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December 17, 2009 News Clippings

Pittsburgh Steelers

SPORTS / STEELERS

Clark's tirade targets local media, fansThursday, December 17, 2009 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The losing has frustrated the Steelers in different ways and one of their veteran leaders lashed out in a new manner.

Safety Ryan Clark, one of the team's leading spokesmen, upbraided the local media for its coverage during the team's five-game losing streak. He also called out fans, saying they do not "understand" how hard the players work.

He also promised his frustration would be held in check.

"The one thing I'm not going to do, I'm not going to be depressed," he said. "I'm not going to go home and beat my wife, you know what I mean? I'm going to get on my knees every night and pray and thank God for the blessings I have every night."

Ryan, presented the Chief Award last season by the local pro football writers for his cooperation with the media, turned his criticism on them:

"You watch the [Philadelphia] Eagles, you watch the big plays. You watch things given up. And I started checking other media outlets. You don't hear the things about them in their media that you hear about us. So either we're held to a higher standard or the people that write about us are turds."

Clark posted a letter he received from a fan on the team's bulletin board in the locker room. He said the writer basically details "why we stink so bad." He invited reporters to read it, but a club spokesperson removed it before that happened.

"It's obviously frustrating, but it's not going to be despair, Clark said. "You get hate mail from fans, they tell you that you [stink] and all that. And that's fine, because there's a reason they watch the game.

"This year, increasingly, it's made me realize that you have to play for your organization, you have to play for your teammates, you have to play for yourself, for your family because the people on the outside don't understand the frustration you go through. They don't understand the work you put into it every day. A lot of people think we come in here and practice a couple of hours and then go out on Sunday and go play the game. That's not how it is.

"This becomes your life, this takes over your life. We're working hard, man. None of us are going out there like I want to give up a play today. None of us are going out there like we want to lose."

Clark, as he finished last season, again is the second-leading tackler on the Steelers defense, which finished No. 1 in 2008 and ranks No. 4 today. A big difference in that defense has come in the passing game; the Steelers ranked No. 1 in 2008 against the pass, allowing only two completions longer than 40 yards. They rank 13th today and have allowed seven beyond 40 this season, five during their current losing streak.

"We're still the fourth-ranked defense in the NFL," Clark noted. "And I think it's becoming increasingly more evident that we are held to a different standard, which is OK."

Clark said he will not try to find the fellow who wrote him the critical letter he posted on the bulletin board.

"I'm not upset with the guy," he said. "I don't want to go to his house or fight him. That's his opinion and that's how he feels. I don't know what he does for a living. Whether he's an accountant. I can't go talk to him about how he crunches numbers. I can't go talk to him about how he teaches his class and things like that."

Clark, who is in the final year of his contract, did say he loves playing here, despite the shortcomings he pointed out.

"We have passionate fans, and I love playing in Pittsburgh. You know, I've never been in a place that cares more about their sports, their heroes ... I love playing here. That one fan or those 10 fans doesn't discount the whole Steeler nation."

As for those reporters who cover the Steelers, Clark said he does not blame them for critical pieces of the team in general during this losing streak. He took issue with what he termed individuals being called out wrongly.

"I think it's gotten to a point where guys are getting attacked personally," Clark said. "Names are being called and things like that, where sometimes it's not those people.

"When I mess up, I tell y'all. There's never a time when y'all come to me after a game and I feel like I've messed up on a play

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and I don't say it. Sometimes it's not me and I still say it.

"But when you start pointing fingers and saying it's this guy and it's that guy and it's wrong, I think it is unfair. As a whole, have we performed the way we're supposed to? No. Do we deserve to be talked about as disappointing? Yes, we do because we're disappointed in ourselves. Sometimes the coverage of it, especially locally, has been, I'm not going to say unfair, but it's just been wrong."

Exclusive company

Rashard Mendenhall, whose role has been expanded by coach Mike Tomlin, needs 60 yards to become the seventh Steelers running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.

Mendenhall, the first back drafted in the first round by the Steelers in 19 years when they did so in 2008, had his rookie season ended with a broken shoulder in just the fourth game and after only 19 carries.

He began this season with only seven carries in three games after Tomlin benched him on offense in the third game for making too many mistakes in practice.

Since then, Mendenhall has had three 100-yard games and has a 4.8-yard average per carry for the season. Tomlin gave him the additional duties as third-down back in Cleveland.

Roster moves

The Washington Redskins signed linebacker Curtis Gatewood from the practice squad of the Steelers, who added linebacker Jimmy Williams yesterday.

Ed Bouchette's blog on the Steelers and Gerry Dulac's Steelers chats are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.

First published on December 17, 2009 at 12:00 am

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Steelers' Ward sticks with decision to play

By Mark Kaboly Daily News Sports Editor Thursday, December 17, 2009

Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward's injured hamstring was nowhere near 100 percent last week against Cleveland, but he said Wednesday that he wouldn't go back on his decision of playing.

"In hindsight, I would do it again," Ward said. "I gave it my best, and we lost the game."

Ward strained his hamstring on the second-to-last play of the Dec. 6 loss to Oakland. He played four days later in Cleveland and caught four passes for 21 yards in a 13-6 loss to the Browns.

Ward missed practice yesterday as he always does Wednesdays, but he expects to play Sunday against Green Bay.

"I am getting better every day," Ward said.

» The Steelers' locker room had a little more upbeat feel to it compared to last week. But Ward wasn't one of the guys clowning around.

"I am still upset about things," he said. "(But) you can't dwell on the past. Hopefully, we can focus on playing Green Bay."

» Running back Willie Parker toed the company line when asked if the team got away from the run game too early last week against Cleveland.

"We are always going to live by the motto that coaches coach and players play," Parker said. "Whatever they call, we have to execute it to the fullest, and we didn't do that."

» Not practicing for the Steelers yesterday were LB James Farrior (not injury related), C Justin Hartwig (knee), S Troy Polamalu (knee), WR Limas Sweed (illness) and Ward (hamstring). Limited in practice were DE Brett Keisel (neck) and G Chris Kemoeatu.

Mark Kaboly can be reached at [email protected] or 412-664-9161.

Images and text copyright © 2009 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co.

Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from Trib Total Media

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Steelers' Mendenhall nears 1,000-yard mark

By Mark Kaboly Daily News Sports Editor Thursday, December 17, 2009

Rashard Mendenhall could be the comeback player of the year — for last year and also this year.

Mendenhall's rookie season was cut short a year ago when a Ray Lewis' tackle broke his shoulder during a Week 4 game. This year, the first month of the season saw Mendenhall touch the ball nine times, get benched, then get called out by coach Mike Tomlin for "not being on details" during practice during the week.

What a difference the past three months have made for the former first-round pick.

Mendenhall was inserted into the starting lineup after Willie Parker was injured in the Week 3 loss to Cincinnati, and hasn't looked back.

Mendenhall needs 60 yards against Green Bay on Sunday to surpass 1,000 yards.

It's an unlikely ending to what was a strange beginning to the season for Mendenhall.

"I have always had faith and confidence in myself if given a chance," Mendenhall said.

Mendenhall is ranked right among the league leaders in rushing if his numbers are projected over 13 games.

Mendenhall would be the seventh-leading rusher in the league just behind Adrian Peterson, DeAngelo Williams and Thomas Jones with 1,163 yards if he would've put up the same numbers in the first three games he didn't start than he did in the 10 he did.

It hasn't gone unnoticed.

"Rashard has played consistently well since the latter part of September or October," Tomlin said. "We'll increase his opportunities."

That's a far cry from where Mendenhall was at the beginning of the season when he fell out of favor with Tomlin.

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But looking back, Mendenhall said that sitting down against the Bengals may have helped him out more than anything else in the long run.

"It helped to get an understanding of exactly what they wanted and what they were looking for," Mendenhall said. "It was little things they wanted to see, so they are more comfortable with me."

The coaching staff has gotten so comfortable with Mendenhall that they decided to use him in favor of respected veteran third-down back Mewelde Moore.

Mendenhall also has 17 catches for 158 yards and a touchdown this year.

"I feel good that they have confidence in me to do that," Mendenhall said. "The passing game is good in the NFL, so to be able to do that they have to have a great deal of trust in you."

Mendenhall has gained the trust of his teammates.

"I think he had to prove it to himself," tackle Max Starks said. "He went out there and earned a little more respect than we gave him."

RUNNING WITH THE BEST

Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall is among the league leaders in rushing despite not starting the first three games of the season. Here are the rankings of the top 10 rushers in the league, with projected totals if they had started all 13 games this year:

Player: Yards

Chris Johnson, Tennessee: 1,626

Steven Jackson, St. Louis: 1,279

Cedric Benson, Cincinnati: 1,258*

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota: 1,200

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina: 1,196*

Thomas Jones, N.Y. Jets: 1,167

Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers: 1,163*

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville: 1,136

Ryan Grant, Green Bay: 1,068



Ray Rice, Baltimore: 1,041

*—Projected if started 13 games

Mark Kaboly can be reached at [email protected] or 412-664-9161.





Steelers DB blasts media's 'unfair' coverage

By Scott Brown PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW Thursday, December 17, 2009

Two Steelers defensive backs have taken offense with media coverage of the team and the secondary, in particular.

On Wednesday, free safety Ryan Clark called reporters that cover the team "turds," and cornerback Ike Taylor said he feels betrayed by the Pittsburgh media.

"We just don't understand how the national media don't bash us, but our local media do," Taylor said. "This has been going on since the (Kansas City) game, how y'all have been writing. We're like, 'Dang, if you're going to write something, write the whole story — offense, defense and special teams.' If you're going to write something, don't pick a particular position out and what changes you think need to be made because it's unfair to the player.

"It's totally unfair, and we've already got enough pressure on us in the secondary anyway just for the tradition we have over here. We feel like if y'all are going to write something, state facts, don't state opinions."

The Steelers have yielded a handful of big passing plays during the five-game skid that has left them with a remote chance of making the playoffs. Taylor, however, pointed out that in spite of the Steelers' recent struggles, they are still No. 4 in the NFL in total defense (294.1 yards per game).

Taylor said he is "fed up" with media's portrayal of the Steelers and their secondary.

A somewhat surprising source said he has had enough of it as well. Clark has been such a cooperative player for reporters that last year he won the Chief Award, named after team founder Art Rooney.

The sixth-year veteran specifically mentioned the award yesterday and said he won't win it again if he returns to the Steelers after this season.

That came during a 12-minute session with reporters in which the normally gregarious Clark vented about a number of issues, including his belief that the media is harder on the Steelers here than in other NFL markets.

"You watch the Eagles, you watch the big plays given up (in a 45-38 win over the Giants), and I started checking other media outlets and you don't hear the things about them in their media that you hear about us," said Clark, who is in

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the final year of his contract. "So either we're held to higher standards, or the people that write about us are turds."

Clark said he has gotten hate mail since the Steelers went into a slump, and he posted one of the letters on a bulletin board in the locker room. As Clark referenced the letter yesterday, a Steelers representative hastily took it down.

"Do we deserve to be talked about as disappointing? Yes we do, because we are disappointed in ourselves," Clark said. "But I think sometimes the coverage of it, especially, locally, has been ... I'm not going to say it's unfair, but it's just been wrong."

Clark's primary objection: He said players have been getting blamed for on-field mistakes that are not their fault.

He and Taylor said a general lack of understanding of the Steelers' schemes among the media has led to players getting wrongly fingered for some of the breakdowns that have occurred.

"Y'all don't know. Period," Clark said. "I think it's gotten to the point where guys are getting attacked personally, names are being called and things like that when sometimes it's not those people. But that is your job. I got a job to do. Maybe if I can get a blog or start tweeting, I can learn all y'all guys' names and talk about all y'all."

Taylor said local reporters don't appreciate how successful the Steelers have been and are overly hard on the team.

"If y'all probably would have went to another team or somewhere else and seen the difference between their secondary and our secondary, y'all's perspective might be different," Taylor said. "But since we've been holding it down for so long, staying on top overall as a defense and as a team, it's totally unfair how you write about us."

SECONDARY NUMBERS

Here is a look at how the Steelers have fared in passing defense the last five seasons.

Year: Avg./NFL rank

2009: 209.2/13th

2008: 156.6/1st

2007: 176.5/3rd

2006: 212.1/20th



2005: 198.0/16th

Scott Brown can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.





Gorman: McCarthy giving back to Greenfield

By Kevin Gorman PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW Thursday, December 17, 2009

Mike McCarthy had a charmed childhood growing up on Greenfield Avenue, the same street on which St. Rosalia Catholic Church and school and Magee Field are all located and within walking distance.

McCarthy didn't know how so until he moved away.

"You didn't leave Greenfield. You had everything there," McCarthy said. "Magee Field is the epicenter of the community. It was a great training ground for sports and life. I wouldn't have had it any other way.

"You go away to college and people say, 'Where are you from? I'd say, 'I'm from Greenfield,' like you expect them to know where it's at."

That hits home for me, the son of a Greenfield native who was the playground director at Magee, co-founded the Greenfield Organization community outreach program and once called it "the greatest community in the greatest city in the greatest country in the world."

Made me wish I'd grown up there.

The city neighborhood tucked between Hazelwood and Squirrel Hill has become well-known in Wisconsin, where McCarthy is in his fourth season as coach of the Green Bay Packers. He returns this weekend to play the Steelers not as the enemy, but as a hero to his hometown.

After leading the Packers to a 13-3 record in 2007 — they lost in overtime to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game — McCarthy brought a philanthropic tactic to the negotiating table: He wanted to give back to the people who gave so much to him.

So, as part of his five-year, $3.4 million contract extension, McCarthy included an annual $300,000 contribution evenly split among Greenfield, Green Bay charities and his alma mater, Baker University in Kansas. He felt a responsibility to give back, and his generosity is a gift that keeps giving.

"What you find out about being in this position is how much you can help people," McCarthy said. "You work your entire professional career to be a head coach. When that opportunity comes, it's so much more than coaching. The charity work and how you can affect people's lives is phenomenal.

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"My financial adviser would probably tell me there's a better way, but I wanted to give back. When you give gifts, let's be honest, cash is the best gift. I didn't want strings attached."

Ninety percent of McCarthy's donation goes toward tuition relief to the dwindling enrollment at St. Rosalia Academy, the grade school which he led to a Diocesan basketball championship with a 39-1 record as an eighth-grader. Another $10,000 is split between the Greenfield Organization and Greenfield Baseball Association in appreciation of the men — Marty Coyne, Joe Deiuliis, Jim Gregg and John Sicoli — who coached McCarthy as a youth and the impact they made on him and other Greenfield kids.

"Their commitment to the community and youth sports is remarkable," McCarthy said. "You remember those days like they were yesterday."

A retired deputy warden at the Allegheny County Jail, Gregg has spent 45 years coaching Little League baseball, is in his 39th season coaching St. Rosalia basketball and sits on the GBA and GO board of directors. He sees first-hand how much McCarthy's contributions have meant. Despite escalating equipment costs, baseball fees haven't been raised in years.

"He did it all on his own," Gregg said. "That's the way he was, the kind of parents he has. He's a good kid from a good family. I'm proud to be part of coaching him, just proud all over to be involved with somebody successful like that, not only professionally but to be so good-hearted."

And so down-to-earth that it's nothing for locals to see the Packers coach at Yesterday's Bar on Greenfield Avenue in the summer, like he'd never left.

"When you coach, that's what you hope for," Sicoli said, "that somebody gets to that level and remembers. Mike never forgot where he came from."

McCarthy left Greenfield, but it never left him.

Now, his heart is at the epicenter of the community.

And McCarthy wouldn't have had it any other way.

Kevin Gorman can be reached at [email protected] or 412-320-7812.



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Agent: Bengals WR Henry 'battling for life'

By The Associated Press Thursday, December 17, 2009

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry is "battling for his life" after falling out of the back of a pickup truck Wednesday during what police described as a domestic dispute with his fiancee.

Henry was found in the road about eight miles north of downtown Charlotte "apparently suffering life-threatening injuries," according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. Police spokesman Robert Fey said officers were stationed near the 26-year-old Henry's hospital room. He had no information on Henry's condition, but said he was alive.

"We ask everyone to pray for Chris," agent Andy Simms of PlayersRep Sports said in a statement. "We also ask that you respect the privacy of Chris' family. Chris is indeed battling for his life tonight, and our thoughts and prayers (are) with him during this extremely difficult time."

Police said a dispute began at a home just before noon and Henry jumped into the bed of the pickup truck as his fiancee — whom they did not identify by name — was driving away from the residence.

"The domestic situation continued between the operator and Mr. Henry," the police said in a statement. "At some point while she was driving, Mr. Henry came out of the back of the vehicle."

Henry was found on a residential street about a half mile from the home when police were called to the scene. Fey wouldn't identify the woman and said no charges would be filed Wednesday.

Henry is engaged to Loleini Tonga, and the couple has been raising three children. Tonga's MySpace page identifies herself as "Mrs. C. Henry" and has a picture of her next to a person who appears to be Henry. She also has a post from Tuesday talking about buying wedding rings.

Neighbor Karen Clanton said the Tonga family lives in the house where the police say the incident began, adding that she didn't witness it and that "they're nice folks."

No one answered the door Wednesday night at the two-story home in the modest neighborhood. A limousine was parked in the long driveway, and there were tire tracks on the front lawn.

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Henry was away from the team after breaking his left forearm during a win over Baltimore on Nov. 8. He had surgery and was placed on season-ending injured reserve following the game. Charlotte is home to his fiancee's parents.

Team spokesman Jack Brennan said he had little information other than Henry was badly hurt.

"We are aware he was in an accident and that his injuries are very serious," Brennan said. "We are obviously staying in touch with the situation and are ready to offer whatever assistance we can."

Henry is in the final year of his contract with the Bengals, who let him go after his fifth arrest following the 2007 season. Owner Mike Brown then brought him back a few months later, signing him to a two-year deal. Henry had stayed out of trouble since his return, turning into a feel-good story that got fans rooting for him.

In an interview with The Cincinnati Enquirer in October, Henry credited his fiancee for helping him straighten out his life, saying, "She's been a big help. She's been right here with me and going through things and helping out on my side. We have the kids, and she has my back with everything I've needed."

From the start, his career has been sidetracked by off-the-field problems.

Henry repeatedly got in trouble at West Virginia, where former Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez told him that he was an embarrassment to himself and the program.

Most teams to shied away from Henry in the 2005 draft. Cincinnati was the only one that brought him in for a visit, and warned him that he had to stay out of trouble if he was going to make it in the NFL. Then, the Bengals drafted him in the third round.

His ability to run past defenders made him an integral part of the Bengals' run to the playoffs in 2005. He caught Carson Palmer's only pass in a playoff loss to Pittsburgh — both of them were hurt on the play.

His rookie season also marked the beginning of his problems in the NFL. He was arrested for marijuana possession in December 2005, and again on a weapons charge a month later in Florida. He was arrested four times in all, drawing repeated suspensions — two games in 2006, the first half of the 2007 season — for violating the league's conduct policy.

When he was arrested for a fifth time after the 2007 season, the Bengals released Henry. Over the objection of coach Marvin Lewis, Brown changed his mind and gave Henry another chance, offering a two-year contract before the 2008 season began.

After serving a four-game suspension to start the 2008 season, he returned and caught 19 passes in the last 12 games, becoming an afterthought in the



offense. He spent the offseason getting in shape and working out so he could become a top receiver again. He impressed coaches and teammates with his newfound determination to resurrect his career.

Before the start of the season, he got a tattoo that said "Blessed" below his left ear, a reminder that he's gotten plenty of extra chances.

"I don't live the way I did in the past," Henry said, in an interview with The Associated Press during training camp. "I kind of plan my days out and take it one day at a time and stay away from the wrong people. I'm not partying anymore. I'm just focused on football right now and my family. I don't associate with the same people. I've completely changed everything."

A thigh injury limited him early in the season. He had 12 catches for 236 yards and a pair of touchdowns before he broke his arm.

The Associated Press can be reached at or .





Wednesday December 16, 2009

Steelers' Clark goes off on media By: Mike Bires Beaver County Times

PITTSBURGH — Ryan Clark’s frustration runs so deep that he’s ripping into the media.

Before practice Wednesday, the Steelers’ free safety called reporters who over the team “turds.”

Apparently, Clark doesn’t agree with the negative coverage the reigning Super Bowl champs have been getting during their five-game losing skid.

“I started checking other media outlets,” Clark said. “You don’t hear the things about them in their media that you hear about us. So either we’re held to a higher standard, or people who write about us areturds.”

That quote came from a 12-minute interview Clark conducted with sports writers and sportscasters as he stood before his locker room stall at the Steelers’ practice complex.

Clark, 30, has been one of the most quotable and media-friendly Steelers since coming to Pittsburgh in 2006 as a free agent. Last year, he was given The Chief Award which is presented annually to the Steeler who best exemplifies the spirit of cooperation with the media.

“You all don’t have to worry about me winning The Chief Award (this year),” Clark said.

Clark went on to say, “None of you all are going to be my friends. Will I ever think any of you are cool? Probably not. So if I get a blog (some day), I can learn all your names and talk about you all.”

There are several reasons why the Steelers have collapsed — they are in the midst of a five-game losing streak —the demise of a once-great defense being one of them. A major part of the defensive slide is poor play by the defensive backs, Clark included.

“When I mess up, I tell you all. There’s never a time after a game when I feel I messed up that I don’t tell you all,” Clark said. “When you start pointing fingers and saying it’s this guy or that guy, and it’s wrong, that’s unfair.

“As a whole, have we performed the way we’re supposed to? No. Do we deserve to be talked about because it’s disappointing? Yes we do. But sometimes the coverage of it, especially locally, has been … I’m not going to say it’s unfair, it’s just been wrong. If you’re going to point a finger, and you say Ryan Clark was in the middle of the field, and he got bombed on, and I did, cool. But if you’re wrong, if that’s not what happened, then it is unfair.

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“It would be like me saying so and so is a jerk because he said this and I got the wrong guy. Now your name is in the mud.”

When asked to name a specific story that he thought was unfair to any of the Steelers, Clark declined.

“I have a lot of examples. I talked to the P.R. people and asked them to allow me to get on the (microphone) at the end of the season,” Clark said. “That’s going to be an epic one. I probably won’t be able to get up there and say what I want to say.”

When told about Clark’s remarks, Steelers tackle Max Starks said that he didn’t believe Clark was being malicious toward the media, not even with the “turds” remark.

“Ryan is a very emotional person. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and he is from LSU and Louisiana,” said Starks, a Florida native who attended the University of Florida.

“They use different terminology to describe things. That’s the word he chose to use. I prefer to use the word ‘vultures’ better.

“Just kidding,” Starks added with a laugh.

From a team perspective, it’s obviously been a tough year for the Steelers.

From a personal perspective, it’s been especially difficult for Clark.

During the off-season, he was not offered a contract extension like several other Steelers in the final year of their existing deals. When this season ends, the Steelers might not re-sign Clark.

Then in early November, Clark grew more frustrated as he continually had to address his status for the Nov. 9 game in Denver. As it turned out, Clark didn’t play in the 28-10 win over the Broncos because of his sickle cell trait. And the Steelers have not won since.

“The (media) coverage, I’m not going to say it’s unfair because we’re losing and I think facts are facts,” Clark said. “I think sometimes, though, when media outlets guess, ‘Oh, they were in this coverage and so-and-so should have been playing this or so-and-so should have been playing this coverage.’

“You all don’t know. Period. You all do not know. It’s gotten to the point where guys are getting attacked personally, names are being called and things like that when sometimes it’s not those people.”

Clark did admit that “It’s been a tough year … just losing is tough, period.”

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Finishing strong a must for Steelers 12/17/2009 3:32 AM They are not quite there yet, but it appears the Steelers could be headed for a losing season.

That might be big news around these parts, but in many NFL cities, it's a way of life.

Admit it Steelers fans, you're spoiled.

If the Steelers fail to win two of their final three games, they'll finish 2009 with just their second losing season in this decade.

Think about that for a minute. It's something that can only be said about a handful of other NFL teams.

Considering the Steelers have won two Super Bowls since their last losing season in 2003, you've got a pretty nice little run, even though it's probably coming to an end.

What will be interesting, however, is how this team finishes.

After back-to-back losing seasons in 1998 and 1999, the Steelers appeared to be on their way toward another sub-.500 record in 2000. But they won four of their final five games to finish at 9-7, setting the stage for a 13-3 campaign in 2001.

The Steelers took a step back in 2003, falling to 6-10 after suffering through a five-game losing streak in the middle of the season. Again, the Steelers rebounded to win three of their final six games - with one of those losses a hard-fought, 13-10 overtime loss in Baltimore to end the season - and fought to the bitter end.

The selection of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the first round of the 2004 draft set the stage for a 15-1 record the following season.

A handful of the current Steelers were on that 2004 squad, which is part of the reason why they are struggling now. Many key players have gotten old.

But those older players can be part of the solution, just as Jerome Bettis was in 2004. Bettis knew he was at the end of his career, but his leadership helped keep that 2003 team from completely folding.

It's important that players such as linebacker James Farrior, Hines Ward and others have a calming effect on this team.

Sure there's disappointment that things didn't go the way they felt they would this season.

But things can turn around quickly in the NFL.

• If the NFL draft were held today, the Steelers would be selecting 12th. They picked 11th in 2004, when Roethlisberger fell into their lap.

• Who should you be watching in the upcoming bowl games as a possible first-round pick for the

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Steelers?

Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who would have gotten my vote for the Heisman Trophy, would fill a big hole if Casey Hampton leaves as a free agent. But he will be a top pick.

Keep an eye on North Carolina defensive tackle Marvin Austin when the Tar Heels play Pitt.

Florida cornerback Joe Haden or USC free safety Taylor Mays would help the Steelers' beleaguered secondary.

On offense, Oklahoma's Trent Williams or Anthony Davis of Rutgers would be a pair of offensive tackles the Steelers could plug into their line if right tackle Willie Colon is not re-signed.

Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain would be a nice addition as a replacement for Farrior.

There are so many directions the Steelers could go with a a top 15 pick.

• McGuffey High School graduate Dave Sachs will be on the card for the World Extreme Fighting's card Jan. 8 at Robert Morris University.

The 27-year-old Sachs, who is 5-2 in mixed martial arts bouts, will fight Martin Stoilkov (1-0) in a 155-pound match as part of the undercard in the event.

Sachs, who is recovering from a bout of MRSA this summer, is eager to get back in the cage.

"That really knocked me out," said Sachs. "I had to go back to work full-time. Now, I'm training again and working as a personal trainer part-time. It will be good to get back to fighting."

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at [email protected]

Copyright Observer Publishing Co.

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December 16, 2009

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy's toughness forged in western Pennsylvania

By Pete Dougherty [email protected]

The Green Bay Packers hired Mike McCarthy as coach in 2006 in part for what General Manager Ted Thompson called his “Pittsburgh toughness.”

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McCarthy, who returns to his hometown on Sunday with the Packers, grew up in the Greenfield neighborhood in Pittsburgh, part of the high school football hotbed of western Pennsylvania. But what is Pittsburgh tough? And is McCarthy it? Well, a look at McCarthy as a football and basketball player at the old Bishop Boyle High School in Pittsburgh might lend a clue. According to football teammates, McCarthy was a physical, aggressive tight end who blocked well, was reliable on assignments and though not fast, had excellent hands. On the basketball court, he was an undersized forward who shot well from the wing, crashed the boards hard and played smart. In both sports, he was a worker and all business. “Didn’t do a lot of talking. He was a man of action,” said Ed McCallister, a basketball teammate of McCarthy’s who also briefly played football at Bishop Boyle. “He was rough and physical, and he was skilled. He was athletic, obviously, and he was very competitive. He had a fire to him. I wouldn’t call it a temper, I’d call it a very competitive disposition. If you were off the court talking like you and I are, he’s one of the nicest guys in the world. You’d be amazed, once you get on the court, the change.” A coach’s personality filters down to his team in one way or another, but not always in the way teams expect. Former Packers GM Ron Wolf, for instance, hired Ray Rhodes in 1999 to rekindle the Packers’ toughness, and Rhodes produced anything but a tough team in his one season. McCarthy’s Pittsburgh-learned toughness has shown in the Packers in some ways through four seasons. He had much more success than the previous coaching staff with reining in quarterback Brett Favre in 2006 and 2007 because he was more willing to confront Favre on his decision-making. That almost surely was a factor in Favre’s interception total dropping from 29 in 2005 to 18 in McCarthy’s first season, then to 15 in 2007. This season, the Packers have toughed out a few close games in the fourth quarter, including after nearly losing a big lead against Baltimore two weeks ago and blowing a 13-point advantage against Chicago last Sunday. Against Baltimore, the Ravens’ two third-quarter touchdowns cut the Packers’ lead to three points, but the Packers won 27-14. Chicago led 14-13 going into the fourth quarter; the Packers won 21-14. “A hard-working, grinding guy,” is how Randy Zilko, who was a running back at Bishop Boyle, described his teammate McCarthy as a high school football player. “Good guy, good athlete, good teammate.”

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But in other ways, the Pittsburgh toughness hasn’t manifested itself on the field. In McCarthy’s four seasons as coach, the Packers haven’t had the kind of punishing run game he wants. This year, Green Bay ranks No. 13 in the 32-team NFL in rushing yards and No. 14 in yards per carry. Defensively, in McCarthy’s first three seasons, though the Packers were physical in pass coverage at cornerback, they weren’t particularly stout against the run. They never ranked higher than No. 13 in rushing defense, and last season finished a disastrous No. 26. That might have changed when McCarthy hired Dom Capers in January to coordinate his defense. Capers’ 3-4 scheme has been more physical and aggressive in the front seven against the run and rushing the passer. The Packers go into Sunday’s game against the Steelers with the No. 2 rushing defense in the NFL. “The defense is really the personality of Mike,” said Dan Harris, who was offensive coordinator at Baker University in Kansas for the two seasons McCarthy played there. “It’s just a strong, hard-nosed, good-work-ethic type of defense.” McCarthy has talked about wanting the defense to be the identify of his team since he became coach, but he’s ended up fielding offensive-oriented teams until this season, when the units have been more even. McCarthy, who graduated from Bishop Boyle in 1981, grew up watching the Steelers teams of the 1970s and early 1980s, led by the famed “Steel Curtain” defensive line. “I know my history (is) as an offensive coach,” McCarthy said Wednesday, “but clearly when I became a head coach, I did not want to be known as a former quarterback coach that was a head coach. It definitely starts with defense. That’s always been my vision, and we feel like we’ve made strides towards that this year definitely. I think that’s just part of growing up in western Pennsylvania.” The Packers’ penalty problems also raise a question. Harris said McCarthy wasn’t penalized much as a player at Baker, but the Packers led the league in penalties and penalty yards last year and lead the league through 13 games this season. Is it a sign that McCarthy isn’t tough enough on his team? “That surprises me, too, because that’s not Mike McCarthy, and that has to be eating on him,” Harris said. “I see that watching the games. Mike’s always got squinted eyes and a frustrated look (after a penalty), but then he’s right back looking at the play sheet saying, ‘What do I have to do now to get out of this mess?’’ McCarthy runs the Packers’ offense, and if the tough part of his personality hasn’t filtered into the team’s run game, the cerebral and detail-oriented part of his approach is a characteristic in the passing game. In his two seasons at Baker, an NAIA school, McCarthy was a starting tight end for a run-oriented team that played for the national championship in his senior season. McCarthy caught 17 passes, including seven touchdowns, in his two seasons and was a key blocker because of his great upper-body strength and attention to detail. “Back then, it was 16-mm film, took forever to rewind and look at it,” Harris said. “But he took a lot of time to analyze his opponents. We had a pretty good offensive line, our preparation we did a good job analyzing opponents, but Mike was above and beyond that and was really good at making adjustments on the field. Mike almost was like a coach on the field on Saturday afternoons, Saturday nights. He could make adjustments, make line calls, do a lot of communication that really helped us a lot. Great blocker and very knowledgeable about the game of football.” When McCarthy went into coaching as a graduate assistant at Fort Hays State in Kansas, he worked on defense. He was going to take over that side of the ball in his second season when he received a



graduate assistant's job at the University of Pittsburgh under coach Paul Hackett. That’s where he learned the West Coast offense and started on a career path that led to tutoring quarterbacks in that scheme. McCarthy was at Pitt from 1989 to 1992, then moved to the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. Now, he returns to Pittsburgh for the first time as Packers coach for a regular-season game. It’s a business trip except for the three hours or so he’ll spend Saturday night at a Christmas dinner with his family. But it also will be an extra-special game in his football-obsessed hometown. “That’s his stomping ground, that’s his home turf,” Harris said. “I know he grew up being a (Steelers) fan, so that’s got to be emotional. "But one thing Mike can do is control his emotions real well and guide them in the right direction. He’ll probably internalize that feeling about the game and not let it be a big deal with the team. He’s very aware of how he has to keep that team focused and not let it bother them. "But down deep in his heart and soul, there’s got to be a powerful sense of 'This is an important game for me personally, and I’m going to keep it that way, just personal.'”



December 17, 2009

For Madden, at 73, the Game’s Still On

By RICHARD SANDOMIR

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Inside a warehouse-like building five minutes from his house, John Madden settled

in to watch Sunday’s N.F.L. games in a leather chair that nearly swallowed him.

Before him, nine 63-inch TV monitors flanked a 16-foot-by-9-foot screen, all provided free by DirecTV.

Around him gathered a few dozen guests from Procter & Gamble, its Prilosec OTC division, which recently

put Madden’s name on a new award for the league’s best offensive line, and the Safeway chain. They noshed

on his chef-prepared omelets for the early games and his chili and Buffalo wings for the late games.

In the latest phase of Madden’s career, he drives his white pickup to an industrial park here on Sundays,

rather than travel the country in his Madden Cruiser bus to call games with Al Michaels. He retired from

NBC in April, ending a 30-season run as a TV analyst that followed a decade as Raiders coach. NBC gave him

options to stay, but as his older son Mike recalled, Madden was ready to leave.

“I remember my grandmother asked him, ‘What kind of schedule are you working out?’ and he turned to her

and said, with this boyish enthusiasm, ‘I’m going to retire,’ like a 5-year-old invited to the back of the candy

store,” he said.

Madden’s 10-screen-at-a-time viewing — big screen in the middle, four smaller ones on each side and one

underneath — is something he wouldn’t want to do at home. He likes the spectacle, the people and the

ambience. The viewing also serves as homework for his unpaid job as chairman of the coaches subcommittee

of the N.F.L.’s competition committee, in which he is helping to improve player safety.

“This is the right forum for John; he loves talking to coaches,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said.

Madden, who is 73, said: “I still have a passionate love for the game, but when I retired from broadcasting, I

didn’t have a place to put it. Now I do. I wasn’t going take a hike and eat cheese while the games were on.”

The games began at 10 a.m. Pacific. Madden’s reserved demeanor is at odds with his former on-air

exuberance. He never said, “Boom!” He didn’t have a Telestrator to diagram a play. His eyes scanned the

screens. He intertwined his fingers and held his hands to his chin. He regularly flipped open the cellphone

that Verizon gave him years ago to read or send text messages. (Eagles Coach Andy Reid is a text pal.)

He watches games more as a coach than an analyst, he says. He observes more than he talks.

His comments sound as if they are more for himself than an audience.

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“He’s a master,” he said when Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw a touchdown pass to Reggie Bush.

Before a fourth-and-1 play by Denver against the Colts, Madden said, “Better run away from the stunt,” his

body moving forward. “Don’t run into the overload.” When Denver failed, he said, “Ran right into it.”

After a Peyton Manning interception, he said, “I would never go for his play-action.”

Madden was gracious to the guests sitting on either side of him and was not distracted by their questions

about football. “But if I’m talking to the guy from Safeway, I’m not asking him how many Prilosec pills he

sold,” he said.

An informed guest, his friend and NFL Network analyst Matt Millen, sat beside him for a while. During the

San Diego-Dallas game, they spoke in tandem, with the Cowboys trailing, 20-10, with 26 seconds left.

Madden: “Kick the field goal.”

Millen: “Kick the field goal.”

From the set, CBS’s Phil Simms said: “I’d take one shot in the end zone.”

Madden: “Kick the field goal.” With seven seconds left, he added: “I’d still kick a field goal. You can’t win

going for the touchdown.” (Dallas scored a touchdown with seven seconds left but lost, 20-17.)

The lucrative corporate life that Madden has built was left unchanged when he retired from NBC. When he

made his surprise announcement, his agent, Sandy Montag, told Ace Hardware, Verizon, Tinactin, Sirius XM

Satellite Radio, MCI International — which made the Madden Cruiser — and KCBS Radio in San Francisco

that they could break their contracts. None did. The offer wasn’t made to EA Sports, where Madden’s input

and high profile are intrinsic to the video game that bears his name.

Scott Greenstein, the president of Sirius XM, said that dropping Madden from his half-hour slot on Fridays

with the host Adam Schein was never considered despite the diminution of his television profile.

“I’m happier that he’s not on TV,” he said. “It’s harder to find him, so that helps us.”

Only Outback Steakhouse left the Madden portfolio. The restaurant chain’s deal ended this year and it made

no sense to keep its name on his bus if he wasn’t traveling to call a game at a different stadium each week.

But Madden still owns part of about 30 Outbacks in California as part of his family’s extensive real estate

holdings.

Unlike his old deals, the new ones with Prilosec and DirecTV are not product endorsements. He doesn’t have

heartburn, so he would not be a spokesman for Prilosec; having had athlete’s foot, he stands behind relieving

the itch with Tinactin. For Prilosec, he put his name to its Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award.

“It really appealed to me,” he said. “It’s truly a team award, five guys working together.”

DirecTV provided the video setup (and dispensation to watch blacked-out Raiders games) to be associated

with Madden and for the publicity value, said Eric Shanks, an executive vice president of the company.



In his new life, Madden misses the camaraderie of broadcasting, watching game film, attending practices,

talking to coaches and spending time with the NBC crew. But he is pleased with his decision, his son Mike

says.

“He was done calling football,” said Mike Madden, who oversees the family’s real estate portfolio, which

includes commercial and residential properties and three hotels.

More than ever, Madden sits in the stands to watch the games played by the Foothill High School freshman

team coached by Mike and assisted by his brother, Joe, who runs the family’s production studio.

“I get to go with the grandkids,” Madden said, “and say: ‘Who wants hot dogs? Grandpa’s buying.’ ”

The bus has become the family’s deluxe station wagon, recently taking Madden, his wife, Virginia, his sons,

daughters-in-law and five grandchildren to the San Joaquin Valley to pick cherries at the family orchard.

“With Mike and my kids between 5 and 8, these are golden years for him,” Joe Madden said.

Madden jokes that his wife, who learned to live without him half the year, was not overjoyed to have him

around all the time.

“It’s not like she said: ‘John’s home. Yay!’ ” he said. “But I’ve missed every Christmas, every Thanksgiving,

every anniversary. My 50th anniversary is coming up and I’m not going to miss this one.”

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By Jim Corbett, USA TODAY

Green Bay Packers ball-hawk cornerback Charles Woodson and pass-rushing rookie outside linebacker Clay Matthews are in the running for a rare defensive double.

Woodson and Matthews are among the leading candidates for league defensive MVP and defensive rookie of the year honors. The 2003 Baltimore Ravens boasted defensive MVP Ray Lewis and defensive rookie Terrell Suggs.

Woodson and Matthews are big-play catalysts for a defensive coordinator Dom Capers 3-4 scheme.

WEEK 15 PICKS: Our analysts project winners & losers POWER RANKINGS: Packers inch toward the top 5

Both are taking turns erasing tight ends, bringing heat and helping set the standard of attention to detail needed to overcome the Nov. 22 losses of cornerback Al Harris and linebacker Aaron Kampman to season-ending knee injuries. The second-ranked Packers defense has held quarterbacks to a 53.3 completion percentage and intercepted them 23 times.

Beyond his eight interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, four forced fumbles and 57 tackles, Woodson leads pre- and post-practice film study among defensive backs for the NFC's leading wild-card contender.

"It's definitely been my best year," Woodson said. "I've been in position to make a lot of plays. I love this defense."

Woodson is driven to get that Super Bowl ring he felt was denied when the then Oakland Raiders corner stripped New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady of the football in the controversial "Tuck rule game." The Raiders season was cut short by New England's 16-13, 2001 divisional win when referee Walt Coleman ruled Brady's throwing arm was moving forward.

"Charles Woodson is the league's defensive MVP," said Greg Cosell, NFL Films analyst and veteran producer of ESPN's NFL Matchup show.

"He lines up at corner, as their slot corner in nickel and dime. He plays safety in their base 3-4. He's a great blitzer, physical with great ball skills."

Matthews, once a walk-on at the University of Southern California, is competing for defensive rookie against former Trojan teammate and current Houston Texan Brian Cushing (112 tackles, 2½ sacks, two interceptions); Washington Redskins defensive end Brian Orakpo (11 sacks) and Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd (league-best nine interceptions).

Despite not starting until Week 4, Matthews has eight sacks, four forced fumbles, 19 quarterback hits and six passes defensed.

"Clay has a skill set I have not previously seen in an outside linebacker in a 3-4. And I played with the Lawrence Taylors, Pat Swillings and Derrick Thomases," says five-time Pro Bowler and Packers outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene. "Clay covers like a big athletic strong safety.

"He rushes the quarterback with a violence and changes that up with speed and quickness. He has the ability to be one of the best outside linebackers to ever play."

Said his father, Clay Matthews Jr., a four-time Pro Bowler during 19 seasons: "You have a guy who scratched and clawed to get where he's at.

"Clay's much faster and stronger than I was. I'm happy I can say that. He must have got that from his mom."

Of Green Bay's four touchdown passes surrendered to tight ends only one was longer than 12 yards, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith's 24-yard scoring strike to Vernon Davis against Matthews in Week 11.

Taking wing: The favorite to win the NFC East? The Philadelphia Eagles boast a big-play offense, a playoff-tested quarterback and a shutdown defense.

Donovan McNabb is 8-2 in December since 2007 with 14 touchdowns and two interceptions.

"We've never seen an Eagle team like this," said NFL Network analyst Warren Sapp. "They've got some kids who are playing exceptional. Oh my God, (receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin) are fast.

"They've never had the plethora of playmakers they have around Donovan."

Mix of crafty veterans, talented youth power Packers' potent D

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The division could come down to Eagles vs. Dallas on Jan. 3.

"The Eagles are the third-best team in the NFC behind the Saints and Vikings," said former Eagle Ike Reese, a Philadelphia radio sports talk show host. "If they get into the playoffs, they're the team nobody wants to play.

"I've got Eagles vs. Saints in the NFC championship.

"The Eagles have a secondary that can slow the Saints passing game and an offense that can score with anybody."

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The Huddle: The latest word on NFL news, notes and buzz

Chad Ochocinco: 'I will beat Shawne (Merriman's) head in'

Report: Cerrato out as Redskins VP

Dec 17, 2009

Ben Roethlisberger: Players might lie to circumvent new NFL concussion policy 02:17 AM

Comment Recommend

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger acknowledged on Wednesday that players will be tempted to lie about their injury status to satisfy the NFL's new rules

regarding head injuries.

The league adopted a new policy this month that says players should be asymptomatic of head-injury effects and cleared by team and independent doctors

before returning to action.

Roethlisberger, who sat out the Steelers' loss at Baltimore last month because of the effects of a concussion, said he supports the new policy. But he

wonders, as teammate Hines Ward and Cardinals QB Kurt Warner have, if players will be truthful.

"All of us want to be fathers and husbands someday. In that sense, I think it's good," Roethlisberger told reporters on a conference call.

"I think it does run the risk that we are tough guys, we want to play through things and I think guys will not be completely honest, for fear that they can't

get back in the game. I think it's kind of a double-edged sword." -- Sean Leahy

Tags:NFL Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger PreviousChad Ochocinco: 'I will beat Shawne (Merriman's) head in'

NextReport: Cerrato out as Redskins VP

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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Clark unhappy with fans' scrutiny

Associated Press PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says his players are becoming angry with their five-game losing streak. Safety Ryan Clark's temper was visible during an extended rant aimed at overly critical fans and the intense scrutiny the six-time Super Bowl champions receive.

AFC North blog

ESPN.com's James Walker writes about all things AFC North in his division blog.

• Blog network: NFL Nation

Clark said the unhappy fans don't understand how much work goes into every game, and he suggested he's no longer playing for all of them. He also said the Steelers, one of the NFL's most popular franchises, are held to a higher standard in Pittsburgh than teams in other NFL markets.

"You watch the Eagles, you watch the big plays. You watch things given up [on defense]," Clark said Wednesday. "And I started checking other media outlets. You don't hear the things about them in their media that you hear about us. So either we're held to a higher standard or the people that write about us are [expletive]."

While Clark insisted he's not becoming "depressed" by the losing streak or the fans' reaction to it, he made fun of a fan who mailed him a highly critical letter. Clark posted the unsigned letter on a team bulletin board, but a club official later removed it.

The letter cited nine reasons why the Steelers (6-7) are embarrassing themselves during a losing streak that ties for their longest in 10 seasons. Singled out was a defense that has allowed fourth-quarter leads to evaporate in all but one Steelers loss.

Last season, that Steelers led the NFL in fewest yards, passing yards and points allowed and narrowly missed giving up the fewest rushing yards. Playing at such a high level might have made fans think it's possible for the defense to perform like that every season, Clark said, rather than understanding that 2008 was "special."

Clark alternately praised fans for their loyalty and rebuked them for being too caustic.

"This year, increasingly, it's made me realize that you have to play for your organization, you have to play for your teammates, you have to play for yourself, for your family, because the people on the outside don't understand the frustration you go through," Clark said. "They don't understand the work you put in every day. A lot of people think we come in here and practice a couple of hours and then go

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out on Sunday and play this game. That's not how it is. This becomes your life."

The outburst was uncharacteristic for Clark, who last year received a media cooperation award that is named after Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr.

Clark, who is in the last season of his contract, initially planned to be critical once the season ended but decided to move up the timetable.

"We're working hard, man," Clark said. "None of us are going out there like you want to give up a big play. None of us are going out there like we want to lose. But the one thing I'm not going to do is be depressed. I'm not going to go home and beat my wife. You know what I mean? I'm going to get down on my knees every night and thank God for the blessings I have."

Clark did not speculate how his remarks might be perceived during difficult economic times by fans who might make one-hundredth the yearly salary of the average player, yet scrimp to spend some of their discretionary income on NFL tickets.

"It's obviously frustrating, but there's not going to be despair," Clark said. "You get hate mail from fans, they tell you that you [expletive] and all that. And that's fine, because there's a reason they watch the game."

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Posted: Wednesday December 16, 2009 5:52PM; Updated: Wednesday December 16, 2009 5:52PM

NFL to permit Vegas ads on telecasts NEW YORK (AP) -- The NFL no longer will block advertising on its telecasts by destinations such as Las Vegas.

Only tourism destinations like Las Vegas, Reno or Lake Tahoe in Nevada are permitted to advertise. There is a prohibition of ads for specific hotels, casinos and other institutions that house gambling, and that will remain in place.

Also, the advertisements may not contain any gambling references or imagery.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the NFL considers it "a reasonable modification of our policy that still protects our interests."

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Posted: Thursday December 17, 2009 2:04AM; Updated: Thursday December 17, 2009 2:04AM

Holmgren departs Cleveland without a decision BEREA, Ohio (AP) -- Mike Holmgren left Cleveland after an extended stay without accepting a job to become boss of the Browns.

His aura lingered.

The former Seattle and Green Bay coach's flirtation with the team dragged on Wednesday with little word from either side. Holmgren spent two days talking with the Browns about assuming control of their football operations, but hasn't decided if Cleveland will be his next NFL stop.

"I don't want to comment on the specifics of the discussions," Browns spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz said of the meetings. "Both sides got to know each other and there is no timetable for a decision."

It is presumed the Browns offered Holmgren the job during his visit and it appears he is weighing his options, which could include several other teams in the days and weeks ahead. He wants to talk to the Seahawks about coming back following general manager Tim Ruskell's recent resignation.

Messages for agent Bob LaMonte, who accompanied Holmgren on his visit to the Browns, were not immediately returned.

Jim Donovan, the team's play-by-play announcer, reported Wednesday night that Cleveland's offer to Holmgren is for between $8 and $10 million per season.

Browns coach Eric Mangini, whose destiny could be decided by Cleveland's new football czar, was placed in the awkward position of having to answer several questions about Holmgren's courtship. He put on a brave face and insisted that he's not fazed by owner Randy Lerner's quest to find a "serious, credible leader," one who will ultimately control the coach's fate.

"It's not unsettling, at all," said Mangini, 2-11 in his first season with Cleveland. "What I'm focused on, and what I asked the players to be focused on, is the task at hand, the opponent at hand."

Mangini met with the 61-year-old Holmgren during his visit, which began Monday and concluded Tuesday evening without a deal being completed. They've known each other for a few years, and Mangini said they reminisced about a previous discussion when Holmgren gave him some advice about buying a summer home in Cape Cod.

"I think he's a good guy," Mangini said. "I know him some through Andy Reid and through Bill Parcells. I thought it was a good conversation. Obviously, he's very talented as a coach. It was a good, positive conversation."

Mangini would welcome the addition of an overseer of Holmgren's distinction.

"I'm all for anybody that can come in and help us organizationally be more successful," he said. "That's a great thing. The more smart people, talented people you can put in the building that have the same approach in terms of being focused on winning, that's the best thing you can have.

"You can't ask for a better situation than to get a group of people who are all focused on the same task. That's what you want. That's what you strive for organizationally. That's what you strive for as a team."

Mangini had no sense of Holmgren's interest level in the perpetually rebuilding Browns, who have made the playoffs just once since 1999 and are on their fourth coach in 11 years. He also doesn't know if there is any advantage in putting a "football czar," a term first given to Bill Parcells when he took over in Miami, in place before the end of the season.

"I haven't been involved in czar searches before, so I don't know what the best path is," he said, cracking a smile. "I'm not sure what the best path is. I think the most important thing is to get the right person in place and to move forward, whether that's today, whether it's three weeks from now. Whatever point it is, the key thing is to get the right person and move forward organizationally."

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Holmgren was the topic du jour in Cleveland's locker room. The Browns got back to work after an extended break following their Dec. 10 win over Pittsburgh amid rumblings of more change.

Although none of the players admitted seeing Holmgren, most were aware that he had been in the hallways of the team's headquarters.

Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas grew up in Wisconsin and remembers Holmgren from his days with the Packers.

"He was the Super Bowl coach when I was like 12," Thomas said. "So obviously his name holds pretty good value, especially where I come from. They even named a street after him: Holmgren Way."

Offensive guard Floyd Womack was drafted by Holmgren and played eight seasons for him in Seattle. He has no doubt the three-time Super Bowl coach could help the Browns.

"He's a smart man. He knows football and he's been around for a good while in this league," Womack said. "If he was to come, I think he'd do a good job."

If Holmgren does agree to take on the Browns, there's a chance he could decide to keep Mangini, who was fired after last season by the New York Jets. Although they seem to come from different philosophical schools, Womack believes a Holmgren-Mangini team could succeed.

"In this business, anybody can get along together," Womack said. "The main goal is to win."

Mangini, who may have to build a case to convince Holmgren he should stay, feels his ideas and principles could mesh easily with Holmgren's.

"Oftentimes you're labeled with family trees and philosophies and things like that, but the philosophy that I think we all want is winning," Mangini said. "Whether it's West Coast, East Coast, it's winning. Mike ran really physical, demanding training camps. I don't think there's anything inconsistent about that philosophy. His goal is to win. That's it. However you get to that point."

Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Find this article at: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/12/17/browns.holmgren.ap/index.html


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