STEELERS VS. EAGLES AUGUST 25, 2006
AT LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD

STEELERS POST-GAME QUOTES

EAGLES POST-GAME QUOTES

 

 

STEELERS QUOTES

 

HEAD COACH BILL COWHER

On the loss: "First of all, we got through the game from what I understand at this point, injury-free. That was a good thing. When you look at the first half, I thought we had too many negative plays on offense. Ben [Roethlisberger] had that one ill advised through of third down, but I thought we did a good job with the no-huddle. We did have too much pressure, but I think that's fine. I'm a little concerned about the running game. We still weren't able to get that going on any kind of consistent basis, and that's certainly a point of focus. I thought defensively, we did a better job on third down. We dropped some interceptions that were out there, so we had some opportunities for turnovers that we let get away from us. It is where it is right now. Like I've said, we've got 13 days to get our minds right for Miami and we'll assess our approach to this game next Thursday come Monday."

 

On whether he has changed the way he approaches preseason games: "I've never changed. I've never really looked at it. I look at halves. I look at our groups. Preseason to me is about how efficient your first units are out there. Once that takes place, to me it's about evaluation of personnel because you're trying to make the right decisions about the 53 man roster, get experience for people that will be playing roles that can change. It's invaluable experience for them to see what their role may be. That to me is what [preseason] is about. At the same time, you're trying to win the game. So all of that plays into it, but I think you still have to prioritize what you're looking for."

 

On what aspects of the running game concern him: "It's not just the backs. That's an easy way to say it. I think the running game is about everything. Obviously you have to make cuts, but you can't allow penetration. I think too many times tonight, I'm not quite sure what chance our backs had. It's a lot of little things – a guy here, a guy there. Again, it's something that really has not come together as quickly as I would have liked at this point, but it is where it's at. We'll look at it, assess it, and hopefully rectify it and we go from there."

 

On his decision to pull Willie Parker out of the game early: "He's fine. You look at where he and Ben [Roethlisberger] are and I'm very comfortable with where those guys are. Like I said, I think Willie was real close to popping a couple of those tonight. Maybe he should have been a little more patient on that screen. I think he didn't realize he had all of those blockers in front of him. Again, I'm very comfortable with where he's at, where Ben's at, but like I said, there are just too many little things that have popped up these last couple of games that we have to address."

 

On the biggest obstacle for a team trying to get back to the Super Bowl: "Every year is an obstacle. Every year it is about re-establishing yourself – whether it's re-establishing yourself as a player, re-establishing yourself as a unit, and then doing it as a team. Again, that's part of the process. Along the way, you're going to have adversities, you're going to have challenges, and those are the things that allow you to become who you are. Like I said, we're looking at combinations, but even in the kicking game I feel okay about the returners, but we'll try to look at different people. We've kept some of the guys who are going to be out there, the Clint Kriewaldt's, the James Harrison's, they haven't been out there on a regular basis and I know they're going to be there and that should help us dramatically. But at the same time, we're just not in sync. The field goal that Jeff [Reed] missed was not a good hold – the 52-yarder – and we put the other unit out there and he kind of pulled on to the left. There's a fine line between putting other people out there and making sure that it does not tinker with the confidence of what you have established."

 

On the play of cornerback Ike Taylor: "He made two good breaks, but I'd like to see him come down with those balls. Larry [Foote] dropped one there at the end of the first half too. Those are the types of opportunities that you have to make. He'll work at it, and he does work at it. He was in good shape, and like I said I was very pleased defensively particularly with third down. Third down was good, and we got good pressure on the quarterback. [McNabb's] not a guy you're going to sack that often, and we were able to get him down three times. There were a lot of good things we did defensively, and I was pleased that we took a big step tonight in that sense."

 

On why Taylor's play has improved recently: "I think it's a confidence thing. Obviously he's a player in his second year and he's had a good camp. He just has to continue to get better. He'll continue to get challenged, and we have some pretty good receivers he'll be going against in this league. He did some good things tonight."

 

On whether corner Ricardo Coclough got more playing time than corner Bryant McFadden: "They were going every two series. Ricardo started, but they were going every two series for the rest of the game, so they both go equal playing time."

 

On whether running back Duce Staley saw his first action on third down tonight: "He's been out there. Any time Verron [Hayes] has been out there on first and second down, he's been the third down back. That's how the make-up has been."

 

On whether it was important to get more work for Staley: "I thought so. I think we'll continue to let him get out there and play, and it will be the best thing in the world for him."

 

On the play of his third and fourth quarterbacks: "Omar [Jacobs] made the one good throw, and he's had a good from the standpoint of leading us down, but we had the turnover there. I thought Shane [Boyd] did a good job, although he took a sack and a fumble. We had two turnovers with those two kids, so it wasn't one of their more stellar games."

 

On whether he is confident with either Jacobs or Boyd as his third quarterback: "We'll assess it after four games."

 

On the play of safety Anthony Smith: "I think Anthony Smith is a good football player, and he's getting better every game."

 

On the improvement of wide receiver Cedrick Wilson: "He's had an excellent camp. He's only missed one day in the first two weeks, and he's been out there working every day. It's good to see the hard work paying dividends."

 

On the play of guard Kendall Simmons: "I thought Kendall did fine. It was good to see him out there in that one-minute with Charlie [Batch] and I thought he did a good job."

 

On whether he has settled on a punter returner: "I like Willie [Reid]. I think he's real close to being one of those guys that when you get him out in the open. Like I said, when we get some of those other guys back with that unit, I think he'll be fine."

 

On why he is comfortable with Ben Roethlisberger despite limited playing time in the preseason: "Why wouldn't I be? Just the way he managed the game and performed on the field. I think it speaks for itself. Like I said, I don't really need to see that much more than that. I like where he's at right now, I like his mindset, and I like the way he's operating with the offense – not just in games, but I watch it in practice as well."

 

                                         Pittsburgh Steelers Locker room

                                                            8/24/2006

                                                             Quotes

 

LB Joey Porter

 

On the play of the defense tonight: "We played pretty good and we only gave up the two field goals with the first team.  We stopped them and made them kick the field goals when we needed to.  I know that we feel that we left some plays out there on the field."

 

On if he felt the defense was ready for the season: "We have to just keep working because the season is coming up pretty quick.  We have to play Carolina and we do not want to take the game loose because we are looking towards Miami.  We do know that the real tune up game though is against Miami."

 

On the stops against McNabb on third downs: "We made some strides on defense and were able to make some stops.  We want to make sure that we are headed in the right direction.  We did not come out with a victory tonight and I do not care for losing games.  I am glad that the game did not really count."

 

QB Ben Roethlisberger

 

On if he felt he got enough work tonight: "I felt that we went out and did okay and have done some good things the last couple of games.  There have been some things here and there that we need to clean up on.  So far though we have been pretty good."

 

On what he learned from preseason last year: "Preseason is a time to work on things.  Last year the first team did not score a TD during the preseason.  People got worried about it and were writing stories about it.  You have to be care about that.  A lot of guys are working hard out there to earn a spot."

 

On if the offense is where it wants to be: "I think that we have looked good.  I think there have been times we have not totally been crisp.  When it comes time for us to go full force we will be alright."

 

On Hines Ward being out and if he likes working with the young receivers: "It has been nice to work with the young guys but I am excited to get Hines out there.   I know that if it is possible for him to be out there he will be there.  We need to make sure that he is 100 percent before he comes back."

 

On if he is ready to get the season going: "I am just ready to get it going.  Preseason game are long enough and we are just ready to get playing.  Offensively we are biting at the Chump to get it going."

 

 

 

 

DE Brett Keisel

 

On the play of the defense tonight: "I thought that it went Ok and we did hold the Eagles to some field goals which was good.  I think that we still have some room to improve though.  Miami is coming up quick so we better get ready."

 

On if the team is improving even though they loss the game: "We are getting that losing in our mouths and it does not tatse good.  I think that we are going to be fine once the season gets here."

 

On the play of the defense against the Eagles on third down: "I got a sack on Donvoan and that felt awesome.  We were able to hold him to some field goals but we just have to continue to improve out there. We have another preseason game coming up and it is time to Rock and Roll."

 

CB Ike Taylor

 

On if he is ready for the season: "I think on defense we have to still make some good steps before the season.  We are making some progress but we still have to make some dramatic steps."

 

On if he is where he wants to be for the season: "I am not totally where I want to be.  I have to catch the ball.  I feel that anything near me I have to make the play.  I am not where I want to be."

 

On going 0-3 and his feeling about that: "It does not feel good and this has happened after winning the Super Bowl.  We need to play consistent play in and play out and this was stated a couple of times by our coach. You cannot play good for just a couple of plays but the whole game."

 

RB Verron Haynes

 

On if he had fun playing in the game: "It is always fun to get into a rythem and it was great to play with the first line.  I was happy to be out there."

 

On the play of the offense: "We kind of fluttered out there but we showed some signs of some good things. We took some good steps in the right direction and we will get back and take a look of some of the films and see what it looked like."

 

 On if his role is defined: "I am just having a lot of fun out there and I like getting in particularly on third down and make things happen.  That is the nature of this business.  I like getting out there and making plays because it is what have you done for me lately and you have to make the plays. I always just have to be ready and when my number is called I have to make the plays."