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Practice Notebook: Steelers

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 29, 2009

HEAD GAME

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is used to hearing the concussion questions. He suffered his latest Dec. 28 against the Browns. According to reports, that was documented concussion No. 3. He suffered two in 2006.

In light of the information offered by Boston University's School of Medicine concerning progressive brain damage and concussions related to NFL players, Roethlisberger was asked his opinion.

"I don't go out there ever worried about getting hurt, being hurt in the past," Roethlisberger said. "Because I'm playing this game, I'm living this life to the fullest. I've had that question asked of me a couple of times because of what I've been through and honestly, I don't go out there and worry about it. When the Lord decides to take me, he'll take me."

Eddie Daniels

KEEPING 'EM TOGETHER

When Mike Tomlin took over the Steelers in 2007, there was the obvious question of whether he would dismantle the staff or keep it together. He chose to keep on seven assistants from the Pittsburgh past as he began his era with the team.

Tomlin said he believes that level of continuity has assisted in the team's appearance in the Super Bowl in only his second season at the helm.

"There's not much continuity in today's NFL," Tomlin said. "Any time you have an opportunity to maintain that, I think it gives you an edge. This coaching profession is a small fraternity. Of course I had a bunch of knowledge about those men and what they were capable of and knew most of them on a personal level, so it really wasn't anything groundbreaking from that standpoint. We were able to come in and come together and go about the business of continuing to play great defense here."

Eddie Daniels

THIS IS BIG; JUST LOOK AT THE TITLE

Talk about a huge trophy presentation Wednesday for Steelers LB James Harrison.

Really big.

The honor may have been a bit of a stretch, but that doesn't mean the award isn't bigger than anything Harrison ever received.

When we say "big," we mean it. The nameplate alone took up enough space to park a Hummer.

Harrison was presented with the "ESPN.com Tuesday Morning Quarterback Non-Quarterback, Non-Running Back Most Valuable Player of 2008."

"I'd like to thank my defense," Harrison said. "All 10 guys who are out there with me."

He then promised to share the award, giving each teammate two words of their choosing.

Mick Elliott

DIRTY OR GRITTY?

Not surprisingly, the question of whether Hines Ward is a dirty player is being debated again this week.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin defended his physical receiver, saying he plays the game how it should be played.

"As a secondary coach for the Buccaneers, when we played against the Steelers, I had a great deal of respect for him," Tomlin said. "He is a football player first and a wide receiver second."

Ward is shorter, smaller and slower than many at his position, but he's a fierce blocker who has no compunction about delivering a blindside hit.

The NFL has deemed some of his hits over the limit. This season, Ward was fined $5,000 for unnecessary roughness against Baltimore and $10,000 for a blow to a defender's head against Jacksonville. He also broke the jaw of Bengals LB Keith Rivers, ending his season.

Ward wasn't penalized for any of his hits. Teammate Troy Polamalu thought the fines were unjust, accusing the NFL at the time of becoming "more and more flag football, two-hand touch."

Ward, who is trying to come back from a sprained knee suffered in the AFC Championship Game, isn't backing off this week. He defended his ferocity, saying he takes the approach of, "I'm going to hit you before you hit me," and "people call me what they want, but I play this game to win."

Tony Fabrizio

STUMPING FOR ORLANDO

Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami have hosted Super Bowls since 2005, and Miami gets the game again next year. Steelers OT Max Starks said he thinks it's time his hometown of Orlando gets a Super Bowl.

"That would be my ultimate dream," he said. "You have the Citrus Bowl there, and so many great high school and collegiate games have been played there."

Starks, also a former Florida Gator, said he has been inundated with ticket requests.

"It's a good thing because you have your friends and family around you, but it can be a distraction," he said. "I welcome the distraction, because it's a distraction a lot of people do not get to have."

Tony Fabrizio

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