Steelers Slam the Saints at Canton

The Steelers opened the preseason and the Mike Tomlin era in an impressive fashion with a 20-7 win over the New Orleans Saints.

The Steelers put up 413 yards of offense, while the Saints managed just 214 yards, most of it coming in the second half with reserves in on both sides of the ball. If there were any questions about the Steelers offense coming together with a new coordinator and an updated playbook, they were answered on the opening drive on Sunday night against the Saints.

The Steelers starting offense came out and performed to near perfection on the opening drive. Ben Roethlisberger completed his first pass of the game for 55-yards to Cedrick Wilson. Roethlisberger came back to Wilson for an 18-yard completion to the Saints four-yard line. Wilson, who finished the first half with four catches for 99 yards, had made a plea for getting the ball earlier in the week after practice and his plea must have been heard.

Najeh Davenport, who started the game for Willie Parker, carried the load early and took his third carry of the game into the end zone for a four-yard touchdown to give the Steelers an early 7-0 lead.

Charlie Batch came in on the second drive of the game and played for two series, completing four of six passes for 51 yards and looking solid.

The Steelers managed to put rack up 305 yards in the first half alone, 205 of them in the air and 100 on the ground. Much of the ground attack came from first-year running back Carey Davis, who carried the ball six times for 67 yards in the half, including breaking free and shedding tackles for a 56-yard gain. Davis also had two catches for 32 yards in the half, putting on a good show as he is battling for a roster spot.

It wasn’t just the offense that shone in the first half though. The Steelers defense didn’t allow the Saints first-team offense to put any points on the board, something that they took pride in. The defense was swarming, holding the explosive Saints offense to just 56 yards and two first downs in the first half, and shutting them down 0-6 on third-down conversions.

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.

Steelers Sign Troy Polomalu for 4 more Years…

and I couldn’t be happier! Thank you!

The Steelers announced they have signed veteran safety Troy Polamalu to a four-year contract extension. Financial terms of the deal, which keeps him with the team through 2011, were not disclosed.

Polamalu (5-10, 207), who is widely considered the NFL’s premiere strong safety, has been named to the past three Pro Bowls, including two straight starts, and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2005 and second-team All-Pro honoree in 2004.

“Troy Polamalu is a very special football player who has been a key ingredient to our success over the past few seasons,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II. “We are excited to know he will be a Steeler for many seasons to come.”

Despite battling shoulder and knee injuries for much of 2006, Polamalu finished third on the team last season with 82 tackles after posting a career-best 100 tackles during the 2005 campaign. The Steelers first-round draft pick (16th overall) in the 2003 NFL Draft, Polamalu received the Joe Greene Award, following his rookie season for being the team’s top rookie.

For his career, Polamalu has 308 tackles (231 solo), 10 sacks and 10 interceptions.

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.

Steelers sign #1 Draft Pick Timmons to a 5 year Deal.

The Steelers announced they have signed their 2007 first-round draft pick, linebacker Lawrence Timmons, to a five-year deal. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Timmons (6-1, 234), out of Florida State, was the 15th overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft. Last season as a junior, he started all 13 games for the Seminoles and was named a third-team All-American. Timmons finished second on the team with 79 tackles last year and registered five sacks. He also scored three touchdowns, including one each on an interception return, fumble recovery and blocked punt.

For his career, Timmons finished with 126 tackles (70 solo), eight sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss.

The Steelers also announced they agreed to terms with cornerback William Gay, the team’s second of two fifth-round picks in the 2007 NFL Draft. Gay (5-10, 190), out of Louisville, played in 46 career games for the Cardinals, starting 36. A first-team All-Big East selection in 2006, Gay finished second on the team in tackles and led Louisville with six interceptions.

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.

Steeler Fanatic Gets New Look

We are celebrating our 2nd year online with a new look. I thought it would be appropriate the go with a new Web 2.0 look and clean up the site a bit. The changes will be coming over then next few days and the new header photo will be done in a week or so. Let us know what you think and I am really looking forward to another season as The World’s Biggest Steeler Fan!

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.

Faneca says This is His Last Season as a Steeler

Longtime star lineman Alan Faneca says he is through negotiating with the Pittsburgh Steelers, pushing them again Friday to trade him and promising he won’t play for them past this season.

Faneca, an All-Pro left guard five times since 2001, reported to a three-day minicamp only because it is mandatory and he could be fined for not attending. He didn’t threaten to sit out the season, but made clear his unhappiness with a team that won the Super Bowl
only 15 months ago.

“This will be my last year as a Pittsburgh Steeler,” Faneca said.

Faneca would like to be traded, but is resigned with staying with Pittsburgh for another season.

“I’ve been asking since February to trade me, to let me go,” Faneca said. “I’ve done my piece. I’ve done my time. I’ve done everything I can for this organization. I’ve lived and breathed
Steeler football for nine years and gave them everything I’ve had and helped them win a Super Bowl. In my mind, I’ve earned the right to be treated fairly.”

Faneca’s criticism is virtually unprecedented for a Steelers player so accomplished — only a handful of players in team history have made All-Pro more than he has.

The Steelers usually re-sign their key players and, thanks greatly to player-friendly owner Dan Rooney, have long been considered the NFL’s model franchise for handling players.

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.