Steelers, Browns looking for 1st win

Associated Press

Pete Carroll has Troy Polamalu’s evolution from raw talent to defensive superstar on tape.

Every now and then the Seattle Seahawks coach will pop it in to show his players how to play safety the way it was intended.

“We’ve used him as [an] example,” Carroll said. “He is still in a bunch of my cut-up films from the old days. I appreciate everything he is, who he is and the way he plays as much as anybody could.”

And today, Carroll will get an up-close look at his former project when the Seahawks (0-1) face Polamalu and the Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1).

The Cleveland Browns — the AFC North Division’s other last-place team – are about to see how the usually quiet Indianapolis Colts are becoming a surly bunch.

Last week, the Colts bristled at the suggestion they’d falter without Peyton Manning. After a dismal season-opener, they’re downright ornery.

Players and coaches spent most of the week trying to figure out what went wrong at Houston, how to make corrections and map out a game plan to rebound against Cleveland.

It’s not just talk. The Colts are spitting mad.

Plenty has changed since these teams last met in 2008.

New coach Pat Shurmur is looking for his first career win. Colt McCoy has taken over at quarterback, and Peyton Hillis is the Browns’ workhorse running back.

However, the results haven’t changed much over the last three years.

The Browns (0-1) have won more than six games just one time since 2002, and are undergoing another rebuilding project.

“For us, it’s all about focusing on the next game we have, focusing on the 2011 Browns, learning the offense, learning the defense, getting wins, putting wins together, and turning this into a winning team,” left tackle Joe Thomas said. “All those historical things kind of take care of themselves.”

Polamalu, the reigning NFL Defensive Players of the Year, called Carroll a “huge influence” on his development, crediting Carroll for teaching him to trust his instincts after Carroll took over at Southern California following the 2000 season.

At the time, Polamalu was just scratching the surface with his ability. Carroll, a longtime defensive backs coach and coordinator before becoming a head coach, helped Polamalu blossom into a two-time All-American.

“He gave me a lot of freedom,” Polamalu said. “He taught me a lot about defenses, taught me how to find freedom within certain responsibilities.'

Polamalu and Carroll don’t talk much these days, though Polamalu expects a handshake and maybe a hug before the opening kickoff.

After that, it’s down to business for two teams trying to avoid an 0-2 start.