Published: Saturday, February 4, 2006
Injuries won't stop Steelers
Cowher was guarded in discussing injuries.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
DETROIT — Steelers Nation breathed a huge sigh of relief Friday when coach Bill Cowher said safety Troy Polamalu's sore ankle shouldn't prevent him from playing in Sunday's Super Bowl XL.
At Friday's final press conference before the Steelers game against the Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field, Cowher was guarded in discussing Polamalu's injury.
"He just woke up [Thursday], it was sore so we really held him out [of practice]," said Cowher of his third-year Pro Bowl safety. "We had an MRI [Thursday night] and everything came back negative.
"He'll be fine by Sunday — he was feeling pretty good [Thursday] night."
The Steelers coach attributed the problem to practicing on a harder surface than what the Steelers use at the training complex on Pittsburgh's south side.
"He didn't really turn it or anything," Cowher said. "It may have been more just working on a different surface, I think, than what we work on back in Pittsburgh.
"I'm hopeful that he'll be fine and ready to go on Sunday," Cowher said. "We'll monitor how much he does today."
The Steelers are based in the suburb of Pontiac and have been practicing since Tuesday at The Silverdome, the Lions' former stadium.
Kreider's status
Cowher said fullback Dan Kreider, who has missed practices this week because of a sore knee, is expected to play.
"He's certainly an integral part of what we want to do," Cowher said. "So I'm encouraged by his situation."
Cowher said that if Kreider is unable to play, third-string running back Verron Haynes and tight end Heath Miller would assume some of his duties.
Cowher also defended linebacker Joey Porter, whose criticism of Seahawks Jerramy Stevens on Wednesday stirred up some trash talk during what had been a tame week.
"You guys got what you wanted," Cowher said. "Joey is not being disrespectful. Sometimes takes some things — doesn't take much — but sometimes [someone says] something and he responds.
"I have a lot of respect for Jerramy Stevens, the whole Seattle Seahawk team. They expect to win the game, just like us. You wouldn't expect them to feel any different.
"Joey sometimes can get himself up, but that's him. And I'm glad he's not accessible to you guys any more."
williams@vindy.com
Saturday, February 4, 2006
Cowher was guarded in discussing injuries.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
DETROIT — Steelers Nation breathed a huge sigh of relief Friday when coach Bill Cowher said safety Troy Polamalu's sore ankle shouldn't prevent him from playing in Sunday's Super Bowl XL.
At Friday's final press conference before the Steelers game against the Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field, Cowher was guarded in discussing Polamalu's injury.
"He just woke up [Thursday], it was sore so we really held him out [of practice]," said Cowher of his third-year Pro Bowl safety. "We had an MRI [Thursday night] and everything came back negative.
"He'll be fine by Sunday — he was feeling pretty good [Thursday] night."
The Steelers coach attributed the problem to practicing on a harder surface than what the Steelers use at the training complex on Pittsburgh's south side.
"He didn't really turn it or anything," Cowher said. "It may have been more just working on a different surface, I think, than what we work on back in Pittsburgh.
"I'm hopeful that he'll be fine and ready to go on Sunday," Cowher said. "We'll monitor how much he does today."
The Steelers are based in the suburb of Pontiac and have been practicing since Tuesday at The Silverdome, the Lions' former stadium.
Kreider's status
Cowher said fullback Dan Kreider, who has missed practices this week because of a sore knee, is expected to play.
"He's certainly an integral part of what we want to do," Cowher said. "So I'm encouraged by his situation."
Cowher said that if Kreider is unable to play, third-string running back Verron Haynes and tight end Heath Miller would assume some of his duties.
Cowher also defended linebacker Joey Porter, whose criticism of Seahawks Jerramy Stevens on Wednesday stirred up some trash talk during what had been a tame week.
"You guys got what you wanted," Cowher said. "Joey is not being disrespectful. Sometimes takes some things — doesn't take much — but sometimes [someone says] something and he responds.
"I have a lot of respect for Jerramy Stevens, the whole Seattle Seahawk team. They expect to win the game, just like us. You wouldn't expect them to feel any different.
"Joey sometimes can get himself up, but that's him. And I'm glad he's not accessible to you guys any more."
williams@vindy.com
Saturday, February 4, 2006
Steelers Nation breathed a huge sigh of relief Friday when coach Bill Cowher said safety Troy Polamalu's sore ankle...
