A super performance

By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
PITTSBURGH -- After suggesting some of the Steelers were living too much off last year's Super Bowl championship during a 2-6 start, tailback Willie Parker backed up his words with his legs.
With New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees picking apart Pittsburgh's injury-depleted secondary for 398 yards, the Steelers responded with two fourth-quarter touchdowns by Parker for a 38-31 victory Sunday at Heinz Field against the Saints (6-3).
Both scores were preceded by long runs by Parker -- a 72-yard scamper late in the third quarter and a 76-yard gain in the fourth -- that gave the Steelers their first win in a month.
"Willie Parker is one of the great backs," Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher said. "You hold him and you hold him and you hold him, but then you get one play where he makes one guy miss. He's got that speed.
"Other running backs, you're looking at 20- or 30-yard gain, and he's a guy who takes it 60 or 70," Cowher said.
Parker, who rushed for 213 yards on 22 carries, had just 43 before his first huge gain.
The Steelers trailed 24-17 at halftime. Losing strong safety Troy Polamalu and cornerback Deshea Townsend to concussions forced Pittsburgh to rely on inexperienced backups, including rookie safety Anthony Smith, a Hubbard native, on nickel packages.
New Orleans took advantage as Brees broke his personal passing yardage record.
Turnovers prove decisive
Turnovers proved to be the difference in the game as the Saints fumbled the ball away three times and the Steelers took advantage for a pair of touchdowns.
The key turnover came in the third quarter with New Orleans nursing a seven-point advantage. Linebacker Larry Foote walloped Saints rookie running back Reggie Bush, jarring the ball free. Safety Tyrone Carter recovered and returned to the ball to the New Orleans 38.
Following a failed replay challenge, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger struck for his third touchdown pass. Split end Cedric Wilson juked cornerback Jason Craft then ran unguarded into the end zone where he hauled in a 38-yard reception.
After a missed field goal attempt by the Saints' John Carney, Parker started at the Steelers 14 and was caught by cornerback Mike McKenzie at the Saints 14.
"I didn't even look back," said Parker after producing just the third 200-yard game in Steelers history. "I didn't think anybody could catch me -- I learned something new today."
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Parker scored from the 3 to put Pittsburgh ahead for good.
Following Steve Weatherford's punt, Parker was at it again, bursting loose down the sideline until Craft caught him at the 4.
After a timeout, Parker scored for a 38-24 lead.
"Willie Parker played a phenomenal game," said Roethlisberger, who passed for 264 yards, was sacked twice and didn't turn over the ball. "He never ceases to amaze me."
Saints not finished
The Saints weren't finished as Brees drove them 64 yards on four plays. From the Pittsburgh 4, running back Deuce McAllister picked up center Jeff Faine's bouncing snap and ran in to reduce the Steelers' lead to seven.
If that was a designed play, "I'd like to watch them practice it," Cowher said.
The Saints took one last shot late in the game, but the rally fizzled when wide receiver Terrance Copper caught a 20-yard pass at the Steelers 25, then fumbled when hit by Carter who recovered the football.
The victory capped a turbulent week for Pittsburgh that began with a 31-20 loss to Denver and included linebacker Joey Porter guaranteeing a victory over the Saints.
Players' meeting
Cowher said he turned the team's pregame meeting over to players and said words were spoken to clear the air.
Porter's vow looked assured after Roethlisberger threw two touchdown passes in the first 81/2 minutes.
The first one covered 37 yards as flanker Hines Ward caught the ball at the 19 in the center of the field and then raced to the sideline for the score.
Linebacker James Farrior's hit on Saints tight end Billy Miller triggered a fumble at the New Orleans 32. Eight plays later, tight end Heath Miller caught a 2-yard scoring toss for a 14-0 lead.
The Saints responded by scoring on their next four possessions. Brees hit Copper for a 3-yard score, Carney kicked a 20-yard field goal, Bush (lined up on the outside) scored on a 15-yard run and McAllister scored from the 4.
williams@vindy.com