Gildon's record-setting sack paved way to Steelers' win
Linebacker Jason Gildon became the Steelers career leader in sacks.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
PITTSBURGH -- Jason Gildon provided a spark and a bookmark for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 10th-year linebacker from Oklahoma State moved into the Steelers' record book at the right time -- when they flirted with losing to the Arizona Cardinals.
With his team leading just 7-3 Sunday, Gildon busted through the Cardinals' defensive line and sacked quarterback Jeff Blake on a key third down to start the second half.
Sack master
Gildon's 74th sack of his career made him the Steelers' all-time leader, moving him in front of L.C. Greenwood, and paved the way to his team's 28-15 win.
"I didn't want to dwell on it. If it was going to happen, it was going to happen," Gildon said. "My main thing was going out there and helping my team win games."
Which he did, because his sack put Pittsburgh in position to ground the Cardinals.
After Gildon forced Arizona to punt from its 3-yard line, the Steelers took over on the Cardinals' 29, from where they needed only two plays for quarterback Tommy Maddox to find Hines Ward on a 5-yard touchdown pass.
"That's the way we've been successful -- the defense goes out and gives our offense opportunities with the ball and a lot of good field position," Gildon said. "Today we were able to do that, and they [the offense] were able to take advantage of it."
Sunday's game marked the first time the Steelers were "on the same page" offensively and defensively, Gildon noted.
"We've been hit-and-miss throughout the season, but today was one of those days where we both got it going the second half," he said.
Chain reaction
After Gildon's sack and ensuing touchdown by Ward, the Steelers dominated, getting another Maddox-to-Ward touchdown strike -- of 22 yards -- and a 52-yard punt return for a touchdown by Antwaan Randle El that provided a 28-3 lead.
"We felt coming in at halftime that we played a decent first half, but in order for us to win this game, we had to come out in the second half and turn it up," Gildon said. "Everyone responded, and we were able to put up some big plays and turn this thing around."
Gildon added a team-high 11 tackles (eight solo and three assists) against the Cardinals.
He claims the enjoyment of overtaking other Steeler standouts -- such as Greenwood (1969-81) and Joe Greene (1969-81) -- won't be felt until later.
"I can't really enjoy it right now because we're in the midst of a bad season to this point, but we have a lot of football ahead of us," Gildon said.
"We still have a chance to make something out of it," he added. "Today was the first step. We just have to continue to get better."