Angel
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Steelers don't figure to be happy campers
UNION-TRIBUNE
October 4, 2006
Just a guess, but the Chargers will not be facing a happy team Sunday night. The Steelers won their opener against Miami but entered their bye week on a two-game losing streak after falling to Jacksonville and Cincinnati.
The defending Super Bowl champions already trail Baltimore (4-0) by 2 1/2 games in the AFC North. Cincinnati, which edged Pittsburgh for the division title last year, is 3-1.
The sense of urgency probably applies more to the offense, which crossed midfield only once against Jacksonville and rushed for just 20 yards, a low during the Bill Cowher era. The next week, against the Bengals, Ben Roethlisberger threw three interceptions for just the second time as a pro. The defense is strong as usual, allowing less than 300 yards per game, including just 78.3 on the ground.
There are several big-play defenders that will test the Chargers' offense, including nose tackle Casey Hampton, linebackers James Farrior and Joey Porter, and safety Troy Polamalu.
– JAY POSNER
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ben Roethlisberger – Perhaps the most surprising story of the season is that Roethlisberger hasn't won a game in two starts. In his first two seasons, Roethlisberger was 22-3 as a starter. Last year against San Diego he was 17-of-26 for 205 yards and a touchdown (105.4 rating) and also rushed for a touchdown.
Hines Ward – The Steelers' all-time leading receiver and last year's Super Bowl MVP is no stranger to success against the Chargers. In 2003 he had six catches for 94 yards and a touchdown, and last year he had the same number of receptions for 83 yards. If the game is close, look for him to play a big role on the Steelers' final drive.
Troy Polamalu – The All-Pro safety from USC has had two big games against the Chargers. In 2003 he had a sack and forced a fumble, and last year he finished with a team-high 10 tackles. Look for the Steelers to put him in positions to try to take advantage of Philip Rivers' inexperience.
FAMILIAR FACES
Steelers defensive backs coach Darren Perry signed to play with the Chargers in 1999 but was injured and never played for the team.
INJURY REPORT
The Steelers are expected to list two players as questionable, cornerback and punt returner Ricardo Colclough (neck), and backup running back Najeh Davenport (calf). Safety Troy Polamalu is probable (shoulder).
LAST MEETING
This will be the second straight year the teams have played a nationally televised game at Qualcomm Stadium in Week 5 of the season. A year ago, the Chargers rallied from a 14-0 deficit to take a 22-21 lead with 4:42 left, but Jeff Reed kicked a 40-yard field goal with six seconds remaining to give Pittsburgh a 24-22 victory. The Steelers outgained the Chargers 311-279, including 104-66 on the ground.
SERIES HISTORY
Since losing the AFC Championship Game to the Chargers in January 1995, Pittsburgh has won the last five meetings to take a 19-7 lead (19-5 in the regular season, including 7-1 under Bill Cowher). The Steelers are 7-5 at Qualcomm Stadium.
DID YOU KNOW?
This is the fifth straight season in which the Chargers will play at least one of the Super Bowl teams from the previous year. San Diego is 4-3 in such games, including wins in three of the last four.
DID YOU HEAR?
“No one wants to be where we are right now, but it is where we are. You just have to play. That's the hole we have dug for ourselves. I do like this football team. We are a good football team that is not playing consistent right now.”
– Steelers coach Bill Cowher
KEY STAT
Even with an 0-1 record this year, the Steelers are 16-4 away from home since the start of the 2004 season, including last year's postseason.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20061004-9999-lz1s4scouting.html
UNION-TRIBUNE
October 4, 2006
Just a guess, but the Chargers will not be facing a happy team Sunday night. The Steelers won their opener against Miami but entered their bye week on a two-game losing streak after falling to Jacksonville and Cincinnati.
The defending Super Bowl champions already trail Baltimore (4-0) by 2 1/2 games in the AFC North. Cincinnati, which edged Pittsburgh for the division title last year, is 3-1.
The sense of urgency probably applies more to the offense, which crossed midfield only once against Jacksonville and rushed for just 20 yards, a low during the Bill Cowher era. The next week, against the Bengals, Ben Roethlisberger threw three interceptions for just the second time as a pro. The defense is strong as usual, allowing less than 300 yards per game, including just 78.3 on the ground.
There are several big-play defenders that will test the Chargers' offense, including nose tackle Casey Hampton, linebackers James Farrior and Joey Porter, and safety Troy Polamalu.
– JAY POSNER
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ben Roethlisberger – Perhaps the most surprising story of the season is that Roethlisberger hasn't won a game in two starts. In his first two seasons, Roethlisberger was 22-3 as a starter. Last year against San Diego he was 17-of-26 for 205 yards and a touchdown (105.4 rating) and also rushed for a touchdown.
Hines Ward – The Steelers' all-time leading receiver and last year's Super Bowl MVP is no stranger to success against the Chargers. In 2003 he had six catches for 94 yards and a touchdown, and last year he had the same number of receptions for 83 yards. If the game is close, look for him to play a big role on the Steelers' final drive.
Troy Polamalu – The All-Pro safety from USC has had two big games against the Chargers. In 2003 he had a sack and forced a fumble, and last year he finished with a team-high 10 tackles. Look for the Steelers to put him in positions to try to take advantage of Philip Rivers' inexperience.
FAMILIAR FACES
Steelers defensive backs coach Darren Perry signed to play with the Chargers in 1999 but was injured and never played for the team.
INJURY REPORT
The Steelers are expected to list two players as questionable, cornerback and punt returner Ricardo Colclough (neck), and backup running back Najeh Davenport (calf). Safety Troy Polamalu is probable (shoulder).
LAST MEETING
This will be the second straight year the teams have played a nationally televised game at Qualcomm Stadium in Week 5 of the season. A year ago, the Chargers rallied from a 14-0 deficit to take a 22-21 lead with 4:42 left, but Jeff Reed kicked a 40-yard field goal with six seconds remaining to give Pittsburgh a 24-22 victory. The Steelers outgained the Chargers 311-279, including 104-66 on the ground.
SERIES HISTORY
Since losing the AFC Championship Game to the Chargers in January 1995, Pittsburgh has won the last five meetings to take a 19-7 lead (19-5 in the regular season, including 7-1 under Bill Cowher). The Steelers are 7-5 at Qualcomm Stadium.
DID YOU KNOW?
This is the fifth straight season in which the Chargers will play at least one of the Super Bowl teams from the previous year. San Diego is 4-3 in such games, including wins in three of the last four.
DID YOU HEAR?
“No one wants to be where we are right now, but it is where we are. You just have to play. That's the hole we have dug for ourselves. I do like this football team. We are a good football team that is not playing consistent right now.”
– Steelers coach Bill Cowher
KEY STAT
Even with an 0-1 record this year, the Steelers are 16-4 away from home since the start of the 2004 season, including last year's postseason.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20061004-9999-lz1s4scouting.html