Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

" Whenever we want to talk Pittsburgh Steelers football week. Always make connections within who -- the Pittsburgh post gazette and it seems is always stock we talked Patriots Pittsburgh Steelers football a lot. According to the post gazette website. At -- at least 34 years in the business discovered every sport except for poker chests and cricket. What happened to those files is that what you wait for --"

" More economic right now I can't. I'm good Michael -- white guys who have."

" Doing great out -- and I don't want to make you feel old but the Steelers have had three coaches. Since 1969. And you've covered all of -- Does wondering how does that cause we all wondered this. When bill -- left in Mike Tomlin took over. From from the perspective. How do you compare Tomlin and power."

" They're they're different personalities. And dom. I've -- I would say that Mike's a more thoughtful coach. The he speaks the language better. Where bill was it in your face kind of I want use the term the Pittsburgh kind of god it worked you know. Everything was on -- He was. He would jump out of -- local boy error. Newspaper. A sometimes why help but it'll you saw it in a sort of sidelined many. Officials he wants ran out on the field. Stop the vote all of a referee's pocket at halftime he was so angry. And Mike doesn't do but they're both. In their own ways. Very determined to focus --"

" The up Pittsburgh Steelers went into this past weekend. Ranked number one in seven of twelve defensive categories. Number two and two others. Now the Patriots believe it or not do have a passing attack despite the fact that Tom Brady's out for the season what does this mean for this weekend's matchup here."

" Felt like one over what we were last year when dispute were -- who -- in London -- that spurt that a lot of I think they are one -- longer than forty yards and then gave up eighty up on the -- game. You know beep beep beep -- and so -- are -- but department so almost given up big plays and they of that this year. Like Matt capsules right worked all Brady was last year at -- incredible story it. Saudi. Really interest of the -- public or to get."

" You know and it's natural for us in New England when the Steelers are coming to town we always talk about different that's of people talk about when the Steelers. Our plan a plan their team but. What did you learn about their opposites year considering that. Willie Parker's miss time Rashard Mendenhall the rookie is out for the year you've had to go around to Mewelde Moore. And even at times Gary Russell what have you learned."

" Well we've learned that they're -- they don't have a commitment. Appeal to the running game that they had when Jerome Bettis here and and -- beyond that Tom Brady. They have not on the ball well they have a runner when they had to run it our conduct just this year with last -- well. And you know they're lying is not as good or dominant as it used to be they told. Commit to the run they don't practice as much training camp. And as a result their running game for a lot of reasons injuries also wanted commitment as well. Well what it used to beat but the pat to rely on the past. And Ben Roethlisberger was up to a last year -- hasn't been this year. All people that it's because he has sore virtual."

" Well I was going to ask did and I mean there was even some talk early on about having to practice and play through pain. Almost as though there were questions being asked about his his toughness -- those questions being asked now."

" I don't think anybody here ever really questions of those -- because we've seen him in many situations were often though. You know you don't sit back there gets sacked we sometimes the year op he talked about. But he hasn't rod has often this year either. It's rebels for an eight yard touchdown the other day it was -- for scramble. -- long time or earlier one yards the but he picked the first down on two which. Hasn't happened often this year so that part of his game like get out on the on the edge and with a truck to run or roll really hasn't been there should."

" There won't be any guarantees from. Anthony Smith or anyone else this year will hit."

" Well look we haven't had much opportunity to talk to Anthony because he's not what -- much anymore that game. Really exposed him for law things then. He's now not even the pop. He's -- safety some tickets for so well. He he really and become a non factor girl."

" There was ceremony before the game ten days or so ago where they honored Dick LeBeau and and his fifty years some odd years of of serving in football and Bill Belichick talked about I'm here yesterday as well in very laudatory terms. As Michael said he looks like a guy who's about half of what he really is age wise. Any just never seems to run out of innovations and and ways to make life miserable for other quarterbacks."

" You know there's good book policy on such a good deep -- or they're honestly the people forget. But he was a great player. You know let I think it's time he higher than that to the -- season. He was second or third all time interceptions. -- starter 171 consecutive games or. That it became a coach and he's really become Asia. I mean he -- in gear here and I think that's probably true with his colleagues throughout the week. He has. You know he has this team out there -- at the rankings year after year after year. Our players are in them. During the Super Bowl run they they wore his Jersey they got these throwback jerseys -- made up especially calls before where warmer but it just. They just --"

" Well I loved so much you what do what do you think it is that really jumps out at these guys. No matter what their what their ages."

" I think it's. He treats them like men. -- he's not one of those coaches it ever raises Maurice I've never worked races or it jumped on anybody's throat. I mean -- that tradition that goes back. Years with him as a coach. What because as players for beating around Christmas time he reached down -- you know public court game. But read them recite he doesn't need to read the night before Christmas the Carroll. There's just the kind of guy used the used so. Just want to -- he's like that are awfully like coach. These sizes. For years --"

" Com I've never read the Indiana gazette out of Indiana and crying. Until now. But I did read it today and it column written by Matthew -- landed which he quotes one Anthony Smith. Who said quote if they ask me again I'll say the same thing. He he he says yeah I can guarantee a win as long as we cannot do what we gotta do even the guys play -- and help us. Back off."

" Not a very smart. I tell you that I am. I used to look at that paper or actually thirty some years ago or first or government Steelers IP 74."

" Did you go to I UP Indiana University of Pennsylvania."

" I actually did that I was born in Lynn Massachusetts."

" Now how how do you get from -- most people -- land. Have no idea that there isn't Indiana Pennsylvania how'd you get from -- I UP."

" Well my dad worked for a you know they used to shoe company apparently -- She -- companies sold she boxes because so much you manufacturing to transfer the Pennsylvanian error was."

" Love love by UP there's also DO and knows is that California Pennsylvania to I didn't. That cal university and Indiana University. All of Pennsylvania I ask you this at legitimate and with the with the information. How awhile ago. Cedric Wilson former Steelers receiver had a situation with the girlfriend or I don't know it was a wife. The Steelers released him. Shortly after that James Harrison had an incident they did not release him and I remember. Rudy coming out and saying these are completely different situations where use that. Was there a double standard there ward -- the Steelers. Make a fair decision to release one guy keep another."

" Of course there's a couple hundred. It be like get Paul Brady did it does Matt Cassel backed up right now. You have would there be a difference there yeah I think there would be of course. There was -- there were there were differences like football or were you know hey I'm not want get smacked a possible -- As those things go minor. On an idol idol except for Wilson has ever been. Convicted parties are well coached worked out of Memphis right now. On the he wasn't bad guy but. Yeah there's there are certainly are open standards in the league dispute every today it was far Pro Bowl linebacker verses. A number or wide receiver who really isn't -- up on the charts as big difference."

" I have a tendency to elected at this time a year the team that absolutely positively has to win. All things being equal generally finds a way to do it. If I look at the Steelers situation they've got a one game lead over Baltimore in the AFC north they're undefeated in the division at four NL. Is this a must win for the Steelers this weekend like I think it is for the Patriots."

" Don't follow lawless almost -- they picked this up. Feel. Because they have a stretch here. It's wearing New England Dallas and a sea of Baltimore. And if they go to a two of those games and then. One at home against Cleveland and of finality there eleven of arms of the oldest is not on nearly doubles game for -- they like the win and obviously. But it it well but it is."

" I got an odd question for you what happened to the rookie. Limas Sweed at buddy do some things for the Steelers this year he's been pretty much invisible."

" Yeah he. You know rookie wide receivers for the most. Com have a soft. Take -- couple years to really catch -- Ricci -- in this league in these that really helps. -- played a little because of some injuries here and there. The you know had a tendency to drop some passes his route running wasn't very good so well. You know they they're not using outlook they have."

" Willie Parker going to be. Anywhere near what this team needs him to be down the stretch."

" I don't think so because there's the injury keeps all the opposite he heard it in the third game and that's been. Re -- white -- shoulder injury. You know with the MEL sprain which was slight -- keeps all the government with Willie Parker -- not. Talk about Jerome Bettis like talked about guys who are the home run hitter in. You know quickness and speed is his strength then you have an entry take that away as both sides so. I don't see it mostly to shut him down for awhile. And hope he can you'll. Would the Orioles were well Ron. I don't he's an --"

" Any concern about roster since the Steelers haven't played a competitive football game in seventeen days."

" Well they actually played. Cincinnati Iran at the data and -- but that's Cincinnati actually gave my game for whatever reason I think dispute what it now the competition and -- finals 47. And that. It was so there's it was 7UP about the first quarter -- on in law also. Not I don't think Ross to applaud my thank what Patriots are going to be well."

" And we were talking with Tedy Bruschi yesterday and he gave Hines Ward probably the greatest compliment a receiver -- get and that is. -- feels that. At the receiver position Hines Ward can set the tone for the offense by his his physical nature just the way he blocks. I have you seen that throughout your career covering this got a."

" He had his own series -- the best walk to receive robbers and he did that in Jackson Boozer came right out of rule walk on a guy. It manages kind of set the tone it was but it was fine for that -- later but. Yet he can do that in them you know he's a tough little guy. In. You know -- those -- story but. Are you out of you know out of the threat. Really never walk in his career. But he he can he can make those tough catches over the middle -- on and actually you know defensive backs and even our part broke the draw reversed Keith Rivers of the -- linebacker. They've gotta they've got to watch out for in all -- and they think that along helps their offer a fact that they ease ease the front -- the linebackers. Are always you know -- will look -- for Hines Ward. "

" You know it's funny the difference between Hines Ward one of the differences between Hines Ward. And Chad Johnson Chad Johnson is to keep that list of defensive backs that he went up against. I remember talking now -- before that first Steelers Patriots AFC championship game. -- he went on and on about the defensive backs and linebackers. That he is taken out with good blocks in the it was. It it really excited I mean what you want to talk about catch it and catching touchdowns. And one talk about some of the guys from the big different guys he's blocked."

" As well guys truly enjoys -- and football and you know well overall. Gate not just. Well how many touchdown -- connect get there's this game and are the top thrown at me. Are happy to on the bench -- see some of the store wide receivers. He just lost when in the game that. He truly if you control three walks that's three -- at two passes that's fine."

" Had we always appreciate taken -- talks and Steelers football with us have a great Thanksgiving and -- season."

" Our guys -- me on."

" Except they had thanks. At Busch at Pittsburgh post -- he's been nets and the 83 years thereabouts."