lamberts-lost-tooth
10-20-2006, 09:31 AM
By The Tribune-Review
Friday, October 20, 2006
The recent terror threat targeting NFL stadiums didn't alter Steelers coach Bill Cowher's belief that his team would be safe and secure in the Georgia Dome on Sunday. A law enforcement official said Thursday that the Internet threat of "dirty bomb" attacks at NFL stadiums this weekend was a hoax inspired by a writing competition between two men trying to come up with scary threats. But, even before Cowher learned of that news, he insisted that he wasn't worried.
"I'm really not," he said. "I know Homeland Security wouldn't allow us to go down there if there was any question at all. Being that Tom Ridge is running that thing, I know he's a Steeler fan. So, I feel pretty good, honestly I do. I don't think there should be any fear on anybody's part. They're not going to risk something if they think there's some substance to it."
It should be noted that Ridge is a Steelers fan, but he stepped down as Homeland Security Secretary on Feb. 1, 2005. Michael Chertoff is the current Homeland Security secretary.
? The Steelers upgraded guard Kendall Simmons (foot) from questionable to probable yesterday for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. The rest of the Steelers' injury report reads as follows: Linebacker James Harrison (ankle) is out. Linebacker Joey Porter (hamstring) and wide receiver/punt returner Willie Reid (foot) are doubtful. Center Jeff Hartings (knee), fullback Dan Kreider (ankle) and cornerback Deshea Townsend (hamstring) are probable. Harrison, Kreider, Porter and Reid missed at least a portion of team practice yesterday. Hartings and Simmons took part in the entire workout.
? For the Falcons, guard Matt Lehr (suspension) is out. Defensive end John Abraham (groin), defensive tackle Roderick Coleman (toe) and offensive tackle Quinn Ojinnaka (ankle) are questionable. And defensive tackle Grady Jackson (knee), defensive end Patrick Kerney (hamstring) and quarterback Michael Vick (shoulder) are probable.
? The Falcons are changing their offensive and defensive depth charts in anticipation of the Steelers' visit. On defense, Ed Hartwell will start at middle linebacker after missing the first five games (knees), and Keith Brooking will shift from middle to weak-side linebacker, knocking Demorrio Williams out of the starting lineup. On offense, second-year pro Tyson Clabo will make his first NFL appearance in replacing Lehr at left guard.
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Digits
2 - Games this season in which the Falcons have had a quarterback (Vick) and a running back (Warrick Dunn or Jerious Norwood) rush for 100 yards.
4 - Times in NFL history a team has had a quarterback and a running back rush for 100 yards in the same game.
15 - 200-plus-yard rushing games the Falcons have produced under coach Jim Mora since 2004.
22 - Games Vick has won in the Georgia Dome out of 30.
42.9 - Percent of Vick's carries that have gone for a first down since 2004.
54.3 - Percent of Vick's carries that have gone for a first down this season
Friday, October 20, 2006
The recent terror threat targeting NFL stadiums didn't alter Steelers coach Bill Cowher's belief that his team would be safe and secure in the Georgia Dome on Sunday. A law enforcement official said Thursday that the Internet threat of "dirty bomb" attacks at NFL stadiums this weekend was a hoax inspired by a writing competition between two men trying to come up with scary threats. But, even before Cowher learned of that news, he insisted that he wasn't worried.
"I'm really not," he said. "I know Homeland Security wouldn't allow us to go down there if there was any question at all. Being that Tom Ridge is running that thing, I know he's a Steeler fan. So, I feel pretty good, honestly I do. I don't think there should be any fear on anybody's part. They're not going to risk something if they think there's some substance to it."
It should be noted that Ridge is a Steelers fan, but he stepped down as Homeland Security Secretary on Feb. 1, 2005. Michael Chertoff is the current Homeland Security secretary.
? The Steelers upgraded guard Kendall Simmons (foot) from questionable to probable yesterday for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. The rest of the Steelers' injury report reads as follows: Linebacker James Harrison (ankle) is out. Linebacker Joey Porter (hamstring) and wide receiver/punt returner Willie Reid (foot) are doubtful. Center Jeff Hartings (knee), fullback Dan Kreider (ankle) and cornerback Deshea Townsend (hamstring) are probable. Harrison, Kreider, Porter and Reid missed at least a portion of team practice yesterday. Hartings and Simmons took part in the entire workout.
? For the Falcons, guard Matt Lehr (suspension) is out. Defensive end John Abraham (groin), defensive tackle Roderick Coleman (toe) and offensive tackle Quinn Ojinnaka (ankle) are questionable. And defensive tackle Grady Jackson (knee), defensive end Patrick Kerney (hamstring) and quarterback Michael Vick (shoulder) are probable.
? The Falcons are changing their offensive and defensive depth charts in anticipation of the Steelers' visit. On defense, Ed Hartwell will start at middle linebacker after missing the first five games (knees), and Keith Brooking will shift from middle to weak-side linebacker, knocking Demorrio Williams out of the starting lineup. On offense, second-year pro Tyson Clabo will make his first NFL appearance in replacing Lehr at left guard.
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Digits
2 - Games this season in which the Falcons have had a quarterback (Vick) and a running back (Warrick Dunn or Jerious Norwood) rush for 100 yards.
4 - Times in NFL history a team has had a quarterback and a running back rush for 100 yards in the same game.
15 - 200-plus-yard rushing games the Falcons have produced under coach Jim Mora since 2004.
22 - Games Vick has won in the Georgia Dome out of 30.
42.9 - Percent of Vick's carries that have gone for a first down since 2004.
54.3 - Percent of Vick's carries that have gone for a first down this season