washington for a 50-yard completion, the fourth consecutive game he has caught a pass of 48 yards or more.

Leftwich then completed a key third-down pass of 7 yards to Mewelde Moore to the 1, and Parker scored from there.

Reed missed the extra point, hooking it wide left to keep the Steelers' lead at 16-6. It was Reed's first such miss since 2003.

After Townsend's interception ended a Redskins drive, Leftwich took the Steelers back on another scoring ride. He completed passes of 16 to Holmes, 13 and 25 to Mewelde Moore and 13 on third down to Ward.

He then rifled a pass in the left front corner to Holmes, who dived over the pylon for a touchdown. Reed banged home the point this time, and the Steelers led, 23-6, early in the fourth quarter.

"I wasn't going to be denied, man,'' Holmes said.

Tomlin challenged a ruling that Campbell scored from 6 yards out with 7:19 left, and replays clearly showed that both Campbell's knee and shoulder touched the ground a yard before the goal line.

On the next play, Campbell rolled to his right and threw a pass to defensive tackle Lorenzo Alexander, eligible on the play, but it never got there because linebacker James Farrior knocked it down.

Ed Bouchette canbe reached at [email protected].

First published on November 4, 2008 at 12:33 am



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Defense ruled the game for Steelers Tuesday, November 04, 2008 By Gene Collier, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

Gene Collier

The Redskins' Carlos Rogers breaks up a pass intended for Santonio Holmes last night at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. View all related images

LANDOVER, Md. -- Last night's third Steelers foray into the foreboding NFC East went pretty much as indicated, meaning it was simply going to be a matter of what level of offensive ineptitude would be necessary to waste another positively sterling performance by football's best defense.

By the time Ben Roethlisberger went to the sideline with a recurrence of his shoulder issue and was joined there by tight end Heath Miller and his newly yelping ankle, it wasn't even clear whether the Steelers' "attack" was better with or without them.

For the moment, try without.

At halftime, the team that went 1 for 10 on third down just eight days ago, had rallied to improve those figures to 3-for-their-last-19.

That was the very kind of squeamishness that figured to ignite a storm of trouble against the Washington Redskins, who were not only averaging 364 yards of offense per game, but also were one of only four teams in the league to be ranked among the top 10 in both offense and defense. Every one of those teams was in the NFC East, against which the Steelers had appeared by all evidence overmatched.

They'd scored all of six points in Philadelphia, where Roethlisberger had been thrown to the ground eight times, and lost handily. They managed 14 against the New York Giants at home, with Roethlisberger getting sacked five more times, and lost in the final minutes.

Still Mike Tomlin tried to get the ball into Ben's hands as soon as physically possible for this Washington summit, even to the extent that the Steelers would open the show with an onside kick that bounced easily into the clutches of Redskins special-teamer Alfred Fincher, putting the Steelers on the defensive instantly.

Which was the good news.

On defense, the Steelers ruled the night.

"That [onside kick] call is on me, but ours is a defense that allows you to be aggressive," Tomlin said after the Steelers hit the halfway point 6-2. "I just wanted to let [Washington] know that we were comin' and that we were comin' to win."

Page 1 of 2Defense ruled the game for Steelers


Punctured for field goals on Washington's first two possessions, Dick LeBeau's top-rated defense left no misunderstanding as to why that was. Clinton Portis had to settle for 51 yards on 13 carries. The Redskins, who had but 66 yards a half, finished 143 yards short of their average.

From the moment Ike Taylor slammed into Portis on third-and-2 on Washington's first possession, dropping him short of the sticks, the Redskins operated with a skittishness most other defenses have not imposed on them.

Portis came into this prime-time appointment with five consecutive 100-yard performances on his dossier, some of which had come against the very defenses that make Washington's division what it is -- 121 yards against Dallas, 145 against Philadelphia. Of course, those defenses aren't this defense, the Steelers' version that hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher this season, the Steelers' version that has allowed only three such occurrences in the previous 74 games.

"The main thing was that they had a great running game, but we stop the run," said emergency safety Tyrone Carter. "Every time we step on the field, we feel we're the best. This defense is very tight; we have great camaraderie, brotherhood. We just have to bring our 'A' game every night."

Despite cracking a stretch play for 22 yards to become the first runner this season with a 20-yard gain against the Steelers, Portis' primary contribution last night was inadvertently negative -- he tipped Jason Campbell's swing pass into the left flat into the mitts of Steelers corner Deshea Townsend, snapping Campbell's incredible string of 271 consecutive passes without an interception. The Redskins, in fact, had not seen a pass picked off in 12 games dating to 2007, a record streak of throws totaling 379.

"You've got to give their defense credit," Campbell said after a two-pick night. "They put a lot of pressure on us in a lot of different ways. Pittsburgh gave us a lot of different looks, something out of the ordinary."

Campbell was coming off a 23-for-28 performance against the Lions that netted 328 yards and boosted him into the NFL's top five rated passers.

But again, this wasn't the Lions.

If any stats were going to be padded on this night, they'd be by James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley and the rest of the Steelers' pass rush. James Farrior, Aaron Smith and Nick Eason joined that party. The Steelers had six sacks by the middle of the final period, two more than any Washington opponent this season. Lawrence Timmons added a seventh in the final minutes. To the extent that any of those were coverage sacks, credit was due to an exceedingly active secondary working without starting safety Ryan Clark. Carter started in his place, but Anthony Smith saw his first significant playing time of the season in that spot as well.

"I feel like we've got an opportunity to be pretty good," said Captain Farrior, whose total performance was just flat brilliant. "None of that stuff about being the top-rated defense really matters if you don't get a win. That's always what we're playing for, to get a win."

When the Redskins finally assembled the threat of a touchdown, midway through the fourth quarter, it was Farrior who lunged in front of Campbell's roll out pass to eligible tackle Lorenzo Alexander, slapping it away in the back of the end zone to preserve the 23-6 lead that had been erected principally under the direction of backup quarterback Byron Leftwich, the new mayor of Pittsburgh.

Gene Collier can be reached at [email protected]. More articles by this author


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Page 2 of 2Defense ruled the game for Steelers



Steelers Report Card: Game Eight vs. RedskinsGerry Dulac grades the Steelers' effort in the 23-6 win over the Redskins Monday night Tuesday, November 04, 2008 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Quarterback

Byron Leftwich rescued the team after Ben Roethlisberger played his worst first-half of the season and left the game when he injured his sore right shoulder. Leftwich stepped right in and produced a touchdown on the first drive of the third quarter and converted several big third downs on the other touchdown drive. Roethlisberger was just 5 of 17 for 50 yards at the half.

Running backs

Willie Parker returned after missing the past four games with a sprained knee and didn't have any problems, making several good cuts and showing some burst. He got all the carries in the first half, gaining 45 yards on 10 carries, and finished with 70 yards on 21 carries. Mewelde Moore had three big catches for 45 yards on both scoring drives in the second half.

Receivers

Santonio Holmes dropped three passes in the first half, including a deep throw at the goal line, but he atoned with a nice 5-yard touchdown catch. Hines Ward made two big plays to set up the first touchdown and drawing a 43-yard pass interference penalty to set up a field goal. Nate Washington's 50-yard catch was the fourth of 48 yards or longer in four games.

Offensive line

The Redskins had just 10 sacks in the first eight games, but, as is becoming the norm for the Steelers, Roethlisberger was sacked three times in the first half. But the line did a good job creating some room for Parker and keeping the pressure off Leftwich in the second half. The Redskins, though, finished with five sacks, half their season total.

Defensive line

The Steelers finally surrendered a run longer than 20 yards when Clinton Portis had a 22-yard run in the first quarter. Still, the NFls' leading rusher had only 48 yards on 12 carries, ending his streak of five 100-yard games. Nick Eason and Aaron Smith had two of the seven sacks against Jason Campbell, who did not convert a third down until late third quarter.

Linebackers

The defense was able to get good pressure on Jason Campbell, sacking him four times in the first half. James Harrison had 1 1/2 sacks in the first half and continually beat LT Chris Samuels off the edge. LaMarr Woodley had two sacks and kept collapsing the pocket on Campbell. James Farrior also had a sack and a big pass breakup on fourth-and-goal.

Defensive backs

CB Ike Taylor shadowed WR Santana Moss, the second game in a row he has been given such an assignment, and held their big-play receiver to two catches for 14 yards, Taylor also had a pair of big pass breakups in the first half. CB Deshea Townsend had the team's first interception in five games when he picked off a tipped pass at the Redskins 23 in the third quarter.

Special teams

Page 1 of 2Steelers Report Card: Game Eight vs. Redskins


Linebacker Andre Frazier made the biggest play, blocking a punt near the end of the first half that led to the first touchdown and changed the momentum of the game. P Mitch Berger looked like he had a pair of bad hamstrings when he had punts of 27, 32 and 35 yards in the first half. Jeff Reed surprisingly missed an extra point, his first since the 2003 season.

Coaching

The Steelers wanted to get off to a fast start, which might explain the failed onside kick on the opening kickoff. It was one of the few gambles that didn't work for the Steelers. Still, in a season in which injuries have become a dominant theme, the Steelers managed to pull away in the second half without Roethlisberger and tight end Heath Miller.

Gerry Dulac can be reached at [email protected].


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Page 2 of 2Steelers Report Card: Game Eight vs. Redskins


Leftwich more than fills in the gaps Tuesday, November 04, 2008 By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ron Cook

LANDOVER, Md. -- One minute, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was sneaking over left guard last night and celebrating a touchdown late in the second quarter that gave the Steelers an unlikely 10-6 lead against the Washington Redskins after one of the worst halves of offensive football that you'll ever see. It was a good sign, maybe of better things to come in the second half.

The next minute, Roethlisberger was trotting to the FedEx Field locker room ahead of his teammates, before the half was done. He jammed his right shoulder on the touchdown, not, as everyone thought, when he hit his right hand on defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery on the follow-through of a pass early in the second quarter. Now, he was headed for X-rays with team orthopedist Dr. Jim Bradley. That was definitely not a good sign.

A dozen minutes after that, the Steelers returned for the second half without Roethlisberger. That was the worst sign of all.

Forget about the game being in doubt.

Suddenly, the rest of the season was in doubt.

"I'll be OK," Big Ben said afterward. Asked if he thought his shoulder problem, which has been bothering him since the first game of the season, was serious, he shrugged and said, "I hope not."

But the Steelers do have a short week before they play the Indianapolis Colts at home Sunday ...

It's a good thing they have Byron Leftwich ready to go.

Just in case.

All Leftwich did last night was lead the Steelers to a 23-6 win, a victory that kept them one game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens at the halfway point of the tight AFC North Division race. He will tell you he wasn't the least bit surprised. This wasn't his first rodeo, you know? He had won 24 games as an NFL starter and helped to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to the playoffs in 2005. He's supposed to be able to do the job when called on, right?

But do it this well?

"Everyone is going to try to make this about me," Leftwich said. "But this is about the Pittsburgh Steelers and the way we play football week in and week out."

Modest man, Leftwich.

The guy was terrific.

Leftwich's first pass went for 50 yards to wide receiver Nate Washington. Then, there was a 7-yard dart to running back Mewelde Moore on a third-and-7 play at the Redskins' 8. Just like that, the Steelers were headed to another touchdown, a 16-6 lead and command of the game early in the third quarter.

Leftwich was even better on a drive that started late in the third quarter. There was a 16-yard pass to wide receiver Santonio Holmes on third-and-15, a 13-yard pass to Moore on third-and-4, a 25-yard check-down to Moore under duress and a 13-yard pass to wide receiver Hines Ward on third-and-8. It only seemed right that Leftwich completed the touchdown drive with a 5-yard pass to Holmes, whose dive for the end zone left the Steelers with their 23-6 lead.

Page 1 of 2Leftwich more than fills in the gaps


"It was good to be back on the field again," Leftwich said.

Here's the amazing part:

"I truly don't know the offense yet," said Leftwich, who was signed in August after Charlie Batch's broken collarbone injury.

"That's the hard part. Not getting any reps. Not getting the opportunity to practice with our offense. I run the other team's offense. This week, I was [Redskins quarterback] Jason Campbell. Last week, I was [New York Giants quarterback] Eli Manning."

Last night, Leftwich did a pretty fair Roethlisberger imitation.

How good this night must have felt to the man.

For one thing, Leftwich grew up in Washington and there's nothing quite like beating the hometown team. Or not. "I grew up a die-hard Redskins fan," Leftwich said. "I don't like playing them. I don't like seeing them lose."

For another and much more important thing, Leftwich is playing for a starting job somewhere next season. This was one heck of an audition. "I let everyone pretty much know I'm healthy now," he said after having one ankle problem after another the past three seasons.

Roethlisberger had a rough time even before his injury. He completed just 5 of 17 passes for 50 yards. He also threw an interception on a pass that was deflected. His passer rating? A putrid 15.1.

Roethlisberger returned to the sideline early in the third quarter and did a wonderful job cheerleading for Leftwich. Who knows? He might be cheering for him again against the Colts, although Leftwich is sort of figuring Big Ben will play.

"We all know Ben is the guy," he said.

Make no mistake about that.

There is absolutely no quarterback controversy here.

The Steelers are going to need Roethlisberger to hold off the Ravens and win the division.

But, this morning, they're feeling awfully lucky to have Leftwich in reserve.

Just in case.

Ron Cook can be reached at [email protected]. More articles by this author


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Page 2 of 2Leftwich more than fills in the gaps



Gerry Dulac's Two-Minute Drill: Game Eight vs. Redskins Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Game ball goes to: Byron Leftwich

All he did was replace an injured ??? and ineffective ??? Ben Roethlisberger at the start of the second half and lead the Steelers to two touchdowns with a number of big plays, particularly on third down. The first was a 50-yard completion to Nate Washington to the Redskins 11 on the first series of the third quarter to set up a touchdown. Then, he converted three third-down plays, the biggest a 16-yarder to Santonio Holmes on third-and-15, on a 12-play drive that ended with a nice 5-yard TD to Holmes. Leftwich finished 7 of 10 for 129 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.

The countdown

A quick look at the top performances from last night's victory:

1. ANDRE FRAZIER'S BLOCKED PUNT: The Steelers were struggling on offense, in particular, QB Ben Roethlisberger, and looked as if they would be trailing, 6-3, at halftime. But Frazier fought through a block on the right side and blocked Ryan Plackemeier's punt from the Redskins 36, enabling William Gay to recover at the 13 with 2:11 remaining. The block was the first in two years by the special teams and it seemed to energize the offense, which needed just four plays to convert the turnover into a touchdown and a 10-6 lead.

2. BYRON LEFTWICH'S 50-YARD PASS TO NATE WASHINGTON: After three running plays to start the second half, Leftwich's first pass of the game was a 50-yarder to Nate Washington -- his fourth catch of 48 yards or longer in the past four games. It set up Willie Parker's 1-yard TD for a 16-6 lead.

3. LEFTWICH'S PASS TO HOLMES ON THIRD-AND-15: This was the biggest of Leftwich's third-down conversions because it came from the Steelers 18. Leftwich's bullet pass to the sideline not only kept a scoring drive alive, it kept the Redskins from changing momentum.

4. DESHEA TOWNSEND'S INTERCEPTION: After falling behind, 16-6, the Redskins came back on the ensuing series and drove to the Steelers 23. But Townsend intercepted Campbell for the first time this season, catching a tipped pass that the Steelers turned into another touchdown.

5. ROETHLISBERGER'S 14-YARD PASS TO HINES WARD: It was one of the few passes Roethlisberger completed in the first half, but it came on third-and-12 from the Redskins 15 and it set up Roethlisberger's sneak that gave the Steelers a 10-6 lead they never relinquished.

Inside the numbers: 271

That's the number of consecutive passes attempted by Redskins QB Jason Campbell without an interception, a streak that ended when Deshea Townsend picked off his tipped pass in the third quarter. Tyrone Carter added another in the final minute.

What was he thinking?

OK, the Steelers wanted to start fast against the Redskins and, yes, coach Mike Tomlin said he wanted to play aggressively. Still, his decision to try an onside kick on the opening kickoff backfired when the Redskins recovered at the Steelers 41 and CB William Gay was penalized an additional 5 yards for lining offside. The Redskins turned the gaffe into a field goal and a 3-0 lead. But, on this night, it was about the only way the Redskins were going to score against the Steelers' No. 1 ranked defense.

Overheard

"Fast. Very physical. ... They were the No. 1 defense in the NFL and probably still are. They lived up to their billing. They'regood." -- Redskins coach Jim Zorn

Page 1 of 2Gerry Dulac's Two-Minute Drill: Game Eight vs. Redskins


Up next

VS. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, 4:15 P.M. SUNDAY: The Colts ended a two-game losing streak with an 18-15 victory against New England Sunday night. They have lost their past 12 games in Pittsburgh and 10 of the past 11 meetings overall, including playoffs.

X's and O's

For the second game in a row, CB Ike Taylor was handed a big defensive assignment -- shadow Redskins WR Santana Moss, who already had three 100-yard receiving games and three catches of 50 yards or longer this season. Moss, though, managed just two catches for 14 yards, both in the first half, and had several other passes broken up by Taylor before aggravating an injury. QB Jason Campbell's longest pass was 29 yards to RB Clinton Portis.



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Page 2 of 2Gerry Dulac's Two-Minute Drill: Game Eight vs. Redskins



Steelers Notebook: Parker fills usual role in return to lineup Tuesday, November 04, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Peter Diana / Post-Gazette

Willie Parker picks up yardage against the Redskins last night. Parker ran for 70 yards with one score in his first game back from knee injury.

LANDOVER, Md. -- Willie Parker not only started last night, he stepped into the role as if he never left.

Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians suggested last week that Parker would not take over the entire load at halfback in his first game since his knee was sprained Sept. 21.

Parker, however, carried 21 times for 70 yards and scored on a 1-yard run in the third quarter.

Mewelde Moore went back to his role as the third-down back and also back to his role of being ignored in the first half. He had no carries and no receptions in the first half before he came alive in the second.

He carried a key third-down pass of seven yards from Byron Leftwich to the 1 to set up Parker's one-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter.

Leftwich completed a pass to Moore of 13 yards on the last play of the third quarter and went right back to Moore on the first play of the fourth quarter for a 25-yard completion.

Moore finished with 45 yards on three receptions and had four carries for minus-two.

Steelers' Nation on the road

The Washington Redskins have some of the most passionate devoted fans in the NFL, but they were heavily infiltrated by many Steelers fans waving terrible towels throughout.

Even the Redskins admitted they were surprised at the turnout of Steelers fans last night among the 90,512 at FedEx Field.

"I'll be honest with you, I was surprised," Washington coach Jim Zorn said. "It reminded me of the Super Bowl in 2005."

Said quarterback Jason Campbell, "I was surprised to see that many Steelers fans ...in our home stadium,''

No big change, says Miller

While the sack ratio against Ben Roethlisberger is up this season, tight end Heath Miller said he's not staying in to block more than in the past. "Not any more than normal," said Miller, who left the game in the second quarter for good with a sprained right ankle.

Page 1 of 2Steelers Notebook: Parker fills usual role in return to lineup


Spreading passes around

No Steelers receiver has reached 100 yards in one game this season. The last time a Steelers reached that mark in the regular season happened Nov. 5, 2007, when Santonio Holmes caught four passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-7 victory against Baltimore in Heinz Field.

Hines Ward had 135 yards on 10 receptions in their 31-29 loss to Jacksonville in the playoffs Jan. 5.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has spread the ball around this season. "You have to take your opportunities and run with them," said wide receiver Nate Washington. "You're not going to get many. It's a situation where this is an offense where anything might go. We've been doing a good job of trying to get everybody the ball this year."

No time change

The time of the Steelers' Nov. 16 game against San Diego was not affected in the first weekend of flex scheduling, the NFL announced yesterday. The Steelers and Chargers will kick off at 4:15 p.m. at Heinz Field.

Short snaps

Steelers chairman Dan Rooney and a busload of his players paid a visit Sunday to Walter Reed Army Medical Center shortly after their chartered jet landed. ... Among the political powers attending the game were two western Pennsylvania natives, former Gov. Tom Ridge and CIA Director Michael Hayden, who was quarterback for St. Peter's grade school on the North Side. His coach? Dan Rooney. ... Moore replaced Najeh Davenport as the deep kickoff return man for the Steelers. ... Tyrone Carter replaced injured Ryan Clark as the starting free safety, but he and Anthony Smith took turns playing the position every two series. ... Deshea Townsend's interception in the third quarter was the first for the Steelers in the past five games, and his first this season.

Inactives

Steelers: Clark, offensive tackles Marvel Smith and Tony Hills, cornerback Bryant McFadden, linebackers Bruce Davis and Keyaron Fox, defensive end Orpheus Roye, and No. 3 quarterback Dennis Dixon.

Redskins: Wide receiver Malcolm Kelly, cornerback Shawn Springs, running back Ladell Betts, defensive ends Jason Taylor and Rob Jackson, offensive linemen Jason Fabini and Chad Rinehart, and No. 3 quarterback Colt Brennan.

Ed Bouchette can be reached at [email protected].


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Page 2 of 2Steelers Notebook: Parker fills usual role in return to lineup


Steelers defense keys win over Redskins By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, November 4, 2008

LANDOVER, Md. -- The Steelers took a big step toward solving the NFC East thanks in large part to a unit that continues to look like a championship-caliber one.

Unrelenting defense and a key special-teams play allowed the Steelers to overcome the loss of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and their early offensive struggles Monday night at FedEx Field.

As a result of their 23-6 win over the Washington Redskins, the Steelers (6-2) stayed a game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens (5-3) in the AFC North. More importantly, they may have proved something to themselves by winning on the road against a quality opponent for the first time this season -- and overcoming some adversity to do it.

"Guys showed some resiliency and played 60 minutes of football," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said.

In what has become a recurring theme, the Steelers got valuable contributions from unsung players.

With Roethlisberger sidelined by a bad right shoulder -- Tomlin said he might have been able to go back into the game had the Steelers really needed him -- Byron Leftwich calmly led the offense on a pair of long touchdown drives in the second half.

The Washington D.C. native made his homecoming a happy one as he completed 7 of 10 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.

His 50-yard pass to Nate Washington set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Willie Parker early in the third quarter. Parker's first scoring run since the initial game of the season gave the Steelers a double-digit lead.

The lead may have seemed like a triple-digit one to the Redskins given how suffocating the Steelers' defense proved to be in the nationally televised game.

While Roethlisberger got knocked out of the Steelers' first win in three attempts against an NFC East team, it came as a mild surprise that Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell made it to the finish.

The Steelers sacked him seven times, and their pressure forced Campbell to

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throw his first interceptions of the season.

The first came with four minutes left in the third quarter after Campbell had moved the Redskins into Steelers territory. Cornerback Deshea Townsend's first interception of the season halted the drive. The second interception, by Tyrone Carter, came in the waning seconds of the game.

"We rushed the quarterback well, tackled well and did not give up the big play," Townsend said. "When we do that we'll often come out on the good end."

The Steelers don't get much time to savor the victory as the Indianapolis Colts visit them at Heinz Field Sunday for a 4:15 p.m. game.

Coach Mike Tomlin had to be happy his team only trailed 6-0 at the end of the first quarter considering that the almost all of the first 15 minutes of the game were spent in Steelers' territory.

A defense that is arguably the best in the NFL limited the Redskins to a pair of field goals after Washington started its first two possessions at the Steelers' 36- and 30-yard line, respectively following a failed onside kick attempt and an interception.

The Steelers got off to such an uninspiring start offensively that it looked like the early Shaun Suisham scores might be enough for the Redskins to win.

The Steelers managed just one first down in the opening quarter and Roethlisberger completed just three of his first 15 passes.

Special teams provided a badly needed spark for the Steelers late in the second quarter.

With the Redskins leading 6-3, Andre Frazier blocked a punt that William Gay scooped up and returned to Washington's 13.

The Steelers' first blocked punt since 2006 set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Roethlisberger with 30 seconds left in the second quarter.

The only touchdown in the first half allowed the Steelers to take a lead into intermission even though they could have easily been trailing the Redskins by double digits at halftime.

The Steelers added to their lead early in the third quarter, and the job Leftwich did in relief of Roethlisberger plus the fact that their defense offered no such relief to Campbell carried the Steelers to a much-needed victory.

"They were physical and got to our quarterback," Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels said. "We didn't do a good job of protecting him."

Notes: Tomlin will give an update on Roethlisberger today at his weekly news conference. Heath Miller also left Monday night's game with an injury, but



Tomlin said X-rays confirmed that the fourth-year tight end does not have a broken ankle . ... Inside linebacker James Farrior, on the personal foul penalty he got for making helmet-to-helmet contact with Campbell, "It was a football play and I hit the guy in the face. I didn't mean to do it. It was an unfortunate call and I'm glad we got out of that situation without giving up the touchdown."... Tomlin said he made the decision to try an onside kick at the beginning of the game. He said his trust in the Steelers' defense was a big reason why he took a risk. "I wanted to have an opportunity to let these guys know that we were coming and coming to win," Tomlin said.

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





Steelers defense keys win over Redskins By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, November 4, 2008

LANDOVER, Md. -- The Steelers took a big step toward solving the NFC East thanks in large part to a unit that continues to look like a championship-caliber one.

Unrelenting defense and a key special-teams play allowed the Steelers to overcome the loss of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and their early offensive struggles Monday night at FedEx Field.

As a result of their 23-6 win over the Washington Redskins, the Steelers (6-2) stayed a game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens (5-3) in the AFC North. More importantly, they may have proved something to themselves by winning on the road against a quality opponent for the first time this season -- and overcoming some adversity to do it.

"Guys showed some resiliency and played 60 minutes of football," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said.

In what has become a recurring theme, the Steelers got valuable contributions from unsung players.

With Roethlisberger sidelined by a bad right shoulder -- Tomlin said he might have been able to go back into the game had the Steelers really needed him -- Byron Leftwich calmly led the offense on a pair of long touchdown drives in the second half.

The Washington D.C. native made his homecoming a happy one as he completed 7 of 10 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.

His 50-yard pass to Nate Washington set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Willie Parker early in the third quarter. Parker's first scoring run since the initial game of the season gave the Steelers a double-digit lead.

The lead may have seemed like a triple-digit one to the Redskins given how suffocating the Steelers' defense proved to be in the nationally televised game.

While Roethlisberger got knocked out of the Steelers' first win in three attempts against an NFC East team, it came as a mild surprise that Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell made it to the finish.

The Steelers sacked him seven times, and their pressure forced Campbell to



throw his first interceptions of the season.

The first came with four minutes left in the third quarter after Campbell had moved the Redskins into Steelers territory. Cornerback Deshea Townsend's first interception of the season halted the drive. The second interception, by Tyrone Carter, came in the waning seconds of the game.

"We rushed the quarterback well, tackled well and did not give up the big play," Townsend said. "When we do that we'll often come out on the good end."

The Steelers don't get much time to savor the victory as the Indianapolis Colts visit them at Heinz Field Sunday for a 4:15 p.m. game.

Coach Mike Tomlin had to be happy his team only trailed 6-0 at the end of the first quarter considering that the almost all of the first 15 minutes of the game were spent in Steelers' territory.

A defense that is arguably the best in the NFL limited the Redskins to a pair of field goals after Washington started its first two possessions at the Steelers' 36- and 30-yard line, respectively following a failed onside kick attempt and an interception.

The Steelers got off to such an uninspiring start offensively that it looked like the early Shaun Suisham scores might be enough for the Redskins to win.

The Steelers managed just one first down in the opening quarter and Roethlisberger completed just three of his first 15 passes.

Special teams provided a badly needed spark for the Steelers late in the second quarter.

With the Redskins leading 6-3, Andre Frazier blocked a punt that William Gay scooped up and returned to Washington's 13.

The Steelers' first blocked punt since 2006 set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Roethlisberger with 30 seconds left in the second quarter.

The only touchdown in the first half allowed the Steelers to take a lead into intermission even though they could have easily been trailing the Redskins by double digits at halftime.

The Steelers added to their lead early in the third quarter, and the job Leftwich did in relief of Roethlisberger plus the fact that their defense offered no such relief to Campbell carried the Steelers to a much-needed victory.

"They were physical and got to our quarterback," Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels said. "We didn't do a good job of protecting him."

Notes: Tomlin will give an update on Roethlisberger today at his weekly news conference. Heath Miller also left Monday night's game with an injury, but



Tomlin said X-rays confirmed that the fourth-year tight end does not have a broken ankle . ... Inside linebacker James Farrior, on the personal foul penalty he got for making helmet-to-helmet contact with Campbell, "It was a football play and I hit the guy in the face. I didn't mean to do it. It was an unfortunate call and I'm glad we got out of that situation without giving up the touchdown."... Tomlin said he made the decision to try an onside kick at the beginning of the game. He said his trust in the Steelers' defense was a big reason why he took a risk. "I wanted to have an opportunity to let these guys know that we were coming and coming to win," Tomlin said.






Leftwich's play invigorates offense By John Harris TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, November 4, 2008

LANDOVER, Md. -- Watching the Steelers play football these days has been like observing two teams.

The league's top-ranked defense provides excitement, bone-jarring tackles and instills the entire team with confidence.

Lately, the offense has performed at such a low level that you couldn't wait for the defense to retake the field.

Until Monday night, that is.

The Steelers needed a spark against the Washington Redskins that didn't come from their defense holding the Redskins to 66 total yards in the first half, or their special teams unit blocking a punt that gift-wrapped quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's 1-yard touchdown sneak right before halftime.

The Steelers needed the offense to do more than dig another hole for the defense. The Steelers needed the offense to stop being offensive. The offense needed ... Byron Leftwich?!?

What did Leftwich's second-half spark mean to the Steelers in last night's 23-6 win at FedEx Field? Only everything.

With Roethlisberger in the locker room because of a right shoulder injury, Leftwich led the offense onto the field to open the third quarter in his first meaningful action of the season.

Roethlisberger, who suffered the injury late in the first half, returned to the sideline but did not go back in the game.

All Leftwich did was guide the Steelers on a 72-yard drive covering eight plays and culminating in Willie Parker's 1-yard scoring run.

To put the drive in perspective, the Steelers manufactured 90 yards total offense in the first half.

Washington's defense wasn't expecting Leftwich, who had attempted a total of 14 passes entering the contest.

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No matter. On first down from the Steelers 39, Leftwich, who allegedly has little or no mobility, dodged blitzing linebacker Rocky McIntosh in the pocket before stepping up and launching a 50-yard bomb to Nate Washington.

Three plays later, Leftwich made another big play. Facing third-and-7, Leftwich reloaded and tossed an 8-yard pass to running back Mewelde Moore to sustain the drive. Parker's scoring run on the next play was a mere formality.

As Leftwich left the field, coach Mike Tomlin greeted him in celebration before he could reach the sideline.

Leftwich did more than simply manage the game. He energized the offense against one of the league's better defenses.

It was one thing for Leftwich to try not to lose a 10-6 lead and the game. It was something altogether different for him to direct the offense on two lengthy touchdown drives, turning a four-point lead into a 23-6 advantage in the fourth quarter.

The two scoring drives averaged 10 yards and 74.6 yards, as Leftwich exhibited patience with the running game and short passing game while also throwing the long ball with accuracy.

If nothing else, Leftwich's perfomance makes the Steelers that much stronger at quarterback. Every team needs two good quarterbacks, and the Steelers certainly have that.

Roethlisberger is the man. It's his team, his offense.

What Leftwich's performance last night showed the Steelers is that the man behind the man can more than hold his own.

John Harris can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.



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Redskins' inability to finish hurts By Mike Prisuta TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, November 4, 2008

LANDOVER, Md. -- The Washington Redskins had plenty of chances to turn Monday night's hosting of the Steelers into a blowout early, but headed to the locker room after two quarters trailing, 10-6.

The missed opportunities proved costly, as the Steelers gained control of the game early in the second half and won going away, 23-6.

"They were physical and got to our quarterback," Redskins offensive tackle Chris Samuels said. "We didn't do a good job of protecting him."

Washington quarterback Jason Campbell was sacked seven times and threw his first two interceptions of the season.

A blocked punt by Steelers linebacker Andre Frazier with just over two minutes to play in the second quarter turned the tables, but the Redskins' inability to finish drives had set the table for Frazier's special-teams heroics to become game-changing.

The Redskins set a tone along those lines the first time they got their hands on the football, which turned out to be seconds after the game began when linebacker Alfred Fincher recovered a surprise onside kick by the Steelers on the opening kickoff.

The Redskins turned the Steelers' gamble into a 3-0 lead on a 44-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham, but they would manage just three more points in the opening 30 minutes despite starting in Steelers' territory on three of their first four possessions.

The Washington defense gift-wrapped another chance for the offense when defensive end Andre Carter deflected a pass by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on the Steelers' first third down of the game. The ball bounced off the back of Steelers offensive tackle Max Starks before settling into the arms of Redskins defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin at the Pittsburgh 30-yard line, but all the Redskins could manage was another Suisham three.

Washington went 0-for-8 on third downs in the opening 30 minutes and 3-for-15 for the game.

The defense also had a chance to score late in the second quarter, but cornerback Carlos Rogers dropped an underthrown Roethlisberger pass at the

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Pittsburgh 45 on what could have easily been an interception return for a touchdown had Rogers only held onto the ball.

Frazier's blocked punt set the Steelers up at the Redskins' 13 with 2:11 left in the half.

They converted the chance into the only TD of the opening 30 minutes for their 10-6 halftime advantage.

Redskins running back Clinton Portis, who entered leading the NFL in carries (187) and rushing yards (944) was held to 51 yards on 13 attempts.

Portis broke off a 22-yad run on Washington's third possession, the longest run against the Steelers this season, but was otherwise surrounded on the ground.

He finished with more yards receiving (73) than rushing (51).

In addition to leading the NFL in rushing, Portis came in having surpassed 120 yards in five consecutive games.

The Redskins attempted to pass on seven of nine first downs in the first half.

Midway through the fourth quarter, facing a fourth-and-goal at the Steelers' 1, the Redskins opted for a tackle-eligible pass to defensive tackle Lorenzo Alexander rather than give the ball to Portis.

Like most everything else Washington tried on Monday night at FedEx Field, it didn't work.

Mike Prisuta can be reached at [email protected] or 412-320-7923.



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Parker back on the run for Steelers By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, November 4, 2008

It happened later than he and the Steelers had hoped, but Willie Parker returned to the starting lineup Monday night. Parker, who had missed the Steelers' previous four games with a sprained knee, started against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field and rushed for 45 yards on 10 carries in the first two quarters.

• The Steelers were missing a pair of starters. Free safety Ryan Clark (shoulder) and left tackle Marvel Smith (back) did not dress for the 8:30 p.m. game because of injuries. Clark had hoped to play against the Redskins, for whom he played before signing with the Steelers in March 2006. The Steelers did not want him to risk further damage to the shoulder he dislocated in the Steelers' Oct. 26 game against the New York Giants. Tyrone Carter started for Clark. Max Starks started his third consecutive game at left tackle in place of Smith.

• Linebacker Keyaron Fox (hamstring) and cornerback Bryant McFadden (arm) didn't play because of injuries.

• Rounding out the Steelers' inactives last night were defensive end Orpheus Roye, linebacker Bruce Davis, offensive tackle Tony Hills and Dennis Dixon (third quarterback).

• Clark's injury may end up saving him money. The seventh-year veteran likely would have done something last night to honor the memory of his former Redskins teammate, Sean Taylor. Clark had been fined by the NFL for writing "21" on the black eye strips he wore against the Giants. Taylor, who was shot to death last November, wore No. 21 for the Redskins, and the NFL docked Clark $5,000 for the tribute to his close friend. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said yesterday that the league cannot allow players to express "personal messages," which is why it fined Clark for a uniform violation. "Everybody has something that's a good cause, but we're a team game," Goodell said. "We represent the NFL, so when we do something as we did last year with Sean Taylor, we do it collectively." Players wore patches with Taylor's number on their jersey last season to honor his memory. The NFL also had all teams put No. 21 stickers on the back of all of the players' helmets.

• Standout wide receiver Santana Moss and left tackle Chris Samuels started for the Redskins. Moss and Samuels had been game-time decisions for the Redskins because of hamstring and knee problems, respectively. Starting defensive end Jason Taylor, a Pittsburgh native, did not play because of a skin

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infection. The Redskins were also missing starting cornerback Shawn Springs because of a calf injury.

• Also inactive for the Redskins were wide receiver Malcolm Kelly, running back Ladell Betts, offensive linemen Jason Fabini and Chad Rinehart, defensive end Rob Jackson, and Colt Brennan (third quarterback).

• Mitch Berger's strained left hamstring clearly bothered him. The 14-year veteran averaged just 33.4 yards on five punts in the first half. Berger grimaced after a late first-quarter punt.

• The return of Parker allowed the Steelers to use Mewelde Moore instead of Najeh Davenport as their kickoff returner.

• Hines Ward has caught at least one pass in 154 consecutive regular-season games.

Digits

0.0 -- Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's passer rating after the first quarter of Monday night's game.

4 -- Times the Steelers sacked Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell in the first half.




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TUESDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2008 :: Last modified: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 12:19 AM EST

Steelers players will stuff the ballot box By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff

Even though he’s a staunch Barack Obama supporter, Dan Rooney would never tell any of the Steelers who to vote for. He just wants them to vote. By the time the polls close today, the majority of the Steelers will have kept their promise to the team chairman and cast their votes.

“It’s definitely an exciting time for our country,” wide receiver Hines Ward said. “We’re going to get a new president. People have been saying that this might be the most important election we’ve ever. So yeah, it’s important that all Americans take their time and vote for the guy who they believe will do the best job leading our country.” Some of the Steelers who live in Pittsburgh year around will cast their vote today. They may be weary-eyed after flying home immediately after Monday night’s game against the Redskins. But since NFL players are off on Tuesdays, there will be plenty of time to make it to the polls. For most Steelers who still have official out-of-state residences, Rooney arranged for them to fill out absentee ballots. In September, two election board workers came to team headquarters to assists any of the Steelers who wanted to vote via absentee ballot. “Even though were in this microcosm that is the pro football world, we, as athletes, still have to keep abreast of what’s happening in our country,” said tackle Max Starks, a Florida native who cast his absentee ballot weeks ago. “The good thing is that we’re in the age of the Internet and CNN broadcasts everything 24 hours a day, so we have been able to stay abreast of what’s happening with this election. I’ve been following it closely. I watched every single debate.” Like most of his teammates, Starks wants Obama to win, and he says it has nothing to do with Rooney stumping for the Democrat. There are a few Steelers, such as nose tackle Chris Hoke, who prefer Republican John McCain. “I watched everything I could on TV (about the election),” said Hoke, who’ll vote today at his Ross Township polling place. “I try to be as knowledgeable as I can about what’s going on. I based my decision on that.” Ward was among several Steelers who chose not to say who he wants to win. But he’s looking forward to watching the returns tonight on television.

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“In a way, it’s almost like us getting a new coach last year,” Ward said. “You’re a little apprehensive about who the new guy might be. Then when you find out, you kind of feel him out and watch him do the things he promised he would do. “Yes, it’s a big day for our country. Like I said, this is exciting time. We’re going go have a new president.”

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Defense shoulders load in latest win By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer

[email protected]

LANDOVER, Md. - The Steelers got one offensive star back Monday night as running back Willie Parker returned after missing four games.

That gain was offset, however, by the loss of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and tight end Heath Miller.

In his first game since suffering a sprained knee Sept. 21 at Philadelphia, Parker gained 70 tough yards and a touchdown on 21 carries as the Steelers defeated the Redskins 23-6 at FedExField.

But Roethlisberger and Miller each were injured at the end of the first half, dampening the excitement of the first win by the Steelers (6-2) against an NFC East Division team in three attempts.

Roethlisberger re-injured his sprained right shoulder - suffered in Pittsburgh's season-opening win over Houston - on a short touchdown run late in the first half. Miller sprained his ankle a few plays before Roethlisberger was injured.

Neither player returned to the game.

Byron Leftwich opened the second half at quarterback and sparked what had been a sputtering Pittsburgh offense.

Leftwich's first pass was a 50-yard bomb to Nate Washington that set up a one-yard touchdown run by Parker on the opening possession of the second half. Jeff Reed's PAT kick was no good, but the touchdown gave Pittsburgh a 16-6 lead.

Leftwich looked sharp, completing 7 of 10 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.

Roethlisberger, who was 5 of 17 for 50 yards and an interception, appeared to have trouble with the shoulder from the start of the game, completing just one of his first 11 passes. The Steelers took a 10-6 lead into halftime, thanks to their defense and a special-teams play by linebacker Andre Frazier.

The Redskins (6-3) scored the game's first six points without the benefit of a first down.

Pittsburgh attempted a surprise onside kick to open the game, but Washington's Alfred Fincher recovered the ball. The Redskins settled for Shaun Suisham's 44-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead.

Roethlisberger then had a pass intercepted after the ball was tipped at the line of scrimmage, giving Washington the ball at the Pittsburgh 30.

Again, however, the Redskins were unable to convert a first down and settled for another Suisham field goal, this one from 43 yards for a 6-0 lead.

The Steelers trimmed the lead to 6-3 on a 35-yard Reed field goal midway through the second quarter.

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The scoring drive was aided by a 43-yard pass interference penalty.

Later in the quarter, the Redskins attempted a punt deep in their own territory but Frazier broke through Washington's line and blocked Ryan Plackemeier's kick. That set up the one-yard TD plunge by Roethlisberger with 32 seconds remaining in the half.

Odds and end zones

The Steelers limited Washington's Clinton Portis, who entered the game with an NFL-best 944 yards rushing, to 51 yards on 13 carries. ... Pittsburgh had seven sacks. ... Frazier's blocked punt in the second quarter was the Steelers' first since James Harrison blocked one Dec. 17, 2006 at Carolina. ... Deshea Townsend intercepted Washington quarterback Jason Campbell in the third quarter, the first interception thrown by Campbell this season. Campbell had not been intercepted in 271 passes. It was also the Steelers' first interception in their past five games.

Copyright Observer Publishing Co.

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Onside kick showed desperation LANDOVER, Md. - It must have seemed like a good idea at some point during the week, when the Steelers were drawing up their game plan.

The decision to open the game Monday night against the Washington Redskins with a surprise onside kick was a momentum killer instead of the grabber the coaching staff hoped for.

Washington's Alfred Fincher recovered the onside kick to set up the Redskins for a field goal on their opening possession. The Redskins didn't even need to gain a first down.

Having already lost to two NFC East teams, the Steelers and coach Mike Tomlin might have felt it was time to roll the dice.

Certainly Tomlin trusts his No. 1-ranked defense to keep opponents out of the end zone under less than ideal circumstances. But the surprise onside kick would seem more risky in a game Tomlin had to figure would be a low-scoring affair.

The Redskins had trouble moving the ball. On their first two scoring drives - a pair of first-quarter field goals - the Redskins gained only 14 yards.

But the Steelers - as they have done against good defenses this season - also had trouble moving the ball.

Tomlin is aware how his teams have performed against quality opponents. It's not been pretty. Two years into the Tomlin era, the Steelers entered Monday night searching for a signature win.

Pittsburgh went 10-6 in Tomlin's first season, but there were more disappointing losses - at Arizona, Denver and at New York against the Jets - than there were wins wins against good teams.

The only game that could come close being a quality win was a 21-0 victory over NFC West champion Seattle last year. But even that victory is somewhat tainted. Seattle often struggles playing East Coast teams.

In games against good teams, the Steelers have largely underperformed. They lost at New England and twice to Jacksonville at home last year, and at Philadelphia and at home against the Giants this season.

The Steelers' 26-21 victory at Jacksonville Oct. 5 was supposed to be a significant one. But the Jaguars' losses the last two weeks - to Cleveland Oct. 26 and previously winless Cincinnati on Sunday - have pretty much rendered that moot.

Jacksonville has been unable to adjust to a number of injuries - particularly on its offensive line - and looks nothing more than an average team at best. Unlike the Jaguars, dealing with injuries has been something the Steelers have done a good job of overcoming. Pittsburgh played Monday without three starters.

The game against Washington was another opportunity to beat a good team.

They'll get a chance to do it again next week against Indianapolis at Heinz Field.

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But even that game has lost some luster. At 4-4, the Colts aren't considered an elite team. But when you play a Peyton Manning-led team, it's a big game.

Just don't expect Tomlin to try to trick the Colts with a surprise onside kick to open the game.

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at [email protected]

Copyright Observer Publishing Co.

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11/4/2008http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Print/11-3-Steelers-Redskins-column

Steelers’ D, Leftwich lead Steelers’ 23-6 victory Associated Press

LANDOVER, Md. November 04, 2008 12:34 am — Byron Leftwich led two touchdown drives after Ben Roethlisberger reinjured his throwing shoulder and the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Washington Redskins 23-6 on Monday night. The Steelers’ top-rated defense had seven sacks, allowed only 221 yards and became the first team this season to intercept Jason Campbell. Leftwich went 7-of-10 for 129 yards and a touchdown as the Steelers (6-2) beat an NFC East team for the first time in three attempts this season. Roethlisberger was 5-of-17 for 50 yards and an interception before leaving the game at halftime, again hindered by the slightly separated shoulder that has bothered him since the second week of the season. Leftwich’s 50-yard completion to Nate Washington set up a 1-yard TD run by Willie Parker, who was back from a four-week layoff with a knee injury. He also had a 5-yard scoring pass to Santonio Holmes, who returned from a one-game benching over a charge for a marijuana-related offense. Roethlisberger celebrated that touchdown on the sideline by high-fiving his teammates — with his left hand. The Steelers held Clinton Portis to 51 yards rushing, ending his streak of five straight games with at least 120 yards. Washington (6-3) came close to scoring a touchdown only once — when Campbell threw incomplete to eligible lineman Lorenzo Alexander on fourth-and-goal at the 1 in the fourth quarter. Campbell, who finished 24-of-43 for 206 yards, thought he had scored on a scramble on the previous play, but a replay challenge showed he was down just before the goal line. While the Steelers remain atop the AFC North, the Redskins lost ground in the NFC East to the New York Giants. Washington enters its bye week needing to tweak an offense that has put together promising drives all season but has often struggled to find the end zone. The game was the first hosted by Washington on the eve of a presidential election since 1984, and there was no mistaking the combination of football and election fever. One fan alternately waved a white towel with Barack Obama’s image in the left hand and an all-burgundy Redskins towel in the right hand. Sports-themed interviews withObama and John McCain were broadcast by ESPN during halftime. The Redskins also used the special occasion to wear burgundy jerseys and pants together for the first time in franchise history. A more noticeable color, however, was the yellow from the sea of Terrible Towels waved by Steelers fans who managed to secure tickets by the boatload for the lower bowl of the stadium. In a bizarre sight, visiting Pittsburgh players were waving to the fans all around them to make noise crowd during defensive stands. Neither team managed 100 yards in a first half that included seven sacks and a combined 13-of-32 performance by Roethlisberger and Campbell. The Redskins didn’t convert on third down until Campbell hit tight end Chris Cooley for a 12-yard gain late in the third quarter. Campbell’s streak without an interception reached 271 attempts — 249 this season — before cornerback Deshea Townsend grabbed a pass tipped by Portis late in the third quarter. Washington was on the board early with two field goals in the first four minutes — without the benefit of a first down. Linebacker Alfred Fincher alertly recovered the Steelers surprise onside kick that opened the game, and Cornelius Griffin intercepted a pass tipped by teammate Andre Carter. Both plays gave Washington the ball in Pittsburgh territory, leading to field goals of 44 and 43 yards by Shaun Suisham. The Steelers didn’t cross midfield until Carlos Rogers grabbed Hines Ward to commit an obvious 43-yard pass interference penalty, setting up a 35-yard field goal by Jeff Reed that cut Washington’s lead to 6-3. The Steelers went ahead after Andre Frazier blocked Ryan Plackemeier’s punt. William Gay recovered, giving Pittsburgh the ball at Washington’s 13 and setting up Roethlisberger 1-yard sneak that made it 10-6 in the final minute of the first half.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.

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ERIC KNOPSNYDER | Losing Big Ben wasn’t so bad BY ERIC KNOPSNYDER The Tribune-Democrat

November 04, 2008 12:32 am — It stands to reason that losing your franchise quarterback can’t be a good thing, but it certainly seemed to benefit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. In the first half, with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback, the Steelers produced a little more than 100 yards of total offense. Roethlisberger scored the team’s lone touchdown, on a quarterback sneak, after a blocked punt gave the Steelers great field position. But the fifth-year pro didn’t return after halftime, as he was stuck on the sideline with a sore right shoulder that has bothered him since the opening game of the season. That meant that offensive coordinator Bruce Arians had to turn the keys to the offense over to Byron Leftwich. In his first three passes, Leftwich surpassed Roethlisberger’s yardage total from 17 passes in the entire first half. That’s not to suggest that the Steelers are a better team with Leftwich at quarterback. They’re not. Roethlisberger has proven himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and his loss would hurt any team. The difference is that with Leftwich at quarterback, Arians relied more heavily on the team’s rushing attack. Not a bad idea when Willie Parker, who is statistically one of the best running backs in the league, in the backfield. Not only that, but when Parker sat out four games with a knee injury, Mewelde Moore showed that he is a more-than-capable replacement. But the Steelers, a team that has relied on a strong running game and a stout defense to win games for the more than three decades, seem to have lost their identity. With Roethlisberger at quarterback, Arians has turned away from the running game. In the first half, he called running plays on consecutive plays only twice. With Leftwich at quarterback, the Steelers ran the ball on the first three plays of the second half. The result? A first down. More importantly, it helped open up the passing game for Leftwich, who found Nate Washington down the left sideline for a 50-yard gain. Leftwich was extremely effective, going 7-of-10 for 129 yards and a touchdown. Getting that kind of production from a backup quarterback is a boost for any team, but in order to achieve their goals this season, the Steelers need to get Roethlisberger back and keep him healthy. The way to do that is to find their running game and get more production out of it. Eric Knopsnyder is the sports editor of The Tribune-Democrat.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.

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11/04/2008

Steelers take it to the Redskins in 23-6 win

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) - Byron Leftwich led two touchdown drives after Ben Roethlisberger reinjured his throwing shoulder and the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Washington Redskins 23-6 on Monday night. The Steelers' top-rated defense had seven sacks, allowed only 221 yards and became the first team this season to intercept Jason Campbell. Leftwich went 7-of-10 for 129 yards and a touchdown as the Steelers (6-2) beat an NFC East team for the first time in three attempts this season. Roethlisberger was 5-of-17 for 50 yards and an interception before leaving the game at halftime, again hindered by the slightly separated shoulder that has bothered him since the second week of the season. Leftwich's 50-yard completion to Nate Washington set up a 1-yard TD run by Willie Parker, who was back from a four-week layoff with a knee injury. He also had a 5-yard scoring pass to Santonio Holmes, who returned from a one-game benching over a charge for a marijuana-related offense. Roethlisberger celebrated that touchdown on the sideline by high-fiving his teammates - with his left hand. The Steelers held Clinton Portis to 51 yards rushing, ending his streak of five straight games with at least 120 yards. Washington (6-3) came close to scoring a touchdown only once - when Campbell threw incomplete to eligible lineman Lorenzo Alexander on fourth-and-goal at the 1 in the fourth quarter. Campbell, who finished 24-of-43 for 206 yards, thought he had scored on a scramble on the previous play, but a replay challenge showed he was down just before the goal line. While the Steelers remain atop the AFC North, the Redskins lost ground in the NFC East to the New York Giants. Washington enters its bye week needing to tweak an offense that has put together promising drives all season but has often struggled to find the end zone. The game was the first hosted by Washington on the eve of a presidential election since 1984, and there was no mistaking the combination of football and election fever. One fan alternately waved a white towel with Barack Obama's image in the left hand and an all-burgundy Redskins towel in the right hand. Sports-themed interviews with Obama and John McCain were broadcast by ESPN during halftime. The Redskins also used the special occasion to wear burgundy jerseys and pants together for the first time in franchise history. A more noticeable color, however, was the yellow from the sea of Terrible Towels waved by Steelers fans who managed to secure tickets by the boatload for the lower bowl of the stadium. In a bizarre sight, visiting Pittsburgh players were waving to the fans all around them to make noise crowd during defensive stands. Neither team managed 100 yards in a first half that included seven sacks and a combined 13-of-32 performance by Roethlisberger and Campbell. The Redskins didn't convert on third down until Campbell hit tight end Chris Cooley for a 12-yard gain late in the third quarter. Campbell's streak without an interception reached 271 attempts - 249 this season - before cornerback Deshea Townsend grabbed a pass tipped by Portis late in the third quarter. Washington was on the board early with two field goals in the first four minutes - without the benefit of a first down. Linebacker Alfred Fincher alertly recovered the Steelers surprise onside kick that opened the game, and Cornelius Griffin intercepted a pass tipped by teammate Andre Carter. Both plays gave Washington the ball in Pittsburgh territory, leading to field goals of 44 and 43 yards by Shaun Suisham. The Steelers didn't cross midfield until Carlos Rogers grabbed Hines Ward to commit an obvious 43-yard pass interference penalty, setting up a 35-yard field goal by Jeff Reed that cut Washington's lead to 6-3. The Steelers went ahead after Andre Frazier blocked Ryan Plackemeier's punt. William Gay recovered, giving Pittsburgh the ball at Washington's 13 and setting up Roethlisberger 1-yard sneak that made it 10-6 in the final minute of the first half. Copyright Associated Press 2008

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Steelers LBs NFL's most dangerous unit November 2, 2008 11:13 AM

George Gojkovich/Getty Images

Steelers second-year linebacker LaMarr Woodley (56) already has 7.5 sacks. Teammate James Farrior leads the Steelers with 50 tackles.

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

Their ages range from 24 to 33.

They were pieced together via free agency and through the draft.

Yet, despite their varying paths to the NFL, they have become the league's most cohesive and

dangerous unit.

They are the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting linebackers, who once again are wreaking havoc around the

league. Outside linebackers LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison and inside linebackers James Farrior

and Larry Foote combine to make up the foundation of the NFL's No. 1 defense, which is only allowing

an average of 236 yards per game.

Woodley and Foote were drafted out of Michigan, albeit five years apart. Harrison, who attended Kent

State, was a free agent in 2004 who finally had his breakout campaign last season, and Farrior signed

with Pittsburgh in free agency in 2002.

Pittsburgh's fearsome foursome have combined for 19 of the team's 25 sacks, which is the second-

highest total in the league. The Steelers finished last season as the NFL's top defense and so far are

on pace to repeat that feat.

Meet the Steelers linebackers

"We bring a whole [different] attitude to the game,"

Woodley said recently. "We want to stay the No. 1

defense. When you get in the No. 1 spot, you want to

stay in the No. 1 spot, and if we do what we do week in

and week out, it doesn't matter who is across from us."

The fire that burns amongst Pittsburgh's linebacker

corps starts from within.

First, they have a strong tradition of great Steelers

linebacking to uphold. Second, there is a healthy rivalry

internally this season that is driving each player. When

one linebacker makes a big stop, he makes sure to let

his other teammates know about it. The same rule

applies for sacks.

That has especially been the case with Harrison (8.5

sacks) and Woodley (7.5 sacks), who often brag to each

other about getting to the quarterback first. They are

third and fourth in the NFL in sacks, respectively, and both have a chance to win the NFL's sack title

by season's end.

Farrior, meanwhile, leads the Steelers (5-2) in tackles with 50 and has a pair of sacks. Foote also has

two sacks to go with his 28 tackles.

"We think the best competition is in our own backyard," said Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin of his

defense this season.

The 3-4 defense does not work without stud linebackers playing on the same page. Other teams such

as the Cleveland Browns have struggled with this difficult scheme for several seasons and have been

unable to duplicate Pittsburgh's success.

The keys are physicality and discipline, which are two things Pittsburgh longtime defensive coordinator

Dick LeBeau stresses. The Steelers are very technically sound in rushing the passer and staying in

their gaps to prevent big plays in the running game.

"When you look at Dick LeBeau, he is a perfectionist," said Keith Kidd of Scouts Inc. "He is an

outstanding teacher and schemer, and he understands the system and knows what types of players fit

in that system."

On ESPN's "Monday Night Football" (8:30 ET), the Steelers will face off with Washington Redskins (6-

2) tailback Clinton Portis. He leads the NFL in rushing with 944 yards through eight games. Pittsburgh

James Harrison

Age: 30 College: Kent State Signed: UFA, 2004 Stats: 40 tackles, 8.5 sacks

James Farrior

Age: 33 College: Virginia Signed: UFA Jets, 2002 Stats: 50 tackles, 1.5 sacks

LaMarr Woodley Age: 24 (Monday) College: Michigan Signed: 2nd round, 2007 draft Stats: 32 tackles, 7.5 sacks

Larry Foote

Age: 28 College: Michigan Signed: 4th round, 2002 draft Stats: 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks

-- whose two losses this season have come to the NFC East's Eagles and Giants -- is allowing just 71.6

yards rushing per game and has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher this season.

No one has been able to stuff Portis this year, and his production will be key in determining the

outcome of this game. If Washington fails to get its running game started and resorts to passing 30-

plus times with Jason Campbell, that should allow the Steelers to bring their different pressures and

rattle the fourth-year quarterback, who has yet to toss an interception this season.

"This is a dynamic defense, and when you play Pittsburgh you are going to get hit right in the mouth,"

Kidd said. "Now how you respond to that is how you can either win the game or not."

Steelers-Redskins, MNF9 Steelers, MNF9 Redskins, AFC North, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dick LeBeau, LaMarr Woodley, James Harrison, Larry Foote, James Farrior, Mike Tomlin, Washington Redskins, Clinton Portis, Jason Campbell

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Steelers thump Redskins, 23-6 Ryan O'Halloran

Almost as an afterthought last week, Jim Zorn predicted the Washington Redskins'

game against Pittsburgh would be feature more brawn than beauty.

"It's going to look bad for awhile," he said.

The Redskins' coach was absolutely correct. It was ugly...for his team.

Unable to capitalize on two early breaks, keep quarterback Jason Campbell

upright, collect a sure interception or stop the Steelers on third down, the Redskins

crawled into their bye week with a 23-6 loss before a crowd that included an estimated

30,000 Terrible Towel-waving Pittsburgh fans.

After the Redskins kicked two field goals in the opening five minutes, the Steelers

flummoxed the offense, and took advantage of a blocked punt and interception.

District native Byron Leftwich replaced an injured Ben Roethlisberger at halftime

and completed 7 of 10 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.

Wearing all burgundy uniforms for the first time in recent memory, the Redskins

couldn't build on their best start since 2000 and couldn't keep pace with the streaking

New York Giants. The Redskins (6-3) could be two games out of the NFC East lead

when they host Dallas on Nov. 15.

The Redskins' first two drives ended in field goals; their last 10 ended with six

punts, a blocked punt, the end of the first half, an interception and losing the ball on

downs at the Steelers' 1-yard line.

The Redskins' 221 yards were their fewest since Week 1 and well below their

average of 364.3 per game. Campbell (23 of 43 for 206 yards) was sacked seven times

and threw his first two interceptions of the season, and Portis' streak of 120-yard

games ended at five with only 51 yards on 15 carries.

The Steelers took control of the game on the opening series of the second half.

Roethlisberger sustained an injured right shoulder late in the first half and in came

Leftwich.

On the fourth play of the half, Leftwich threw 50 yards to Nate Washington, who

had gotten behind Fred Smoot. Three plays later, a Leftwich fastball to Mewelde

Moore converted a third-and-7 from the Redskins 8. Willie Parker's touchdown

extended Pittsburgh's lead to 16-6 (Jeff Reed missed the extra point).

Page 1 of 1Steelers thump Redskins, 23-6

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November 4, 2008

N.F.L. ROUNDUP

Roethlisberger Hurts Shoulder in Steelers’ Victory

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Byron Leftwich led two touchdown drives after Ben Roethlisberger reinjured his throwing shoulder, and the

Pittsburgh Steelers beat the host Washington Redskins, 23-6, on Monday night.

The Steelers tied a season high with seven sacks, allowed only 221 yards and became the first team this

season to intercept Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell.

Leftwich went 7 of 10 for 129 yards and a touchdown for the Steelers in relief of Roethlisberger, who was 5 of

17 for 50 yards and an interception before leaving the game at halftime. Roethlisberger has been hindered by

a slightly separated shoulder since Week 2.

A 50-yard completion by Leftwich to Nate Washington set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Willie Parker, who

returned from a four-week layoff with a knee injury. Leftwich had a 5-yard scoring pass to Santonio Holmes,

who returned from a one-game suspension for a marijuana-related offense.

The Steelers held Redskins running back Clinton Portis to 51 rushing yards, ending his streak of five games

with at least 120 yards. Washington (6-3) came close to scoring a touchdown only once — when Campbell

threw incomplete to the eligible lineman Lorenzo Alexander on a fourth-and-goal at the 1 in the fourth

quarter.

Campbell’s streak without an interception reached 271 attempts — 249 this season — before cornerback

Deshea Townsend grabbed a pass tipped by Portis late in the third quarter.

Washington had two field goals in the first four minutes — without the benefit of a first down. The Redskins

recovered a surprise onside kick by the Steelers to open the game, and Cornelius Griffin intercepted a tipped

pass. Both plays gave Washington the ball in Pittsburgh territory, and Shaun Suisham converted from 44 and

43 yards.

BROWNS’ QUINN TO START Quarterback Derek Anderson has been benched by the Cleveland Browns, and

the popular backup Brady Quinn will start Thursday night against the Denver Broncos.

The team announced the switch Monday, just hours after Coach Romeo Crennel said he had no plans to make

a change.

A team spokesman said Crennel and Quinn would not be available for comment until Tuesday.

Anderson led the Browns to 10 wins last season, and after an 0-3 start, he had guided the Browns (3-5) to

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three victories in their past four games before Sunday’s loss. Crennel had hinted about a change at

quarterback in September, but Crennel said Monday that Anderson was his starter “for now.”

CULPEPPER HEADED TO DETROIT Daunte Culpepper, who said in September that he would retire, said he

would sign a two-year deal with the Detroit Lions (0-8) after taking a physical. Culpepper was a first-round

draft choice of Minnesota in 1999 and made three Pro Bowls as a member of the Vikings.

RUNNING OUT OF BACKS The Denver Broncos placed running backs Michael Pittman and Andre Hall on

injured reserve, depleting an already thin backfield. Selvin Young has missed the last three weeks with a

groin injury, leaving only the rookie Ryan Torain. “I know I need to step up big time, help the team out and

do my best,” Torain said.

PLAYER EXPLAINS DRUG TEST Houston Texans long snapper Bryan Pittman met with league officials in

New York after testing positive for the diuretic Bumetanide, which is banned under the league’s steroids

policy because it is considered a masking agent. Pittman’s lawyer said he took the drug to lose weight.

AROUND THE LEAGUE Browns wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, who is sitting out the season because of a

staph infection in his surgically repaired right knee, said he planned to come back next season. “I’m not

giving up,” he said. ... Texans quarterback Matt Schaub has an injured medial collateral ligament. He will be

out at least two weeks and possibly up to a month. ... Buffalo Bills safety Donte Whitner is out indefinitely

with a separated right shoulder.

Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company

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By Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY

LANDOVER, Md. — If history is any indication, the Pittsburgh Steelers' smashmouth 23-6 victory against the Washington Redskins on Monday night is a good omen for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and bad news for John McCain.

In all but one of 16 presidential elections dating to 1940, a Redskins defeat in their final home game before the election has foreshadowed a loss by the incumbent party in the election.

BOX SCORE: Steelers 23, Redskins 6 PHOTOS: Week 9 gallery

Whether that predictor holds up today is unclear, but one thing is certain: The Steelers (6-2) banked on ferocious defense and a dazzling performance off the bench by backup quarterback Byron Leftwich to maintain their lead in the AFC North.

Leftwich (7-for-10, 129 yards, one TD pass) started the second half after Ben Roethlisberger suffered a shoulder injury late in the second quarter. Roethlisberger's status for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts is unknown. But Monday night, Leftwich made the most of a homecoming performance to spark an offense that sputtered while Roethlisberger struggled (5-for-17, 15.1 passer rating) in the first half.

A Washington native who grew up a few miles from FedEx Field and attended H.D. Woodson High, Leftwich promptly found a rhythm. On his first throw, he hit Nate Washington for 50 yards to move the Steelers to the 11-yard line, setting up Willie Parker's 1-yard TD for a 16-6 lead.

"I was ready to play," Leftwich said. "I've been waiting for this moment for a while. I'm healthy for the first time in a while and I'm just happy that I got the opportunity to play today."

That proved to be quite the viable cushion to protect for a No. 1-ranked defense seemingly in a streak-busting mood. The Steelers ended NFL rushing leader Clinton Portis' streak of 120-plus-yard games at five, holding him to 51 yards on 13 carries. They also made life miserable for Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell, who was sacked a season-high seven times and saw his franchise-record streak of passes without an interception ended at 271 over a span of 12 games. He also threw a fourth-quarter pick as the Redskins fell to 6-3.

While the Steelers remain atop the AFC North, the Redskins lost ground in the NFC East to the New York Giants. Washington enters its bye week needing to tweak an offense that has put together promising drives all season but has often struggled to find the end zone.

The game was the first hosted by Washington on the eve of a presidential election since 1984, and there was no mistaking the combination of football and election fever. One fan alternately waved a white towel with Barack Obama's image in the left hand and an all-burgundy Redskins towel in the right hand. Sports-themed interviews with Obama and John McCain were broadcast by ESPN during halftime.

The Redskins also used the special occasion to wear burgundy jerseys and pants together for the first time in franchise history. A more noticeable color, however, was the yellow from the sea of Terrible Towels waved by Steelers fans who managed to secure tickets by the boatload for the lower bowl of the stadium. In a bizarre sight, visiting Pittsburgh players were waving to the fans all around them to make noise crowd during defensive stands.

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Neither team managed 100 yards in a first half that included seven sacks and a combined 13-of-32 performance by Roethlisberger and Campbell. The Redskins didn't convert on third down until Campbell hit tight end Chris Cooley for a 12-yard gain late in the third quarter.

Campbell's streak without an interception reached 271 attempts — 249 this season — before cornerback Deshea Townsend grabbed a pass tipped by Portis late in the third quarter.

Washington was on the board early with two field goals in the first four minutes — without the benefit of a first down. Linebacker Alfred Fincher alertly recovered the Steelers surprise onside kick that opened the game, and Cornelius Griffin intercepted a pass tipped by teammate Andre Carter. Both plays gave Washington the ball in Pittsburgh territory, leading to field goals of 44 and 43 yards by Shaun Suisham.

The Steelers didn't cross midfield until Carlos Rogers grabbed Hines Ward to commit an obvious 43-yard pass interference penalty, setting up a 35-yard field goal by Jeff Reed that cut Washington's lead to 6-3.

The Steelers went ahead after Andre Frazier blocked Ryan Plackemeier's punt. William Gay recovered, giving Pittsburgh the ball at Washington's 13 and setting up Roethlisberger's 1-yard TD.

Contributing: The Associated Press Find this article at: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-11-03-steelers-redskins_N.htm

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By Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY

It has been quite the year for locker room talk around the NFL.

There is no shortage of topics. Taxes and foreign policy. Gas prices and healthcare. The war in Iraq. Dirty campaign tricks. The U.S. economy.

In the countdown to Election Day, the buzz surrounding an historic presidential campaign with unprecedented interest has also resonated in NFL circles.

STEELERS BEAT REDSKINS: Claim win vs. D.C on election eve PHOTOS: NFL Week 9 THE HUDDLE BLOG: Latest buzz from around the NFL

Sure, it's the middle of football season. The Tennessee Titans are the NFL's only undefeated team, Tom Brady's out for the year and several compelling division races are shaping up. But the nation's most popular sport is hardly immune to the world at large.

"We've got some major politicians off in this locker room," said Clinton Portis, the Washington Redskins' star running back. "There's been a lot of debate going on for a long time, ever since Hillary (Rodham Clinton) and (Barack) Obama went down to the wire. Everybody's excited, looking for a change. We need it."

Although some within the league refuse to talk politics — citing privacy, lack of expertise or advice to avoid controversy — several NFL figures have revealed a political bent.

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney is an Obama supporter who has made campaign rounds in the swing state of Pennsylvania and hosted at least one fundraiser. Rooney, 75, never threw public support to a presidential candidate until April, when he endorsed Obama.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn backs John McCain. Quinn, an Ohio native, introduced McCain at a rally in Strongsville, Ohio, last month, with Browns tackle Joe Thomas in tow. The next day, Browns coach Romeo Crennel felt compelled to warn his players about the potential of allowing political issues to become a distraction.

BROWNS NAME QUINN STARTER: Will play Thursday vs. Broncos

Across the league, though, many players have eagerly pronounced themselves as supporters of candidates. Last week, Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards endorsed Obama during a conference call with the reporters.

With players such as Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Earnest Graham and linebacker Cato June making an appearance at an early voting location in St. Petersburg last week — the energy that younger voters have brought to the campaign appears to have spread to NFL locker rooms.

It might also be a sign that more athletes are willing to take a stand after years of political apathy. It was Michael Jordan who perhaps best epitomized that laissez-faire attitude toward politics with his response to pleas to endorse an opponent of conservative U.S. Senator Jesse Helms: "Republicans buy shoes, too."

Advertisement Election fever spills in and out of NFL locker

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"The days of Muhammad Ali and Bill Russell are gone, but the '60s and '70s aren't that far away," says Baltimore Ravens linebacker Bart Scott, referring to the civil rights and anti-war demonstrations that frequently included athletes. "It's our responsibility. If you believe in something, you should speak it. But at the end of the day, you're going to pay for it with your pocketbook. I don't know if a lot of superstars are willing to pay that price, which is a shame."

New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre acknowledges that activism which might affect endorsement value could be a factor in high-profile players remaining politically neutral. But he says in his case, he doesn't support candidates, "Really, because I don't like it."

Favre won't reveal which candidate he chose during early voting in Mississippi on a trip home during the Jets' bye week.

"I have no idea if I'm a Democrat or a Republican," he says. "I don't even know enough about politics."

Little-known activist in Redskins locker room

Favre's polar opposite might be Leigh Torrence, a little-known, third-year backup cornerback for the Washington Redskins. Torrence interned on Capitol Hill the past two offseasons. He is the foremost political activist — "a cross between Charles Barkley and Malcolm X," says cornerback Fred Smoot— on the NFL team that happens to be in the closest proximity to the White House.

After Friday's practice, Torrence, who registered 16 teammates himself, distributed fliers with Mapquest directions to a polling place for early voting. He wanted no excuses.

"We should have almost 100% participation in this year's election," Torrence says proudly, referring to the Redskins players he expects to vote. "Regardless of how they choose to vote, getting involved and engaged makes us all better off in the long run."

Redskins coach Jim Zorn wants his players to vote, and has no objections to locker room debates. During the coming weekend's bye, he has encouraged players who are staying in town to soak up some of Washington's rich history with sightseeing tours. Yet three weeks ago, after initially agreeing to a registration drive for players at the team's headquarters, he abruptly canceled the event after noticing the organizer wore an Obama pin.

Zorn, who went bike-riding with President Bush in September, is close to his former teammate, Steve Largent, the Hall of Famer and Republican who spent eight years in Congress. Yet Zorn insists that he pulled the plug on the on-site registration because he didn't believe it was non-partisan.

"It was very biased," he said. "I didn't want anybody to create a political issue."

The Buccaneers pulled off a voter registration drive at their headquarters last month without a hitch. Although it was open to the public, team officials say fewer than a dozen people came by to register. Nearly 30 players and team staff members registered.

"The fact that these players are young, involved and registering," says community relations director Miray Holmes, "to me, that's extremely positive."

Money concerns play into players' politics

Despite an average NFL player salary of more than $1 million, it is hardly automatic that players overwhelmingly favor Republican policies often associated with the wealthy. More than 70% of NFL players are African-Americans, and many are from Democratic backgrounds.

"Morals go into it," says Cleveland Browns receiver Braylon Edwards. "You have to have some awareness for what you're voting for."

In this campaign, the possibility of Obama becoming the first African-American president is appealing to some players for its social significance.

"It's special to me, but I think it should be special to everybody, really," said Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook. "This country is built on diversity — different races mingling, different cultures from around the world mingling. It would seem to me that it would only be natural that, at this point in time, the political scene would be diverse as well."

Regardless of which side of the political fence they are on, several players echo the nation at large in citing economic issues as the top priority for a new president and driving force for how they will vote.

Some NFL players are not a world away from economic ails such as layoffs or plant closings that hamper the economy.

"I think we relate very well," says Scott. "Most of us are from lower-class homes. So where we may be blind to it, our family members aren't. We feel it when they call and say, 'Hey, man, I can't pay my rent. I lost my job. Can you help me with this?' We feel it because we carry the weight of so many people. We can't continue to take care of everybody, because eventually we'll be poor. We want to see them help




themselves."

Even so, some players don't want to hear endorsements or opinions from any of their colleagues. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Zach Thomas says he watched all of the presidential debates, kept abreast with news shows and studied the issues. But he doesn't dare to speak publicly about the candidate he supports.

"Whenever I've seen talk from actors, football players, whoever, it really rubs me wrong," Thomas says. "Most of the time, they don't even know the key issues. So I'm not going to be that guy, because I don't know enough."

Jets defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, meanwhile, is the type of voter that both candidates have been trying to woo during the stretch run of their campaigns. He's an undecided independent.

After a stellar performance at Buffalo on Sunday, Jenkins said he looked forward to the research that would help him make up his mind. He planned to huddle with his wife and compare the candidates' positions on various issues.

"I want to take my time to think about it, and I'm going to wait until the last possible moment," Jenkins said. "I'm going to look at their strategies, and what they plan to do to help the economy, what they plan to do to help people who don't have jobs."

Taxes on players' minds

It is hardly surprising that many players cite taxes as a key issue. Tennessee Titans tight end Alge Crumpler, despite his wealth, isn't sold on the merits of tax credits that Bush instituted three years ago and McCain has pledged to continue.

"The overwhelming majority of the American people aren't doing as well as they were three years ago before those tax credits," said Crumpler, an Obama supporter. "I believe in a bottom-line philosophy."

Crumpler's teammate, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, has a different perspective. He says he views the decision selfishly, and that "A lot of guys should all be for McCain if they like their money.

"I only have a small window to make as much money as I possibly can and if we get somebody in office who's going to raise taxes 50%, that's going to hurt," Haynesworth said. "What am I supposed to live on when I'm 60, 70 years old?"

Haynesworth, though, doused water on his own argument.

"Honestly, I'm not even going to vote," he said. "I just don't believe in it … One man can't make a difference with his vote. Letting us vote satisfies the feeling, 'Oh you do have a say in this.' But not really. I think the government really controls it."

That's surely not the NFL-sanctioned viewpoint. Commissioner Roger Goodell, whose late father Charles served in the Senate (R-NY), is excited that interest in the campaign has inspired millions of new voters to engage in the process.

"I think we will see a very strong turnout this year," Goodell said. "And that's good for all of us."

Will sore losers harbor hard feelings that spill over to the team's preparation? The Redskins insist it won't be an issue, that the athletic environment is such that they are used to finding common ground.

"After the election, we'll probably have some people hitting harder in practice for a few days," Portis predicts. "But after they get it out of their system, we'll be good to go."

Contributing: Jim Corbett, Larry Weisman and Skip Wood

Find this article at: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-11-03-election-cover_N.htm




Big win hurts so good for Steelers November 4, 2008 2:26 AM

James Lang/US Presswire

Ben Roethlisberger rushed for a touchdown in Pittsburgh's 23-6 victory over Washington, then left with a shoulder injury.

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

LANDOVER, Md. -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger stood in a tunnel in FedEx Field

laughing and talking to a small group of people on Monday night.

There was no sling on his injured right shoulder, and no grimace on his face after suffering an ailment

that kept him out of half of Monday's game.

Even through aches and pains, big victories can serve as the perfect elixir.

Roethlisberger was knocked out of the game, but Pittsburgh still pulled off a convincing 23-6 road

victory over the Washington Redskins for its most significant statement game of the season. Although

there were no definitive answers on Roethlisberger's injury -- he didn't talk to the media following the

game -- there was a sense from the Steelers that it wasn't serious.

"I'll have more information for you guys tomorrow," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said. "Potentially

he was capable of going back into the game. But we went down the field with [Byron] Leftwich in the

second half."

Although Roethlisberger's situation didn't appear serious, it still leaves the question of whether he will

miss time, even if it's just for one game. Still, that shouldn't overshadow Pittsburgh taking its biggest

win of the season.

Here is what else we learned from Pittsburgh's win:

Byron Leftwich is ready, if needed

The Steelers have survived injuries to key players all season. But their biggest fear was having to do

without their starting quarterback.

Leftwich eased some of those fears Monday with a solid second-half performance. His first completion

was a 50-yard bomb to receiver Nate Washington to open the second half and set up a touchdown. He

finished with 129 yards, a touchdown and a 145.8 passer rating just miles away from his hometown of

Washington D.C.

"That wasn't a difficult situation for me to go out there, and get in the huddle and be on the football

field," Leftwich said. "The difficult situation for me is being on the sideline. I've been playing football

too long to ever get nervous on the football field."

Pittsburgh's 6-2 record also could convince the team to rest Roethlisberger. If it's a borderline injury,

the team's record, combined with Leftwich's performance, could factor in Pittsburgh's decision-making.

Parker and Holmes make a big difference

This is the first time in more than a month that Pittsburgh has played with both starting tailback Willie

Parker and receiver Santonio Holmes in the lineup. The added threats make a difference.

In a defensive struggle, Parker rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown. He had several shifty runs and

took several hard hits without suffering any setbacks to his knee.

"I definitely feel good, but I'm still not where I want to be or where I need to be," Parker said. "I've

got to keep grinding."

Parker smiled when asked about having Holmes on the field. The receiver was suspended for the Week

8 game against the New York Giants, but returned against Washington to have three catches for 30

yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown to seal the game. The Steelers improved to 3-1 this year when

both Parker and Holmes are starting.

"This team can be great," Parker said. "We call each other 'Prime Time.' I'm 'Prime' and he's 'Time.'

So we always look to each other, and when we're both in the lineup we can go a long ways."

Steelers' defense is unrelenting

Pittsburgh's top-rated defense has bullied teams for most of this season. But its lopsided performance

against a Redskins team with Clinton Portis, the league's leading rusher, and quarterback Jason

Campbell was perhaps its most impressive.

Washington (6-3) scored the first six points of the game but went scoreless for the final three-plus

quarters.

Portis was held to 51 yards on 13 carries (a 3.9-yard average), Campbell threw his first two

interceptions of the season and was sacked seven times. By the end of the game, the Steelers proved

to be the first team that was able to rattle Campbell.

"When you start bringing pressure and you're hitting that quarterback, you definitely don't want to

hold onto the ball that long," Pittsburgh linebacker LaMarr Woodley (two sacks) said. "Once we started

getting back there a little bit, he gave us the ball."

Playing from behind in the second half, Washington became one-dimensional. Campbell (208 passing

yards) was forced to throw 43 times. That played right into the Steelers' hands as six different players

sacked Campbell.

"It's fun when we know what a team has to do," Steelers linebacker James Farrior said. "That's when

we let the dogs loose."

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ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — NFL commissioner Roger Goodell doubts the impasse with cable operators over extending the NFL Network's reach will be resolved before this week's Broncos-Browns matchup, the channel's first Thursday night game of the season.

Speaking Monday to a group of reporters, Goodell rejected the idea put forth by 13 members of the U.S. Senate in a letter to him last week that the NFL is too narrowly interpreting what a home market is.

SENATORS' COMPLAINTS: See the letter sent to Goodell

The league provides broadcasts of NFL Network games on free TV to the home cities of competing teams.

"This is not a new definition of home territory," Goodell said. "This is something we've had for over 20 years."

The senators want fans in every market to receive free TV access to games played by their closest team or the team to which their city has been historically aligned. Eight games will air this season on the NFL Network, which is available in less than 40% of households.

"The policy leaves behind NFL fans across the country simply because they live outside cities to which the NFL has granted franchises," the senators wrote.

One example in the letter: The NFL does not consider the western Pennsylvania town of Johnstown part of the Pittsburgh Steelers' home market.

The league is in a dispute with major cable companies over whether they should carry the channel as part of a basic package.

Goodell said the league has had talks with cable operators.

"The negotiations aren't going at the pace that we would like them to go," the commissioner said. "We start games on Thursday night. We know our fans are going to want to see those games. We hope to get broader distribution for it and that's why we're willing to negotiate, any time and any place."

Goodell also said the NFL is not moving toward a pay-television model.

"Our core success has been based off of free television," he said. "We continue to be the only league on free television with all of its games in its local markets, and I think we've done that very effectively and responsibly."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Monday, November 3, 2008

Browns move Quinn into starting lineup, replacing inconsistent Anderson at QB

By John Clayton ESPN.com The Cleveland Browns benched quarterback Derek Anderson on Monday in favor of fan favorite Brady Quinn.

The switch was announced Monday by the team, just hours after coach Romeo Crennel said he had no plans to make a change.

"No, I haven't really [considered it]," he said. "I haven't had a chance to talk to the coaches or anything. With a short week, I told them to go ahead and get started on Denver. They haven't even looked at this game yet."

Crennel was then asked if Anderson was still his starter.

"Yes," he said, "as of right now."

The move itself wasn't a surprise. After eight games, Anderson was completing less than 50 percent of his passes for a 3-5 team that is now a long shot to make the playoffs.

The Browns must feel it's time to see what they have in Quinn, who didn't play as a rookie until the final game of 2007, when he came in for one series and led the Browns to a field goal. Quinn was 3-of-8 for 45 yards and had a TD pass dropped by tight end Kellen Winslow.

The problem facing Quinn is whether he can turn around the Browns and salvage something from this season. Unfortunately for him, Quinn doesn't have the benefit of a full week of practice. The Browns host the Broncos on Thursday night, so Quinn will have only one really good practice with the first team.

On top of that, Quinn inherits the problems that got Anderson benched. During the offseason, the Browns invested in a seven-year, $35 million contract to bring Donte Stallworth's run-after-the catch ability to the offense. Because of injuries, Stallworth has barely been able to run onto the field. He's played three games and has seven catches, leaving the No. 2 wide receiver a nonfunctioning part of the offense.

No. 1 receiver Braylon Edwards leads the league in dropped passes, which obviously dragged down Anderson's accuracy and frustrated fans. After catching 82 passes last season, Winslow hasn't been the same threat, catching only 26 passes in six games with a 9.7 yard-per-catch average, 3.8 yards less than last season.

Former Browns quarterback Trent Dilfer, now an analyst for ESPN, feels the Anderson benching was the team's knee-jerk reaction to fan backlash.

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"Public opinion has made this decision for the Browns," said Dilfer, who was Cleveland's starter in 2005 before he lost his job to Charlie Frye. "I have spoken to coaches who have said, 'This is not Derek Anderson's fault.' In fact, at times he's played better than his statistics have showed. This is a function of the defense not getting off the football field; Braylon Edwards, a superstar receiver who's supposed to make all the plays to make you better, having 14 drops at least. It's about their playmakers, Kellen Winslow, not being there, not being dependable. It's about people not being at their best and Derek Anderson burdening the responsibility for this.

"This is an organization that I played for for a year and I saw very closely that the organization itself is highly dysfuctional and cannot make decisions that are good for the long-term growth of the organization."

Quinn will bring energy and excitement to Cleveland. He'll also have the benefit of playing one of the worst defenses in football, which can make an average quarterback look good.

Browns center Hank Fraley found out about the change when he got a text message during the afternoon from Anderson.

"I was surprised," Fraley said. "I've become real good friends with Derek and I feel for him. I told him to stay positive. He will. He's a team player."

The problem facing Quinn is if he has a bad game. Quinn is the hope of the Browns' fans. He's an Ohio native. Now, it's his team. For Anderson, he'll just have to await an offseason trade.

Anderson, who has been inconsistent this season, threw a costly interception that was returned for a touchdown in the final minutes of Sunday's 37-27 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The pick prompted Browns fans to begin chants of "Brady! Brady!" for Quinn, the former Notre Dame star who has thrown just eight passes in two seasons.

Fraley was asked if Anderson was the fall guy for the Browns, who were expected to contend for a playoff spot coming off a 10-6 season in 2007.

"That was the coaches' decision," he said. "Maybe they feel like he [Quinn] will bring a spark. It's tough because Derek is a great guy, a team leader and a captain. We just haven't been playing well around him. It's a shock to everybody on this team. It's their decision and we're going to have to live with it."

A team spokesman said Crennel and Quinn would not be available for comment until Tuesday.

Earlier, Quinn was asked for his reaction to hearing fans call his name.

"We lost the game, really that's all that matters," he said. "That's something in the NFL, everyone always loves the backup. That's just how it is. It's not any different any place else."

Fraley is confident Quinn will be ready to step into the spotlight.

"He's young, so you don't know what to expect but he has worked hard and he'll be ready," Fraley said. "Derek and the other quarterbacks are always together, 24-7. Brady is always prepared because as a backup you are always one play away. He's been doing it the whole season.

"I know Brady has been waiting for his turn and I'm not sure this is the way he envisioned getting it.



We're going to play hard for whoever is back there, and now it's Brady."

Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com. Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

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