Watch CBS News

Steelers Ready To Leave It On Field Against Patriots

By Christina Rivers

The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots began their series in 1972, but it wasn't until the 2000s that the two perennial powers began to challenge each other for the AFC crown. Although the Steelers lead the series, 14-9, any time these two teams play the action on the field is high-energy with plenty of implications for the season. The Steelers and Patriots will kickoff the NFL's regular season on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium; their third Kickoff Weekend game in series history.

The Steelers didn't take time off for the Labor Day holiday, but focused on trimming their roster to the league-mandated 53 players, adjusting as other teams released players that could give Pittsburgh a boost to their squad and focusing on the game ahead.

Getting A Final Roster Ready

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spent plenty of time with general manager Kevin Colbert and team president Art Rooney II in making necessary decisions to get a 53-man roster ready for their season opener. With a short week, the process was truncated, yet what Tomlin called still “multi-layered.” 

Tomlin explained, “You look at health, because you want to start the season as healthy as possible collectively, and some of these guys vying for spots have health issues. So you have to decide and distinguish what to do with those guys, what list you’re going to put them on – PUP or IR, etc. You like to look at guys who are sure-shot make-it guys, active roster guys, and then there is a group of guys in between. You look at position numbers, you look at their bodies of work individually, and then you sort through that group.”

Tomlin hinted that the Steelers likely are not finished tweaking their 2015 roster. With the suspensions of Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant to be served, as well as several injuries including Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh will take advantage of able-bodied players that can contribute immediately and make adjustments as necessary as the season progresses.

Steelers Players Talk Patriots

“We just have to focus on the task at hand,” said defensive end Cam Heyward on Monday. “We know we are going into a hostile place. We know they won a Super Bowl last year. They are the reigning champs. You want to knock them off their throne.”

Heyward wasn't the only player that vocalized how important the game is to the Steelers or what will be necessary to walk away with a win. Cornerback William Gay told Teresa Varley of Steelers.com, “You just know it's part of their 2014 season they have to celebrate. But 2015, we don't know who the champion is right now. That is not going to bother us. At the end of the day the game must be played, the whistle blown and guys have to run inside the white lines.”

“We focus on what we need to do,” said receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, “on what we need to execute as an offense, defense and special teams unit. I think we will do a good job of going up there on Thursday night and doing what our jobs are.”

Ben Roethlisberger On Latest Patriots 'Cheating' Revelations, Offense

On Tuesday, the sporting news wire was once again lit up with more news that New England was involved in activities many would consider downright unsportsmanlike, including having employees steal play sheets from their opponents' locker rooms. When he was asked about it, Roethlisberger said, “I'm not gonna be the one that gives them bulletin board material, so maybe next week we can comment on it a little more.”

Contained in the reports was information regarding how other teams in the league have taken precautions to protect their information when playing the Patriots. Roethlisberger said that he has never actively participated and was unaware if the Steelers had practiced such methods, but that he has heard rumors from friends and players with other teams.

“I've heard [of] those precautions. You know, sweeping locker rooms for bugs,” said Roethlisberger. “Those stories that I've heard from other teams are pretty crazy.”

Roethlisberger told The Cook and Poni Show hosts on Tuesday that regardless of the absence of Bell, Bryant and Pouncey from the offense, the team will need to focus, but that it isn't an impossible task. “Not much chance, we have no chance, I don't even know why we're going,” joked Roethlisberger. “We don't have to try and fill in and do more for [those guys], we just have to do our job and do it to the best of our abilities...the biggest thing is that we leave it all on the field and let the cards kind of fall where they might.”

Steelers Practice Squad Revealed

Rookies Anthony Chickillo and Doran Grant may have been a bit worried about their status when they were cut from the final 53-man roster, but they were back after clearing waivers smack dab on the Steelers' practice squad with eight others. Rookie wide receiver Shakim Phillips (Boston College) is joined by fellow receiver Isaiah Burse. Jordan Dangerfield (S), Matt Feiler (OT), L.J. Fort (LB), Xavier Grimble (TE), Barrett Jones ( C) and Fitzgerald Toussaint (RB) round out the rest of the squad.

Christina Rivers has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers and National Football League professionally as a journalist and photographer for over a decade. Rivers studied Exercise Physiology and Sports Psychology at Brigham Young University as a student-athlete. Christina is a freelance writer covering all things NFL as well as a published author. Her work can be found on
Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.