BlitzburghRockCity
11-06-2006, 12:27 AM
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_478399.html
A 2-6 record at the season's midway point suggests it's maybe time for the Steelers to throw in the towel.
But coach Bill Cowher said he's "not concerned" about his players giving up or giving in following Sunday's 31-20 loss to the Denver Broncos at Heinz Field.
"Nobody is going to let that happen," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said.
From running back Najeh Davenport's perspective, actions will speak louder than words, as the Steelers endeavor to keep it together.
"There's a difference losing here and losing where I was," Davenport said.
Davenport was signed by the Steelers on Sept. 8 after being cut by the Green Bay Packers.
His four seasons with the Packers were revealing, Davenport said, as have been his eight weeks with the Steelers.
"Losing where I was, you could feel false motivation in the second quarter, when you were down 21 points," Davenport said. "Here, I don't get that; I don't sense that. You see guys going full out -- special teams, kickers, offensive tackles -- you see guys giving it all every down, every play.
"You just keep feeding off of that."
Davenport carried two times for 17 yards, caught five passes for 57 yards and returned one kickoff for 23 yards against Denver. He also was credited with a special-teams tackle.
"We were in the game to the end," Davenport said. "I don't think there's a team we can play that we can't beat. Unfortunately, the last couple weeks, the ball didn't really bounce our way -- be it turnovers, penalties, what have you."
The Steelers' ability to react to adversity has been eye-opening, Davenport said.
"There were a couple calls out there, a couple things that happened, any other team, it would turn you against each other. Not here," he said. "I didn't hear that on the sideline.
"I'm from the outside looking in. I didn't go through training camp with these guys. I'm the new guy, still. I don't feel that here. I don't feel the defense hating on the offense or the offense hating on the defense. I just don't feel it. What I feel is this unbelievable energy from the defense, from the offense, after they make a play or after they make a stop.
"I feed off that, and hopefully, my teammates feed off me."
For all that feeding, however, the Steelers still trail the Baltimore Ravens by four games in the AFC North Division with eight remaining.
"We're gonna pull it together," Davenport said. "We just need a ball to bounce our way once, and we're gonna turn it around."
I think its alittle more than the ball bouncing our way...it shouldnt be bouncing in the first place !
I admire his dedication, hopefully his positive attitude carries through to as many as possible in that locker room.
A 2-6 record at the season's midway point suggests it's maybe time for the Steelers to throw in the towel.
But coach Bill Cowher said he's "not concerned" about his players giving up or giving in following Sunday's 31-20 loss to the Denver Broncos at Heinz Field.
"Nobody is going to let that happen," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said.
From running back Najeh Davenport's perspective, actions will speak louder than words, as the Steelers endeavor to keep it together.
"There's a difference losing here and losing where I was," Davenport said.
Davenport was signed by the Steelers on Sept. 8 after being cut by the Green Bay Packers.
His four seasons with the Packers were revealing, Davenport said, as have been his eight weeks with the Steelers.
"Losing where I was, you could feel false motivation in the second quarter, when you were down 21 points," Davenport said. "Here, I don't get that; I don't sense that. You see guys going full out -- special teams, kickers, offensive tackles -- you see guys giving it all every down, every play.
"You just keep feeding off of that."
Davenport carried two times for 17 yards, caught five passes for 57 yards and returned one kickoff for 23 yards against Denver. He also was credited with a special-teams tackle.
"We were in the game to the end," Davenport said. "I don't think there's a team we can play that we can't beat. Unfortunately, the last couple weeks, the ball didn't really bounce our way -- be it turnovers, penalties, what have you."
The Steelers' ability to react to adversity has been eye-opening, Davenport said.
"There were a couple calls out there, a couple things that happened, any other team, it would turn you against each other. Not here," he said. "I didn't hear that on the sideline.
"I'm from the outside looking in. I didn't go through training camp with these guys. I'm the new guy, still. I don't feel that here. I don't feel the defense hating on the offense or the offense hating on the defense. I just don't feel it. What I feel is this unbelievable energy from the defense, from the offense, after they make a play or after they make a stop.
"I feed off that, and hopefully, my teammates feed off me."
For all that feeding, however, the Steelers still trail the Baltimore Ravens by four games in the AFC North Division with eight remaining.
"We're gonna pull it together," Davenport said. "We just need a ball to bounce our way once, and we're gonna turn it around."
I think its alittle more than the ball bouncing our way...it shouldnt be bouncing in the first place !
I admire his dedication, hopefully his positive attitude carries through to as many as possible in that locker room.