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Monday, August 11, 2008 Updated: August 29, 9:35 AM ET

NFL's best fans? We gotta hand it to Steelers (barely)

By Matt Mosley ESPN.com The only problem with ranking the NFL's 32 fan bases -- other than the sheer insanity of the exercise -- is that someone must finish last. But let's not focus on the Cardinals right now.

The idea to rank the 32 fan bases was hatched by our Committee on Rankings in Bristol, Conn. With the steadfast belief that everything in sports should be quantified on at least a twice-weekly basis, we were off and running.

A team of eight esteemed bloggers was asked to rank fans over the past five seasons using scientific criteria such as "Tailgate factor" and "How well do they travel?"

When all was said and done, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers ended up tied for first. But much like the International Gymnastics Federation, we came up with an elaborate tiebreaking process in which Hall of Fame writer John Clayton of ESPN was called upon to keep things above board. Clayton, who grew up in the East Braddock section of Pittsburgh, picked the Steelers, which seems totally fair.

But even without John's gentle nudge, Steelers fans are deserving of the top honor. The decline of the steel industry in the 1970s coincided with the rise of the Steelers dynasty. At a time when the city's collective psyche was taking a major blow, the local football team offered a weekly respite.

A generation of young people left the city to find work elsewhere, but they remained passionate about their hometown team. And that's why your local stadiums are often invaded by a black-and-gold army.

ESPN.com: NFL Preview 2008 [Print without images]

Terrible towels, diehard fans, smashmouth ball, three head coaches since '69 -- yup, it's a Burgh thing.

HOW WE RANKED YOUYes, there was a method to our madness in ranking NFL teams' fan bases. Five Bristol muckety-mucks sat in a

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"People save up all year and then plan their vacations around traveling to Steelers games," said native Pittsburgher Bill Hillgrove, a retired local TV icon and the team's radio play-by-play voice the past 15 seasons. "When you arrive at the team hotel, the fans are all waiting in the lobby."

The Steelers of the 1970s pretty much took over the Pro Football Hall of Fame -- a subject you might consider avoiding the next time you bump into Roger Staubach. But a great deal of credit for the Steelers' first-place finish should go to the late Myron Cope, who from his local radio pulpit gave fans a distinctive voice.

In 1995, a group of Steelers fans were roasting a pig in the Three Rivers Stadium parking lot before a game against Jacksonville and thought it would be funny to send the pig's head to Cope in the radio booth. According to Hillgrove, Cope spent much of the game referring to the pig on-air as Jaguars middle linebacker Keith Goganious.

Steelers and Eagles fans are no-brainers as top-five selections, but they seem to come at things from a much different perspective. The Steelers have had so much success over the years that fans can live through a 6-10 season without doing anything to harm themselves or others. In that respect, they take their cue from the Rooney family. I've heard Pittsburgh referred to as a "big little town," which is not something you'd say about Philadelphia. Eagles fans are just as loyal as Steelers fans, but they have a different way of showing it.

"You could drop a Martian into Philly the day after a game, and within three minutes, he'd know if the Eagles had won or lost," said Glen Macnow, a sports radio talk show host for the wildly popular WIP and co-author of "The Great Philadelphia Fan Book." "When they win, you'll meet the friendliest cab drivers, CPAs and newspaper sellers. Whey they lose, it's like a five-day hangover."

Unlike places such as Dallas and Miami, Philadelphia isn't home to a lot of transplants. People aren't trying to leave, and potential newcomers aren't arriving any time soon. It sort of creates this bunker mentality that seems to fuel passion for local teams -- but mainly the Eagles.

When Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins recently called local fans "front-runners," he made a fatal error. You can say a lot of things about Philly fans, but this has never been a community of bandwagon jumpers.

"Sports here are handed down through generations," Macnow said. "Grandpa Joe watched games at Franklin Field, the son watched them at the Vet and the grandson's now in the seats at the Linc."

Some of the stories over the years have been embellished, but I still think Philadelphia and

room and hatched the genius idea of having our NFL division bloggers rate fan bases in their divisions over the past five seasons. Mike Sando (NFC West), Matt Mosley (NFC East), Pat Yasinskas (NFC South), Kevin Seifert (NFC North), Bill Williamson (AFC West), Tim Graham (AFC East), Paul Kuharsky (AFC South) and James Walker (AFC North) evaluated their teams in these categories:

• Stadium factor (St.): Loud? Great atmosphere?

• Live and die factor (LDF): Fans take loss hard? (That's a good thing.)

• Traveling road show factor (Travel): Big presence in other guys' stadium?

• Loyalty when team sucks (Loyal): You score points with us if you stick with a loser.

• Hate factor (Hate): Other teams' fans dislike your fans? (Hate is good in our book.)

• Tailgate factor (TG): Home tailgates sizzling or stale?

• Home fans' creativity (CF): Wacky ideas … or not?

A rating of 1 is great, 5 the worst.

After the bloggers' ratings



perhaps Oakland are the last places you should wear an opposing team's jersey. Wearing a Cowboys jersey in certain sections of the Linc will almost guarantee you a fistfight. But for whatever reason (Halloween costumes perhaps), the infamous Black Hole in Oakland seems to have a more dangerous element.

I recall standing near the infamous section inside McAfee Coliseum during the closing seconds of a Cowboys-Raiders game a few years ago, praying that no one could tell I was from Dallas. Honestly, there's just something unsettling about a group of fans who make KISS seem like a folk band.

The Packers and Browns finished second and third in our rankings. Every NFL fan should make the pilgrimage to Lambeau Field at least once. I've done it in 55-degree weather in October and minus-6 degree weather in January -- and would recommend the latter for the true experience. The stadium is the league's most famous shrine and Packers fans are among the most loyal in all of sports. Sure, they love Brett Favre, but they love the franchise more. It's one of the few places in the league that feels like a college game day -- and that's a good thing in my book.

Packers fans also travel well. In parking lots across the league, Cheeseheads gather to drink beer with a man who wears a green-and-yellow robe and calls himself St. Vincent. I don't think it's any coincidence that most of our top fans come from cold-weather areas. Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Cleveland and Philadelphia fans will sit through anything. And I think there's something about the elements that make fans more rabid.

Browns fans lost a team, but they never lost their passion for football. The fan base has suffered through a lot of losing, but that almost seems to reinforce their loyalty. At first glance, I thought No. 3 was a bit high for Browns fans. I certainly wouldn't have put them in front of the Eagles, Chiefs and Broncos, but they deserve top-10 billing. The new Cleveland Browns Stadium (1999) doesn't seem as loud -- and as wild -- as old Municipal Stadium. But the Browns were smart enough to create another Dawg Pound in the east end zone bleachers. Last time I checked, a ticket in the Pound cost about $40.

My sincerest apologies go out to Seahawks fans. I don't know whom you should blame for the No. 20 ranking, although I can provide a couple of options. Other than the Chiefs, I think you have the loudest stadium in football and your ability to induce false starts is the stuff of legend.

Now, I encourage you to spend the next day or so arguing about this topic. Just remember: Don't shoot the messenger. They made me do it!

were digested by our Bristol computer, we had several ties. Enter The Professor, John Clayton of ESPN.com. Clayton -- who has covered more NFL games over the past 10 years than almost anyone -- broke all ties.

Think our ranking stinks? Debate it here.

Packers fans never dog it. They have sold out every home game since 1960.

HIGHEST PROFILEWhich team has the most mentions in fan profiles on ESPN.com? Hint: Team has big star on its helmet. Check it out.



Matt Mosley covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

• ESPN.COM NFL FAN BASE RANKINGS: 1-10 | 11-22 | 23-32

1. Steelers

Consecutive sellouts: 299 | Season-ticket waiting list: More than six years No team is as woven into the fabric of a city. The organization's stability has a lot to do with it, as generations of Steelers fans relate to the tradition of ownership (Rooneys), smashmouth football, quality head coaches (league-low three since 1969) and success (five Super Bowl titles). The season-ticket waiting list is extremely long and the consecutive sellout streak of 299 games, including playoffs, is unbelievable. -- James Walker

2. Packers

Consecutive sellouts: 269 | Season-ticket waiting list: 78,000 Want to talk about support? The Packers have been sold out since 1960. Win or lose, fans fill Lambeau Field. The Packers are a huge part of the community fabric, perhaps more so than any other NFL town. Passion is second to none. Of course, that passion has been directly challenged following the team's ugly divorce with quarterback Brett Favre. Many fans are upset, and some have taken it out on replacement Aaron Rodgers. But if they are true to form, the vast majority of Packers fans will remain supportive of the team. -- Kevin Seifert

3. Browns

Consecutive sellouts: 72 | Season-ticket waiting list: Undisclosed Browns fans are some of the most dedicated in the NFL. Cleveland is a football-crazed town year-round, and its loyalty has been tested like no other city. Cleveland lost its team to Baltimore following the 1995 season, and the "new" Browns have taken nearly a decade to get it together. Yet the fans remain rabid

St.LDF TravelLoyal Hate TG CFTOTAL1 1 2 1 1 2 2 10





and hopeful every year, sometimes to a fault. Cleveland fans travel well and the "Browns Backers" are one of the NFL's largest and well-organized fan groups. About the only thing lacking is the stadium atmosphere, which has yet to reach the level of the old Municipal Stadium. -- James Walker

4. Eagles

Consecutive sellouts: 71 | Season-ticket waiting list: 70,000 No other team dictates a city's mood like the Eagles. It's a loyal group of fans, but don't confuse it with blind loyalty. When the Eagles play poorly, they face the wrath of the fans. That rattles some guys, but players such as Jeremiah Trotter and Brian Dawkins have thrived on that tough love. Fans of opposing teams should tread lightly in the Linc. -- Matt Mosley

5. Chiefs

Consecutive sellouts: 141 | Season-ticket waiting list: none Kansas City is often referred to as the Green Bay of the AFC when it comes to fans. KC has a small-town feel, and the fans completely buy into the Chiefs. Arrowhead Stadium is a sea of red and the party begins early. There's nothing like arriving at a Chiefs game and smelling miles of smoking BBQ hours before game time. -- Bill Williamson

6. Redskins

Consecutive sellouts: 319 | Season-ticket waiting list: 200,000 Redskins fans aren't as volatile as Eagles fans -- especially in swanky FedEx Field. It is, however, a very astute crowd that stays loyal through tough times. It's hard to tell who hates the Cowboys more between the Redskins and Eagles, although I'd lean toward the Eagles. The Redskins built a stadium at least 45 minutes from civilization -- yet fans never missed a beat. Owner Dan Snyder has plowed through coaches at an alarming rate, but the fan base has a remarkable amount of patience that has been passed down from generation to generation. Outside of Steelers and Packers fans, the Redskins travel better than anyone. And though politically incorrect, the feathers and face paint still reign. -- Matt Mosley






7. Broncos

Consecutive sellouts: 293 | Season-ticket waiting list: 27,600 This is traditionally one of the stronger fan bases in the NFL. The magic of old Mile High may be gone, but Broncos fans brave varying degrees of football weather to cheer the Broncos season after season. If you are a no-show for a game in Denver, you'll endure plenty of shame from the orange-clad residents of Broncos Country. -- Bill Williamson

8. Patriots

Consecutive sellouts: 149 | Season-ticket waiting list: 50,000 There's no way to argue with a fan base that has sold out Gillette Stadium since it opened -- pushing the Patriots' streak to 149 games, including playoffs -- and is willing to join a waiting list 50,000 deep to get a crack at season tickets someday. On-field dominance will do that. It will be interesting to see how the addition of Patriot Place -- a commercial development that offers shopping, restaurants, a movie theater and a medical center -- will affect the game-day dynamic. Do you throw Italian sausages on the grill or grab a teriyaki burger at Red Robin? One sounds more festive than the other. -- Tim Graham

9. Raiders

Consecutive sellouts: 4 | Season-ticket waiting list: none The Raiders may have the most fun group of NFL fans in the league. The Raider Nation travels like a college contingent, and game day in Oakland is an all-day Halloween party, whether it's October or Christmas Eve. The Raider Nation prides itself in bullying the opposition. -- Bill Williamson

10. Giants







Consecutive sellouts: 249 | Season-ticket waiting list: 130,000 It's sort of a drag sharing a stadium with another team, but Giants fans are more loyal than Jets fans. And speaking from experience, Giants fans will tailgate in any weather. I prefer Lot C because that's where you find the short-rib experts. -- Matt Mosley

• ESPN.COM FAN BASE RANKINGS: 1-10 | 11-22 | 23-32

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SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL

Leftwich No. 2; Batch likely to go on IRSaturday, August 30, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Peter Diana / Post-Gazette

Quarterback Byron Leftwich drops back to pass against the Buffalo Bills.

The Steelers have decided to go with Byron Leftwich as their backup quarterback and rookie Dennis Dixon as No. 3, and they will put Charlie Batch on injured reserve or use a procedural injury settlement in which he would be available to them if needed later.

Batch has about four more weeks before he will be healthy enough to play after his collarbone was broken Aug 8 in the first preseason game. If the Steelers place him on injured reserve, he would be done for the season. If they release him and reach an injury settlement with him, he could be available to them in the second half of the season.

Batch had one year left on his contract with the Steelers and would be paid his $1,355,000 salary if placed on injured reserve. If they reach an injury settlement with him, he would receive a portion of that salary and would become a free agent and could sign with any other team. But he also would be available to the Steelers after midseason if, for example, they lost one of their quarterbacks to an injury -- if he did not sign elsewhere.

Coach Mike Tomlin made many of the required cuts yesterday but decided not to announce any publicly until today. The deadline for making cuts is 6 p.m. All teams must reduce their rosters from 75 to 53 to start the season. Those rookies and first-year players who clear waivers will be eligible to join their eight-man practice squad.

Ed Bouchette can be reached at [email protected].

First published on August 30, 2008 at 12:01 am

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SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL

Between the Lines: Steelers postgame analysisSaturday, August 30, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Matt Freed/Post-Gazette

Byron Leftwich hands off to Rashard Mendenhall in the second quarter Thursday night. Mendenhall proved why he was the Steelers' first-round draft pick this year.

Post-Gazette writer Ed Bouchette takes a look beyond the stat sheet and postgame comments and analyzes where the Steelers are after the final preseason game Thursday vs. the Panthers -- a 19-16 win. A look at some of the position battles and story lines 8 days before the season opener vs. Houston:

The Steelers rookie class did not distinguish itself over the course of training camp and four preseason games.

That could be reflected when they make their final cuts today.

Linebacker Bruce Davis should make the team based on the fact he was a third-round draft choice and not by what he has done on the field. He will go on scholarship as he takes time to learn the outside linebacker position after playing defensive end at UCLA, where he had 24.5 sacks the past two seasons. The plan to use him at times to rush the passer in the dime defense might be put on hold, at least early on.

Tackle Tony Hills will make the team if they keep 10 offensive linemen. Otherwise, he could be waived and signed to the practice squad, thus continuing a failure of recent fourth-round picks for the Steelers. Among the fourth-round washouts were defensive ends Ryan McBean (2007) and Orien Harris (2006) and wide receiver Fred Gibson (2005). Each was released his rookie season, although McBean did make the roster Dec. 11 after he spent the previous weeks on their practice squad.

The only fourth-round pick to make it since cornerback Ike Taylor in 2003 was tackle Willie Colon, the first of two fourth-round picks in '06.

Fifth-round pick Dennis Dixon, on the other hand, is a keeper and could rise to the No. 2 quarterback spot within a year.

Their two sixth-rounders had trouble getting on the field because of injuries -- linebacker Mike Humpal and safety Ryan Mundy. And, of course, they did not have a seventh-rounder because they traded it away on failed return man Allen Rossum.

That leaves their top two rookie draft choices, running back Rashard Mendenhall and wide receiver Limas Sweed. Each showed why they were drafted so high, and they also showed why the coaches might be hesitant to use them when the season starts Sept. 7.

NEXT

Game: 2008 season opener: Texans vs. Steelers. When: 1 p.m. Sept. 7.Where: Heinz Field. Blog: Blog 'n' Gold. TV: KDKA. Radio: WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970).

Page 1 of 2Between the Lines: Steelers postgame analysis


Mendenhall looks every bit the part of the runner that prompted the Steelers to select him as their first-round choice. Yet his three fumbles in the past two games will prompt coach Mike Tomlin to think twice before putting him in certain situations early in the season.

"Wouldn't it make you a little hesitant?" Tomlin said.

The same can be said for Sweed. He made the catch of the preseason when the 6-4 rookie leaped and snared Byron Leftwich's deep pass from the 32 in the left corner of the end zone over a defender. He held on and got both feet in bounds as he crashed to the ground. But the officials ruled his backside hit out of bounds before his second foot touched, and replay upheld it was no touchdown.

Sweed also dropped a pass when he was wide open. The coaches had hoped Sweed would challenge Nate Washington to become the No. 3 wide receiver on the field. Now it looks as though he could open at No. 5.

Not exactly a good sign

Veteran safety Tyrone Carter did not play on defense Thursday night. Usually, coaches have one of three reasons for not playing a veteran in the final preseason game: He's hurt, they fear getting him hurt, or he's about to be released. The latter seems more the possibility in Carter's case.

Accentuate the positive

The fullback may have a smaller role in Bruce Arians' offense, but Carey Davis is more than a fullback and appears to be the team's best short-yardage candidate.

• Mitch Berger seems to have won the punting derby with his strong performance throughout the preseason and when Paul Ernster faltered on both his punts Thursday night.

• Anthony Madison continues to do the best job of all on the coverage teams.

Eliminate the negatives

What's with splitting the quarterbacks wide and snapping directly to the halfback? If I'm Ben Roethlisberger, I file an immediate protest. He's fair game if he lines up at wide receiver, and the Steelers appear to be fooling no one with those direct snaps. It's not as if it's 1995 and Kordell Stewart were back there and able to run or throw. Willie Parker's no threat to pass.

• The officials weren't on top of their game Thursday night. They called a ticky-tack 37-yard interference penalty on Carolina that helped the Steelers to their only touchdown, and they almost got another Steelers backup quarterback killed. Carolina jumped offside on a play late in the second quarter, and they let the play go even though the Panthers were unimpeded on the quarterback -- a play they're supposed to stop immediately. Byron Leftwich was thrown roughly to the ground on his right shoulder -- that's how Charlie Batch's collarbone was broken. Leftwich popped up uninjured.

• A few plays later, his own coaches almost got Leftwich killed when they had him throw a Hail Mary pass on the final play of the first half and he again was slammed after he cut loose with the ball.

Latch on to the affirmative

Jeff Reed has become one of the clutch kickers in the NFL. He made eight of nine field goals the past two games, including the winners in the closing seconds of each. He also has new holders who have been alternating -- Berger and Ernster.

• No Steelers quarterback was sacked Thursday night, and as a bonus, none threw an interception, although Carolina's first defense did not play, either.

This could be dangerous ...

Before anyone gets too excited about the Steelers' 3-1 preseason record, the Detroit Lions went 4-0, the Miami Dolphins 3-1, the Indianapolis Colts 1-4 and New England Patriots 0-4.

First published on August 30, 2008 at 3:21 am

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Steelers unveil rejuvenated pass rush By Mike Prisuta TRIBUNE-REVIEW Saturday, August 30, 2008

They managed just one sack against Carolina.

Then again, the urgency of approach was such in the Steelers' preseason finale Thursday night that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger departed having officially attempted zero passes.

The substitutes started hitting the field even before Roethlisberger called it a night, with several lining up the second time the Steelers positioned themselves to return a kickoff just over five minutes into the first quarter.

The starting offense and defense played just two series.

And the Panthers starters didn't play at all.

The three previous preseason games the Steelers played weren't exactly perceived as make-or-break affairs, either.

But the combined 10 sacks they had collected against Philadelphia, Buffalo and Minnesota, including six from starting linebackers James Harrison, James Farrior and LaMarr Woodley and starting defensive end Aaron Smith, had the Steelers encouraged about the potential of their pass rush this season.

"We've got some guys individually that are rushing well that haven't played complete games," Tomlin said. "You envision those guys putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback."

Although the starters failed to add to their sack totals against Carolina, pressure generated from a blitz contributed to an interception by cornerback Bryant McFadden that ended the Panthers' second possession.

The ability to consistently generate such pressure is what matters to defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.

Woodley, a second-year pro and first-year starter in Clark Haggans' vacated outside linebacker spot, concurs.

"If you keep pressure on the quarterback, have him in there (in the pocket) with the happy feet, that's something we'd like to do and continue to do," Woodley said.

Page 1 of 2Steelers unveil renewed pass rush - Tribune-Review

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LeBeau's defenses have endeavored over the years to produce pressure through the disguising of coverages and blitzes that rely more on deception than overwhelming numbers.

The plan this year may involve taking deception to another level through the increased use of "walk-around" defenses in passing situations.

The Steelers re-introduced these looks to their defense last season.

While remaining relatively basic in approach this preseason, they featured on occasion defenses in passing situations in which only Smith had has hand on the ground when the ball was snapped.

There's much more where that came from, defensive end Brett Keisel said, if the Steelers can perfect it.

"We have some nice things in place," Keisel said. "Whether we can all get on the same page and use them, I hope so. All that stuff can create a great deal of difficulty for an offense. You don't know who's coming (on a blitz) and that has a nice impact.

"We want to make them think we're doing one thing and do another. That's kinda the way the league is going. It's kind of developing into that type of scheme."

The Steelers approached last season intent on improving their pass rush.

Their sacks total fell from 39 to 36 but they wound up No. 1 in the NFL in total defense after finishing ninth in 2006.

The intent for the regular season that begins Sept. 7 against Houston is to ramp up the pressure, pile up the sacks and have fun doing both.

"We're all kind of in a nice competition," Keisel said. "We're all kind of talking to each other about different sack dances and things like that. Hopefully, we can bust those out.

"We expect a lot from ourselves this year as far as getting to the quarterback."

Mike Prisuta can be reached at [email protected] or 412-320-7923.

Images and text copyright © 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co.

Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

Page 2 of 2Steelers unveil renewed pass rush - Tribune-Review


ESPN ranks Steelers fans No. 1 By the Tribune-Review Saturday, August 30, 2008

Steelers fans are No. 1.

Was there ever any doubt?

ESPN.com ranked all 32 NFL fan bases and ranked Pittsburgh and Green Bay tied for first. Senior writer John Clayton -- who is from the East Braddock section of Pittsburgh -- broke the tie and ruled in favor of the Steelers.

Cleveland was third, Philadelphia fourth and Kansas City fifth. ESPN ranked Arizona Cardinals fans worst in the league, one spot below the Detroit Lions.

ESPN ranked the stadiums in Seattle and Kansas City as the loudest and Green Bay's Lambeau Field as the NFL's "most famous shrine." Philadelphia and Oakland are referred to as the last places you could safely wear an opposing team's jersey.

As for the Steelers, ESPN wrote: "The season-ticket waiting list (more than six years) is extremely long, and the consecutive sellout streak of 299 games is unbelievable."



Page 1 of 1ESPN ranks Steelers fans No. 1 - Tribune-Review


Reserve role doesn't frustrate McFadden By John Harris TRIBUNE-REVIEW Saturday, August 30, 2008

On the final day of training camp, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin burst Bryant McFadden's bubble.

By telling reporters that Deshea Townsend is his starting left cornerback, with McFadden settling for leftovers as the nickel back, Tomlin effectively killed McFadden's dream of becoming a starter in 2008.

In the wake of Tomlin's stinging comments, McFadden has never looked better.

McFadden's strong performance in the final two preseason games won't change Tomlin's mind about who will start at left cornerback against the Houston Texans on Sept. 7 at Heinz Field. But it speaks loudly to McFadden's professionalism and his desire to improve.

"I'm a competitor. My No. 1 goal was to be the starter. If that's how (Tomlin) sees it, so be it. I still have a job to do," McFadden said.

"There's nothing wrong with being labeled as the third corner. Most teams have three real good receivers and the fourth one can probably be a starter also. You need to have at least three corners that can get the job done."

McFadden was asked how it felt to be passed over for the starting job. Normally reluctant to speak his mind, McFadden revealed that his emotions were still raw.

"Being human, it's easy to find fault and negativity," McFadden said. "Something my mother always told me: It might not look how you want it to look right now, but just continue to press forward and continue to believe and positive things will happen for you."

McFadden's ball-hawking skills produced a first-quarter interception against Carolina on Thursday night that showcased his ability to absorb defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's massive playbook.

McFadden read quarterback Matt Moore's eyes from snap to pick. After dropping into coverage, he drove aggressively to the ball and stepped in front of receiver Dwayne Jarrett to make the grab and navigate a 31-yard return.

"It was third and long. I read the quarterback pretty good. I got a good feel where he wanted to go. I wanted to disguise and show him something he

Page 1 of 2Harris: McFadden frustrated - Tribune-Review


wasn't expecting," McFadden said.

This is a critical time for McFadden, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. A second-round draft pick in 2005, McFadden needs to enjoy individual as well as team success to spark negotiations for his new contract.

Becoming a starter this season would have helped McFadden's negotiations with the Steelers. Given the team's growing reluctance to sign its potential free agents, this could be McFadden's final season in Pittsburgh.

Not that McFadden is concerned with what his future holds.

"Going into camp I wanted to be consistent. These last couple of weeks I just told myself go ahead and turn it loose," McFadden said. "As long as you're making plays and doing positive things, people will notice, regardless if you're coming off the bench or if you're on the field all the time."

John Harris can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.



Page 2 of 2Harris: McFadden frustrated - Tribune-Review


Tailgaters dread development near stadiums By Jeremy Boren TRIBUNE-REVIEW Saturday, August 30, 2008

Tom and Eric Jackson's love of tailgating before a Steelers game is turning them into nomads -- again.

With bottled beers nestled in their foam cozies, the father-and-son season-ticket holders said they're disappointed the Steelers plan to build a 2,600-seat entertainment complex on 600 Gold Lot 2 parking spaces near Heinz Field, including a spot the Jacksons occupied Thursday before the team's preseason win against the Carolina Panthers.

"I think they're trying to eliminate tailgating altogether," said Tom Jackson, 59, of Robinson.

Eric Jackson, 36, of Crafton suggested the team might have economic reasons to do so.

"It's about money. They want everyone to drink inside," he said, recoiling at the thought of paying $7.50 for a 16-ounce beer.

The two said they have been forced by North Shore development to switch parking lots twice, most recently when construction began on the North Shore casino.

On the other side of Tony Dorsett Drive, near PNC Park, Gold Lot 4 will lose 322 of its 624 tailgate-ready parking spaces to a Hyatt Place hotel that's set to begin construction by the end of the year, said Mary Conturo, executive director of the city Stadium Authority.

The four-member authority voted 3-1 on Aug. 6 to sell both lots to the Steelers. The team will pay about $2.7 million for 7.4 acres, but precise terms of the deal have yet to be finalized with a formal contract, Conturo said.

Some sports fans with presold parking passes will have to relocate to the 1,255-space General Robinson Street garage once construction on the North Shore projects begins, Conturo said.

But moving to the garage comes with a major drawback, the Jacksons noted: Tailgating is not permitted in the garage. Another problem: The 10-level garage fills to capacity during a Steelers game.

Conturo said she's not certain if losing about 920 parking spaces will create a

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parking problem on game days or during large concerts, but she said daytime workers and Pirates' fans won't notice a difference because of their smaller numbers.

"It's always something that we're working on," she said.

Once the North Shore spaces are lost, Merrill Stabile, president of lot operator Alco Parking, said fans attending the Steelers' eight home games will have to seek parking in spots such as Allegheny Center in the North Side, garages Downtown and Station Square in the South Side.

"Tailgating has been curtailed over the years, but there will always be several thousand tailgating spaces," he said, pegging his estimate at 2,000 to 2,500 spaces.

Bob Tschappat of Moundsville, W.Va., said the Steelers would be wise to preserve room for the "huge attraction" that is tailgating. He said he has driven 150 miles roundtrip to attend 101 of the past 105 home games, including playoff appearances.

Tschappat said he fears North Shore development eventually will eliminate all tailgating spots. "It will be a shame that we are going to lose this identity," he said.

Jeremy Boren can be reached at [email protected] or 412-765-2312.



Page 2 of 2Tailgaters dread development near stadiums - Tribune-Review


SATURDAY AUGUST 30, 2008 :: Last modified: Saturday, August 30, 2008 12:46 AM EDT

Countdown to cutdown day By Mike Bires Times Sports Staff

PITTSBURGH — Contrary to what coach Mike Tomlin said after Thursday night’s preseason game, the Steelers did not announce any roster cuts Friday. Instead, Tomlin will announce those cuts today, the final cut-down as mandated by the NFL.

“We have some critical decisions to make with our football team,” Tomlin said. Right now, the Steelers have 76 players on their roster. They must be down to 53 today. One of those 76 is linebacker Arnold Harrison, who’ll go on the season-ending injured reserve list after tearing a knee ligament in Thursday’s 19-16 win over Carolina. Another of the 76 is wide receiver Marvin Allen, who will remain with the team as a practice squad player as part of the NFL’s international development program. Allen is from England. Two other players — quarterback Charlie Batch (broken collarbone) and linebacker Mike Humpal (stinger) — will likely receive injury settlements and be placed on the waived/injured list. If that is the case, Batch and Humpal might rejoin the Steelers once they recover from their injuries. After deciding what to do with Batch and Humpal, the Steelers must make 19 more cuts. Because of salary-cap considerations, Tomlin didn’t rule out the possibility of a veteran being released. “It always does,” Tomlin said of the salary cap affecting the Steelers’ cuts. “Ultimately, you hope that it is not the deciding factor because you like to make decisions because of performance. “But (the cap) is something you acknowledge because it does exist.” Some of the cuts figure to be easy. Others, as Tomlin suggested, will be tough decisions. Among the players on the bubble are: * Wide receivers Willie Reid, Dallas Baker and Eddie Drummond. * Center Sean Mahan, tackle Tony Hills and center/guard Darnell Stapleton. * Tight end Dezmond Sherrod and Lee Vickers. * Defensive linemen Nick Eason, Ryan McBean, Scott Paxson and Orpheus Roye.

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* Linebackers Andre Frazier and Donovan Woods. * Defensive backs Tyrone Carter, Roy Lewis, Ryan Mundy, Grant Mason and Anthony Madison. * Punters Mitch Berger and Paul Ernster. “Most of the time, it comes down to three to five tough decisions that are made at the 11th hour,” Tomlin said. “I think that will be the case this time around.” On Sunday, the Steelers will assign eight players beside Allen to their practice squad. Typically, most are players who don’t survive the final cut.


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SATURDAY AUGUST 30, 2008 :: Last modified: Saturday, August 30, 2008 12:46 AM EDT

Steelers fans: You're No. 1 ... so says ESPN By staff reports

The Steelers are No. 1 ... or at least their fans are according to ESPN.com. In a ranking of all 32 fan bases in the NFL, the Steelers are number uno, reports the Worldwide Leader.

OK, it was a tie with the Green Bay Packers. But with the help of ESPN analyst John Clayton (an East Braddock native), well, the Steelers got the nudge. “No team is as woven into the fabric of a city. The organization’s stability has a lot to do with it, as generations of Steelers fans relate to the tradition of ownership (Rooneys), smashmouth football, quality head coaches (league-low three since 1969) and success (five Super Bowl titles). The season-ticket waiting list is extremely long and the consecutive sellout streak of 299 games, including playoffs, is unbelievable,” writes ESPN.com’s James Walker. The, ahem, scientific rankings were based on seven factors including stadium atmosphere, how well the team travels, fan loyalty and tailgating. WINNERS & LOSERS 1. STEELERS 2. Green Bay 3. Cleveland 4. Philadelphia 5. Kansas City 6. Washington 7. Denver 8. New England 9. Oakland 10. N.Y. Giants

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11. Buffalo 12. Dallas 13. Chicago 14. N.Y. Jets 15. New Orleans 16. Indianapolis 17. Baltimore 18. Tennessee 19. Minnesota 20. Seattle 21. Tampa Bay 22. San Diego 23. Houston 24. San Francisco 25. Carolina 26. Cincinnati 27. Jacksonville 28. Miami 29. St. Louis 30. Atlanta 31. Detroit 32. Arizona


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Top pick's fumbles still a concern By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer

[email protected]

PITTSBURGH - Most of the time, NFL coaches are more concerned with what a player has done lately than what he has done in the past.

But with Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is looking more at what the running back will do in the future rather than the past or present.

Tomlin does admit being more than a little concerned about using Mendenhall when the team hosts Houston Sept. 7 to start the regular season.

A player losing three fumbles in two games will cause that kind of concern.

"Wouldn't it make you a little hesitant?" Tomlin asked. "We have a commitment to this young guy and we are going to continue to use every day that he have to get better. I think he is of that mentality."

Mendenhall led the Steelers with 212 rushing yards on 54 carries in the preseason as Tomlin attempted to get the team's top draft pick as much work as possible.

In Thursday night's preseason finale - a 19-16 win over Carolina - Mendenhall carried the ball on eight consecutive plays after losing a fumble in the second quarter. He gained 47 yards on those plays to set up a Jeff Reed field goal in the third quarter. Mendenhall finished with 79 yards on 21 carries.

But the fumble was first and foremost on Tomlin's mind.

"We just have to keep feeding him the ball," Tomlin said. "Now, when we start playing, is he going to get that kind of workload and is fatigue going to be an issue? Probably not because Willie (Parker) is going to be toting the thing here next week a little bit."

When the Steelers selected the 5-11, 225-pound Mendenhall in the draft, they did so with the thought he would give them a competent backup to Parker, a two-time Pro Bowl player.

Mendenhall said the fumbles are part of the learning process.

But that didn't stop teammates from having a little fun with him following the preseason win at Minnesota when he lost two fumbles. Mendenhall was given a money ball by his teammates and had to carry it to meetings. If someone stripped the ball from him, he had to pay them $100. If they stripped the ball and took it to a meeting, they got $500.

It was all in good fun, but also a lesson.

"I wouldn't be a rookie if I was a finished product," Mendenhall admitted.

"It's about learning the game. This being the preseason, I'm just trying to get a feel for it. I feel good about the progress I've made."

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Acording to Tomlin, Mendenhall did make progress, but the fumble problems will no doubt linger in the the coach's mind until the rookie shows he's over them.

"I think the more you hand the ball to that young man, the more you get to know what he's about and the more he gets to know what he's about," said Tomlin. "That has been our approach with him all preseason. We stuck with the plan. Different teams have different approaches."

Odds and end zones

The Steelers did not make any roster moves Friday and must trim the team to 53 players by 5 p.m. today. ... Linebacker Lawrence Timmons led the Steelers in tackles in the preseason with 18. The Steelers did not allow a sack against the Panthers and finished the preseason with six sacks allowed in four games.

Copyright Observer Publishing Co.

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08/30/2008

Texans release veteran LB Roosevelt Colvin

HOUSTON (AP) - The Houston Texans released veteran linebacker Rosevelt Colvin and 20 other players Friday, the day before NFL teams must set their 53-man rosters. The Texans signed Colvin in June after he was released by New England. They had hoped he could be a situational pass rusher, but decided he wasn't valuable enough to take up a roster spot. "The bottom line was to have a player on your team to just play nickel, he would have to be special," coach Gary Kubiak said. "We had to sit there and weigh him against players who could play special teams and do some other things for our team." Colvin had recovered from a foot injury that kept him out of the last five games and the playoffs last season. However, he struggled since arriving in Houston and wasn't anywhere close to becoming the pass rushing threat opposite Mario Williams the Texans were looking for. Colvin had 521/2 sacks in nine seasons in Chicago and New England. Houston has one more cut to make and is evaluating running back Chris Brown to see if he is healthy enough to contribute this season. Brown, who was signed this offseason, has been struggling with back problems since the start of training camp. Also released Friday was veteran safety Glenn Earl, who started 15 games in 2006 but missed all of last season with a fractured foot, and defensive tackle Anthony Maddox, who spent the last two seasons with the team. Other players released were fullback Jon Abbate, quarterbacks Shane Boyd and Alex Brink, linebackers Kevis Coley and Ben Moffitt, center Greg Eslinger, cornerbacks Jamar Fletcher, Derrick Roberson and Dexter Wynn, receivers Darnell Jenkins, LeRon McCoy and Mark Simmons, tight end Ryan Krause, defensive linemen Gabe Long and Jesse Nading, running back Marcel Shipp and tackle Torrin Tucker. The AFC champion New England Patriots released four players a day after wrapping up their first winless preseason since 1990 with a 19-14 loss to the New York Giants. The cuts of tackle Steve Fifita, offensive lineman Jimmy Martin, cornerback Jeff Shoate and tight end Jonathan Stupar leave New England with 71 players before Saturday's deadline. Teams also keep eight-player practice squads, but those players have to clear waivers first. "We have watched (Thursday's) game and moved on pretty quickly to meetings on roster decisions, personnel options and things like that," coach Bill Belichick said in a Friday conference call. "It was a short night, but we just have to push through it here and figure out our final roster decisions." The New Orleans Saints placed receiver Adrian Arrington, a seventh-round draft pick, on season-ending injured reserve and released seven players. Arrington severely sprained his toe during the preseason opener against Arizona, and the Saints weren't sure how long it would take him to recover. The Saints terminated the contract of recently acquired veteran safety Lance Schulters and waived defensive end Jeremy Geathers, tight end Ronnie Ghent, defensive end Marcus Pittman, safety David Roach, guard Isaiah Ross and tackle Brian Stamper. New Orleans must make 14 more cuts before Saturday's deadline. The St. Louis Rams released 10 players: receiver Marques Hagans, safety Jerome Carter, receiver Matt Caddell, tight end Nick Cleaver, cornerback Tanard Davis, cornerback Cortney Grixby, linebacker Marcus Riley, center Donovan Raiola, defensive tackle Henry Smith and defensive tackle Willie Williams. The Rams have 13 more cuts to make. The Tennessee Titans had made 13 of their 22 cuts by Friday afternoon, but weren't naming names. Kicker John Vaughn's agent, Curtis Stephens, said Vaughn was among the cuts. He filled in while All-Pro incumbent Rob Bironas sat out with a groin injury, going 7-for-9 with a 50-yarder in four preseason games. The Philadelphia Eagles released running back Ryan Moats and seven others, trimming their roster to 67. Moats was a third-round pick in 2005 and had a promising rookie season, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and scoring three touchdowns. But his development was slowed by injuries and an inability to pick up the offense. Also released were wide receivers Bam Childress and Jamal Jones, cornerbacks Therrian Fontenot and Nick Graham, safety Marcus Paschal, offensive lineman Stefan Rodgers and linebacker Pago Tagofau. Copyright Associated Press 2008

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BALTIMORE (AP) — Matt Ryan used the final preseason game to get a feel for being the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback.

Joe Flacco hoped his performance Thursday night showed why he should start for the Baltimore Ravens.

In a game featuring the top two quarterbacks selected in the 2008 NFL draft, Ryan and the Falcons got the better of Flacco and the Ravens 10-9.

GAME REPORT: Falcons 10, Ravens 9 2008 PRESEASON: Complete schedule and results

Ryan, the third overall pick, went 2-for-7 for 17 yards before taking a seat. The former Boston College star finished the preseason 34-for-59 for 294 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

His next start will be in the regular-season opener on Sept. 7 against Detroit.

"I prepared really hard during the course of training camp and during the duration of the preseason. I feel like I'm prepared and ready to go for next week," Ryan said. "I've gotten better in terms of understanding the offense, being more familiar with what we're trying to do as a team and what's expected of the quarterback position."

The Falcons got only one first down during his two series against the Ravens, but Ryan had no complaints.

"We'd have liked to have done some things better," he said, "but we did some things well and we can build on it and get ready for next week."

Flacco, the 18th player selected in the draft, was 8-for-13 for 72 yards. He left early in the second quarter after directing a 63-yard drive that produced a field goal for a 3-0 lead.

Flacco started a second straight week because Troy Smith was still ailing from infected tonsils and Kyle Boller is nursing a serious shoulder injury that could keep him sidelined for several weeks. First-year coach John Harbaugh still hasn't decided upon his starter for the opener against Cincinnati, but Flacco may get the call by default.

"Even if we planned to name a starter, we couldn't right now," Harbaugh said. "We'll find out more about Kyle in the next couple of days. We don't know about Troy. We'll see what the next few days bring."

With Flacco running the offense, the Ravens made five first downs. On his scoring drive, the former Delaware standout went 3-for-4 for 40 yards.

After two preseason games, Flacco was a decisive No. 3 in the quarterback competition. Now, he's right in the middle of the mix.

"I think I've done a pretty good job," he said. "I don't think anybody would have thought this was going to happen a couple weeks ago. I mean, it's pretty crazy for (Smith) to get sick and something to happen to somebody's shoulder, but I've done what I've been asked."

Advertisement Flacco states case for Ravens QB job in

finale tuneup

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Ravens veteran receiver Derrick Mason said, "I wouldn't be surprised if they said he was the starter. He's played well. He's done the things they've asked him to do, especially as a rookie guy."

One week earlier, Flacco had to play the entire game against the St. Louis Rams because Smith and Boller were unavailable. The Ravens signed free agent Casey Bramlet hours before Thursday's game and used him over the final three periods.

Bramlet went 7-for-21 for 100 yards and two interceptions. He played last season for the Miami Dolphins under Cam Cameron, who is now Baltimore's offensive coordinator.

D.J. Shockley replaced Ryan and threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Brian Finneran with 20 seconds left in the first half. It turned out to be the only TD in a lackluster contest dominated by both defenses.

"I was pleased again with our defense," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "We were able to keep that football team out of the end zone. That puts us 13 straight quarters without giving up an offensive touchdown."

Third-string running back Jason Snelling had 88 yards rushing for Atlanta (2-2), which finished the preseason with a two-game winning streak.

Matt Stover kicked field goals of 25, 31 and 48 yards for the Ravens (1-3).

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Find this article at: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-08-28-falcons-ravens_N.htm

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Friday, August 29, 2008

Bengals wide receiver changes last name to Ocho Cinco Associated Press CINCINNATI -- Maybe receiver Chad Johnson can go by the name that his head coach hates.

The Cincinnati Bengals receiver has legally changed his name to Chad Javon Ocho Cinco in Broward County, Fla., a switch that became official this week. Johnson, who lives in Miami, didn't return a message left on his cell phone Friday night.

"It's something I don't think anyone has ever done before," he told the team's Web site. "Have I ever had a reason for why I do what I do? I'm having fun."

Two years ago, Johnson gave himself the moniker -- a reference in Spanish to his No. 85 -- and put it on the back of his uniform before a game. Quarterback Carson Palmer ripped it off before the kickoff. After the season, coach Marvin Lewis -- who dislikes Johnson's attention-getting stunts -- referred to the receiver as "Ocho Psycho."

Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan said the Bengals had no comment on the matter.

Johnson has been a concern for the Bengals this season. He unsuccessfully lobbied for a trade in the offseason, threatening to sit out if he didn't get his way. When the Bengals refused, he relented and showed up for minicamp, but complained that his right ankle was bothering him.

He had bone spurs removed from the ankle and was limited at the start of training camp. In the second preseason game, he landed awkwardly and temporarily dislocated his left shoulder. Johnson is wearing a harness and expects to play in the season opener against Baltimore.

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