Steelers WR Ward arrested in Georgia, suspected of DUI

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward was arrested early Saturday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence, the DeKalb County sheriff's office confirmed to NFL Network.

Mug shot of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward following his arrest early Saturday on suspicion of DUI. (DeKalb County Jail/Special to NFL.com)

The former Super Bowl MVP and reigning "Dancing With the Stars" champ was booked into the DeKalb County jail just outside Atlanta at 3:41 a.m. and charged with driving under the influence. A jail official said he was released on $1,300 bond, though the sheriff's office website said his bond was set at $1,000. The discrepancy couldn't be immediately resolved Saturday.

The sheriff's office said it had turned over paperwork to the courts and couldn't release any further information about the player's arrest.

A Steelers spokesman did not immediately respond to a message, and it was not immediately clear if Ward had an attorney.

On the heels of his "Dancing With the Stars" crown, Ward signed with Craftsman as a campaign spokesman in June, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Since being drafted by the Steelers in the third round out of Georgia in 1998, the 35-year-old Ward has been a four-time Pro Bowl selection and won two Super Bowls. Ward is credited with 11,702 receiving yards and 83 touchdown catches during his 13 NFL seasons. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Agent: OT Colon hasn't heard from Steelers about new deal

Willie Colon has spent his entire five-year NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but his agent doesn't sound hopeful that the offensive tackle will be back with the team this season.

"They haven't called about Willie in three years," Joe Linta told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Thursday. "I'm not expecting them to call because they haven't yet. That's the way they do business, and that's fine. But if they do call, we'll pick up the phone."

Colon, 28, is one of 14 Steelers players who will become unrestricted free agents when the NFL lockout is lifted, according to the Post-Gazette. He was the Steelers' starting right tackle for three seasons before an Achilles injury suffered last summer cost him all of 2010.

A Bronx, N.Y., native, Colon was selected by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Hofstra University. The veteran has made it clear he wants to return to Pittsburgh, but the feeling might not be mutual.

"He loves the team and loves the city," Linta said. "But they have to want him, and they haven't shown that yet."

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Name, intent of NFL's 'Steelers rule' isn't fine with Dan Rooney

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Name, intent of NFL's 'Steelers rule' isn't fine with Dan Rooney

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney doesn't like two things about the NFL's crackdown on flagrant hits.

First, Rooney believes "there's too many things involved" to allow the league to fine teams for their players' on-field behavior. And second, he dislikes people associating that initiative by naming it after his Steelers, although he doesn't believe the NFL specifically is picking on the team.

"I don't think (the NFL is) calling it the 'Steelers rule;' I think the press is," Rooney told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Friday. "It's just one of those things where you have to play and just do what you have to do."

What one Steeler, linebacker James Harrison, did last season was make hits that drew four fines for a total of $100,000. Harrison, linebacker LaMarr Woodley and wide receiver Hines Ward all have spoken out against the league's increased emphasis on hits.

NFL officials said at last week's spring meeting in Indianapolis that teams whose players repeatedly deliver flagrant hits will be fined. The league also hasn't ruled out stripping teams of draft picks as punishment.

If the Steelers receive such punishment next season, Rooney won't be around to deal with it. He said Friday that he'll likely remain the U.S. ambassador to Ireland for one more year. His son, Art Rooney II, is running the team.

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Harrison, Woodley up in arms over so-called 'Steelers rule'

The NFL's announcement that it will punish teams if their players commit multiple flagrant hits is being called "the Steelers rule" by some. But the Steelers want nothing to do with it.

Pittsburgh linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley expressed anger and bewilderment over the league's rule changes, accusing the NFL of ruining the game with heavy-handed legislation.

Harrison, whom the league fined $100,000 for flagrant hits last season, kicked off the criticism Tuesday night when he tweeted "the people making the rules at the NFL are idiots." He further explained his views in his blog, in which he admitted, "I don't disagree with all of the rule changes," but accused the NFL of picking on the notoriously hard-hitting Steelers.

Carucci: Don't worry, be happy Instead of whining, Pittsburgh's players should embrace the "Steelers rule," Vic Carucci writes, because it singles out a style of defense that intimidates foes and wins titles. More...

"The decision to call a penalty or impose a fine is seemingly, at least some of the time, dependent upon the uniform and the player," Harrison wrote. "After my meeting this past fall with (NFL Commissioner) Roger Goodell, (executive vice president of football operations) Ray Anderson, and (assistant director of operations) Merton Hanks and some others, who I now have absolutely no respect for (to keep it PG), I definitely believe there is no equality in their enforcement of these rules.

"These rules are targeting hard hitting players and defenses i.e. STEELERS. I guess the NFL needed a poster child for their campaign."

Woodley agreed with his teammate, tweeting: "Thoughts on 'the steelers rule'??? lol I'm sorry that I'm not sorry we hit 2 hard." He was more emphatic during an interview Wednesday on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

"Football is turning soft now," Woodley said. "Too many fines. Too many penalties protecting the quarterback every single play. Defensive guys can't be defensive guys no more. I mean, that's what Pittsburgh, that's what we're built on ... playing aggressive football, attacking, hitting people hard, you know, making quarterbacks shake. ... You can't even touch them.

"Having all the fines and the penalties is stupid because it's taking away from the game," Woodley added. "We knew what we were signing up for when we started playing football. We knew that. Everybody knew that. Every quarterback knew that, Roger Goodell knew that, but I don't know if he ever played football, so I don't if he really understands the hard hitting of the sport."

Woodley said the Steelers have won the most Super Bowls in NFL history because "we play hard-nosed football. We didn't get six Lombardis by playing soft football. We got it by playing aggressive football -- hitting teams hard -- and I don't think that will ever change. I don't care how many times you get fined."

Steelers president Art Rooney II isn't thrilled about the NFL policy's link to his team.

"I'm not sure I like it being referred to as the Steelers rule," Rooney told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday. "It's a policy the commissioner is still considering and has not put into effect yet, but he intends to put it into effect.

"I would hope it's something used on rare occasions and only in exceptional situations. I think our rules are adequate, and I think everyone is trying to adjust here."

NFL Network analyst Warren Sapp doesn't want to hear it. Instead, he'd like Pittsburgh to "get on the train" when it comes to player-safety rules.
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The punishment for excessive flagrant hits will be financial, although NFL vice president Adolpho Birch said Tuesday that he didn't rule out Goodell applying further sanctions such as stripping teams of draft choices.

Citing the "notion of club accountability," Birch said details such as the amount of the fines against teams, or how many player fines would trigger punishment, haven't been determined.

The NFL began a crackdown on illegal hits, particularly those to defenseless players, last October. It threatened suspensions, but no players were suspended. However, Anderson has said suspensions will be considered for egregious hits.

Harrison believes there will be confusion about what hits fall into that category.

"Now you have to wait until a guy catches, or even worse, you have to let them catch the ball before you can even attempt to tackle him," Harrison wrote in his blog. "Along with that, you cannot let any part of your helmet or facemask touch any part of them basically from the chest up. If you are following the letter of the rules exactly, now most tackles, if not ALL tackles can be flagged, fined and/or result in ejection from that game, or future game(s). ...

"I know there are hits out there that could go either way, but if it's me I already know which way they are going to go," Harrison added. "I love this game, but I hate what they are trying to turn it into."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Steelers great Bradshaw, QB Roethlisberger talk out issues

Terry Bradshaw repeatedly criticized Ben Roethlisberger during an offseason of trouble for the Pittsburgh Steelers' current quarterback.

Now, they say, it's all water under the bridge.

Roethlisberger revealed Tuesday that he and Bradshaw, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, mended their relationship after a recent sit-down. Bradshaw is in Texas to help FOX broadcast Super Bowl XLV, in which the Steelers will face the Green Bay Packers, and had a 25-minute interview with Roethlisberger for the network.

"We had a private talk before the interview," said Roethlisberger, who added that Bradshaw might have spoken a little too soon about the quarterback's situation. "A good talk. Everything's good."

Everything wasn't so good before the season, when Roethlisberger was accused of sexually assaulting a Georgia college student following a night of drinking in a Milledgeville, Ga., bar on March 5. Roethlisberger wasn't charged by Georgia authorities, but NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell handed the quarterback a six-game suspension for violating the league's personal-conduct policy.

Before Goodell reduced the ban to four games, Bradshaw said he hoped the suspension would be upheld.

"Going to bars -- treating women like that; oh my God," Bradshaw told The Shreveport Times in September. "I pray they don't cut (his NFL suspension) to four games. I hope they leave it at six. There is no excuse for that. The egos get out of hand."

Those comments followed Bradshaw's April criticism of Roethlisberger, in which he ended: "Now he hates me forever."

What a difference time makes. Bradshaw told NFL Network's "NFL Total Access" on Tuesday that he and Roethlisberger -- the only Steelers quarterbacks to win Super Bowl titles -- had a "great" chat that lasted about 10 minutes before the interview.

"It was important that he know and the things that I say and why I say them," said Bradshaw, who has four Super Bowl rings compared to Roethlisberger's two. "It's important that we have a good relationship. I'm glad."

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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Cardinals expected to make push for Steelers LBs coach Butler

There is a good possibility that Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Keith Butler will leave the team after the Super Bowl to become the Arizona Cardinals' defensive coordinator, a source with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday.

Butler is presumed to be the defensive coordinator in waiting in Pittsburgh, behind Dick LeBeau. He is very close with Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt (also a former Steelers assistant coach), however, and Butler likely will accept Arizona's defensive coordinator job if he's offered it, according to the source.

The Cardinals cannot speak to Butler until after the Super Bowl, and the Steelers would be very unlikely to block him from going to Arizona should he express a strong desire to do so.

The Steelers expect LeBeau to return as defensive coordinator in 2011 -- and he has expressed a desire to do so -- but he always could opt to retire following the Super Bowl as well. If LeBeau continues to coach, he has said he would only do so in Pittsburgh, where the defense have been dominant under him. The Steelers led the NFL in scoring defense this season.

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Steelers' Harrison suggests NFL not serious about player safety

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison isn't letting up in his criticism of the NFL in the days leading up to the Super Bowl.

One day after sarcastically suggesting that a pillow could be used to soften blows he delivers to opponents, Harrison called the NFL's talk about wanting to protect players "just a show."

Harrison said before Wednesday's practice in Fort Worth, Texas, that the owners' push for an 18-game regular season and the possibility of a lockout prove the NFL is more interested in maximizing revenue than the health of its players.

"It's not about player safety," Harrison said. "It's about money."

The league and the players' union face an early March deadline for trying to negotiate a new labor agreement.

"It's no doubt to me," said Harrison, whose Steelers will play the Green Bay Packers for the NFL championship Sunday. "I believe they're going to lock us out."

Harrison was fined $100,000 by the NFL for illegal hits this season, and he even went briefly so far as to threaten to retire because he said it was too difficult to adjust to the new way rules were being enforced. On Wednesday, though, he acknowledged that any talk of quitting was a result of being "hotheaded."

Asked Wednesday if he's worried about the dangers of concussion from violent hits on the field, he said: "That's my style of play. There's a risk with everything you do. ... Since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, that's how you play the game."

At Tuesday's media day at Cowboys Stadium, Harrison said he feels as if the league was "looking for a poster boy" when it started fining him.

In a deadpan delivery, Harrison said: "I don't want to hurt nobody. I don't want to step on nobody's foot or hurt their toe. I don't want to have no dirt or none of this rubber on this field fly into their eye and make their eye hurt.

"I just want to tackle them softly on the ground and, if y'all can, we'll lay a pillow down where I'm going to tackle them, so they don't hit the ground too hard, Mr. Goodell."

Harrison, who paid more in fines this season for four different hits than the entire Packers team was docked, also was asked if he was bitter about the attention his physical play received from the NFL office this season.

"They took $100,000 out of my pocket," Harrison responded to NFL Network's Kara Henderson. "You think I'm not bitter?"

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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Packers, Steelers find relief from storm with indoor workouts

In need of an indoor facility worthy of a Super Bowl team, the Green Bay Packers turned to a Dallas high school.

Temperatures in the teens, wind and ice forced the Packers to scrap plans of practicing outdoors Wednesday at Southern Methodist University and to move to the new, $4.5 million indoor field at nearby Highland Park High School. With more of the same weather expected, the team likely will work out on the high school campus Thursday and Friday.

"We feel like this will not affect us from a preparation standpoint at all," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.

Highland Park's facility opened in August and is comparable in quality to the TCU setup the Packers' Super Bowl opponents, the Pittsburgh Steelers, moved into Wednesday. Both buildings are NFL-caliber.

Such quality at TCU is one thing. But a high school?

That's how it goes in Texas, especially the Dallas-Fort Worth area. There are megamillion prep palaces all around, with a $60 million outdoor stadium going up.

"It's Texas. They love their football," Packers Pro Bowl cornerback Tramon Williams said. "They have some beautiful high schools here. As long as we're inside, we're good with that."

Highland Park is among the wealthiest suburbs in the nation, so the district could afford the price tag on its facility. A $1 million donation from the booster club helped, too.

"That's ridiculous," Packers wide receiver James Jones said. "We barely had a football field at my high school in California. There's too much money out here. They need to send some of that extra cash out to California."

"We barely had grass," added defensive lineman Ryan Pickett, who grew up in Florida. "An indoor practice field? That's unreal."

Highland Park also has a nifty NFL tradition. Alums include Pro Football Hall of Famers Doak Walker and Bobby Layne, as well as Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2009.

"I'm hoping Mr. Stafford put in enough money to this high school for them to build a solid facility," Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers jokingly said. "I'm sure it'll be fine."

Another Highland Park product of note this week is Steelers punter Daniel Sepulveda, who's on injured reserve. Before his team worked out at TCU, Sepulveda sounded jealous that the Packers would hang out near his old stomping grounds.

"It's crazy," Sepulveda said. "Small world."

TCU's Sam Baugh Indoor Practice Facility was a lot more comfortable than being outdoors for the Steelers, but still a bit chilly. The building isn't heated, so it was around 51 degrees during their 2-hour practice.

"One thing we're used to is weather," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "We're not going to fight elements. We're used to adjusting as we have to, and we got all our work in. It was a good day."

Some Highland Park players and a few fans were waiting when the Packers' team bus arrived. The teenagers who hoped to watch from the sideline were out of luck as security kept everyone away from the team. The school's coach, Randy Allen, didn't even bother trying to show up, but he was thrilled to be able to help.

"It's nice to have a facility the Packers could use," Allen said. "It's great publicity for our school and our football program. There's a lot of buzz in our community because of it."

There's also irony.

First off, the facility was built more to avoid extreme heat than bitter cold. Allen said the school's outdoor field, which is an artificial surface, could reach 140 degrees, so hot that "our players said it almost makes their spikes melt."

It's also a twist that ice in Dallas would cause problems for the Packers, considering how much the ice in Green Bay affected the Cowboys on Dec. 31, 1967 -- the game known as the "Ice Bowl." Green Bay beat Dallas on a last-minute play, with a trip to the second Super Bowl on the line.

As for the Cowboys, they have a $1.2 billion stadium capable of hosting the Super Bowl, but they are among 10 NFL teams without an indoor practice facility.

The Cowboys had one until May 2009, when a storm knocked it over during a rookie workout, leaving a scouting assistant paralyzed and a coach with a broken neck. There were lawsuits and multimillion-dollar settlements, and team owner Jerry Jones hasn't announced plans for a replacement.

Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing until Friday afternoon. There's a 40 percent chance of more snow falling Friday. But it's supposed to be sunny and clear on the weekend, with temperatures perhaps reaching 60 on game day.

That temperature won't matter. The roof of Cowboys Stadium in Arlington will be closed for the game.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Steelers' Pouncey sheds boot, says he must practice by Friday

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie center Maurkice Pouncey didn't wear a walking boot on his sprained left ankle, nor did he use crutches before the team left its Fort Worth hotel Wednesday for practice at Texas Christian University.

But Pouncey didn't practice, and he told NFL Network reporter Albert Breer that if he doesn't go Friday, he won't play in Sunday's Super Bowl against the Green Bay Packers.

"If I'm not on the field Friday, most likely I'm not playing," Pouncey said, adding that it's his thought, not something he has been told by the Steelers' coaching staff. "I'm not going to put the team in a bad position."

Pouncey, who wore regular athletic shoes Wednesday morning and later said he spent the Steelers' practice time rehabilitating in the TCU trainers' room, told Breer the walking boot will go back on in the evening. And Pouncey hasn't resumed running yet.

"I feel positive," said Pouncey, who stood by his Tuesday assertion that his chances of playing were 75 percent. "I'm working to get my range of motion back, but it's going good."

Pouncey, who was selected to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season, sustained a high ankle sprain early in the Steelers' AFC Championship Game victory Jan. 23 over the New York Jets. He didn't practice last week, but he said Tuesday that he hoped to take the field Thursday or Friday.

"He's a center who's got a high ankle sprain," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "If he played a skill position, we wouldn't be having this conversation. But he's an interior lineman. Whether he practices (by Friday) depends how he responds to treatment."

Backup center Doug Legursky, who could start in Pouncey's place, impressed Wednesday with his quickness to get outside on some running plays, as Tomlin has asked.

"He's an athletic guy," Tomlin said. "And I've challenged him to get out and run and lead that group."

Legursky said he's preparing as if he will start against the Packers.

"I prepare every week as if I'm going to start even if all the guys are healthy," he said.

Aaron Smith, the only other injured Steeler, was limited in practice, and Tomlin acknowledged he is losing faith that the veteran defensive end will be able to play Sunday.

Smith hasn't played since tearing his left triceps Oct. 24 against the Miami Dolphins, and Tomlin said, when asked if he had any realistic hope that his lineman could face the Packers: "I do, but it's fading."

Notes: QB Ben Roethlisberger looked sharp while throwing 10- to 12-yard sideline routes. ... No. 3 QB Charlie Batch, performing with the scout team, was particularly sharp against the first-team defense late in the session, hitting rookie WR Antonio Brown up the seam for a long gain and winning praise from Tomlin. ... Starting CB Ike Taylor dropped a sure interception in the session, leading LB Larry Foote to shout from the sideline: "Save it for the game! Save it for the game!" Others were more critical of Taylor. Said Tomlin: "Our peanut gallery was in perfect form today." ... The FOX television crew, led by play-by-play announcer Joe Buck and analyst Troy Aikman, watched practice.

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Steelers take AFC North crown, secure AFC's No. 2 seed in playoffs

CLEVELAND -- There are steps, some big, some small, teams must take before they can be Super Bowl champions.

The Pittsburgh Steelers know the uphill path well.

On Sunday, they quickened their pace.

Ben Roethlisberger threw two touchdown passes as the Steelers geared up for another possible title run by winning the AFC North and securing a first-round playoff bye with a 41-9 rout of Cleveland, in what may have been Eric Mangini's last game as Browns coach.

"We love to win the division," Roethlisberger said. "This is a hard division. We hope this is just the beginning."

Roethlisberger, who rested most of the second half, threw a 56-yard TD to Mike Wallace on his first pass as the Steelers (11-5) built a 31-3 halftime lead and rocked the Browns (5-11), who didn't put up much of a fight in their finale -- and maybe Mangini's.

The Steelers clinched the No. 2 seed in the AFC and guaranteed themselves at least one more game at Heinz Field.

"Mission accomplished," said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, sporting a black-and-white championship cap. "We're excited to win the division and proud of doing it, but it's only hardware you pick up along the way. Today was the first game where we felt like we played close to what we're capable of."

The Steelers look ready for a lengthy playoff run.

The Browns, on the other hand, are ready for more change.

Mangini fell to 10-22 in two seasons with Cleveland. On Monday, he's scheduled to meet with team president Mike Holmgren, who may fire him and appoint himself coach. When the game ended, a downcast Mangini was consoled by defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who will reportedly interview for Carolina's head coaching vacancy.

Mangini doesn't know what's ahead, but his demeanor was that of a beaten man.

"I thought we got beat in all three phases," Mangini said. "They had a better plan than we did and when that happens against a team like this, you have a day like today. It's difficult to feel any positives in the wake of what happened."

For Roethlisberger, this was more redemption.

He began the season serving a four-game suspension -- cut from six by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell -- for violating the league's personal conduct policy. There was no telling how the Steelers would do without him. But they went 3-1 without their leader, and in his first game, he threw three TD passes in a 28-10 win over Cleveland on Oct. 17.

Not only did Roethlisberger return as the same physical talent, he came back a more mature person.

Big Ben, now more at peace with himself, has hardly been better.

"We have been through a lot," he said. "Now, it's playoff time."

Roethlisberger went 15 of 22 for 280 yards. He has thrown 158 passes without an interception, the longest streak of his career and further evidence of improved judgment and composure not always present.

"Ben came through adversity," wide receiver Hines Ward said. "He stepped up, not that he hasn't in the past. But this season didn't start like other seasons."

With the Steelers leading 38-3, Tomlin sat Roethlisberger with 5:34 left in the third.

It was time to start planning for the playoffs. But before Tomlin could get all his starters out, rookie center Maurkice Pouncey suffered a neck stinger. Earlier, starting left cornerback Bryant McFadden injured his groin and did not return.

Otherwise, these Steelers appeared fit and focused.

They finished tied with Baltimore, but won their fifth division crown in nine years because of a tiebreaker. It wasn't assured until they avoided a slip-up and avenged last season's 13-6 loss in Cleveland, when a 1-11 Browns team sacked Roethlisberger eight times.

Mendenhall's two short TD bursts and Roethlisberger's scoring passes to Wallace -- following Troy Polamalu's interception -- and Heath Miller gave the Steelers a 28-3 lead. It swelled to 38-3 in the third on wide receiver Antwaan Randle El's 3-yard TD pass to Ward.

"We knew we had a lot riding on this game," Miller said. "Our whole season came down to this. All of our goals hinged on this. We knew we had to take care of business."

Cleveland's fourth straight loss was likely the final straw for Mangini, who kept his job last year when his team closed with a four-game winning streak. The Browns improved in several statistical areas, but went 2-6 following an upset of New England.

Holmgren will discuss the future with him early Monday. It doesn't look good for Mangini, who was fired by the New York Jets after 2008.

Mangini's fate seemed sealed before kickoff, but if Holmgren needed another reason, he's got it. The Browns were no competition for their next-door neighbors from Pennsylvania. Mangini dropped to 2-10 in division games, and after so many close losses, his Browns were blown out.

"Nobody feels good right now," Mangini said. "This is the first time this season when I didn't feel like we were in the game."

Under pressure on almost every pass, Browns rookie quarterback Colt McCoy was intercepted three times and sacked four more. He ended up 20 of 41 for 209 yards -- much of it in garbage time. He did throw a 20-yard TD pass to Brian Robiskie in the fourth.

McCoy wasn't expected to play this season, but was thrust into a starting role by injuries. He went just 2-6, but felt fortunate to gain experience.

"I don't know what the future holds for the coaching staff," McCoy said. "Guys in that locker room are committed to changing the way it's been around here, and I'm one of them."

Notes: It may have been K Phil Dawson's final game with Cleveland. The only player left from the 1999 expansion team is a free agent. "It was an emotional game," he said. "I'm just going home to Texas, do some fishing and we'll see what happens." ... Polamalu's seventh pick tied a career high for a season. ... Pittsburgh gave up only 62.8 yards rushing per game, shattering the team record set in 2001.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Steelers' Miller expected back on field against Panthers

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers expect tight end Heath Miller to play Thursday night against Carolina after missing two games with a concussion.

Miller, hurt Dec. 5 in Baltimore, was expected to return for Sunday's game against the Jets, but developed post-concussion headaches and was held out. His replacement, Matt Spaeth, caught a touchdown pass during Pittsburgh's 22-17 loss.

Miller was injured on a helmet hit by the Ravens' Jameel McClain, who was fined $40,000 by the NFL.

Defensive end Aaron Smith (torn triceps) is being fitted with a shoulder brace so he can resume practicing, although coach Mike Tomlin did not say Monday when that might be. The Steelers practice only once this week.

Smith hasn't played since being injured Oct. 24 in Miami.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Steelers QB Roethlisberger recovering from broken nose

PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger is walking around with a large bandage on his broken nose and a protective boot on his painfully injured right foot.

And, at least for a moment, a smile brought on by another well-known Pittsburgh sports figure.

"Mario Lemieux told me I finally look like a hockey player," Roethlisberger said Wednesday, referring to the Penguins' co-owner.

The Steelers quarterback will wear a protective shield to protect a nose that so splintered while being smacked by the Baltimore Ravens' Haloti Ngata, X-rays revealed nose bones that "looked like corn flakes," Roethlisberger said.

"I was like, 'Oh, that's good,'" he said.

Regardless, Roethlisberger practiced Wednesday as usual, and he plans to play in Sunday's AFC North game against the Cincinnati Bengals (2-10). Despite having his nose bent awkwardly during Pittsburgh's initial series, he didn't miss a play as the Steelers (9-3) beat the Ravens 13-9 on Sunday to take sole possession of the division lead with four games remaining.

The quarterback has been told he can do no further damage to his nose by playing. His nose also was broken and needed surgical reconstruction following his 2006 motorcycle accident. But this injury wasn't complicated by that rebuilding.

"They said everything looked really good," Roethlisberger said. "I did a CT scan before the surgery (Monday) and they said everything was still holding up really well and they were really pleased with that. .. The plates and everything in my face were fine, so that's good."

Playing with a shield for the first time will take some adjustment, just as it does hockey players who choose to wear one after playing without it.

"We're going to get some practice, so we'll see," Roethlisberger said. "I saw the early forecast is rain, snow, so it'll be fun, I'm sure."

Ngata wasn't penalized for raking his hand across Roethlisberger's face, but he was fined $15,000 one day later for striking a defenseless player in the head. Roethlisberger had no comment about the fine, but teammate Hines Ward said he was glad someone other than Steelers linebacker James Harrison was punished for hitting a quarterback.

Roethlisberger said he asked referee Terry McAuley why there was no penalty and was told, "He was just trying to tackle you."

Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain also was fined $40,000 for a helmet hit that caused Steelers tight end Heath Miller's concussion. That hit also wasn't penalized.

"But once again the referees didn't throw any flags, so there's still some discrepancies going on," Ward said. "It's finally good to see that we're not the only team getting fines. I'm not happy the way it happened, with no penalties, but it's good to see somebody else have to deal with it. Especially for the hit on Heath."

While Steelers coach Mike Tomlin lists Miller's status as doubtful, the tight end isn't giving up hope that he might play Sunday.

"I've never had a concussion before," Miller said. "But it's getting better every day, so that's a good thing. I only remember what I've seen on TV. ... It's still a little hazy but, like I said, I'm feeling a little better every day."

Miller must pass neurological tests that are given daily to players with a concussion before he is cleared to play.

Steelers right tackle Flozell Adams (high ankle sprain) also hasn't ruled out playing on an offensive line that is so beaten up, the Steelers were missing three tackles and two tight ends in Baltimore.

"It's one of those things that's rare that we have a lot of players, not just a few, but a lot of guys who can step in and play," Adams said.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Playoff spots within reach for Patriots, Steelers, Jets, Falcons

NEW YORK -- The division-leading New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons, and the second-place New York Jets can clinch playoff berths this weekend.

Would your team be in or out of the playoffs if the season ended today? Find out who's in, who they'd play and who's on the outside looking in. More ...

The Patriots (10-2) would do so simply with a victory over the Chicago Bears. The Patriots also would get in if the Miami Dolphins (6-6) and Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5) both lose or tie, or if the Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts (6-6) both lose or tie.

The Steelers (9-3) need a variety of scenarios, all of them requiring a win over the Cincinnati Bengals except one, in which a tie and losses or ties by the Dolphins, Oakland Raiders (6-6) and San Diego Chargers (6-6), and an Indianapolis loss would do.

The Falcons must beat the Carolina Panthers and have any two of the Giants (8-4), Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) and Green Bay Packers lose (8-4). A Falcons tie and losses by the Giants, Eagles, Packers and a loss or tie by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) also would work for Atlanta.

The Jets need a win over the Dolphins and losses or ties by the Chargers and Jaguars, or Chargers and Colts. A Jets tie and losses by San Diego and Indianapolis, plus a loss or tie by Oakland would do it, too.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Steelers' Harrison penalized vs. Bills for roughing the passer

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison incurred a costly roughing-the-passer penalty against Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on Sunday.

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With 4:45 to go in the third quarter, Harrison came untouched up the middle of the line on a Pittsburgh blitz. The linebacker drove Fitzpatrick into the ground, and Harrison was flagged for leading with his helmet.

Harrison stomped his foot on the ground following the play.

"It's not going to change the way I play," said Harrison, who's already been docked $100,000 this season. "There was nothing wrong about the play."

The penalty negated an incomplete pass on second-and-10. Three plays later, Fitzpatrick hit Bills running back Fred Jackson for a 65-yard catch-and-run TD.

Harrison recently was called to the NFL office in New York regarding how rules designed to protect players from injury are being enforced.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Feisty Bills let game slip through their hands vs. undisciplined Steelers in OT

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson was inconsolable for letting a victory slip through his hands. The Pittsburgh Steelers weren't going to let him or Buffalo get a second chance.

With his head down at the end of the bench, Johnson couldn't watch as Shaun Suisham hit a 41-yard field goal with 2:14 left in overtime to secure the Steelers' 19-16 victory Sunday.

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It was a dramatic turn of events for the Bills and Johnson, in particular, after he could've ended the game in Buffalo's favor on the previous possession but dropped what would have been a 40-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick.

"I had the game in my hands and I dropped it," Johnson said. "Humbled. Humbled."

Then, growing emotional, Johnson added: "I'll never get over it. Ever."

In a game the Bills (2-9) proved they're not all that bad, the Steelers (8-3) showed why they're better.

Suisham hit all four of his field-goal attempts, including a 48-yarder. His decisive kick capped a 13-play, 58-yard drive which Ben Roethlisberger kept alive by hitting Mike Wallace for a 17-yard catch to convert third-and-8.

As the Steelers celebrated, not far from their minds was how close they came to losing.

"I had my helmet on and I was going to the locker room," defensive tackle Casey Hampton said, when he saw Johnson 2 yards in the end zone, having sneaked in behind defensive backs Ike Taylor and Ryan Clark.

"You're talking about a guy who's been extremely hot," Clark said of Johnson. "Luckily for us, he didn't (catch it)."

Rashard Mendenhall had 151 yards rushing and scored on a 1-yard plunge in helping Pittsburgh prepare for a AFC North first-place showdown at Baltimore next weekend. Hines Ward had seven catches for 107 yards, and Roethlisberger finished 20 of 33 for 246 yards

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Buffalo proved feisty in facing one of the NFL's elite teams by overcoming a 13-point first-half deficit and forcing overtime with 2 seconds left in regulation when Rian Lindell hit a 49-yard field goal. Fred Jackson had five catches for 105 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown, and added 59 yards rushing.

The Bills had a two-game win streak snapped. Each of their past four losses have been by 3 points, including two in overtime, after they lost 37-34 at Baltimore on Oct. 24, and 13-10 at Kansas City the following week. Buffalo was also coming off a 49-31 win at Cincinnati, in which it overcame a 21-point first-half deficit.

"We fought so hard out there, yet again, it's one of those overtime heartbreakers," said Fitzpatrick, who finished 23 of 45 for 265. "There's not much to say than the guys in that locker room, including me, are really hurting over that one."

In a game the Bills looked out of by halftime, credit Fitzpatrick for showing he could not only take a vicious hit, but also punch back.

Down 13-0 late in the third quarter, linebacker James Harrison broke in untouched and, with his head lowered, struck Fitzpatrick just beneath the chin just as the quarterback got off a pass.

Harrison was penalized 15 yards for roughing the passer -- and faces another potential fine from the NFL for leading with his helmet.

"It's not going to change the way I play," said Harrison, who's already been docked $100,000 this season. "There was nothing wrong about the play."

Though knocked a little woozy, Fitzpatrick responded three plays later by hitting Jackson for his 65-yard touchdown catch and run.

The score gave the Bills life, as they eventually tied it at 13 when Lindell hit two field goals 2:07 apart -- the second set up after Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd stripped Mendenhall of the ball at the Steelers 23.

Ahead 16-13, the Steelers got a big defensive play from Troy Polamalu, who made a diving interception at the goal line after Fitzpatrick's pass bounced off Johnson's fingertips with 2:51 left in regulation.

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Pittsburgh couldn't finish Buffalo off, even in front of a large contingent of Terrible Towel-waving Steelers fans that made the three-hour trip north.

The undisciplined Steelers were penalized 10 times for 107 yards -- including five offensive holding penalties, three called against guard Chris Kemoeatu.

"We can't make those mistakes as an offense," Roethlisberger said.

At least Big Ben could chime in on a victory, and couldn't help but comment on Johnson's drop.

"When he dropped it, I said, 'Well, hopefully that's new life for us,'" Roethlisberger said.

Notes: The Steelers dominated the entire first half in which they had edge in score, 13-0, time of possession (23 minutes, 55 seconds to 6:05), first downs (18-4) and yards offense (225-51). ... Bills coach Chan Gailey said DE Dwan Edwards is out indefinitely after hurting his left hamstring on the Steelers first possession. ... Fitzpatrick extended his TD streak to 12 games, the Bills' longest since Doug Flutie's 12-game streak in 1999.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Raiders' Seymour ejected for striking Steelers' Roethlisberger

PITTSBURGH -- Oakland Raiders defensive end Richard Seymour was ejected from Sunday's game for an open-handed punch to Ben Roethlisberger's face as the Steelers quarterback celebrated a touchdown pass.

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After completing the 22-yard throw to Emmanuel Sanders, Roethlisberger jumped into the arms of offensive tackle Flozell Adams. Roethlisberger then began walking forward and appeared to say something to Seymour, who turned and struck the quarterback in the jaw with his open right hand.

As Roethlisberger went to his back, lineman Chris Kemoeatu grabbed Seymour. Both Seymour and Kemoeatu drew penalties, but only Seymour was ejected.

Seymour also was ejected Dec. 27 for hitting Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Harrison after a play was over. Seymour was fined $10,000 for that infraction.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Steelers survive penalties, punches to rout Raiders and stay in AFC North race

PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers returned to the Steel Curtain days of the 1970s. The Raiders went back to the bad old days of the last seven years.

There were punches and penalties, a Steelers defense that wouldn't stop and a Raiders offense that couldn't get started. One week after getting embarrassed by the Patriots, a year after losing to Oakland, James Harrison and the Steelers tossed around the Raiders like it was a playground pickup game while beating them 35-3 on Sunday.

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Raiders defensive end Richard Seymour punched Ben Roethlisberger in the jaw with an open hand, but the Steelers never flinched. They shrugged off a club-record 163 yards in penalties, chased a bewildered quarterback Jason Campbell from the game and punished the Raiders like the Steel Curtain teams of the '70s did so many opponents.

The Steelers (7-3), still tied with Baltimore for the AFC North lead, were motivated by last week's 39-26 home-field loss to New England and last year's 27-24 defeat to Oakland that all but ruined their season.

"It definitely was an old school, physical type game from back in the day," linebacker James Farrior said. "That's the type of game we wanted to make it, a physical game, and improve from our performance of last week."

Harrison, the former AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, did much of the damage with five tackles, two sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. He also took one of the Steelers' six personal foul penalties for slamming Campbell to the turf as the quarterback threw a pass.

"We didn't worry about the calls," Harrison said. "When you're getting a lot of penalties against you, it brings you together."

Seymour, long one of the NFL's top defensive players, displayed Oakland's frustration by striking Roethlisberger in the face as the quarterback celebrated his TD pass to Sanders late in the second quarter.

"I've never seen a quarterback get punched since I've been in this league," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said.

Several Raiders were certain Roethlisberger said something to Seymour.

"I'm not sure why he ran up on me," Seymour said.

"I heard that Big Ben said something," defensive lineman Tommy Kelly said. "I guess Big Rich didn't like it."

What the Raiders (5-5) most disliked was getting shoved around like the Raiders teams that lost at least 11 games each season from 2003-09. Oakland fell out of a tie for the AFC West lead as Kansas City (6-4) beat Arizona 31-13.

Oakland averaged 458 yards and 38.6 points during its three-game winning streak, but had only 52 yards -- 11 rushing -- as the Steelers opened a 21-3 halftime lead.

"We played against a really tough defense today that got after us," said Campbell, who was 7 of 19 for 70 yards and an interception. "Once we got behind the 8-ball and they got all the momentum, they just kept bringing it and bringing it."

Campbell never had a chance against a Steelers defense that forced three turnovers, two that became touchdowns, had six sacks and limited Darren McFadden to 14 yards on 10 carries, 94 below his average. The Steelers have allowed only one 100-yard rusher in 44 games.

The Raiders were so ineffective, the Steelers had more penalty yards than they had offensive yards until deep in the third quarter. The Steelers outgained them 431-182 as Roethlisberger threw touchdown passes of 52 yards to Mike Wallace, 22 yards to Emmanuel Sanders and 16 yards to Isaac Redman and scrambled 16 yards for a touchdown.

"I don't know how a team can overcome that many penalties, but we did it," Sanders said.

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Roethlisberger was 18 of 29 for 275 yards and had 55 yards rushing. Wallace had his fifth 100-yard receiving game with 116 yards, and Rashard Mendenhall's 15-yard TD run put Pittsburgh ahead to stay 7-3 in the second quarter.

Bruce Gradkowski, who threw three touchdown passes during the final 8 ½ minutes of Oakland's stunning win in Pittsburgh last season, replaced Campbell but also couldn't get anything going.

While the penalties didn't affect Pittsburgh's domination, the many calls inflamed their fans. The Harrison penalty so upset the crowd of 64,987 that it booed for the ensuing three plays, and fans began a derisive cheer aimed at referee Tony Corrente.

"Their defensive guys were hitting our offensive guys and there were no penalties," Harrison said. "I believe if it happened the other way, there would have been a lot more penalties called and maybe they would have kicked five or six of us out of game."

Notes: Oakland had 55 yards in penalties. ... Oakland's defensive end Trevor Scott tore the ACL in his left knee, usually a season-ending injury. ... Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey was pulled in the second half with a thigh injury. ... WR Hines Ward made three catches for 28 yards a week after a concussion sidelined him for the final three quarters against New England, ending his streak of 186 consecutive games with a reception. ... Oakland still hasn't won in Pittsburgh in successive seasons. ... Pittsburgh didn't allow a point in the second half after giving up 29 to New England. ... Shaun Suisham, the Steelers' new kicker, didn't attempt a field goal.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Steelers use defensive stand to send Bengals to fifth consecutive loss

CINCINNATI -- The ball headed straight for Jordan Shipley. So did James Harrison.

Care to guess which one won?

The often-fined Harrison lowered his shoulder and helped knock the ball loose from Shipley near the 5-yard line on Cincinnati's final play, preserving a Pittsburgh Steelers 27-21 victory over the Bengals on Monday night that left the AFC North with an old, familiar look.

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The Steelers (6-2) are again at the top, sharing the spot with Baltimore. The defending-champion Bengals (2-6) are in last place alone after their fifth straight loss, coming up one completion short.

Credit that last rib-jolting hit -- legal all-around -- by the Steelers' on-the-spot defenders.

"The defense held strong," said Ben Roethlisberger, who was 17 of 27 for 163 yards with a touchdown and an interception that helped the Bengals rally at the end.

At the end of a night full of foibles, tricks and missed chances, the Steelers turned to their one constant to finish it off. That unyielding defense came through again.

"This is how the Steelers play ball," defensive back Ike Taylor said. "We might get a blowout here and there. But we're always in tough close ballgames. As a defense we just want to close them out. That's what we did tonight."

Pittsburgh seemed to be in control when Antwaan Randle El threw a 39-yard touchdown pass off a trick play to open the fourth quarter, building a 27-7 lead made possible by the Bengals' many mistakes. Pittsburgh also had points set up by a fumbled kickoff, a blocked punt and a missed field goal.

Then, the Steelers turned sloppy as well. Roethlisberger threw an interception that set up Terrell Owens' second touchdown catch of the game, and Jeff Reed missed a 46-yard field goal try that would have clinched it with 3:59 to go.

The drama had just begun.

Last year, Cincinnati jump-started its perfect run through the division by rallying to beat the Steelers 23-20 on Carson Palmer's touchdown pass with 14 seconds left. When Reed's attempt swerved left, the Steelers got a bad feeling.

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"They had Carson Palmer and company with timeouts," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "And that's a horror movie and we've seen that before."

Palmer led the Bengals downfield with the help of a wacky play. His pass to Cedric Benson was tipped, but the running back made a juggling catch for a 16-yard gain on third-and-long. Chad Ochocinco's only catch of the game moved it to the 12-yard line.

On fourth-and-5, Palmer found Shipley open over the middle in first-down range, but the Steelers converged and squeezed the ball out to end it.

"I ran in the middle of two guys," Shipley said. "I felt like I had it, and they knocked it out of there."

Palmer was 22 of 36 for 248 yards with an interception and touchdown passes of 19 and 27 yards to Owens.

"I think Carson played a great game under a lot of heat," said Owens, who had 10 catches for 141 yards. "He put the ball in there in tight situations. You look at the last four or five games we've played, it's been a play here or there that's made the difference."

It was fitting that Harrison had a shoulder in the final play. He got his third fine of the season, this one pushing the total to $100,000, for a hit last week on the Saints' Drew Brees. The linebacker got summoned to Commissioner Roger Goodell's office for a meeting.

Goodell was at the game on Monday night, watching as the Harrison-led defense got the best of the Ohio River rivalry.

Eight seconds into the game, the Bengals already were in trouble.

The Steelers won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Bernard Scott got the kickoff and fumbled at the Cincinnati 25. Pittsburgh needed only four plays to score, with Rashard Mendenhall pushing the final yard for a 7-0 lead.

When Scott held onto the ball as he was tackled during the ensuing kickoff, some Bengals fans gave a derisive cheer. They were incredulous moments later when William Gay burst through the middle of the line untouched and blocked Kevin Huber's punt at the Cincinnati 30-yard line -- Pittsburgh's first blocked punt in two years.

Reed's 25-yard field goal made it 10-0, just like that.

"Initially, we created some opportunities for ourselves," Tomlin said. "You knew it was going to be a 60-minute game."

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The Steelers lost two offensive linemen on a second-quarter drive. Left guard Chris Kemoeatu hobbled off with an injured right ankle. Center Maurkice Pouncey limped off with an injured right leg two plays later, but returned in the second half. Then, left tackle Max Starks went out in the third quarter with a neck injury.

With the backups in place, the Steelers managed to stay ahead. Roethlisberger threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward, his 15th TD catch against the Bengals -- Ward's highest total against any team. And Randle El's first pass of the season went for a touchdown that seemed to put it out of reach.

Notes: The Steelers got DE Brett Keisel back from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the past two games, but he aggravated it and left the game. ... Ward extended his streak to 186 consecutive regular-season games with a catch, moving ahead of Owens for third place on the all-time list. ... It was Randle El's fifth career touchdown pass. ... Owens' two TDs gave him 151 career. On his last one, he caught the ball at the back of the end zone and inadvertently ran over a security guard looking toward the stands. The guard wasn't hurt.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Dolphins still steaming about controversial loss to Steelers

DAVIE, Fla. -- Upon further review, the officiating crew in Sunday's Miami Dolphins-Pittsburgh Steelers contest made only one mistake on the game's pivotal play.

That's small consolation to the Dolphins, who believe they were robbed of a win, which instead turned into a 23-22 loss.

"For the game to end like that and us to get the raw end of a deal, it hurts," Miami safety Yeremiah Bell said.

The Dolphins (3-3) were angry because an erroneous touchdown call by the head linesman might have cost them the game. Miami linebacker Ikaika Alama-Francis emerged from an end-zone pile with the ball lost by Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with 2:30 left.

A replay review determined that Roethlisberger's touchdown was instead a fumble at the half-yard line, but because the video didn't provide clear evidence as to which team recovered the ball, the Steelers kept it and kicked the winning field goal on the next play.

Because the touchdown was overturned, only the video review could determine which team recovered the fumble. Any ruling on the field as to which team recovered was irrelevant, because the play is considered over when a touchdown signal is given, and the officials don't continue to officiate.

Regarding the fumble recovery, conclusive video evidence is required.

"There must be a clear recovery by the defense in order to reverse to a touchback," the league's Instant Replay Manual says. "If there is a pileup and you can't see who recovered the ball, or a long delay with players stopping before the ball is recovered, the offense retains possession."

Various Steelers players claimed that Roethlisberger, offensive tackle Jonathan Scott or guard Doug Legursky recovered the ball. The Dolphins all said it was Francis.

If the linesman hadn't signaled a touchdown, the scrum would have determined possession.

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Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington argued that the linesman shouldn't have been so quick to signal a touchdown. That way, the officials on the field would have determined who recovered the ball.

"If it looked like the ball was loose, play it out," Pennington said. "Don't throw your hands up in the air, especially in the last two stinking minutes of the game."

Coach Tony Sparano said the Dolphins wrote the NFL requesting an explanation, but he expects nothing to change. And he noted many other factors contributed to the defeat.

"The thing I'm most frustrated about is just that we got close against a good football team in that situation and didn't finish," he said.

The Dolphins repeatedly squandered chances to score touchdowns, instead settling five times for field goals. They again were plagued by mistakes in kick coverage and pass coverage. Even after the disputed call, they had a chance to come back but gained just 4 yards in an ugly four-play sequence, losing the ball on downs.

As a result, the Dolphins dropped their fifth game in a row at home, a streak that dates to last season. They're the first team since the 1982 St. Louis Cardinals to start a season 0-3 at home and 3-0 on the road, according to STATS LLC.

The good news: The Dolphins are on the road this Sunday -- at Cincinnati.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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