Jerry DiPaola: Steelers Upset About Lack of Respect

[Just for the record...Bill Maas and Darren Woodson both said the Steelers were the most physical team in the NFL and predicted a Pittsburgh win on ESPN's "Cold Pizza". Chris Collingsworth, Dan Marino and Bob Costas all predicted a Steelers victory on HBO's "Inside the NFL"...Cris Carter was the lone dissenter on the show's panel. - jtf]

By Jerry DiPaola
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, January 22, 2005

The Steelers shut down most of their preparations Friday for the AFC Championship game, with some lingering resentment about their status as 3-point underdogs to the New England Patriots.
"It's the same old thing we've been going through all season," outside linebacker Joey Porter said. "The respect factor is not there. We beat everybody we played, and for some reason, they (media and other analysts) just don't believe we are a good team.

"It's one of those situations we have to go out there and keep proving ourselves. To make it all good, we have to take care of business on Sunday."

Porter's remarks were about as testy as any of the players' comments this week. They finished practice yesterday in their ice box of a practice facility -- with the heat turned off and the outside doors flung open to simulate game-day conditions -- and Cowher dismissed them with a longer than normal speech and a joke.

"Turn the fans off after practice," he said to his chilled players, and everyone left with a hearty laugh.

Many of the Steelers are facing the biggest game of their careers, but no one appeared nervous.
"You can't be nervous in these types of games," All-Pro inside linebacker James Farrior said. "This is the biggest game of our careers right now. You don't need to be nervous. You need to be excited."

Farrior normally has no trouble sleeping at night, but he said, "I'm going to be like a little kid the night before Christmas. I probably won't get too much sleep."

Defensive end Aaron Smith said he was more "anxious" than nervous.

"You believe in what you are doing," he said. "You feel like you have done all the work you can do to get ready for it. What is there to be nervous about? You feel like you have done all the preparation you can possibly do."

From the outset of the postseason, Cowher's message to his team has been this: Don't deviate from regular schedules or attitudes. They weren't uptight in the regular season; they don't feel there is any reason to change now.

"When you are loose, you play your best football," wide receiver Plaxico Burress said.

The Steelers concluded their second consecutive week of practice, with nearly 100 percent attendance. Linebackers Kendrell Bell (groin), Clark Haggans (groin), running back Verron Haynes (knee), wide receiver Antwaan Randle El (toe) and cornerback Deshea Townsend (hand) are probable on the injury list, but everyone practiced.

"We haven't been this healthy all year," Burress said. "Everybody is ready to go. If anybody has a little something bothering them, the adrenaline will take it away."

"Why be nervous?" right guard Keydrick Vincent said. "It's just another game to get to the Super Bowl."

Jerry DiPaola can be reached at trsp20@aol.com or 412-481-5432.