Steelers think Bengals' Crocker Shouldn't Be Fined

[Hapa]

http://www.timesonline.com/articles/...c200079981.txt

PITTSBURGH — As far as the Steelers are concerned, they have no problem with the violent hit that gave wide receiver Santonio Holmes a concussion.

The NFL could fine Cincinnati safety Chris Crocker for hit in Thursday’s game at Heinz Field, but the Steelers, a team that’s received its share of fines this season for aggressive play, say the hit was legit.

“I don’t think it was dirty,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. “That’s what I went into the huddle (on the next play) and told our guys. I told them it was not a dirty hit. It was a good, solid hit. I told them not to retaliate on him.”

Crocker was not penalized for his third-quarter hit on Holmes, who was drilled after catching a pass for a 6-yard gain on a slant-in pattern.

But several times this season, Steelers were fined for hard hits even though they weren’t flagged by game-day officials.

One of them was wide receiver Hines Ward, who also didn’t have a problem with Crocker’s hit on Holmes.

“That’s just the violence of the game,” said Ward, who’s been fined twice this year for unnecessary roughness. “It was a clean hit. The guy read it, he read right, and he made a huge hit on Santonio. That’s why I try to preach to my guys, ‘Hit them before they hit you.’ You know they are going to hit you. So any opportunities you get, you have to try to take your shots. That’s what I try to preach to the guys.”

Holmes, who didn’t return to the game after his concussion, is expected to play Nov. 30 against the New England Patriots.

TIME TO REST

The tough part about playing on Thursdays is that teams chosen to do so must play two games in a span of five days. That’s hard on the body.

But at least the Steelers were given four days off to rest and recuperate. They don’t have to report back to team headquarters until Tuesday.

“We got our work out of the way and we can watch everyone else get their work in this weekend,” coach Mike Tomlin said.

“It’s going to be nice to just step away from football,” Roethlisberger said. “To just get away, clear your minds and let your bodies heal and to get ready for the tough stretch of football that we have coming up.”

The 8-3 Steelers finish the regular-season with their toughest five-game stretch. They play at New England (6-4), home against the Dallas Cowboys (6-4), at the Baltimore Ravens (6-4), at the Tennessee Titans (10-0) and home against the Cleveland Browns (4-6).

HEINZ FACE LIFT

After eight games were played at Heinz Field since Nov. 8, the field will be re-sodded.

Sod has been shipped in from Tuckahoe Turf Farms in New Jersey and will be applied today.

The University of Pittsburgh played a home game at Heinz Field on Nov. 8. The Steelers played there on Nov. 9, Nov. 16 and Thursday. Four WPIAL championship games were played Saturday.

The next game scheduled for Heinz Field is Friday when Pitt plays West Virginia.

ODDS AND ENDS

l The Steelers will not update the conditions of running back Willie Parker and defensive end Brett Keisel until Tomlin’s weekly press conference on Tuesday.

Parker left the Cincinnati game in the third quarter when he aggravated a sprained knee that forced him to miss four games earlier this year.

Keisel left in the fourth quarter with a sprained knee.

l Strong safety Troy Polamalu started the season with an interception in each of the Steelers’ first three games. He’s also had one pick in each of the past two games. He’s tied for the NFL lead with five.

l Here’s a mind-boggling stat: The Steelers have outscored their opponents 64-9 in the third quarter. They have yet to allow a touchdown in the third quarter.

“It’s the coaches’ great planning that helps us out in the second half,” linebacker Lawrence Timmons said. “You have an opportunity to go in at halftime, talk things over and correct your errors. That makes a heck of a difference.”

[Steeler in Carolina]

It was absolutely a legal hit and he should not be fined.

[Glace]

It was a beautiful hit! (Unfortunately on Santonio...but a nice hit)

That's the kind of stuff I want to see during ANY football game. That's what it's all about!

[stillers4me]

I can't help but notice the difference in attitude between our team and the Bengals. The Bengals and their fans whined about Hines' hit and Rivers pouted and said "what goes around comes around".

[Edman]

In other words...

The Steelers are not a bunch of crybabies.

[stillers4me]

Originally Posted by Edman

In other words...

The Steelers are not a bunch of crybabies.

Yeah.......that, too.

[Phade]

an amazing hit it was..

and when your team sucks you cry about everything..

[SteelersMongol]

It was 1 crazy hit. 2 bad it was 1 of our guys who was hit. Since many Steelers players & you guys R saying it was legal hit, I have no problem with it.

[beSteelmyheart]

Originally Posted by Edman

In other words...

The Steelers are not a bunch of crybabies.

Nope! And it also goes to show that they respect sportsmanship & class.

[Galax Steeler]

There is no reason why he should be fined it was a clean hit there shouldn't be no whinning.