Steelers Notebook: Patriots give Steelers chance to shine

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Steelers Notebook: Patriots give Steelers chance to shine
Saturday, October 30, 2004

By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Even though every NFL team targets them on the schedule, the New England Patriots have done more than just put together the longest winning streak in league history.

In the past two seasons, the Patriots have not lost to a team with a .500 record or better (12-0). The most recent came last week when they beat the New York Jets, who were 5-0 at the time.

The Patriots get another chance tomorrow at Heinz Field when they play the Steelers (5-1), who have won four in a row.

"I finally feel what it's like to play against Florida State," said Steelers safety Chris Hope. "Everybody had Florida State on their schedule."

Hope went to Florida State and played in three national championship games with the Seminoles. He said other programs targeted the Seminoles whenever they appeared on the schedule and treated the game as if it had national championship implications.

Hope said the same approach exists with the Patriots.

"I was talking to a couple guys earlier in the week and I told them, this is their chance to make those big plays they always dreamed about," Hope said. "This is the stage. Everybody makes their name against Florida State. You have a good game against Florida State, you become that guy. It's kind of like, going into the game, we have nothing to lose. Everybody expects them to win. There's nothing we should be afraid to try or afraid to do because they expect us to lose, anyway."


Bell doubtful


ILB Kendrell Bell went through an entire week of practice for the first time since training camp, but he is not expected to play -- and probably will be deactivated -- against the Patriots. Bell is targeting his return for next week's home game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I'm just trying to do the smart thing," Bell said. "I got a lot more football left in me. One game of not playing isn't much to me right now. I just want to get in and be able to go 100 percent and play the season out."

Bell said his contract status -- he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season -- has no bearing on his return.

"Not for me. My reputation in the past and things I've done, I haven't even worried about that right now."


Rookie record


Ben Roethlisberger continues to establish standards for a rookie quarterback.

His performance in Dallas, when he completed 21 of 25 attempts for 193 yards and a 125.5 passer rating, was the highest single-game completion percentage for a rookie (84.0) in NFL history.

"That guy is a different breed," said Patriots cornerback Ty Law, a four-time Pro Bowler.


Even more offensive


The Patriots are proof a dominant running back is not necessary to win a Super Bowl. Nonetheless, that didn't stop them from acquiring Corey Dillon in an offseason trade to complement their offensive package.

Dillon, the former Cincinnati Bengals running back, is fourth in the American Football Conference with 637 yards and already has three 100-yard games. Last year, the Patriots had just one 100-yard rushing game -- Antowain Smith in Week 15 -- and Smith finished with a team-high 642 yards, just 5 more than Dillon has after six games.

Dillon has had only two of his 31 career 100-yard games against the Steelers. The last one was in 2000, when he had 128 yards in Cincinnati's 48-28 loss at Three Rivers Stadium.

The Steelers are ranked 10th in the NFL in rush defense, allowing an average of 103.3 yards per game. But in the past three games opponents have averaged a healthy 4.9 yards per carry. Complicating matters, Pro Bowl NT Casey Hampton (knee) is out for the season and will be replaced by Chris Hoke, who has never started an NFL game.

"I just want to get this first game in," Hoke said. "It's been two weeks now since Casey was injured. I've had a week of practice and it's time to play now."


Plax is back


WR Plaxico Burress returned to practice after missing Thursday's workout with a shoulder contusion. He remains probable on the injury report but is expected to play.