Steelers Blog

Steelers playing for pride

Linebacker LaMarr Woodley is accustomed to football season extending beyond the 16-game regular season schedule. Only once during his six-year career had the Steelers missed the playoffs, that being in 2009, and if you asked him a few months ago he would never have thought this year would be the second time it happened.

“We are not used to it, but we put ourselves in the situation so we have to deal with it,” said Woodley. “It’s frustrating knowing you had every opportunity to put yourself in a good position to be in the playoffs and you weren’t able to.”

Woodley said he can look back at different games, different plays, throughout the season and see what happened, see why the team is where they are today, particularly some of the games early in the season.

“We were giving up too many big plays early in the year, plays that went 30 or 40 yards for a touchdown,” said Woodley. “Those plays hurt us. We gave up too many of those and were counting on the offense too much to bail us out when usually we take care of business.”

The Steelers have one last chance to take care of business on Sunday when they host the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field. It will be an opportunity for them to show that no matter the scenario, they aren’t about to give up.

“We know what we are capable of. We know the talent we have here,” said running back Jonathan Dwyer. “To be where we are is upsetting. Letting games slip away from us on stupid mistakes makes you want to do better.

“It’s motivation for this week. You want to prove yourself each and every day you step on the field. This week we want to prove ourselves and finish on a good note.”

All week players have been hearing the talk that the game doesn’t mean much because there are no playoff implications. But for men who know what it means to wear the black and gold, there is plenty on the line. Most notably pride.

“I think it’s definitely pride and wanting to end the season on a positive note,” said Dwyer. “The season didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but I think the best thing is to end in a good way to give us momentum heading in to the next year. You want to take it personal, make sure you do what you have to do and get the win for our team and our fans.

“You don’t want to go out on a down note. The fans here deserve a win. Winning is a good way to go out. You want to end the season on a good note.”

The Steelers will face a long offseason, one that will bring changes to the makeup of the team like every offseason does. And this week could be one final time to play together, and you can bet they are going to put it all on the line.

“The guys you have been lining up with, worked all year with, you get to go out there with them again,” said receiver Jerricho Cotchery. “The reality is you might not line up to that guy again. You appreciate those moments and go out there and give it your all for them, the fans and this organization.”

Sharing some sound advice

Enjoying a four-course meal at an upscale restaurant is not something that happens often for inner city school students, but on Monday night it did for some football players from Perry Traditional Academy, part of the Pittsburgh Public School system, thanks to the efforts of Steelers Chris Carter and Jonathan Dwyer.

The high school players took part in a mentoring session that Carter and Dwyer hosted at Capital Grille in Pittsburgh, rewarding them for their achievements on and off the field and providing them encouragement to continue to become better individuals and athletes.

“It was for kids from the inner city schools who might not be as privileged as others,” said Carter. “I grew up like that so it hits home with me. They are going through some things and sometimes they don’t have the resources or the people to talk to, sometimes you don’t know anybody who is in the situation where you want to be.

“Growing up I had big dreams to be in the NFL but I didn’t have anybody to talk to. I remember how much I would have appreciated someone mentoring me, giving me advice and guidance. That is what we are trying to do, help these kids by talking about relationships, family, school and dedication to their sport. All of that is necessary to get to this level and contribute to their success. We want to give them something to think about.”

Dwyer and Carter let the young men ask them whatever questions they wanted, and they were able to answer them from someone who was once in their shoes.

“It was an opportunity for us to spend time with kids who look up to us for guidance and want a role model to help them,” said Dwyer. “It was a chance for us to give advice to these kids. I wish I would have had the opportunity to meet guys at the level I am playing at to get their advice and sit down and meet with them and get that extra edge to live my dream as well.”

While they shared the hard work and dedication it took to get to where they are today, the players were also forthcoming sharing some of the pitfalls along the way, assuring them that while you might stumble, you can always get back up again.

“We opened up and let them know we are normal people and you just have to work hard to get to where you are,” said Carter. “But the biggest thing is them understanding we made plenty of mistakes and you can rebound from them. You are never stuck in a situation, you can always get out. Coach (Mike) Tomlin tells us all of the time how do you get out of a hole. The first step is to stop digging and the second step is to stand up. You are never stuck in a situation. There is always a way out.

“That is what we wanted to get across to them. They might not have the support they need, might have different distractions, everybody lives a different life, but there is still a path for them to get to the top and get to where they want to be.”

Giving teams a lot to prepare for

Jonathan Dwyer knows when Rashard Mendenhall is healthy that the former number one draft pick will be back in the starting lineup. But even then, he can see everyone getting their shot in the backfield.

“We’ll just be a running back by committee,” said Dwyer. “Whoever has the hot hand gets more of the carries.”

Over the last three weeks Dwyer has had two 100-yard plus games, while Isaac Redman turned in a 147-yard performance against the New York Giants while Dwyer was injured.

Dwyer expects to be back on the field this week, while Mendenhall is also working his way back, possibly giving the team a full stable of healthy backs for the first time all season in a few weeks. If that happens, Dwyer feels the best plan of action is to give everyone a shot at carrying the ball, until someone gets going.

“It’s good to rotate, let everyone get a feel for it,” said Dwyer. “Everybody has a role, whatever that is. Whoever gets that feeling gets the majority of the carries and another guy rolls in when he gets tired. With all of us able to make plays when we touch the ball, who knows what can happen.”

Dwyer credits the recent success of the ground game with getting comfortable with Todd Haley’s playbook and finding running plays that work to the strengths of the backs.

“We just found things we like to do,” said Dwyer. “Coach Haley has a feel for us now. He knows how we are as individuals and he is going off of that.

“I had two big games and Isaac had a phenomenal game last week. It shows how deep the running back position is and teams have to prepare for all three of us and Baron (Batch), Will (Johnson) and (Chris) Rainey. They have to prepare of all of us.”

Knowing who the true heroes are

As Steelers Jonathan Dwyer, James Harrison, Doug Legursky and Brett Keisel entered one of the hangers at the Air National Guard’s 171^st Air Refueling Wing in Pittsburgh, you could see the excitement on the faces of those who serve this country, seeing players they cheer for on Sunday afternoons right in front of them.

But for the players, on this day they weren’t the heroes, the ones people look up to. Not even close. It was the men and women in uniform who were the heroes.

“You get to see what they do to protect and serve us and give us the freedoms we have,” said Harrison. “It’s obvious they are the true heroes. We go out here and play a game and we consider it battle. They go out there and put their lives on the line and they don’t come home. I’m going to come home after a game.”

The visit, done in conjunction with USAA, was a part of the Steelers “Salute to Service” in honor of Veteran’s Day. The players were there to say thank you to those who serve the country and learn a little bit more about what they do on a daily basis.

Part of the tour of the base included learning the different aspects of their job, from refueling planes in battle to helping close to home as some members were recently deployed to the New York/New Jersey area to help in Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts.

“It’s a great opportunity and we are so happy they came here,” said Colonel Tony Carrelli, Wing Commander at the guard base. “One of the great things about a guard unit is we are a community Air Force, we are the Pittsburgh Air Force. We are strong to our ties to the community. There is such great support. Any time we can host someone on the base it’s a great opportunity because they are so supportive of us.

“As you walk around the base you see Pennsylvania. The patches have been adapted to show that. We go all over the world supporting missions and people look at us and say you are Pittsburgh.”

The most obvious symbol of Pittsburgh is the Steelers logo and Terrible Towel painted on the nose of one of the KC-135 Stratotanker jets that are used for refueling missions.

“To see the picture on the jet explains it all and how much pride they have in Pittsburgh,” said Dwyer, who has family that served in the military. “It’s a great feeling and it motivates you more to go out and do our jobs each and every day because they fight for us to be able to do what we do every day, wake up and not worry about anything.”

The players got a tour of the jet, with Harrison sitting in the pilot’s seat trying to convince them to let him turn on the jets, to Legursky, Dwyer and Keisel, with his son Jacob, touring the entire plane, including climbing down into a small area and seeing how the fuel is transferred from one plane to another.

“It was awesome,” said Keisel, who has family currently serving and many military veterans in his family as well. “All of these people here are our heroes. They protect us, protect all of our rights. To have the opportunity to and bring my son and show him about these guys and what they do is awesome.”

The team was presented with a photo of the plane, and in return the unit was given a helmet signed by Dan Rooney, Sr., Art Rooney II, Mike Tomlin and the four players on hand.

The most exciting part for the players, though, was when they had the opportunity to sign where the logo is painted on the nose of the plane and the realization that every time that plane takes flight for a mission, their names will be on there.

“That plane going overseas and on so many missions, with that art on the nose of the plane and to have my signature on it and it continue to serve our country, it’s a pretty big honor,” said Legursky, whose father Wayne served in the 82^nd Airborne. “Coming from a military family it’s close to my heart. To come out here and hang out with people who serve is the least I can do for everything they do for our country.”

Dwyer knows how to overcome adversity

Jonathan Dwyer is no stranger to facing adversity. As a kid he battled challenges in school, fighting to try and retain the information he learned in class each day, drawing a blank during the middle of a test, even though he knew the answer.

It was frustrating for him, watching his grades suffer even though he was a smart kid. He just couldn’t remember things.

It wasn’t until a teacher at Shiloh Hills Christian School in Georgia suggested that the fifth-grader see a doctor that he learned what the problem was. He was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD), a disorder associated with hyperactivity that results in lack of attention and concentration and impaired short term memory.

Dwyer said it was the “greatest thing that happened in my life,” getting the diagnosis, because he could now move forward, treat it, and fight back.

Thanks to the treatment, the problems with ADD are in Dwyer’s rear view mirror, but dealing with adversity isn’t.

In the Steelers 34-31 loss to the Oakland Raiders earlier this season, Dwyer fumbled in the second quarter with the Steelers up 14-7. The Raiders recovered, and eventually turned it into a game tying touchdown.

The next week Dwyer learned he would be inactive for the Philadelphia Eagles game when he walked into the team meeting room and Coach Mike Tomlin had written as much on the message board.

“That is how I found out,” said Dwyer. “That is how we do business. He is honest, straight forward and I appreciate that. It makes me work harder and eliminate my problems and mistakes from my game.

“I made a mistake and learned from it and moved on. It’s a situation you go through, live with and try to make the best of it and move on.”

Dwyer, who was also inactive the following week against Tennessee, doesn’t feel like he was unfairly singled out because of the fumble, as there was nobody more disappointed that it happened than he was. 

“It should have never happened,” said Dwyer. “I was disappointed with myself. You make mistakes. But I don’t think I was being punished.

“It’s something to learn from and you humble yourself and get better and try to make the most of your next opportunity.”

With Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman both sidelined with injuries against the Bengals, the running game was in Dwyer’s hands. And this time, he responded with the same vigor he had as a fifth-grade kid responding to the challenge. He came out in the game on fire, becoming the Steelers first 100-yard rusher of the season with 122 yards on 17 carries.

“It feels good,” said Dwyer. “It makes you know what you can do and believe in yourself and go off the momentum and keep going.”

Dwyer doesn’t know what his playing status will be this week as injuries continue to play a part in the running back rotation. But whatever the role is, he will be ready.

“I am getting myself prepared for it if it is there,” said Dwyer about getting playing time. “I am trying to (make the most of my opportunities). I am not there all the way. I am not where I want to be. I want to be the best I can possibly be. I am taking steps each and every day.”

Vote for Jonathan Dwyer

Running back Jonathan Dwyer is nominated for the FedEx Ground Player of the Week for his performance against the Cincinnati Bengals and Steelers fans can help him win.

Dwyer, who got his first start of the season, had 122 yards on 17 carries in the Steelers 24-17 win over the Bengals. He is the Steelers first 100-yard rusher this season.

Click here to Vote for Dwyer.

Mendenhall plans on playing

A week ago the Steelers were at full strength at running back, but going into Sunday’s game against the Bengals the rotation there is uncertain.

Rashard Mendenhall, who returned from his ACL injury against the Eagles two games ago, injured his Achilles against the Titans on Thursday night, while Isaac Redman suffered an ankle injury.

Mendenhall, though, thinks he will be ready to go this week.

“I’m planning on being able to play,” Mendenhall said after Monday’s practice. “It’s a little tight. We’re just kind of working through it this week. I’m just taking it day-by-day. It’s not something I’m worried about too much.

“I know we’re both trying to get back. We’ll be day-to-day. Come Sunday night we’ll know for sure.”

Mendenhall said the Achilles injury could have resulted from a combination of favoring other areas coming off the ACL injury, as well as the short week coming back from playing on a Sunday to Thursday. He knows it’s a risk that comes with the game.

“I’m not frustrated at all,” said Mendenhall. “It’s just part of it. I’m going to continue to work. I’ve been in this position before. I’m just going to continue to work out of it. This process is a long process coming off of a major surgery so I’m just continuing to get better with it.

“With every extra day I’m just trying to do everything I can – work out, get extra treatment, different things like that.”

If either Mendenhall or Redman can’t go on Sunday, the Steelers do have a stable of running backs ready to carry the load, including Baron Batch, Chris Rainey and Jonathan Dwyer, who has been inactive since Mendenhall has returned to action.

“It’s just been a numbers game,” said Dwyer. “I don’t play as much special teams as the other guys. I am just preparing for it and am excited to get the opportunity. I just have to do what I have been doing, I try to make some type of play to get the team going and do whatever I can to help us get the win.”

KidZone Show Guests – Sept. 18

Show taping takes place at Heinz Field in the FedEx Great Hall

Doors Open at 5:30 p.m., show taping begins at 6:30 p.m. 

Kids under age 12 are free, all others $5.00.

Two shows are taped per night. Parking available in lot Gold 1A.

The McDonald Steelers KidZONE Show airs Sunday mornings 
at 10:30 A.M. on The Pittsburgh CW.

Show begins airing on Sunday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Dec. 30

Once guests are known for each show we will publish them on this page.

 Taping Dates

Tuesday, September 4 - Jerricho Cotchery and Ryan Mundy  
Tuesday, September 11 – Baron Batch and Cortez Allen
Tuesday, September 18 – Jonathan Dwyer and Chris Carter
Tuesday, September 25 -  
Tuesday, October 2 -  
Tuesday, October 16 - 
Tuesday, October 23 -

Disappointed, but ready to move forward

The Steelers arrived back in Pittsburgh in the wee hours of the morning after Sunday night’s loss in Denver, but the players were back at the team’s practice facility by mid-afternoon to watch film.

For running back Jonathan Dwyer, who had nine carries for 43 yards while sharing time with Isaac Redman, it was a chance to look at the mistakes he made and start working on correcting them.

“I made some little mistakes, things that aren’t acceptable in our (running backs) room,” said Dwyer. “They are things I will get fixed and we will all get fixed as a running back unit and we will all be better next week.

“I have room for improvement. I am never satisfied with anything I do. Every day is an interview with us here in Pittsburgh and that is the way I want to keep it.”

Dwyer liked the fact that the Steelers held the edge over the Broncos in time of possession, 35:05 to 24:55, but knows they have to capitalize on opportunities. The Steelers had to settle for a field goal after driving 64 yards in 8:55 and he knows they need touchdowns, not field goals, on drives like that.

“We did pretty well controlling the ball, making plays, but we need to do better with our opportunities in the red zone scoring points,” said Dwyer. “We need to try to keep their defense on the field for a long time so we can give our defense a break.

“Everybody is fine. Everybody is disappointed about the loss, but it’s early in the season. We will move on, learn from our situation, get better and get ready for New York this week.”

Dwyer knows that Sunday’s game against the Jets at Heinz Field is a big one, as the team does not want to start the season in too deep a hole.

“This week is very important,” said Dwyer. “Every week is important. The first didn’t go as we wanted, but we are going to make sure we put ourselves in a better situation this week than we did last week.”

Dwyer taking advantage of every opportunity

Jonathan Dwyer isn’t sure at this point what his role will be or how much playing time he will see in Saturday night’s preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, but he is ready for whatever comes his way.

“I’m just going to be prepared for whatever they need me to do,” said Dwyer.

And this year, more than ever, he truly feels prepared for the task at hand – whether it means starting if Isaac Redman can’t go or coming in at any point.

In his third season Dwyer has matured, not only gaining a better grasp of what is required on the field but off the field as well.

“I’m treating everything as business and I’m just very serious about everything I do, whether it’s on the field or off the field,” said Dwyer. “I’m going to take care of what’s important to me. My job is important to me and I just want to show everyone that I mean business.”

On the field that has been the case when he is given the opportunity. Dwyer saw limited action last season, but when he was in there he made it count, carrying the ball 11 times for 107 yards against the Tennessee Titans last season, including a career-long 76-yard run.

“When you’re out there you had better make something happen,” said Dwyer. “Throughout the course of a football game you never know if that play may happen. Every time I touch the ball I try to do something positive with it, even if it’s just gaining two yards. I’m going to make sure that two yards looks good.

“I’m just trying to go out there every time and make the best of every opportunity.”

Dwyer happy to be back in action

Running back Jonathan Dwyer was back on the practice field Thursday after being limited for a few days because of a shoulder injury.

“It felt good to be back out there with the guys practicing,” said Dwyer. “I am excited for this weekend. I am preparing for it mentally and finally got some physical aspect of it.”

Dwyer isn’t sure how much playing time he will see, but with Isaac Redman and Rashard Mendenhall both hurt should see plenty of action in the first half with the starters.  

“I will play as long as they want me to, whatever amount of time I have I will give it everything I’ve got,” said Dwyer. “I want to put some good stuff on film. For me it’s a situation to try and make the team and get better as a unit. We did all right the first game and now it’s time to improve and fix the mistakes we made.”

Some pictures from camp

Some of the sights from training camp.

Dwyer always striving to improve

The competition at running back has everyone stepping things up at practice, and Jonathan Dwyer is among those giving it his all.

Dwyer has earned praise from fellow running back Isaac Redman, but no matter what others say, or how hard he works, he knows there is always more to do.

“You can always do better,” said Dwyer. “You can always improve.  There are some little technique things that we all can work on. Some I can work on for sure.  You learn from that and try to do better the next time.”

Dwyer spent the offseason, including OTAs and minicamp, working on his blocking skills, making sure that he leaves the coaches with no doubt that he can be depended on in all situations. 

“I want to show them they could leave me out there in pass blocking situations,” said Dwyer. “I just worked on that all summer and worked on remembering all of the stuff that Coach (Kirby) Wilson taught us and try to bring the teaching to the testing part of it.”

Dwyer said he can see the changes in his blocking, but there is still work to be done. 

“It’s improved a little bit,” said Dwyer. “There’s always room for improvement. You can always get better each and every day and try to be consistent on a daily basis.”

Steelers Playoff Diary – 1/5

Thursday, January 5

The news of the day came from the injury report following practice, with CB Cortez Allen (shoulder), LB James Harrison (toe), DE Brett Keisel (groin), RB Mewelde Moore (knee), S Troy Polamalu (calf), and C Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) not practicing.

Pouncey said his ankle started bothering him again after practicing this week.

“I practiced the other day and toward the end I got sore,” said Pouncey. “Today, I came in and my ankle was real sore, so I don’t know what the turnout is going to be. Right now, I’m not practicing.

“I’m aggravated with it. I’m kind of stressed about it. I mean an injury prolonged this long is aggravating. Hopefully, I can push through it and see how this week goes.”

There was some good news, as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) was a full participant in practice along with G Doug Legursky (shoulder) and LB LaMarr Woodley (hamstring), both practicing for the second straight day.

On the fun side, another college bowl game, another day of bragging rights for a Steelers linebacker. This time it was Mortty Ivy who was sporting a West Virginia sweatshirt and boasting about his Mountaineers victory over the Clemson Tigers at breakfast on Thursday morning.

But there was one player who wasn’t so happy with the Mountaineers 70-33 Orange Bowl win – receiver Tyler Grisham. Grisham went to Clemson and wasn’t too happy he had to wear a West Virginia t-shirt courtesy of Ivy.

“It’s pretty painful, mainly because I have to wear it for three days,” said Grisham. “It’s an hour spurt here and there. Actually the West Virginia emblem is a little small so I can hide it with my backpack or jacket or something. It’s not too bad. But I would have liked to have given him the Clemson shirt to wear.

“I would have given him an extra small to wear, which would have been worse. I am wearing a 3XL and I look like a little child.”

Jerricho Cotchery is a newcomer to the Steelers, but not to the post-season. As a matter of fact when he was with the New York Jets he lost to the Steelers twice in the post-season, including the AFC Championship game last year at Heinz Field.

During his Steelers Speak interview, where he opens up about a lot of topics and can be seen by clicking on Steelers Speak, I asked Cotchery if coming to Pittsburgh is a “if you can’t beat them, join them,” scenario.

“It may be a little of that,” laughed Cotchery. “I just know that these guys know what it takes to get to the Super Bowl and to win. There are a lot of veteran guys, veteran leadership. There are a lot of guys that got a lot of experience last year, even the young guys. There are guys that know what it takes to get there and win it. My rookie year was a bad experience coming here and the kicker missing two field goals. Last year was even tougher losing the AFC Championship game. I am happy to be here, I am happy to be with this team.”

Cotchery also talked about what makes the Steelers a special organization.

“It’s just a true family atmosphere. That is the thing I see,” said Cotchery. “Everyone looks after one another. There is no one that is bigger than the family. Every guy is approachable, you can speak to everyone. There are no egos. It’s just a true family atmosphere. It’s unique.”

To watch the complete interview and learn a lot more about Cotchery, click on Steelers Speak.

Injured running back Jonathan Dwyer was at the practice facility on Thursday and instead of wondering “what if” in regards to him getting more playing time if he were healthy, he instead was feeling bad for Rashard Mendenhall.

“I am sad about what happened to Rashard,” said Dwyer. “He was doing well. He has been healthy the majority of his career. I hope he heals as fast as he can so he can be the player he is. Hopefully the guys who are out there now take advantage of the opportunity.”

Former NFL safety John Lynch, who played for the Denver Broncos and also the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Mike Tomlin was the secondary coach there, was at the Steelers facility today interviewing Tomlin and linebackers James Farrior and James Harrison.

Lynch chatted with me for a bit about Tomlin (you can read what he said about Tomlin by clicking here), but he also talked about the atmosphere in Denver, where he still lives.

“There hasn’t been the excitement about being in the playoffs because more people are talking about them backing in,” said Lynch. “I was a part of a Denver Broncos team that watched a sixth seed Steelers team come in and beat us in our place. I think you get in that tournament and special things can happen. I wouldn’t count them out and being around these Steelers, I know they aren’t.”

Jerricho Cotchery getting ready for Steelers Speak interview.

Antonio Brown is surrounded by the media.

And then turns the tables as he does a weekly feature for Steelers Live @ 4. Brown interviews Ramon Foster, who holds a fake dog, as Brown has a fear of dogs.

Brown interviews Emmanuel Sanders….

…and then Sanders takes the mic.
The Steelers secondary was presented a cake for being the No. 1 pass defense in the NFL.

 Safety Ryan Clark took control of a camera before practice, taking pictures of Mike Wallace.


The finished product – Clark’s photo of Wallace

LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons before practice