83-Steelers-43
11-22-2006, 07:42 AM
Steelers Notebook: Retro sideline look doesn't suit Cowher
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A suit does not suit Bill Cowher's style on the sideline, so the Steelers' coach won't join a small but renewed trend of wearing the coaches' throwback uniform on game days.
Jacksonville's Jack Del Rio was the second NFL coach to dress up in a suit and tie over the weekend while he walked the sideline for the Monday night game against the New York Giants. San Francisco's Mike Nolan wore one Sunday.
"Not me," Cowher said yesterday. "I don't even wear one to church."
Del Rio and Nolan recently received permission from the league to wear their suits, designed by NFL outfitter Reebok, for two games this season. Nolan asked the NFL shortly after he was hired in 2005 if he could wear a suit to honor his father, Dick Nolan, who wore them when he coached the 49ers from 1968-75. The NFL turned him down because suits were not official NFL apparel, which coaches are required to wear during games.
That changed when Reebok came up with a design this year. Cowher won't be among those making requests to change what he wears.
"I'm not a trendsetter with fashion statements," Cowher said. "I just wear what they put in my locker. It really doesn't matter to me. If it's cold I'll put layers on. I'm not looking into the process. I'm not interested, with all due respect."
When it was mentioned by a reporter at his news conference yesterday that Del Rio, like Cowher a former NFL linebacker, looked out of place wearing his dark suit Monday, Cowher smiled and said softly, "You said that."
Injury updates
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is not on the injury report this week, but his top receiver is listed as questionable.
Hines Ward's knee was injured in the fourth quarter Sunday, although he finished the game.
"All the preliminary tests were done," Cowher said. "He basically has a hyperextension of his knee. We'll see how he progresses as the week goes on."
Roethlisberger came to the sideline at the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter clutching his right shoulder after he was shoved to the ground. Cowher asked him if he could still throw, he said he could and he completed three more passes, including one for the winning touchdown.
Wide receiver Willie Reid, who missed the past six games with a sprained foot, is listed as doubtful this week, the first time there was any glimmer of hope he could play since the injury Oct. 8 in San Diego.
"He is getting better, but it's been a very slow process," Cowher said.
Halfback Najeh Davenport also is listed as questionable with a groin injury.
Four players are probable: Center Jeff Hartings (knee), cornerback Deshea Townsend (ankle) and linebackers Clark Haggans (thigh) and James Harrison (ankle).
Ravin' about Ravens
The Steelers visit the Baltimore Ravens, who are 8-2 and lead the AFC North Division but sounded like the 1985 Bears when Cowher spoke of them.
"We have to play better than we have these last two weeks if we are going to compete against Baltimore. This is one of the premier teams in the AFC.
"They have no weaknesses. They're solid from top to bottom. They're playing with a lot of confidence. They're playing very well. We're going to have to play at a very high level and play our best game to even have a chance to compete with this team. They're playing that good."
Holmes making his mark
Santonio Holmes, whose 29 receptions lead all rookies in the AFC, is a candidate for the NFL rookie of the week award.
Holmes caught his first NFL touchdown Sunday and is second to Ward among the Steelers' receivers. He plays behind Cedrick Wilson at split end and has replaced him once every three series.
"He's embraced the role he has right now," Cowher said. "I think he's getting comfortable. Ben's getting comfortable with him. I just like the mix we have. Ced has done a great job. Hines and Nate Washington -- those are four pretty solid receivers for us. I'm comfortable with where we are, and we'll see how the game unfolds."
Painful punishment
The Steelers were runaway choices as "the team that is the most painful and punishing to play against" in a poll conducted by Sports Illustrated of 361 players who were in NFL training camps this summer.
That means, of course, they were polled after the Steelers won the Super Bowl and before they won only two games in the first half of this season.
The Steelers received 31 percent of the small sampling of players. Their opponents Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens, were second with 11 percent. Six of the top eight teams are from the AFC. The information is in this week's issue of the magazine.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06326/740382-66.stm
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A suit does not suit Bill Cowher's style on the sideline, so the Steelers' coach won't join a small but renewed trend of wearing the coaches' throwback uniform on game days.
Jacksonville's Jack Del Rio was the second NFL coach to dress up in a suit and tie over the weekend while he walked the sideline for the Monday night game against the New York Giants. San Francisco's Mike Nolan wore one Sunday.
"Not me," Cowher said yesterday. "I don't even wear one to church."
Del Rio and Nolan recently received permission from the league to wear their suits, designed by NFL outfitter Reebok, for two games this season. Nolan asked the NFL shortly after he was hired in 2005 if he could wear a suit to honor his father, Dick Nolan, who wore them when he coached the 49ers from 1968-75. The NFL turned him down because suits were not official NFL apparel, which coaches are required to wear during games.
That changed when Reebok came up with a design this year. Cowher won't be among those making requests to change what he wears.
"I'm not a trendsetter with fashion statements," Cowher said. "I just wear what they put in my locker. It really doesn't matter to me. If it's cold I'll put layers on. I'm not looking into the process. I'm not interested, with all due respect."
When it was mentioned by a reporter at his news conference yesterday that Del Rio, like Cowher a former NFL linebacker, looked out of place wearing his dark suit Monday, Cowher smiled and said softly, "You said that."
Injury updates
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is not on the injury report this week, but his top receiver is listed as questionable.
Hines Ward's knee was injured in the fourth quarter Sunday, although he finished the game.
"All the preliminary tests were done," Cowher said. "He basically has a hyperextension of his knee. We'll see how he progresses as the week goes on."
Roethlisberger came to the sideline at the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter clutching his right shoulder after he was shoved to the ground. Cowher asked him if he could still throw, he said he could and he completed three more passes, including one for the winning touchdown.
Wide receiver Willie Reid, who missed the past six games with a sprained foot, is listed as doubtful this week, the first time there was any glimmer of hope he could play since the injury Oct. 8 in San Diego.
"He is getting better, but it's been a very slow process," Cowher said.
Halfback Najeh Davenport also is listed as questionable with a groin injury.
Four players are probable: Center Jeff Hartings (knee), cornerback Deshea Townsend (ankle) and linebackers Clark Haggans (thigh) and James Harrison (ankle).
Ravin' about Ravens
The Steelers visit the Baltimore Ravens, who are 8-2 and lead the AFC North Division but sounded like the 1985 Bears when Cowher spoke of them.
"We have to play better than we have these last two weeks if we are going to compete against Baltimore. This is one of the premier teams in the AFC.
"They have no weaknesses. They're solid from top to bottom. They're playing with a lot of confidence. They're playing very well. We're going to have to play at a very high level and play our best game to even have a chance to compete with this team. They're playing that good."
Holmes making his mark
Santonio Holmes, whose 29 receptions lead all rookies in the AFC, is a candidate for the NFL rookie of the week award.
Holmes caught his first NFL touchdown Sunday and is second to Ward among the Steelers' receivers. He plays behind Cedrick Wilson at split end and has replaced him once every three series.
"He's embraced the role he has right now," Cowher said. "I think he's getting comfortable. Ben's getting comfortable with him. I just like the mix we have. Ced has done a great job. Hines and Nate Washington -- those are four pretty solid receivers for us. I'm comfortable with where we are, and we'll see how the game unfolds."
Painful punishment
The Steelers were runaway choices as "the team that is the most painful and punishing to play against" in a poll conducted by Sports Illustrated of 361 players who were in NFL training camps this summer.
That means, of course, they were polled after the Steelers won the Super Bowl and before they won only two games in the first half of this season.
The Steelers received 31 percent of the small sampling of players. Their opponents Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens, were second with 11 percent. Six of the top eight teams are from the AFC. The information is in this week's issue of the magazine.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06326/740382-66.stm