National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
On the surface, Super Bowl XLIII has been touted as the Cardinals offense vs. the Steelers defense. The Cards had the NFL’s 4th best offense (in total yards) and the Steelers had the NFL’s top defense (fewest yards allowed). But there are so many other storylines and, of course, sports writers and fans have spent the past two weeks dissecting all the possibilities.
Certainly, I believe strength against strength is the most intriguing of tonight’s matchups. But, a few others quickly come to mind. I think the Cardinals are a completely different football team when …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Pittsburgh Steelers completed their final major practice before Super Bowl XLIII today. The team implemented their gameplan for the Super Bowl last week at their Pittsburgh practice facility. The Wednesday, Thursday and Friday practices this week were mirror workouts of what the team did last week. And head coach Mike Tomlin thinks his team is ready:
“I feel great about our preparation. Of course, you evaluate your preparation by your performance in the game, but I think the guys understand everything they have to do entering the game.”
They’re certainly healthy enough to understand it. All …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Pittsburgh Steelers practiced for an hour and 55 minutes this afternoon, mostly in the rain. Receiver Hines Ward, the only Steeler on yesterday’s injury report, practiced for the first time since he was hurt in the AFC Championship game. He ran at perhaps three-quarters speed, but he worked with the regular offense and blocked and caught the ball like he was in mid-season form. At times, the team was working out in a downpour, but it certainly didn’t dampen their spirits. Head coach Mike Tomlin was happy with the effort:
“Much like a lot of …read more

Steelers Prepare for Super Bowl XLIII
National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Steelers practiced sans pads for about two hours at the University of South Florida this afternoon. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back Willie Parker looked sharp. Ben threw several long, tight spirals, including one bullet to receiver Santonio Holmes through the wind. And Willie ran fast and confidently. Head coach Mike Tomlin was pleased but not satisfied:
“It was a good start to our week. We practiced fast, and I thought we practiced aggressively. But it’s like I say to the team after every Wednesday practice: It’s a good start, …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
It can’t be easy taking over a National Football League dynasty. But Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is doing a pretty good job of it. In only his second year as head coach of one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, coach Tomlin has piled up an impressive 24 wins. But he knows that winning tonight’s AFC Championship game is merely a job unfinished. After all, this will be the Steelers’ seventh Super Bowl appearance. It’s a proud organization that expects to be in this position every season:
“We are happy to represent …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left this afternoon’s game against the Cleveland Browns (a game the Steelers easily won 31-0) with what appeared to be a pretty serious concussion. He had to be immobilized, his face mask was removed and he was carted off the field. Afterward, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had good news:
“At this point, all tests are negative, which is positive. We are optimistic he is going to be capable of playing. The bye is going to be helpful in regards to that. That is all of the information that I have …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
In a 20-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys today, the Pittsburgh Steelers forced five turnovers, had three sacks, and cornerback Deshea Townsend returned an interception for the game-winning touchdown with less than two minutes to play. The Steelers are holding opponents to less than 11 points per game during their current four-game win streak and this late in the season — when it’s time to play your best football — it appears the Pittsburgh Steelers are hitting their stride with the revival of the 70s “Steel Curtain” defense that finds them statistically first in the …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Pittsburgh Steelers four-time Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu has a point. The increasing number of fines for plays that weren’t even penalized is increasing and could be turning the National Football League, as we have known it, into a kinder, gentler game:
“It’s becoming more and more flag football, two-hand touch. We’ve really lost the essence of what real American football is about. They’re not really concerned about safety, because people have been doing this for… quite a few decades ….. You’ve got to figure out how to tackle people a new way. It’s too much …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The only bad thing I can say about Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is that he doesn’t update his blog very often. OK, that and the occasional errant throw. Otherwise, the guy epitomizes Pittsburgh Steelers football — he’s a blue-collar, relentless warrior. With a sprained shoulder, virtually no practice time and an offensive line that’s having trouble protecting him (I’m being kind), Ben stood tall and strong in the pocket — and mobile and athletic out of it — in leading the Steelers to a 26-21 win over the Jacksonville Jags last night. Steelers head …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Pittsburgh Steelers got an important win against the Baltimore Ravens last night, but they lost two important players in the process. Starting right guard Kendall Simmons has a ruptured Achilles and running back (and first round Draft choice) Rashard Mendenhall fractured his left shoulder. Both will be placed on injured reserve according to head coach Mike Tomlin:
“We have some injuries that we need to deal with. That is part of football and we will (deal with it). Our standard of expectation will not change. We have to go to Jacksonville on a short week. …read more