Despite fines and flags, Steelers’ hits continue

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

James Harrison and the Pittsburgh Steelers thrive on physicality in a league that is forcefully penalizing, fining and rebuking players who cross an imaginary line that appears to get redefined from week to week.

The Steelers and their three-time Pro Bowl linebacker admittedly are confused about how to play in this new, no-dangerous-hits-allowed NFL. Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert once complained that quarterbacks should be fitted for skirts as the league moved to protect them, and the rules back in the 1970s were far less restrictive than today’s.

The Steelers (7-3) never have been penalized more than they were during their 35-3 rout of the Raiders on Sunday — 163 yards’ worth of flags that once fluttered on four consecutive plays. Nine more penalty yards than in any game in their 77-year history. Six penalties alone for personal fouls.

So do the Steelers react? Do they pull up and not inflict a hit that might draw a fine or a penalty, possibly allowing a player to get loose for yardage?

Or do they keep on hitting, not worrying whether they cross the line or wind up with a substantial deduction in their next paycheck?

The Steelers say the answer is easy. If it costs them more flags, more fines, that’s just part of doing business their way. As long as it doesn’t cost them a championship.

“If you start letting penalties affect the way we play, we’re not going to be the aggressive team that we’ve always been,” linebacker LaMarr Woodley said.

“When we play like that, it brings more excitement to the game,” center Maurkice Pouncey said. “The fans love it, the coaches love it. We’re going at it. Let’s play football.”

The Steelers have the NFL’s best defense over the last four seasons, a span in which they’ve allowed 600 yards fewer than any other team. So while the rules are changing, they’re reluctant to stop being a team that doesn’t brag about being intimidating, but tries to be exactly that.

Even if they’re not exactly sure how they’re supposed to play in this fines-are-flying league in which Harrison has been docked $80,000 for hits that weren’t penalized.