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Pittsburgh Steelers know the agony of repeat, and of Superbowl hangovers
August 3, 11:39 PM
Matt Pawlikowski
Pittsburgh Sports Examiner
[url="http://www.examiner.com/x-2703-Pittsburgh-Sports-Examiner~y2009m8d3-Pittsburgh-Steelers-know-the-agony-of-repeat-and-of-Superbowl-hangovers"]http://www.examiner.com/x-2703-Pittsbur ... -hangovers[/url]
PLATROBE - Since the dawn of free agency, only three teams have been able to repeat as Super Bowl Champions.
The Dallas Cowboys in 1993, the Denver Broncos in '98 and the New England Patriots in 2004.AP FILE PHOTO
Only four other teams, the Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and the Steelers, twice; have repeated as champions.
Many call it the Super Bowl hangover, while others say its due to the huge target painted on their backs. The Steelers know it well, as not only did they not repeat after the 2006 win, but they struggled to a 2-6 start and barely made it to the .500 mark.
"Last time we won the Super Bowl, we were level-headed, so we thought," Steeler kicker Jeff Reed said. "So it's not going to get any easier for us. We know we have a target on our backs, it doesn't matter if we are Super Bowl champs or not, and now it is a big one. So we just have to go out there and prove ourselves worthy."
But what makes this time different for the Steelers? The Chicago Bears of 1985 were thought to have one of the best teams in the history of the game. They seemed to avoid the hangover and went 14-2 the following year, but lost in the first round of the playoffs.
" You have a bull's-eye on your chest, everyone is gunning for you," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "We learned that after the last time, that everyone wants to come after you and to get you. We realize we can't take anyone lightly and we know that everyone is coming for us.
"It helps to have been there before because you know what to expect and how to deal with it. I think we have enough veterans on this team that we will be able to deal with it."
Reigning NFL Defensive player of the year James Harrison says that the problem in 2006 was that the team savored the championship for too long. After all it had been since the 1970s since a Steeler team had brought the Lombardi back to the confluence.
This time he says the veterans are more focused on what needs to improve.
"If you look at how long this franchise has been here, and we've only won seven Super Bowls, that alone should tell you how hard it is to not only win one, but to repeat," Harrison said. "But that is the road that we are on and trying to accomplish."
Defensive tackle Casey Hampton echoed Harrison's sentiments.
"You can't take it for granted. You can't get complacent," Casey Hampton said. " You got to work the same way you work and remember what got you there. I think last time we didn't do that. I think with the guys we have, having a lot of guys that were here last time, I think we'll do a better job at it this time."
A big difference for the Steelers in addition to veteran leadership, is their leader Mike Tomlin. At 37, he has found a way to not only inspire his players, but also motivate them.
"Coach Tomlin keeps us even keel, because that is how he is," safety Ryan Clark said. " He doesn't beat us when we are down, but he doesn't praise us when we are on top and we respect him because of that. He keeps us humble."
August 3, 11:39 PM
Matt Pawlikowski
Pittsburgh Sports Examiner
[url="http://www.examiner.com/x-2703-Pittsburgh-Sports-Examiner~y2009m8d3-Pittsburgh-Steelers-know-the-agony-of-repeat-and-of-Superbowl-hangovers"]http://www.examiner.com/x-2703-Pittsbur ... -hangovers[/url]
PLATROBE - Since the dawn of free agency, only three teams have been able to repeat as Super Bowl Champions.
The Dallas Cowboys in 1993, the Denver Broncos in '98 and the New England Patriots in 2004.AP FILE PHOTO
Only four other teams, the Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and the Steelers, twice; have repeated as champions.
Many call it the Super Bowl hangover, while others say its due to the huge target painted on their backs. The Steelers know it well, as not only did they not repeat after the 2006 win, but they struggled to a 2-6 start and barely made it to the .500 mark.
"Last time we won the Super Bowl, we were level-headed, so we thought," Steeler kicker Jeff Reed said. "So it's not going to get any easier for us. We know we have a target on our backs, it doesn't matter if we are Super Bowl champs or not, and now it is a big one. So we just have to go out there and prove ourselves worthy."
But what makes this time different for the Steelers? The Chicago Bears of 1985 were thought to have one of the best teams in the history of the game. They seemed to avoid the hangover and went 14-2 the following year, but lost in the first round of the playoffs.
" You have a bull's-eye on your chest, everyone is gunning for you," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "We learned that after the last time, that everyone wants to come after you and to get you. We realize we can't take anyone lightly and we know that everyone is coming for us.
"It helps to have been there before because you know what to expect and how to deal with it. I think we have enough veterans on this team that we will be able to deal with it."
Reigning NFL Defensive player of the year James Harrison says that the problem in 2006 was that the team savored the championship for too long. After all it had been since the 1970s since a Steeler team had brought the Lombardi back to the confluence.
This time he says the veterans are more focused on what needs to improve.
"If you look at how long this franchise has been here, and we've only won seven Super Bowls, that alone should tell you how hard it is to not only win one, but to repeat," Harrison said. "But that is the road that we are on and trying to accomplish."
Defensive tackle Casey Hampton echoed Harrison's sentiments.
"You can't take it for granted. You can't get complacent," Casey Hampton said. " You got to work the same way you work and remember what got you there. I think last time we didn't do that. I think with the guys we have, having a lot of guys that were here last time, I think we'll do a better job at it this time."
A big difference for the Steelers in addition to veteran leadership, is their leader Mike Tomlin. At 37, he has found a way to not only inspire his players, but also motivate them.
"Coach Tomlin keeps us even keel, because that is how he is," safety Ryan Clark said. " He doesn't beat us when we are down, but he doesn't praise us when we are on top and we respect him because of that. He keeps us humble."
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