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    Steelers finish 8-8 with win

    Steelers finish 8-8 with winPittsburgh Steelers avoid first losing season in nearly a decade.

    [url]http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Pittsburgh-Steelers-defeat-Cleveland-Browns-123012[/url]


    UPDATED DEC 30, 2012 6:20 PM ET

    PITTSBURGH (AP)
    The Pittsburgh Steelers remain convinced they're a tweak or two away from another Super Bowl run. The Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, are ready to start all over. Again.


    There's nothing stopping them now.


    Ben Roethlisberger threw three short touchdown passes, and the Steelers avoided their first losing season in nearly a decade with a 24-10 victory over the Browns on Sunday in a meaningless finale that merely served as a speed bump to impending change for both franchises.


    The Steelers (8-, out of the playoffs for the first time since 2009, head into the offseason wondering how to address an aging - if still highly effective - defense while the Browns (5-11) get ready for another front office overhaul.


    New owner Jimmy Haslam already pushed out team president Mike Holmgren, and there's a good chance general manager Tom Heckert and head coach Pat Shurmur will follow Holmgren out the door.


    Shurmur - who is 9-23 in two seasons - gave an emotional postgame address to his players after another competitive game slipped away in the second half. While he hasn't spoken to Haslam about his status, Shurmur could sense his tenure is now measured in hours, not years.


    ''We really did not win enough games and we're not competing next week,'' he said. ''I was never really worried about (next year) and I have no regrets.''


    Pittsburgh, however, certainly does.


    The Steelers were 6-3 and rolling in early November. Their victory on Sunday was only their second in their last seven games, a collapse that will send them home before New Year's Day, well short of the standard set by the team with seven Super Bowl titles.


    ''It's a disappointing season just as far as the talent we have,'' linebacker Larry Foote said. ''We're 8-8, that's who we are. We've got to own it. A lot of letdowns, a lot of pluses too. We just didn't get it done.''


    Yet even with nothing on the line than the chance to avoid the first losing season in nearly a decade, the Steelers found a way to beat the Browns. Pittsburgh's top-ranked defense forced four turnovers and Roethlisberger hit Antonio Brown, Plaxico Burress and Leonard Pope for scores.




    ''I said earlier in the week that we wanted to come out and finish the year with a win and have a good feeling going into the offseason,'' Roethlisberger said. ''That is what we did. I'm proud of the way the guys finish.''


    Cleveland's mistakes marred an otherwise steady NFL debut third-string quarterback, Thaddeus Lewis, who completed 22 of 32 passes for 204 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Browns outgained Pittsburgh 320-212 but were undone by Lewis' ill-timed pass right into the hands of Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and three fumbles - two in Cleveland territory.


    ''We just need to find a way to win, stats mean nothing,'' Browns linebacker Craig Robertson said. ''You have two columns, wins and losses. That's all that matters.''


    That's all that matters to Haslam, who made a splash when he purchased the Browns earlier this season. The former Steelers minority owner wants to build Cleveland into a contender, which hasn't been consistently competitive in two decades.


    Shurmur insists the building blocks are in place and for a brief stretch this season the Browns looked as if they had turned a corner. Cleveland put together a three-game winning streak spanning late November and early December that had some doing the complicated math necessary to put the Browns in the playoffs.


    The optimism died just as quickly as it arose. Cleveland came back to earth in a 38-21 whipping at the hands of the Washington Redskins two weeks ago, followed by a blowout loss in Denver. Given a chance to sweep their biggest rivals for the first time in 24 years, the Browns instead lost to the Steelers in the regular-season finale for the fourth time in the last five seasons.




    The changes in Pittsburgh won't be so widespread, but with an aging roster and salary cap issues. Nose tackle Casey Hampton, linebacker Larry Foote, offensive tackle Max Starks and wide receiver Mike Wallace are among those who will be free agents.


    ''You want everybody back but you know that is not what is going to happen,'' Roethlisberger said.


    The Steelers insisted they wanted to end a miserable December with some dignity but hardly appeared interested during most of the first half. Playing in a rare meaningless finale, Pittsburgh sputtered for long stretches in front of the smallest crowd in Heinz Field's 12-year history. The Steelers needed more than a quarter to pick up a first down as Roethlisberger struggled to stay comfortable.


    The Browns, trying to win one for their embattled coach, were a little livelier but no more effective.


    Shurmur, injecting a bit of risk-taking in a tenure filled with playing it safe, called a fake punt from the Cleveland 25 early in the third quarter that Ray Ventrone turned into a 35-yard gain, equaling the team's longest run of the season.


    The Browns tied it at 10 a few plays later when Lewis found Greg Little for a 7-yard touchdown pass.


    That about did it for Cleveland. The Steelers responded with a 12-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Roethlisberger hitting Brown for a 9-yard score that put the Steelers back in front.


    The veteran wide receiver - brought in over a month ago to shore up a depleted unit - took a pair of bows after his first scoring catch in a year. It was a fitting gesture considering the Steelers soon exited stage right. A season that brimmed with hope after a win over the Giants on Nov. 4 collapsed in a five-week span that included four costly losses.


    ''I don't want to sweep it under the rug because we had some good times this year,'' Foote said. ''But the expectation here is we've got to win.''


    NOTES: Polamalu's interception was his first of the season and 30th of his career ... Phil Dawson's 51-yard field goal in the second quarter tied for the second-longest in Heinz Field history ... Lewis was the 18th different quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999 ... Roethlisberger is 7-0 at home against the Browns ... Cleveland PR Joshua Cribbs passed Dennis Northcutt as the team's all-time leader in punt return yardage.

    Molon labe

    People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. George Orwell

    ?We're not going to apologize for winning.?
    Mike Tomlin

    American metal pimped by asiansteel
    Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you 1. Jesus Christ, 2.The American G.I., One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by fordfixer View Post
    Steelers finish 8-8 with winPittsburgh Steelers avoid first losing season in nearly a decade.

    [URL]http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Pittsburgh-Steelers-defeat-Cleveland-Browns-123012[/URL]


    UPDATED DEC 30, 2012 6:20 PM ET

    PITTSBURGH (AP)
    The Pittsburgh Steelers remain convinced they're a tweak or two away from another Super Bowl run. The Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, are ready to start all over. Again.


    There's nothing stopping them now.


    Ben Roethlisberger threw three short touchdown passes, and the Steelers avoided their first losing season in nearly a decade with a 24-10 victory over the Browns on Sunday in a meaningless finale that merely served as a speed bump to impending change for both franchises.


    The Steelers (8-, out of the playoffs for the first time since 2009, head into the offseason wondering how to address an aging - if still highly effective - defense while the Browns (5-11) get ready for another front office overhaul.


    New owner Jimmy Haslam already pushed out team president Mike Holmgren, and there's a good chance general manager Tom Heckert and head coach Pat Shurmur will follow Holmgren out the door.


    Shurmur - who is 9-23 in two seasons - gave an emotional postgame address to his players after another competitive game slipped away in the second half. While he hasn't spoken to Haslam about his status, Shurmur could sense his tenure is now measured in hours, not years.


    ''We really did not win enough games and we're not competing next week,'' he said. ''I was never really worried about (next year) and I have no regrets.''


    Pittsburgh, however, certainly does.


    The Steelers were 6-3 and rolling in early November. Their victory on Sunday was only their second in their last seven games, a collapse that will send them home before New Year's Day, well short of the standard set by the team with seven Super Bowl titles.


    ''It's a disappointing season just as far as the talent we have,'' linebacker Larry Foote said. ''We're 8-8, that's who we are. We've got to own it. A lot of letdowns, a lot of pluses too. We just didn't get it done.''


    Yet even with nothing on the line than the chance to avoid the first losing season in nearly a decade, the Steelers found a way to beat the Browns. Pittsburgh's top-ranked defense forced four turnovers and Roethlisberger hit Antonio Brown, Plaxico Burress and Leonard Pope for scores.




    ''I said earlier in the week that we wanted to come out and finish the year with a win and have a good feeling going into the offseason,'' Roethlisberger said. ''That is what we did. I'm proud of the way the guys finish.''


    Cleveland's mistakes marred an otherwise steady NFL debut third-string quarterback, Thaddeus Lewis, who completed 22 of 32 passes for 204 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Browns outgained Pittsburgh 320-212 but were undone by Lewis' ill-timed pass right into the hands of Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and three fumbles - two in Cleveland territory.


    ''We just need to find a way to win, stats mean nothing,'' Browns linebacker Craig Robertson said. ''You have two columns, wins and losses. That's all that matters.''


    That's all that matters to Haslam, who made a splash when he purchased the Browns earlier this season. The former Steelers minority owner wants to build Cleveland into a contender, which hasn't been consistently competitive in two decades.


    Shurmur insists the building blocks are in place and for a brief stretch this season the Browns looked as if they had turned a corner. Cleveland put together a three-game winning streak spanning late November and early December that had some doing the complicated math necessary to put the Browns in the playoffs.


    The optimism died just as quickly as it arose. Cleveland came back to earth in a 38-21 whipping at the hands of the Washington Redskins two weeks ago, followed by a blowout loss in Denver. Given a chance to sweep their biggest rivals for the first time in 24 years, the Browns instead lost to the Steelers in the regular-season finale for the fourth time in the last five seasons.




    The changes in Pittsburgh won't be so widespread, but with an aging roster and salary cap issues. Nose tackle Casey Hampton, linebacker Larry Foote, offensive tackle Max Starks and wide receiver Mike Wallace are among those who will be free agents.


    ''You want everybody back but you know that is not what is going to happen,'' Roethlisberger said.


    The Steelers insisted they wanted to end a miserable December with some dignity but hardly appeared interested during most of the first half. Playing in a rare meaningless finale, Pittsburgh sputtered for long stretches in front of the smallest crowd in Heinz Field's 12-year history. The Steelers needed more than a quarter to pick up a first down as Roethlisberger struggled to stay comfortable.


    The Browns, trying to win one for their embattled coach, were a little livelier but no more effective.


    Shurmur, injecting a bit of risk-taking in a tenure filled with playing it safe, called a fake punt from the Cleveland 25 early in the third quarter that Ray Ventrone turned into a 35-yard gain, equaling the team's longest run of the season.


    The Browns tied it at 10 a few plays later when Lewis found Greg Little for a 7-yard touchdown pass.


    That about did it for Cleveland. The Steelers responded with a 12-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Roethlisberger hitting Brown for a 9-yard score that put the Steelers back in front.


    The veteran wide receiver - brought in over a month ago to shore up a depleted unit - took a pair of bows after his first scoring catch in a year. It was a fitting gesture considering the Steelers soon exited stage right. A season that brimmed with hope after a win over the Giants on Nov. 4 collapsed in a five-week span that included four costly losses.


    ''I don't want to sweep it under the rug because we had some good times this year,'' Foote said. ''But the expectation here is we've got to win.''


    NOTES: Polamalu's interception was his first of the season and 30th of his career ... Phil Dawson's 51-yard field goal in the second quarter tied for the second-longest in Heinz Field history ... Lewis was the 18th different quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999 ... Roethlisberger is 7-0 at home against the Browns ... Cleveland PR Joshua Cribbs passed Dennis Northcutt as the team's all-time leader in punt return yardage.
    and there lies the problem

  3. #3
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    [URL]http://sports.yahoo.com/news/steelers-finish-disappointing-season-win-230007182--nfl.html[/URL]

    Steelers finish disappointing season with a win

    By John Perrotto, The Sports Xchange


    PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Steelers finished a frustrating season on a winning note, beating Pat Shurmur in what was likely his last game as the Cleveland Browns' coach.
    Ben Roethlisberger shook off a late-season slump to throw three touchdowns passes to lead the Steelers to a 24-10 victory on Sunday at Heinz Field.
    The Steelers finished 8-8 after being eliminated from playoff contention a week earlier with a loss to Cincinnati. Five of the Steelers' losses were by three points or less.
    Roethlisberger threw interceptions that led to game-winning field goals by Dallas and the Bengals in the previous two games. The Steelers had been 0-3 since Roethlisberger returned to the lineup after missing three games with shoulder and rib injuries.
    "This was big for us," Roethlisberger said. "We wanted to come out and finish the year with a win and have a good feeling going into the offseason. I'm proud of the way the guys finished."
    Meanwhile, the Browns ended with a 5-11 record that will likely cost Shurmur and general manager Tom Heckert their jobs. Shurmur has gone 11-21 in his two seasons.
    Jimmy Haslam, who bought the Browns in October for $1.05 billion, is said to be looking to make a big splash with the next coaching hire and reportedly has his eye on the University of Alabama's Nick Saban, a native of northeast Ohio. Alabama will attempt to win its third national title in four years when it faces Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7 at Miami.
    The Browns have 27 players who are either rookies or in their second NFL seasons, and Shurmur feels things are looking up for a downtrodden franchise that has made the playoffs just once in 14 years since returning as an expansion team.
    "The future is bright for that group of guys," Shurmur said. "I think the coaches that work with them are outstanding. That's what my thoughts are as this team gets ready for the offseason, just like the 19 other teams (that didn't make the playoffs)."
    Shurmur also did not openly campaign to keep his job.
    "I don't know," Shurmur said when asked if he had made a strong enough case to return in 2013. "We really did not win enough games and we're not competing next week. I was never really worried about (next year), and I have no regrets."
    The Browns were forced to start third-string quarterback Thad Lewis as Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy were both inactive because of sprained right shoulders. Standout rookie running back Trent Richardson (ankle) also sat out, and he finished the season with 950 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns
    Lewis completed 22 of 32 passes for 204 yards and one touchdown while being intercepted once and sacked three times. He left the game on the next-to-last play after being hit in the back while being sacked by Lawrence Timmons.
    The Browns held a 320-212 advantage in total yardage but lost three fumbles, two of which led to Steelers touchdowns.
    Roethlisberger was 15-of-23 passing for 134 yards, but two of his three TD passes came in the second half and snapped a 10-10 tie.
    Roethlisberger threw a nine-yard scoring pass to Antonio Brown with 4:39 left in the third quarter to put the Steelers ahead 17-10, then iced the game with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress with 3:20 remaining in the fourth quarter.
    Roethlisberger is already looking ahead to 2013 and said the Steelers' strength and conditioning coach Garrett Giemont has formulated an offseason workout regimen.
    "I'm going to go get some rest, then get dedicated to coming back better than ever," said Roethlisberger, who added that he had no regrets about returning to play the last four games after being injured.
    Cleveland had tied the score at 10-10 early in the third quarter when Greg Little caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from Lewis.
    The only touchdown of a lackluster first half came when Roethlisberger found Leonard Pope for a one-yard score with 47 second left in the second quarter. That put the Steelers in front 10-3.
    Pittsburgh took a 3-0 lead on Shaun Suisham's 41-yard field goal midway through the second quarter, and Cleveland's Phil Dawson answered with a 51-yard field goal four minutes later.
    "It was good to finish on a positive note here in 2012, particularly the way we knuckled in the second half as a team" Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "We had five healthy offensive linemen and two corners. Those guys knuckled up and delivered."
    NOTES: Pittsburgh lost four players to injury: defensive end Brett Keisel (knee), guard David DeCastro (neck), cornerback Keenan Lewis (knee) and offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum (concussion). ... Cleveland wide receiver Josh Gordon (ankle) and guard John Greco (knee) were forced from the game. ... The Steelers have won 17 of their last 19 meetings with the Browns, including nine in a row in Pittsburgh. ... Linebacker James Harrison had 11 tackles, including six solos, and one sack, in what was likely his last game with the Steelers as he is expected to be a salary cap casualty ... Timmons had two sacks and cornerback Cortez Allen forced two fumbles for Pittsburgh. ... Browns defensive end Jabaal Sheard had two sacks. ... The Steelers will not participate in the playoffs for just the fourth time since 2001 and the second time in Tomlin's six seasons as coach ... The Browns have lost at least 10 games in 11 of 14 seasons since returning to the NFL as an expansion franchise.

    Molon labe

    People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. George Orwell

    ?We're not going to apologize for winning.?
    Mike Tomlin

    American metal pimped by asiansteel
    Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you 1. Jesus Christ, 2.The American G.I., One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

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    Steelers down Browns in finale

    [url]http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/12/30/steelers-down-browns-in-finale/[/url]

    Published December 30, 2012Sports Network
    PITTSBURGH, PA – Ben Roethlisberger had three touchdown passes, and the Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up the season by posting a 24-10 win over the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field.


    Roethlisberger was 15-of-23 for 134 yards and the Pittsburgh defense forced four turnovers.


    The Steelers (8- snapped a three-game skid and avoided their first losing season since going 6-10 in 2003.


    "It's good to finish on a positive note," Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said.


    With rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden and backup Colt McCoy nursing right shoulder injuries, Thaddeus Lewis made his NFL debut for the Browns. Lewis, promoted from the practice squad earlier in the week, completed 22-of-32 passes for 204 yards with a touchdown and one interception.


    Benjamin Watson had 64 yards on seven receptions for Cleveland (5-11), which has dropped nine straight road games in this series.


    "When I look at the game, once again, the Browns played extremely hard," Cleveland second-year coach Pat Shurmur said.


    Sunday's contest may have been the last for Shurmur. The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that Shurmur and general manager Tom Heckert are expected to be ousted by new Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and new CEO Joe Banner by Monday.


    Cleveland threatened on its second drive of the game, moving the ball to the Pittsburgh 21-yard line. After Montario Hardesty, filling in for rookie running back Trent Richardson (ankle), lost four yards on the ground, Lewis was picked off by Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu.


    But as they had done on their first two possessions, the Steelers failed to get a first down.


    The Browns came away empty-handed after getting the ball back in Pittsburgh territory as Phil Dawson pushed a 39-yard field goal wide right, just his second miss of this season.


    The Steelers' offense finally found some traction and Shaun Suisham opened the scoring by kicking a 41-yard field goal with 7:53 remaining in the second quarter.


    Dawson then drilled a 51-yarder to even the score, but the Steelers retook the lead just before the end of the first half.


    A fumble by Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon set up the go-ahead touchdown. Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons recovered the ball at the Cleveland 25, while Gordon suffered an ankle injury that forced him to leave the game.


    After a defensive pass interference penalty placed the ball at the one, Roethlisberger found Leonard Pope to put Pittsburgh up 10-3.


    The Browns were helped along by a pass interference penalty on the opening possession of the third quarter. Cornerback Josh Victorian was guilty of the 35-yard infraction that set up Lewis' 7-yard touchdown pass to Greg Little. The drive also featured a fake punt.


    Roethlisberger responded by directing a 12-play drive that ended with his 9- yard TD toss to Antonio Brown.


    Pittsburgh cashed in another turnover to seal the win.


    Travis Benjamin went down to the ground to make a 13-yard grab near midfield. After the wideout got back up to his feet, Steelers cornerback Cortez Allen forced and returned a fumble 21 yards to the Cleveland 27.


    Six plays later, Roethlisberger and Plaxico Burress hooked up for a 12-yard strike in the end zone.


    Game Notes


    Jonathan Dwyer paced Pittsburgh's ground attack with 52 yards on 11 carries ... Gordon joined Kevin Johnson, Eric Metcalf and Webster Slaughter as the only rookies in Browns history to record a reception in all 16 games ... Hardesty rushed 14 times for 37 yards.

    Molon labe

    People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. George Orwell

    ?We're not going to apologize for winning.?
    Mike Tomlin

    American metal pimped by asiansteel
    Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you 1. Jesus Christ, 2.The American G.I., One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

  5. #5
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    Steelers beat Browns; finish season 8-8

    [url]http://www.herald-mail.com/sports/da-ot-steelers-beat-browns-finish-season-88-20121230,0,7721553,full.story[/url]
    By WILL GRAVES
    AP Sports Writer



    7:47 p.m. EST, December 30, 2012


    PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers remain convinced they’re a tweak or two away from another Super Bowl run. The Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, are ready to start all over. Again.





    There’s nothing stopping them now.





    Ben Roethlisberger threw three short touchdown passes, and the Steelers avoided their first losing season in nearly a decade with a 24-10 victory over the Browns on Sunday in a meaningless finale that merely served as a speed bump to impending change for both franchises.





    The Steelers (8-, out of the playoffs for the first time since 2009, head into the offseason wondering how to address an aging — if still highly effective — defense while the Browns (5-11) get ready for another front office overhaul.





    New owner Jimmy Haslam already pushed out team president Mike Holmgren, and there’s a good chance general manager Tom Heckert and head coach Pat Shurmur will follow Holmgren out the door.





    Shurmur — who is 9-23 in two seasons — gave an emotional postgame address to his players after another competitive game slipped away in the second half. While he hasn’t spoken to Haslam about his status, Shurmur could sense his tenure is now measured in hours, not years.





    “We really did not win enough games and we’re not competing next week,” he said. “I was never really worried about (next year) and I have no regrets.”





    Pittsburgh, however, certainly does.





    The Steelers were 6-3 and rolling in early November. Their victory on Sunday was only their second in their last seven games, a collapse that will send them home before New Year’s Day, well short of the standard set by the team with seven Super Bowl titles.





    “It’s a disappointing season just as far as the talent we have,” linebacker Larry Foote said. “We’re 8-8, that’s who we are. We’ve got to own it. A lot of letdowns, a lot of pluses too. We just didn’t get it done.”





    Yet even with nothing on the line than the chance to avoid the first losing season in nearly a decade, the Steelers found a way to beat the Browns. Pittsburgh’s top-ranked defense forced four turnovers and Roethlisberger hit Antonio Brown, Plaxico Burress and Leonard Pope for scores.





    “I said earlier in the week that we wanted to come out and finish the year with a win and have a good feeling going into the offseason,” Roethlisberger said. “That is what we did. I’m proud of the way the guys finish.”





    Cleveland’s mistakes marred an otherwise steady NFL debut third-string quarterback, Thaddeus Lewis, who completed 22 of 32 passes for 204 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Browns outgained Pittsburgh 320-212 but were undone by Lewis’ ill-timed pass right into the hands of Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and three fumbles — two in Cleveland territory.





    “We just need to find a way to win, stats mean nothing,” Browns linebacker Craig Robertson said. “You have two columns, wins and losses. That’s all that matters.”





    That’s all that matters to Haslam, who made a splash when he purchased the Browns earlier this season. The former Steelers minority owner wants to build Cleveland into a contender, which hasn’t been consistently competitive in two decades.





    Shurmur insists the building blocks are in place and for a brief stretch this season the Browns looked as if they had turned a corner. Cleveland put together a three-game winning streak spanning late November and early December that had some doing the complicated math necessary to put the Browns in the playoffs.





    The optimism died just as quickly as it arose. Cleveland came back to earth in a 38-21 whipping at the hands of the Washington Redskins two weeks ago, followed by a blowout loss in Denver. Given a chance to sweep their biggest rivals for the first time in 24 years, the Browns instead lost to the Steelers in the regular-season finale for the fourth time in the last five seasons.





    The changes in Pittsburgh won’t be so widespread, but with an aging roster and salary cap issues. Nose tackle Casey Hampton, linebacker Larry Foote, offensive tackle Max Starks and wide receiver Mike Wallace are among those who will be free agents.





    “You want everybody back but you know that is not what is going to happen,” Roethlisberger said.





    The Steelers insisted they wanted to end a miserable December with some dignity but hardly appeared interested during most of the first half. Playing in a rare meaningless finale, Pittsburgh sputtered for long stretches in front of the smallest crowd in Heinz Field’s 12-year history. The Steelers needed more than a quarter to pick up a first down as Roethlisberger struggled to stay comfortable.





    The Browns, trying to win one for their embattled coach, were a little livelier but no more effective.





    Shurmur, injecting a bit of risk-taking in a tenure filled with playing it safe, called a fake punt from the Cleveland 25 early in the third quarter that Ray Ventrone turned into a 35-yard gain, equaling the team’s longest run of the season.





    The Browns tied it at 10 a few plays later when Lewis found Greg Little for a 7-yard touchdown pass.





    That about did it for Cleveland. The Steelers responded with a 12-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Roethlisberger hitting Brown for a 9-yard score that put the Steelers back in front.





    The veteran wide receiver — brought in over a month ago to shore up a depleted unit — took a pair of bows after his first scoring catch in a year. It was a fitting gesture considering the Steelers soon exited stage right. A season that brimmed with hope after a win over the Giants on Nov. 4 collapsed in a five-week span that included four costly losses.





    “I don’t want to sweep it under the rug because we had some good times this year,” Foote said. “But the expectation here is we’ve got to win.”





    NOTES: Polamalu’s interception was his first of the season and 30th of his career ... Phil Dawson’s 51-yard field goal in the second quarter tied for the second-longest in Heinz Field history ... Lewis was the 18th different quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999 ... Roethlisberger is 7-0 at home against the Browns ... Cleveland PR Joshua Cribbs passed Dennis Northcutt

    Molon labe

    People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. George Orwell

    ?We're not going to apologize for winning.?
    Mike Tomlin

    American metal pimped by asiansteel
    Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you 1. Jesus Christ, 2.The American G.I., One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

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