The stability isn't the leading ingredient, though. What really sets the Steelers apart is the way the organization stays true to its identity without being imprisoned by it.
This past off-season provided a perfect snapshot. A pillar of the Steeler organization is character. Pittsburgh is one of America's few major metropolitan areas that can trumpet itself as blue-collar without showing false modesty. The Steelers build their roster with their reputation in the community in mind. This reputation is important enough that when Santonio Holmes, a 26-year-old star with a Super Bowl M.V.P. award on his mantel, was arrested and suspended for a second time, the owner Art Rooney instructed the director of football operations Kevin Colbert to get rid of him – even if it meant trading a first-round talent for a fifth-round pick.
At the same time — and granted, the team walks a very fine line — the Steelers aren't hog-tied by high-character stipulations. The front office was infuriated by the suspension-inducing off-field conduct of Ben Roethlisberger. But, contrary to news media reports in April, the Steelers never seriously explored trades for Roethlisberger. Why?
Because you don't win Super Bowls by trading a 28-year-old two-time champion who has more physical talent than any quarterback in the league. Double standard here? Well, you could certainly argue in the affirmative — and this is where the team leaves itself open to criticism — but not if your standard is maximizing the success of the Steeler brand. Sure, keeping a dishonored quarterback hurts that brand, but not nearly as much as winning helps the brand.
The Steelers publicly censured Roethlisberger and supported Roger Goodell's decision to issue a six-game suspension (barring bad behavior, it will be reduced to four games). And you can bet that even one more legal incident would stamp a ticket out of town. There are concerns about Roethlisberger's reputation in the locker room. But the uncomfortable truth is his reputation hasn't mattered in the past (the two titles).
On the field, the organization is also able to maintain its identity without Brett Keisel being stifled by it. Case in point: there were whispers that the front office wanted the offensive coordinator Bruce Arians fired this spring. The Steelers have long been a run-first team. But in the past two seasons, they've finished 22nd and 19th in rushing. In speaking to reporters about the run game, Arians caused a stir when he joked that his system didn't need a fullback (heresy to Pittsburgh's football purists).
Arians wasn't fired, though. Mike Tomlin realized that, while the offense probably needed more balance, it didn't make a lot of sense to dismiss the guy who called plays in a Super Bowl victory two years ago. A lot of front offices would not have let the head coach make this call. But that's part of the Steelers not being limited by their past. Ownership is humble and flexible enough to let Tomlin do his job.
Foote loosens up the locker room with his nonstop chattering and incessant Ziggy Hood arguing on any subject. Farrior is the defense's acknowledged leader, a reliable perfectionist who's always in the right position to make a tackle or shut down a play.
Last season changed everything. Foote was miserable losing in Detroit, relocating there only so he could remain a starter. Farrior remained Pittsburgh's top tackler but the quality of his play admittedly slipped as the Steelers missed the playoffs.
Back in Pittsburgh this season, Foote intends to remain a starter. To do that, he must beat out Farrior, the oldest starter on one of the NFL's oldest defenses - and a player who isn't the least bit interested in giving up his job.
Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Max Starks wasn't amused by Chad Ochocinco's recent trash talking. According to an interview Friday with Ken Laird of Pittsburgh's ESPN radio 1250, one statement in particular really bothered Starks, one of the team's locker-room leaders. Ochocinco recently said on his VH1 reality dating show, "Man, I haven't seen this many girls on a football field since the last time we played the Steelers." "That right there said enough for me, and I wish I played defense at that moment," Starks said.
"But you know what, I got a bunch of guys that's going to be in these dorm rooms later Byron Leftwich that will be more than happy to take up that challenge for me. Chad is who he is and he always has his frequent sayings. But some things you just don't say." Starks says he will make sure the Steelers won't forget Ochocinco's statement this season.
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