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.”

Inside the locker room: LaMarr Woodley

Linebacker LaMarr Woodley answers questions from the media:

Is the key to getting back to “Steelers Football” having you and James Harrison on the field together?
You always want to have all the guys healthy but when a guy is down you expect other people to step up. It shouldn’t matter who is in there in order for us to play Steelers’ football.

Re: Slow start to the season as a team:
We’ve still got 11 games to go out there and play. We’ve got 11 more chances to go out there and play football. We started off pretty bad on the road, and we have an opportunity this week to turn that around.

Is this the same hamstring injury that bothered you last season?
No. It wasn’t even the same leg. It wasn’t the same move, it wasn’t the same hamstring and it wasn’t as serious as it was last year that put me out for two months. This one put me out for a week. It was low grade, and I’ve been going full speed since we got back.

Re: Being more careful coming back from this injury after a hamstring injury caused you to miss so much time last year:
No, because it was a different grade than the one last year. The injury was different. This one I hurt against the Eagles was different than the one I hurt last year, and now I’m able to come back and play right away.

Can you specify how this one was different?
It wasn’t the same injury.

Have you felt inhibited at practice this week?
No, not at all. Last year when I did it, I pretty much had to limp off the field. This year when I did it I walked off the field. When I got the MRI, it showed two completely different injuries.

Re: Becoming the leader of the defense:
I’m working on that. We have to get back to playing football. Everybody has to go out there and do their responsibilities. Most of us on this defense have been trying to do other people’s jobs. I know I have on my side. I just have to focus on what I’m doing and trust my teammates that they’ll do what they are supposed to do.

Re: Importance of this game:
It’s the first division game, another road game and we haven’t been very successful on the road. Like I said, it’s the first time playing in the division and it’s an AFC game. It would be a good time to go out there and start making some big plays this game.

Harrison knows defense needs to play better

The Steelers have yet to have linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley on the field for a complete game this season, and the hope is it happens this week against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Harrison missed the first three games of the season but returned to play against the Philadelphia Eagles. Woodley injured his hamstring early in the Eagles game, and with a short week sat out the Titans game.  

“Hopefully,” said Harrison when asked if he thinks the two will be out there. “We’ll see when Sunday gets here.”

Regardless of who is out there, Harrison knows they have to pick up their play.

“What we need is to play better defense the whole game, better situational defense,” said Harrison. “Guys need to take responsibility for their actions and do what the defense is called to do and that is it.

“Overall it’s breakdowns in the defense. Not executing, guys playing different calls than what are being called. Not getting all around snap in and snap out execution of the defense. Some of it is communication, some of it is knowledge, and some of it is the overall technique.”

Despite not performing up to the level they are capable of, Harrison has confidence this team can still get the job done.

“I feel like it can be done, but we still have to go out there and put it on paper,” he said.

A time to heal for several Steelers

Steelers’ players have the next four days off for their bye week, giving several who are ailing a chance to get healthy. Among those the team hopes to get back on the field after the bye are linebacker James Harrison, safety Troy Polamalu and running back Rashard Mendenhall.

“It would help,” said linebacker LaMarr Woodley, speaking about Harrison and Polamalu. “Those are our key guys. That makes a big difference for the defense.  Having them back will be great for our defense.  The bye week is always great. Having a few injuries, Troy and James, gives guys time to heal up and rest and come back and play.”

Harrison was on the field for the first time on Tuesday, but didn’t participate on Wednesday. Polamalu worked on both days.

While both players are expected to make an impact upon their return whenever that might be, their teammates also know they can’t depend solely on them to turn things around defensively.

“We have to get them back out there,” said safety Ryan Clark. “But I don’t think it’s fair to put that much pressure on those guys to say you are why we are not playing well. You can’t say the standard is the standard and say we aren’t playing well because they aren’t there. You can’t do that. The guys who are on the field need to perform.”

Mendenhall has been practicing regularly, even getting more physical contact for the first time last week. With the running game not getting in gear yet, having him back soon would be a welcome addition.

“Rashard is one of the best in the league,” said wide receiver Mike Wallace. “When you get a guy back like that who is very explosive, has really good feet, a lot of vision, it’s going to boost our team.”

The Steelers take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 7 at Heinz Field and getting any or all three of the injured players back for that game is something teammates are hoping for.

“You get a player like Rashard back, James and Troy and that will provide us a spark,” said wide receiver Antonio Brown. “They are key factors on our team and provide us an opportunity to win games. It will be great to have them back and this gives them time to recover.”

Woodley launches his foundation

Linebacker LaMarr Woodley has been giving back to the community in Pittsburgh and his hometown of Saginaw, Michigan since his rookie season, but he took it to a new level with the launch of the LaMarr Woodley Foundation on Monday.

The foundation has been established to provide underprivileged and underserved youth and adults, through a wide variety of services.

Woodley is committed to educational endeavors for youth, with after school, reading, D.A.R.E, scholarship and college prep programs. In addition Woodley is providing services for adults that include life skills, money management, parenting, office skills and technology training.   

“I’ve been doing work in the community since I was at the University of Michigan,” said Woodley. “Last year, I realized that I wanted to be able to create my own foundation, in order to establish long-term programs that would have an even greater impact on changing people’s lives for the better.”

Woodley recently kicked off his Sack Attack, donating $500 for each sack this season to All Stars Helping Kids; the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania and Prevent Another Crime Today (PACT). During training camp he donated $60,000 to Saginaw Public Schools, allowing all students to participate in sports without having to pay a fee.

Woodley gets Sack Attack Literacy Initiative rolling

At first glance it looked like the evening at the Boys & Girls Club in Lawrenceville was all about fun and games. Steelers’ linebacker LaMarr Woodley was leading the way playing games, and even dancing, with the young kids who were attending the opening event for the LaMarr Woodley Foundation Sack Attack.

But a closer look and you understood that while having fun was a key, the reason behind it all was to stress the importance of education, with a strong emphasis on Woodley’s new Literacy Initiative.

“Education is definitely important,” said Woodley. “It plays along with being a student-athlete like I was. Without education there were no sports. It’s a part of life. This is to stress the importance of reading and writing and letting them know how important education is.”

Woodley invited 200 kids to participate in the Literacy Initiative, providing each of them with two new books and an activity sheet to get them started. He also implemented an essay contest for the kids on the subject, “What I Want To Be When I Grow Up and Why?” The top two winners from each of the three age groups will attend a game as Woodley’s guest.

“At this age I would say I wanted to be a professional wrestler,” said Woodley of what his essay would have been about. “I watched a lot of WWF. I saw it on TV, my friends and I we always wrestled when we were at home. That is what I would have done.”

The Literacy Initiative is the latest in Woodley’s efforts to give back to the community, whether it’s in Pittsburgh or his home in Saginaw, Michigan.

“LaMarr grew up in a Boys & Girls Club,” said Mike Hepler, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania. “He was sitting where they were once. He had his dream. He accomplished that dream not just on the field, but also in school. He embraces that concept.

“He is letting the kids know not only is it important that you stay in school, but what you do in school. Literacy is at the top of the list. The thrust of this program is the special services for young people with encouragement and incentive for them to read.”

Woodley was a regular at the Boys &Girls Club in Saginaw, going there after school daily to play with friends and take advantage of the education programs. That is why when he began his Sack Attack, which people pledge money for each of his sacks, he wanted part of the proceeds to go to the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania.

“I have to start racking them up,” said Woodley of the sacks. “Last year I ended the season with nine sacks because I was hurt. I hurt the team and the Sack Attack because of that. This year I have a fresh start.

“I didn’t get any sacks against the Broncos but I have the opportunity to turn that around and help my team and the sack attack as well.”

There is nothing Woodley would like more than to have a record-setting sack year, benefitting the Steelers, and the kids he loves to be around.

“Everything LaMarr does is from the heart,” said Hepler. “He is very concerned about the welfare of the children.”

Post-Game Comments: LaMarr Woodley

LINEBACKER LAMARR WOODLEY

On the defensive performance overall :

Got a few turnovers, could’ve had some more, left a few out there on the field, but I think overall, pretty good.

Lawrence Timmons caused a forced fumble, I had a chance to get an interception. A few of the young guys got some interceptions, that’s always good, because it can put the offense in better field position.

On Chris Carter

I think Chris is ready, I didn’t really get a chance to watch him today, we were both in at the same time,  he did get to the quarterback, knocked the quarterback down a few times.

On what made everything start to click:

Continue to get turnovers, third down situations, not giving up the deep passes, put them in some third down situations.  I missed two interceptions. We have to capitalize on that when opportunity is there.

On Decastro injury:

Hopefully he is alright. A first round pick, expect a lot out of him.  If he can’t go, somebody has to be ready to step up and roll.

On preseason game number three:

It means a lot, on offense and defense, they have a pretty good defense, pretty good offense, opportunities for us to go out there and challenge ourselves.

Woodley helps kids keep on playing

Linebacker LaMarr Woodley made a $60,000 donation to Saginaw (Michigan) Public Schools to help cover the budget cut that was being made to the athletic department, which would have resulted in students having to pay $75 each to participate in sports.

Woodley knows it would have been tough for him if he had to pay to play sports in school and doesn’t want other kids to be in that situation.

“It was just something that needed to be done,” said Woodley. “I know how it is being in this situation. If I had to pay to play sports, I knew what the outcome of that would be. It was just something that needs to be done.

“It’s hard times for people back at home, and people everywhere. If it allows a kid an opportunity to earn a scholarship, or just learn about playing team ball or having a mentor in some of the coaches, because that’s what they are, and a family can’t afford 75 dollars, it would be tough. I wasn’t going to sit back and allow that to happen. I was able to do something about it and I did it.”

Woodley’s donation covered the entire budget cut, which includes his former school Saginaw High.

“It will help about 800 kids who won’t have to pay this year to play sports in high school or middle school,” said Woodley. “Now they don’t have to worry about that. I’m sure there were some kids worried about the money and hopefully I helped out a little bit.”

The donation was made through the newly found LaMarr Woodley Foundation, something he plans to use to continue to help in Saginaw and Pittsburgh.

“Sports got to me where I’m at right now and this money could help somebody attain a scholarship for next year,” said Woodley. “It’s just helping people out. People helped me along the way and now I’m doing my job and giving back to my hometown.”

Coach Mike Tomlin was impressed with Woodley stepping up and making the donation and continuing his commitment to the community.

“I think that’s a responsibility that they all embrace,” said Coach Mike Tomlin of the donation. “He’s the kind of guy that is not looking for acknowledgement in that area but he understands the responsibility of being LaMarr Woodley.

“I complimented him on it to be quite honest with you. That’s a man that took $60,000 and provided potentially a lifetime of opportunity. If there’s one kid that didn’t get an opportunity to play sports and does, imagine if he goes on and gets an athletic scholarship and how much that $60,000 has helped someone. It’s part of being us, and I’m glad that men like him embrace it.”

Woodley likes flying under radar

Even though the Steelers are coming off a 12-4 season, linebacker LaMarr Woodley isn’t surprised that the team is flying under the radar as far as who people are predicting to finish on top in the AFC North.

“Every year it’s that way,” said Woodley. “When I was in high school and college the Steelers were always under the radar. It’s good sometimes. People are not hyping us up and that is when teams can sneak in and win it all.”

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

Steelers Playoff Diary – 1/3

Tuesday, January 3
The day started off the same way it ended, with snow falling in Pittsburgh. It was one of those days that keeping up with snow removal wasn’t an easy task. The Steelers field crew did an admirable job of clearing the field bright and early, even though there wasn’t practice. But as the day wore on, they were back at it again as the field was once again covered.

There was some big news coming out of the practice facility on Tuesday, particularly during the Mike Tomlin press conference. Tomlin announced that safety Ryan Clark won’t play in Denver because of the dangers involved with having the sickle cell trait and playing in the high altitude. Tomlin said Clark was okay with the decision, as both sides know it’s for his safety and that is definitely what comes first.

With Clark out, Ryan Mundy will get the start.

“In a nutshell, he is starter capable,” said Tomlin. “He has proven that. We are comfortable with what he is capable of doing. Not only him, but we also have a great deal of confidence in Will Allen as well, who is also another veteran backup safety with starter experience. They are both quality special teams players. We have no reservations of what those guys are going to be able to do for us if called upon.”

Anthony Madison was in on Tuesday signing with the team. Madison received a warm welcome from his teammates and was thrilled to be back.

“These guys are like family. I kept in touch with a lot of them,” said Madison. “They are good solid people, from the players to the coaches to the staff. They are people you want in your corner. To see Greg Warren, (Casey) Hampton, all of the guys, it’s always great to have a warm welcome.”

Tuesday was the players’ day off but you would have never known it. There was a steady stream of players in and out of the practice facility all day, some getting treatment, others working out in the weight room and some getting in a little extra film study. They all know how important this week’s game is and everyone wants to take advantage of every minute they can to prepare.

While Clark won’t be playing this week, he will be hosting the Steelers Huddle Show taping at Heinz Field on Wednesday night with special guest Antonio Brown. Stop by and check it out.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out what Hines Ward had to say about his 1,000th career reception, you can do so by watching a one-on-one interview with him. He also said that he has plenty more left in him.

“I don’t want to retire. I don’t want to play for another team,” said Ward. “I still have two years left on my contract so I want to take it year by year.”

Don’t miss what else

he said about retirement…or lack of it.

LaMarr Woodley tries to hide from the camera

Isaac Redman works out in the weight room
Today was Steelers Digest day…the latest cover. Get your subscription today

Coach Tomlin’s Press Conference

Setting up for the Mike Tomlin Show and Hines Ward interview


Snow at the start of the day … and the end of the day

Ben, Pouncey have a “shot” this week

Coach Mike Tomlin is not ready to rule out many players this week as the Steelers prepare to take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at 4:15 p.m., but two players not likely to play are running back Mewelde Moore and center/guard Doug Legursky.

“Some guys probably on the outside looking in from a health standpoint…Mewelde Moore continues to work his way back from his MCL sprain,” said Tomlin. “Doug Legursky is probably going to be a week away with his left shoulder. We’ll make the necessary adjustments there.

“All the other guys that have existing injuries or missed the last performance due to injury are in play as we sit here today.”

Among the players Tomlin said have a “shot” this week are center Maurkice Pouncey, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and linebacker LaMarr Woodley.

“Hopefully we get all of those guys back,” said Tomlin. “It’s our intention right now if the guys are healthy enough to practice and prepare, of course we will play them.”

Pouncey out for Saturday

Ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Rams are: CB Curtis Brown (knee), RB Mewelde Moore (knee), C Maurkice Pouncey (ankle), and WR Emmanuel Sanders (foot).

Questionable are: LB Chris Carter (hamstring), QB Ben Roethlisberger (ankle), LB LaMarr Woodley (hamstring)

Four players miss practice

Four players missed practice on Wednesday, including CB Curtis Brown (knee), RB Mewelde Moore (knee), QB Ben Roethlisberger (ankle)  and LB LaMarr Woodley (hamstring).

Two others were limited in practice – C Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) and WR Emmanuel Sanders (foot).

For the Rams, QB Sam Bradford (ankle), QB A.J. Feeley (rt. thumb), CB Josh Gordy (abdomen), CB Justin King (shoulder) and DE Chris Long (ankle) did not practice.

Post-Game Reaction: LaMarr Woodley

Linebacker LaMarr Woodley Post-Game Reaction:

Was it a big deal at the end when you took yourself out of the game?
“It was no big deal. I just got a little fatigued. So I got out.”

Can you put a finger on what happened tonight?
“We let them convert on the third down situations. We had them good in third down situations, and we allowed them to get out of that. They continued to march the ball down the field and that is what happened.”

How frustrating is it that Baltimore loses and you guy’s are in good position and just can’t get it done?
“It is a little frustrating. We still have two more games, and we still control our own destiny.”

Woodley, Sanders among those not practicing

Five Steelers did not practice on Tuesday, including LB Chris Carter (hamstring), RB Jonathan Dwyer (foot), T Chris Hoke (neck), WR Emmanuel Sanders (foot), LB LaMarr Woodley (hamstring). In addition WR Arnaz Battle (hamstring) was limited in practice.