Steelers chatter
A collection of quotes from the Steelers locker room, as transcribed by the Patriots media relations staff, following Pittsburgh's 33-10 triumph over New England at Gillette Stadium.
Follow the "full entry" link below for a full rundown on postgame reaction, or click a specific link below.
- Head coach Mike Tomlin
- Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
- Reaction roundup (includes James Harrison, Ryan Clark, and Hines Ward)
Mike Tomlin: Well, a great half of football for our football team produced a great team win. It was just that: a team win. I think we had significant plays in all three phases. We had big returns, we got turnovers, the kicking game, [the] offense got going there and the defense, well, they were their usual selves. Needless to say, we’re pleased with this. We’ll keep it in perspective. We’ll put it with the other ones. Our greater challenges, of course, lie ahead. We’ll enjoy this today, no doubt, but we’ll definitely move forward because we have an understanding of what’s ahead of us.
Q: Can you talk about James Harrison and what he did today?
MT: Not to take it for granted, but that’s what we’ve come to expect from him because that’s what he’s capable of. He’s got tremendous talent. He’s got tremendous work ethic and he’s a heck of a football player.
Q: Can you talk about the elements and how they might have impacted your offensive scheme and if they did impact the game?
MT: We kind of emBR: ace the bad weather. That’s kind of our group. We’ve got a quarterback from Finley, Ohio. That’s how we play football.
Q: The Patriots were 1 for 11 on third down. What did you do to limit them?
MT: We didn’t do anything [differently] than we normally do. Of course we were conscious of Randy Moss and where he was located—he can hurt you, of course, big time—but we didn’t step outside of our personality. We did what we usually do.
Q: You weren’t here for some of the history between the teams, but did you get a sense that some of your guys wanted this game because it was the Patriots, aside from what it meant for the playoff race?
MT: You heard a lot of talk about it being a rivalry. I think more than anything our focus this week was that it hasn’t been much of a rivalry because they’ve gotten after us. For it to be a rivalry we’ve got to win some and that’s what we set out do when we came up here today.
Q: Your nose tackle Casey Hampton didn’t seem happy with that holding call and then he got the sack a play or two later. Can you talk about how important that was?
MT: You know, Hamp [Casey Hampton] is a catalyst for us in a lot of ways—usually it’s because he’s a stout guy and tough to move in terms of playing the run. He got a nice play for us. It was a significant play, but there were a bunch of significant plays in the game. The credit goes to our players. They stepped up and emBR: aced the challenge in a hostile environment against a very good football team and played the way we are capable of playing.
Q: Can you talk about the play of Keyaron Fox and how much his plays swung the game?
MT: Again, like I said, you can pick plays that swung the game. Keyaron played big for us today, other than the initial penalty to get us started. This is a guy that’s passionate about his role as a core special teams player and I think he’s a source of energy for a lot of people. We like humble, grounded guys like him. He’s one of the reasons we’re much improved in our special teams game.
Q: Was it your game plan to use the two running backs the way you did today or was that just the evolution of the game?
MT: That was the plan. We were going to use both guys. I think everybody knows what Willie [Parker] is capable of and of course Mewelde [Moore] continues to prove that he’s a valuable asset to us. It was our plan to use both guys and it ended up working pretty well.
Q: You had over 160 yards rushing today. What does that tell you about what you’re trying to do in the running game with all the injuries you’ve had?
MT: You know, we still can’t run it. We’re working. That’s what you guys will write, anyway.
Q: Can you talk about how important it was early in the game when they jumped out to a quick lead to hold your composure as a team?
MT: That’s kind of been our personality here, as much as you don’t like to accept that. We’ve gone into some hostile environments and gotten off to a slow start. But the guys don’t blink; they persevere. We got off to a slow start in [Washington,] D.C. against those guys in a hostile environment. That’s kind of how it’s been for us, but they didn’t blink. They knew we had 60 minutes of football and we just continued.
Q: You went to a no-huddle offense on the drive that tied the game. Why then and what did that do for you?
MT: We had the intentions of jumping in and out of no-huddle, just like we intended to rotate out backs. So it wasn’t any grand scheme of things, we were just going to continue to do that and change the rhythm of the game.
Q: Offensively, it looked like they were spreading you out a little bit in the first half. Did you do anything differently to get James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley involved?
MT: We had the intentions of dropping people versus empty because they get the ball out of their hands so quick we didn’t think we could get home. We carried that personality all game and it was probably less empty in the second half, so those guys had an opportunity to rush. It wasn’t any change, It’s just how it fell for us.
Q: What do you think about that penalty on Ryan Clark when he hit Wes Welker?
MT: I don’t comment on penalties or officiating.
Q: What does it say that your team was able to hold onto the ball and the Patriots weren’t?
MT: When you play good people—make no mistake, the New England Patriots are a good team—we’ve got to take care of the football. We talked last night about scoring or punting and that was going to be a significant determinant of the outcome of the game. And we did. We took care of the ball. Ben [Roethlisberger] did a nice job, the ball carriers did a nice job, the receivers did a nice job. The elements and all of that are part of it, but more than anything you’ve got to understand that when you’re toting the ball, you’re carrying our livelihoods.
Q: How were you trying to attack their secondary?
MT: We were just trying to spread the ball around and be inclusive, include everybody—tight ends, wide outs, running backs. I think we’re more concerned about what it is we do as opposed to attacking them.
Q: There was a third and two on a no huddle and it looked like Ben Roethlisberger audibled on a draw to Mewelde Moore. Do you know what he saw?
MT: He called the play. It wasn’t an audible.
Q: You talked about in the second half trying to get some pressure on them. What did you do differently?
MT: We were able to get home some, and it’s not because we did anything differently, really. They probably just were throwing the ball down the field a little bit more than they were in the first half, due to game circumstance. Sometimes things like that snowball. I don’t want to make more out of it than what it is. When you start to get up on people and they have to start to throw the ball vertically, you get more rush opportunities. It’s not like any grand scheme of things that we changed or that our level of intensity changed. I think just game circumstances created more opportunities for us.
Q: Is Ben Roethlisberger getting better at calling the plays and no huddle?
MT: He’s been pretty consistent. That’s how he’s been.
Q: Any injuries?
MT: None to speak of, thankfully.
Q: Are you concerned Ryan Clark might get fined for the hit on Wes Welker?
MT: I’ll let the league do their job. I’ll let the officials do their job. I’m not going to express my opinions in regards to any of that.
Q: You guys hit pretty hard today.
MT: They hit pretty hard, too.
Q: Yeah but they’re the ones that walked away bloodied and dazed.
MT: They’re a good football team.
Q: How bad were the weather conditions during the game?
BR: : The weather was unbelievable. One of the worst [weather games] I’ve played in. The rain didn’t stop and it was hard to see and you have to give a lot of credit to our guys, they fought threw it. It wasn’t always pretty. We felt like we left a lot of opportunities out there. We don’t like to put three on the board when we get down to the red zone but a lot of credit goes to the Patriots defense and the way that they played. But we persevered in the second half and obviously our defense played great.
Q: How about your defense and all the turnovers they forced?
BR: : Yeah it was unbelievable. You just get to the sideline, put your coat on, your hat on, and all of a sudden you’re ready to go back on the field. We’re glad we could capitalize [on the turnovers], we’d like to capitalize better with more points but we did what we did and it was a team win.
Q: How important was it to force the Patriots to make mistakes?
BR: : It felt good to have those opportunities and to have the ball bounce our way. It was a hard fought battle by both teams. There were two very good football teams out there, went to war for 60 minutes and I’m sure the fans enjoyed it and the people at home.
Q: How hard was it to stay positive after the first drive interception?
BR: : The first pass, [Mike] Vrabel, he’s a heck of a player and he made a great play on it. Heath [Miller] was open behind him and he goes up and catches it and it was one of the frustrating things. I just talked to Kevin Colbert, he said ‘it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish’ and that’s what we did a good job of.
Q: How did your running backs contribute today?
BR: : Both of them did a great job. There was one point of the game where [Mewelde Moore] kind of had a hot hand, we had him in there for the no huddle, he caught a bunch of check downs, had a couple of great runs. And then we BR: ought Willie [Parker] in at the end and he kind of finished the deal. It was good to see them both out there.
Q: How did you hold onto the ball today?
BR: : It was huge, especially with the weather. Being as slippery as it was and wet, it’s not easy to do and we’ve got to give our guys a lot of credit for holding onto the ball.
Q: Coach Tomlin said it was an Ohio kind of a day, did you feel like that?
BR: : It did. It felt like Northwest Ohio and what I’m used to. It doesn’t mean I like it but I’m kind of getting used to it.
Q: Did today’s win mean more because it was against the Patriots?
BR: : Well they’ve kind of had our number the last couple of time we played so we really wanted to come out and try to get a “W” and I think it was going to take a team effort as it was. It felt good to get the win.
Q: What did you think of Matt Cassel’s performance today?
BR: : I think there was a lot of different reasons. I don’t think he a bad game. Our defense is very good. They’re ranked number one for a reason. The weather wasn’t easy so I don’t think any of this should go on Matt’s shoulders.
(On coming into the game running the ball with the weather)
“I wasn’t really excited. I don’t like weather like that honestly. As a running back, knowing that you’re going into the game running the ball, that’s the biggest thrill of your day, we just went in there and took the life out of them.
(On easing him back into the game)
“It really worked, I came out great and I feel good. I am not where I need to be, but I feel a lot better. I never thought I would be happy with something like that, I think that is the perfect thing for me right now, it’s a good thing for the team, helping this team out.”
(On how big this win was)
“It’s definitely big. I haven’t [beaten] New England since I have been here, since I have been playing. I think we beat them my first year, but I didn’t play though. I think it was a real big win for the team, a real big confidence and momentum boost.”
(On the psychological hurdle of beating the Patriots)
“I don’t know about psychological, I just know we hadn’t been getting the job done, probably four years in a row. It’s just great to come out and beat them at their place and beat them the way we did.”
(On having more offense to give)
“We still have more offense. Our defense really does a lot for us offensively.”
(On playing the Patriots )
“The thing about it, Coach Belichick he got those boys respecting my speed and if I get the ball and if it even looks like I am going outside, they are jetting outside and it leaves so many holes up the middle that I can hit. The offensive line, they did a great job today, moving those guys back, moving [Vince Wilfork] back, that was just a plus for us. There were a lot of cutbacks, I stayed front side a lot too.”
LB Keyaron Fox
(On the fumble recovery)
“I did not know where the ball ended up, but it obviously was in striking distance. The offense took advantage of that and put it in the end zone.”
(On the momentum change)
“I did not even make it off the field before half the offensive line came out there and was jumping on me. Everybody kind of rallied off that.”
RB Mewelde Moore
(On the running game)
“We were just making the proper adjustments so that we could get the ball moving. When we finally got some creases and some seams, we just pounded the ball, and making guys miss. That was what really helped us gain momentum. The offensive line did a heck of a job.”
(On both running backs)
“We were given the opportunity to do what we needed to do. We understand what our jobs are, what our roles are and doing the things we need to do.”
S Ryan Clark
(On the hit on Wes Welker)
“It was not like I was trying to be cheap. Anybody that comes across [the middle] it is my job to tackle them. The ball got tipped, but he said I should not have left my feet. I do not know how to control that. I talked to Kevin Faulk and apologized. I could not find Welker after the game to tell him I was not trying to be dirty.”
DE Aaron Smith
(On the team and today’s game)
“I think we are a kind of nicely boring team. We just come and find a way to win. It seems like each week it is a different group of guys that steps up and makes plays and that is what is carrying us through. We wanted to get some pressure on him (Cassel) and give him some different looks. I think we just made more plays then them today and in the past it has been them (Patriots) that has made those plays. They did not make them and we did this time. “
(On the weather)
“We like playing in this kind of weather. It forces you to run the ball a little bit and we can get after you. It is hard to throw the ball and when you do pick it up and throw it is hard to catch.”
CB Deshea Townsend
(On the defensive play)
“The secondary played well, I think I played well and the game played out well. The match ups that we played, it worked well for us. We stopped them from getting up the field and when you can do that to their offense it will work out well for you.
(On James Harrison)
“He is great. He is one of those guys that is a true professional and has worked his way to being a great player. If he keeps doing that, the sky is the limit. This year is just a true testament of what he did last year was not a fluke.
C Justin Hartwig
(On the running game)
“We have thrown the ball a little more than in the past. We have leaned a little more on the pass. We have to be able to run it when the opportunities are there and today we were able to do that. We want to instill confidence in our coordinator to dial up those run plays and get it done. Tonight, I think we did that. I think we wore them down a little bit In the fourth quarter we got some big chunks in the running game. We had a lot of big passes and big run plays. We would go for four or five yards and then we would BR: eak off a big one. We stuck with the running game and we did what we needed to do in the end. “
LB LaMarr Woodley
(On difference between 1st and 2nd half)
“Turnovers. James Harrison had two forced fumbles and a sack. When you have plays like that, you are going to win games.”
(On impact of weather)
“There was a lot of dropped balls out there. They had a few opportunities to score and they dropped the ball.”
(On beating the Patriots in Foxborough)
“It definitely feels good. We haven’t won here in years and to come out here and get a win like this feels great”
WR Hines Ward
(On importance of win to stay ahead of Baltimore)
“We’re not worried about Baltimore. We worry about us. Everyone else has to catch up to us. We’ve had the hardest schedule in the league and we’re nine and three.”
(On play of defense)
“Very nice. It wasn’t just the defense; it was also the special teams. Once we got the short field and went down and scored, the defense started to build on that.”
(On weather)
“We’re the Pittsburgh Steelers, we play in this stuff every other weekend. You can’t worry about that, it is what it is. We just made more plays than they did in the weather. They turned the ball over and we didn’t.”
LB James Harrison
(On sack and strip of Matt Cassel)
“I was on the blind side of the quarterback and I just reached for the ball and just happened to get through.”
(On reason for additional pressure in second half)
“They had to start passing the ball and we didn’t have to sit back and try and guess what they were doing. We just pinned our ears back and went at them.”
(On setting team tandem sack record with LaMarr Woodley)
“It feels real good, but that’s not the end of it. We’re trying to raise that total to 30-plus.”
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I don't care what that coward Ryan Clark says, he WAS trying to injure Welker. If he's a professional athlete, he knows what's acceptable. He's a coward, and if there's a God, Clark will meet me someday and we'll discuss it. This is the same tactic you've seen from these guys in the past. You know what? Payback is coming Clark. And it'll be from your blindside when you least expect it and you'll be defenseless. You're nothing, and that's all you'll ever be - nothing. You and your loud-mouthed pals - enjoy this one. There will be a next time.
The thing most apparant to me in todays game is that the patriots are a totally different team without Tom Brady.Not just on offense,but the whole team.Without Brady they don't have there usual swagger.Brady provided a lot of their mental toughness and confidence.Without Brady,better luck next year.Pittsburgh beat them in every phase of the game.New England at best is mediocre.
Hey Backline,
Close your mouth ... the sour grapes are showing. This is football ... if you are a receiver and go across the middle you need to be alert. The ball was tipped and had it not been, Welker would have caught it and there would be no complaint. This is professional football you wining fool. Stop crying ... accept that you lost ... and who knows if Belicheater can't use films to steal signs, this may be the beginning of the end for your Patriots.
It was a clean hit and Welker had his head turned toward Clark. It's a borderline penalty call.
Backline,
Poor little Wes, maybe he should stay out of the middle or at least keep his head up. Bottom line is if the Pats can't cheat, they can't win. So long cheater, enjoy sitting at home watching the Patriot-less playoffs.
Patriots are not so tuff when they are not cheating or playing crappy teams. See what happens when you play the best you get beat down. So stop crying , get over it and start watching baseball, NE is done i dont care if they had brady or not he will eat dirt to. by the way i like that DC steeler Fan "Patriot-less playoffs"
Love the Steeler fan from maryland.
I think it's real big for the Steeler fans to come out today and gloat. The Pats played terribly and there are no excuses, but I wonder what tone they would have if Vrabel took the same cheap shot on Heinz Ward. The Steeler fans are gutless hypocrites and FINALLY got a win in Foxboro. Live it up now you pathetic windbags because this season is a rude awakening for the Patriots personnel. So enjoy your win because this was your Superbowl. You can't cheap shot your way into February you pathetic loud-mouth cheap shot artists.
The hit on Welker had nothing to do with the outcome. It seemed that the Pats tried to play a finesse game against the Steelers -- that's not how they beat them in the past, and it rarely works against Pittsburgh. You've got to get down in the trenches and hit, and you've got to be able to run on the Steelers, or you get just what happened to Cassel yesterday. Then add in the weather -- no one is going to get 400 yards in the air in those conditions. I can't imagine what the Pats coaching staff was thinking.
There will be payback for the Welker cheap shot--HW will be the target. Steelers fans are too dumb to understand why!
So SORRY for the helpless Pats. Defense wins games. See what happens when you play the #1 team in the NFL on defense!! Mr Kraft could not buy himself a win this time. Its obvious that CBS is own by Kraft?? Even the announcers were routing for the Pats. Better luck next year. As far as Clark's hit LEGAL. We await Welker next year for the next hit!!!! Go Steelers!!!!!!
As a Steeler fan the victory was sweet and I do apologize for some of the moronic comments by others. Let me make a few comments though.
1. Clark was penalized for his hit. He did not lead with the helmit. The ball was tipped. What if the ball was on target , it would have been just another hit in the secondary.
2. Clark is not a known headhunter as is Rodney Harrison who is applauded for similar hits by the Boston crowd as well as Bruschi. Football is a tough game, deal with it.
3. Hines Ward plays with a bulleye on his jersey every game. DB's and LB's hate him for the legal shots he gives them. Hines takes his shots, gets up, and plays on. He is not like most of the WR's that look for a place to fall down once they catch the ball. He is very much old school.
I am confused:
All the Steeler fans are saying that now that the Patriots "can't cheat" this is what happens. I thought that the "cheating" (if you even want to call it cheating) ended after game one last year when the Patriots and Coach B were fined and lost a draft pick. The apparant cheating happened before last year, not during the year.
So, in that case, did the 34-13 ASS kicking the Steelers took from the Pats happen because of cheating? Your logic (I use this term subjectively) is off. Or, along the same line, did the 16-0 season happen because of cheating?
The Steelers won yesterday because they were the better team, period. Lack of cheating had NOTHING to do with it. Now the key question here is, would the Steelers have won yesterday if they didnt have Rothlesburger, Polamalu (sorry for the spelling) and Harrison? Because that is basically the equivelant of the Patriots losing Brady, Harrison and Thomas. I am being kind in comparing the loss to Big Ben as being the equal of losing Brady, but I think you get my point. I cant imagine this win feels too good considering they beat the Patriots "B" squad.
Besides, we all know how the season will end....the Steelers will lose either the AFC championship game or the division game. How do I know this? Just look at history, they choke every year in the playoffs, usually to the pats.
To my Dear Friend Steven:
Since you like talking about the past so much, What would you call the Superbowl last year? I would say that it was the biggest most watched display of choking in professional sports in a long time. If any fan base deserves a bad season, it is certainly the NE Patriots. As far as beating your B squad, this is football and injuries occur throughout the season. Belicheat is a disgrace of a human being, I especially liked how he couldn't just take a knee at the end of the game and lose graciously. Have fun watching the Steelers in the playoffs....
It must be said that the Steelers played the better game, and earned the win this time around without any doubt.
Re: Clark hit. I play soccer goalkeeper so I know very well when there is a choice between leveling an opponent and simply making an unavoidable contact. The hit on Welker was the former. There was no attempt to avoid the contact, it was made high to throw Welker down as hard as possible. Sure, there was no attempt to injure him, and no helmet to helmet, but that isn't the point. Certain types of hits are not legal and a high hit on an essentially defenseless receiver is one of those.
Don't get me wrong. I don't like seeing football turned into a game of penalties, calls and fines. But I also don't like watching players on either team getting carted off the field with head injuries where the hit was unnecessary and unlooked for. If one of the patriots made the same play, I would expect them to be fined or even suspended. Vince Wilfork nearly got suspended for much less.
You know, every time I forget why I think Steeler's fans are some of the most classless, annoying fans in the league, I read posts like these and I'm like OH YEAH, Now I remember.
You guys are awesome...keep it up!
Steeler Nation:
I will, in fact enjoy watching the Steelers in the playoffs......I will enjoy watching them lose in the AFC Championships like they do every year. Take your pick as to who they will lose to, but even you have to agree that history will repeat itself as usual. However, first you need to beat the Titans, which you can't seem to do either.
The "biggest, most watched display of chocking in professional sports in a long time" was when the Yankee's lost to the Red Sox. The Super Bowl last year wasnt even close to that magnitude. And, since you are bringing up the Super Bowl and the playoffs last year, how did the Steelers do? I....I ...I am sorry, please speak up, I cant hear you.....how did they do in the playoffs last year? As you can obviously see by the results this year, that Giants team was for real. Oh, that would be the same Giants team that beat YOUR Squeelers this year, although this year they dont have two of the dominant DL's from last year.....however they still managed to beat your team. So how exactly was it a choke?
Oh and to answer the previous question..............The Steelers lost to the Jags in the first round of the playoffs....NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE
Love how Stillers fans always bring up taping when their team just can't win when it counts. Nice game yesterday...enjoy it. Just don't be a bunch of turds on another team's board. I may just have to find a way to post that delicious video of Whines Ward LITERALLY crying after the '01 AFC Championship. "The better team didn't win today...WAAAAAAAAAA!" Nobody ever talks about how the Refs handed the Steagles the SB against the Seachickens in the worst officiated game ever...
backlineguy,,,,LMAO So everytime Harrison did the samething it was ok?! Please the Patsies have been one of the dirtiest teams in the league for years. Mankins took cheap shots at both Hampton and Farrior yesterday. Bottomline get over it!
Hit on little Wes - Good
Patriot fans showing their true colors following a loss - Great
Playoffs without the Patriots - Priceless
One thing for sure, there are some real losers posting comments over here - from both teams (to my great disappointment). With that said...
Even my Steelers homer-ness can't keep me from knowing that deep down in my heart of hearts Tom Brady would have stood up to the rush and caused my beloved Steelers D some serious heartburn. The above post about the Patriots just not having the same stomach without Brady? Too true, too true.
I could care less about what happened in the past, this season is the only one that matters. And yes, it is looking surprisingly good for the Steelers, who've overcome injuries and a brutal schedule to still lead their division. This win is just another win, demonstrating how important defense is in the NFL. Special teams were obviously stolen from another team or dimension, my Steelers can't cover my 10 year old daughter, let alone a professional football club! Special teams play was a total suprise to me.
In fact, special teams play was what changed the momentum of the game, and as soon as the Patriots fell behind, they were forced to call plays that left Cassel back there too long, looking for a wideout that was open deep.
And the broadcasters - those of you that missed the game on TV because you were fortunate enough to get rained on for several hours - Dan Dierdorf was an absolute idiot. "I dunno, there are just so many drops out there, and it can't be the rain, they are just not concentrating, they are just not 'looking the ball in' to their hands..." WHAT A FOOL!
Randy Moss in the endzone? My heart completely stopped. Had he caught that touchdown, we might be discussing a completely different game folks.
Steelers Own U: Go back to school and learn to spell. People might begin to take you seriously if you sound intelligent.
DC Steeler Fan: A football team shouldn't determine your own self worth. Did your parents abuse you? Get a life.
Steelers Nation: This wouldn't be the first time the Patriots lost to the Steelers in the regular season only to beat them in the playoffs. Careful how you use the "choke" word. It could get stuck in your throat.
It's sad when Steeler fans come onto the Boston Globe's website and talk about the Super Bowl last year while ignoring the fact that the Steelers were sitting at home watching, not to mention the fact that the Patriots had one of the greatest seasons in football history. It's even sadder when they gloat about a senseless, stupid hit on Wes Welker, which could have actually injured him. In case you missed it, the officials did actually throw a flag, acknowledge that it was illegal, and penalized your team because of it.
The Steelers have a huge fan base, mostly because of their success in the 1970's. That was the same time I became a Patriots fan, despite the fact that they were horrible. Why? Because even as a kid I realized that the Steelers had very little class, but the Patriots had tons of it. All of Steeler freaks have just proven that once again. You're here on the Boston Globe's website because you KNOW you're living through the Patriots' dynasty, and it's not over yet. I love reading your rants because I can see it drives you crazy, too. Enjoy the win. The season isn't over yet.
Thank you Mitch and mike for posts with class. Maybe if enough people do that we'll have fewer cases of people saying "all fans are *#@(* and deserve to have their team lose every game". AH, who am I kidding, we will always have the yahoos like dc steeler fan, steelers own U (and of course pats fans like Mark and MTomlin) ranting and raving, painting all of the opposing fans with the same brush.
Steelers look great on defense this year, but in this game I think the pats just made too many mistakes. Once it was out of reach the picks started coming because the Patriots basically had to air it out to have any hope. I think the Steelers offense is a little shaky but as long as the defense holds their opponents to 10 they should be OK!!
regarding the hit on Welker, I thought the penalty was appropriate, and there should be no further action. I think everyone saying a receiver coming across the middle should be aware of the possibility of being hit, but if Welker had caught the ball obviously he would have been, and it would have been a fair hit. Since the ball was nowhere near him, and the play was broken, he stopped assuming he was about to get creamed. That's why he was "defenseless" - he was not blocking, not receiving, not doing anything. Unfair hit, properly flagged, no fine or discipline required.
I love the people saying the Pats are one of the dirtiest teams etc. First of all, Harrison is a) out for the year and b)hasn't been one of the dirtiest players around for several years now. As a youth he definitely was. Not anymore, though. Secondly, the pats are one of the least penalized teams in the league!
Bob C,
Speaking of parents, any truth to the rumor your mama was with Plex last Saturday in NYC? I thought he had better taste. Go back and play amateur psychologist you loser.
Just one question:
Do you people - Pats fans and Steelers fans - not have jobs?
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