Steelers notebook
Since last Sunday, Hank Poteat is now the NFL’s littlest linebacker PITTSBURGH – Hank Poteat was a running back when he went to Pitt and a cornerback when he went to the Pittsburgh Steelers. But Poteat, all 190-some pounds of him, is now the league’s littlest linebacker.
That’s the position he played last week for the Steelers in relief of Mike Logan, and that’s the position Poteat will play this week if Logan can’t get past his hamstring injury.
The littlest linebacker? Well, that’s often where the dime defensive back lines up on passing downs, right next to Joey Porter.
“It can get physical if it’s a run. You have to fill like a linebacker. You’re in the box,” said Poteat. “But I’m hungry. Wherever I can go play, I play. I know all the positions. I have to cover tight ends, so I have to be physical. But I’m the biggest corner, size-wise. I probably weigh anywhere between 194 and 199, depending on the week.”
That’s not the way Steelers defensive coordinator Tim Lewis tells it in his favorite Poteat story from last Sunday’s game.
“There were some interesting plays,” Lewis said. “He actually blitzed and ran over a tight end, No. 83 (Mark Campbell). That was pretty exciting. I didn’t know he had it in him, but we called his number and he went in there and threw all 185 pounds he’s got into him. It was a thing of beauty.”
Poteat had another favorite play.
“Sometimes you’re throwing your body in there to free up other people,” he said. “Lee Flowers got a sack. Somebody picked me up and he was free. That’s a good example of being like a backer.”
That’s not difficult for a safety, such as Logan (6-feet-1, 210 pounds). But Poteat is a cornerback who’s listed at 5-10, 192. The opposing quarterback this week, Michael Vick, has him by 23 pounds.
“Basically, I back up all four positions: corner, dime or nickel,” Poteat said. “That’s just one of the positions where somebody went down and that was the opportunity I had to get out on the field.”
HOPE HE KNOWS THE COVERAGES: With Logan injured and Poteat on the field, rookie safety Chris Hope is next in line for duty. Last Sunday, the third-round pick briefly replaced Brent Alexander and found himself at a new position. Hope practiced at free safety again this week since Alexander’s elbow continued to bother him.
“It’s tough getting used to playing free safety,” Hope said. “I was locked in on playing strong safety. It’s not too difficult because I played free safety in college, but in calling the plays I’m used to doing what the strong safety does. It’s definitely some pressure. Like I said, I got so used to playing strong safety and when the call comes in, my mind’s already programmed to do what the strong safety does. Now I’ve got to convert to the free safety. Hope I don’t get mixed up between the two.”
Is Hope ready?
“We’ll see,” Lewis said. “Michael Vick makes all of us look a little less prepared.”
SPY GAME: Speaking of Vick, will inside linebacker Kendrell Bell spy him during the game?
“He couldn’t catch him,” said Lewis. “Nobody in the league can catch him. You can’t get your hands on him. It’s easier said than done. He’s their leading rusher. Did you know that? He’s their leading rusher.”
Tune in at one o’clock for a continuation of The Spy Game.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: The Falcons are ranked fifth in the NFL in total defense, but in their last five games they’ve allowed 5.2 yards per carry and 12.2 yards per completion to the likes of offensive weaklings such as Tampa Bay, the New York Giants, Carolina and Baltimore. Those stats rank 31st and 29th in the league in those key categories during that time.
“They run a 3-4 and it’s pretty basic,” said Steelers fullback Dan Kreider. “It’s nothing like ours. They’re a little bit more basic … so it’s a little easier to find guys and adjust. Plus, we’ve practiced all through training camp against our guys.”
It’s rare that a team which uses so much man-to-man coverage has such difficulty stopping the run, but the problem is a lack of size up front. The Falcons’ nose tackles, Ed Jasper and Ellis Johnson, weigh 293 and 288 pounds. Ends Patrick Kerney and Brady Smith both weigh less than 275.
“But they’re speed-oriented. They’re quick,” Kreider said. “They play hard, too.”
QUOTABLE: Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox on a possible letdown after playing two division rivals: “I think because of where we’ve come from, I think everybody’s kind of scared to let up. The first of the year, everybody has seen what can happen when you do let up. I think with this team you don’t have to worry about that too much.”