Pittsburgh Steelers - Lunes 26/1/09

Super Bowl XLIII – Monday, January 26, 2009

QUOTES FROM PITTSBURGH STEELERS PRESS CONFERENCE


QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER

(on what Hines Ward means to the offense) “A lot. Whether it’s keeping a drive going, or making a big block, or just his leadership, he means a lot to the offense.”


(on if it’s an advantage that the Steelers have been through the hoopla of Super Bowl week before) “I think it helps, but when push comes to shove, it’s what happens on the football field, and all of this hoopla and all of the media has nothing to do with it. When it comes down to it, it’s going to be two teams battling it out.”


(on if the best thing he does is win games ) “Ever since I’ve been here, we’ve had great football teams, and I’ve really been blessed to have great guys around me. I’ve had a lot of fun. I’ve had great coaches. A lot of these quarterbacks, they are pretty players. They put up big numbers, but you know what? I’ll take a win. I just like to win football games, and I guess that is what I do.”


(on Pittsburgh fans giving them an advantage) “It’s awesome. Every time we go to an away city, in a way it feels like a home game because there are so many fans. We expect them to be out there and having fun.”


(on if this is more his team than it was his first Super Bowl) “Being a captain this time around, it’s different. The first time, my play didn’t help the team to win. It almost helped us lose it. This time, I’m not going to say it’s all on my shoulders, but if I turn the ball over and play poorly, it’s not going to help our offense, and it’s not going to win this game.”


(on if there is a fine line of wanting to play better but putting too much pressure on himself) “It’s all about winning the football game. I don’t care how I do it – if I throw for 300 yards or 100 yards. If we win the game, that’s all that matters to me. Of course, I do want to play better than I did last time because I felt like I let the guys down and I didn’t help them win the game. To me, it’s about promises and trying to win another one.”


(on being nervous throughout his entire first Super Bowl and why he feels it will be different this time) “That was the first time I stayed nervous for an entire game. I played in a championship game in college - not a national championship, but the MAC - and was never nervous all the way through a football game. I expect it to be different this time. I’m going to go into it and treat it like it’s just another football game and go out and have fun. I’m going to treat it like it might be my last. I’ve been here before, and I kind of understand what went right and what went wrong last time. Just being in my fifth year now instead of my second year, and knowing how to deal with the media, the fans and everything that goes along with being a quarterback.”


(on the impact Ken Whisenhunt had on his career) “Coach Whisenhunt was awesome for me. Whether it was on the golf course, the football field, or the meeting rooms, he was a very good mentor for me. He really helped me become the player I am today, and I’m really proud and happy that he is here and that I get to play against him. I just hope that I can beat him.”


(on if there is an edge one way or the other because of their knowledge of one another) “That’s the million dollar question that everyone has been asking all week. When push comes to shove, the guys are playing football on the field. You can only coach so much. Coach Tomlin is only going to have so much of an effect in this game, as is Coach Whiz or Russ Grimm. It’s all about the players playing. I don’t know how much it will help or hurt.”


(on if it is meaningful to win a sixth Super Bowl title for the Steelers) “Oh, absolutely. To win a Super Bowl in general, I don’t care if it’s our first, our second, whatever it is. But to give Mr. Rooney one more than anyone else, that’s kind of special because of how special the Rooney family and the Steelers tradition is.”


(on time of possession being important in this game) “We are going to have to possess the ball. We need to hold the ball, and not turn it over. If we don’t turn it over, that’ll be big for us.”


(on his ability to turn it on late in games) “I just want to win. I hate to lose. I hate being second. I’ve said it before, it’s hard for me to open a door for someone because I don’t want them to beat me in the door. When it comes down to it, and it’s crunch time, I want the ball in my hands and I want to win the game. I’ve told Troy [Polamalu] and our defense before that I love when they intercept balls and clinch a victory, but I wouldn’t mind winning it myself. But, I’ll take a win any way we can get it.”


(on his relationship with Whisenhunt) “We are better than straight. People think we haven’t talked and that we have this huge rift between us, but unless they’ve checked our phone records, people don’t know how much we’ve talked. We text message after games, ‘Good job.’ I look forward to hopefully seeing him this week and getting to talk to him. But, people make way too big of a deal. They are probably going to continue to do it, but it is really true that there is nothing (bad) between us.”


(on the biggest difference lately in the Arizona defense) “I’m not sure if there’s one particular thing. To me, it looks like they believe. They believe in themselves and the defense. Whatever their rank is, I don’t think they really care. It’s kind of like us on offense. We believe we can get it done. Right now, their defense is playing some inspired football. They are getting turnovers, and they are forcing players to make bad decisions. They are a really good defense.”


(on what he sees in Kurt Warner) “I think you see a guy who has overcome so many obstacles, so many odds to be - in my opinion - one of the best to play right now. He’s doing amazing things, and he’s fun to watch. He really is.”


(on bringing his camcorder and recording everything this Super Bowl week) “I’m just going to have fun and enjoy it. I don’t know if it’s my last one. You never know. I hope not. I hope I can come back to five more of these, but you just never know.”


(on how that’s different from his first Super Bowl) “I didn’t know what to think. It was my second year in, and I didn’t know what to do. I was just kind of there for the ride. I’m more comfortable, more relaxed, and I’m just going to have fun and soak it all up.”


(on Mike Tomlin establishing chemistry with players in his first year) “Coach Tomlin is a guy who just brings such energy and excitement, whether it’s to meetings or the sidelines. He’s out there chest bumping guys and hitting guys, even when you are not expecting it. He just has an energy that guys feed off of, and I think they really appreciate that, want to play for him and want to win.”


(on guard Chris Kemoeatu) “Chris is just one of a group of guys up there who have done such a tremendous job filling in for injured guys, or for a great guy like Alan Faneca who left. That whole unit has done an amazing job. This is Chris’ first year playing, and he’s kind of hitting that rookie wall, even though he’s not a rookie, because he’s played in so many games. I told him, ‘Come on, give me one more good game, and then we’ll be just fine.’ He’s a good player. ”


(on Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson) “He’s all over the field. He’s down in the box a lot, he’ll blow up the run in the backfield and he’ll sack the quarterback. I think people lose sight of him when it comes to the passing game because they think he’s always up in the box, but he can be deep and make plays just like Troy [Polamalu], just like Ed Reed. He’s a good ball player.”


(on his sense of Darnell Dockett) “Their whole defense is just amazing, from up front to the linebackers to the secondary. They are all over the ball, and it’s going to be tough keeping an eye on them and keeping them out of the backfield.”


(on center Justin Hartwig) “Justin has been a great center. He’s really picked up the offense fast. He’s done a great job, and he’s only going to get better as we go. We’ve got great chemistry, and you have to. The quarterback and center have to be on the same page, and I think we’ve done a great job with that.”


(on if it’s hard to not have Hines Ward practicing) “You want him out there, obviously, because he is who he is, but the thing about Hines, I know where he’s going to be. You don’t need him out there all of the time because of how special he is. He’s always going to be where he’s supposed to be, and even when he’s doing some adlibbing, it seems like we are on the same page. That’s the pleasure and the great thing about Hines.”


(on if Ward will play) “People ask me that question, and I want to smack them. I mean, it’s Hines Ward, he’s going to be out there. People ask me all week if he’s going to be out there, and ‘Yes.’ First of all, it’s the Super Bowl. Second of all, it’s Hines Ward. He’s going to be out there, and he’s going to be just fine.”


(on what NFL quarterbacks he tries to model himself after) “I wear No. 7 because of John Elway. I was a Joe Montana guy growing up. Jim Kelly and Dan Marino, those were my four guys who I just really idolized, watched and enjoyed. I had their posters on my wall. They get so mad at me when I tell them now that when I was a little kid, I had their posters on the wall. They are good guys to be fans of.”


(on the first Super Bowl he ever watched) “It was the 49ers against the Bengals, when they killed them. That was the first time. I don’t know when it was, but it was one of the earliest ones I remember. I was a 49ers fan, Joe Montana.”


(on how this team is similar to the ’05 team) “I think we are like the ’05 team because we are a team. There’s no offense, defense or special teams. We are just one team and one unit. We’ve picked each other up throughout the year, whether it’s been the defense that has played great and the offense hasn’t, or offense has and the defense hasn’t. Whatever it is, it just seems like we are a unit that is a complete team.”



HEAD COACH MIKE TOMLIN

(opening statement) “Of course we are excited to be here. We got in about 10 (minutes) to 12 (noon) this afternoon, came over here, got checked in, and we are in the process of getting ourselves acclimated to our surroundings–getting the lay of the land, if you will. We are looking at some schedules and itineraries for the week. We met briefly as a team, discussed some basic fundamental things that we are trying to get done as we continue to get our feet on the ground and push forward toward Sunday.”


(on what helped him to put together a Super Bowl schedule, rather than a regular-season schedule) “Based on my personal experience, there wasn’t much to pull from. The Super Bowl that I was a part of in San Diego a few years back–we were on the one-week schedule. There was a lot of hustle and bustle. The two-week schedule worked in our favor in terms of creating a little normalcy. We had a normal installation and practice week last week at our place, and really based on the outcome of the schedule here–being the visiting team–we go second with our media obligations and so forth. It has allowed us to maintain a pretty normal schedule in terms of how we approach our business here this week. During the season, we meet in the morning at 9 o’clock as a team, and we kind of go from there. We intend to do the same things here. We are going to adopt the facility at the University of South Florida as our facility. We will be self-contained over there–meeting rooms, practice facilities, training room, weight room–so it is our goal to be as close to normal as we can be.”


(on what has helped him get to a Super Bowl in his second season with the Steelers) “I’ve been blessed to be around some great coaches, some people who took a personal stake in my growth and development, not only professionally but personally. The things I learned from those men, not only in the professional ranks with names that you know, such as Tony Dungy, Jon Gruden and Brad Childress, but names that maybe you don’t know–guys who have been extremely helpful to me when I coached in the college ranks. Rick Minter, Joe Hollis, Rip Scherer, Bill Stewart–all of those guys have been critical to my growth and development. And at different points in the season and the day, I call on those guys to help me do my job. Specifically, in this instance talking about today with the Steelers, it’s a combination of things and the fact that we have a very stable work environment under great ownership of Dan and Art Rooney. We have some great players who put team first, and are truly unselfish when it comes to the game of football.”


(on if he takes pride that his success may have led to other first-time head coaches this year) “I am not going to be so presumptuous to assume that me doing what I do has affected those guys and given them opportunities. I think all of those guys are where they are because of what they have done in this business. Accomplished coaches and young coaches; yes. I’ve known those guys on a personal level or professionally for some time. I don’t want to take anything away from what they’ve done that puts them in that position.”


(on what misconceptions a coach might face, especially as a first-time head coach) “I think that relationships with players are personality things, and not age things. It’s in vogue right now to talk about the youth of coaches, and being able to relate to today’s athlete. I don’t know if I buy into the concept that today’s athlete is different than they were 20, 30 or 40 years ago. I am a traditionalist in that way. I think that people who have a way with people and communicate with people, teach people and can convey messages to people, they can do it at 35, 45, 55 or even 71 such as is the case with Dick LeBeau. I think it is a personality thing, not an age thing.”


(on what the impact of the “Rooney Rule” was, and if it is one of the reasons he is a head coach) “Sure it (the “Rooney Rule”) is one of the reasons. Anything that brings light to the circumstances and situations in terms of opportunity, it’s a factor. It was a factor in me getting an opportunity. It’s a factor for a lot of people getting the opportunity. There are a lot of positive programs that are part of this business that are essential to that. I came into the league as a minority intern with the Cleveland Browns when I coached college football. That was a great avenue to expose the National Football League to me. Really, prior to that, I had no intentions whatsoever of coaching in the NFL. I left that internship committed to coaching in the NFL, because it was such a positive experience. Me personally in terms of my skepticism of what potentially the ‘Rooney Rule’ did for me, I can’t tell you that I had a strong opinion about it one way or the other. On a personal note, I’ve always had a great deal of belief in my abilities, and I thought that if I continued to work and do good things, that eventually I would get my opportunity–‘Rooney Rule’ or no. But I definitely see the usefulness of such a rule, and if nothing else, it keeps some debatable things in the public light, which is good.”


(on why coaches who didn’t have success as players become good coaches) “Really it’s quite simple. Those that can’t, teach. I fall into that category. I coached because I could no longer play, and I think that it is a common bond that coaches have. I think we all coach because we have a great deal of love for the game, and we are no longer capable of playing. Either we are not good enough or we’re too old. But the love of the game, none the less–that’s the case for us all.”


(on how the Steelers continually turn out Pro Bowl and Hall of Fame players at linebacker) “I think that individual success mirrors team success. You can talk about some of the things that have happened for our team at the linebacker position, but if you look across all positions, we have a pretty good legacy of excellence–whether it’s wide receivers, defensive backs, defensive linemen, linebackers, running backs, what have you. We have had a great deal of consistent team success over the years and it’s created a great deal of individual success. You can’t have one without the other, and I think that guys get the recognition they rightfully deserve because of some of the accolades and accomplishments that we have together.”


(on the mindset he tried to create with this team and how he sent that message) “It’s quite simple. It’s my goal that we embrace all that comes with being in the Super Bowl. We are not going to come down here and have the mentality that we are going to be resistant of the obligations that we have, that we are going to be resistant to these opportunities to visit with the media. We are down here to play, we are down here to win, but there are a lot of things that come with that. There are 30 other teams that would sure love to have the burden we have this week. So from that standpoint, we are going to embrace it. I’ve encouraged the guys, not only this week, but last week in preparation for us coming down here, that we were going to have that mentality. There is going to be joyful lifting for us in terms of some of the tasks we have to do to go with this football game.”


(on Hines Ward’s style of play) “As a secondary coach for the Buccaneers when we played against the Steelers, I had a great deal of respect for him. I don’t subscribe to some of the suggestions that you have out there. He is just a physical football player who plays the game the way it is supposed to be played. He is a football player first and a wide receiver second. He is good with the ball in his hands, and he’s committed to our team’s success when the ball is not in his team’s hands. He is willing to do whatever to help us win. I think those are attributes that I appreciate, and any true football fan should as well.”


(on what was the greatest lesson from year one to year two as an NFL head coach) “I don’t have the answer to that in terms of a singular lesson learned. I am always going to be open to change if it produces better results. Like every year when I have been in this profession, I analyze the things that I have done, and how potentially I could have done some things better to produce a better outcome. My intentions were to do that last year. Thankfully, we are where we sit here today. I don’t know if it is any way directly related to some of the decisions that I made, but I will always be searching for the ceiling in terms of putting our team in the best position to perform.”


(on if he backed down from pushing the team in 2008 physically because of the late-season slump) “In terms of backing down from a stance or anything of that nature, it was my intent to come in here in 2007 and draw some hard lines in the dirt as a basis of forming a relationship with our football team. It’s a heck of a lot easier to pull back than it is to put down. So those were my intentions. I’m probably more in my comfort zone here with the football team than I was a year ago. Not that I wasn’t comfortable–I was, but this is more of who I am. I think they have an understanding of that. I think that all relationships are built on sheer experiences. We didn’t have any experiences to call on, so our relationship was edgy, if you will. That comes with the territory.”


(on if he was surprised at Buccaneers’ coach Raheem Morris’ rise through the ranks) “Raheem is a great natural leader, great communicator and a great student of the game. He is going to do very well here. The guys that he works with understand what he brings to the table from an ability standpoint. But that aside, what he’s willing to do–he is a very unselfish guy. He is going to put those he leads in front of him, making sure that they get what they need to be successful. It’s not surprising to me in the least bit that he is where he is today. It’s an opportunity that is well-earned and well-deserved.”


(on how he broke through to the team and when the team bought into his ways) “It wasn’t my intention to go about breaking through to the team. I have a job to do as a coach. They have jobs to do as players. I knew that just over time, that we would get to know one another and have a level of comfort, and that I wasn’t going to do that on day one, day two, day three or day 10 on the job–it was something that was going to occur over time. So that was down my ‘to-do’ list, if you will, in terms of establishing meaningful warm and fuzzy relationships. I just knew that they would occur eventually. I went about the business of doing the things I needed to do on a day-to-day basis to make sure our program was up and running the way I desired it to.”


(on Hines Ward’s practice timetable for the week) “We are taking Hines day-to-day. Don’t expect to see him on the practice field Wednesday, because Hines doesn’t practice on Wednesday–the nice relationship thing he and I have (laughing). We’ll see where he is on Thursday.”


(on returning to Tampa) “It’s great. It really is. I’m familiar with the area. I know a lot of great people here. I spent five great years here professionally and personally with my family. My wife did not wait on us to get down here; she’s been down here since Saturday. So that lets you what Tampa is with her. It’s a great opportunity, but at the same time I would cherish this opportunity no matter where it was. The fact that it is here in Tampa, and its level of comfort and familiarity, just makes it sweeter. But, it’s sweet anyway.”


(on similarities between the Cardinals and other teams the Steelers have faced) “Every team is different–strengths, weaknesses, what they do schematically, how they cater it to fit their personnel–makes every week’s challenge very different. They are very different than any other team that we play. You can draw parallels in terms of what they are capable of doing in some form or facet. We’ve talked some this week about the receiving tandem being similar to T.J. (Houshmandzadeh) and C.J. (Chad Johnson) in Cincinnati, because we are familiar with those guys. But the reality is that these guys are different people. In no way do we intend to disrespect what they’ve done by trying to put them in a box, or compare them to somebody. We respect these guys. We are going to prepare to play the game. The game is going to unfold the way the way it is going to unfold. We expect those guys to play great, and we realize that we are going to have to play great to beat them.”



WR HINES WARD

(on people labeling him a dirty player after his hit on Cincinnati LB Keith Rivers) “I didn’t intend to break his jaw. That was the first time I had ever heard that I ever broke anyone’s part of their body. Me going in, I didn’t go in saying that I wanted to break a guys jaw. It was just unfortunate that I hit him and it was unfortunate that he broke his jaw. People can call me what they want.”

(on what people have told him about playing with the type of injury that he has) “They haven’t said anything about it. I trust my medical staff. I have been here for 11 years and had the same trainers and the same doctors. As far as I know it looks good. I am well ahead of schedule. I am doing the things behind the scenes that have definitely helped me get to a point to where I think I can play pretty good.”


(on the change in weather) “Very nice. It’s very nice to be in Tampa. It was snowing on our way here. They had to defrost our plane because there was so much snow on the ground. Guys appreciate it. Guys were packing their bags for what they are going to wear. A lot of guys don’t live in Pittsburgh all year long so a lot a guys went out and bought a pair of shorts and flip flops and what not for the occasion. It’s the Super Bowl. It’s great to take part in and personally I love the south. I love everything about being down in the south. Being in Florida the weather is something. It beats being home in Pittsburgh.”


(on what sticks out in his mind about the last Super Bowl he played in) “Of course catching that touchdown. I just think a lot of peoples goals and dreams and aspirations where fulfilled that day. It was a childhood dream of mine to play in the Super Bowl and getting a chance to score a touchdown and help my team solidify the win was definitely [great]. I envisioned it when I was a kid. I don’t know what age I was, I remember Jerry Rice caught a couple of balls and won the Super Bowl. That whole week I was Jerry Rice and being on that stage maybe there was a kid that saw the game and will try to emulate and try to be me. It was definitely a great honor to win the Super Bowl but also to win the Super Bowl MVP. Not too many guys can say that in their career.”


(on what it would be like to help the Steelers to their sixth championship) “It would be great. To help participate and be a part of an organization that is as prestigious as it is, but to be the first organization in NFL history to win six championships, I know Mr. Rooney is going out with a big smile on his face if we can do that. Being part of that would definitely be something to remember and always come back and tell your family and it is something the whole city of Pittsburgh could really appreciate.”


(on the success of Coach Tomlin) “Coach Tomlin has been a confident guy since day one. Following a guy like coach Cowher, he never really came in and tried to be like coach Cowher. He did it his way and his way only. If you weren’t on the same page as him you probably weren’t going to be on the team. He laid down the laws from day one. Maybe a lot of veteran guys weren’t on the same page but over time you learn. It was more of getting the feel for one another. You knew about coach Tomlin but you really didn’t know coach Tomlin. And vice versa, he didn’t really know much about us. Having that year it was tough, in his first year, wearing full pads and doing that, but I think he has a feel for his players now and this year has almost been like night and day. He is still going at it with the same intensity but he understands what type of ball club he has and he doesn’t treat everybody the same and nor should he because each guy is different and he has done a phenomenal job. By giving some of our veteran guys Wednesday off, he knows you aren’t going to win ball games on Wednesday. I am going to make you fresh so you can go out there and be your best on Sunday. If you continue to work hard like that, then so be it. So he has done that numerous times this year, he has given veteran guys off on Wednesday and given [us] a chance to be a fresh as possible on Sunday.”


(on if he can see himself coaching someday) “I don’t know. Coaching, they put a lot of hours into it. I’m kind of like a players coach on the field, I know a lot of things, I’ve seen a lot of things. Some of the coaches we communicate amongst each other. What these guys do, the hours they put in, I don’t think I can coach. But I can get into commentating.”


(on how being an ex-quarterback helps his connection with QB Ben Roethlisberger) “It just really being on the same page. Having that same rapport as Ben by playing quarterback, I think sometimes when he is scrambling around I kind of know what he is looking at. If they are playing Cover 2 there are certain holes that you can exploit and try to attack, so I just try to find my way in those holes. Ben knows, it is just a matter of going out there and I am a firm believer in just put it somewhere near me. Let me help you make a play. I pride myself on making the hard catches. You are not going to make all of them but I am going to scratch and claw and do whatever I can to make that catch for them and that is the trust that we have gained over the years he has been in Pittsburgh.”


(On the feeling of playing in his second Super Bowl) “You really can’t describe the adrenaline because all the chips are on the table. There is no tomorrow and there is more magnitude. The loser goes home. You look at it and you can be a part of history. Sometimes as a player you envision going to the Super Bowl and one day actually winning it. We have a lot of veteran guys on this team that have been there from [the Super Bowl team] a couple years ago. We have kind of experienced that. Definitely the adrenaline is going to be there, there is no question about it. For us it is just not trying so hard, it’s just going out there and continuing to play the same game.”


(on what he is expecting to see out of the Arizona defense) “I have watched cut-up of their entire secondary. I don’t know how they are going to play. It is a big chess match. Until we get out on the field we are going to feel each other out and see what their scheme is and what they are doing. They have a great defense. They are probably one of the hottest defenses that has played in the playoffs but I see a great defense everyday, everyday out on the football field. They are number one for a reason. Going against our defense, if you can go out there and have success against our defense, then it makes our job easier on Sunday’s because we are going against our number-one defense, who has been number one predominately the whole year throughout the league. Hats off to Arizona, it is a great thing, they made their run and it is going to be a great challenge. They are playing great team football now.”


(on what he expects out of Roethlisberger this time around compared to the last) “He’s out on a mission. He really wants to go out there and redeem himself. You know we won the Super Bowl as a team but, him personally, he didn’t particularly play like he wanted to play so I know he wants to go out there and really put on a great show, really perform well and help lead this team to win a Super Bowl. I know he is excited to get a second opportunity to go out there and really solidify himself among the better quarterbacks in this league. Not too many quarterbacks in this league can say that they won two Super Bowl’s in four years. I think Tom Brady was last one. It’ll be great to have his name mentioned among some of the great quarterbacks who have won Super Bowls at a young age.”


(on if he sees a different approach by Roethlisberger since the motorcycle accident) “Just maturity. It is just maturity over time. He was young then and full of life but now he knows this is his team. You go as far as Ben takes us. The maturity aspect of him understanding that it is a team and what comes along with being a quarterback. I think Ben will be fine. Like I said, he is out there to shock the world and let them know that he is a great quarterback. No disrespect to [Arizona QB] Kurt Warner. I love Kurt Warner and he has done a tremendous job this year and has done a lot of great things. I’m a big fan of Kurt’s but Ben is definitely out on a mission to go out there and prove some of the naysayers wrong about his performance in the last Super Bowl.”



TE HEATH MILLER

(on whether Pittsburgh will have to score a lot of points against Arizona) “They are a great offense, and their defense is playing really well right now. They are forcing a lot of turnovers. We’ll take the approach that we’ve taken all year long and that is, as long as we score one more point than they do, it could be 3-2 or it could be 40-something-to-40-something, as long as we get more than them, that’s all that we’re looking for.”


(on whether he has watched film on the Cardinals-Eagles game) “We saw a little bit of it.”


(on whether there are opportunities against the Cardinals’ defense for tight ends) “There will be some opportunities there. I don’t expect to have 15 catches, but as an offense, if we’re efficient, spread the ball around and everyone makes their plays when we get the opportunity to, we’ll be okay.”


(on what makes Head Coach Mike Tomlin effective as a young head coach) “I don’t really see age as an issue whether young or old. Coach is a straight shooter. He is going to let you know when you’re doing well. He’s going to let you know when you’re not playing up to your level of expectation. That can be from the highest guy on the team to the lowest guy on the team. He’s going to be honest and shoot straight. That earns respect throughout the locker room.”


(on whether young coaches have instant credibility or whether they have to earn it) “I’m not sure. The position itself should carry credibility. When a head coach steps in the room everybody is going to listen to him – if you prove yourself to be, as coach has, a genuine person. He’s going to be who he is. He’s going to be honest with you and straightforward with you. That earns respect.”


(on how the Steelers’ 2008 schedule prepared them for the Super Bowl) “You have to be determined. We had to face our share of good teams. It kept us in the proper perspective. Week-in and week-out we know coach is going to come in and tell us what we did well and what we did wrong. We’re going to put it behind us, move on and work to get better. Whether it’s a big win or a big loss, we have to come back with the same mentality. That’s to work, prepare and get better as a team.”


(on whether he thought this season was going to be difficult after looking at the schedule) “That was the talk before the year, but we knew we would take it one week at a time. We felt like we had a good team. We played as good as we could play each and every week.”


(on whether he can draw from his previous Super Bowl experience and help the younger players) “We’ve been through it once before. You know this circus to expect for the next couple of days. At the same time you realize that you have to put the work in during the week. You can’t allow yourself to be distracted. You have to focus on the main goal and the reason that we’re here.”


(on how he keeps it normal during Super Bowl week) “You definitely enjoy the experience. It’s the Super Bowl. You never know when you’ll be back so you definitely enjoy the whole atmosphere. At the same time when it’s time to work, you have to work. You have to make sure that you get your work in during the week and you get your preparation so you’re ready to play Sunday.”


(on DE Aaron Smith’s family situation) “Some of the guys are close with his family. They know his son, his daughters and his wife. We definitely are concerned with Elijah’s health. He’s such an inspiration to me and the other guys as well – the way he’s handled this and the way he comes to work every day. When it’s time for football, he puts it all beside him and performs up to the standard that he’s set his whole career.”


(on how Tomlin bonded with his players) “It was never anything where the light switch clicked on. Coach has always been the same guy since the first time he stepped into the building. That is from day one until now. He’s never tried to be someone that he’s not. He’s going to do things the way he wants to do it and the way that he feels is best. Eventually that earns respect throughout the locker room because you realize he’s going to be a straight shooter, honest and forthright with you. Guys respect that.”


(on whether Tomlin is different from former head coach Bill Cowher) “I don’t think a whole lot different. Obviously they are two different people and different personalities, but I don’t think there are big differences.”


(on the Steelers tradition) “There are expectations when you come to play here. I am blessed to be drafted here and to be a part of this team where people expect you to be successful, to be in the playoffs every year and have success in the playoffs. There are not a lot of teams that can say that. Some teams feel like when they make the playoffs that’s a huge thing, but in this city (Pittsburgh), with this organization, it’s expected. You’re expected to win and you’re expected to be in this position. I definitely feel that we’re in a special place to be playing for the Steelers.”


(on whether the players talk about the Steelers tradition) “I don’t think it’s anything that we talk about. We expect that out of ourselves. We don’t expect anything different or less. The outside expectations or the expectations from the city are never going to be any higher than what we expect for ourselves as players.”


(on the Steelers having a national following) “It’s pretty special. Sometimes we’re at away games and by the time the game’s over half the stadium is waving ‘terrible towels.’ That’s a pretty special feeling.”


(on his message to the fans in Mexico and Latin America ) “We appreciate your support. Hopefully you will have your ‘terrible towels’ ready for Sunday and we’ll come out on top.”


(on what WR Hines Ward brings to the Steelers offense) “He is the heart and soul of our offense. The guy is tough. The guy leads, not only by his words, but by example. As a blocker who is in the trenches, if you see a receiver down the field showing you up, it inspires you to get the job done.”


(on what it was like walking off the plane when the team arrived in Tampa) “It’s much warmer here. It’s a welcoming sight to see the sun and no clouds in the sky. I’m sure we’ll enjoy it this week.”


(on what type of adjustment it will be from practicing in cold weather to practicing in warmer weather) “We’ve been indoors and they’ve cranked up the heat in the last week. We’ll see on Wednesday, but I think we’ll be okay.”


(on how his blocking skills have developed) “I’m not sure if they’ve developed a great deal. I felt like I was capable when I left college. Just with understanding defenses and knowing how to anticipate the defense’s movements, it definitely helps out.”


(on whether there was an adjustment to becoming more of a blocking tight end) “I don’t think so. Coming out (of college) I always saw myself as a tight end who was capable of blocking and catching the ball. When I came here (Pittsburgh) I expected no different out of myself. That’s definitely what they expect.”


(on what he has seen on film about the Cardinals that he may not have expected) “I don’t think anything surprised me. They have a great offense. Their defense is playing unbelievable right now. They are forcing so many turnovers. They are very opportunistic. Whenever they’ve had a chance to get the ball they’ve made big plays the other way. They’re playing great right now. Their special teams is doing a great job. All the way around they’re a great team.”



SS TROY POLAMALU

(on if his training regimen has always been the same or if it changed at some point) “I started training that way my junior year in college. I started focusing then more on biometric movements. To me, it just made so much more sense because the biometric style of training is more correlated and conducive for any type of athletic movement - from basketball, soccer, football or baseball. Everything requires coordination and more coordination in your Olympic lift, bench, squat.”


(on if his teammates or coaches ever look at him funny with his training style) “At first actually, because it’s very different. Football in every aspect is a copycat league - from training to scheduling to philosophy. Once guys started training, not really training with me, but trying different things, they see how much more correlated it is to sports than weight lifting.”


(on how he embraces being a role model to Polynesian and Samoan kids) – “I think every athlete realizes that whether it’s their family, their faith or their culture, when they step onto the football field, they represent something. Me being Samoan, obviously it feels very special, especially the fact that there’s not very many big Samoan players who have a shot of really making the Super Bowl and getting the type of prestige that Junior Seau and guys like that get. It’s really an honor.”


(on if he plays better when he’s relaxed) “There are times before games where I could take a nap on the sidelines. There are times that I am so pumped up because you get very excited. There’s also times where I’ve played bad being drowsy, and vice versa. I’ve been overly excited and not played well, and been excited and played well. I think I’ve learned in my sixth year that however you are emotionally before a game, that doesn’t really help you too much. The mental preparation throughout the week is more of a factor.”


(on the Steelers’ schedule helping or hurting them in getting to this point) “The level of competition has always been at a playoff level. In the very beginning, we didn’t feel like there was any drop-off in our intensity in preparing for a game because they were all playoff atmospheres at games. I think it helps us a little bit to have that big game competition. We’ve always been on this stage. Coach (Mike) Tomlin kind of preaches to us that, ‘It’s a five-star matchup every week because the Steelers are in it, not because the other team is in it.’ We’ve realized that the nature of competition, it’s always been a tough game.”


(on how his role has changed this season with Ryan Clark stepping up at free safety alongside him) “I don’t think my role has changed with Ryan at all. I feel very comfortable, the most comfortable I’ve ever felt, with him being back there together. I think my role has probably changed more or less because of linebacker Lawrence Timmons. He comes in on Sub packages and provides mismatches with running backs when he blitzes. I think that’s made our defense more dynamic.”


(on what a matchup problem Larry Fitzgerald is and how to slow him down) “That’s a tough question because I don’t think anybody has done a very good job of that yet. I’m sure they all have these great game plans for him, but nothing has worked. You can cover him, but he’s going to out-jump you, he’s going to catch the ball, he’s going to do everything he can to get the ball. That’s what it’s all about. He does a great job of finishing even when the guys are in position to cover him. That’s the
only reason I don’t have an answer for you, because maybe our best opportunity is to not let them throw the ball, which has always been the Steelers philosophy. It’s just not giving the quarterback an opportunity to make a good enough throw to him.”


(on if he takes pride in returning interceptions for touchdowns like he did against the Ravens in the AFC Championship) “I think our defense takes a lot of pride of going out and winning the game for our team. We’ve kind of done that, and different guys have stepped up every game for us this whole season on defense and made plays that provided a victory for this team.”


(on if there is different pressure in the Super Bowl compared to other games) “The Super Bowl is very special. You kind of realize that you’re at the end of the road here; there’s no games left but this one. It’s kind of undescribable really how excited you get for this game. A lot of people grew up watching this game on TV.”


(on the turnover factor being so important) “I think throughout every playoff game, turnovers are the biggest thing. You can get away with it throughout the regular season, but I think in the Super Bowl, it becomes so much of a chess match. Turnovers are the biggest asset for winning games.”


(on what makes Kurt Warner stand out) “I think experience is something that can never be replaced. Obviously, he’s been in in the league for a long time, he’s seen it all. Coach Ken Whisenhunt has a great system for him. He has two of the best receivers in football.”


(on Warner’s quick release) “When you have that much experience, he’s able to dissect things a lot faster than most quarterbacks would be able to.”


(on how much he watches Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson and how he compares to him) “Every offseason I try to break down other safeties and see what helps them be successful - from Ed Reed to Bob Sanders to Brian Dawkins to Rodney Harrison. I’ve done that also with Adrian Wilson. I have tremendous respect for him. I think he’s a great, great safety, he’s an awesome athlete. I aspire to be as good and I try to take a lot from his game because he’s a great run defender and he’s a great blitzer. He’s awesome.”


(On the final four teams having great safeties) “I think the evolution of football for one has changed a lot. It’s more of a passing attack. With that, whenever you have a safety that can stay on top of a coverage and prohibit big plays, I think it’s a big thing.”


(on the aggressiveness of safeties who can also come up and take away the game) “There’s no longer those 6’5, 250 pound safeties because you also have to have a safety that is able to cover, able to stay deep and able to cover on guys like Larry Fitzgerald, but also be able to tackle guys like Brandon Jacobs. To find that quality in an athlete, it’s tough.”


(on if he goes into this game feeling he personally has a chance to determine what happens in the game) “No. I think the way that our defense has always thought is that we all have a say in the outcome of the game. If we don’t play well (as a team), then we’re not going to win. Our thought process has been like that all season long.”


(on if he has a story about Dan Rooney) “I think it’s cool that Mr. Rooney gives out his cell phone number to players. People call him, ‘Pops’. He’s down to earth, very humble. I think that atmosphere has obviously permeated throughout our whole team because our whole team is very close like that as well.”



LB JAMES HARRISON

(on his performance throughout the season) “It is everything I hoped it would be. I didn’t think that it would all come together, but it has.”


(on the Arizona Cardinals’ offense compared to other offenses the Steelers have faced this season) “I don’t spend a lot of time comparing offenses, but they have some explosive players. They have three receivers with over 1,000 yards and a quarterback that can make all the throws.”


(on what the Steelers do to stay near the top of the NFL on a yearly basis) “I think it is the fact that we play as a unit. As long as we are playing together and pulling in the same direction we don’t believe that there is a whole lot that can go wrong.”


(on the standards set by previous Steeler teams and how that impacts the way you play) “There is a lot of tradition that comes with being a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers and you want to be able to play as close to that level as possible. It is about pride. You don’t want to be a part of a team that doesn’t perform at that level. It is just a matter of pride.”


(on the play of the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive line this season and how do the Steelers plan on attacking them) “They all block well. They do a good job of picking up the blitzes as a unit. It is going to be hard to get pressure on the quarterback, but that’s why we play the game.”


(on Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner’s ability to read the blitz) “I think he is one of the best at reading a defense and what they are trying to do. We are going to have to do a good job of disguising what we are trying to do.”


(on the tradition of Steelers linebackers and how aware are you of it) “It comes with being a part of the Steelers’ defense. It is the first thing you think of.”


(on the Steelers fans and how well they travel) “It is a good feeling to have fans almost everywhere you go. It’s nice.”


(on playing with linebacker James Farrior) “He is the nuts and bolts of our defense. He makes the calls on our defense and how we are going to run them. We need him out there. His leadership is great for our defense.”


(on any restrictions that coach Tomlin has put on the team) “He hasn’t put any handcuffs on us. We have the same freedoms as if we were staying in Pittsburgh for a week as opposed to here.”


(on the difference between being a starter for this Super Bowl as opposed to Super Bowl XL) “It means a little bit more to me because I am a starter instead of playing just on special teams.”


(on his feelings now that he has arrived in Tampa) “I feel about the same as last week. I think it will hit me once we get out there for pre-game. I feel like it is just another week right now. We are going to get prepared to go out there and play another game.”


(on his journey getting to this point) “I figured the last time I got cut that if I didn’t get picked up that it would probably be over for me. Fortunately for me, LB Clark (Haggans) broke his hand and the Steelers called me back and here we are now.”


(on the reason why Steeler linebackers have so much success) “I think it is a combination of coach Dick LeBeau, the players we have and the schemes they use. Coach LeBeau has been around a long time and there isn’t much he hasn’t seen. He helps with getting the personnel that he needs for his defense and that really helps. It is just a combination of all these things that make us successful.”


(on how much last week helped in preparation for the game) “I feel like we got a good start as far as learning what they like to do. We were able to spend a whole week without a whole lot of distractions and really focus on the game plan.”


(on reflecting back on the success of this season) “To be honest with you I haven’t really had time to sit back and reflect on the season. I have been busy focusing on this game and what we still need to do.”


(on how he is different as a person from now to when he was cut from the team before) “I have matured. I handle situations a lot differently now than I would back then. I have gotten better since then too. I have learned the game and taken time to study the game.”


(on knowing if he always had the ability to be this good) “I didn’t know if I had it in me to play this well, but it has all come out. But I always knew I had the ability to play at the professional level.”


(on being in a comfort zone playing in this game for a second time) “No. I don’t feel comfortable at all. For one thing, the last time I came here I wasn’t getting a whole lot of media attention. You may know to bring your video camera with you everywhere you go, but I don’t feel comfortable at all. We still have to go out there and play the game.”


(on why coach Tomlin has been so successful this early in his career) “We had a great corps of guys when he got here. He has done a good job of drafting players since he has been here. He has learned some things from last year. For instance, we were in full pads all the way up to Week 15 and 16. This year, we got out of pads a lot sooner, which has helped save our bodies. I think the combination of players we had here when he arrived and the things he as done have contributed to our success.”


(on the Steelers’ defensive system and how it has helped him garner success) “The system benefits me. But it is a combination of the system benefiting me and being able to play within the system.”


(on safety Troy Polamalu’s play and how it helps the front-seven of the defense) “Everything goes hand and hand. The defensive line helps out the linebackers, the linebackers help out the secondary and the secondary helps the pass rush. Knowing that we are going to have a little extra time to the get to the quarterback really helps us out. We know we are always going to get 100 percent from Troy. He is always going to be flying around. He has a knack for being around the ball.”


(on how the experience of playing in the Super Bowl before will help the team) “I am not sure if it will help or hurt us. We still have to go out there and practice, prepare and play the game.”


(on the play of wide receiver Hines Ward) “I like the way that Hines plays on the field. He does his job and does it the way it is supposed to be done. He is a good receiver and if he is asked to block he blocks. I think everyone appreciates the emotion that he plays with. Especially when he is on your team. You might not appreciate it as much when he isn’t on your team.”


(on being able to stop Cardinals’ wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald) “I hope we can stop him. We are sure going to try. He has every weapon at his disposal. He has speed. He has great hands and he can jump out of the gym. We just going to hope we can contain him.”


(on creating fumbles when sacking the quarterback) “You get taught that from high school. You wrap the quarterback with one hand and reach around with the other to try and knock the ball out. It isn’t a hidden talent. It is just football.”



DE BRETT KEISEL

(on if the Steelers’ defense is unique compared to other teams) “There are a lot of good defenses in the NFL. When we played Baltimore a couple weeks ago, we knew they had a similar defense. They run the same 3-4 scheme where they come at you with a lot of blitzes. I would say the defense who is closest to us is Baltimore.”


(on how Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau is able to employ such an effective defense) “He understands our strengths and weaknesses. He knows what calls work and what doesn’t at specific times. He has been in the league for 50 years, so he has watched a lot of good players. We all really enjoy playing for him, and I think that makes a big difference.”


(on how confusing the Steelers’ defense can be) “Sometimes when we are playing well, we’ll even have a defensive back on a tight end. As a defensive lineman, to have that flexibility, you can freelance, get up and roam around, move and have the ability to disguise things. I think that is where this league is headed, where you are able to show one thing, and then at the last second move to where you really want to be.”


(on the trip down from Pittsburgh) “It was great. We went from freezing cold in Pittsburgh, where it was snow on the ground, to this warm, sunny weather. It has been great so far. It was nine degrees when we left, and it is 75 degrees here.”


(on if this was his first trip to the Super Bowl) “No, this is my second. I played in Super Bowl XL in Detroit. It’s kind of a shocking feeling to be back in this situation, but also rewarding. I am very excited about it.”


(on how the Super Bowl can be bizarre) “I think it’s better this time around. We have quite a few guys who played in Super Bowl XL, and we know what to expect as far as requirements throughout the week. It’s one advantage, but Coach Whisenhunt and those guys on the Cardinals have the same experience.”


(on if he could tell as early as training camp that Coach Tomlin had made adjustments in how he treated the team) “No. You couldn’t tell at the beginning of training camp. The only thing was that we had more familiarity with one another. I felt like we had a good enough team to come to Tampa, and that was every team’s goal at the beginning of the season. It seemed to me like we had the type of defense and the weapons on offense to possibly come back.”


(on if his nervousness in Super Bowl XL went away after a couple of hits) “Yes, I was extremely nervous. It’s your first one, and you want to go out and do well. Ben (Roethlisberger) was in his second year, so I could see how he could have been nervous. It’s a great feeling to be able to come here and be in this situation. To play for another championship and hopefully go down in history as the first team to win six championships would be a great finish to the season.”


(on the Cardinals’ receivers) “(Larry) Fitzgerald and (Anquan) Boldin are incredible athletes. Both those guys have made big plays for them throughout the season. We are happy with our corners, we like the way they play. But to get Kurt Warner on his back would be a good thing.”


(on if it is difficult to speak with Aaron Smith about what he is going through) “I’m sure it is difficult for a lot of people. Within the defensive line, we consider ourselves brothers and family. None of us go to him and ask him about things, we let him tell us and vent through us. It has been tough for them, but those guys are so resilient and their family is so strong. I think having the support of the team and his brothers on the team help a lot. They are doing very well.”


(on what it was like when he first came in after finding out about his son) “As a defensive lineman unit, we get together before every game as we warm up. He talked to us and told us how it meant to have everyone there and how much he appreciated everyone’s support through all of this. It was intense. His son is just a young kid. To be able to go through that and get your mind right to go play on Sunday is an amazing accomplishment in my opinion. We consider ourselves a family, so there was definitely a high level of emotion.”


(on how you help Aaron Smith catch up on things he misses while being out on Wednesdays and Thursdays) “He just wanted to know of any type of tips or tendencies we practiced all week as far as formations, situational football, third-downs, etc. He was just curious on things like that, but just mainly he was ready to go out and play.”


(on how the week will go and if he wants the game to come sooner or later) “I wish we could play the game tomorrow. It feels strange to come to a hotel and wait for a week to play the game. It’s strange, but its part of the process. We are excited to be down here, excited for the opportunity and excited for the chance to wear shorts.”


(on if having played in a previous Super Bowl will help) “I think it definitely helps. To have a familiarity with everything including the media and certain things that go on during the week. It definitely helps if you know what to expect. Hopefully that is an advantage for us.”


(on if the feeling is different compared to the last Super Bowl since it is no longer Bill Cowher’s team) “We have a lot of love and respect for Coach Cowher. He was a great man and ran a great program while he was here. Things are different, obviously a new head coach and a new scheme. We still have a lot of the same players and we are excited about the opportunity.”


(on if he ever speaks to Cowher) “I haven’t spoken to him. He does look handsome on Sundays giving out his predictions. Hopefully I’ll get to see him because I really do enjoy him.”


(on because of the overall success of the team, players and coaches feel there is a standard they must uphold) “I don’t know. This is a winning organization. I knew the second I got drafted here that Pittsburgh wins games and they are usually in the playoff hunt every year. I think the main thing comes down from ownership. They make this a family atmosphere and really a joy to come to work. They get the most out of guys who may not be high profile players because they enjoy playing for Pittsburgh.”


(on how much the Steelers mean to the city of Pittsburgh) “The team means a lot. When we win, the city is happy, it seems like the sun shines brighter and there is no traffic. When we lose, there is traffic, the skies are dark and everyone is mad. That is what makes this city special. This city genuinely loves and appreciates what we do. They have been behind us all the way.”


(on getting to Cardinals QB Kurt Warner) “I hope we can. Getting to the quarterback and making him feel pressure is going to be a key to the game. He has some great weapons and if he has time to sit back there and get to him, he’ll complete those passes. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion, so he has been here and he knows what is going on. We just have to get after him.”


(on how Warner is the number one rated quarterback against the blitz) “He is cool, calm and collected. He has been in the league for a long time and has had a lot of adversity throughout his career. He knows what to expect and he doesn’t let anything rattle him. We are hoping to change that.”


(on his favorite story about the Rooney’s that people may not know) “The biggest thing is how involved they are with the city of Pittsburgh. It seems to me that they are so involved with the community and their players’ well being. You just don’t see them when you get on the plane on Sunday. You see them every day. They come and shake your hand and tell you they are proud of you. As a player, that means a lot.”


(on if the Cardinals are the best offense they have faced all season) “They could be. They have as many weapons as any team we have played. It’s definitely going to be a big challenge for us.”