Steelers notebook
‘Energized group’ has special teams playing at high level PITTSBURGH – Prior to the special-teams debacles that marked last season’s playoffs, the Steelers had shown signs of trouble by allowing 22.4 yards per kickoff return, 17 yards per punt return and a special-teams touchdown over the course of the last five regular-season games.
The statistics at the end of this season would seem to indicate that calm seas are ahead.
In the last four games, the Steelers have allowed 18.4 yards per kickoff return and 6.2 yards per punt return. Those numbers – if representing a full season – would rank first and sixth in the league, respectively.
Special teams coach Kevin Spencer, who replaced the deposed Jay Hayes, believes it has to do with the return to health of Mike Logan, Hank Poteat and Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala and the emergence of young players such as Brett Keisel and Chidi Iwuoma.
“I think it’s an energized group,” Spencer said. “The team’s doing well. They feed off of each other. It’s made it better for all of us.”
The 280-pound Keisel is the most interesting of the coverage men. In reprising the role of wedge-buster made famous here by former defensive lineman Orpheus Roye, Keisel has raised eyebrows on the field.
“I’m having a blast out there,” the rookie said. “Some of the guys on the other teams were saying ‘What are you doing out here? You’re supposed to be on the d-line.’ But it’s fun.”
The Steelers are 10th in kickoff coverage (21.4) and 24th in punt coverage (12.1) for the season. Last season, the Steelers ranked 15th in kickoff coverage (21.4) and 25th in punt coverage (11.9). The difference is slight, but the optimism comes from the recent play.
“When I got back in there – and I’m not saying I was the reason – but I said, ‘Listen, if you need a rah rah pep talk to be out on special teams, you shouldn’t be out here.’ No one should have to get you riled up to play on special teams,” said Logan. “Obviously, this is the only way some of the young guys are going to make this team. So if they’re not excited about going out there and playing, and being a force out there, they’ll be out of here. Coach made that comment and I think it sunk into the guys’ heads a little bit and they began accepting their roles and knowing what they’re supposed to do and I think that picked up our level of play.”
Season on the brink
The Steelers could set several team and individual records this afternoon. As a team, they need 33 pass attempts to break the record set in 1997; 18 completions and 75 yards passing to break 1995 team records; and four touchdown passes to tie a 1978 team mark.
Individually, most of the records again involve the passing game.
Hines Ward needs 115 receiving yards and Plaxico Burress needs 125 receiving yards to break Yancey Thigpen’s single-season record of 1,398 receiving yards in 1997. Ward needs one receiving touchdown to tie the record of 12 touchdown catches by Louis Lipps (1985) and Buddy Dial (1961). Maddox needs to maintain his 61.7 completion percentage to break Kordell Stewart’s 2001 record of 60.2 percent. And Maddox, with a passer rating of 85.7, could also break Terry Bradshaw’s team mark of 87.8 in 1975.
“There’s only one thing with meaning,” Maddox said, “and that’s getting into these playoffs and trying to win a Super Bowl. We took the first step in solidifying a spot in the playoffs.”
On the defensive side, linebacker Jason Gildon needs three sacks to tie L.C. Greenwood for first place on the team’s career list.
Deion Sanders?
On Tuesday, Cowher was asked if the Steelers had put in a waiver claim for cornerback Deion Sanders.
“No,” Cowher said. “Kevin (Colbert) asked me this morning, so, no, we’re going to pass.”
On Wednesday, Cowher was asked why the Steelers had put in a waiver claim for Sanders.
“We really don’t talk about people we put claims in for,” Cowher said. “I’d rather not go into details.”
On target
Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston on the Ravens, prior to their game against the Cleveland Browns: “The Ravens are an ugly team in an ugly league. They haven’t put together a good half of football since about midseason. They have no pass rush, receivers who can’t catch, a starting quarterback who is disillusioned about his fading skills and two top players who are on the sideline with injuries.
“But this is the NFL. Parity is here to stay. On any given Sunday, one team can play as poorly as the other, especially in the AFC North.”