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NFL column: Steelers Won't Do What They Do

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 9, 2007

HOUSTON - He's working for another employer in a distant zip code, but Mike Tomlin still talks like a Buccaneer.

Pittsburgh's first-year head coach hasn't forgotten his Tampa roots as the Steelers prepare for the ultimate NFL challenge today, heading into icy Gillette Stadium to face the unbeaten Patriots.

When Tomlin was coaching Buccaneer defensive backs for five seasons, he was always quick to pull out a stock answer when asked about Tampa Bay's upcoming opponent:

We do what we do.

Tomlin didn't mean any disrespect and he wasn't trying to be glib. He was simply emphasizing how much faith the Bucs had in their defensive system and their personnel.

In facing Tom Brady's offensive juggernaut, Tomlin is using the same language to explain how the NFL's No. 1 defense plans to shut down an attack that averages five touchdowns per game.

"We have no control over who we play, the schemes they prepare and things of that nature," Tomlin says. "We focus on what it is that we do and how we prepare and, ultimately, how we perform."

With the 9-3 Steelers leading the league in virtually every significant defensive category, Pittsburgh fans are confident their 10 1/2 -point underdogs will end New England's quest for perfection.

Sorry, people.

The Patriots already have had their two-week lull, barely holding off challenges from the Eagles and Ravens to improve to 12-0.

This is the day Pittsburgh's defensive shortcomings are exposed by Brady, who will come out firing, despite the potential for wintry conditions at Foxborough.

The Steelers love to blitz and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau mixes up his aggressive packages effectively, but Brady has been sacked only 16 times in 430 pass attempts.

Pittsburgh doesn't have enough quality defensive backs to handle all of New England's weapons and with an NFL-low 10 giveaways, the Patriots simply don't beat themselves.

"The Steelers are a good team and they are a tough team," CBS analyst Phil Simms said. "And they have Ben Roethlisberger, who four or five times a year is going to win a game almost by himself."

But Pittsburgh has struggled on the road, winning two of five games, and New England's defense figures to crowd the line of scrimmage to neutralize running back Willie Parker.

The Patriots haven't played like an elite team in recent weeks, but today's challenge should bring out the best in Brady and a rushing defense that has appeared vulnerable and fatigued.

In the middle of perhaps the greatest season any pro quarterback has ever enjoyed, Brady is simply willing New England to victory.

He'll need some help today from running back Laurence Maroney and an offensive line poised to pick up a dizzying array of blitzers.

"People are talking about how the Patriots appear to be beatable," Tomlin said, "but the reality is they display their greatness. They find ways to finish games out and win, regardless of how they begin or how they develop."

Away from Heinz Field, where they are 7-0, the Steelers are yielding an average of 18.2 points per game. At home, Pittsburgh allows only 9.1 points.

That spells double trouble today for Tomlin and LeBeau, especially if Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu misses his third consecutive game with a sprained knee.

Let's hope the zebras aren't the focus of the postgame debate in Foxborough.

The Spycam controversy already has tarnished New England's legacy in some observers' minds, but it's ludicrous to suggest a conspiracy by NFL officials to favor the Patriots and Coach Bill Belichick.

New England thrives on being the hunted, and the Patriots expect to receive every opponent's best effort. Even if the Steelers oblige today and do what they do, it won't be enough.

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