Flowers tries, fails to calm Steeler waters
PITTSBURGH – Throughout much of the good times for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1990s, the defense had little use for the offense. It wasn’t until late in the 1995 season that linebacker Greg Lloyd even spoke to quarterback Neil O’Donnell, but that only lasted until O’Donnell blinked twice in the Super Bowl.
These days, the roles are reversed. Lee Flowers said as much after Sunday’s game.
“It’s to the point our offense is starting to look down on us,” Flowers said. “Defensively, we built this city. Don’t flip the script now because of your success now, that we can’t uphold our part.”
Flowers, of course, had more to say that evening, and after meeting with coach Bill Cowher on Tuesday, Flowers had even more to say.
While his intention was to calm the waters, though, he may have stirred them by only reiterating what he’d said Sunday to reporters on Tuesday.
“Honestly, when I made that statement I didn’t think it would be blown out of proportion like it is,” Flowers started.
“Like I said, this has been one of the closest teams we’ve had in years. That’s why we’re winning right now.”
Flowers said the special teams and defense needed to improve and he complimented the offense.
“They’re doing their thing right now,” he said. “Over the years, the defense had the motto ‘Don’t worry about what they’re doing.’ I think that’s what they need to do. Don’t worry about what we’re doing right now and go out there and keep performing like you’re performing right now.”
Flowers said that no one person can or should try to divide the locker room, but that it was important for him to speak his mind.
“That’s why the guys nominated me as a captain on this defense because I speak my mind and try to keep us together,” he said. “By no means am I ever going to let anyone disrespect us. That was something that needed to be said. We need to stick together as a team. When you sit on the sideline and you want to point fingers during the game, that’s not fair because we’ve never done that, so it’s not a cool thing to do.
“It was a good thing that I said it. Coach Cowher talked about it at his press conference, so it’s over with. Like I said before, this is the time we need to stick together and keep moving forward. Fortunately, defensively, we made a couple strides with this third-down situation this past Sunday.”
The sources of Flowers’ complaint have yet to be identified. Most of the offensive players brushed off Flowers’ post-game comments as someone venting frustration for a difficult season. Plaxico Burress went so far as to suggest Flowers fabricated the scenario.
“We’re a team, so I don’t see why anybody would say anything,” Burress said. “He probably said those things to get the defense hyped up. I don’t think anyone would say anything on the offensive side. I doubt if anyone said anything about the defense.”
Flowers, of course, disagreed.
“I’m not a guy who’s going to be a cancer in this locker room,” he said. “I don’t make up stuff. I’m not a guy who’s going to tell you it’s two degrees outside when it’s 36. I’m not going to lie. There was some stuff said, but it’s over with and there’s no need to get into the comments.”