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Steelers: We enjoy being overlooked
By John Harris, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, October 24, 2009
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_649598.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 49598.html[/url]
Steelers players view Sunday's 1 p.m. game against the Minnesota Vikings (6-0) at Heinz Field as their most important matchup since they defeated Tennessee in the opener.
Adrian Peterson, the NFL's top running back, is coming to town, and he's bringing ageless quarterback Brett Favre with him.
Pass-rushing specialist Jared Allen should keep left tackle Max Starks' hands full trying to protect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's blind side.
The Steelers have won three in a row, and they're the only team in the league whose offense and defense are ranked in the top five.
Right tackle Willie Colon was asked if he considers tomorrow's game a five-star matchup.
"As a team, we're not playing five-star ball,'' Colon said of the Steelers' 4-2 start that leaves them tied with Cincinnati for first place in the AFC North. "Last week (against Cleveland) was the first time we actually finished a game with our offense on the field.
"We have the talent to take on the best in the NFL, but right now, we're not meeting that standard we set last year.''
Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians compares the Steelers taking on the undefeated Vikings to the fifth game in coach Mike Tomlin's first season against Seattle.
"We've played so many of these (big) games in the last six years,'' Arians said. "I refer back to the Seattle game when they came in here rolling, and we had a bunch of guys hurt, and we won 21-0. I'd like to say we could get another one of those.''
Said nose tackle Casey Hampton: "It's never about the other team. It's always about us. Everything that happened to us (this season) is correctable. We were in every game. I don't think anybody took it to us.''
Colon said the Steelers love playing the role of underdog against Minnesota, which held off Baltimore 33-31 last week when the Ravens missed a last-second field goal.
"That's how it was last year,'' Colon said. "Everybody was focused on the other team, and we were kind of the stepchild of the league until we knocked down some doors. That's always been our approach.
"We understand the level of expectation it takes to play at our house. They're 6-0. But when you step into Heinz Field, we're going to give you our best shot. A lot of people can't stand up to that.
"We don't care who's listening or who's watching - as long as we walk out of the stadium with a (win) at the end of the day.''
By John Harris, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, October 24, 2009
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_649598.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 49598.html[/url]
Steelers players view Sunday's 1 p.m. game against the Minnesota Vikings (6-0) at Heinz Field as their most important matchup since they defeated Tennessee in the opener.
Adrian Peterson, the NFL's top running back, is coming to town, and he's bringing ageless quarterback Brett Favre with him.
Pass-rushing specialist Jared Allen should keep left tackle Max Starks' hands full trying to protect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's blind side.
The Steelers have won three in a row, and they're the only team in the league whose offense and defense are ranked in the top five.
Right tackle Willie Colon was asked if he considers tomorrow's game a five-star matchup.
"As a team, we're not playing five-star ball,'' Colon said of the Steelers' 4-2 start that leaves them tied with Cincinnati for first place in the AFC North. "Last week (against Cleveland) was the first time we actually finished a game with our offense on the field.
"We have the talent to take on the best in the NFL, but right now, we're not meeting that standard we set last year.''
Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians compares the Steelers taking on the undefeated Vikings to the fifth game in coach Mike Tomlin's first season against Seattle.
"We've played so many of these (big) games in the last six years,'' Arians said. "I refer back to the Seattle game when they came in here rolling, and we had a bunch of guys hurt, and we won 21-0. I'd like to say we could get another one of those.''
Said nose tackle Casey Hampton: "It's never about the other team. It's always about us. Everything that happened to us (this season) is correctable. We were in every game. I don't think anybody took it to us.''
Colon said the Steelers love playing the role of underdog against Minnesota, which held off Baltimore 33-31 last week when the Ravens missed a last-second field goal.
"That's how it was last year,'' Colon said. "Everybody was focused on the other team, and we were kind of the stepchild of the league until we knocked down some doors. That's always been our approach.
"We understand the level of expectation it takes to play at our house. They're 6-0. But when you step into Heinz Field, we're going to give you our best shot. A lot of people can't stand up to that.
"We don't care who's listening or who's watching - as long as we walk out of the stadium with a (win) at the end of the day.''
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