Steelers` Randle El Reminder Of What Used To Be

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Steelers' Randle El reminder of what used to be Page 1 of 2 SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL Steelers' Randle El reminder of what used to be Sunday, November 02, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Matt Slocum/AP Antwaan Randle El: A return man well missed. It takes a special player who wants to return punts in the NFL. Or, as Steelers receiver Nate Washington wondered, "Who wants to look straight up with people running at you full speed?" They are hard to find, players with the aptitude and attitude to return punts and kickoffs. Whether the Steelers have them or not, they do not have the results to show for it. The Steelers are among the worst teams in the NFL at both kickoff and punt returns. They rank 30th in punt returns and are tied with Minnesota for last in kickoff returns. Tomorrow, they will be reminded just how good they once were when they play the Redskins in Washington and Antwaan Randle El tries to break one on them. Randle El averaged 12.0 yards per punt and returned two for TDs in 2003, then averaged 10.2 and scored two more in 2005. He scored four TDs on punts in his four seasons with the Steelers and another on a kickoff. His four scores on punt returns is a Steelers career record, and he returned another for the Redskins last season. "I am not going to toot my own horn or anything, but I know they struggled the first couple of years,'' Randle El said about the Steelers' punt returns the past two seasons. "I don't know how they are doing this year in terms of the return game. I know I was missed that first year because I saw a lot of the mistakes they had." In the 2 1/2 seasons since he left, the Steelers have one TD each on a punt and kickoff return. Tomorrow • Game: Steelers (5-2) at Washington Redskins (6-2), 8:30 p.m. • TV: ESPN. "Antwaan was special,'' said Hines Ward. "He's well missed. We haven't had a guy like that here in a long time. "When you have a guy back there like that, guys took pride in springing him open. We have to get back to that because Santonio can be that special player for us. We just haven't had any opportunities.'' Santonio Holmes, banned from returning punts last season, is back this year after coach Mike Tomlin moved him up to replace Mewelde Moore. While Holmes averages just 5.3 yards per punt return this year, he has the only punt return for a touchdown post-Randle El, and he averaged 10.2 yards in 2006. "It's a different mindset,'' Holmes said of the job. "Only a few athletes are able to do it and I feel like one of those lucky, special guys who can catch a ball when it's in the air. I treat it as if it's a deep ball, that's what makes me special catching deep balls." The Steelers have had their share of good punt returners through the years. Rod Woodson, nominated this week for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, made his first of 11 Pro Bowls as a punt returner. Receivers Lynn Swann and Louis Lipps were outstanding punt returners in their early years with the Steelers. Even Hank Poteat and Andre Hastings had good seasons doing it. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08307/924716-66.stm 11/2/2008 Steelers' Randle El reminder of what used to be Page 2 of 2 Lately, though, there has been little reason not to grab a beer when the Steelers punt or kickoff return team is on the field. Najeh Davenport has handled the kickoff duties since his return Oct. 1. He may be the largest kickoff returner in the league at 247 pounds, so he's not the classic scooter taking back kickoffs. He's averaged 21.7 yards on 10 kickoff returns in three games with a long of 27 yards. "He's a determined runner, a downhill, determined runner,'' special teams coach Bob Ligashesky said. Davenport may not be a threat to take one back, but the Steelers do like his dependability. He catches the ball and goes forward, basically. Holmes is a threat and believes he is close to breaking one. "Looking at the film coach showed us in our special teams meeting, I'm pretty sure we have a big opportunity to take one back,'' Holmes said. He added a disclaimer lest the Redskins take that as boasting. "Nah, I wouldn't exactly say that, but if our guys do exactly what we need to in the special teams game as far as setting up the right blocks and give me the opportunity, then we shall." It matches Randle El's theory that "I feel like I am always one block away from breaking open.'' Ligashesky said the Steelers have a theory too. "Catch the ball and make one guy miss and break one tackle." And away you go. It's been a lost art in Pittsburgh recently. "There's not much difference between an average return team and a poor return team,'' Tomlin noted. "An average return team has popped a big one. We have yet to do that." At least they have not fumbled. Ed Bouchette can be reached at [email protected]. First published on November 2, 2008 at 12:00 am Steelers Throwback Jersey Buy Steelers Jersey Get your Official 75th Anniversary Steelers Throwback Jersey. Act Now! Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey On Sale. Home & Away. Only $15.23. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08307/924716-66.stm 11/2/2008 Bouchette on the Steelers: Beware! The commissioner is watching Page 1 of 2 SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL Bouchette on the Steelers: Beware! The commissioner is watching Last week's action against Santonio Holmes may have been as much preemptive as disciplinary Sunday, November 02, 2008 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette John Amis/Associated Press NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell He might not admit to it, but one of the reasons Mike Tomlin fined Santonio Holmes and deactivated him for last Sunday's game is the NFL's new policy that teams can be punished when their players go awry. Tomlin and the Steelers will say it was done because it was the right thing to do, and that indeed may be in the forefront of their thinking on the matter. It also sends a message to Holmes' teammates that if a player such as Holmes can be suspended for such a misdeed, it can happen to any of them. The NFL Players Association almost has to grieve the fine and deactivation because Holmes has not been convicted of a crime. If he is not, why the rush to judgment on the part of Tomlin and the Steelers? My opinion: The Steelers were in their rights to make him inactive for the game, if for no other reason than they can claim he would have been a distraction, whether guilty or innocent, and that could detract from the game. Giants coach Tom Coughlin benched Plaxico Burress for the first quarter just for missing a Saturday medical treatment. When Burress did play last Sunday, he had little impact. The fine Holmes received was, we hear, $10,000. That's nominal, which means it was unnecessary. If the transgression was strong enough to bench him, then that either should have been enough without a fine, or there should have been a whopping one. But then, all of this wasn't just for Santonio Holmes, it also was dog and pony stuff for the NFL and the union. Good-conduct policy heeded Teams have been using pro-active suspensions like never before, and we suspect they also have something to do with the league's new conduct policy. In Kansas City, Larry Johnson may sit for awhile. The Chiefs forced him to miss the past two games after a woman filed an assault charge against him -- 7 1/2 months after he allegedly pushed her in a night club. Most recently, another woman said he spit a drink in her face. This is no third-string guard being suspended by the Chiefs. Johnson topped 1,700 yards rushing in 2005 and 2006 and led the AFC with 417 yards before his suspensions. Perhaps there is more to the Johnson saga than has made it into the news media and the suspensions of Johnson might be warranted. But such suspensions also could create an ominous scenario that even those who do not bet can easily understand: Place bets on Team A and then give someone enough money to file a complaint against a star player for Team A's opponent. Team suspends star player, bettor collects. Could not happen? Check with Jerome Bettis, who was set up for something more devious in a money-making scheme during one training camp outing. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08307/924709-66.stm 11/2/2008 Bouchette on the Steelers: Beware! The commissioner is watching Page 2 of 2 At work: A team's 12th woman Perhaps Ben Roethlisberger provided the best reason yet for the Steelers to hire cheerleaders -- as a tactical weapon to win games! The Steelers quarterback noted the distractions these girls cause when they stretch in the hallway near the opposing team's locker rooms in Washington. Presumably, male players are so distracted by this that they forget the game plan and their legs turn to jelly. The Steelers were among the first to employ cheerleaders -- the old 1960s bobby-sox kind in pleated skirts -- but booted them before they opened Three Rivers Stadium because, indeed, they caused too many distractions ... for their own team. Eagles on the Web: Adults only While we're on the topic of cheerleaders, remember when most everyone in the NFL became highly upset when an ABC-TV promotion featuring wide receiver Terrell Owens and "Desperate Housewives" star Nicollette Sheridan appeared before a Monday Night game in 2004? The league practically forced ABC to apologize for the sexually suggestive ad. Perhaps the league should turn its sights in-house if they are concerned so much about sex and its viewing public. All anyone needs to do is go to Philadelphia-Eagles.com. On the opening page at the top, click on the tool bar where it says "cheerleaders" among other topics. On the very next screen, this warning pops up: "You are now on your way to the Eagles Cheerleaders section of our site. Please note, this area contains mature content.'' What's next does not rival Cinemax after midnight, but it gives some skin magazines competition. Ed Bouchette can be reached at [email protected]. First published on November 2, 2008 at 12:05 am Steelers Throwback Jersey Buy Steelers Jersey Get your Official 75th Anniversary Steelers Throwback Jersey. Act Now! Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey On Sale. Home & Away. Only $15.23. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08307/924709-66.stm 11/2/2008 Steelers Update: Polamalu will play vs. Redskins after birth of first child Friday Page 1 of 1 SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL Steelers Update: Polamalu will play vs. Redskins after birth of first child Friday Sunday, November 02, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette New father Troy Polamalu will resume his duties as a football player tomorrow night in Washington after his wife gave birth to their first child Friday. Polamalu, the Steelers' four-time Pro Bowl free safety, missed practice Friday and Saturday to be with his wife Theodora. The couple had a son. Yesterday, Willie Parker went through another practice and should make his first appearance at halfback in more than a month against the Redskins tomorrow night. He has not played since Sept. 21, when the MCL in his left knee was sprained. Guard Chris Kemoeatu returned to practice yesterday after missing Friday with a sprained ankle. But offensive tackle Marvel Smith again missed practices all week because of back problems and Max Starks will make his third consecutive start on the left side. Mitch Berger will return to punt tomorrow night, his two hamstrings healed sufficiently. The Steelers yesterday released Ricky Schmitt, a punter signed early in the week, from their practice squad. Linebacker Donovan Woods, released last week from the 53-man roster, was signed to their practice squad. Ed Bouchette can be reached at [email protected]. First published on November 2, 2008 at 12:08 am Steelers Throwback Jersey Buy Steelers Jersey Get your Official 75th Anniversary Steelers Throwback Jersey. Act Now! Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey On Sale. Home & Away. Only $15.23. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08307/924715-66.stm 11/2/2008 At 31, Porter is alive, well and sacking in Miami Page 1 of 2 Ron Cook At 31, Porter is alive, well and sacking in Miami Sunday, November 02, 2008 By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Doug Benc/Getty Images Linebacker Joey Porter -- #55 of the Miami Dolphins View all related images They say you should never look back because someone might be gaining on you. But that hasn't stopped Joey Porter. He knows exactly who is in his rear-view mirror in the NFL sacks race. 1. Porter, Miami Dolphins, 10 1/2. ... 2. DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys, 9. ... 3. James Harrison, Steelers, 8 1/2. ... 4. LaMarr Woodley, Steelers, 7 1/2. "Those Pittsburgh guys, they're coming on every play," Porter was saying over the telephone last week. "Good for them. I begged them to let me do that when I was there. They wouldn't turn me loose." You should have heard Steelers linebacker James Farrior laugh when he heard that. "Yeah, he begged. He and Clark [Haggans] both begged," Farrior said. "They're so mad right now. [Harrison and Woodley] aren't coming on every play, but they're rushing a lot more than those guys did." Actually, Porter isn't mad at all. I can't speak for Haggans, who moved on to the Arizona Cardinals after last season and has one sack, but there's absolutely nothing wrong in Porter's world. Not when his Dolphins are 3-4 with a game in Denver today after going 1-15 last season. Not when he's on pace to break the NFL sacks record set in 2001 by the New York Giants' Michael Strahan ( 22 1/2.) And not when he's showing a lot of people -- including those in Steelers management -- that he still has a little something left on the football field at 31. "What are they saying about me up there now?" Porter asked. "Last year, everybody said Pittsburgh was smart for letting me go, that I was done. "What are they saying about me now?" They're too happy with Harrison, Woodley and the Steelers' 5-2 record to pay much attention to what's happening in Miami. But that doesn't change the fact Porter is having a tremendous season, good enough for him to get NFL Defensive Player of the Year consideration if he keeps it up. "I'm so happy for him. It means the world to him to prove to everybody that he isn't fading away," said Farrior, who talks with Porter every week and described him as "real fired up." This season is especially satisfying for Porter because of the abuse he took last year in South Florida. The Dolphins brought http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08307/924710-87.stm 11/2/2008 At 31, Porter is alive, well and sacking in Miami Page 2 of 2 him in after the '06 season and gave him big money -- a $12 million signing bonus and $20 million guaranteed -- after the Steelers released him, deciding he wasn't worth the $5 million he was supposed to make with them in '07. That made him an easy target when the Dolphins lost, especially when he had just 5 1/2 sacks. "Sure, it hurt. It's gotta hurt," Porter said of the criticism. "But what could I do? There was nothing I could do to make it right. It's not as if I could go outside the defense and just do my thing so I could prove everybody wrong. I had to play my role. That [4-3] defense wasn't designed for me to get sacks. I could have been 23 and it would have been the same thing. The defense was designed for Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas to make plays. That was cool. They made plays. It was what it was." Bill Parcells came in late last season to run the Dolphins' football operations. "He revamped everything," Porter said. "I like the direction we're going." Tony Sparano was hired as coach and Paul Pasqualoni as defensive coordinator. They installed a 3-4 defense, which better suits Porter as an outside linebacker. For his part, Porter trained harder in the offseason than he ever had, adding 10 pounds of muscle. He's 6-foot-3, 260. "People look at me and say, 'You look a little faster. What happened?' " Porter said. "We had a system change, that's what happened. "They've got me in a good position right now. There's no holding me back. They're giving me freedom to do what I do best." Porter was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October. He had two sacks and forced a fumble that resulted in a safety last Sunday in a win against Buffalo. He had two sacks the week before against Baltimore. He had four sacks and a forced fumble in a win against New England Sept. 21. "I ain't stopping now," Porter told the Miami media last week. "It ain't like I'm going to turn my motor off -- 'I've got 10 [sacks]. I've done my job.' Nah." Porter wouldn't be Porter if he didn't say something that makes you shake your head and say what the heck ... So it was in our telephone conversation when he suggested the Steelers intentionally held down his sack total in '06 by having him drop into pass coverage more often because he was playing for a new contract. "I'm serious," Porter said. "They won't let you get too crazy when you're in your money year. They have ways of slowing you down." Hey, that's Porter's story and he's sticking to it. It doesn't matter now. What matters is that Porter has found happiness in Miami. He openly longed last season for his old Steelers pals, Farrior and nose tackle Casey Hampton among them. But he's past that even if he still follows the Steelers closely. Especially Harrison and Woodley, of course. "The Steelers have moved on and I've moved on," Porter said. "I love it down here. I love these guys. They're my brothers now. "One day, I'll be able to say that I was here when we were bad. And I'll definitely be here when we get really good." Those 10 1/2 sacks are proof the man just might last that long. Ron Cook can be reached at [email protected]. More articles by this author First published on November 2, 2008 at 12:01 am Steelers Throwback Jersey Dolphins vs Bills Shop for Official Steelers 75th Anniversary Jerseys at the NFL Shop NFL Football in Toronto, Dec 7 Book NFL Packages Online & Save! http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08307/924710-87.stm 11/2/2008 College replay should go to school on NFL Page 1 of 2 Gene Collier College replay should go to school on NFL Sunday, November 02, 2008 By Gene Collier, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Though it took 20-some years of getting used to, the National Football League's instant replay system has somehow begun to feel reasonably comfortable, even if that's just some kind of delusion brought on by exposure to its neurotic half-brother, the replay system currently occupying the dark, illogical attics of college football. In the NFL, which started fooling around with replay to correct blown officiating calls in 1986 and didn't make the current model permanent until last year, a modicum of restraint as to when replay needs to be deployed is a learned behavior. Coaches lose a timeout if their replay challenge is shown to be a mere nuisance, which most are, and even in the final two minutes of each half, when a league replay official can order a review, video validations or corrections now proceed up tempo. By alarming contrast, being at a college football game this fall has been like being trapped among the doomed patrons at the truck stop in Stephen King's short story, "Maximum Overdrive." Outside the diner, trucks and other machines have come to life and are waiting in the night to mangle anyone who might make a run for it. It's all triggered an acute machine-over-man psychosis that sucks the very purpose from the original event. Or something. Here's the new basic condition of your existence while watching college football. That thing you just saw? Well, no you didn't. In the Penn State-Purdue fray the first weekend of October, the Nittanies lined up for third-and-goal at the 1, handed it to fullback Dan Lawlor, and watched him go to the lawn well short of the goal line, setting up fourth-and-1. That thing they saw? No they didn't. Not yet. One millisecond before Darryl Clark plunged forward on fourth-and-goal from the 1, a replay tech in a secured area of the press box in West Lafayette, Ind., signaled onfield officials that the third down play was being reviewed. Meanwhile, the fourth down play had commenced and, just like on the third down play, the Boilermakers gallantly turned Penn State away. That thing they just saw? No they didn't. The review of the third down played revealed to the replay official what had already been revealed to 57,222 inside RossAde Stadium, including the officials, namely that on the third down play, Lawlor failed to score. But now, Penn State got to run the fourth down play again: Touchdown. Thus, Purdue had just been buried by one of the Mack Trucks crashing through the front window of the diner. Or something. The Pitt-Rutgers game a week ago was not on television, although it started at 3:30 so we could all pretend it was on http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08307/924711-150.stm 11/2/2008 College replay should go to school on NFL Page 2 of 2 television. Turns out you didn't have to pretend very much, because replay still interrupted things at least thrice and it still took three hours, 27 minutes start to finish. As if 88 points and all manner of physical chaos weren't enough, the replay official reminded the Pitt fans time and again that what they'd just seen they might not really have seen. Too bad the official 54-34 drubbing was indeed reality. The replay officials in college football have too much latitude. They're robbing the paying customers of the immediacy of their emotions, often robbing both teams' offenses of their earned rhythms, and sometimes just robbing. The Pac-10 last year had to go so far as to suspend some replay officials when their trigger-happy reflexes resulted in acute embarrassment. The most notable anecdote actually came two years ago, in what used to be called a key intersectional clash between Oregon and Oklahoma. In that case, it wasn't what the replay official did, but what he failed to do. The Ducks fueled a late comeback in a high-scoring donnybrook by recovering an onsides kick that eventually led to a 34-33 victory. Replay showed that one of the Ducks touched the ball before it went 10 yards, making the kick illegal, but the play was not reviewed. And, oh yeah, there was this little detail -- replay also showed that Oklahoma recovered the onsides kick anyway, although that part of the play was somehow not reviewable. That thing the Sooners just saw? Yes they did, and they were going to lose anyway. In the days before replay, Gordon Riese would not have become an insomniac dealing with death threats over that, because Gordon Riese would not have been the replay official. That insomniac/death threat gig would have fallen to the onfield officials, the traditional targets. Yeah, like in the good old days. College football's been into the replay era barely five years, but its growing pains should not extend much further. Look to the pros boys. It's not ideal, but at least it makes sense. Or almost. Gene Collier can be reached at [email protected]. Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. More articles by this author First published on November 2, 2008 at 12:00 am Penn State Tickets Penn St BCS Championship Nittany Lions Tickets. Where Fans Buy & Sell Guarantee PSU BCS Championship game Tickets. tickets. If they go, you go. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08307/924711-150.stm 11/2/2008 Long snapping a thankless job - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 1 of 4 Long snapping a thankless job By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Sunday, November 2, 2008 A long snapper is sort of like an extra in a movie. Nobody notices you until you sneeze during one of Brad Pitt's lines. As such, it took an injury to Steelers long snapper Greg Warren followed by an ill-fated snap by James Harrison, his emergency replacement, to bring attention to the position and the highly specialized skill it requires. "I think," Steelers kicker Jeff Reed said, "there's a little more respect for long snappers now." Indeed, Harrison, the Pro Bowl linebacker, has snapped flawlessly time and time again in practice. When he had to do it in the crucible of a close game, his snap sailed over punter Mitch Berger's head and resulted in a critical safety. Yet, after the Steelers lost, 21-14, to the New York Giants this past Sunday, coach Mike Tomlin and Harrison's teammates applauded him for volunteering to long snap. The job is a rather thankless one, and football specialists say it is much more difficult than it looks. Reed likens long snapping to the decidedly unnatural act of throwing a pass backward while you are upside down. And when asked why centers' skills of snapping to the quarterback in the shotgun don't always translate into them successfully long snapping, Tomlin delivered a dissertation on the subject. "I can take a tackle and put him at center, and he's got a better chance of executing a shotgun snap than he does executing a regular center-toquarterback exchange," Tomlin said. "The distance is so short, and the degree of accuracy that is required is not very high. When you're talking about snapping a punt, velocity is important, accuracy is important, total time of execution is important." The distance of long snapping -- it is generally 7 or 8 yards for field goal and extra-point attempts and 13 yards for punts -- brings elements such as the wind into play. The margin for error, meanwhile, is minimal. That is especially true on field goals and extra points since long snappers are aiming at a holder whose mobility is compromised by the fact that he is sitting on one knee. There is also much more technique involved in long snapping than the shotgun http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/print_596384.html 11/2/2008 Long snapping a thankless job - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 2 of 4 snap. Two hands are required for the long snap as one hand pushes the ball while the other one guides it. Toes, meanwhile, have to be pointed out -- picture them aimed near the 1 and the 11 on a clock -- so the knees follow and don't block a snapper's arms as he hikes the ball. "I don't think anybody knows how hard it is," said linebacker James Farrior, the Steelers' emergency, emergency snapper. If there is a science to long snapping, there isn't always a science to finding a capable long snapper. Jared Retkofsky, whom the Steelers signed this past week to replace Warren, learned that the first day he reported for football practice at Texas Christian University. "They had the whole freshman class bend over and start snapping footballs, and the special-teams coach just started walking down the line and said 'You're fired, you're fired, you're fired, you're fired. OK, you stay. You're fired, you're fired, you're fired,' " Retkofsky said. "Then, kind of by default, I was the only guy who could snap." Penn State once found a long snapper among its team managers. During a practice in the late 1980s, assistant coach Bob Phillips asked Bob Ceh to stand at the line of scrimmage and simulate a snap by throwing passes back to the punter. Ceh (pronounced check) had played football at Northgate High School, and he had started long snapping as a middle schooler after his father, Earl, a longtime coach said, "Bob, if you want to play, learn how to do it." Ceh told Phillips he could better serve the punters by snapping to them. "I had absolutely no intentions of it going anywhere," Ceh said, "just helping out." The Nittany Lions needed a long snapper a year later after they suspended their regular one, and they turned to Ceh. He long snapped for the Nittany Lions from 1990-92, earned a full scholarship in the process and figured prominently in one of the most memorable plays in Penn State history. That would be Craig Fayak's 34-yard goal that delivered a 24-21 upset of No. 1 Notre Dame in 1990. The game-winning kick would not have been possible without Ceh's accurate snap. Despite his success at Penn State, Ceh never pursued long snapping beyond college. He didn't hire an agent, figuring that he had played at a high-profile enough school for NFL teams to find him if they needed a long snapper. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/print_596384.html 11/2/2008 Long snapping a thankless job - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 3 of 4 "Don't know if I could have done it," said Ceh, who is an assistant football coach at North Allegheny and the dean of students at Seneca Valley. "I never thought I'd be doing this on Sundays or making a living doing this." Ceh said he doesn't have any regrets, but reliable long snappers can make a nice living if they are able to break into the NFL. Take David Binn. He is in his 15th season with San Diego and is the franchise's leader in games played (231). Binn has been with the Chargers for so long that he snapped when they played in the 1995 Super Bowl. The 2007 Pro Bowler is far from the only long snapper who has enjoyed a lengthy career. Fourteen long snappers that are on NFL rosters -- and no team keeps more than one -- are in at least their eighth season at football's highest level. "You stay healthy, you can do this for 15 years," said Retkofsky, who will make his NFL debut Monday against the Washington Redskins. Retkofsky, who spent parts of the past two training camps with the Steelers, working for a moving company in Forth Worth, Texas, and making $15 an hour. Sensing that his dreams of playing in the NFL were slipping away, he started applying to various police academies and preparing for his post-football life. All of that was put on hold after Warren called Retkofsky this past Sunday night and told him that his agent needed to get in touch with the Steelers. Now it is up to Retkofsky to do something with the lifeline that fate tossed him. Assuming Warren makes a full recovery from reconstructive knee surgery, he will return as the Steelers' long snapper next season. That means Retkofsky is effectively auditioning for the rest of the NFL teams. Retkofsky knows as well as anyone that the best way to get noticed is to stay as anonymous as possible in Pittsburgh. Such a paradox is reality for long snappers. Fair or not, they are defined by their mistakes -- and given pink slips because of them -- since an errant snap is frequently a game-turning play. "That's cool with me if nobody knows my name," Retkofsky said. "That means I'm doing my job." Scott Brown can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432. Images and text copyright © 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/print_596384.html 11/2/2008 Long snapping a thankless job - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 4 of 4 Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/print_596384.html 11/2/2008 Steelers' Parker practices again - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 1 of 1 Steelers' Parker practices again By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Sunday, November 2, 2008 Steelers running back Willie Parker practiced for the fourth consecutive day Saturday and appears likely to play against the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football. Guard Chris Kemoeatu (ankle) returned to practice after missing Friday. Strong safety Troy Polamalu (not injury related) missed his second consecutive practice, but he is expected to play Monday. Scott Brown can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432. Images and text copyright © 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/print_596439.html 11/2/2008 .: Print Version :. Page 1 of 3 Print Page Sunday NOVEMBER 2, 2008 :: Last modified: Sunday, November 2, 2008 9:11 AM EST Steelers notebook: Polamalu's wife delivers By Mike Bires Times Sports Staff PITTSBURGH -- Troy Polamalu won’t miss Monday night’s game after all. Polamalu’s wife Theodora gave birth to the couple’s first child on Friday. It was a boy whose name is Paisios. The Steelers’ star strong safety was excused from practice the past two days to be with his wife. Polamalu said Thursday that he might miss the Steelers’ game against the Washington Redskins if has wife hadn’t delivered their baby by then. But now, Polamalu will definitely play when the Steelers (5-2) play the Redskins (6-2) at Fed-Ex Field in Landover, MD. BERGER WILL PUNT The Steelers ended any doubt about Mitch Berger’s hamstring injury by releasing punter Ricky Schmitt from their practice squad. Schmitt was signed Tuesday due to Berger’s nagging hamstring strain on his left plant leg. If Berger’s injury would have persisted, the Steelers would have promoted Schmitt to the 53-man active roster for Monday night’s game. To fill Schmitt’s spot on the practice squad, the Steelers re-signed linebacker Donovan Woods, who was cut last week after spending the first seven weeks of the season on the http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/11/02/sports/steelers/doc490db5090b98709841... 11/2/2008 .: Print Version :. Page 2 of 3 active roster. LIONS HONOR LeBEAU Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is one of 36 players on the Detroit Lions’ 75th Season All-Time Team. LeBeau, 71, played for the Lions from 1959-72. He’s still tied for seventh in NFL history with 62 career interceptions and holds a league record for cornerbacks by playing in 171 consecutive games. Among others on the all-time team are 12 ex-Lions who’ve been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame including quarterback Bobby Layne, who finished his career with the Steelers; linebacker Joe Schmidt, who played at Pitt, and defensive backs Dick “Night Train” Lane and Lem Barney. The Lions will honor their all-time team a week from today during halftime of their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. But LeBeau won’t be able to attend. The Steelers host the Indianapolis Colts that day. BIG BEN’S K-9 GRANT As he’s done before every away game the past two years, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has donated money to a K-9 unit wanting to purchase a new police dog. This week, Roethlisberger’s foundation set a check to the Greenbelt Police K-9 unit in Greenbelt, MD, a small community five miles northeast of Washington, D.C. That department needs to replace a dog that was injured in the line of duty in September. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation distributes grants to police and fire departments in Pittsburgh and in the cities of each regular-season away opponent. http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/11/02/sports/steelers/doc490db5090b98709841... 11/2/2008 .: Print Version :. http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/11/02/sports/steelers/doc490db5090b98709841... Page 3 of 3 11/2/2008 .: Print Version :. Page 1 of 2 Print Page Sunday NOVEMBER 2, 2008 :: Last modified: Sunday, November 2, 2008 9:08 AM EST Parker says he's ready to roll By Mike Bires Times Sports Staff PITTSBURGH -- After a six-week hiatus, Willie Parker is ready to tote the football again. On Saturday, he went through his fourth straight practice without any kind of setback. His sprained left knee has healed. It’s at least healed to the point that the Steelers list Parker as probable for Monday night’s showdown against the Washington Redskins. “He’s smiling, and that’s the tell-tale sign,” offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said of the Steelers’ star running back. “When he starts smiling, he’s ready to go.” When a team lists a player as probable, it’s a given he’ll play. By definition, probable in NFL lingo means a player has a 75 percent chance of playing. If the Steelers’ physicians and trainers had any doubt about Parker’s chances of playing, they would have listed him as questionable or doubtful. Coach Mike Tomlin refused to be interviewed Saturday, so it’s not sure if Parker or Mewelde Moore will start against the Redskins. But considering how well Moore has played in his three starts, it really doesn’t matter who’s officially the starter. “Willie is not ready to go out and play 50 plays,” Arians said. “He thinks he is, and that’s a real good sign. We’ve just got to see how it goes and how it plays out. But (Willie and Mewelde) both give us a nice 1-2 punch.” In his three starts, Moore has rushed for 99, 120 and 84 yards. “Mewelde’s doing a great job right now, so I’m not really in a rush,” said Parker, who’s rushed for 138, 105 and 20 yards in his three starts. “But trust me. I want to be back on the field. “You can look at it two ways. I can (keep) resting and feel my way back in so I can be a healthier back at the end of the season, or I can got in there right now and get my mojo back and start making plays.” http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/11/02/sports/steelers/doc490db434c39fe574086... 11/2/2008 .: Print Version :. Page 2 of 2 Combined with the time he missed after breaking his right leg on his first carry last year in a Dec. 20 win in St. Louis, Parker has in essence missed seven of the Steelers’ last 10 games. He really doesn’t want to miss another game, certainly not this one against the 6-2 Redskins. It’s a Monday night game on national TV. It’s a game featuring a Pro Bowl back from a year ago (Parker) and a back who’s leading the NFL this year with 944 yards (Clinton Portis). And at 5-2, the Steelers want to maintain their lead in the AFC North Division. “Do I like to get on that (Monday night) stage? Always,” Parker said. “Everyone wants to play on Monday night. It’s like a playoff game. And every back I face, I compare and contrast him against me. “I know it’s the Redskins against the Steelers. But in my mind, it’s Willie Parker against Clinton Portis, too.” Mike Bires can be reached online at [email protected] http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/11/02/sports/steelers/doc490db434c39fe574086... 11/2/2008 .: Print Version :. Page 1 of 2 Print Page Sunday NOVEMBER 2, 2008 :: Last modified: Sunday, November 2, 2008 12:09 AM EDT Newest Steeler Retkofsky gets big pay raise By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff PITTSBURGH — Jared Retkofsky didn’t hit the lottery, but he feels like he did. The newest Steeler went from a job paying him $600 a week to one that will pay him close to $18,500 a week. “Who would’ve thought this was going to happen?” he said. “This came out of the blue.” Because of yet another Steelers’ injury, Retkofsky will be in uniform for a nationally televised Monday Night Football game when the Steelers (5-2) play the Washington Redskins (6-2). He’s replacing injured long snapper Greg Warren. Just last week, Retkofsky was in Forth Worth, Texas, feeling relieved about a recent pay hike that boosted his salary from $12 to $15 an hour. “This has all been a whirlwind,” he said. Retkofsky will be snapping for extra points, field goals and punts because of Warren’s season-ending knee injury. Warren, an excellent snapper who was hoping to make this year’s Pro Bowl team, was hurt in Sunday’s 21-14 loss to the New York Giants. Warren was placed on the injured reserve list Tuesday when the Steelers signed Retkofsky, who beat out three other wannabe snappers in a tryout. “I started working for the moving company because I was allowed to leave if I needed to try out (for an NFL team),” said Retkofsky, who had spent time on the preseason rosters of the Steelers and Seattle Seahawks the past two years. “But I was starting to get crunched with money (problems) and paying bills. So I said to myself, ‘I need to find a new career.’ So I started applying to police academy and fire fighting schools.” On Sunday, Retkofsky and his girlfriend watched the first half of Giants/Steelers game on TV. At halftime, they headed to a nearby Wal-Mart to buy a few items for a barbeque they were invited to. That’s when Retkofsky’s cell phone rang. It was his father. “My dad called me and told me that Greg just got hurt,” Retkofsky said. “I said, ‘How bad?’ My dad said, ‘I don’t know, but they’re carting him off the field.’ ” While at the barbeque, Retkofsky’s cell phone rang again. It was Warren. “Greg wanted to make sure I called my agent so that he could call the Steelers,” Retkofsky said. http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/11/02/sports/steelers/doc490d27e43ab4a079550... 11/2/2008 .: Print Version :. Page 2 of 2 On Monday, Reed predicted that Retkofsky would win the four-man tryout. As it turns out, he did. “I have a pretty close relationship with Greg and Jeff,” Retkofsky said. “Obviously, Greg trusts me with his position. And I’m honored to have Jeff’s trust. “Jeff made the comment to me, ‘I didn’t recommend you because you’re a friend. I recommended you because you’re a good long snapper.’ ” And even as a long snapper, Retkofsky will be paid handsomely. The NFL’s minimum salary is $295,000. If he sticks with the Steelers for all nine of their remaining games, Retkofsky’s pro-rated portion of that is roughly $166,000. Mike Bires can be reached at [email protected] http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/11/02/sports/steelers/doc490d27e43ab4a079550... 11/2/2008 Happy returns have been few, far between for Steelers Page 1 of 2 Happy returns have been few, far between for Steelers By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer [email protected] PITTSBURGH - When Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin looks across the field during Monday night's game at Washington's FedExField, he may do so longingly. In Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El, the Redskins (6-2) have not one, but two elite return men, players capable of changing the tone of a game on one play. As for the Steelers, well, they're just happy to field the ball cleanly. Pittsburgh (5-2) ranks 30th in the NFL in kickoff returns with a 20.0 average. Not to be undone, the punt return average is tied for last at 4.8 yards. It's been a recurring theme for the team since Randle El left as a free agent following the 2005 season. "I am not going to toot my own horn or anything, but I know they struggled the first couple of years," said Randle El. "I don't know how they are doing this year in terms of the return game. I know I was missed that first year because I saw a lot of the mistakes they had." The Steelers had high hopes for rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall as a kickoff return man, but Mendenhall averaged just 19.2 yards on six returns before suffering a broken shoulder Sept. 29 against Baltimore. That forced the team to use running back Mewelde Moore - signed in the offseason primarily as a thirddown back and punt returner - to return kickoffs. Moore had a respectable 10.4-yard career average on punt returns, but just 19.3-yard average on kick returns. With both Mendenhall and Willie Parker out with injuries the past three games, Moore was thrust into the starting lineup, forcing the Steelers to re-sign Najeh Davenport to handle kick returns. "The cast of characters has changed a little bit due to circumstances; so be it," said head coach Mike Tomlin. "I think that we can continue to get comfortable with the men that are returning and continue to work with our schemes and then we will get what we are looking for in that regard and they will deliver a field- possession play or a big-splash play in that area." With nearly half the season gone, however, it's starting to look like that may never happen. The Steelers are one of just four teams in the league without a punt return of 20 or more yards. Their long kickoff return is 27 yards - accomplished once each by Mendenhall and Davenport. Six players in the league average more than that on their kickoff returns. The problem has been a recurring one since the 2005 season. http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Print/11-2-Steelers-return-game 11/2/2008 Happy returns have been few, far between for Steelers Page 2 of 2 Since Randle El left, the Steelers have had just eight punt returns of more than 20 yards. They also let wide receiver Quincy Morgan, their top kickoff return man that season at 25.3 yards per return, go in training camp the following season. Tomlin is still holding out hope things will change. "More than anything, we haven't cracked the big one," Tomlin said. "That is what averages are all about; there isn't much difference between an average return team and a poor return team. The average teams pop the big one and we have yet to do that." Odds and end zones Parker made it through all the team's practices this week and will play Monday night against the Redskins for the first time since suffering a sprained right knee Sept. 21 at Philadelphia. ... Safety Ryan Clark (shoulder), left tackle Marvel Smith (back), linebacker Keyaron Fox (hamstring) and cornerback Bryant McFadden (arm) have been declared out for Monday's game. ... Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and his wife celebrated the birth of their first child, a son, on Friday. Copyright Observer Publishing Co. http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Print/11-2-Steelers-return-game 11/2/2008 Steelers will stop Portis, 'Skins Page 1 of 4 Steelers will stop Portis, 'Skins The injuries finally caught up to the Steelers last week, as the loss of long snapper Greg Warren cost them a victory to the Giants. Head coach Mike Tomlin passed on a field goal attempt and then watched as James Harrison snapped the ball over punter Mitch Berger's head for a safety, all of which helped turn a 14-9 lead into a 21-14 loss. But the Steelers showed that their defense is capable of shutting down even the best the NFL has to offer in offense. The Giants entered the game as the league's top offense running the ball and failed to break 100 yards against the Steelers, averaging 2.2 yards per carry. Even more so than the Giants, the Redskins rely on their ability to run the ball. Clinton Portis leads the NFL in rushing with 944 yards, more than 250 yards than the next closest runner. Can the Redskins rely on quarterback Jason Campbell to beat the Steelers if Portis struggles to find room to run? The guess here is no, even though Campbell has yet to throw an interception this season. Washington's pass rush also isn't as lethal as New York's, with just 10 sacks in eight games. Pittsburgh is a two-point underdog in this one and it seems like a bit of a gift. Take the Steelers, 24-17 New England (plus 6) at Indianapolis The Colts haven't been the usual Colts this season, but the Patriots aren't very good when Matt Cassell has to play on the road. Take Indianapolis, 28-20 Green Bay (plus 41/2) at Tennessee Green Bay is coming off of its bye week. Tennessee is coming off and emotional win over the Colts. Take Green Bay, 23-20 Dallas (plus 81/2 ) http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Print/NFL-Picks-Week-9 11/2/2008 Steelers will stop Portis, 'Skins Page 2 of 4 at N.Y. Giants Brad Johnson hasn't exactly lit things up in Tony Romo's absence. The Cowboys are prepping third-stringer Brooks Bollinger to play this week. Dallas' defense also isn't all it was supposed up to be. Take the Giants, 27-17 N.Y. Jets (plus 51/2) at Buffalo The Bills should be raring to go after laying an egg last week in Miami. The Jets just aren't gelling behind Brett Favre. Take Buffalo, 24-16 Miami (plus 3) at Denver Denver is very good at home and throws the ball all over the yard. Miami's weakness is the pass. Take Denver, 31-20 Philadelphia (minus 61/2) at Seattle The Seahawks got their win for the season last week at San Francisco. Philadelphia's got a long trip, but will get after inexperienced quarterback Seneca Wallace. Take Philadelphia, 24-13 Baltimore (plus 11/2) at Cleveland Cleveland is starting to turn things around, but Baltimore's defense could make things difficult. Cleveland is playing at home, though. Take Cleveland, 16-13 http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Print/NFL-Picks-Week-9 11/2/2008 Steelers will stop Portis, 'Skins Page 3 of 4 Houston (plus 41/2) at Minnesota Houston's offense is starting to hit its stride. But can the Texans stop Adrian Peterson? Take Minnesota, 27-20 Arizona (minus 3) at St. Louis Arizona is just 1-3 in road games, but those three were trips to the East Coast. The trip to St. Louis should be easier. Take Arizona, 30-24 Atlanta (minus 3) at Oakland Matt Ryan, welcome to the Black Hole. The rookie is going to have a tough time in this one. Take Oakland, 23-17 Tampa Bay (minus 81/2) at Kansas City Tyler Thigpen had a career day against the Jets last week. But Tampa Bay's defense is much better. Take Tampa Bay, 24-10 Detroit (plus 131/2) at Chicago Hard to believe, but the Lions swept the Bears last season. That Detroit team didn't have Dan Orlovsky at quarterback. Take Chicago, 30-13 as the pick of the week. Jacksonville (minus 71/2) at Cincinnati http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Print/NFL-Picks-Week-9 11/2/2008 Steelers will stop Portis, 'Skins Page 4 of 4 This is a tough one to figure. Both teams looked awful last week. If Carson Palmer were playing, this would be a Cincinnati win. He's not. Take Jacksonville, 27-14 Last week: 4-9-1, missed the pick of the week Overall: 58-53-4, 5-3 in pick of the week F. Dale Lolley can be reached at [email protected] Copyright Observer Publishing Co. http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Print/NFL-Picks-Week-9 11/2/2008 The Herald Standard - Sports - 11/02/2008 - Steelers face pick-free Campbell Page 1 of 2 11/02/2008 Steelers face pick-free Campbell LANDOVER, Md. (AP) - Ben Roethlisberger has nothing but admiration for the big zero that still sits on Jason Campbell's row of stats halfway through the season. "It's impressive in this league," Roethlisberger said, "not to throw an interception." It's impressive, surprising and even a bit flukey, but the fourth-year Washington Redskins quarterback who this year had to learn a new offense has had all 230 of his passes land either in a teammate's hands or on the ground. Advertisement The streak faces its biggest hurdle to date Monday night when the Redskins host the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have the league's top-rated overall defense as well as the top-rated pass defense. "It's unbelievable that he hasn't thrown a pick," Redskins tight end Chris Cooley said, "based on the chance that somebody's going to drop a ball, tip a ball up in the air. It's not only saying that Jason is smart, it's saying that you have a lot of luck on your side as well. Or all of our receivers are just catching the ball. "But weird things happen in football games. I don't want to jinx him or jinx us, but it's a huge credit to the way he's playing that he's protecting the ball like that. It'd be really cool to say he went through the whole year without a pick." That would certainly be a first. In fact, no NFL team has ever made it through an entire season throwing fewer than five interceptions. Campbell is only 56 attempts away from Bernie Kosar's record of 286 pick-free passes to start a season. "That is a bit of a novelty, not planned out," Washington coach Jim Zorn said. "I don't know how many games in a row he can continue to do that. But to his credit, he has tried to make good decisions. He has thrown the ball away in good spots, when necessary. We had some balls batted, like every quarterback, and they fall into the ground." The Redskins as a team have set a league record with 360 throws without an interception, with their last regular-season pick coming on Dec. 2, 2007. Todd Collins, promoted after Campbell went down with a knee injury, didn't throw one in the final four regular-season games last year, although he did have two in the playoff loss at Seattle. Campbell says he tries not to think about the streak, that he's only trying to manage the game as best he can. Those who know him well aren't surprised. "He's a very, very poised quarterback," said Steelers safety Ryan Clark, who was Campbell's teammate in Washington before signing with Pittsburgh in 2006. "He's one of those guys who's like an old spirit. He was, like, 30 years old when he got there. He had the full mustache. I mean, young kids don't wear just a mustache and no goatee; it's pretty funny looking. But he's always been really poised. You can see him going through so many offensive coordinators and still being able to produce." For comparison's sake, Roethlisberger has never thrown fewer than nine interceptions in a full season. He already has seven this year, including four last week in a 21-14 loss to the New York Giants. That loss dropped the Steelers to 5-2, with both losses coming against NFC East teams. Monday night presents another test against the best division in the NFL, with the Redskins (6-2) only one-half game behind the Giants for best record in the NFC. "The NFC East," Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward said, "that's a hard division." Campbell's streak has remained intact in part because of the Redskins' ability to run the ball. Clinton Portis leads the league in rushing with 944 yards and has at least 120 yards in five straight games. But the Steelers haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher all season. Campbell might be forced to throw more often was usual Monday night. "Something's got to give," Campbell said. "Because they're a tremendous rush defense, and we're second in the NFL in rushing. That's where it starts - up front." Copyright Associated Press 2008 http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/printerFriendly.cfm?brd=2280&dept_id=468632&ne... 11/2/2008 The Herald Standard - Sports - 11/02/2008 - Steelers face pick-free Campbell Page 2 of 2 ©The Herald Standard 2008 http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/printerFriendly.cfm?brd=2280&dept_id=468632&ne... 11/2/2008 Redskins WR Moss Will Be a Game-Time Decision for Monday s Game Page 1 of 1 Moss Will Be a Game-Time Decision for Monday's Game Saturday, November 1, 2008; E04 Although wide receiver Santana Moss (hamstring) sat out practice for the third consecutive day, his injury has improved, and he could play Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FedEx Field, Coach Jim Zorn said yesterday. "Santana's coming right along," Zorn said. "He got rid of his soreness, he did some drill work today, but did not participate in practice. "We'll just continue to progress. I don't want to test it to where it's going to strain. I want to test it to where it continues to feel good every day." Moss and other injured players should benefit from an extra day off, "but you just don't know" what's going to happen with a hamstring, Moss said. "It's getting better every day. I can't tell you no more than that. That's the truth, though. It's getting better every day." Zorn said Moss would be a game-time decision. Washington would have to make major adjustments in the passing game if Moss, the team's only consistent deep threat, sits out. "I don't want him to go out there and just play a couple of plays and then go, 'You know, it just doesn't feel very good,' " Zorn said. "I want him to go out and, if he's going to play, participate fully in the game. I'm always optimistic, but I say that and we just have to wait and see. I was optimistic last week as well about a couple of guys that couldn't go. They just flat couldn't go. We just have to wait and see." . . . Safety LaRon Landry (hamstring) was back at practice. "It feels better," said Landry, who sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday. "Right now, I'm just still trying to give it some time." -- Jason Reid Post a Comment View all comments that have been posted about this article. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/31/AR2008103103276_p... 11/2/2008 Steelers still special for Randle El Page 1 of 3 Sunday, November 2, 2008 Steelers still special for Randle El David Elfin (Contact) Jerome Bettis received all the attention for retiring from the Pittsburgh Steelers after winning the Super Bowl in his native Detroit. But that title game three seasons ago was also the Steelers swan song for receiver Antwaan Randle El, who capped his four years in black and gold by clinching the title with a 43yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward. On Monday night, Randle El faces the Steelers for the first time since he signed with Washington as a free agent seven weeks after that Super Bowl. The game comes a week after Randle El's return to Detroit, which brought memories flooding back. "We had the same locker room that we had in the Super Bowl," he said. "I remember when I first walked down that tunnel with my camera on media day. That was a joy. I can still see the black and gold in the stands, the fans, the touchdown pass to Hines, having my daughter Ciara on my shoulders after we won. It really hit me when I got down on that field last week. You'd rather leave like that." Pittsburgh remains a special place - and team - to Randle El because that's where the option quarterback out of Indiana turned into a legitimate NFL receiver. "You watched El in the Senior Bowl and he certainly had return skills and a lot of very natural receiver skills that just needed time to develop," former Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. "He was so quick and so elusive [that] the slot was the natural spot for him. You had to be patient with him because he had never played receiver before, but he just got better and better. To his credit, he took the challenge and embraced it." Ward, who played quarterback at high school and briefly in college, helped Randle El with the transition to receiver. "Hines helped me a lot with how to run routes consistently, little techniques for getting inside, getting outside, give them a little chicken wing to get a guy off you instead of pushing off," Randle El said with a quick flap of his arm. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/02/steelers-still-special-for-randle-el/print/ 11/2/2008 Steelers still special for Randle El Page 2 of 3 Often playing behind Ward and Plaxico Burress, who left for the New York Giants in 2005, Randle El never had more than three touchdown grabs in a season for the Steelers. But Cowher was far from disappointed. "El could give you big plays and he was very consistent," Cowher said. "He gave us more than we expected - not just on the field, but what he was able to bring to the locker room. He has this air of confidence about him and this bubbly personality. He always had a smile on his face. He was one of my favorite players to coach. He gave a lot to Pittsburgh." Including a 9.4-yard average and four touchdowns on punt returns. That elusiveness was one of the reasons Joe Gibbs thought Randle El was worth a six-year, $30 million contract. But Randle El has averaged just 7.3 yards per return for Washington with one touchdown. Santana Moss' 80-yard score against the Lions was more than half the yardage Randle El has managed on 24 returns this season. "El sometimes will make one more move than he has to," Cowher said. "I used to tell him, 'One move and go!'" Randle El, while not chagrined by Moss' touchdown, said he knows he has to improve. "The first two games, I did a lot of stuttering around and shaking around," he said. "Since then, I've done a better job of trying to go north and south. I've had three or four returns where, with one more block ... it's just got to come." There are far fewer questions about Randle El's development as a receiver. After a downbeat Washington debut, he set career highs of 51 catches and 728 yards in 2007. With 33 catches and 409 yards at midseason, he's on pace to easily eclipse those numbers - despite playing in an on offense that also includes Moss, tight end Chris Cooley and NFL rushing leader Clinton Portis. His development into a starting receiver validated Randle El's decision to sign with the Redskins. "No question, I made the right decision from a football perspective and for my family," he said. "I'm a much better receiver than I was when I signed here. I'm involved in the offense more. I'm on a roll. It's a good time to be playing Pittsburgh. The relationships I built there were the biggest thing and now, going against those guys, it's going to be fun. There's more juice involved." There's always juice when the loud and boisterous Randle El is involved. "Antwaan's a character," said Ward, who talks or texts with Randle El every few weeks. "He's so spirited. He was a locker room favorite. He was just a big kid at heart. Any time I see guys that I played with go and have success, I get a http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/02/steelers-still-special-for-randle-el/print/ 11/2/2008 Steelers still special for Randle El Page 3 of 3 big smile on my face. He's definitely missed around here." http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/02/steelers-still-special-for-randle-el/print/ 11/2/2008 Wrong Calls Focus Attention on N.F.L. Officials - NYTimes.com Page 1 of 3 November 2, 2008 In N.F.L., Wrong Calls and Wrong Assumption By JUDY BATTISTA It happened again last Sunday. An apparent mistake by officials — this time it was a muffed punt by the Atlanta Falcons that did not look muffed after all — probably changed the course of a game. From there, what has become a familiar postgame ritual unspooled: the play broadcast repeatedly in slow motion all over the country, arch commentary about the officials’ competence, the inevitable note from the Falcons sent to N.F.L. headquarters asking for an explanation. Mike Pereira, the league’s director of officiating, always has a full in-box from irate coaches, owners and fans. But one spectacularly blown call by Ed Hochuli, the N.F.L.’s highest-profile official, has opened the floodgates to an unusual level of scrutiny and scorn from coaches and players in the first half of the season. And with each excruciatingly detailed replay or game-turning decision (there have been at least three obvious ones so far), the angry chorus has grown louder, creating a problem for the N.F.L. The statistics show that officiating is no worse this year than before, but the perception that there are more bad calls resonates. According to the N.F.L.’s grading, for every 100 plays, 97.64 of them were officiated correctly before Sunday’s games. Because games historically average a little more than 150 plays, officials are averaging about four mistakes a game, about the same as in 2007, when the accuracy rate was 97.78. And Pereira said that in a recent game (he would not say which one), a crew graded perfectly — 100 percent correct on every call and noncall. “I’ve never seen a game that didn’t have incomplete passes or fumbles or interceptions,” Pereira said. “Once officiating gets in the public eye, then it’s going to be there for a while. No matter if it’s better than in the past or worse. Officiating is a mental exercise that involves judgment that is difficult. It is imperfect.” The former Baltimore coach Brian Billick, who is now an analyst for Fox, said criticism had ratcheted up in part because a blown call leading to a loss could result in a coach’s firing. Marcellus Wiley, a former player who now works for ESPN, said he suspected that players had become more outspoken as they had received more guaranteed money. But Billick compared the officiating controversies to fretting over injuries when a star quarterback is hurt: are there really more, or does it just feel that way? “One time, there was a hue and cry — ‘This is the worst year for officiating’ — and we went back and looked and we determined it had been written five different years,” said Rich McKay, the Falcons’ president and a member of the N.F.L.’s competition committee, which oversees rule changes. “Since we brought instant replay back, it’s not necessarily a good thing for officiating. You begin to scrutinize plays at milliseconds. It creates an unreasonable and unreal standard that you can’t meet.” http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/sports/football/02refs.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&ref=f... 11/2/2008 Wrong Calls Focus Attention on N.F.L. Officials - NYTimes.com Page 2 of 3 Still, Hochuli’s call in the second week of the season — he ruled that Denver’s Jay Cutler had thrown an incomplete pass and whistled the play dead, negating what was clearly a fumble, not an incompletion — almost certainly cost San Diego a victory. And it gave birth to nonstop officiating surveillance. When Hochuli’s crew waved off a Carolina interception return for a touchdown with a roughing-the-passer penalty on Julius Peppers, there was instant analysis of the call’s accuracy. (Peppers was fined $10,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on that play.) Then, Miami linebacker Joey Porter, angered by what he perceived as bad calls by Hochuli’s crew, said, “I’m like, Man, it’s crazy that the same referee staff from all of this other stuff that’s been happening was out there.” Porter, like other players and coaches who have sounded off, was fined, an indication of the N.F.L.’s distaste for questioning the integrity of the officials — and for keeping such questions in the public eye. “Public criticism of officials is prohibited because it serves the club and the league no good,” said Ray Anderson, the league’s executive vice president for football operations. “We do it privately, so we can make sure we’re responding to an allegation that is presented in a calm moment, not in the heat of battle where you have just lost a game.” But as the scrutiny rippled far beyond Hochuli, K C Joyner, who breaks down game tape for his annual Scientific Football guides and his Web site, The Football Scientist, said he wondered if the harsh glare of the spotlight could be affecting officials. In a game between Minnesota and Detroit, a Lions defender was called for pass interference although replays indicated that the receiver was, at most, barely touched and that a flag should not have been thrown. The 42yard penalty put the Vikings in field-goal position, and they won the game. When officials took at least five minutes to sort out an unusual call in the Arizona-Dallas game a few weeks ago — it put Dallas in position to kick a tying field goal — Joyner became convinced that officials were hesitant to make mistakes, a possibility acknowledged by the retired official Jim Tunney. “It can make them gun-shy, and it’s very important to work with the crew in terms of confidence when they walk on the field,” Tunney said. “It’s easy for officials to get intimidated. And in today’s environment, they have to keep building confidence. I’ve been afraid in situations, concerned about if I’m doing the right thing.” One primary argument against replay, McKay said, was that officials might start second-guessing themselves before making calls because mistakes would be immediately exposed. But now, Pereira said, replay forces officials to improve. Historically, 33 percent to 38 percent of calls have been overturned by replay, he said. In the first third of this season, he said, only 19 percent were overturned. Pereira said officials had improved on calling sideline catches, which might account for the shift. But there is little thirst for more calls to be reviewable. The competition committee will probably review the pass/fumble rule that tripped up Hochuli, although Pereira and Anderson have reservations about changing it because quarterbacks could be endangered as players pursue what may or may not be a fumble. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/sports/football/02refs.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&ref=f... 11/2/2008 Wrong Calls Focus Attention on N.F.L. Officials - NYTimes.com Page 3 of 3 But there is almost no chance that pass interference will be reviewable soon. Now, there are 1.1 stoppages for replay a game. If the replay rules were broadened, the average could rise to four stoppages, Pereira said. “I think we’re all happy the system hasn’t been too intrusive,” he said. Perhaps so, even if it is not perfect. In the meantime, Pereira’s mailbox fills up while his officials try to tune out the din. “We have criticism from the days of officiating Pop Warner when parents yell at you from sidelines,” Pereira said. “I don’t like it, but it’s not the thing I focus on.” Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company Privacy Policy Search Corrections RSS First Look Help Contact Us Work for Us Site Map http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/sports/football/02refs.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&ref=f... 11/2/2008 A Hit With No Flag in the N.F.L. Can Still Draw a Penalty - NYTimes.com Page 1 of 1 November 2, 2008 An N.F.L. Hit With No Flag Can Still Draw a Penalty By JUDY BATTISTA The N.F.L.’s crackdown on player safety has produced lots of penalties, big fines and a bit of confusion. According to the N.F.L., it levied 139 fines for playing rules violations in the weeks preceding the games of Oct. 26. That, it said, was up marginally from last year. Many of those fines were for plays that did not draw a flag during the game, although according to FootballOutsiders.com, which tracks penalties, calls for unnecessary roughness through Week 7 were at 75, way higher than last year’s 43. Do the after-the-fact fines and suspensions undermine the officials if a penalty was not called? The N.F.L. said that those sanctions did not. “You can’t humanly catch all the things that might happen, particularly if it’s away from the play,” Ray Anderson, the N.F.L.’s executive vice president for football operations, said. “It’s no rap on the officials that they might not catch a helmet-to-helmet hit at full speed on the other side of the field.” The N.F.L. also uses tape of hits that draw fines as a tool to teach officials what kind of hits it wants penalized. Still, when players appeal fines or suspensions, their first argument is obvious: how can it draw a fine if a flag was not thrown? That was one of the issues Anderson addressed when he met with members of the Pittsburgh Steelers two weeks ago, after several Steelers players publicly questioned the emphasis on player safety. Safety Troy Polamalu said the fines for hits — several Steelers, including Hines Ward, have been fined for hits that did not draw flags — was turning the N.F.L. into a “pansy” league. “We understand it’s a tough, aggressive game, and players have always played tough,” Anderson said he told the Steelers. “To the extent that the play involves illegal techniques or hits that put our players at unnecessary risk, this commissioner and football operations department want you to know we’re not going to have it.” Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company Privacy Policy Search Corrections RSS First Look Help Contact Us Work for Us Site Map http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/sports/football/02calls.html?ref=football&pagewante... 11/2/2008 Knee injury knocks Browns lineman Tucker out for season - USATODAY.com Page 1 of 1 Powered by Knee injury knocks Browns lineman Tucker out for season Advertisement CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns placed offensive lineman Ryan Tucker on injured reserve for the rest of the season Saturday due to a knee injury. The injury kept Tucker out of the previous two games. He missed the first four games of the season because of a hip injury and only started in one game this season — the Browns' Oct. 13 win against the New York Giants. Tucker's knee will be examined by a doctor next week. The Browns also signed wide receiver Steve Sanders to the active roster on Saturday. Sanders, a Cleveland native, played in the team's first four games, including his NFL debut in the season opener on Sept. 7 against Dallas. He had one reception for 18 yards in the game. Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Find this article at: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/browns/2008-11-01-tucker_N.htm Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article. Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. http://usatoday.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Knee+injury+knocks+Br... 11/2/2008 ESPN.com - Culpepper, Lions agree to two-year deal to put him at the helm ESPN.com: NFL Page 1 of 1 [Print without images] Saturday, November 1, 2008 Culpepper, Lions agree to two-year deal to put him at the helm By John Clayton ESPN.com Less than two weeks after announcing that he's coming out of retirement, quarterback Daunte Culpepper has a new home. Culpepper agreed Saturday to a two-year deal with the Detroit Lions. Terms of the deal, scheduled to be signed on Monday, are unknown. Culpepper canceled a scheduled trip to Kansas City to instead visit the Lions earlier in the week. Culpepper left the Lions on Tuesday without a deal but kept in touch, trying to find a home for this season and next season. After several days of negotiations, Culpepper agreed that Detroit was the best fit for him. In September, Culpepper announced his retirement after being offered only one-year deals. Culpepper felt ignored despite his belief in his skills, and when he couldn't find a long-term home he announced his retirement at the age of 31. In agreeing to a deal with Culpepper, the Lions have a quarterback to help finish this season and take them into next season. Culpepper, a former Vikings starter, has great knowledge of the NFC North. Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com. ESPN.com: Help | PR Media Kit | Sales Media Kit | Report a Bug | Contact Us | News Archive | Site Map | ESPN Shop | Jobs at ESPN | Supplier Information ©2008 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. All rights reserved. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=3676865&type=story 11/2/2008