March 2009 - Pittsburgh Steelers Wiretap
LB Harrison's Agent: Talks With Steelers 'Not Close'
The agent for Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison says that his client and the Steelers aren't close to terms on a new deal.
"We're talking and meeting pretty regularly, almost daily, but we're having a difficult time getting to where we need to be," agent Bill Parise said. "I would say talks are progressing but not necessarily yielding the results that we would expect."
The two sides are not expected to come to an agreement before the start of free agency on Friday.
Starks Signs Steelers' Franchise Deal
Steelers tackle Max Starks signed a one-year, $8.45 million deal on Saturday.
As a franchise player, Starks could have explored other opportunities, but opted not to shortly after winning the Super Bowl with Pittsburgh.
By signing the franchise tender, Starks' entire salary is guaranteed for 2009.
Harrison And Steelers Want Long Term Deal
The Steelers and James Harrison want to work on a new contract that will allow him to retire as a member of the club.
"He's earned a chance to finish his career here," direct of football operations Kevin Colbert said. "We recognize what James has done for this organization. He made a game-changing play in the Super Bowl. He's a special player and he's proven that. You want to try to take care of him if you can."
Steelers Kicker Reed Charged In Towel Incident
Pennsylvania state police say Steelers kicker Jeff Reed threw a temper tantrum at a convenience store in New Alexandria, because its restroom didn't have any towels.
Reed has been cited for disorderly conduct and criminal mischief, offenses similar to traffic tickets that carry a maximum fine of $300 and 90 days in jail each.
"Reed caused damage to a towel dispenser as he was infuriated at the fact that there were no towels in it," according to a news release by Trooper Shawn Askins.
Steelers And Harrison Talking Extension
The Steelers are actively negotiating a pay raise and contract extension with James Harrison, according to his agent, Bill Parise, with the sides having discussions as often as twice a day.
"It's been a very open process, and it's going about the way you would expect," Parise said. "So I think everything is moving along."
FBI Gets Involved In Super Bowl Porn Incident
Comcast is turning to the FBI to help determine how pornography interrupted its feed of the Super Bowl.
"We have shared all of our information on this situation with the FBI and will continue to provide our full cooperation to them throughout their investigation," company spokeswoman Kelle Maslyn said in a statement e-mailed to the Star.
Steelers' Ward Has Shoulder Surgery
Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward had surgery this week to "clean up" his shoulder, and doesn't not need a procedure on his sprained right knee.
Ward is expected to be fine for the start of the 2009 season.
Holmes Auctioning Game-Winning Gloves For Charity
Pittsburgh wide receiver Santonio Holmes is auctioning off the gloves he wore while making the game-winning catch in Super Bowl XLIII for charity.
Holmes has paired with Reebok to auction off the pair of NFL Pro Lite Fade gloves for the the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.
He has added his autograph to the gloves.
Roethlisberger Played With Two Broken Ribs
The Steelers didn't know it, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger played in Super Bowl XLIII with a pair of broken ribs.
According to SI.com, Big Ben said his fractured ribs did not show up on X-rays taken before the game on Feb. 1, but were revealed during an MRI last week.
"Luckily, in the game, I didn't take any big hits to make 'em hurt," Roethlisberger said. "But I knew all along there was something wrong. There wouldn't have been anything that could have been done about fractured ribs anyway. It was just suck it up and play."
Mangini Knows Browns Must Beat Steelers
New Browns coach Eric Mangini acknowledges that his team must beat the Steelers in order to be considered successful.
"What do you have to do to beat that team?" Mangini asked. "I don't think it's even a function of approaching it any differently. It's understood that you can't play in one of the Pittsburgh games without feeling it between the cities.
"What we need to do is make sure we're improving each day and make sure that we're making progress, make sure that every single day we're collectively making the decisions we need to make to get better. It starts there and when you get to that week, you need to understand what you have to do to win that game that week. There's nothing more important than that."
CFL's Logan Signs With Steelers
British Columbia Lions running back Stefan Logan has signed with the Super Bowl Champion Steelers.
NFL: Warner Fumble Warranted Review
The NFL admitted on Thursday that Kurt Warner's fumble with 5 seconds to go in Sunday's Super Bowl should have been reviewed by the referee.
Warner Hesitates To Call Steelers A 'Dynasty'
Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner has stopped short of calling the Steelers a dynasty in the wake of their sixth Super Bowl title.
LeBron Wowed By Holmes' Powder Salute
Santonio Holmes imitated LeBron James following his game-winning touchdown catch in the Super Bowl.
Tyree Defends Catch As Best Ever
David Tyree, who caught the infamous catch of Super Bowl XLII in New York's upset over New England, believes that his grab was better than Santonio Holmes' game-winning score.
On Second Thought, SB XLIII Most-Watched
Nielsen Media Research is now saying that the Arizona-Pittsburgh Super Bowl game was the most-watched in history.
Tomlin: Nobody Can Repeat In Today's NFL
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin doesn't believe that a team can repeat as Super Bowl champions in today's NFL.
Big Ben To Letterman: 'I Thought I Blew It'
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger admitted on the "Late Show with David Letterman" on Monday night that he thought he blew the team's chances in Super Bowl XLIII.
Super Bowl XLIII Was Third Most-Watched Show Ever
Sunday's game between the Steelers and Cardinals was the third-most watched television show in history with 95.4 million viewers.
Super Bowl Ratings Drop From '08 Peak
The preliminary returns show that Sunday night's Super Bowl had a lower rating than last year's event, which drew the highest-ever rating.
Porn Interrupts Super Bowl In Tucson
Viewers in Tucson watching the Super Bowl on Sunday got more action than planned when a short clip from an adult movie interrupted Comcast's broadcast of the game.
Tampa Police Arrest 26, Eject 18 From Stadium
Tampa police have revealed that they arrested 26 people and ejected 18 on Sunday in the wake of Super Bowl XLIII.
Steelers Win Thriller Over Cardinals
The Steelers won their sixth Super Bowl on Sunday with a thrilling 27-23 win over the Cardinals in Tampa.
Steelers' Harrison Records Longest Play In Super Bowl History
Pittsburgh's James Harrison intercepted a Kurt Warner pass on the goal line and returned the ball 100 yards to score a touchdown on the longest play in Super Bowl history.