Muddy Night Football: The Afterbath
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Muddy Night Football: The Afterbath
Still prefer natural surface, but now Steelers say they are willing to consider artificial turf
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette
Perhaps the signature play from Monday night's mud bowl at Heinz Field was this punt from Dolphins' punter Brandon Fields plugging into the turf in
the third quarter. (vs. Dolphins 11/26/2007)
The new sod that combined with a steady rain to turn Heinz Field into "Four Rivers Stadium"
for Monday night's game between the Steelers and Miami Dolphins will remain in place for
the rest of the season.
Steelers President Art Rooney II said yesterday his organization and the NFL will do their
best to improve the field and dry it out before Sunday night's game against the Cincinnati
Bengals, then look at alternatives when the season ends. Chief among the choices will be the
installation of artificial turf for the 2008 season.
"We're going to consider all of the options," Rooney said. "We haven't made any decisions
and we won't make any decisions until after the season. At this point, I think we'll give
[artificial turf] consideration."
Crews were busy yesterday trying to dry out the soggy sod that was placed on top of the
DDGrassMaster field over the weekend after four high school games Friday and Pitt's game
Saturday. The cost to the Steelers was about $150,000. It was the first game where an
existing field was covered with turf rather than torn up and replaced -- an idea NFL officials
strongly suggested to the Steelers as well as to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The difference at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles and Temple
University's football team play, is that nearly two weeks will have gone by between the sod
installation there and the first football game, Sunday against Seattle.
The goal now is to try to get the surface at Heinz Field into better playing condition this
week. Rooney said workers will roll the field and aerate it so it can drain better. The NFL's
game operations director, Tim Davey, is in town to oversee the operation.
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Muddy Night Football: The Afterbath
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"They thought it was a good option," Rooney said of the NFL officials' resurfacing idea. "I
think everybody realized that it was a little bit of a test case, so to speak. This particular kind
of resodding hadn't been done, laying it on top of a GrassMaster surface. I think it would
have worked fine but for a kind of a freak weather condition. It certainly would have been a
lot better than leaving it as is after the high school and college games."
Rooney and some players said the new sod was great after they walked on it Sunday evening,
before the rain hit. It was covered by five separate tarpaulins, but water seeped through the
seams and drenched those areas of the field. The Steelers' DDGrassMaster field -- which
consists mostly of Kentucky bluegrass tied down and together with synthetic fibers -- has a
natural drainage system.
Workers at one point were poking the overlaid sod with pitchforks in hopes it would help
drain the water. Aeration this week might help if it rains again, they believe.
"I think it would have been in great shape, frankly, Monday if it weren't for really having rain
of, from what I understand, near record levels," Rooney said.
Pittsburgh International Airport registered 1.31 inches of rain Monday, according to
AccuWeather.com.
The Steelers have stayed with grass in one form or another since the opening of Heinz Field
in 2001 because they believe it's a better playing surface than artificial turf.
"I think our players to this day still prefer it in general," Rooney said. "We think it's a better
surface for playing football, it's a truer surface, what the game is meant to be played on.
"Having said that, I have to say that some of the new surfaces are a lot better than the old
ones and play a lot closer to what a grass surface is like. I think there are options out there;
we'll continue to evaluate it."
One option Steelers officials have studied is the new generation of FieldTurf installed by
West Virginia University at Mountaineer Field this past summer. WVU coach Rich
Rodriquez said yesterday he hopes that's the way the Steelers go because "we're going up
there next year" to play Pitt.
"I don't know what they're going to do," Rodriquez said. "This part of the country, I don't
know how you can play that many games this time of year. I think you've got to have
FieldTurf in this part of the country. The obvious advantage is when the weather is
unpredictable, wet and all that, it still plays as a fast surface.
"I'm not an agronomist, but I've never heard of laying turf on top of turf. Sometimes it takes a
game like the Steelers' game last night [to change minds]. They're smart people. They know
what's best for their athletes and their people."
The site of mucky Heinz Field became a national story because the game was televised on
Monday night on ESPN and because the game was offensively impotent until Jeff Reed
kicked a 24-yard field goal with 17 seconds left for the only score in a 3-0 Steelers victory.
One punted football landed and stuck straight down in the muck like a plugged golf ball, its
point sticking up. Reed said that on his 44-yard field-goal try that swirled badly to the left,
the ground slid and moved the ball before he kicked it.
Rooney said one of the last things his club wants to do is not hold the high school
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Muddy Night Football: The Afterbath
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championships at Heinz Field -- four from the WPIAL plus the City League title game.
"We think it's an important thing in this community and it's been going on for a long time, so
we would be very slow to make that decision," he said.
Asked yesterday if he would recommend to ownership that artificial turf be installed at Heinz
Field, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, "We have to look at those options and we will. I'm
not concerned about it right now. The field we have is the field that we have. We play the
Bengals this week. I tend to stay singularly focused."
Chuck Finder of the Post-Gazette contributed to this report. Ed Bouchette can be reached at [email protected].
First published on November 28, 2007 at 12:00 am
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11/28/2007
Steelers Notebook: Polamalu, Holmes aiming to test legs
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Steelers Notebook: Polamalu, Holmes aiming to test legs
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Strong safety Troy Polamalu and split end Santonio Holmes will run today, and Steelers
coach Mike Tomlin said he is "cautiously optimistic" about their chances to play Sunday
night against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Polamalu missed Monday night's game with a sprained knee and Holmes was out with a high
ankle sprain.
Left tackle Marvel Smith, a late scratch Monday because his back flared up, is a
"possibility" to play against the Bengals, Tomlin said.
Although Tomlin called his team "relatively healthy," there were other injuries resulting from
a 3-0 victory Monday night against Miami.
Tackle Willie Colon and linebacker James Farrior developed slight swelling in their knees,
although Tomlin does not believe it will prevent either from playing Sunday.
Fullback Dan Kreider has a hyperextended knee that will bear watching this week.
Defensive end Aaron Smith also experienced discomfort in his previously sprained knee
that should not keep him out.
National anthem benched
Vince Neil of Motley Crue warmed up several hours before game time, belting out the
National Anthem before even the stadium gates opened.
As it turned out, that's the only time he got to sing it Monday night.
A 15-minute postponement of the kickoff because of lightning resulted in the cancellation of
Neil singing the "Star-Spangled Banner" before the game, something few could remember
ever failing to occur at a Steelers game.
"I think it was, in hindsight, the wrong decision," Steelers President Art Rooney II said.
Rooney said Steelers officials were going to lead Neil onto the field to sing the anthem as the
players came out of the locker room to warm up. However, Rooney asked his officials to wait
because the fans, too, took cover when lightning struck and few were in their seats.
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Steelers Notebook: Polamalu, Holmes aiming to test legs
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By the time the crowd returned to the stands, ESPN and the league did not want the anthem
interfering with the broadcast.
"They waited, and then the league and the network said now we don't have a window,"
Rooney said.
"It's unfortunate and certainly something we hope never happens again."
Combined with the massive playing surface problems, "it was a tough night," Rooney said.
But ... "We won. The last minute of the game went right; that was about it."
Miller penalties disputed
Tight end Heath Miller was penalized twice for 10 yards apiece Monday night, once for
offensive pass interference and the other for holding.
Asked if he agreed with the two calls, Tomlin answered, "No, I didn't. But the officials do a
great job."
Quick hits
Miller did not catch a pass in a game for the first time this season. ... Ben Roethlisberger
remains No. 2 in the NFL with a 106.0 passer rating. ... Willie Parker leads the AFC with
1,006 yards rushing, 94 ahead of No. 2 Willis McGahee of Baltimore.
First published on November 28, 2007 at 12:00 am
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11/28/2007
Steelers aim to dry out Heinz Field sod
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Steelers aim to dry out Heinz Field sod
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The sod installed over the weekend that combined with a heavy rain Monday to turn Heinz
Field into a quagmire will remain in place the rest of the season.
Steelers President Art Rooney II told the Post-Gazette today that workers will do everything
they can to try to dry out the grass for their next game Sunday night against Cincinnati.
"We're going to continue to try to dry it out, which today's weather helps a lot," Rooney said,
the sun shining in the background.
He said there's little rain forecast this week, other than possibly on Thursday, and "from that
standpoint, weather conditions are in our favor."
"We'll try to dry it out. They'll roll it, aerate it, do all the things they need to do to get it in
good shape for Sunday. I think by Sunday it will be in good shape.
"I think it would have been in great shape frankly Monday if it weren't for really having rain
of, from what I understand, near record levels."
The NFL has assigned one of its officials to remain in Pittsburgh this week to help the
Steelers prepare the field.
"We are working closely with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the grounds crew at Heinz Field to
prepare the field for Sunday's game," an NFL spokesman said in a statement today. "Our
football operations department will be available to provide any and all necessary assistance
as preparations continue for Sunday's game.''
Rooney also issued a statement this afternoon acknowledging the turf problems.
"The field conditions on Monday night were less than satisfactory for playing the Monday
Night Football game," the statement said. "We consulted with the NFL prior to laying down
new sod and our grounds crew did the best it could under the circumstances.
"Unfortunately, we were faced with about the worst possible weather conditions and we
acknowledge that it did have an impact on the playing surface. We will continue to work
with the NFL Game Operations people this week as our grounds crew works to improve the
conditions of the field in time for Sunday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals."
First published on November 27, 2007 at 2:50 pm
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11/28/2007
Steelers face grass vs. turf debate - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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Steelers face grass vs. turf debate
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Steelers management took almost as much of a beating Tuesday as the playing
surface at Heinz Field did the night before when hard rain left it nearly
unplayable.
Despite a 3-0 win over the Miami Dolphins, critics pounded team officials about
the condition of the DVD Grassmaster surface that has had trouble holding up
in previous seasons. But any switch to artificial turf won't happen until after the
season, team President Art Rooney II said.
"I think our players to this day still prefer it, in general. We think it's a better
surface for playing football. It's a truer surface, and it's what the game was
meant to be played on," Rooney said.
"Having said that, I have to say that some of the new (artificial) surfaces are a
lot better than the old ones. They play a lot closer to what a grass surface is
like, so I think there are options out there will be considered."
The Steelers will spend this week trying to dry out the waterlogged field. The
National Football League said it is working with the team in advance of Sunday
night's nationally televised game against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals.
Rooney said he is encouraged by weather reports that don't call for much rain
this week and that if necessary extra tarps will be placed on the field.
"I think by Sunday (the field) will be in good shape," he said, "and I think it
would have been in great shape Monday if it weren't for having rain of nearrecord levels."
The National Weather Service recorded 1.31 inches of rain at Pittsburgh
International Airport on Monday and forecast a 40 percent chance of rain
tonight and a 30 percent chance of rain and snow showers Thursday.
The playing surface at Heinz Field was resodded -- essentially a new field was
laid over the existing one -- after the South Florida-Pitt game Saturday, and
team officials were pleased with the result.
"I certainly felt bad that the playing conditions were as bad as they were,"
Rooney said. "(The field) really looked fantastic (Sunday), so I felt bad that we
didn't have what we thought we were going to have, and that was the
unfortunate part."
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Steelers face grass vs. turf debate - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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The problem occurred, Rooney said, when heavy rain overwhelmed tarps
covering the field. Leaky seams caused water to pool in places and, as a result,
players on both teams slogged through water and mud.
"Once that water gets underneath the sod, it's hard to do anything," Steelers
wide receiver Hines Ward said. "They kept putting sand on it and that made it
worse. It was like running on the beach."
Running back Willie Parker said the resodded field was "supposed to be an
advantage for us, but I think it backfired. I just think it didn't work, but I'm not
going to use any excuses."
Resodding cost the Steelers between $100,000 and $200,000, one official said.
The field had taken a beating because four WPIAL championship games were
played there Friday, followed by Pitt's home finale Saturday.
Rooney said the Steelers are reluctant to consider moving the WPIAL title
games to another site, because the day means so much to players and the
community.
"We would be very slow to making that decision," he said.
Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney said after the game that the team would
consider artificial turf, but "we'll wait to see what happens."
Playing the field
The NFL Players' Association polled roughly 1,500 players last season about
different subjects, including playing surfaces. Here were the rankings, released
at the Super Bowl, for the five worst and five best grass playing surfaces.
Worst
1. Gillette Stadium (Patriots)*
2. Heinz Field
3. McAfee Coliseum (Raiders)
4. Dolphin Stadium
5. Soldier Field (Bears)
*Patriots replaced grass surface with artificial turf in November 2006.
Best
1. Raymond James Stadium (Buccaneers)
2. Bank of America Stadium (Panthers)
3. University of Phoenix Stadium (Cardinals)
4. Jacksonville Municipal Stadium (Jaguars)
5. Qualcomm Stadium (Chargers)
Scott Brown can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.
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11/28/2007
Steelers should sign a grass guru - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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Steelers should sign a grass guru
By Eric Heyl
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
The problem seems obvious, the need appears glaring.
After that nail-biting 3-0 "Monday Night Football" victory over the Miami
Dolphins at Heinz Field, many fans undoubtedly hope the Steelers address it
early in the 2008 draft.
Sentiment aplenty exists to have NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell step to the
microphone and announce, "With their first-round choice, the Pittsburgh
Steelers select groundskeeper Stu Sutton of the Agricultural College of
Chattanooga."
At which point ESPN draft and horticultural analyst Mel Kiper Jr. might well
gush: "The Steelers just got themselves a potential All-Pro. Sutton led the
Fighting Landscapers in sod rolled for the past growing season, and he also
plays the flood extremely well."
Playing the flood well is something most observers said the Steelers didn't do
Monday.
An all-day deluge soaked the tons of sod that had just been placed atop the
stadium's threadbare DD GrassMaster field. (DD GrassMaster sounds more
like a character in a low-budget Hollywood shoot-'em-up than a playing surface,
but I digress.)
The result of this combination was a football game played in conditions
described in various media accounts as a "quagmire," a "soupy slop," and my
personal favorite, courtesy of The Baltimore Sun: "An unnavigable porridge of
grass and mud."
Hence the question being posed Tuesday in bars and nurseries across town:
Should the Steelers spend their first-round pick next year to shore up an
increasingly leaky offensive line, or should they draft a groundskeeper to keep
Heinz Field from leaking offensively?
Peter Landschoot would lean toward drafting an offensive lineman.
The Penn State turfgrass science professor -- admit it, you didn't know there
were turfgrass science professors -- believes the grounds crew couldn't have
done much more to prevent a game fortunate not to have been halted by the
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Steelers should sign a grass guru - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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U.S. Coast Guard.
"It just seemed to me that all the elements came together and created a freak
occurrence," Landschoot said.
A perfect storm, so to speak?
"Something like that," he said.
In attempting to prevent future games from resembling another remake of "The
Poseidon Adventure," the Steelers might want to consider replacing the DD
GrassMaster.
Sod was placed on the DD GrassMaster -- a natural grass surface reinforced
with synthetic fibers -- after it absorbed the pounding of seven pro, collegiate
and high school football games in 11 days.
But the stadium hosts fewer than 25 sporting events a season. Even if each
one averaged an unusually long four hours, that's still only about 100 hours of
use annually.
Its manufacturer's Web site states that the DD GrassMaster field lasts three
times longer than an all-natural one, with a maximum use of 900 hours per
season.
Not to muddy the reputation of the hybrid lawn, which has performed well in
other venues, but the Steelers need to find out once and for all why their field is
a mess.
The alternative is suffering the embarrassment of eventually having a referee
throw the first maritime warning flag in NFL history.
Eric Heyl can be reached at [email protected] or 412-320-7857.
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The Heinz swamp - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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The Heinz swamp
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
No attempted good deed goes unpunished. Or, in the case of the Pittsburgh
Steelers -- unflooded.
No one doubts that the Heinz Field playing surface was in dire need of
rehabilitation. The mix of natural and artificial turf was a mess, especially after a
bevy of high school playoff games.
That forced the Steelers to overlay the existing surface with new, natural sod
after Saturday's Pitt-South Florida game, in time for Monday night's game
against Miami.
Installation crews laid down 2 acres-plus of new turf in 24 hours. But a series of
events conspired to turn the field into a flooded, swampy, muddy mess.
It rained in buckets. The field was covered. But tarp seams leaked. And as the
rain continued through the game, the sod became a giant sponge. Drainage
was a quaint notion. So, too, were most field markings. The Steelers won, but
only 3-0, thanks to a field goal in the game's final seconds.
Hindsight, of course, is 20/20. Perhaps the Steelers could have monitored the
coming wet weather better and delayed the installation until this drier week.
Tarps that don't leak would have been a good idea. But the bigger question for
the Steelers is what to do about a series of well-used playing surfaces that have
not served users well.
Heavy usage is the norm. And weather happens in Pittsburgh. Any new playing
surface must reflect that reality.
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11/28/2007
Steelers apologize for skipping anthem - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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Steelers apologize for skipping anthem
By Karen Price
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
The Steelers apologized Tuesday for omitting a performance of the national
anthem by Motley Crue lead singer Vince Neil before the nationally televised
game against the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field.
The National Football League and the Steelers decided Monday night to forgo
the anthem -- which traditionally opens sporting events in America -- after
torrential rain and lightning forced a 25-minute weather delay.
"Our guys were going to send the singer out to sing immediately after they were
sending the teams back on (the field)," said Steelers president Art Rooney II. "I
said, 'Well, wait, because there's nobody in the stands. There's no sense in
singing it when everybody's standing in the concourse.' So they waited, and the
league and the network said, 'Well, now we don't have a window.' "
Greg Aiello, NFL senior vice president of public relations, said NFL
representatives at the game decided to shorten pre-game warmups and other
activities in order to kick off as quickly as possible.
American Legion national spokeswoman Ramona Joyce said the omission was
unfortunate.
"It's a shame, if they had to make cuts, that that would be it," Joyce said. "That's
the one thing everyone seems to do in unison at a game."
Veterans of Foreign Wars national spokesman Joe Davis said they weren't
going to beat up on the Steelers organization "because they're wonderful to our
veterans and our service members."
But, he said, "They should have still sung the national anthem because that's
what we do in America, regardless of network air time. I'm sure a lesson has
been learned and it won't happen again, and that's the most we can ever ask."
With the exception of the Super Bowl, national anthems rarely are part of
televised NFL game broadcasts.
Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett said the organization received a few calls on
the subject.
Karen Price can be reached at [email protected] or 412-320-7980.
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11/28/2007
Starkey: Quit cryin’ about Heinz Field - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Page 1 of 3
Quit cryin’ about Heinz Field
By Joe Starkey
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Someday, if the Field Grinches get their way, every pro football game will be
played under a dome, on a freshly vacuumed carpet, with the thermostat
adjusted to 68.5.
Lambeau Field will be rendered lame, Soldier Field the same.
No mud.
No snow.
No rain.
Mother Nature will be benched, relegated to the sidelines with a clipboard and a
ball cap.
Sadly, this already has occurred in places such as Minnesota, where indoor
football should be illegal. The Vikings built a proud tradition -- and embodied the
rugged personality of their state -- at icy Metropolitan Stadium.
They now play in an oversize family room called the Metrodome.
Which brings us to the Steelers' 3-0 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Monday
Night Swampball, a game that has people ripping the Rooneys and decrying
the conditions at Heinz Field.
An embarrassment, they're calling it. A blight on the organization.
ESPN's Sal Paolantonio went so far as to ask analysts Steve Young and
Emmitt Smith, "Should this game have been played on that field?"
Let me answer that.
Should they have played the Ice Bowl at Lambeau in 1967?
Should they have played the 1982 AFC Championship Game in Cincinnati in a
minus-59 wind chill?
Should they have played the Fog Bowl at Soldier Field in 1988?
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11/28/2007
Starkey: Quit cryin’ about Heinz Field - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Page 2 of 3
Should they have played that picturesque, snow-and-mud fest between the
Steelers and Bears two years ago at Heinz Field?
Should they have played the 1979 AFC title game at Three Rivers Stadium, the
one commemorated with a Sports Illustrated cover shot of Terry Bradshaw
sliding along the flooded field, under the headline, "SPLASHDOWN TO THE
SUPER BOWL"?
Obviously, there was more at stake in some of those legendary games than
there was Monday, but bad weather and horrendous fields - to this observer,
anyway - make for fascinating theater.
And help to explain why so many of us are addicted to NFL Films.
Those who cited concerns about player safety should consider that the field
Monday was nothing compared to the artificial concrete, er, turf, they used to
play on at Three Rivers.
Bad-weather games might not make for the best test of skill, but they are a
supreme test of will. Think of Hines Ward on the winning drive.
Think of tackle football in the mud and snow when you were young. We used to
call it "slip-slidy football" back in Buffalo. We'd play two-on-two in the blizzardbattered streets, where onside kicks off the snow banks were perfectly legal
and highly encouraged.
Even if your fantasy team suffered Monday, you must have found the manversus-nature battle somewhat riveting. The hydroplaning. The quick-sand
effect. The lack of on-field markings. The near-uselessness of kickers. All good
stuff.
And when's the last time you saw a punt stick in the ground like a javelin?
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had a great answer Tuesday when pressed about
the field conditions.
"It's football, man," he said. "It's an outdoor game that's played as you move
into December. Everybody loved playing dirty football when you were a kid.
What else is new? Guys had a great time. It created some adversity, we
overcame it, and we found a way to win the game."
Monday's conditions were a fluke, by the way, caused by the confluence of five
games in two days, a new layer of sod and a relentless rain. The Steelers do
the right thing by allowing high-school teams to use their field. They tried to do
the right thing by resodding it for Monday's game.
The team and the NFL should work to avoid scheduling games around the highschool finals, but, truthfully, Heinz Field hasn't provided that poor a surface
during late-season months.
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11/28/2007
Starkey: Quit cryin’ about Heinz Field - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Page 3 of 3
The New England Patriots seem to play pretty well there in January.
Steelers president Art Rooney II yesterday issued a public apology for the state
of the field Monday. He really shouldn't have.
From this vantage point, that game was a thing of beauty.
Joe Starkey can be reached at [email protected] or 412-320-7810.
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11/28/2007
Tomlin's Take: Press conference quotes - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Page 1 of 1
Tomlin's Take: Quotes from the press conference
By The Tribune-Review
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
On whether he feels he is coaching a Super Bowl contender:
"I leave that up to (the media). We are just trying to win from week-to-week,
while staying singularly focused. There is still a lot of football left to play. When
you are in first place, you don't look at the standings. You keep your eyes
focused and moving ahead. That is what we need to do when the Cincinnati
Bengals come to town."
On Najeh Davenport as a third-down back:
"He is one of the best in the league. His resume confirms that. He is a 250pound man that runs behind his pads and runs downhill. He accepts the role
and takes a great deal of pride in it. We look forward to getting him back on
track in that area as we move forward this week."
On the game rookie punter Daniel Sepulveda had against the Dolphins:
"Danny Sepulveda, I thought, did an awesome job of his placements,
particularly with his red zone kicks. Not only did he keep the ball in the field of
play and give them a long field to work with, but he did it in a manner in which
their return man, (Ted) Ginn (Jr.), didn't have the opportunity to get returnable
kicks."
On whether the Steelers are improving:
"I think we are. A lot of times it doesn't show up enough on the scoreboard. It
needs to show up enough on the scoreboard for you to win. We are starting to
develop a personality and shore up some things on special teams."
The Tribune-Review can be reached at or .
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11/28/2007
Steelers' Polamalu, Holmes to test injuries - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Page 1 of 1
Steelers' Polamalu, Holmes to test injuries
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Strong safety Troy Polamalu (sprained knee) and wide receiver Santonio
Holmes (sprained ankle) will try to run today, but they might not practice.
Neither played against the Miami Dolphins, but coach Mike Tomlin said he was
"cautiously optimistic" that each would play Sunday night when the Steelers
host the Cincinnati Bengals.
"They are progressing well," Tomlin said.
• The Steelers will hold left tackle Marvel Smith (back) out of practice today and
will monitor his situation throughout the week. Smith was an unexpected
scratch Monday night as his back started acting up the previous day.
"He is a possibility to play" against the Bengals, Tomlin said. If Smith doesn't
play, Max Starks will again start in his place.
• A handful of players are nursing minor injuries, including inside linebacker
James Farrior, defensive end Aaron Smith and right tackle Willie Colon. Colon
and Farrior are battling knee inflammation, while Aaron Smith has some
"discomfort" in the knee he sprained recently, Tomlin said. In addition, fullback
Dan Kreider hyperextended his knee in the Dolphins game, Tomlin said. None
of the four is expected to miss the Bengals game.
"All in all," Tomlin said, "I think we're a pretty healthy team."
• When asked if he agreed with the pass-interference and holding calls tight
end Heath Miller was hit with against the Dolphins, Tomlin said, "No, I didn't."
Then he flashed a smile and said, "But the officials do a great job."
Digits
15 - Consecutive passes Roethlisberger completed Monday night, tying the
Steelers record Bubby Brister set in 1989.
85.7 - Roethlisberger's completion percentage Monday night, which set a
Steelers single-game record.
Scott Brown can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.
Images and text copyright © 2007 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com
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11/28/2007
Former Steelers assistant Widenhofer retiring - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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Former Steel Curtain assistant retiring after 40-year career
By The Associated Press
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - New Mexico State defensive coordinator Woody
Widenhofer, an assistant with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the Steel Curtain
years, will retire after Friday night's season finale against Fresno State.
Widenhofer won four Super Bowl rings with Pittsburgh, first as linebackers
coach (1973-76) and later as defensive coordinator (1977-83) when the famed
Steel Curtain defense featured stars Jack Lambert, Jack Ham and Joe Greene.
During his 40-year career, the 64-year-old Widenhofer also was head coach at
Missouri, going 12-31-1 from 1985-88, and Vanderbilt, where he was 15-40
from 1997-2001.
He was also defensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions (1989-92) and
linebackers coach for the Cleveland Browns (1993-94).
"I feel like this is the right time for me to retire," Widenhofer said. "I will miss my
fellow coaches and especially the players I worked with everyday. I appreciate
everyone's support over the years and during my time in Las Cruces."
Widenhofer spent the past five years assisting New Mexico State coach Hal
Mumme, including two seasons at Southeastern Louisiana. The Aggies are 4-8
and 1-6 in the Western Athletic Conference going into the Fresno State game.
Widenhofer played linebacker at Missouri under coach Dan Devine from 196164. Widenhofer's first head coaching job was with the USFL's Oklahoma
Outlaws in 1984. He went 6-12.
The Associated Press can be reached at or .
Images and text copyright © 2007 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/print_540075.html
11/28/2007
Steelers Q&A: Scott Brown answers your questions - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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Steelers Q&A: Scott Brown answers your questions
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tribune-Review Steelers writer Scott Brown answers your questions about the
Pittsburgh Steelers.
Q: What is the Steelers reasoning for not going to a "Field Turf" or some
other surface that can take the pounding of Pro, College, and high school
sports?
Why don't some of these games to PNC? Have you ever heard answers to
these questions?
I live in Arizona so some of these answers are not always clear 2,000
miles away.
- Lionel Lowe, Phoenix
A: Had a chance to talk to Steelers president Art Rooney II today, and he said
the Steelers are considering replacing the existing field, and I use that term
loosely, at Heinz with artificial turf but by no means is it a done deal. The
Rooneys favor a grass field, Art said, because the players actually prefer it over
artificial turf and because it is a "truer" football playing surface. I do think the
Steelers caught an extremely unlucky break with getting so much rain so soon
after the field had been re-sodded. That said, I think the Steelers will switch to
artificial turf after this season. Their field has not shown it can absorb the
pounding it takes during a football season with the other games played on it,
and the advances made in artificial turf make it much safer for players.
Check out Scott's “View from the Press Box” blog entry for his latest take on the
Pittsburgh Steelers.
PREVIOUS QUESTIONS:
Q: The Steelers have been a "Jekyll and Hyde" team this year. At times,
they look like one of the elite teams, at other times, they look very
ordinary. To what do you attribute this inconsistency?
- Hector Morales, Cancun, Mexico
A: Teams generally do better at home than on the road for a number of
reasons, but the difference between the Steelers at Heinz Field and away from
it this season is staggering. I did the math in a recent story, and it isn't good
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/print_535828.html
11/28/2007
Steelers Q&A: Scott Brown answers your questions - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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when the Steelers are on the road.
I thought the losses at Arizona and Denver were bad but to get rolled like they
did by the Jets in New York? I didn't see that coming, and the Steelers better fix
their road problems if they want to be considered legitimate Super Bowl
contenders.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/print_535828.html
11/28/2007
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WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2007 :: Last modified: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 12:50 AM
EST
Notes: Roethlisburger sets accuracy mark
By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff
PITTSBURGH -- Despite all the rain and ripped up sod, Ben Roethlisberger was still able to pass his
way into the Steelers’ record book.
By completing 18 of 21 passes in Monday night’s 3-0 win over the Miami Dolphins, he established a
new team mark for passing accuracy. His completion percentage of 85.7 surpassed Kordell Stewart’s
record of 84.6. Stewart who connected on 22 of 26 passes in a 29-21 win over the Cincinnati Bengals
on Nov. 24, 2002 at Heinz Field.
At one point in the soggy win over the Dolphins, Roethlisberger threw 15 straight completions to tie a
team record. Roethlisberger shares that record with Bubby Brister, who connected on 15 straight in a
23-3 win over the Detroit Lions on Oct. 1, 1989 at the Pontiac Silverdome.
“It’s a natural maturation process,” coach Mike Tomlin said of Roethlisberger. “He’s a guy who’s in his
fourth year. He has a great combination of youth and experience. He wants to be the reason we win.
He does not fear those moments. He embraces them. It’s part of what makes him who he is.
“Perfect? No. None of us are. But you have to like that moxy he displays.”
With a 106.0 passer rating, Roethlisberger is the NFL’s second-best quarterback statistically behind
New England’s Tom Brady (127.9).
NFL lends helping hand
In the aftermath of the rain-soaked game played Monday night at Heinz Field, the NFL has ordered
one of its officials to stay in Pittsburgh this week and help the Steelers prepare their playing surface
for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals (4-7).
After the South Florida-Pitt game on Saturday, the Steelers had 2.5 acres of new sod laid over the
existing DD GrassMaster surface, a process which features strands of synthetic strands woven into
the existing grass.
But due to heavy rains, the new sod was a mess.
“The field conditions on Monday night were less than satisfactory,” Steelers president Art Rooney II
said. “We consulted with the NFL prior to laying down the new sod and our grounds crew did the best
it could under the circumstances.
“Unfortunately, we were faced with the worst possible weather conditions and we acknowledge that
did have an impact on the playing surface. We will continue to work with NFL Game Operations
people this week as our grounds crew works to improve the conditions of the field in time for Sunday
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.: Print Version :.
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night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.”
Mourning Sean Taylor
Monday night as he addressed the Steelers after they improved to 8-3, Tomlin led a prayer on behalf
of Sean Taylor, the Washington Redskins safety who died Tuesday morning from a gunshot wound.
An intruder shot Taylor shot in the leg Monday at his home in Palmetto Bay, Fla. He later died in a
hospital due to a loss of blood. The bullet damaged his femoral artery.
“My heart goes out to his family, loved ones, friends, and to the Redskins,” Tomlin said. “This is a
small fraternity (of players in the NFL). I am sure that we have a lot of men that know him and knew
him. I haven’t had a chance to visit with anyone (on our team). I know we lifted him up in prayer
after the game (Monday night) as a football team.”
Taylor, the Redskins’ No. 1 pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, is a Miami native who played college football
for the Miami Hurricanes.
Statistically speaking
* Willie Parker still ranks second in the NFL with 1,006 rushing yards. He and Priest Holmes, the
former Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City star who retired last week, are the only two undrafted
running backs in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in three straight seasons.
The NFL’s rushing leader is still Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson, who has missed the Vikings’ last two
games with a knee injury. The rookie has rushed for 1,081 yards.
* Outside linebacker James Harrison, who’s in his first season as a starter, continues to play Pro Bowl
caliber defense. Against Miami, Harrison had another sack and another forced fumble.
He’s tied for 10th in the league with 8.5 sacks. He leads the league with seven forced fumbles.
* After he was sacked seven times in a 19-16 overtime loss to the New York Jets on Nov. 18,
Roethlisberger went down five times against Miami.
The only quarterback sacked more often this season is Jon Kitna of the Detroit Lions. Kitna has been
sacked 44 times.
Mike Bires can be reached online at [email protected]
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Tomlin didn't mind Muddy Night Football
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Tomlin didn't mind Muddy Night Football
By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer
[email protected]
PITTSBURGH - It was a game for the ages.
That's the only description for Monday night's 3-0 victory by the Steelers over the Miami Dolphins at
sloppy Heinz Field.
Many of the Steelers were unhappy with the field conditions as a constant rain throughout the game left
the newly laid turf at Heinz Field a quagmire.
"There were times where we were trying to fix divots at the line of scrimmage," said quarterback Ben
Roethlisberger. "We were trying to get footing."
Head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly press conference that even though the surface
helped level the playing field between the Steelers (8-3) and the Dolphins (0-11), it was a fun game to
coach.
"I think more than anything, as a coach, the way it changed the game, the gamesmanship and-or the
strategy of the game, it was a great learning experience for me," said Tomlin. "It was my first time under
those conditions. It was challenging and fun at the same time. Was it less than ideal? Absolutely. We
don't complain about conditions and things of that nature. We just go out and try to win football games."
The Steelers managed 216 total yards in the game, while Miami was limited to 159 as the two teams
combined for 22 first downs.
The shutout was the Steelers' second of the season, as Pittsburgh shut out Seattle, 21-0, earlier this
season at Heinz Field. Ironically, both shutouts have come in games that strong safety Troy Polamalu,
arguably the team's best defensive player, has missed.
Polamalu sat out Monday night's game with a sprained knee after missing the game against Seattle
earlier this season with torn cartilage in his rib cage.
But Tomlin said that both Polamalu and wide receiver Santonio Holmes, who was out Monday night
with a sprained ankle, could possibly play when the Steelers host Cincinnati Sunday night.
"Santonio and Troy are both going to run (Wednesday)," said Tomlin. "They are progressing well. We'll
see where they are. That may not necessarily mean they are practicing, but they are going to run. We
will see where they are in terms of their availability for the weekend. We are cautiously optimistic for
those two guys, but again, we will see how they are doing."
Getting both back for a game against the explosive Bengals could be key. But if it rains again this
weekend like it did Monday night, Cincinnati's passing attack would be limited.
"I trust our grounds crew and I know they are going to be working around the clock to make that the best
surface they possibly can for this upcoming week," said Tomlin. "I am going to let those men do their
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Tomlin didn't mind Muddy Night Football
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job. I am going to coach football."
That doesn't mean Tomlin, however, won't press ownership for a different playing surface in the future.
"We have to look at those options and we will," Tomlin said. "I'm not concerned about it right now. The
field we have is the field that we have."
Odds and end zones
Tomlin praised rookie punter Daniel Sepulveda and safety Tyrone Carter, who replaced Polamalu, for
having a particularly strong game against Miami. ... Left tackle Marvel Smith, who sat out Monday
night's game with back spasms, should be ready to play against Cincinnati. ... Right tackle Willie Colon,
linebacker James Farrior and defensive end Aaron Smith came out of Monday's game with sore knees,
but should be ready to play Sunday. ... Fullback Dan Kreider suffered a hyperextension of his knee and
could be questionable to play. ... After reviewing the game film, Tomlin said he disagreed with two key
penalties called on tight end Heath Miller, one for holding, the other for offensive pass interference.
Both plays negated first downs deep in Miami territory and led to punts.
Copyright Observer Publishing Co.
http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Print/11_28_Steelers_Dolphins_wrap
11/28/2007
Eric Knopsnyder | An ugly display at Heinz
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Eric Knopsnyder | An ugly display at Heinz
By ERIC KNOPSNYDER
The Tribune-Democrat
PITTSBURGH— The earth moved on a Pittsburgh Steelers field-goal attempt on Monday night, but it wasn’t
because Jeff Reed’s 24-yarder with 17 seconds remaining provided the only points in his team’s 3-0 win over
Miami.
It was because of the embarrassing conditions in which professionals making millions of dollars were forced
to play.
Heinz Field, which the team billed as the one of the finest in the country when it was being built, has become
a punch line.
It has nothing to do with bright yellow seats or shrinking number of parking spots available around the
stadium.
Those are just minor annoyances that have no impact on the game itself. The real problem with Heinz Field is
much worse than that.
It’s the playing surface, stupid.
The DD GrassMaster, as it’s called, “is a combination of Kentucky bluegrasses reinforced with polypropylene
fibers that are sewn vertically into the sod every three-quarters of an inch,” according to the Steelers media
guide.
Really? I certainly didn’t see fibers every three-quarters of an inch. There was dirt and quick-dry compound
by the yard, but few fibers or blades of grass were evident on large chunks of the field.
Sadly, the only things that seemed to be visible every three-quarters of an inch on Monday night were divots –
which brings us back to that earth-moving experience.
It came near the end of the third quarter, when most of America had probably dozed off.
Reed lined up for a 44-yard field-goal attempt into the notorious open end of Heinz Field on the nefarious
turf.
“These are the worst conditions I’ve ever played in,” Reed said. “It wasn’t good for anybody, but trying to
kick in that … It would have been great if we would have won that game 2-0 on a safety. That would have
meant I could have just kicked off once. It was definitely a kicker’s nightmare.”
It wasn’t exactly a dream scenario for punters either.
Miami’s Brandon Fields hit a 37-yarder that hit at the Dolphins 48 and stuck there.
The Steelers decided that the surface, which was subjected to four high school games on Friday and a college
game on Saturday, should be resurfaced prior to Monday night’s game with a new layer of sod covering the
old. In Heinz sight, that might have made things worse.
“They put the new sod in, and I think it just made it deeper,” punter Daniel Sepulveda said. “So when it got
all wet, and it got all nasty … the grass just moves up and shifts. It’s probably 8 inches deep in spots. That
makes it tough to punt and to kick.”
Larry Foote said it was the worst field he’s played on since he left the fields of Detroit.
“In high school and Little League, I played on some fields like that, but definitely in the pros (it was the
worst),” Foote said. “That new grass and the amount of rain we had, that would have torn up any field.”
That’s exactly what the Steelers should do – tear up the field and put in an artificial surface before they
muddy their good name anymore.
Eric Knopsnyder is the sports editor of The Tribune-Democrat.
Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc.
http://www.tribune-democrat.com/sports/local_story_332000425.html/resources_printstory 11/28/2007
Pittsburgh QB Roethlisberger shows mettle in mud - USATODAY.com
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Pittsburgh QB Roethlisberger shows mettle in mud
By Jim Corbett, USA TODAY
PITTSBURGH — That was more a bog than a pocket that Ben Roethlisberger was operating from with the Pittsburgh Steelers moving from the Miami
Dolphins' 42-yard line with 4:13 left in a scoreless Monday night quagmire.
As former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis would say, Roethlisberger has proven himself to be one clutch mudder.
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On a mucky slip-and-slide known as Heinz Field that had been newly resodded but soaked all day by heavy rain, Roethlisberger managed to complete 18 of
21 passes for 165 yards. At one point, he completed 15 consecutive passes to tie a franchise record.
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More significantly, Roethlisberger performed well after he convinced coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians to go no-huddle for the final
two possessions.
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Roethlisberger hit four of five passes for 39 yards on the nine-play drive that set up Jeff Reed's game-winning 24-yard field goal with 17 seconds remaining.
"Going into the last two series, I told Bruce and coach Tomlin, 'Just let me throw the ball. I can win this game,' " Roethlisberger says. " 'We can get it down the field. I've got confidence
in my line and in my receivers.' And you saw the last drive.
"Hopefully, it just shows all the people out there who say we have to run the ball to win the game. Well, we can throw the ball, too."
Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said Bettis was the surest Pittsburgh mudder in sloppy conditions such as the 8-3 Steelers and 0-11 Dolphins slogged through.
"We called Jerome a good mudder," Ward says. "In conditions like this, he excelled."
But Roethlisberger and Ward, who caught nine passes for 88 yards, seemingly have joined Bettis' sure-footed class.
Ward made the prettiest and longest catch of an ugly night, laying out for a 21-yard reception on the second play of the winning drive.
Ward says Roethlisberger told him: " 'Hey Hines, just make a play for me.'
"The footing was terrible. It was like running in a marsh. My game is not predicated on speed. I think I came up with every opportunity. That's what a mudder is; it's about technique
and route running in conditions like that. Your concentration level has to go up tremendously."
Roethlisberger seemed to thrive in the up-tempo no-huddle, directing the 11th fourth-quarter winning drive of his four-season career.
"Ben did a nice job with the football, administering the offense, particularly when we wanted to change the rhythm," Tomlin says. "Hines Ward was big. He was Hines Ward, and we
needed every one of those catches.
"It was a great team win, a test of our character."
Tomlin said the goal on the final drive was a dry piece of turf on the right side of the field at the north, protected end of the stadium.
"We did see a dry patch of ground," Tomlin says.
Dry was a relative term. Reed called it the most difficult 24-yarder of his career.
"When you hit a punt and it sticks in the ground, you know it's bad," Reed says.
Tomlin won't use the sloppy field as an excuse as the Steelers prepare to host the 4-7 Cincinnati Bengals.
"We will continue to work with the NFL game operations people this week as our grounds crew works to improve the conditions of the field in time for Sunday night's game against the
Cincinnati Bengals," Steelers President Art Rooney II said in a statement.
The last time the Steelers played in such sloppy conditions was Sept. 26, 2004, when Roethlisberger won his first NFL start 13-3 at Miami after a hurricane.
That makes Roethlisberger 37-14 as a starter, including 2-0 in mud bowls against Miami.
"Ben has grown, but it's a natural maturation process," Tomlin says. "He's a guy in his fourth year. He's got a great combination of youth and experience. He believes in the men that
he works with. He has natural leadership skills. He wants to be the reason that we win. He doesn't fear those moments; he embraces them.
"It's part of what makes him who he is."
http://usatoday.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Pittsburgh+QB+Roethli... 11/28/2007
Inside Slant - USATODAY.com
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Inside Slant
The Steelers are breathing easier, knowing they escaped what could have been a catastrophic upset loss to the winless Miami Dolphins with a 3-0 victory
Monday night at home.
Not only would there have been the humiliation of becoming the only team to lose to the Dolphins, but a loss would have dropped them into a first-place tie
with the surging Cleveland Browns.
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Instead, the Steelers survived to go 8-3, tied for the third-best record in the AFC, one game ahead of 7-4 Cleveland.
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"It was a test of our character," coach Mike Tomlin said.
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Unlike their previous upset loss to the New York Jets, the playing conditions could be blamed for their close escape against Miami. The Dolphins threatened
to score just once while the Steelers drove into Miami territory on all nine of their series in the game, scoring on Jeff Reed's 24-yard field goal with 17
seconds left.
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The re-sodded Heinz Field turned into muck under a heavy daylong rain that continued through the ballgame.
Conditions were so bad that the Dolphins decided not to even try a 43-yard field goal, instead calling a play on fourth-and-11.
The Steelers must turn around and play AFC North rival Cincinnati Sunday. Pittsburgh has not had a dominant performance in its past three games — a come-from-behind victory
against Cleveland at home, a three-point loss to the Jets in overtime and a three-point victory at home Monday night over the winless Dolphins.
Nevertheless, Tomlin was happy with some things.
"It was a great team victory with a lot of positives to point to in the game, first and foremost, the work of our defense as a collective unit. Any time you hold someone scoreless,
regardless of the conditions, it's a great performance."
NOTES, QUOTES
—Former Steelers defensive tackle Gabe Rivera was honored at Monday night's game, as part of the team's 75th Season celebration. Rivera, a first-round draft pick in 1983, was
paralyzed in a car accident a month into his rookie season. Now 46, Rivera works as a youth counselor in his hometown of San Antonio, Texas.
"It feels good," Rivera said of his return to Pittsburgh. "It's a different atmosphere than at Three Rivers, though."
—Four players from the 1980s were honorary captains Monday night: linebacker Robin Cole, guard Craig Wolfley, linebacker Bryan Hinkle and receiver Louis Lipps.
—Monday was the longest scoreless game in the NFL since 1943.
—WR Hines Ward led everyone with nine receptions for 88 yards on a day in which it was not easy to catch a football. Ward said his gloves became wet and muddy, his feet were wet
and his legs heavy.
"It's the footing," Ward said about the most difficult thing of playing in the muck. "Some of the areas on the field were pretty good, then all of a sudden, you'd hit a water puddle. Then,
the level of the field kind of was off a little bit. I knew some of the defensive backs were scared about falling down and giving up a big play."
PLAYER PERSONNEL NOTES
—OT Marvel Smith did not dress for Monday's game because of issues with his back that have bothered him all season. Still, it was his first missed game since 2005.
—QB Ben Roethlisberger tied a Steelers record by completing 15 straight passes Monday night.
—RB Willie Parker topped 1,000 yards rushing two games earlier than he did last season, when his 1,494 yards were third most in club history.
—OT Max Starks replaced Smith at left tackle, the first time he's started there. The former starting right tackle is the backup on both sides.
—TE Heath Miller did not have a catch or a pass thrown to him all game Monday. It's the first time this season he did not have a reception in a game.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
REPORT CARD VS. DOLPHINS
PASSING OFFENSE: B — Under normal circumstances, it wasn't such a good performance. But Ben Roethlisberger completed 18 of 21 passes in a marsh for 165 yards. He threw
an early interception and was sacked five times but his arm saved the Steelers against the Dolphins.
RUSHING OFFENSE: C — Somehow Willie Parker managed 81 yards on 24 carries in the muck and surely would have gone well over 100 on a good playing surface. Najeh
Davenport, though, was stopped by the Dolphins — not the surface — on two important short-yardage plays, one on fourth down and one on third.
PASS DEFENSE: B-plus — Rookie John Beck completed 14 of 23 passes with no interceptions. The Steelers sacked him four times and put pressure on him on a tough field to do
so.
RUSH DEFENSE: A — Miami's running game went nowhere with 49 yards on 23 carries. Jesse Chatman had the only long run of the game for 10 yards and left with a neck injury.
Ricky Williams looked good early but then left with a shoulder injury in the first half, and the Dolphins were left with Patrick Cobbs, who spent a brief time with the Steelers last season.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A — Daniel Sepulveda had one of his best days punting even though his average was only 34.6 yards. It came on a horrible field and not only was none of his five
punts returned, but all five landed inside the 20. Of course, Jeff Reed kicked the winner from 24 yards with 17 seconds left after missing one in the muck end of the field from 44.
COACHING: C-plus — Conditions were bad but there's something missing on offense and the coaches need to fix it in a hurry if they plan to give New England a run for its money in
two weeks and also with high-powered Cincinnati coming up Sunday.
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11/28/2007
Anthem Skipped Before Dolphins - Steelers - New York Times
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November 27, 2007
Anthem Skipped Before Dolphins - Steelers
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 7:32 p.m. ET
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Oh, say can't you sing? With the kickoff already delayed 25 minutes by terrible
weather, and a stadium filled with rain-drenched fans growing impatient for the opening kickoff, the NFL
skipped the national anthem before Monday night's Dolphins-Steelers game.
Every game in the four major American pro sports leagues traditionally starts with the anthem. But the NFL
rushed to start the game because of the deteriorating weather and field conditions.
The delayed start occurred after the teams' pregame warmups were shut down because of lightning and heavy
rain, a rarely seen combination in Pittsburgh in late November. Players were not allowed back onto the field
and fans could not return to their lower level seats until nine minutes before the 8:55 p.m. EST kickoff.
Slowed by a muddy field that became worse as the rain returned periodically, neither team scored until Jeff
Reed's 24-yard field goal with 17 seconds remaining gave Pittsburgh a 3-0 victory. It was the first time since
1943, when the league's last 0-0 tie occurred, that two NFL teams went scoreless for so long.
''Due to the severe inclement weather conditions that caused a delay in last night's game in Pittsburgh, a
decision was made by NFL representatives at the game to shorten pregame warm-ups and other activities
and kick off as quickly as possible for the benefit of the in-stadium fans and the teams,'' NFL spokesman Greg
Aiello said Tuesday. ''This resulted in the teams not being introduced and the national anthem not being
performed on the field. This action was taken solely due to the severe weather and the condition of the field.''
Steelers president Art Rooney II said Tuesday the team now wishes the anthem had been played.
''Due to the weather conditions that delayed the kickoff of our Monday night football game, a last-second
decision was made to forgo the national anthem prior to kickoff,'' Rooney said in a statement issued by the
team. ''In retrospect, the decision to cancel the national anthem was one that we regret. We apologize to our
fans who attended the game and pledge that it is a situation that we hope will never happen again.''
Motley Crue lead singer Vince Neil was booked to sing the anthem, but there apparently were concerns that
setting up a microphone and other electrical gear on a swamped field might take much longer than normal
and be hazardous.
The alternative would have been to play a recording of the anthem; it's not certain if the league considered
this option.
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Anthem Skipped Before Dolphins - Steelers - New York Times
Page 2 of 2
While ESPN was worried about losing numerous TV viewers who might tune in for the game, only to flip
channels during the delay and not return, ESPN spokesman Bill Hofheimer said it was the league's call to
bypass the anthem.
The Steelers said they received no complaints Monday night about the skipped anthem.
The anthem's absence would not have been noticed by TV viewers. National anthems are rarely televised
during NFL games, with the Super Bowl being an annual exception.
There is no other known instance of the anthem being skipped before a major American pro sports league
game of recent vintage, except for mechanical or electronic problems.
The NFL's decision to bypass the anthem was surprising if only because American soldiers continue to fight
in Iraq and the league often has embraced patriotic themes.
After Sept. 11, the league changed the theme of its next Super Bowl to ''Hope, Heroes and Homeland'' and
altered the game's logo to incorporate the American flag. Players also wore the American flag on the back of
their helmets.
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Williams Especially Is Affected By Death of a Favorite Player
Page 1 of 3
Williams Especially Is Affected
By Death of a Favorite Player
By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 28, 2007; E08
When Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder
heard the news in his Miami hotel room yesterday
morning that star safety Sean Taylor had died, the first
person he called was Coach Joe Gibbs. The moment
he got off the phone with Gibbs, Snyder reached out to
the man who some suspected would take the
devastating information hardest of all, Gregg
Williams, the team's assistant head coach-defense.
"He was the next call," said Snyder, who had learned of Taylor's death at 5:30 a.m. from Taylor's agent,
Drew Rosenhaus. Of all the men to speak about their feelings Monday, as Taylor clung to life at Jackson
Memorial Hospital in Miami after being shot in his Florida home, Williams was most visibly shaken,
nearly breaking down, holding back tears as he addressed reporters that night.
He left Redskins Park very late Monday night, team sources said, going home for a few hours to speak
to his family about Taylor's situation. Williams finally dozed off by the phone early yesterday morning,
awaiting another report from Miami, according to those who spoke with the coach. Snyder's call started
an agonizing day.
Williams opted not to speak to reporters yesterday, and instead spent the day huddled with his staff and
players as calls poured into Redskins Park from his associates around the league. Gibbs said he spent a
considerable amount of time with Williams yesterday "sharing stories" about Taylor, and trying to help
each other through the grieving process.
Williams has never hidden his regard for Taylor, falling in love with the way the hard-hitting safety
played and lobbying Gibbs to make him the staff's first draft pick in Washington, taking him fifth
overall -- high for that position -- in 2004. When Taylor encountered off-the-field troubles -- most
notably during a 2005 arrest on felony gun charges (he later accepted a plea bargain) -- Williams was a
staunch supporter, frequently stating his belief that his prized pupil would avoid jail. Throughout his
four seasons with the Redskins, Williams's weekly media sessions have been punctuated with praise for
Taylor, and he assured reporters time and again that the young man had a jovial and outgoing side
behind closed doors that was rarely seen in public.
Taylor was the greatest athlete Williams had coached during a long and distinguished career. He
possessed a rare combination of size, speed, aggression and fearlessness, and he melded perfectly with
Williams's defensive philosophy. Taylor was also roughly the same age as Williams's sons and, clearly,
one of his favorite players, to whom he doled out feverish admonishment as well as fatherly
compassion.
"We all know that Sean has a special place in Gregg's heart," said former Redskins safety Ryan Clark,
now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who spoke to Williams yesterday afternoon. "Anytime you see a kid
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Williams Especially Is Affected By Death of a Favorite Player
Page 2 of 3
basically grow up right before your eyes it's hard not to feel like that. I know Sean is like a friend to him
-- it's more than just a player -- and he really cared a lot for Sean. Gregg loved him as much as any of us
did."
Williams broke off his remarks to reporters Monday night, struggling to express his desire for Taylor to
somehow survive the massive blood loss he suffered after being shot in the leg early that morning.
Williams was deeply troubled all day, team sources said, when learning that Taylor had to be revived
twice. After learning Monday afternoon that Taylor was responsive to a command to squeeze a doctor's
hand, he thought perhaps that his prayers for a miracle had been answered, players said, but it was to be
the last good news he would receive.
"I think I've been documented many, many times on how I feel about him personally," Williams said
Monday night, "my admiration for him, and the closeness that he and I have. . . . I've had a very inner
smile go on with me as I've seen him grow here, and change dramatically for the good."
Williams was intent on selecting Taylor in April 2004, seeing in him a perfect player to execute his
aggressive defensive machinations.
"There was no question who Gregg wanted in that draft," said DeWayne Walker, who coached
cornerbacks during Williams's first two seasons here and is now the defensive coordinator at UCLA.
"There was no doubt at all. There was no one else he wanted. That was his guy from Day One.
"Sean was everything Gregg wanted in a player. He was a tough guy who left everything on the field,
and that was Gregg's whole motto. Gregg wanted guys to work hard and play hard and Sean was really a
great example of how Gregg wanted everyone to work. He had a special relationship with that kid
because I think he respected him as a person and as a football player."
Walker sent Williams a message of condolence yesterday, urging him to be as strong as possible,
"because the players are going to need you to be strong for them." Even as Taylor struggled at times in
his rookie season -- having difficulty adjusting to complex NFL defenses, getting arrested for DUI (he
was later acquitted) and being suspended for a game -- Williams backed him firmly during personnel
meetings, Walker said, and the staff was quickly won over by Taylor's football intellect and willingness
to listen to instruction.
"Once Sean came to his first training camp and started to get acclimated to the pro game, you could tell
this kid was going to be special," Walker said. "And I know as a coach in the NFL, they'll let you know
if they feel like you can help them or not, and Sean was always courteous, he always gave me his respect
to make me feel like, wow, a player of his level, he listened and he did what we told him."
Linebacker Lemar Marshall, here for all of Williams's tenure until he was released in training camp this
summer, said Taylor and Williams would often chat for 30 minutes or more, talking as much about life
and development and fatherhood as football. Williams unleashed a few of his loudest tirades on Taylor
as well, players said, especially early in the safety's career.
"He was one of the players Gregg got on even more than the rest of us because he knew that Sean could
take it," Marshall said. "Sean didn't necessarily care, because he had the characteristics to overcome
Gregg's sarcasm. He knew where Gregg was coming from no matter what, even when he took those
sarcastic stabs at him, because he knew Gregg only wanted the best for Sean. Nothing was really out of
bounds for Gregg to say or speak on, but at the same time that was their relationship, and they knew
where each other was coming from and nothing was taken personally.
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Williams Especially Is Affected By Death of a Favorite Player
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"When Gregg talked about Sean you saw the genuine love there. He really looked at Sean as a son,
going through what Sean went through, and with Sean really maturing the last few years, Gregg really
loved that about him, and I did too."
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Pittsburgh Steelers Tackle Parenthood Off Field - Print This Story News Story - WPXI Pi... Page 1 of 1
WPXI.com
Pittsburgh Steelers Tackle Parenthood Off Field
Related To Story
Players Say Their Kids Are Stress Relievers
POSTED: 6:00 pm EST November 27, 2007
UPDATED: 6:37 pm EST November 27, 2007
PITTSBURGH -- Many people have to deal with life's great balancing
act: working long hours while trying to spend quality time with
children.
The Pittsburgh Steelers players are no different. In fact, their
challenge is as great as any.
After rough and tumble days in the trenches, Steelers nose tackle
Chris Hoke goes home and plays quarterback. Hoke is the father of
two boys and a girl and another baby on the way.
Video: How Steelers Dads Tackle
Parenthood
“It's great going home after a tough day. After the Jets game you go home and the kids love you unconditionally.
That's what's great,” he said.
Hoke is not the only Steeler with a busy life on the field. Ike Taylor is the father of 1-year-old Ivan.
“I'm a selfish guy. Having him made me more unselfish. He's made me have more patience,” said Taylor.
Clark Haggans also has a young son, 6-year-old Daman, who still doesn't completely understand what his dad
does for a living.
“He calls it football work,” said Haggans. “He goes to games sometimes. I think he's more into his Power
Rangers."
On the side of Kendall Simmons' locker is a constant reminder of what's most important in his life -- two young
girls who turn the 315 pound bear into a teddy bear.
“You come home. They're looking for you. You leave work in the garage,” said Simmons.
Wide receiver Santonio Holmes has been a dad since he was 17 years old.
“I had to take responsibilities from the moment I stepped foot in college. Before I even got out of high school.
You're a dad now,” said Holmes.
Clint Kriewaldt is the father of three, including twins who will turn 3 years old on Dec. 1.
“They're awesome. As soon as they hear the garage opening, they're excited and yelling my name. I wouldn't
trade them for anything,” said Kriewaldt.
Being a Steelers dad means never having much idle time. Having children can be stressful, but for the Steelers,
being with their kids is a great stress reliever.
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11/28/2007