Bill Cowher

Weve been playing well the last three weeks on the road, and weve got another fourth game on the road. I dont know if thats superstitious, but thats the way Im thinking.

— Bill Cowher thinking

Weve been fine coming off byes whether its in the playoffs or during the season. If you go back and look at our record (10-7 after byes), its not been too bad.

— Bill Cowher you

Weve been healthier. Were a little banged up. But I dont think anyones going to feel sorry for us.

— Bill Cowher health

We know the path that is ahead of us. Its a tough journey, but I kind of think we are looking forward to it.

— Bill Cowher war

You know what? It was what it was. We all played the same scenario. The bottom line is, we didnt get it done and they did. And I dont think the clock was an issue at all. ... I dont think it had any bearing whatsoever on the game, I truly believe that.

— Bill Cowher believe

Willie has the one thing that we never had -- speed. For a team that runs the football like we would like to run the football, to be able to have a big-play player back there is a bonus. He shows that ability to do that.

— Bill Cowher will

Willies done a good job. Willies earned an opportunity hes been given, and I dont anticipate changing Willie. But certainly well have to sit down and see how the rest of the mix plays out.

— Bill Cowher lies

Willies got the one thing weve never had - the speed. For a team that runs the football the way we want to run the football, to have a big-play player back there is a bonus.

— Bill Cowher lies

Willies starting again next week. Hes our starter.

— Bill Cowher art

Willies starting again next week, ... Hes our starter. Ive got to keep other guys involved and Ill attempt to do that, but Willie Parkers going nowhere.

— Bill Cowher art

You just saw an outstanding football game. Unfortunately, we came out on the short end of it. It was a tough loss, but well bounce back from it and move on.

— Bill Cowher loss

Why was he not in the game in the last series? ... Thats a legitimate question ... I wish I would have gotten him in the game in the second half.

— Bill Cowher wish

Weve played at a high level for a lot of years, and now they should have the same high expectations as weve always had. I think it should be a motivating factor to not let our performance slide.

— Bill Cowher man

Weve made sure everyone is aware that to get here is one thing, but dont make any mistakes about what were here to do. I think the veterans have come in and taken care of that.

— Bill Cowher war

Weve got some guys who have not been there before, but we have a lot of coaches who have been there before.

— Bill Cowher

Weve got some work ahead of us, theres no question. You just dont pick up where you left off. It doesnt work that way. Were going to lose some guys in free agency, probably. Well try our best to keep as many of them around as we can.

— Bill Cowher work

We wanted to loosen it up, ... We knew there would be a lot of eight-in-the-box situations.

— Bill Cowher want

We have a lot of players back; we lost a couple of key players and well have to fill those voids. But when you realize what you accomplished and youre part of history and you have an opportunity to do it back to back, it would be an unbelievable feat.

— Bill Cowher art

We have a group of guys who were very focused and stayed together.

— Bill Cowher focus

Well wear white because were on the road. Were not playing at Heinz Field and, to me, that makes it a road game and we wear white jerseys for road games.

— Bill Cowher play

We only have three guys under contract at the safety position.

— Bill Cowher safety

We only threw it 11 times. Its not like weve suddenly arrived, I dont think. Too much comparison has been made to (the preseason). Im not concerned with that. Im not ready to sit there and say everything is set with one game ... For the first time this year we looked like a professional team throwing the football.

— Bill Cowher time

We came a long way. This is a special organization and Im happy for the players, coaches and the city of Pittsburgh.

— Bill Cowher happy

We played our tails off defensively. We made the plays on offense when we had to. The sign of a good football team is when you (dont) play your best football and still win the game.

— Bill Cowher good

We have traveled a hard road, and grew as a football team, and individually. This is a very grounded and resilient group of guys. Weve never taken anything for granted and looked beyond the next game. We have kind of had tunnel vision throughout the process.

— Bill Cowher travel

We have a lot of coaches who have been there before. Well try to educate them, but this will be a very important week, no doubt.

— Bill Cowher doubt

You give the ball to Jerome Bettis, and a fumble is the last thing youre thinking about.

— Bill Cowher thinking

Well come in Thursday with the mindset that the deals not done.

— Bill Cowher mind

Well continue to keep our options open. But I feel good about the players we have.

— Bill Cowher good

We certainly arent going to let history dictate our journey. As I told the players a lot of times, your journey can make history.

— Bill Cowher time

We certainly have to play better than the last time we played them. Its going to be a challenge for us.

— Bill Cowher time

Yeah, we went into the gym to save their legs, and James hurt his knee, ... But I think hell be back out here tomorrow.

— Bill Cowher hurt

We didnt lose after the bye last year. But thats all right. I get enough losses around here, so I just try to make sure I get credit for some of the wins.

— Bill Cowher loss

We did a good job today of having our offense break the huddle quickly. And weve had a lot of work against the no-huddle offense. We have hand signals for the defense on the sideline. So those are things that shouldnt come as any surprise to us.

— Bill Cowher work

We dont ask people to run differently. I mean, runners are runners. Ive never tried to curtail a runner. Our offense has got enough plays that, within the running play, a ballcarrier has a chance to express his abilities. I think Willie has gotten more comfortable with the plays weve run.

— Bill Cowher people

We dont ask people to run differently, ... Runners are runners. I never try to curtail a runner. Our offense has got enough plays that within the running play a ball carrier has a chance to express his ability. I think Willie has gotten more comfortable with the plays weve run. Hes had a chance to watch some pretty good backs in front of him be patient on certain plays, hit it on certain plays. I think hes earned this opportunity if indeed Jerome cant go. Im not concerned; Im rather excited.

— Bill Cowher people

We really could not get a whole lot going offensively and I credit their defense.

— Bill Cowher real

Weve worked hard with our look teams about when they break the huddle, getting the ball snapped within eight to 10 seconds. These guys come up to the line of scrimmage and theyre gone. Its different. Weve worked on it all week. The guys are getting a sense of what the tempo is like.

— Bill Cowher work

We score there and the games over and you certainly dont question that.

— Bill Cowher you

Were going to attempt to get as many people as we can signed to extensions and hopefully get our draft picks in on time.

— Bill Cowher hope

Why, did he say something? No, we talk, but they are their own people. You know, we were all good on that Wednesday (before the Indy game), then he comes out on Thursday and does his thing. I mean, what are you going to do? He respects everyone. Its just that sometimes it doesnt come out right.

— Bill Cowher time

Were not playing at Heinz Field so, to me, its an away game.

— Bill Cowher play

We thought it was a lot like Jeromes, ... I think (Maddox) is going to practice (Wednesday). Theres a good chance hell be available this week as well.

— Bill Cowher good

Trust me, theyre the ones taking him out to eat every week.

— Bill Cowher trust

We did not play to our ability and the standards that weve set here, ... You like to think that its something that is correctable. Sometimes youre going to have a day like that. ... We did not have our best game.

— Bill Cowher time

We didnt give him any carries. I was going to try to get him in there, but the situation never (evolved).

— Bill Cowher

This time, theyll go to the game and enjoy it a little bit more than last time.

— Bill Cowher time

Weve gone through the disappointment, weve gone through the expectations. Weve gone through the three-game losing streak in the middle of the season. Weve done some things no one has ever done, so I think there is proper perspective.

— Bill Cowher men

When you get to this point in the season, there are not a lot of surprises. You have a couple of very good football teams that want to put together their best game plan, and then execute it in detail. There are usually three or four opportunities in any game to make the right play, and have an effect on the outcome. This game probably wont be any different.

— Bill Cowher good

There are a couple of guys who havent worked, but it is more precautionary than anything.

— Bill Cowher work

We had the opportunity, even in overtime. Its very frustrating at this point, walking away with a defeat. We knew coming in that it was going to be a grind and it turned out that way.

— Bill Cowher time

We went back to the pure basics, with the mindset that has allowed us to get to this point. We cant change that now.

— Bill Cowher change

This will be a good barometer for us because this is by far the best team weve played and maybe will play. They are a football team that is not used to losing at all. For them to come off a tough loss against Carolina has really probably compounded the challenge that we have.

— Bill Cowher loss

This will be a grind. This is a good defense. Theyre very disruptive. Theyre a good team.

— Bill Cowher good

With the bye week, we probably lost a little bit of that momentum. We were in one of those zones -- Just tell us where were going next. Just send us off to another team. I think these guys thrive on this. With all due respect to Heinz Field, we just kept going off. They said, Youre the home team for the Super Bowl. No, were not.

— Bill Cowher men

When you game plan, there are certain elements that you prepare for, certain things that you want to do. Certain plays will complement other plays, ... Youre always going to have complementary plays that set up other plays. Its a pretty dramatic difference from that point. ... Theres a lot more focus on what youre trying to do.

— Bill Cowher men

There are a lot of things we can learn from that game, ... We will. Well take a week off and recognize that we have a tough schedule ahead of us and well just take it one at a time.

— Bill Cowher time

This will be our third time playing them. Theyre explosive. They played well defensively down the stretch. There will be a lot of excitement in that stadium. Its a big challenge for us. We certainly have to play better than the last time we played them and better defensively than how we played today.

— Bill Cowher time

We missed him. Yeah, we won some games, but this guy is one of the best at his position in the National Football League and is recognized as such.

— Bill Cowher best

We mixed it up and did a good job of dropping eight and bringing pressure and trying to disrupt them and get them out of their rhythm. They hit some big plays there in the fourth quarter, and we were fortunate to get out of there with the win.

— Bill Cowher art

We mixed it up, you have to. We did a good job, dropping eight or mixing pressure to try to disrupt him, get him out of his rhythm.

— Bill Cowher good

We were put in that situation when we lost those three games. We have to come back and win at home against Detroit and go on the road wherever we need to go.

— Bill Cowher home

We have a 15-minute cooling-off period after the game and we obviously have some guys who could use a little bit longer than that.

— Bill Cowher

What Jerome gives you down in the red zone is how we are using him. On a 4th-and-1 you have a guy like Jerome Bettis. Its an easy call to make really. Down around the goal line he has a great skill for that.

— Bill Cowher sin

This was a big challenge for our team coming in and kind of weathering the storm early in the game. These are two very evenly matched teams, as was proven this year. Were fortunate and feel good about moving on.

— Bill Cowher good

This team understands its a journey. This is the first step. It was almost a battle of wills out there today, like who was going to flinch first. We just came up with a couple more big plays than they did, and that was the difference in the game.

— Bill Cowher journey

Those teams in the 70s put the city of Pittsburgh on the map. That was a phenomenal run. They created the tradition and the legacy of Pittsburgh. Were proud of that. But its good to be able to say we did it, too, in 2005, and we did our thing our way.

— Bill Cowher men

This was very reflective of how they feel about their teammates.

— Bill Cowher tea

We had to get back to basics and make everybody accountable. We had to look within, and these guys were able to do that.

— Bill Cowher body

We will be tested with this set of circumstances. Its going to be a defining moment of this football team.

— Bill Cowher men

The recovery time right now is he obviously isnt going to play this week and well assess next Tuesday, ... Well see where he is from there....

— Bill Cowher time

There is nothing that Ill enjoy more. Its special to have them there with you, and its more special to be with them, too, when they are competing.

— Bill Cowher joy

There is a lot of tradition with Pittsburgh and to be a part of that would be really special. We have the four trophies in our building and I pass them every day and to bring another one there would be very gratifying and very special for the whole team.

— Bill Cowher art

Well kind of go from there, see where hes at. He still doesnt feel real comfortable.

— Bill Cowher comfort

Weve got a big test ahead of us with this team, ... They lost and theyre going to come in with a big chip on their shoulder. Its going to be a big challenge for us.

— Bill Cowher lost

We had a special group, but its hard to bring everybody back. That happens every year. You hope to keep a good nucleus, draft well and maybe pick up some free agents. Its going to be a challenge, but I like where were starting and the players were starting with.

— Bill Cowher hope

You dont notice him much if you dont watch a lot of film. But the coaches see it all the time. Hes really smart, hes really sound and, at any time, hes going to come up with a play to beat you.

— Bill Cowher time

To try to create a spark, ... try to get a possession.

— Bill Cowher create

You have to keep your composure. We gave up some rushing yards. They were able to run the football effectively in the first half.

— Bill Cowher ya

We kind of traveled the hard road, but in the course of it, we probably grew as a team. It was tough to do what we had to do, but this is a very resilient, a very grounded group of guys.

— Bill Cowher travel

We kind of weathered the storm. We felt like at halftime we had kind of taken their best shot.

— Bill Cowher time

We just tried to limit Bens access this week. Youll all have plenty of chances to talk to him.

— Bill Cowher you

Weve been somewhat of a desperate team for a long time. I think we need to continue to play that way. Like I said before, we are still the same team that, seven weeks ago, not a lot of people were giving us a chance.

— Bill Cowher time

Well get them in here Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Well put a lot of (the game plan) in, not all of it, give them that edge, I dont want it to get stale.

— Bill Cowher day

We know in this business its hard to bring everybody back. They (potential lost free agents, including Randle El) will be hard people to replace but that happens every year.

— Bill Cowher people

We had an MRI (Thursday) night and everything came back negative. Hell be fine by Sunday. He was feeling pretty good.

— Bill Cowher good

We had an opportunity to coach him in the Pro Bowl and thats a special player. Andre Johnson has turned into one of the better receivers in the National Football League.

— Bill Cowher opportunity

We had another third-and-12 against Baltimore last week, we kind of stayed back in a basic defense and that was a touchdown. This was third-and-12 again and I was not going to do it again, so we came with the blitz and we were fortunate it worked out.

— Bill Cowher work

We are not done with that journey. Right now, this thing wasnt about week to week, it was about finishing the deal. And we started seven weeks ago and this is the eighth game. We had no margin of error, but it will be a constant reminder.

— Bill Cowher art

We gave up a lot of yards in the kicking game,

— Bill Cowher ya

We are about as healthy as we have been all year going into the game.

— Bill Cowher health

We dont have the kind of offense where youll see a quarterback putting up league-leading numbers. If Ben throws 20 times, at least 10 of those are third downs. You cant look at his numbers without taking that into account.

— Bill Cowher time

When you turn the football over four times and are minus-3 in the giveaway-takeaway ratio, you arent going to win many football games,

— Bill Cowher time

Weve all had heroes, and I know Jack Lambert was for me because I was a defensive guy.

— Bill Cowher hero

The quarterback position has been a little bit of a merry-go-round; weve had Charlie in there, Tommy in there, weve had Ben in there ... and, consequently, our passing game has suffered. There hasnt been that rhythm and being in sync.

— Bill Cowher art

We havent had time to think about that (pressure).

— Bill Cowher time

We have not played against him a lot. But I have tremendous respect for the guy. Hes one of those guys who can literally will a team to victory.

— Bill Cowher men

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