83-Steelers-43
08-03-2006, 06:50 AM
Defense silences trash-talking offense
By Mike Prisuta
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, August 3, 2006
It didn't appear as if running back Verron Haynes had reached the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line Wednesday night at Memorial Stadium in Latrobe.
And it sounded as if there was no way Haynes could have broken the plane prior to fumbling; the blow he absorbed at the 1 was ferocious.
The only mystery surrounding the latest showdown of training camp between the Steelers' first-team offense and the first-team defense revolved around who actually made the tackle and forced the ball from Haynes' grasp.
No one on the defense was taking complete credit for the play at the conclusion of the first live goal-line drill of 2006.
"I don't think that was me," strong safety Troy Polamalu said. "I don't know who it was."
"I saw Farrior hit him," linebacker Larry Foote said. "Somebody came and finished him, but I saw Farrior hit him first."
So how about it, James?
"I don't know," Farrior said. "I hit something. I don't know what, though. It was kind of loud, so it might have been me.
"I'll take a little bit of it, not all of it."
Free safety Ryan Clark was the unidentified co-conspirator with Farrior, but that mattered little to the Steelers' defense.
Keeping the first-team offense out of the end zone meant everything.
"They've been talking a lot of trash, especially Verron," Foote said. "I'm happy he got a couple carries in there. He's been talking a lot, but you know he didn't score."
Offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt attacked with three tight ends (Heath Miller, Jerame Tuman and offensive tackle Trai Essex) and fullback Dan Kreider trying to pave the way for Duce Staley on first and second down and Haynes thereafter.
Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau countered with four linemen (Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, Chris Hoke and Brett Keisel), four linebackers (Clark Haggans, Farrior, Foote and James Harrison) and three safeties (Mike Logan, Polamalu and Clark).
"They've been talking all week about how they were going to dominate and run the ball down our throats," Farrior said. "We just had to come out here and prove to them that we're still on top on this team."
The second-team offense scored on a play-action pass from quarterback Charlie Batch to fullback Branden Joe on second-and-goal.
"You can't do this enough," Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. "That's the first time we've hit (tackled) since the Super Bowl, to be honest with you. I think it got the juices going."
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_464571.html
By Mike Prisuta
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, August 3, 2006
It didn't appear as if running back Verron Haynes had reached the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line Wednesday night at Memorial Stadium in Latrobe.
And it sounded as if there was no way Haynes could have broken the plane prior to fumbling; the blow he absorbed at the 1 was ferocious.
The only mystery surrounding the latest showdown of training camp between the Steelers' first-team offense and the first-team defense revolved around who actually made the tackle and forced the ball from Haynes' grasp.
No one on the defense was taking complete credit for the play at the conclusion of the first live goal-line drill of 2006.
"I don't think that was me," strong safety Troy Polamalu said. "I don't know who it was."
"I saw Farrior hit him," linebacker Larry Foote said. "Somebody came and finished him, but I saw Farrior hit him first."
So how about it, James?
"I don't know," Farrior said. "I hit something. I don't know what, though. It was kind of loud, so it might have been me.
"I'll take a little bit of it, not all of it."
Free safety Ryan Clark was the unidentified co-conspirator with Farrior, but that mattered little to the Steelers' defense.
Keeping the first-team offense out of the end zone meant everything.
"They've been talking a lot of trash, especially Verron," Foote said. "I'm happy he got a couple carries in there. He's been talking a lot, but you know he didn't score."
Offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt attacked with three tight ends (Heath Miller, Jerame Tuman and offensive tackle Trai Essex) and fullback Dan Kreider trying to pave the way for Duce Staley on first and second down and Haynes thereafter.
Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau countered with four linemen (Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, Chris Hoke and Brett Keisel), four linebackers (Clark Haggans, Farrior, Foote and James Harrison) and three safeties (Mike Logan, Polamalu and Clark).
"They've been talking all week about how they were going to dominate and run the ball down our throats," Farrior said. "We just had to come out here and prove to them that we're still on top on this team."
The second-team offense scored on a play-action pass from quarterback Charlie Batch to fullback Branden Joe on second-and-goal.
"You can't do this enough," Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. "That's the first time we've hit (tackled) since the Super Bowl, to be honest with you. I think it got the juices going."
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_464571.html