Blog 'n' Gold : Mike Tomlin

Pregame Vikings-Steelers

Chuck Finder — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:33:00 GMT

11:32 p.m.: Sunny. Forty-eight degrees on its way to 50, if not more. Perfect day for football. The fellas are on the field, running and warmng up -- except no sign of The Legend. (No, not Garrett Jones. . . that's another blog.) Brett Favre, who if I remember my history correctly arrived with Leif Ericson and the original Vikings, isn't on the field throwing. His counterpart, Ben Roethlisberger, already has performed his pregame routine. Jeff Reed is on the field, so, no, he wasn't suspended or rendered inactive or handed any visible game-day penalty from last Sunday's incident.

11:38 p.m.: Inactives for today include, once again, WR Limas Sweed for the Steelers though ailing Vikings dangerous rookie WR Percy Harvin (shoulder) is active despite not practicing all week. As expected, Minnesota's Pro Bowl CB Antoine Winfield (foot) is inactive, and the Vikings list either Karl Paymah or Benny Sapp as his replacement. The inactive list also means Minnesota's banged-up safeties, and every single one was limited in practice due to various injuries, are playing. Steelers TE David Johnson once again is listed as the starting FB.

Steelers -- Sweed, CB Keenan Lewis, FB Carey Davis, LB Andre Frazier (thigh, although he returned to practice Friday), G Kraig Urbik, T Tony Hills, DE Sunny Harris and Dennis Dillon as No. 3 quarterback.

Vikings -- Winfield, RB Albert Young, LB Erin Henderson, C Jon Cooper, WR Darius Reynaud (hamstring), DE Jayme Mitchell (DE), DT Letroy Guion and Sage Rosenfels as No. 3 quarterback.

High noon: Hmm, isn't that Favre, hanging off ol' Leif's vessel?

12:15 p.m.: Favre takes the field! What, you expected him to skip Start No. 276 In A Row?

12:17 p.m.: Mike Tomlin is making the rounds of pregame warmups, shaking hands with fellow former Vikings ranch-hands, posing for photo ops. These ought to look strange to you, circa 2006:

12:21 p.m.: Mike T. had an interesting conference call with his old pals in the Minnesota media earlier this week. Some snippets:

Question: About Roethlisberger changing terminology on him.

Answer: "First of all, Ben is a jokester. He tries to change a few tag words week-in and week-out. Trying to stay a step ahead of me, but you guys know that is hard to do."

Q: About Minnesota coach Brad Childress, who hired him as defensive coordinator and gave him a coordinator's job for the first time in his 12-year coaching sojourn.

A: "We stay in pretty good contact as far as coaches go. I am not much of a phone guy, and he is not much of a phone guy during the season. Of course, there is not much of that during the season, but we stay in pretty regular contact in the offseason. Brad has been a good friend to me, and I will always appreciate the opportunity that he afforded me."

Q: About how his life has changed.

A: "It really hasn’t at all. I wouldn’t allow it to. I am a simple guy. I am blessed with a great family. I enjoy this job and what I do at this job. I try to stay focused on those things. All the other things that come with this business or industry or success doesn’t move me and I am not attracted to it. So really, my life hasn’t changed at all."

Q: About Dan Rooney's feelings on the grind-it-out Steelers becoming Air Arians. (Or would that be Air-ians?)

A: "Mr. Rooney likes to win."

12:55 P.M.: The stripe of sod down the middle of Heinz Field, from college hashmark to college hashmark (which includes the skinnier NFL hashmarks, if you don't recall), looks pretty good. From above, or on television, it might look a tad greener. . . which isn't a bad thing.

The Steelers' offense was introduced, a bit of a change.

And, in the coin toss, The Legend is being a nice guy and shaking the hands of all the youth-football kids, who get to play on the field at halftime.

Onto the game. . . .

Pregame Chargers-Steelers

Chuck Finder — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:37:00 GMT

6:35 p.m.: Less than two hours until kickoff, and the fellas are just warming up -- pink shoes-to-pink shoes, Ben Roethlisberger to Hines Ward among them. The pink goalpost padding, the pink Gatorade towels hanging off the benches along the Steelers sideline and the pink "A Crucial Catch" slogan banner on the wall also dress up the field for this Breast Cancer Awareness Month across America and in the league.

Spotted Troy Polamalu ambling up and down the middle of the field underneath headphones, in no hurry. After a closer look through binoculars, his objective appeared clear: just out for a Sunday walk.

6:50 p.m.: A little light, pregame reading -- NFL.com's Pat Kirwan counted a combined 14 passes where Cincinnati's Carson Palmer and Chicaco's Jay Cutler were untouched by the Steelers' rush in their game-winning drives the past two Sundays.

7:07 p.m.: Interesting inactive list for the Steelers: Scratch Limas Sweed. No, Mike Tomlin has no doghouse. The others included the injured Willie Parker (turf toe), Polamalu (knee) and tight end-fullback David Johnson (high ankle sprain), plus cornerback Keenan Lewis along with linemen Kraig Urbik and Tony Hills. Dennis Dixon is the No. 3 quarterback.

The Steelers also announced that Rashard Mendenhall will start for Parker -- though the bet here is, unless Mendenhall dazzles, you will see a heavy dose of Mewelde Moore -- and Tyrone Carter will start for Polamalu. Again, Deshea Townsend received all the work at that strong safety spot in Friday's critical practice, so we'll watch closely how that plays out. . . especially against a San Diego tight end name of Antonio Gates.

Where have you gone, burnt-orange No. 4?............

For the Chargers, inactive are: safeties Kevin Ellison and C.J. Spillman, center Nick Hardwick, guard Tyronne Green, receiver Buster Davis, linebacker Antwan Applewhite and defensive lineman Travis Johnson. Charlie Whitehurst is their No. 3 quarterback.

BTW, the Chargers' inactives also mean outside linebacker Shawne Merriman is giving it a full go, whether that means select plays or he gives it as long as it lasts.

8:13 p.m.: Sorry, was out and about in the Mustard Bowl working on something. Nothing to report, though: Lotsa Chargers jersies behind their bench (family and friends), including a Lance Alworth throwback. Loved a Steeler fan with a nice facsimile of the Lombardi Trophy atop his hard hat. Something tells me there's a little kid somewhere missing his plastic toy football, which somebody snagged and painted silver. . . .

8:20 p.m.: 8:20 kickoff my tight end. But if you want a further pink update: lots of fellas in gloves, Roethlisberger with a forearm-band on his right, throwing arm, and Willie Gay, Santonio Holmes and Ryan Clark among those resplendent in the bright shoes and cleats.

Breast cancer patients/survivors are at midfield for the coin toss and national anthem. Game on.

Day one is done: Steelers football returns

Dan Gigler — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:25:00 GMT

Photos and notes from Day One of 2009 Steelers training camp ...

On an impossibly gorgeous day on the impossibly gorgeous and rustic campus of St. Vincent College, the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers took the field Saturday to set about the task of defending their title and earning a seventh. As always, the morning session was closed to the public, but the afternoon session was open for fans to get their first glimpse of their gridiron heroes since the uber-dramatic finish to Super Bowl XLIII. And boy, did they turn out. There were easily 5,000 fans jammed along the hillsides and grandstands. Here's some of what Blog 'N' Gold saw ...

The last man down to the field for the afternoon practice, Big Ben was greeted with a roar of applause and approval from the throngs of adoring fans in Latrobe, and he thanked them for their support by slapping five with them all down the walkway to the field. When Roethlisberger got to the field and trotted over to join his teammates on offense, the entire group -- led by the lineman -- gave a hearty standing ovation to their leader and captain.

But the most popular Steeler -- in terms of decibel levels reached by screaming fans -- is easily Troy Polamalu. By a country mile over every other Steeler, and that is really saying something when you consider how popular guys like Hines Ward and Ben are. If you've ever seen those old broadcasts of the Beatles or Elvis playing the Ed Sullivan show -- women shrieking, people passing out -- that's about what it's like when Troy hits the field.

For those making the trip out to Latrobe, this is not to be missed:

All six Super Bowl trophies are on display and you may wait in line to take a photo with them. If you do nothing else on your visit to camp, do this. It's a guaranteed great photograph, as opposed to a picture or autograph from a player which you probably won't get. Which brings me to the other thing you really should do when you go to camp. Wait in line to meet this guy ...

Wait ... not him. Him:

For 30 minutes after each practice, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin greets fans and signs autogrpahs on the upper field near the Steelers Experience. If you get there a bit early, and wait in line, this is a guranteed sure thing. Tomlin was cordial, affable and talkative after day one was complete, posing for every photo and signing just about anything put in front of him by a truly reverant group of fans. Rather than giving the perfuntory handshake and smile, Tomlin engages the fans and answers questions, like a seasoned politician.

Steve O' Bott and his son Jake drove in from suburban Philadelphia (Willow Grove) for camp, excited to meet the Coach. Steve asked Tomlin who the Super Bowl victory meant more to, his mother, his step-father or his brother. Tomlin said his brother, Eddie, who was on the field with him at the game. Jake asked Tomlin what he did differently in his second year as coach that lead the team to the Super Bowl, and would he be able to do it again this season. In dead serious, perfect Tomlin-ese, the coach replied, "We're searching for those answers now."

Ken & Carla Kolodey left their home in Louisville, Ky., at 2 a.m. Saturday to make the drive up to Latrobe, as part of their sixth anniversary gift. The other half of the gift was a picture with Tomlin and his signature on a Super Bowl XLIII commemorative helmet. It was to be the second in their collection -- in 2006 they came to Latrobe and had Bill Cowher sign a Super Bowl XL commemorative helmet for their third anniversary. They asked Tomlin to sign something special but he teased Ken that he was getting off easy in the gift department. "Do you know what my wife would do to me if I brought a helmet home for our anniversary?" Tomlin laughed. "That would not go over well." Tomlin congratulated the couple and signed, "Many More!" on the helmet.

The Kolodeys, of Louisville, Ky., holding their anniversary present.

While its well-known that the Steelers Nation is one without boundaries or borders, and crosses oceans and continents, its pretty impressive to see the turnout from far-flung places around North America just for the opening of training camp. In a completely unscientific poll, Blog 'N' Gold noticed dozens of license plates from out of state, with all of the following places represented:

Washington (state!), South Dakota, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio (it seems like half the state of Ohio was there. But wouldn't you be too if your home state boasted the Browns and Bengals?), Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia. And making it an international affair, Ontario, Canada, also checked in.

Again, this is the opening day of training camp. Not a regular season game, a playoff game, or the Super Bowl, but the opening of camp. Impressive. And these are just the ones I happened to notice.

Pictured on the right is SFC Phil Spears, a native of Irwin, who is on leave from the United States Army while he's between duty stations. A veteran of the war in Afghanistan, he is headed to Iraq some time in the spring. On the left is his younger brother, Tom, an Army Veteran who did a tour in Iraq. They try and make an annual trip to Training Camp, though deployment some times gets in the way. No strangers to the desert heat, Sgt. Spears advised that the Steelers 'drink a lot of water' during camp.

A freshly shorn Jeff Reed took a little friendly ribbing from fans on the disappearance of his typically wild 'dos.

"Hey Jeff -- where's your hair??" A fan shouted from the grandstand. Reed just grinned and shrugged, cracking up the crowd.

Big Ben looks a bit smaller than I remember ...

T-shirt of the day. Front and back ... GEICO must be thrilled. But the mental image of those Caveman guys as Browns fans is quite hilarious.

T-shirt of the day II: Rosie the Riveter would be proud ...

More tomorrow ... bye now.

Bill who?

Dan Gigler — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:34:00 GMT

This excellent AP shot of Mike Tomlin and his son at Tuesday night's Stanley Cup Final game has us paraphrasing Chuck Noll's famously terse quip regarding Franco Harris's 1984 contract holdout as it relates to the outrage by Pittsburgh fans about some guy with a big chin and teeth backing a loser in Raleigh.

Speaking of Tomlin, Cowher & Noll ...

Behind the Steel Curtain presents the most excellent online voting bracket evah: The Tomlinism Tournament! This is like voting on the best line of Shakespeare or best Bob Dylan lyric. The first two choices alone are impossible to pick between. Round 2 is just as tough.
Steel Curtain Rising has held off on the Cowher/Carolina issue until now, as they try and unlock the enigma of William Laird.
SCR also makes the excellent suggestion that the Steelers should make every effort to photograph these three great coaches and their six Lombardi trophies while they still can.

Hot debates ...

SI's Don Banks ranks every NFL team through this decade thus far and put the Patriots just ahead of the Steelers as the team of the Oh-Ohs. Banks' methodology is solid -- overall record, playoff record, playoff seasons, Super Bowl appearances/wins, and winning seasons are used. Its an interesting discussion because you can't help but wonder if one more of those Super Bowls might belong to Pittsburgh had the Pats not ... ya know.
MVN compares who is better through 5 seasons: Big Ben or Bradshaw?
JJ Cooper makes an excellent examiniation of how the Steelers pretty much can't miss with first-round picks over the last 10 years. The problem, however, has been their mid to late round drafting which has been underwhelming to say the least -- Ryan McBean, Willie Reid, Alonzo Jackson, anyone? So which do you prefer -- stars or depth?

Line of the week ...

The Pittsburgh City Paper on the ousttanding news that Pittsburgh will be in the world spotlight as host for September's G-20 Summit: "Barack Obama really, really wants to meet James Harrison."

Dumb move of the week (Steeler edition) ...

William Gay does his best Pacman Jones impersonation. Ugh.

Just dumb of the week ...

Dumb video that PSAMP dug up of a guy playing with his Steeler-collar-wearing pet Boxer. There is nothing remarkable about this except that the off-voice cameraman sounds EXACTLY like Eastbound & Down's Kenny Powers (Danny McBride).

Gittin' Lombardi trophies ... on the reg!

In honor of Tony Dungy going onto his life's work

Chuck Finder — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:26:00 GMT

Let's pause to remember and celebrate a father, a father figure, a role model, a man of faith, a man who has been so much more than a football coach in a headset and ballcap. Preaching, molding, guiding have been part of his duties from the time Chuck Noll made him the NFL's youngest defensive coordinator until his resignation this week as the Indianapolis Colts coach. Only now he will make this life's work more of a full-time, heaven-and-turf effort.

He played with the Steelers, coached the Steelers, married a Pittsburgh woman, so the roots of a Michigan native and University of Minnesota graduate set here. From his experiences under Chuck Noll and Tom Moore, later his longtime Colts offensive coordinator (both below, middle), and Bud Carson, he went to Kansas City and Minnesota before, at long last, he landed head-coaching jobs of his own at Tampa Bay and Indianapolis. Because of him, there is a Dungy Tree of successful coaches in the NFL: Chicago's Lovie Smith, new Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell (a former Penn State assistant), Kansas City's Herm Edwards and, of course, the Steelers' Mike Tomlin. But you ask players past and present, such as ones quoted this time three years ago when the Colts were about to play the Steelers so soon after the death of Dungy's son James, the man's reach branches out far beyond a 120-yard rectangle.

Tomlin, for the record, declined to comment tonight until he first telephoned Dungy -- which he then headed to his office to do.

Loose? This is their playground

Chuck Finder — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:06:00 GMT

Listen closely next time to the TV or radio interviews from the Steelers' locker room. Better yet, plug in my earphones sometime. The background hoo-hah is so humorous, with all the name-calling and kicker-foolery and inside-joking and shouting over the hoops-shooting contests, another reporter came over this week to see what was causing me to chortle aloud so much.

These Steelers are at ease.

Sure, back in the Bill Cowher Era with Eric Green and the rap-tastic fellas, the 60-Minute Men, they had their fun around the workplace. That care-free atmosphere didn't necessarily translate onto the field, such as the last time the Chargers came to tahn for a tight playoff game, in January 1995, now did it?

Jerome Bettis and the gang kept it free and easy early this century, and they ultimately enjoying one another's company all the way to a ring.

This current group -- with Mike Tomlin popping in and surveying the wackiness, with a piece of advice signed by M.T. among the other witticisms and zany photos on the dry-erase board entering their lair -- seems to pump up the volume and the camaraderie even more.

"We have a lot of fun," punter Mitch Berger said, and he should know. He spent a half-dozen years with the Minnesota Vikings of face-painting Jon Randle and Co. He has played in Philadelphia, Arizona, Chicago, St. Louis, even laissez faire New Orleans. This everywhere man from Kamloops, Alberta, has been around the league, man. And he's never seen anything like it. "I've been doing this a long time, man. This is as much fun as any locker room I've seen. The guys have a great time together. They all have a good sense of humor. Nobody's too serious about things." Right about now you're wondering: Cool, but this ain't a traveling circus. Isn't this supposed to be a team preparing for a Super Bowl chance?

Here's the, uh, kicker from the punter: "But when it's time to go to business and do your work, it's a very accountable team. You truly want to do well for your teammates and coaches. You want to be the guy who helps out. That's part of when guys get along so well. You feel accountable to the guys: You want to be a strong point of the team, you don't want to be a weak link."

(Insert theme from "Cops" here) Charger charged

Chuck Finder — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:53:00 GMT

UPDATED, 1/7 4:11 p.m.: Let's see, Santonio Holmes got pulled over and received a blunt punishment from Coach Mike Tomlin: inactive for the next game, in late October against the New York Giants. But, nah, embattled Coach Norv Turner said Wednesday in a conference call with Pittsburgh reporters that he won't penalize Dolt. . . er, Bolts receiver Vincent Jackson for this Sunday's AFC Divisional playoff against the Steelers after getting: (a.) pulled over by Ponch and Jon and the California Highway Patrol at 2:30 Tuesday morning [repeat after me: nothing good happens after midnight] and (b.) this suspected DUI occurring while he was still on probation from a prior such charge. BTW: His 59 catches in the regular season were one short of Antonio Gates' team lead, but Jackson's 1,098 yards and 18-yards-per average were far and away the Bolts' best. Funny, though, he went catch-less in the wild-card overtime victory over Indianapolis.

Tomlin on Tuesday, before the story of Jackson's action surfaced, spoke thusly about this receiver: "[Quarterback Philip Rivers'] big-play guy is Vincent Jackson. The number of big plays he’s delivered for this football team since the first time we played them is really staggering. He’s a catalyst for a lot of things that goes on with those guys, big plays in big moments in big games . . . Vincent Jackson is a vertical threat who happens to be very big and strong."

Ho, ho, freakin' ho

Chuck Finder — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:54:00 GMT

In honor of our 100th Blog 'n' Golden posting -- should we sing "Auld Lang Syne" for that? -- we here at One of America's Great Newspapers, Web Sites and Bottle Shops attempt to be interactive and fan-friendly by turning over this cyberspace to one of our readers, a taste of citizen journalism as its known today. (OK, so in reality this is a Letter to the Editor that was too long for the ink-stained edition, and The Bosses sent it our way.) Comments, and video evidence, to follow:

Dear Editor--

This letter concerns Coach Tomlin's and the Steelers' front office's
reaction recently to the fake Santa at the Steelers new conference on
December 23, 2008.

While I very much admire, like, and appreciate Coach Tomlin, I must
admit to some dismay after reading about his reaction to a visiting
Santa Claus the other day at a press conference. Not only did Coach
Tomlin visibly demonstrate irritation and impatience, he was also heard
to sigh with some frequency. Was his annoyance out of frustration for
not being able to tell everyone about his approach to the lowly
Cleveland Browns, a game many see as being somewhat "meaningless"?

I must say that for this fake Santa, it was always a boast to know that
one of our legion was given access to the Steelers Christmas press
conference. Most Santas are sedate and retired and akin to the legend of
the actual St. Nicholas. There are, however, Santas in rags and bells
and holly who are mischievous and unpredictable,-- these Santas being
closer in spirit to their Wild Man, or shaman, predecessors. Either way,
these Santas mean well, even if they do decide to joke about the
Pirates, Casey Hampton, sportscasters, the Browns and the Cowboys.
Knowing that a Santa somewhere is having some fun with the Steelers
gives encouragement to all of us in these old coalfields and river towns
who listen to all of the impossible wishes of children. Knowing that a
Santa is joking around with our beloved Coach must warm the most frozen
Santa shaking bells on a Downtown street corner all December long.

But this letter does not entirely concern Coach Tomlin's, shall we say,
confusion. It concerns the fact that the Steelers' front office has
decided to cancel all future appearances by any Santa "at any of their
news conferences." Such appearances have become a tradition. This does
not seem fair.This is very blue news during a time which is
distinguished by generosity and good will. This is very blue news for
those of us visiting orphanages and hospitals, for those of us street
side who help others by collecting pennies with a bucket, for those of
us along these rivers who give their hearts over to other people.

Sincerely,

Robert Richards
Greensboro, Pa.

Now, the rebuttal:

That was no Santa. That was no department-store fake. It was a sports-department fake, a media guy impersonating St. Nick -- although his face was uncovered enough so his salt-and-pepper moustache stood in high, even scary contrast to Santa's cotton beard. Bill DiFabio, owner-operator of his own locally syndicated radio network, played this same jolly old role a couple of times in Bill Cowher's tenure, and you talk about a coach's irritation, annoyance and impatience. Santa stayed away last Christmas, but with Mike Tomlin's approval made an appearance this time for the coach's second Christmas. And what an appearance: roughly seven minutes long, early -- instead of the end -- in the coach's pre-Browns news conference. The bit was a bit too long where one minute would have sufficed. And Tomlin was a good sport for enduring. Nice catch on a quick, short throw, too. Given how the game turned out, it was a good thing the coach didn't get hurt and have to be carried out on a stretcher, huh? BTW: Dan Rooney is no scrooge; there has been no official pronouncement banning Santa, Hanukkah Harry or any such festive display from Steelers HQ.

Of Pro Bowlers, T-shirts and strata various

Chuck Finder — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:09:00 GMT

(That strata line was originated by Gerry Dulac. Give credit where it's due....)

* Let's see, Ed Bouchette reports on Breaking News that two Steelers are voted as starters for the Feb, 6 Pro Bowl -- until the infirm and unwilling from other teams bow out, and they are normally legion -- yet their NFL peers, coaches and fans combined to select four New York Jets (including ex-Steelers guard Alan Faneca and returner Leon Washington) and three Baltimore Ravens as starters? Heck, three more Jets made the second team, including new-geezer-on-the-AFC-block Brett Favre along with Denver's Jay Cutler ahead of Ben "Wait for It. . . Wait for It" Roethlisberger? Shouldn't this kind of confounding vote go to the electoral college or Supreme Court next?

Anhhhh, no worries: More Steelers will have to get added by Honolulu time.

Won't they?

* Get your (first of gazillions) Steelers T-shirts here, as L.A. Johnson reported in today's PG: the presidential "Yes We Can' slogan, framed underneath Mike Tomlin's Warholian smiling visage. It surely will prompt the (first of bazillions) Steelers postseason songs, playing off that will.i.am ditty/Obama theme. Why, just today, Stan 'n Guy on ESPN Radio 1250 were soliciting nicknames for the daunting defense, among them: LeBeau's Constrictors, The Terrible Twelve and . . . LeBeau-lin Wall?

The Ravens, by the way, had a take-that-Steelers song already on YouTube. Let the unwitting lyrics writing commence.

Live Football Giants-Steelers blog

Chuck Finder — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 19:04:00 GMT

To anyone bold enough to think a 14-2, even 12-4 season was in the offing: You gotta another think coming, eh?

The Steelers' injury situation in the aftermath of this loss read: one gone for the season, one leg up in the air and one shoulder unknown.

Long snapper Greg Warren tore an ACL and is lost for the remainder of 2008. "Nobody has two long snappers on their team; what you have is emergency snappers," Coach Mike Tomlin said, explaining the usage of linebacker James Harrison who, for the record, is backed by fellow linebacker James Farrior. So the Steelers will hit the market tonight, or Monday at the latest. (Tomlin said the lack of a tested long snapper isn't the complete reason why Tomlin opted to disdain a 51-yard field goal attempt on the second play of the fourth quarter; part of it was the length, or what he termed "the outer limits of field-goal range. [But] wen you have a backup snapper in there, you knew that tey were going to come after it."

Punter Mitch Berger has a balky hamstring -- get it, his punting leg is "up in the air"? -- and safety Ryan Clark discloated his right shoulder, but said afterward that he felt fine and hoped to play on Election Day Eve against Washington.

7:35 p.m.: Ben Roethlisberger, throwing deep for a Limas Sweed he kept busy on this day with Santonio Holmes suspended and Dallas Baker ailing, was intercepted on a last-ditch, fourth-down attempt. Eli Manning, the latest Manning to win a Super Bowl, went into kneel-down, victory formation. The final: Football Giants 21, Steelers 14.

And the rough second-half patch of the Steelers' schedule continues, with a pre-Election Day game next Monday night at the Washington Redskins, with Eli's big brudder Peyton and the Colts to follow, with San Diego then on deck.

7:25 p.m.: Not only a one-touchdown deficit but an unstable situation at long snapper caused the Steelers to go for it on fourth-and-four with two and a half minutes left. . . and fail.

See how much an injury can alter things? If Greg Warren doesn't get hurt -- and his knee looked bad enough to be a season-ending injury -- the Steelers conceivably are nursing a 14-12 lead in these final minutes.

7:19 p.m.: After the free kick following the safety, the Football Giants moved 53 yards downfield briskly, including. . . Plex Watch! Update No. 4: More catches! . . .a nine-yard sideline reception by Plaxico Burress. The defending world champions regain the lead with an Eli Manning-to-Kevin Boss, 2-yard touchdown pass with just 3:07 left, 21-14. It's their only touchdown of the day, and it just might be enough for victory.

7:11 p.m.: Linebacker James Harrison, after too brief a sideline tryout, tossed his first NFL long snap over the head of 6-foot-4 punter Mitch Berger and bouncing out of the end zone for a safety. And that's how you yield four field goals and a two-pointer to allow the opposition to rally to a 14-14 tie. The hard way.

7:04 p.m.: On a fourth-and-seven snap right after he tried to improperly call a timeout when his team already had taken one, Eli "Chris Webber" Manning threw a lovely 30-yard pass to Amani Toomer, who did go to the same Michigan as Webber the phantom timeout-caller from NCAA basketball infamy. No worries. The Steelers' defense turned aside the Football Giants on three plays starting at the Pittsburgh 4-yard line, and for a fourth time inside the Red Zone the visitors -- this time after a 12-play, 62-yard, 5:42 drive -- had to settle at 8:18 of the fourth quarter for a short-range field goal, this at 24 yards, from Old Man Three Rivers John Carney.

6:36 p.m.: Here's a metaphysical question you don't hear often: So who's the backup long-snapper? Greg Warren went down on a punt late in the third quarter with a knee injury, and it appeared to worsen exponentially when he tried to walk off the field -- instead crumpling in a heap. The answer: Second-year man Darnell Stapleton, starting at right guard for the injured Kendall Simmons, promptly began practicing snaps on the sidelines to holder-punter Mitch Berger and Jeff Reed. Then again, with the offense on the field, linebacker James Harrison seemed to be auditioning for the punting long-snap duties by grabbing a ball and tossing back a couple of decent snaps.

6:12 p.m.: Kids, don't do this at home. Didja see James Butler's, uh, "coverage" of Nate Washington on the 65-yard touchdown pass at the 10-minute mark of the third quarter? Sure, Butler gummed it up enough to allow Washington to remain wiiiide open and catch Ben Roethlisberger's pass around the Noo Yawk 15. But then Butler inexplicably spun to his right, away from the left sideline where Washington had commenced running downfield, and appeared to be escorting Washington into the end zone rather than trying to tackle him short of it. Steelers 14, defending world champions 9.

Maybe Nate just scared him like some hulking, 1960s sci-fi creature. "Whoa-oh, there goes the North Sho'. Go, go, Godzilla . . ."

Or, for your musical entertainment...

6:09 p.m.: Salute, today's crowd set a regular-season record for Heinz Field, at 64,991. The last time the mustard bowl had more patrons inside, it was the 2005 AFC Championship game against the dread New England Patriots.

If you had 64,991 in the pool, please raise your hand.

5:49 p.m.: Noo Yawk safety Kenny Phillips might find a little less in his paycheck for his penalty and crunching blow of a ruled "defenseless" Mewelde Moore on a second-quarter incomplete pass in front of the visitors' bench. Given the NFL's proclivity for garnishing wages of its celebrated employees (see Plex Watch! Update No. 1, 3:56 p.m.), perhaps we'll soon see a NFLPlayersAssociation Debt Clock high above a Manhattan street. . . .

5:47 p.m.: Halftime at Heinz Field. The Steelers' last-ditch drive ends in an empty-set sack of Ben Roethlisberger. . . so maybe the Football Giants don't miss Old Gap-Tooth after all (see Using different formations, 4:26 p.m.). Giants 9, Steelers 7.

5:24 p.m.: Definition of one reeeeeeally bad play: Two penalties, one interception, one shaken-up receiver, one 15-yard additional boost, an immeasurable momentum turn.

It all started with Limas Sweed aligning offside, something correctly spotted by both the PG's Gerry Dulac in the press box and, slightly more important, line judge Gary Arthur on the field. Then, on Ben Roethlisberger's third-and-two throw down the middle to Nate Washington, safety James Butler clobbered Nate Washington from behind. The ball squirted out and into the hands of linebacker Bryan Kehl, who was only starting because of starter Gerris Wilkinson's injury (see Inactives, 3:04 p.m.). On Kehl's return, Gary Russell was flagged for a horse-collar tackle infraction, setting up the visitors at the Steelers' 22, and a woozy Washington was escorted off the field by team medical personnel. Plex Watch: Update No. 3: He makes a catch! It was only two yards on third-and-four, though, so Grampa John Carney came in and kicked yet another field goal -- this from 25 yards -- for a 9-7 Noo Yawk lead, its first of the game, with 3:31 remaining in the second quarter.

5:09 p.m.: Plex Watch! Update No. 2: He's in!

Maybe it was because his replacement starter, Dominek "Hasek" Hixon just made a splendid punt return, but at 11:27 of the second quarter and on the Football Giants' fourth possession, Plaxico Burress was allowed to join the offense on the field. Due to Hixon's return after the Steelers' Mitch Berger punted from his end zone, Noo Yawk was able to get another pop-up field goal of 35 yards (or one yard for each year since, what, fourth grade?) for yes-he's-still-kickin' John Carney. Stillers still lead, 7-6.

4:57 p.m.: Noo Yawk's Brandon Jacobs was credited with a 1-yard touchdown plunge on third down, at 13:26 of the second quarter. But, after seeing a replay on the big board and hearing the Heinz Field crowd roar, not to mention listening to his assistants with replay access in the press-box booth, Mike Tomlin challenged the ruling. Challenge upheld. Jacobs' elbow hit the turf, downing him at the half-yard line, thanks to a tackle by James Farrior and Troy Polamalu. On fourth down, Jacobs was repelled again, running behind his right guard and tackle, running into Gary Clark, James Farrior, Brett Keisel, Aaron Smith and a host of retro mustard-on-black jersies. Giants coach Tom Coughlin, not to be outdone by counterpart Tomlin, challenged the ruling. And, upon further review, the play stood as called, and Coughlin and the Giants were charged with the timeout.

We would like to challenge the challenge. . . , but referee Bill Carollo never saw the previously owned napkin we threw.

4:51 p.m.: End of first quarter: Steelers 7, Giants 3, but the Giants are driving nicely, at the Steelers' 15.

BTW: Ben Roethlisberger reached 12,872 passing yards thus far in his career, for third place behind Terry Bradshaw and Kordell Stewart, whom Big Ben is likely to pass by quarter's, if not game's, end.

4:37 p.m.: The Football Giants marched 57 yards in 11 plays and 6 minutes, 36 seconds, all for a 26-yard field goal (or one yard for every year he has been outta high school) from the antiquated John Carney, whose leg we swear creaked when he made the less than pretty kick.

Carney, not to be confused for the candidate for governor in Delaware by the same name, is old enough (44) to be the daddy of no fewer than 28 guys on the Steelers' roster. He is old enough to have kicked for Tampa Bay when Ray Perkins coached there and orange Bruce the Buccaneer graced their helmets. He is old enough to be the last Lou Holtz-coached player at Notre Dame still playing in the NFL -- and you didn't know Dr. Lou had a gig before South Carolina and ESPN?

Carney's Golden Domer helmet?

And he supposedly is old enough to be the last player still active from the 1987 Replacements. No active NFL player is older. Heck, Art Carney might be younger, and "The Honeymooners" co-star died five years ago.

4:26 p.m.: Using different formations on each play -- holy two-tights to start the game and a Limas Sweed sighting two snaps later -- the Steelers rushed downfield in four plays for the opening score, 7-0.Max Starks, replacing the ailing Marvel Smith, fared nicely against Mathias Kiwanuka, who is no Michael Strahan.

And, in honor of the sackmeister who retired after the Super Bowl and stayed that way following Osi Umenyiora's season-ending knee injury in August:

Smi le!

4:17 p.m.: Aaon Smith, missing all week due to an undisclosed family matter, started today as reported in Breaking News earlier by America's No. 1 Pro Football Writer Ed Bouchette. And, as noted below, Plex stood on the sidelines in a visor and watched the Giants offense open te game without him.

3:56 p.m.: Plex Watch! Update No. 1!

Seems the big fella -- the fellow slapped last week with (beat that, Hines Ward) $45,000 in NFL fines for comments to a head linesman and post-game comments about officiating -- is wearing out his welcome in Greater Gotham. Check out General Manager Jerry Reese's response, or lack thereof, in the New York Daily News' live blog.

And how about this fan response on the NJ.com Giants blog: Jerzeerj56 wrote, "Wow. The soap opera continues with Plaxico Burress. What are the chances this guy is wearing a Giants uniform this time next sesaon. . . . Get rid of this clown and move on with the young receivers." And, to think, just eight months ago, Plex caught the Super Bowl-winning pass.

A referee inactive: Head linesman John Schleyer called in sick. So, in a reconfigured six-man crew, back judge Bob Wagner assumes the bulk of the head linesman's responsibilities.

3:31 p.m.: Seen Column item -- The General is in da hizzy. Robert Montgomery Knight, also known as Bob Knight, is in the press box to watch today's Giants-Steelers fray. Knight, you may recall from Gerry Dulac's fine report from Super Bowl XL (a story that, alas, we cannot find in our own Post-Gazette archives), is old buds with defensive coordinator and fellow long-ago Ohio schoolboy star Dick Lebeau.

3:20 p.m.: Plex Watch! If this were local television, we'd have some nifty graphic to flash on the screen. Otherwise, the best this blog's budget can afford to do is report the news: Ex-Steelers spiking sensation and fan target Plaxico Burress will not start today.

Domenik "Hasek" Hixon has been announced as the starting receiver for Burress, being penalized by Coach Tom Coughlin for missing a neck-injury treatment Saturday morning before the Football Giants left Noo Yawk/Joisey. Supposedly, Burress will only miss the first series or so.

By the way, Plex in pregame warmups exchanged pleasantries with some old Steelers pals. He crossed the 50 on a catch from Eli Manning and met with Hines Ward, working up and down the field on short passes from Ben Roethlisberger -- who also playfully took a threatening step toward Burress. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians later came over to chat up Plex, probably to remind him to have a nice Mother's Day. . . like the one that Plex once stated as the reason he was missing at a mini-Camp Cahr.

3:04 p.m.: Inactive for today are:

The Steelers -- receiver Santonio Holmes (police blotter), suspended by Coach Mike Tomlin after his marijuana-cigar charge/summons; surgically repaired cornerback Bryant McFadden (arm), halfback Willie Parker (knee); linebacker Keyaron Fox; offensive lineman Tony Hills; starting left offensive tackle Marvel Smith (back); defensive end Orpheus Roye; and rookie Dennis Dixon is the third quarterback.

The world champeens -- place-kicker Lawrence Tynes (giving way to 114-year-old John Carney); cornerback R.W. McQuarters; running back Danny Ware; cornerback Sam Madison; linebacker Gerris Wilkinson (knee); offensive lineman Adam Koets; receiver Sinorce Moss; defensive end Jerome McDougle.

And, of course, you are inactive, if you're sitting on your duff -- or sipping on your Duff's -- reading this.

So what this all means: Max Starks will start for Smith, Mewelde Moore for Parker and Nate Washington for Holmes. Bryan Kehl will start for Wilkinson. And, on Saturday, linebacker Patrick Bailey was promoted to the active roster and special-teamer/linebacker Donovan Woods was released to make room.