Count Steeler
12-05-2012, 02:40 PM
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive backs coach Carnell Lake knew the word on cornerback Ike Taylor's ankle wasn't going to be great. He'd already been without super-safety Troy Polamalu for most of the season, now he was losing his shutdown corner for what he'd eventually find out was a few weeks, and so a reporter was trying to offer a measure of consolation.
"Well, two years ago the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl after having to put 16 players on injured reserve," the reporter said. "And last year, the Giants --"
A booming voice came down the stairs at the Steelers facility: "Is that supposed to make me sleep better?"
Eventually, Mike Tomlin's legs followed his laugh; the Steelers coach clearly getting a kick out of the happy-face attempt. Tomlin chuckled some more, referencing his sleep again. OK, no, maybe the previous two Super Bowl winners overcoming massive injuries en route to raising the Lombardi Trophy doesn't salve the pain of Ben Roethlisberger's achy shoulder.
But the Packers' and Giants' method (getting hot late) should. And Roethlisberger's prognosis -- he's throwing better and might play this weekend against the San Diego Chargers -- should, too. Besides the Taylor setback, the Steelers are getting healthy, their final stretch is wholly manageable and the NFL -- thank goodness for it -- is not the BCS.
The NFL introduced playoff seeds in the 1975 season. Since then, 20 No. 1 seeds have won it all. Of those 20, 18 came before the 2000 season. Translation: In the last 12 seasons, only two No. 1 seeds have won the Super Bowl, the 2003 New England Patriots and the 2009 New Orleans Saints.
full story @ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000106312/article/pittsburgh-steelers-forge-forward-through-injuryriddled-season
"Well, two years ago the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl after having to put 16 players on injured reserve," the reporter said. "And last year, the Giants --"
A booming voice came down the stairs at the Steelers facility: "Is that supposed to make me sleep better?"
Eventually, Mike Tomlin's legs followed his laugh; the Steelers coach clearly getting a kick out of the happy-face attempt. Tomlin chuckled some more, referencing his sleep again. OK, no, maybe the previous two Super Bowl winners overcoming massive injuries en route to raising the Lombardi Trophy doesn't salve the pain of Ben Roethlisberger's achy shoulder.
But the Packers' and Giants' method (getting hot late) should. And Roethlisberger's prognosis -- he's throwing better and might play this weekend against the San Diego Chargers -- should, too. Besides the Taylor setback, the Steelers are getting healthy, their final stretch is wholly manageable and the NFL -- thank goodness for it -- is not the BCS.
The NFL introduced playoff seeds in the 1975 season. Since then, 20 No. 1 seeds have won it all. Of those 20, 18 came before the 2000 season. Translation: In the last 12 seasons, only two No. 1 seeds have won the Super Bowl, the 2003 New England Patriots and the 2009 New Orleans Saints.
full story @ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000106312/article/pittsburgh-steelers-forge-forward-through-injuryriddled-season