Blog 'n' Gold : Troy Polamalu

Steelers-Chefs live

Chuck Finder — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:54:00 GMT

Yes, I spelled Chiefs incorrectly on purpose. If it's good enough for the Bungles. . . .

A few pregame notes:

* Expect Willie Parker to play more today. Of course, Bruce Arians planned to play his -- dare we say this now -- No. 2 halfback more often, on every third series, the past two games. Situations worked out differently. But today the Chiefs bring the NFL's sixth-worst NFL defense against the run. Parker, recovered from his turf toe too, has a shredded them in the past.

* No Larry Johnson (now with the Bungles), no Troy Polamalu (absent today and maybe another game or two with that PCL injury). So much for calling this a hairpull.

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* These aren't the quality Chiefs you remember -- from McDonald's Marty Schottenheimer as coach or even Rich Gannon at quarterback, before he went to the Super Bowl with the Raiders. But Arrowhead can still be a tough place to play. Moreoever, Steelers fans should thank the Chiefs. If it wasn't for a draft-day trade up, the Steelers may not have been able to draft Polamalu in 2003.

FIRST QUARTER

1:02 p.m.: So much for an improved kickoff coverage. The team with already the most KO return touchdowns this season gave up their fourth in five games and their eighth return for a touchdown -- kick, fumble or interception. CBS, by the way, showed the wrong coach at first before focusing on Bob Ligashesky. Gee, and it has been four years since the Chefs returned one for a score. Remember Dante Hall? One more thing: Ryan Mundy appeared to have the best chance at him, and Patrick Bailey got taken out by a teammate, so it appeared. The Steelers gave up thinking he was down. More reckless play is required on this unit. Oh, and Jeff Reed was awfully deep -- around the Kansas City 40 -- on that coverage, which represents a major change from him being a safety valve at the 50 or deeper in Steelers territory. (So nobody can criticize him for not sticking his nose in there.) 1:09 p.m.: Is it just me, or are the Steelers trying to pump up Kansas City? Run, run holding, run (a reverse on second and way too long), throwing into triple coverage? Funny, Mundy and the punt-return unit flew down there on that one. Hmmmm. . . maybe they should have Daniel Sepulveda and those guys punt off, as with a safety, instead of using Reed and the kickoff unit. 1:18 p.m.: OK, I'll agree with you there: You just make a dandy run against a defense that knows it's bad against the run, and the next down you go empty set? Don't except the "screen is as good as a run" argument, either. Especially with the way Ben Roethlisberger passed last week and looks already today, they should run to set up the pass and alleviate the burden on the quarterback. 1:28 p.m.: Told ya about Willie Parker (pregame notes). And in the replay, just noticed that Lawrence Timmons was on the Ill-Fated Kickoff Unit, or IFKU. Isn't he a new addition there? 1:31 p.m.: Sign that Miracles Do Happen: The Browns have 10 points already. (OK, so it's just Detroit). . . Offensive line doing the Steelers no favors on this drive, which showed promise. The sooner the Steelers tie this game, the better chance they have of the Chefs realizing that they are indeed the Chefs. 1:36 p.m.: Five of seven on fourth-down conversions this season? That's impressive. And Mendenhall nearly took that one all the way. . . By the way, Hines Ward was down on that play, but when he loses the ball, it's not a good sign. The Chefs' defense is hitting with some vigor. . . . End of the first, 7-0 KC.

SECOND QUARTER

1:40 p.m.: Was Big Ben just showing his Little Owie to the ref? Potential headline, if the Steelers prevail today: Victory better than being poked in the eye. . . 1:41 p.m.: Seems to be a hollow way to end such a drive, But don't lose sight of a jarring trend that Reed's 36-yard field goal signifies: That makes five consecutive touchdown-less trips into the Red Zone for the Steelers. Ruh-roh, every score means a kickoff! There was Ike Taylor to the rescue. . . 1:51 p.m.: Mixed into that sea of red are 10,000-plus Steelers fans in a Midwest meeting of Steeler Nation. The P-G's Bob Dvorchak is on hand to report about it for tomorrow's print publication. Just listen to them cheer or chant "Heeeeath." . . .1:58 p.m.: With that catch, Miller has tied his career high with 47 receptions. He's on pace for roughly 75 catches -- that's Antonio Gates territory. Most important, it's Red Zone time again. Can the Steelers go 6-for-6? The must be able to run the ball. Just as I typed that, CBS threw up an interesting graphic: No team has gone longer without a rushing touchdown than the Steelers, with 95 consecutive carries. . . 2 p.m: Funny, but I was thinking Roethlisberger should've run just about the time he flicked the ball to a Ward who was wide open because Roethlisberger's feet caused Chefs defenders to creep toward the line of scrimmage to watch him. The 5-for-5 Red Zone skid without a touchdown finally comes to a halt. Now I'll answer you critics: Don't give up on this club just yet. The defense is better, even without Polamalu, than three-quarters of the rest of the NFL. The offense can overcome special-teams mistakes. And, overall, if you watch the rest of the league closely, the Steelers still possess one of the six best teams in the NFL, if not better. The question, though, is: Will they play that way? If they win today, there are easy victories against the Browns and Raiders upcoming -- that's nine victories. Beat Green Bay or Baltimore at home, or win in Bawlmer or Miami, which is surging, and 11 surely will earn them a playoff spot, if not home field for the wild-card game. The Bungles, playing an even lighter schedule the rest of the way, HAVE to win 11 minimum unless they fall completely off the Earth. Oh, and the Steelers lead, 10-7. . . 2:08 p.m.: Brownies update: They've scored 24! Of course, they've allowed 17. And it isn't even halftime yet in Detroit. (Hey, if you can't have fun at Cleveland's expense, you're clinically deceased.) Two-minute warning. . . 2:13 p.m.: Red Zone time again. A 96th consecutive carry without a touchdown. Followed by another vintage Roethlisberger play: somehow avoid the sack by ducking under, scooting to his left and finding an ad-libbing Miller for another Live At The Improv touchdown. Steelers cruising, 17-7. How much are they cruising? They have 279 yards to Kansas City's 43. They have a dozen first downs to Kansas City's two. They have possessed the ball for nearly 21 minutes to Kansas City's 8:05. They have put together 95- and 46-yard scoring drives in their past 17 total plays. They own this one. . . 2:18 p.m.: Lest anyone forget, too: Kansas City's offense on all four offensive possessions have passed their own 40-yard line, if not the 50. They've had prime real estate -- and done nothing with it aginast the Steelers. Can't wait to end up the total scores for Matt Cassel by the end of this one; remember, he lost with New England to these Steelers by 33-10 in Foxboro last November. What will today's final be in KC? It's still 17-7, Steelers.

For your halftime viewing pleasure. . .

EYE-an Eagle, the Eye network's play-by-play man today and a swell fella, once told me that he is the son of a television star. Yes, he said, that was his father starring in those Brother Dominic commercials -- this one from 1977 and the Super Bowl:

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THIRD QUARTER

2:32 p.m.: Give the 3-foot-7 guy (Reed's words, not ours) his due -- Stefan Logan has put together his best return day of the season, and the first one equal to his preseason hint of electricity. The last return, past the 40, was well blocked . . . so give the special teams and coaches their due there. But still the Steelers have allowed four touchdown returns and collected none of their own, a minus-4 ratio (and it indeed cost them the Cincinnati game), an inescapable fact. . . . 2:40 p.m.: Just looked it up: Roethlisberger has been intercepted just twice in his past 70 attempts, a stretch that included his admittedly off game against Cincinnati last Sunday. And both were on tipped passes. So, sharp or not, he hasn't hurt his team. The Chefs took this one and drove to a touchdown, which indeed hurts. The offense needs to come back and score to put the Chefs back in their 2-7 place and provide themselves with some breathing room, lest they return to their Bears, Lions and at Bungles second-half collapses of earlier this season. Chefs creep within 17-14, Steelers. . .

We pause for this commercial message:

Why is this a Thanksgiving movie? The carving?

2:47 p.m.: Left guard Chris Kemoeatu, so vital to the running game, particularly on pulling blocks, will be missed with injury the rest of the day. Kansas City stuffs the Steelers, and Sepulveda makes his first punt since the Steelers' opening possession. Now that defense, which just had its only bad series of the game, must stand firm -- if not come up with a game-turning takeaway. The longer you let the Chefs linger. . . . . . 2:58 p.m.: The middle is amazingly open for the Steelers. Give credit to Ramon Foster for filling in admirably thus far for Kemoeatu, too. Roethlisberger has time to throw, for the most part. . . 3:04 p.m.: Neat interactive set-up for the Chiefs' site live blog, but not nearly as entertaining or informative as this one, not to be too shamelessly promotional. . . 3:07 p.m.: Now there was a potentially fatal mistake by Roethlisberger -- he threw into four Kansas City defenders.Now the Steelers are fighting for their lives. A beautiful drive and a chance to drive a stake through Kansas City's heart, and instead they revive that heart. . . To think, if he put a little more air under that sideline pass to Mendenhall, the Steelers lead 24-14 instead of going down of getting tied here [CORRECTION AT 3:17]. . . 3:10 p.m.: James Harrison, whose name hadn't been called much, if at all, previously today comes up with a crucial sack. Still, the Chefs tie this game at 17-all behind a guy from the family that produced America's most infamous car and a kick whose name is pronounced Suck-up. . .

The Steelers have almost four times as much yardage and more than twice as much time of possession, but two turnovers, one drive and a special-teams blunder have allowed Kansas City to stay in a game undeservedly -- it is at Cincinnati, at Chicago and at Detroit all over again. Perhaps this is the road rule rather than the exception.

FOURTH QUARTER

3:15 p.m.: Roethlisberger is playing with fire. At least he threw that second-down pass away, but still they're placing way too much reliance on pass-blocking, the pass, Roethlisberger's feet. With Max Starks down and Kemoeatu already out, the Steelers are getting perilously thin and in dangerous territory. . . 3:17 p.m.: No, AFPilot, I'm NOT watching the game; I'm making all this up. But I sit corrected: A Willie Colon holding erased that Roethlisberger-to-Mendenhall play regardless. My bad. And the defense is going to have to win this one for the Steelers, if they can. . . 3:23 p.m.: Reasons why Chiefs are still in this game? They've kicked their bad habit and shut down the Steelers running game. And 0 giveaways by them. . . . Of course, as soon as I type that, Cassel coughs it up to -- Harrison again. . . Starks is back. . . 3:25 p.m.: How about this: If the Steelers don't score on this trip to the Red Zone -- the've failed on six of their past eight, remember -- we'll force them to decline an invitation to the playoffs. . . 3:28 p.m.: At least the Steelers tried to run the ball in the Red Zone. And this time -- I'll get it right, I'll get it right! -- Roethlisberger hits Mendenhall over the middle for the go-ahead score, 24-17 Steelers. And these Chefs linebackers, with Studebaker in and ex-Steeler Mike Vrabel absent, aren't very good at all. . . 3:31 p.m.: At 3:23, I forgot to point out one aspect: Kansas City, until that kick return, got called for only one penalty against the Steelers' 7 for 70 yards. See, the Steelers were giving this game to the Chefs. . . 3:36 p.m.: Former Steelers ballboy Todd Haley is attacking the Steelers safeties -- Deshea Townsend in nickel on the Lance Long catch to midfield, Ryan Clark on the double move by Chris Chambers to the Red Zone. Game on. . . 3:40 p.m.: Now the Steelers defense has been fairly shredded twice in the past four Kansas City offensive possessions. Brett Keisel really looked to be huffing and puffing there, a byproduct of both Aaron Smith and Travis Kirschke being absent due to injuries. It's 24-24. . . 3:43 p.m.: Huge offensive series for the Steelers. . . The next turnover will decide this game. . . 3:49 p.m. Cassel started this drive 8 for 15 passing for 140 yards this half alone. More importantly, he has steered Kansas City to two TDs and a field goal, with help from Roethlisberger. The Steelers come out of this 2-minute warning with a season-saving, third-and-3 staring them in the face. Well, that's overdramatic -- but this Kansas City possession determines this game, or at least saves overtime. . . 3:52 p.m.: Gutsy decision to blitz and leave those safeties in coverage. Just shows you the difference between good teams and bad: Lesser ones drop balls like that. . .

3:53 p.m.: One minute, 47 seconds to go and the ball in Roethlisberger's hands. Mewelde Moore couldn't handle Derrick Johnson on that first-down rush. . . But an illegal-downfield-contact penalty helped the Steelers' cause. Let's see what they can do with a break. . . 3:55 p.m.: One-29 to go, and wasn't that a lovely shot by CBS' cameras of Reed tugging on the seat of his pants? . . . 3:57 p.m.: Sixty-two seconds left, and a third-and-4 at midfield, and Roethlisberger can't make a play with his feet. Chefs try a safety blitz into that line, and now it's Cassel's turn to try to rescue the home side. . . 4 p.m.: We're going to overtime. It's up to a flip of the coin. . . or the next mistake.

True, this game never should've reached this point. But blame the defense, too, for allowing those second-half drives.

OVERTIME

4:02 p.m.: Tails, as in what the Steelers need kicked. The offense must run the ball and staunch that Kansas City rush. Even throw a shovel pass or quick screens. . . 4:04 p.m.: See, BA reads this Blog!. . . Seriously, Roethlisberger is 31 of 41 for 19 yards shy of 400, stats alone that show Kansas City never should've gotten this far. Once again, the middle is wide open for Ward. But, and I reiterate, run the ball with Mendenhall. The offensive line needs a break, too, and run-blocking is easier for them. And the Chefs are bad at it, when not blitzing. And Mendenhall, like that first-down run, is rushing hard and well. . . 4:07 p.m.: Roethlisberger indeed took a Derrick Johnson knee to the head, so it's on to Charlie Batch, who is woefully cold, and a tired offensive line. Go to two backs and run. Leave Batch with only short passes. You need two yards for a first down, then another 10 to 12 yards to get into Reed's range and get the heck out of Dodge. . . 4:10 p.m.: Excuse me, I forgot about the Hartwig hold. They need 22 to 25 yards for Reed. . . and then Batch threw that deep strike to Santonio Holmes, a gutsy call and a beautiful throw. But the Steelers should've sat on it and run from there. That Chefs defense should be a little weary deep down, too, from all that time on the field -- 41 minutes and counting -- and all that pass-rushing on 43 pass attempts. Great run by Mendenhall. Can Reed deliver again, like in overtime in the opener? . . . 4:13 p.m.: Not sure if Moore was the right man for that third-down job. Parker maybe, with his speed and having a decently warm, if not hot, hand in this game already. Sure, Moore is sure-handed, but. . . Now it's up to the Steelers defense. . . 4:15 p.m.: Can Taylor actually catch a huge ball and intercept it? . . . Nah. . . A harbinger, to be sure. . . This isn't the same Cassel as the first half, or last year's New England game. No, the Chefs deserve to win this -- and they will, after that long pass to Chambers.

4:18 p.m.: Suck-up's kick, of course, is good. Chefs, 27-24. They hadn't won back-to-back games in more than two years. Heck, they've mostly beaten the lowly Raiders the past two years. The Steelers need some soul-searching now.

They are 2-3 on the road, and they only played well once -- in Denver. They are two drastically different teams, especially on defense, home vs. road. And they now have their second two-game losing skid of the season.

Worse, they have imperiled their playoff chances. At Baltimore and at Miami look far more daunting now. And, geesh, could at Cleveland, too?

Great googly-moogly, indeed.

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Pregame Bungles-Stillers (and Joe Greene-Coke kid)

Chuck Finder — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:32:00 GMT

11:35 a.m.: INACTIVES include FB Carey Davis (hamstring), starting DE Travis Kirschke (calf), CB Keiwan Ratliff, G Kraig Urbik, OT Tony Hills, DE Sunny Harris, WR Shaun McDonald with Dennis Dixon as the No. 3 quarterback.

All of which means: WR Limas Sweed is active again. We'll see if the one thing he can grab is an opponent's jersey for the second time in a week.

So that makes Nick Eason the starter again for Kirschke and David Johnson listed as the starting fullback. Ratliff, for the record, had played every game since being inactive in the Tennessee Tuxedos opener.

For Cincinnati, the inactives are: FB Fui Vakapuna, WR Jerome Simpson, DT Pat Sims, and a bunch of key injured guys such as starting LB Keith Rivers, G Evan Mathis, OT Andre Smith, TE Chase Coffman, with Jordan Palmer -- Carson's kid brother -- the No. 3 quarterback.

Don't forget to update your Bungles roster: S Roy Williams (forearm) was placed on IR Friday and WR Maurice Purify, signed from practice squad, will be No. 14 -- and may help to replace injured WR Chris Henry from West Virginia.

12:09 p.m.: UPDATE -- The Bengals starting lineup gets three alterations. Nate Livings will start at left guard for Mathis, Brandon Johnson at weakside linebacker for Rivers and Chinedum Ndukwe at strong safety for Williams.

COKE AND THE KID

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12:14 p.m.: Joe Greene and Tommy Okon, whom Coke Zero imitated (the highest form of flattery, after all) in their Troy Polamalu commercial for Super Bowl 43, just met with the media to talk about a 30-year wrong being made right -- they were given copies of the Clio commercial awards they won in the 1979 spot that remains Coca-Cola's most famous and the favorite NFL television ad of all-time. (See it in the next BnG item)

Okon, of course, is a grown man nowadays. He's 39 and owns a stone fabricating contractor business -- his firm's handiwork adorns new Yankees Stadium, and imagine the attention the New York tabloids would've given that celebrity nugget. Okon brought his four children -- a 6-year-old son and daughters 4, 9 and 10 -- to Heinz Field to meet his commercial co-star and soak up some Steelers atmosphere. Their celebrated spot, which first aired during the 1979 Pirates-laden baseball playoffs and then for the Super Bowl XIV that Greene and the Steelers won. The ad was filmed at Mt. Vernon Memorial Stadium, said Okon, a native of the area and a resident still. "I drive by it every day on my way to work, which is ironic," Okon said.

Greene, who later starred in a made-for-TV movie based off the popular commercial, "The Steeler and the Pittsburgh Kid," remains grateful and awed by the power of one little ad. "It definitely changed some things that happened in my life," he said, and Okon concurred with his, too. He remembers doing other '70s commercials that earned him grief in his own locker room. But that one, after it first aired amid the baseball playoffs that year, earned key critical reviews: "Robin Cole came in the locker room and said, 'Hey, Joe, that was a pretty good commercial.' Normally. . . , they tease us about them. We look sort of goofy doing those. That time, I got praise."

Greene said he'd find room next to his other trophies for the award that he said "we should've received 30 years ago. I was working, he was working, so they passed." Okon, who still has a Greene jersey framed on his wall at home, said "my mantel's not nearly as cluttered as Joe's. But the picture of my 9-year-old might have to come down for awhile." The two, by the way, last saw each other eight years ago at a Mel Blount charity dinner in Greene's honor.

As for the Polamalu remake above, it made Greene smile. "I like the commercial. I like Coke Zero stealing from the other, not only their flavor but their commercial. And they could not have had a better guy to do it than Troy. Just very, very special."

12:38 p.m.: One last Greene-Coke story. He remembered being at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii in 1980 when the players from both the squads gathered for a photo shoot. They took the picture at a schoolyard in Honolulu, and just then the kids were cut loose for recess. Greene recalled a litany of tykes coming toward him with shirts and Coke bottles, passing the likes of such stars as Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach and Buffalo Bills halfback O.J. Simpson.

"That was the first inkling that i thought, 'You know, maybe this Coca-Cola thing is kind of special."

12:40 p.m.: International Space Station commander Mike Fincke of Emsworth and Sewickley Academy, the NASA colonel famous for his pre-Super Bowl video from the Steelers Galaxy, just presented his glass-encased Terrible Towel to the Steelers and Art Rooney II. In turn, Fincke was given a new towel to transport back to, uh, work.

Fincke, who is a funny guy, told the WDVE-FM show earlier today that, of course, every Steelers fan carries their towel with them whenever they leave home ("Bye, Mom, I'm going to space now.") He also spun the tale of how the video was shot: He noticed in the camera that the towel was upside down, so he lifted his legs and allowed gravity to turn it right-side up. Brilliant.

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Vikings-Steelers, live

Chuck Finder — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:50:00 GMT

Minnesota -- how could a team with horns on its helmet call "tails?" -- won the toss and elected to receive. The temp is up to 55, and the sun makes it feel warmer. Game on.

FIRST QUARTER

1:03 p.m.: The Vikings gave the defense three very different looks, including a little no-huddle. And you saw James Harrison and Troy Polamalu make big plays. That's the kind of start they sought. Ed Bouchette asked an interesting point as soon as Minnesota declined first-and-five and took an 8-yard gain on the opening play for second-and-two: Why not take the penalty and gain a down? 1:16 p.m.: The Legend that is Brett Favre is 1 for 2 with a sack. Steelers defense looking sturdy so far, but soon the Vikings will feed them -- and, specifically, Aaron Smith replacement Travis Kirschke -- a steady diet of Adrian Peterson runs.1:22 p.m.: Harrison -- after LaMarr Woodley had the pressure -- and Polamalu, who appears to be wearing the knee brace this time (can you folks watching TV tell better?), are atop their games so far like they haven't been yet this season. Credit Gerry Dulac with the nickname for the Minnesota punter: Chris Kluwe-less. His punt to his own 39-yard line may have received a generous spot. (To answer ChiTown: Yes, even Mike Tomlin thought the right tackle lifted up prematurely on that snap, and let the side judge know about it.) 1:32 p.m.: It's the Mike Wallace Show. Nice, and critical, catch for 10 yards on third down. Then, after the Minnesota challenge that failed, a lovely flanker reverse -- with a dandy block by Santonio Holmes downfield. Willie Parker is in for this series, but still the question remains: Why aren't the Steelers challenging left cornerback Karl Paymah, Antoine Winfield's replacement whom Baltimore and Joe Flacco alighted for most of his 385 yards last week, includding 244 yards in the second half. 1:37 p.m.: A Heath Miller pass-interference penalty on the opposite end of the field wiped away Holmes' TD catch and run, and a sack left it to the foot of you know how. An eight-play, 18-yard drive ended when Jeff Reed punched through a 39-yard field goal. Steelers, 3-0. 1:39 p.m.: The Steelers coverage has been exemplary, but Percy Harvin has enough jets that he just might get past the first wave one of these times.

SECOND QUARTER

1:48 p.m.: Well, the Vikes ran Peterson and a quick, off-tackle play, and that one time it worked well (though why he slowed and shifted, I'll never know). The Battling LeBeaus seem to have them pretty well sniffed out otherwise, though. 1:51 p.m.: The play-calling on that Steelers series wasn't so bad. They do need to run, and they're holding back on those counter plays, apparently. And Roethlisberger, who isn't as sharp as he has been thus far this season, threw one into Vikings hands to Miller and the other high and slightly behind Hines Ward, who dropped the ball when clouted from behind. One thing to look for, though. Bruce Arians may try to play this one closer to the vest because it is shaping up to be a defensive, low-scoring game. (To me, with Favre and Peterson on the field, though, that can change in an eye-blink.) 1:54 p.m.: That's why he's a Legend. Favre, with Willie Gay flying at him in a delayed corner blitz, Favre found and hit a wide open Harvin to end a 1-for-5 third-down run and convert a first down with a 28-yard completion. The old guy still has it. 1:58 p.m.: Getting the idea that Favre is going after Gay? That and the right middle. Not a thing in the areas of Ryan Clark and Ike Taylor. 2 p.m.: Brad Childress just sprinted down to the 15-yard line to call that timeout, he wanted one so badly. Wait, isn't there a rule about straying out of the coaching box? 2:03 p.m.: The quicksilver Peterson skitters into the end zone on third down for the first touchdown of the game. So ended a confidence-instilling, 13-play, 76-yard, 5:22 drive. Vikings, 7-3. 2:10 p.m.: Sixty-five yards of Steelers offense so far -- no, that isn't going to cut it. You folks are correct, the defense -- against that massive Minnesota line -- will wear down at this rate come the second half. Maybe the no-huddle, or at least a varied play-calling that doesn't leave the Steelers' offense subject to seven-man blitzes. 2:21 p.m.: That third-down conversion, after the Steelers' 1-for-5 start, was all Mewelde Moore. And he bears watching: He declined all week to talk about his former team, so methinks he feels he has a little extra oomph for this one. 2:23 p.m.: Sure, a 22-yard pass for a first down to Wallace -- his Show continues -- but by now you can tell Roethlisberger, who made his career with plays afoot, didn't throw a sharp ball there. . . . But he threw a nifty one, with time, to Wallace for the go-ahead touchdown that dropped over two defenders and into the post-pattern arms of Wallace, snarled up the Vikings safeties and allowed the rookie to perform a somersault into the end zone with 24 seconds left in the half. Steelers, 10-3. But they did just leave The Legend 24 seconds to work. 2:26 p.m.: Excuse me while I update my resume to remove that "potential Offensive Coordinator" career move. Childress has Favre take a knee. Halftime, Steelers 10-7.

THIRD QUARTER

2:43 p.m.: What is this, 1992 all over again? Or 1992-2006? The Steelers are running, and effectively. Not a bad block by Roethlisberger on the reverse that the Vikings knew was coming -- and still that Paymah was called for a facemask. Man, there's a guy you attack all day. . . Nifty run by Roethlisberger, seeing the left side of the field wide open, but Benny Sapp dived through the air to elicit an unsportsmanlike penalty. He was even guilty of a charging penalty that an NHL ref called from Mellon Arena. 2:47 p.m.: That second-down play prompts questioning after the game -- did Wallace or Hines Ward run a wrong route in the right corner to cause Roethlisberger to refrain from throwing? did the QB worry about his fourth batted pass of the day? or was it a pass-run option, and Roethlisberger chose to tuck and run? One other thing: They ran the ball so well, outside of one crunching tackle, why go away from it compeltely in the Red Zone? . . . It's a record day in one capacity: The 65,597 attendance marks a Heinz Field record, surpassing by 247 the AFC championship game attendance last January and by 487 the Tennessee season opener last month. . , Reed's 27-yard field goal extends the lead a tad, but not enough to feel comfortable around The Legend and Peterson. Steelers, 13-7. 2:59 p.m.: That fourth-down play was vintage Favre. He pump-faked to freeze Polamalu for one step, and that allowed Sidney Rice to flash open behind the defense. 3:01 p.m.: Riddle me this: You got the best running back since maybe Barry Sanders, in Peterson, and you throw two of the three downs from the 1-yard line? The Steelers don't care. They made a stand and came away with the lead still. A moral victory, indeed. Don't fail to notice the Vikings put together another 13-play drive and they're 6 of 13 on third downs, meaning they've converted five of their past seven before failing on this last goalline play. The Minnesota field goal makes it Steelers, 13-10, with -- hmm, a harbinger? -- 4:44 left in the quarter.3:09 p.m.: Somebody in the press box is worried. They just cued up "Renegade," which Ryan Clark earlier this week noted is a sure signal that it's time to focus and bear down. (And, for the record, there are 17 minutes, 59 seconds of regulation left. Premature Styx, perhaps?) 3:14 p.m.: Harvin was already dropped that perfectly lovely, third-down throw by Favre, but Clark sure got into Harvin's bad shoulder and his head -- the rookie may not catch many more over the middle today, if at all. Steelers offense needs a prolonged drive and, it would help their cause, a score. 3:17 p.m.: The Steelers have piled up runs of 17, 16 and 14 -- and immediately after that last Mendenhall gallop around right end, behind stellar blocking, with a badly-thrown, badly-called halfback-release pass?

FOURTH QUARTER

3:21 p.m.: Right after an electric play by Holmes, who eluded six would-be tacklers -- or, from the Minnesota vantage point, six blown potential tackles -- Mendenhall followed with an ill-advised leap. He lost the ball in mid-air, and the Vikings recovered at their own three. This could present a HUGE point turnaround, and possibly even the game, in one play. We shall see. But, of course, Mendenhall and fumbling aren't exactly strangers. (Search his name along with "bounty" and "tucked." ) 3:27 p.m.: Lawrence Timmons twice stopped, and crumpled once, trying to get off the field with a bad, right ankle. And that's one position where the Steelers aren't exactly blessed with depth (where have you gone, Larry Foote?) You certainly do get the feeling The Legend is going to lead them on a 97-yard drive here. Good thing Harrison came to play at a Defensive Player of the Year level, and a holding penalty just negated that long Favre completion to Rice -- more than a 50-yard swing. 3:36 p.m.: That was a smart challenge, the proper review and a heck of a throw and catch, a 25-yard gain for a third down -- after penalties on three of four Minnesota snaps. It's their game for the taking now. 3:39 p.m.: Kirschke limped off, something with his left ankle, shin or foot, and that stands as another bad sign for the Steelers defense. Nick Eason, a third-teamer cut twice already this season, is playing left defensive end in the Red Zone agiansttwo of the game's best all-time offensive players? 3:41 p.m.: Get this, if the Packers do score a touchdown, they'll have gained almost 130 yards this drive, overcoming four penalties. Look at that, I just typed Packers. 3:43 p.m.: Universal reaction: Are you kiddin' me? Brett Keisel got credit for the sack and strip, LaMarr Woodley got no style points -- it was no Harrison Super Bowl Polamalu play -- but his fumble return of 77 yards with a cordon of defensive blockers makes it Steelers, 20-10. Harrison, by the way, lay on his back around midfield in glee afterward. The first non-defensive player to congratulate Woodley? Mendenhall. Who probably should buy him dinner. Some new clothes. . . Kirschke has a calf and Timmons has an ankle, as Coach Cahr used to say. They're done for the day. By the way, Bart Simpson has a cow.

3:47 p.m.: That buzz didn't last long.

Harvin's 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown -- the second against the Steelers in two weeks, remember -- brought the positive vibes down. And it also brought down back judge Richard Reels, who got accidentally clouted by backup Minnesota tight end Jeff Dugan. Interestingly, one of the Vikings front-line blockers, sorry I didn't catch a number, signaled for Harvin to move up just before Reed ran up to the ball. So he read something on the coverage-unit call or alignment. . . Also note that Reed didn't slow down Harvin with that mild midfield push, and he normally gives the rest of his coverage unit a fighting chance.

3:52 p.m.: For the second game in a row, carrying the fourth-quarter ball in the ground game is. . . neither Mendenhall nor Parker, who has been noticeably absent since the earlygoing. It was Moore.3:57 p.m.: Credit Justin Hartwig's knee for knocking that horrendously loose footbal out of bounds.That saved the Steelers roughly 30 yards in a game with a field-goal difference. Still and all, you give Brett Favre the ball and 3:21? He can score six touchdowns in that time. 4:01 p.m.: "Renegade" twice? Is that kosher? Look at it this way: Not just third and 4, but in the final two minutes, a less-than-2008 defense with Keyaron Fox and Eason playing must make a stand. 4:04 p.m.: Time to update that resume again, to add "potential Nostradamus." Fox went 82 yards with a pass that went from Favre to Chester Taylor -- a former Baltimore Raven, remember -- to Fox's belly, and he bolted down the left sideline without needing a single block downfield from personal escort Clark. Steelers, 27-17. 4:12 p.m.: It's ovah. Score this one: Patchwork Pittsburgh defense 14, Steelers offense 13 (for a home total of 27), Vikings 17.

Polamalu vs. Reed

Dan Gigler — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:37:00 GMT

A truly excellent video sent to us by Adrian in Pittsburgh, examining a question that will stymie scholars for generations -- who is better, Ed Reed or Troy Polamalu?

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Personally, I've always found this argument is a bit apples & oranges -- though they're both safetys, Ed Reed is a free safety and Troy is a strong safety. That's akin to comparing James Harrison and Ray Lewis. They're both linebackers, sure, but they play different positions. Reed has a year at hand on Polamalu and plays more deep coverage and hence has way more picks and touchdowns; Polamalu, more sacks and tackles.

Which player is more valuable to their team? Regular observers of the Steelers note that their defense isn't the same without him, and the Steelers might well be 5-0 right now with him in the lineup.

And one play that doesn't show up in those regular season stats, came when the two went head-to-head in the most important game in short but bloody history of the Steelers-Ravens rivalry: this one.

Finally, there's the matter of Super Bowl rings. Polamalu has two, Reed, none.

What do you think? Weigh in on the comments section.

But is your couch big enough?

Chuck Finder sends along this release from JC Penny's regarding a chance to watch a game with the Bus:

"Ever dreamed of watching the big game with “The Bus?” Well, maybe you haven’t. But it would still be pretty amazing if that dream came true. JCPenney and Levi’s are now offering your readers a chance to host the most ultimate football party with Steelers legend, Jerome Bettis.

If you win, you’ll get to invite 15 friends over to hang out with The Bus as you park yourselves on the couch in front of your new 52" TV! And if you’re feeling adventurous on that lazy Sunday, head to the park and challenge Jerome to a little game of flag football – but I can’t promise that you won’t get hurt. You and your crew can also update your wardrobe with some new Levi’s jeans with your JCPenney gift cards - $200 for you and $50 for each of your guests. All you need to do is enter the sweepstakes."

A couple of immediate questions come to mind:

1. Will J.C. Penny put an addition on your house to host this thing? Jerome wasn't exactly svelte in his playing days, let alone in retirement. Plus 15 other people?

2. Who is catering this shindig? Methinks The Bus plus 15 other dudes are going to annihilate some wings.

3. Do you think Jerome and his people might be ready to choke the PR person who suggested that it might be fun for the Bus to play touch football with 15 strangers? The guy managed to make it through a 13-season career of using his body as a battering ram, managed to come out without shredding his knees or becoming a dribbling vegetable, and now JC Penny's wants him to toss the pigskin around with a bunch of mopes like Brett Favre in those stupid Wrangler commercials.

Nonetheless, a very cool opportunity.

Steelers-Lions live

Chuck Finder — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:48:00 GMT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- We;re live, on location, at a Steelers bar. . . .. Oops, sorry, slipped into television blow-dry mode for a second there.

While in Florida picking up a number of other stories (shhhh, the folks at Brand X can read, so we have to keep it from them for awhile), the Live Blog follows me. Don't leave home without it, or somethin'. So here we are at East Side Pub, in the Coral Ranch section of this Atlantic Ocean paradise. Why, there's even a Primanti's here, barely 1.2 miles south. But that's yet another story for yet another day.

Younz guys would love this place, by the way. A 15-foot, blow-up Steeler stands guard out front. All kinds of signs -- OK, so their trademark is a Philly cheesesteak, and I just passed an Eagles bar -- adorn the walls, "Welcome to Steeler Nation," posters, photos, Iron City ads, you name it. By the way, I just met the owner, who three years ago turned the place back into a Steelers bar. After a co-owner from Pittsburgh sold the place, it became.a gay nightclub, whose owners sold it to a Canadian-born, Massachussetts couple who restored it to Steelers central, supposedly the hoppingest such bar north of Miami, if not in all of South Florida.. ,

Onto the game:

12:51 p.m.: Dante Culpepper is starting for the Lions, and methinks the Steelers are 2-0 (Minnesota and Miami) against him. Ergo, it should be better to play a quarterback you know and you've beaten rather than some new kid fresh off the draft line, Matthew Stafford.

FIRST QUARTER

1:05 p.m.: Well, Limas Sweed isn't in or on top of the Siberia that isn't Mike Tomlin's doghouse. And then, the first throw in his direction since the botched pass in Cincinnati's end zone two weeks ago (and one week after he was inactive against San Diego), the Big Texas Tease drops another one. A decent defensive play, the announcers corectly pointed out that it was a catchable ball. . . 1:07 p.m.: Disregarding the hold on James Harrison -- the officials apparently did -- Culpepper proved me wrong already with a dandy run. He faked out some Steeler defensive back there, Ike Taylor maybe?, on his way deep into Steelers territory. The Lions have a little offense. It's just a matter of scoring more in the second half, when they tend to turtle into an 0-16 team. . . . 1:12 p.m.: Detroit drive stalls. A 46-yard field goal, despite a Steelers offsides, gives the Lions a 3-0 lead. The Steelers need to answer, even with a sustained drive that doesn't culminate in a score. . . . 1:18 p.m.: Carp all you want about the Steelers running game, or lack thereof. Bruce Arians, Ben Roethlisberger and Co. have crafted a passing game almost as potent at Indianapolis or any other NFL team you care to name. There's a reason the quarterback is completing 75 percent of his passes in games, and, to be sure, the protection is a critical reason. But well-designed plays, patterns that cross up secondaries and pretty fair receivers -- that was a nice tackle-breaking run after catch on first down by Santonio Holmes -- and then the middle screen, behind blockers, with Rashard Mendenhall show a deep and varied playbook, a deep and varied talent base. Having said that, they'll probably rip off seven consecutive incompletions and a pick. 1:20 p.m.: All right, already, the running game looks to be decent in Mendenhall's hands, with Willie Parker ailing (and trust me, I've had one, turf toes take time; a month, maybe). Mendenhall broke one tackle and ran quickly to open space, but he also had outstanding blocking on that run, including a road-grading block by Heath Miller, whose value cannot be understated. . . . 1:23 p.m.: Shows you, the Steelers don't read this: A quick, cutting drive for a Mendenhall touchdown -- that's three touchdowns in five quarters for him, so maybe he's just a slow pro starter? Steelers, 7-0. . . .1:31 p.m.: Oooh, the Steelers' secondary is susceptible without Troy Polamalu in there? Brilliant deduction,Mr. Color Commentator (I hear Dick Enberg, who I like, but I don't even want to type his sidekick's name). But the key to that pass to the Lions fullback was: The linebackers, likely James Farrior, missed that coverage on a nicely designed play by Detroit -- both backs went into the middle for passes, with the Steelers failing to blitz on the play. Lions kick yet another field goal and decline yet another offsides call on the Steelers, who still lead by 7-6. (Oh, and for the record: It was wise to sit Polamalu. As noted Dr. Ryan Clark put it: Why use him in Week 5 against Detroit when you truly need him healthy for Week 10 and 15 and beyond?

SECOND QUARTER

1:43 p.m.: Mendenhall fumbles? Yeah, you remember that. Preseason his rookie year and again early this year? The $500 bounty on a ball he had to tote around the South Side complex? At least he doesn't drop the ball as often as Sweed. . . 1:48 p.m.: Nice acting job by Roethlisberger, but, who knows, maybe his right knee did endure more pain that it originally looked after being basically high-lowed by a pair of Lions. That bears further inspection. But, if nothing else, it erased a bad pick -- which most humans would throw with 500 pounds of beef bearing on you and your knees.. . .1:52 p.m.: Words a sports writer so rarely gets to type: And the bar goes wild! After Matt Spaeth's pull-down and penalty erased a touchdown, the Steelers -- as Ed Bouchette wrote earlier in the week -- went all Tony Gonzalez-Dallas Clark-Antonio Gates on the Lions, a touchdown catch and run by Heath Miller. Steelers, 14-6. They're actually playing the "Here We Go" song in this bar, which is a little larger than your average end zone. . . and packed with about 150 fans in various jersies and T's.

Yeah, I know. I'm in a bar. In Florida. Watching football. And it's a workday.

Such a tough life I lead.

Honest, Boss, I haven't touched a drop of libation, either. It is, after all, a workday.

Of course, you remember the last time the Steelers were in Ford Field.

A funny aside: A Seattle newspaper pal around the Thursday of Super Bowl week wrote about how the Seahawks were expecting a quiet crowd on Super Sunday, what with the corporate atmosphere and ticketholders to these glitzy affairs. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. My guesstimate was some 35,000, maybe even 40,000, Steelers fans were inside the building that XL day. A like number were around downtown Detroit, where cabbies charged per head and bars asked some $150 for a black-and-gold body to come inside and merely watch the game on TV. By the way, I always thought it was a good thing the Bears didn't win that NFC Champsionship: Could you imagine 70,000 to 80,000 Chicago fans and the same amount of Pittsburgh fans all getting insulated in Greektown on Saturday night? Could've been the largest drunken streetfight in U.S. history.

2:03 p.m.: I know what you're thinking: Mike Wallace must've gotten too close to Sweed. The dropsies are contagious. Maybe Sweed should cough into his elbow and the club should install those antibacterial-lotion machines on the sidelines. . . 2:08 p.m.: Oops, some kid goes all Ed Reed on Roethlisberger, one play after Wallace beat William James like a rented mule on that deep-pass drop, and it's Steelers, 14-13. . . .2:10 p.m.: A fan here has a legitimate question: Does being an ardent Steelers fan take years off your life? Miss Roethlisberger Throwback estimates it at 10 years. Might as well take up cliff diving or cigarette-pack smoking, right? UPMC, researchers get right on that. . . 2:14 p.m.: That's an amazing stat, 130-plus Steelers yards this quarter compared to just 1 yard by Detroit? Ward scored, bar erupted, Steelers regain a two-score lead at 21-13. But you gotta keep scoring, keep muffling that offense. But you gotta keep scoring, keep muffling that offense. A two-touchdown lead either before halftime or early the second, and this one will be in the books. (Hmmm, but didn't we say that at Chicago and Cincinnati, too? On second thought, the Steelers need a road victory any way they can get it right now. And, for the record, even some Florida fans have written off the club already: They won't win the Super Bowl. They don't have it. They don't look good. Tomlin needs to get on them. So, in short, a lovely climate and a different zip code doesn't alter Steeler Nation mentality much, does it. 2:24 p.m.: A James Harrison sack. There's something you haven't seen with anywhere near the same regularity as last season. By the way, his book comes out this week. 2:29 p.m.: HALFTIME, Steelers 21-13. Not a good half, not a bad half. They've done enough to get the lead, and, really, the defense isn't playing that bad, yielding just a pair of field goals mostly due to a couple of big plays (a nasty trend). But the frenetic fourth quarter is still to come.

THIRD QUARTER

2:46 p.m.: Yes, they serve Iron City here. But, again, Boss, I'm sippin' only diet pop. . . 2:55 p.m.: The leg, but not the accuracy for a 50-yarder anymore. Field-goal miss. Steelers need to turn that miss into points to pull away. . . 2:58 p.m.: Wallace caught THAT one. Even if it was underthrown a mite by Roethlisberger, who hadn't been off in his timing with the rookie since presesaon. Still and all, it's the kid's first NFL touchdown. And it breaks open this one. Steelers 28-13. Feel better now? . . . 3:15 p.m.: Rarer than a Harrison (or LaMarr Woodley) sack or a Sweed catch, it's a defensive turnover -- an interception, in particular. Clark's marked the Steelers' first pick in more than 150 pass attempts and 18-plus quarters (not counting overtime vs. Tennessee). The last one? Polamalu early against those Tennessee Tuxedos. Right there is your key defensive difference from last year.

FOURTH QUARTER

Just looked it up: The Steelers entered the day tied with the Patriots and Browns for dead last in the NFL with just one interception. Amazing. . 3:43 p.m.: Two ways to look at that Detroit touchdown. Glass half-full: That was Detroit's first offensive touchdown of the game and followed 3 2/3 quarters of just two field goals worth of offensive production. Glass half-empty: There's that fourth-quarter defensive problem again. As WVU coach Bill Stewart says: Hey, it's just a half-glass of water, anyway! Translation: The defense, as Dick LeBeau is wont to do, gave up stuff underneath. They allow the running backs and tight ends to catch short stuff, hoping that they'll get hit enough to develop alligator arms or drop balls on occasion. But they made Detroit's two-minute drill take three minutes. Still, they have one defensive stand yet to make, if not more. Lions TD makes it 28-20. Steelers. .3:52 p.m.: Playing with Polamalu is hard enough, but Clark, too? We'll see if the injury is severe. For a player of Clark's magnitude, anything more than a game or two -- Brett Favre approaches on the schedule -- could be verrrrrrry troubling. 4:02 p.m.: The LeBeau defense gave up the short stuff. Then, in the end, they turned the dogs loose. Three of their season-high seven sacks came on three of the final four downs. Sure, that last down was momentarily scarey, with two Lions receivers open underneath. . . before the Steelers' deep safeties stepped into the picture and snuffed out the threat. Hey, the Lions needed a 2-point conversion still to tie, remember. This team, similar to 2001, might be a team that juuuuuuust does enough to win, and that team won a ton of games by one score. Final: Steelers 28, Lions 20.

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.

We have football. . . sorta: Steelers-Cardinals preseason Game 1

Chuck Finder — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:09:00 GMT

8:07 p.m.: Meanwhile, back at the ranch. . . .

One-hundred ninety-three days later -- and, man, did those pass quickly -- the Super Bowl Polamalu finalists returned to kick-start their 2009 preseasons. A touchback, a nowhere run from a one-back, and the defending champYinz weren't exactly off to a repeat start.

But, then, who in Hades remembers the first coupla plays from preseason scrimmage?

If you do, report directly to your nearest emergency room. You got problems.

8:14 p.m.: What, no comments about Jon Gruden yet? C'mon, you've given the onetime Paul Hackett assistant at Pitt almost a full quarter of time on TV. You got to have an opinion of the new guy on Monday Night Football by now.

8:15 p.m.: Most of the crowd -- almost half of it seems to still be trickling in, due to Steelers-Bill Clinton-casino(?) traffic -- stood and roared at a Steelers punt not performed by the 29-yard-artist formerly known as Mitch Berger.

I think it was Bobby Walden.

No, it was surgically repaired Daniel Sepulveda. Nice punt, too. You missed him, didn't you?

8:24 p.m.: By the way, Travis Kirschke started for defensive end Brett Keisel, who was rested due to a calf injury.

8:38 p.m.: This just in: Michael Vick signs with Pennsylvania team. . . the Eagles, that is. Two-year deal, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, who is still gathering details. Wait, they just signed Adam DiMichele of Sto-Rox -- they didn't need another quarterback.

And how close were the Steelers to signing Vick? About 305 miles.

Charity was always a Rooney cause, not social work.

8:46 p.m.: Charlie Batch warming in the bullpen; an early night for the starters, and would you really want to expose Ben Roethlisberger like that behind a third-team, practice-squad center? Arizona's Anquan Boldin and Hines Ward were chatting on the field during the long and incorrectly announced review -- see, even the officials need preseason games to get into form.

8:52 p.m.: Limas, sweet. It's wayyyyyyyyyyyyy early, but he already -- and throw in even the AFC championship game, when he got wide open (that catching part must come later) -- is starting to look like a nice No. 3 receiver. No. 4, at worst. Nate Washington? Please pick up a white courtesy phone. . . .

8:58 p.m.: It's wayyyyyy early, and the weather is perfect for kicking, but Mike Tomlin lets Jeff Reed regularly attempt 50-yarders in camp. And he just hit that one a good 58, maybe longer. So you might see him try a few more of those long suckers in dry weather.

Oh, and beyond how Lawrence Timmons or Troy Polamalu -- who has hardly practiced in a week on that hamstring -- are performing in less-than-a-dress rehearsal, watch guys like Ziggy Hood, now on the defensive line, or Rashard Mendenhall (behind a patchwork, early line), or William Gay, or. . . more names to come. Preseason provides a gilmpse of new guys, or rising players.

for Southernburgh.

9:14 p.m.: Dennis Dixon in for Batch. Why not: Dixon can run the 2-minute drill, with 62 seconds left in the first half. And you can protect Batch's collarbone -- you know what he can do.

9:21 p.m.: Anthony Madison sure is talented -- he can make an interception AND get called for interference at the same time. Neil Rackers' 29-yard field goal with :00 on the clock ties it at halftime, 3-3. Not that it matters.

9:22 p.m.: From Bruce Springsteen to this. . . . dogs catching frisbees. John Steigerwald for years growled that this should be the standard halftime show.

And, to think, we already mentioned Mike Vick in this blog.

9:28 p.m.: Many pardons, this blog inadvertently left out Keith Urban playing the Mellon Arena in that 8:15 p.m. item about Dahntahn traffic.

9:40 p.m.: As a press-box wag pointed out, former coach Bill Cowher would've termed Joe Burnett's fumble after a 10-yard punt return "an auspicious debut." Especially considering that he meant "inauspicious," but from such verbiage he just couldn't be de-teered.

9:51 p.m.: Piotr Czech just missed a 36-yard field goal try, pushing it a tad left. But don't start those Bounced Czech puns. Every team needs an extra leg around to rest the incumbent, such as Reed.

10:10 p.m.: To answer a Comments question: No, there is no rent-a-leg punter in camp to help out Daniel Sepulveda. Maybe Mike Tomlin will give him a week off after this game. Five punts already for nearly a 50-yard average. Impressive.

Now, some early comments from the Steelers sidelines. . . . Ben Roethlisberger: "Overall, without look at film, I think [the offense] was OK. I think we had a couple of plays with few breakdowns, but it just felt good to go against someone other than your own guys." Hines Ward: "We played more, the first group, than we wanted to. We made some great plays and moved the ball out there." Max Starks about the talked-about offensive line: "Everybody is on the same page. Everybody was talking, that was very important to establish that early so there is no miscommunication, a guy coming free." Aaron Smith: "They moved the ball a little bit on us, but they didn't score, and I think we played all right. It's the first preseason game, and you're going to have mistakes here and there, guys being a little rough." LaMarr Woodley: "I think we did all right. It felt like we were on the field too long."

10:18 p.m.: Burnett acquitted himself nicely on that 42-yard interception return, huh? He resembled a fellow who knows what to do with the ball in his hands. That set up free-agent (yay, Bowie State!) Isaac Redman, who ran through one potential tackler and brushed off the arms of another in completing the final 3 yards in a touchdown rumble around right end. If this night illustrated nothing else, right there were a couple of new folks to watch this preseason, along with Mike Wallace.

10:34 p.m.: Yes, Redman is looking pretty good right now, running through people, rushing for a game-high 33 yards on seven carries and two touchdowns. Remember, though, he's playing against the bottom of the Cardinals' depth chart, as well. Besides, who does Bowie State play? Rod Stewart U.? Jagger A&M? Springsteen Tech? (I know, Virginia Union and Virginia State and Pennsylvania's own Lincoln are on the Bulldogs' schedule, among others.)

10:38 p.m.: Tyler Palko of Pitt and West Allegheny made quite a quick and successful Arizona debut. As another wag noted, he should be well familiar with the small size of the crowd left. And no wonder something like 1/4 of the Cardinals roster has Western Pennsylvania ties, befitting the Pittsburgh West flavor starting from the head coach down. Palko converted all five of his pass attempts, including the touchdown to cap his five-play, 59-yard, 1:59 drive.

10:53 p.m.: Czech, please. This one's over, 20-10 Steelers, on his field goal with 1:41 still to play. Didn't have that buzz of the last time they met, huh?

Super Bowl Polamalu (XLIII), Live

Chuck Finder — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:25:00 GMT

10:09 p.m.: Double wow. Double yoi. Greatest Super Bowl finish ever? Certainly for the Steelers.

Break open that 6 Pack now.

10:02 p.m.: Good call by McAulay: Holmes "toes" were in bounds. A freeze frame in NFL history, let alone the Super Bowl. With 35 seconds left? On what could be the game-winning drive? After putting them there? And nearly catching the potential winning touchdown in the other corner? In. Cred. A. Bull.

But wait...........................Arizona gets the ball with half a minute left. Fitzgerald and Warner have worked that magic before. Like, say, the fade touchdown that gave the Cardinals that 23-20 lead (sorry I missed a while there, but I have to write another story, on deadline, while the game is going on. What I wouldn't do for younz guys.)

9:59 p.m.: No way. Did Holmes really make that catch? Did he get both feet in?

Move aside, Lynn Swann and the bobble over Dallas' Mark Washingon. Heck, poor James Harrison made probably the greatest play in Super Bowl history at the end of the first half, what with the circumstances and how much that turned around a game that could've been 10-10 at half. Holmes just made the greatest catch in Supe annals. Heck, that may even surpass Joe Montana-to-Dwight Clark in that NFC Championship moment for the ages

9:58 p.m.: No timeouts left, a desperate need to score a touchdown, and first-and-goal at the Cardinals' 6 with 49 seconds left. You don't want overtime against this team, do you? Nice try on that overthrow by Santonio Holmes, who just made a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge catch and run to give the Steelers a chance to tie (the first overtime Supe) or win.

9:57 p.m.: Wow.

9:56 p.m.: Nothing like a fourth-quarter, must-have drive in the Super Bowl. Now that's drama. And Roethlisberger, with his idol John Elway the comeback kid in the crowd, with Elway's No. 7 and the Steelers on his back, was trying to collect yet another fourth-quarter flourish for which he has become famed already.

9:45 p.m.: Think Mike Tomlin wants that touchdown in the last goalline situation back right now?

In either?

9:43 p.m.: You have to pass from your own 1-yard line. You have to go for the first down. It looked like they got it, but holding on that offensive line again, Justin Hartwig. Safety. So it suddenly became 20-16, Steelers. That's better than a sack, even an interception. Maybe not a punt, though. We're about to find out. Give those knuckles a rest, Galaxy.

It was the first safety since Supe XXV, in Tampa, when Bruce Smith of Buffalo sacked the New York Giants Jeff Hostetler of West Virginia in the end zone.

9:30 p.m.: Fitzgerald is back. Mostly, Warner is finally looking for his franchise player. His 1-yard fade route -- who can stop that? -- gave Arizona Ol' Mo' and pared the Steelers' lead to 20-14. Hold onto your seats.

9:17 p.m.: Troy Polamalu, commercial MVP.

9:12 p.m.: First of all, didja expect Big Ben to outhrow Wingin' Warner through three quarters. It's 162 yards to 153, but, more important, that vaunted passing game has only 153 yards -- and less than 10 yards per completion. Fitzgerald entered the fourth quarter with just one catch, covered like a full-length mink by Ike Taylor. Warner isn't even throwing in Fitz's direction. That's some dandy defensive work right there, folks.

9:04 p.m.: End of third quarter, Steelers 20-7. With this defense, with the way the Steelers' offense is moving the ball and, more important, grinding up clock, it looks like you can almost pop open that 6 Pack.

Almost.

8:56 p.m.: Sixteen-play, 79-yard drive, which is incredible in and of itself. But to take up 8:39 of a quarter -- more than half -- on one drive, all those whack penalties or not? Now that's a crusher. With Reed's 21-yard field goal giving the Steelers a 20-7 lead, the Cardinals must muster some kind of score on their next drive, or they're history.

8:52 p.m.: That third-down was non-call was warranted. Then, on Jeff Reed's field goal, the Cardinals picked up a third personal foul of the drive when Adrian Wilson, in referee Terry McAulay's word, "ran over the holder," Mitch Berger. Automatic first down. And the clock's ticking away.

If you enlarge you can see Adrian Wilson about to level Mitch Berger

8:50 p.m.: I'm sorry, but this goal-line offense is laughable. There you got your wish, Willie Parker on a run -- and the blocking wasn't there, so he got corralled for a loss. Then a Heath Miller drop? You don't see that very often.

8:44 p.m.: Quiet. Listen. . . . You can almost hear Mike Holmgren and all those Seahawks fans yapping about the Steelers getting all the breaks from officials. In this instance, it's warranted. Santonio Holmes committed a facemask penalty on DRC, who was the one flagged. No wonder Holmes heard "facemask" and started pleading his case to the side judge -- he knows when he's guilty. . . .Then a second personal-foul penalty? On a questionable call on Arizona linebacker Karlos Dansby for roughing Roethlisberger. Ya know, maybe those Pacific Northwesterners were on to something.

8:35 p.m.: Kurt Warner, just when he was leading the Cardinals downfield when they badly needed it, was called for a fumble -- his longtime bugaboo. But Arizona challenged that his arm was going forward, as replays seemed to show. If the Steelers get a field goal, minimum, on this next drive, it could be a death knell already for Arizona. At some point, of course, these former sleepwalkers (they're word) and realize, Hey, we are the Cardinals after all.

8:34 p.m.: Sorry, I'm still not recovered. . . . (Nice photos by Dan Gigler, too. Jus' givin' a shout out.)

8:19 p.m.: Bruce Springsteen is going to Disney Land. Will the Steelers, too?

7:57 p.m.: Excuse me while this intrepid reporter arises from his keyboard to worship at the altar of The Boss.

No, not Micco (sorry, Jer).

7:55 p.m.: Touchdown, 17-7, Steelers. Please refer to 7:07 for details.

That made Harrison's the longest play in Super Bowl history, offensive, defensive, special teams. Remember, Willie Parker registered the longest touchdown run, at 75 yards, in winning Super Bowl XL. Momentum, signs, you name it -- it points in the Steelers' direction right now.

7:51 p.m.: First and goal at the Steelers' 1, just 18 seconds left after good clock management. The Cardinals appeared to be in a must-throw down, and . . . someone call for oxygen for James Harrison. A 100-yard interception return for a touchdown -- hey, Deshea Townsend, get outta his way and block for somebody. Warner for Boldin went awry. Harrison exhausted, though Tomlin came over to congratulate.

The play was under review, but his head was the first thing that touched in the end zone. So it's a bigger miracle for the opposition since Tony Dungy got a Polamalu interception reversed in the Super Bowl XL playoff run.

Unbelievable play by the Defensive MVP of 2008 who, by now, we ought to expect this kind of thing. Believe it now, as Tampa gave its Super Bowl that slogan. (BTW: An unidentified Steeler clipped a Cardinal on the return.)

7:48 p.m.: That 12-yard catch and run by No. 11 marked the first catch of the day by Pitt's Larry Fitzgerald. The Steelers need to contain him to win this game, and so far they've done that. But. . . .

7:36 p.m.: Forget the bad offensive series by Arizona, and the strong push by the Steelers' D. The turning point, may have come at 2:59. The stadium entertainment folks just played "Love is Like a Rock" by Pittsburgh's own Dawnee Ahhriss.

7:30 p.m.: That quaking you feel just might be momentum, with a couple of penalties and a nice Breaston return giving Arizona some momentum. But that Steelers' pass rush, gaining a holding call on one and a sack on another, picked up the pace for the defense.

7:20 p.m.: Game-saving drive by the Cardinals. They looked poised and comfortable against that secondary, that defense. An Anquan Boldin open play, a couple of James/Breaston plays and a lack of a rush on Warner, and the Cardinals have a nine-play, 83-yard drive to cut the Steelers' lead to 10-7.

7:14 p.m.: Key thing to notice on that Cardinals first down: Kurt Warner got happy feet in the pocket and threw a bad pass. And there really wasn't a rush near him.

7:07 p.m.: Gary Russell just ran off the field faster than he ran on it. A plunge for a touchdown. A point after. An 11-play, 69-yard drive covering seven-plus minutes. And it was 10-0, Steelers.

Stat time: The Cardinals are 1-6 this season when they fall behind by 10 points or more. And 1-12 in two seasons under Whis.

7:04 p.m.: Third and goal at the one, and Mike Tomlin calls timeout. Will they call two plays and quickly go for a fourth-down try? Can Tomlin plunge that aggressive bent into his pocket and actually kick another field goal? Stay tuned. (Oh, yeah, right, like you were going to change over to "60 Minutes" or something right now. . . .)

7:00 p.m.: End of first quarter, 3-0 Steelers. But they're threatening. And hold on for an interesting stat if they do score. (Whis has that red flag ready. . . .) BTW: Steelers 140 yards, Cardinals 13. But that isn't the stat that counts most, ya know.

6:57 p.m.: Did NBC's John Madden just say, "That's Ben Roethlisberger being Superman"? Well, that was vintage Roethlisberger escapability, continually scanning downfield -- though you gotta wonder if he saw Hines Ward open and Heath Miller just popped into the picture at the last second.

6:54 p.m.: Yes, Nate Washington was as wide open as he looked on TV. Wider, even. Roethlisberger put too much air underneath it, underthrowing Washington, and rookie Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie rallied to nearly intercept it. DRC, as they call him, is a star in the making. But the dude from Tiffin beat him badly on that one.

6:50 p.m.: Less of a stellar and more of a Stiller first possession by Arizona. Edgerrin James looked a bit rattled, with that fumble. Kurt Warner looked a tad confused by the defense's movement. And how about Troy Polamalu being all over the field: on a tackle, on the sidelines having trainer John Norwig reinsert his left contact lens, on Larry Fitzgerald one-on-one in bump-and-zone coverage off the line on third-and-17. That last part merits watching later. Nothing like having the two best players in this game, and possibly even the NFL, going head to head.

This just in, if it's a sign: Reed's field goal was the shortest in a Super Bowl in three decades since. . . the Steelers' Roy Gerela also kicked an 18-yarder in Super Bowl X, played in 1976.

6:46 p.m.: Color me shocked. This intrepid reporter was sure the Cardinals would come out in three or four wides. On second down, they did. . . and got a first down on a Kurt Warner pitch to Woodland Hills' Steve Breaston. Methinks Coach Whis will ditch the run rather soon and use those spread formations.

6:42 p.m.: After being aggressive all season, if not his entire head-coaching term thus far, Mike Tomlin opted for the points. Jeff Reed's field goal from 18 yards, after a 9-play, 71-yard, good-looking drive, gave the Steelers a 3-0 lead over Arizona.

Don't get cocky, Steelers galaxy. Arizona gave up a first-drive touchdown at Carolina and trailed 7-0 before scoring 33 unanswered points. And they were down to Atlanta, 17-14, in the wild-card game and responded with a touchdown and a lead they wouldn't relinquish in just 70-some seconds.

6:35 p.m.: For one thing, Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt might be regretting that decision to defer already, huh? Boomer Esiason on Westwood One said Ben Roethlisberger already looks better than he did in all of Super Bowl XL. . . But this goal-line offense (Russell?) still has great difficulty without using Parker or the pass. . . .Maybe it's a Steelers sign: Roethlisberger, who many folks (including much of the Pacific Northwest) still don't think he scored going left in Ford Field, scores on a pass on which he took the run option. Touchdown -- or is it? Whisenhunt challenged, which is a smart call (especially being a student of history, having been in the press box in Detroit that day). Roethlisberger is close yet again. . . replays arethisclose. After review, officials overturn the touchdown call. Fourth-and-goal from the one, Darnell Dockett with the tackle and Whisenhunt with the touchdown-saving move.

6:33 p.m.: What bad knee? Hines Ward was open for 10 to 15 yards, easy.

6:31 p.m.: If someone fleet such as Santonio Holmes had returned that kickoff through the middle hole, it might well be 7-0 Steelers by now. Maybe Gary Russell was blinded by all the flashing cameras.

6:28 p.m.: Big-game conditions: 68 degrees, winds out of the north-northwest (holy Hitchcock) and skies mostly cloudy, though it's nighttime, so it doesn't matter. Best weather for a Steelers game since, what, September?

6:27 p.m.: Tails, by James Farrior. It's heads. Arizona defers. Hey, like Bill Cowher sorta said, nobody ever remembers who loses the coin toss at the Super Bowl. (Final) Game on.

Sneak peek: 'Mean' Troy P. commercial ...

Dan Gigler — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:19:00 GMT

Teresa Lindeman, who is in Tampa covering the business ends of things at the Super Bowl sent us this news that Coca-Cola has released a sneak-peek of their remake of the famous Mean Joe Greene "Coke and a Smile" commercial, featuring Troy Polamalu. You can watch a clip of it below, along with some behind-the-scenes footage, and scroll down for some more YouTube-age of the original version of the ad.

Friday and final post-practice injury report

Chuck Finder — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:39:00 GMT

The Steelers listed Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu (calf) and starting center Justin Hartwig (knee) as probable for Sunday's AFC Championship game, both participating in practice without limitations today.

UPDATED, 4:03 p.m.: The Ravens listed top-notch cornerback Samari Rolle (thigh) as doubtful after he and linebacker Terrell Suggs (shoulder -- see above item) completely missed practice today. Suggs was officially listed as questionable.

Limited in practice today and listed as questionable for Sunday were: safety Ed Reed (knee), fullback Le'Ron McClain (ankle), tight end Todd Heap (back), receivers Mark Clayton (thigh) and Derrick Mason (knee), defensive tackle Justin Brannan (foot) and linebacker Jarret Johnson (calf).

Middle linebacker Ray Lewis (shoulder) participated in the full practice and was listed as probable.