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This Red Has Shades Of Black, Gold

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The Tampa Tribune

A staff, wire report

Published: January 21, 2009

Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt isn't the only member of the Cardinals with ties to the Steelers.

In addition to Whisenhunt, who was Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator when the Steelers won Super Bowl XL, six assistant coaches and four players spent time in the Steelers organization before heading west to join the Cardinals.

"I don't think you could have scripted it better," special teams star Sean Morey, who played with the Steelers from 2004-06, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "It's going to be a situation where I'm familiar with a lot of those guys. It's going to be fun.

"It's an honor and a privilege. The years I had in Pittsburgh were some of the greatest of my life. The players in Pittsburgh are some of my best friends. And they're tough."

Other former Steelers on the Cardinals roster are injured LB Clark Haggans, TE Jerame Tuman and backup QB Brian St. Pierre.

GAME PLAN: The Cardinals are known for high-flying offense, but they will take into account the strengths of the Steelers' No. 1-ranked defense in devising a game plan for the Super Bowl.

"We game plan for our opponents," Whisenhunt said. "We put a lot of time into that and trying to figure out ways to attack them. We are certainly trying to situate our strengths as well as take care of what they do."

RAYS SKIPPER NEEDS TICKETS: Rays manager Joe Maddon, a Cardinals fan since childhood, had vowed to return to Tampa for the Super Bowl if Arizona made it this far. He'll follow through on that pledge; now all he has to do is find a way into Raymond James Stadium.

Maddon said Tuesday he plans to enlist some of the Rays' front-office officials to work their connections in hopes of finding him a ticket for the game, but he'll fly back to town next weekend regardless of what happens.

"If I can't get a ticket," Maddon said, "I'll just sit in the parking lot and watch the big screen if they have one."

BUSY WARNER: Cardinals QB Kurt Warner is a finalist for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which recognizes excellence on and off the field. The winner will be announced live on NBC before the Super Bowl on Feb. 1.

Other finalists are Vikings C Matt Birk and Eagles S Brian Dawkins.

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