'Steel Curtain' prepping for playoff run

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'Steel Curtain' prepping for playoff run
[url="http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/21664/steel-curtain-prepping-for-playoff-run"]http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_ ... layoff-run[/url]
By James Walker

PITTSBURGH -- In a year where very few teams are playing elite defense, the Steelers may have found their niche.

After playing through various fines, penalties and other struggles earlier this season, Pittsburgh's defense is gaining momentum. It put together another dominant performance in Sunday's 23-7 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals (2-11).

The Steelers held the Bengals to 190 total yards of offense, forced three interceptions and kept Cincinnati scoreless after its opening drive. Pittsburgh also scored two defensive touchdowns for the first time since Nov. 22, 1998, courtesy of pick-sixes by safety Troy Polamalu and linebacker LaMarr Woodley. The Steelers' defense scored more than their offense (nine points) and the entire Bengals team (seven points) in this AFC North win.

In the past month, Pittsburgh is allowing only nine points per game and the team is 4-0 in that stretch. This was also the second time in four games the Steelers kept an opponent to fewer than 200 total yards.

Pittsburgh's "Steel Curtain" defense is hardening at just the right time with the postseason just around the corner.

"We want to be great and we want to be remembered," Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel said. "When you can hold teams to less and less yards each week, that's what good teams do. That's what we pride ourselves on around here."

Considering their strong track record and recent play, if there is any defense to bank on this postseason, it is Pittsburgh's. The Steelers are No. 1 against the run by a wide margin and now are forcing turnovers when opponents drop back to pass. This group also has championship experience, leading Pittsburgh to its sixth Super Bowl title in 2008. This is a combination no other playoff contender can boast defensively.

Each week Pittsburgh's defense is looking more like the 2008 version. It swarmed Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, sacking him three times and rushing him into three turnovers. Polamalu had two interceptions, which included the first pick-six that got the Steelers going (they eventually scored 23 unanswered points).

Polamalu is playing at a Pro Bowl level and deserves to be mentioned in the NFL MVP conversation.

[+] EnlargeCarson Palmer
AP Photo/Gene J. PuskarPittsburgh's defense sacked Carson Palmer three times and rushed him into three turnovers.
"Our defense is just something else," Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "Troy and I always talk before the last couple of games. I tell him to do something magical and he tells me to do something magical. Troy always does it."

Here are some other notes on Pittsburgh's win over Cincinnati:

Beware of penalties: Pittsburgh had nine penalties for 89 yards and remains one of the NFL's most-penalized teams. That could hurt the Steelers in a close playoff game. Some calls this season have been questionable, but Pittsburgh's various holding calls and other errors committed against Cincinnati were legitimate. It was the primary reason the Steelers' offense couldn't get in the end zone.

"When you are looking at first-and-30, it's tough," Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said of one scenario. "Somehow we overcame that. For the most part, we have all year when we get behind the chains with the penalties."

Bengals look defeated: Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis didn't have many answers in his shortest postgame news conference of the season, which lasted approximately two minutes. Palmer said he had no "words to describe" how down the Bengals feel right now. And Cincinnati receiver Terrell Owens was critical of the play calling on offense for the second week in a row.

"I have no idea; I'm just going with the plays that are called," Owens said. "I don't call [plays], I just run them. Sometimes I just feel like I'm out there running. In the beginning of the game I got some looks. But after that, that was it. We had no adjustments."

These things happen when a team loses 10 games in a row. The Bengals continue to fall apart, and the end of the season can't come soon enough for this disappointing group.

Officiating Ben: Roethlisberger, who already has an injured foot and is recovering from a broken nose, took another pounding against the Bengals. Cincinnati sacked Roethlisberger four times and had several questionable hits that were not flagged. Controversial plays included Bengals safety Roy L. Williams hitting Roethlisberger on a blitz after the ball was thrown and Roethlisberger complaining that his facemask was grabbed for the second week in a row. Roethlisberger vented to the refs but no flag was thrown. Several teammates stood up for their quarterback.

“It’s terrible, man,” Steelers linebacker and captain James Farrior said. “I think they protect all of the quarterbacks but ours. But we’re going to keep on fighting … Hopefully they’ll catch it one day.”

Jets upcoming: Next up for Pittsburgh is a big game against the New York Jets (9-4). Both teams should make the playoffs, but this contest could have a major impact on seeding in the AFC. The Steelers hold a 1 1/2 game lead over the Baltimore Ravens (8-4) in the AFC North and will continue to be in control of the division regardless of what happens in Monday's Ravens-Texans game.

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Re: 'Steel Curtain' prepping for playoff run

Hats off to Dick LeBeau
By John Harris, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, December 13, 2010
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_713526.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 13526.html[/url]

If you didn't know any better, you could have sworn Dick LeBeau switched places with Bruce Arians and became offensive coordinator for a day.

LeBeau, the Steelers' acclaimed defensive coordinator, drew up two interceptions for touchdowns on the grease board -- the team's only touchdowns in Sunday's 23-7 win over the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field.

Extreme? There's no other way to describe how the defense saved the offense for the third consecutive week.

"Our defense is something else,'' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said.

It's the eighth time this season the defense allowed only one touchdown. The Steelers are 8-0 in those games.

"We held up our end,'' said free safety Ryan Clark, who finished with eight tackles. "That's the big thing, just keep holding up our end and making these games big games. The more games you win, the bigger the games get. That's how we're looking at it.''

The Steelers improved to 10-3, courtesy of their fourth consecutive win. They've won the past three despite the offense scoring two touchdowns in 13 quarters.

Does the offense need to score more?

"We would like it,'' Clark said. "We know we need to be a balanced team -- offensively, defensively, on special teams. We know everybody needs to play well.''

If the touchdown drought continues, kicker Shaun Suisham, who's 9 for 9 on field goals since joining the Steelers three games ago, will wear out his right leg.

"Buffalo (a 19-16 overtime win), we were clicking, just weren't getting the ball into the end zone,'' Clark said. "Then you look at the Baltimore game -- you take what you can get against an offense like that. But we know we need to score more points.''

Strong safety Troy Polamalu's sack and strip of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, and outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley's fumble return to the Baltimore 9 with 3:13 to play, set up the Steelers' lone touchdown.

Clark believes the offense is ready to explode, just like it did by scoring five times in a 35-3 win over Oakland on Nov. 21.

"It's crazy because we move the ball on people,'' Clark said. "We clearly have the talent. I think they'll get it going.''

Even if Polamalu didn't return a Carson Palmer interception 45 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter yesterday, and even if Woodley didn't run back another Palmer interception for another touchdown in the fourth quarter, the Steelers would have won, 9-7. That's how dominant the defense was after allowing Cincinnati to score on the game's opening drive.

Couldn't you just hear LeBeau on the sideline drawing up both interceptions intended for Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco?

"Troy, you know that Palmer locks onto T.O. from the moment he leaves the line of scrimmage, so stick to him like white on rice. Read Palmer's eyes if you have to. Just make sure that you break hard on the ball. It's an easy six points if you do.

"LaMarr, expect Palmer to throw your way because he doesn't think you can cover Ochocinco. Remember that there's coverage support behind you. It'll be like taking candy from a baby.''

For 3 1/2 quarters, the defense held the Bengals in check. Late in the game, Owens short-armed a Palmer pass across the middle and dropped the ball because he didn't want to get hit. LeBeau and the Steelers defenders were inside Owens' head all afternoon.

"We've got a good defense,'' defensive end Brett Keisel said. "We pride ourselves on being tough and physical and making plays when they're there to be made. Troy's play and LaMarr's play were both huge for us.''

Hats off to LeBeau for countering Cincinnati's early play-calling success. The Bengals took a 7-0 lead on a trick play when Palmer tossed a 1-yard touchdown pass to tackle Andrew Whitworth.

"I think they had a scripted set of plays,'' Keisel said. "They fooled us on the offensive lineman catching the first touchdown. We knew we were going to get some tricks and things like that. Once everyone settled down and stuck to their keys and what their job was on defense, it was tough for them to move the ball against us.''

They'll be no stopping the Steelers if their offense can get on the same page as the defense. With three games remaining, the offense can't turn it around soon enough.

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Re: 'Steel Curtain' prepping for playoff run

LaMarr Woodley's late-game pick-six clinches the win
By Kevin Gorman, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, December 13, 2010
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LaMarr Woodley's guilt trip ended in 14 yards.

The Steelers outside linebacker intercepted a Carson Palmer pass intended for Chad Ochocinco and returned it for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, clearing Woodley's conscience and clinching a 23-7 victory over Cincinnati on Sunday at Heinz Field.

"Good thing I didn't have to run a long distance," the 265-pound Woodley said, "because usually it takes me a long time to get to the end zone."

Troy Polamalu called it the play of the game.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wasn't as gracious.

"He provided plays," Tomlin said, "but he owed us."

Woodley was accountable for one of the Steelers' costliest plays on the game's opening drive.

On a third-and-3 from the Cincinnati 38, Palmer's pass for Terrell Owens fell incomplete, but Woodley was flagged for being offsides. That allowed the Bengals to continue what became an eight-play, 69-yard scoring drive. Woodley then was caught rushing Palmer when he tossed a 1-yard pass to tackle-eligible Andrew Whitworth for a 7-0 lead.

"Jumping offsides and allowing a team like Cincinnati to drive down the field and put points on the board, that was definitely on me," Woodley said. "My teammates were very supportive, letting me know it was no big deal, to just keep my head in the game and go out there and make plays."

Woodley fought through what fellow outside linebacker James Harrison described as "a couple holds they didn't call" to finish with five solo tackles, two sacks for minus-14 yards, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup in addition to his first-ever pick-six.

"He played a great game," free safety Ryan Clark said. "You know you're not going to be perfect, and we're not asking Wood to be perfect. He felt as bad as anybody about that first play, the offsides, and giving them the opportunity to keep moving the ball. But he came back and made up for it."

Inspired by Polamalu's 45-yard interception return that tied the game, Woodley scored on the 14-yard interception for a 20-7 Steelers lead with 12:21 remaining.

"I never even saw him," Palmer said. "He made a great play on the ball, great catch. You've got to give him credit. It's a ball I wish I could had back and not thrown, obviously."

It was the second career touchdown for Woodley, who returned a fumble 77 yards for a score against Minnesota last year. His 19-yard return of a fumble last week at Baltimore fell 9 yards short of the end zone.

"Last week I couldn't get in. I was moving a little slow," Woodley said. "Another opportunity presented itself, I was able to get an interception and this time wanted to take it to the house, and I was able to get in there."

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Re: 'Steel Curtain' prepping for playoff run

Another day, another big play for Polamalu
Monday, December 13, 2010
By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
[url="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10347/1110348-87.stm"]http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10347/1110348-87.stm[/url]

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It's not the wondrous athletic ability or the incredible sense of anticipation or even the big hair that makes Steelers safety Troy Polamalu the best defensive player in the NFL.

It's something much simpler.

Polamalu cares.

That's evident during the week as the Steelers prepare for their opponent. "Most guys are playing pool or pingpong at lunch and after practice," linebacker Larry Foote said. "Troy's on his computer, studying the offense. He knows every formation. If he even gets a sniff of something coming, he's all over it."

It was evident in the Steelers' 23-7 win Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. For the third consecutive week, Polamalu made the play of the game, this time returning a second-quarter interception for a 45-yard touchdown that tied the score, 7-7. But he pulled up on the run, aggravating a calf injury that keeps him from practicing on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Clearly, he was in pain as he limped to the bench. Many of his teammates didn't want him to go back in, better to have him for the game Sunday against the New York Jets and in the playoffs beyond. Even the coaches felt that way. But Polamalu played every play. "That's Troy," safety Ryan Clark said. "You can't keep him down. He wants to be out there for his guys."

Most of it all, it was evident long after the game when Polamalu finally emerged from the shower and limped to his locker. He ended the Bengals' final possession with another interception, but, instead of being tackled or just going down, he lateraled the ball wildly to teammate Bryant McFadden, who was lucky to pick it up. It was a dumb play by Polamalu -- defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau reminded him of it as he walked off the field -- but it was relatively meaningless at that point of the game. Not to Polamalu, as it turned out. Did I mention he cares? "First and foremost, I'd like to apologize for that play at the end of the game," he said. "It was incredibly arrogant and selfish and foolish of me." When pressed later if the play really bummed him out that much, Polamalu turned his face into his locker to gather himself, then looked at the television cameras, nearly in tears, and said, "Yeah, it does."

It's that humility that makes Polamalu so popular with his teammates. OK, it's all the big plays he makes, too. "He's not afraid of the moment," Clark said. "He'll tell me in the huddle, 'I've got to make one. It's time.' And then he'll make the big play." The two interceptions against the Bengals. The fourth-quarter sack of Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco and forced fumble that led to the winning touchdown against the Ravens a week earlier. The diving interception at the Steelers' 1 in Buffalo the week before that. But the humility doesn't hurt. Asked about the significance of his first interception against the Bengals, Polamalu said, "I thought the play of the game was [linebacker LaMarr Woodley's] interception [and 14-yard touchdown return in the fourth quarter]." Asked about how well he has played the past month, he said, "I think our defense is playing good as a whole."

Don't think for one second that Polamalu's teammates and coaches don't notice.

"Troy's the real deal, on and off the field," Foote said.

Added coach Mike Tomlin, "I'm glad Troy is on my team. This guy ... No one is playing as good as Troy Polamalu in football right now in my opinion. When we need a play, he provides it."

That was the sentiment all across the locker room Sunday. But there also was concern. "I just hope he's not hurt bad," linebacker James Farrior said.

Polamalu wanted nothing to do with the injury talk. "I feel all right, thank you," he said. He knows quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is playing on a broken foot and with a broken nose. He knows every player on the team has some sort of ailment. It's that time of year. He's not about to complain.

Foote said he not only expects Polamalu to play against the Jets, he figures he'll make a play to win the game. "It's like Michael Jordan and Kobe," he said. "They drop 40 on you like it's nothing. They do it so often that everybody gets used to it. They take it for granted. That's the way it is with Troy. It seems like every week he's putting his name in the history book and we all take it for granted. You have to step back and remind yourself, 'We're watching one of the all-time greats.' "

That's why Foote was surprised when the NFL Network released its list of the top 100 NFL players of all time last month and Polamalu wasn't included. Jerry Rice was No. 1 and Joe Namath No. 100. Baltimore safety Ed Reed was No. 88, which Steelers fans will find especially galling.

"Trust me, Troy will be high on that list before he's done," Foote said. "Game by game, he's walking a lot of those guys down. We're lucky to be playing with him."

The rest of us are lucky to be watching him.


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