Steelers say they won’t change style

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

They’re not sure how they’re supposed to tackle. They’re also confused about why they must change the way they’ve played football for years.

What the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t worried about is the NFL’s stricter enforcement of dangerous hits altering their personality or physicality. Even if quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suggests the modification was made in part to make the Steelers (4-1) less competitive.

Linebacker James Harrison didn’t practice Wednesday, saying he’s not certain how to play defense now that the NFL plans to fine and suspend players for flagrant hits, especially to the helmet. Harrison was fined $75,000 for a punishing hit Sunday that left Browns receiver Mohamed Massaquoi with a concussion.

“We all have the same concerns of what’s legal and what’s not legal,” linebacker James Farrior said. “I don’t think it’s defined right now. It’s a question mark for us and we don’t want to get in trouble every time we hit somebody, so it’s definitely a concern.”

Safety Ryan Clark knows adjustments will be required to follow commissioner Roger Goodell’s decree that hits that endanger an opposing player’s safety won’t be tolerated. But Clark is convinced the aggressive, hit-before-you-get-hit mentality of the Steelers’ defense won’t change.

“We still want to play football in a physical manner. We still want to stop people from scoring touchdowns,” Clark said. “We’re going to try to do that. You have to change if your intention was to be dirty. If your intention was to go out here and hit people in the helmet, injure people and give people concussions, you have to change. But that’s never been our intention.”

The Steelers lead the NFL in total defense since coach Mike Tomlin was hired in 2007. This season, they are No. 1 in fewest points (60, or 28 fewer than any other team) and rushing yards allowed and are No. 6 in overall defense.