steelers' lebeau gets hall of fame...

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Steelers' LeBeau gets Hall of Fame bidDefensive coordinator is nominated for seniors' spot in Class of 2010 Wednesday, August 26, 2009 By Chuck Finder, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

Dick LeBeau celebrates with Lawrence Timmons after beating the Ravens for the AFC championship in January at Heinz Field.

The last time Dick LeBeau was in Canton, Ohio, a handful of his defensive players put on his No. 44 Detroit Lions throwback jerseys and posed with him on the Fawcett Stadium field before the 2007 Pro Football Hall of Fame game.

Nothing is definite yet, but the next time LeBeau is in Canton, a roster full of present and past Steelers -- let alone the usual horde of fans -- might line that same field next summer to watch him, after a 37-year wait, humbly enter that Hall as a member of the Class of 2010.

"It's my favorite picture of all time," LeBeau said yesterday about the 2-year-old freeze frame of James Farrior, James Harrison, Deshea Townsend, Ike Taylor, Casey Hampton and others gathering around their defensive coordinator, father figure and group conscience. "I got them hanging on a couple of walls."

LeBeau's bust being erected inside the Hall's walls seems a strong possibility, what with him and longtime Denver halfback Floyd Little being nominated yesterday as the two senior candidates for consideration -- along with 15 undetermined modern-day finalists -- for voting at Super Bowl XLIV near Miami. Each finalist must receive an 80-percent minimum of the selection committee's votes for enshrinement. Often, one senior nominee makes it, and, by late yesterday afternoon several national-correspondent voters already were offering rousing support for LeBeau.

His reaction when coach Mike Tomlin huddled the team on the South Side fields before practice yesterday and broke the news? The usual modesty. And emotion.

"Old Faithful Dick LeBeau," Farrior teased of the 71-year-old defensive coordinator, who counsels players about life and family, recites "The Night Before Christmas" regularly every holiday and holds deep feelings for what he calls his men. "I didn't even see his face, but I'm sure he was pretty moved. I think [a nomination] has been a long time overdue."

"Deep down, it'll be even more moving when he makes it," Townsend said. "He's deserving."

"Well, 'senior' is certainly the category I belong in," said LeBeau, honored by the Steelers last season for his half-century of NFL service as a player and a coach -- each areas where his resume merited Hall consideration previously.

"It's very humbling. I'm not sure it's hit me completely. Coach Mike just announced it on the field. I must confess, it was the last thing I expected to hear. It's a great honor to get this far, no matter what the outcome will be. It's a great day. It really is. I'm not going to turn it back in."

LeBeau's senior candidacy has been an open secret around the NFL for a couple of years, and one of his former pupils brought it to the forefront last month: Rod Woodson stumped for LeBeau in his induction speech 17 days ago. "Seriously, I hope the voters get it right," Woodson said from the Fawcett Stadium stage. "First of all, he belongs in as a player. Secondly, if you don't want to put him as a player, you put him in as a contributor, because he did so much for the National Football League. ..."

The LeBeau file

50 years in the NFL, 36 as a coach and 14 as a player.

171 consecutive games played for a cornerback, still an NFL record.

62 career interceptions is currently tied for seventh all time in the NFL.

3 Pro Bowl appearances as a player.

10 coaching jobs with four NFL teams, including three seasons (2000-02) as the Cincinnati Bengals head coach.

6 times the Steelers' defense has finished the season ranked in the top five in the NFL in LeBeau's seven years as coordinator.

2 Super Bowl championships as Steelers defensive coordinator.

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For one, LeBeau's boss agrees.

And Tomlin does not routinely sit in on meetings where the defensive coordinator half-kiddingly drops into conversations his 171 consecutive starts at cornerback, believed to be an NFL record for that island of a position, and his 62 interceptions, the seventh-most all time. LeBeau's reputation precedes him.

"In my humble opinion, Dick LeBeau is a Hall of Famer," Tomlin told media after practice yesterday. "This guy has had really two distinguished careers. It's well documented what he's done as a player. Few people realize the number of consecutive games this guy played at corner in the NFL and how far out that record itself is. The interceptions ... He has legitimate numbers that speak to a Hall of Fame career as a player. He's quite a defensive innovator as a coach[, too]. You couple all of that into one human being -- not only the fact that he's an awesome person -- and he's a Hall of Fame guy, in my opinion."

Humble perhaps does not aptly describe an Ohio farmboy raised 150 miles southwest of Canton. He was a standout at Ohio State and, for 14 seasons, with Detroit. He was a stand-in for actor Michael Caine in a movie. Then, in coaching, he invented the most popular defense of modern football.

When an out-of-town reporter inquired before the Steelers' playoff game in January against San Diego about LeBeau inventing the zone blitz, this 36-year coaching veteran became noticeably uncomfortable, almost embarrassed upon taking such credit. "Call Jerry Glanville," he advised the reporter. "Or..."

Asked to cite his accomplishments yesterday, LeBeau talked proudly of never missing a workday with the Lions as a player or with the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills or Steelers as a coach. The same as his father, an auditor who retired at 73. "Gotten in a harness and tried to pull my share of the load," the old farmboy said.

LeBeau will turn 72 the day before the Steelers' Sept. 10 opener. Though he has considered retirement, he enjoys the work, revels in his men. And vice versa.

Mike Logan, a defensive back who retired after the 2006 season, echoed many fellow alumni, when he said: "I still confide in him."

"We have an usual group of guys here. Both sides of the ball. They just play," LeBeau said. "Proud of them. There's no question [this Steelers defense] kept my name current, with what they've done. They've gotten all of us, myself included, two championship rings. This is just one more honor.

"It makes you think you did something right somewhere along the line."

Chuck Finder can be reached at [email protected].

First published on August 26, 2009 at 12:00 am

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As for Tomlin ... enough never enough Wednesday, August 26, 2009 By Gene Collier, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Gene Collier

Two weeks from tomorrow night, in front of a nation's insatiable pro football audience, Mike Tomlin will begin his third season as the head coach of the Steelers with nothing to accomplish that he hasn't already.

At 37.

What it took Bill Cowher 14 years to do in Pittsburgh, what it took Chuck Noll six, it has taken Mike Tomlin two. And though no one has to be persuaded that it has been an incredible year in sports in this city, Tomlin's sprint to the top of the profession seems like a marathon compared to that of Dan Bylsma, who got there in less than four months.

"I know they talked about it when coach Bylsma visited training camp," Kevin Colbert was saying after lunch yesterday. "About what they have to do now."

What they have to do now is merely the impossible, namely satisfying two roiling fan bases with merely impossible standards, but no one would be surprised if they did exactly that.

No, Mike and Dan don't have to bring home their sports' most opulent trophies every year, they just have to have a cripplingly good reason when they don't.

The Penguins open training camp inside of three weeks, and I suspect it will be as evident in the locker room of the defending Stanley Cup champions as it has been with the Steelers that neither professor is in danger of carrying himself any differently with a league title at the top of his curriculum vitae.

In the case of the NFL's Coach of the Year for 2008, the respect he has earned among the Steelers has only begun to approach its full dimensions.

"The thing that's always impressed me most about him is that he always has a plan," offensive right tackle Willie Colon said yesterday. "He always knows where we need to go and how to get there; there's never a stagnant point. He just knows how to push certain buttons to motivate this team. He's an extremely fair-minded business person. If you have the ability to get the job done, that's what matters to him. There's none of the politics or bull that you sometimes find in this business.

"He knows how to handle people and he knows when he has veterans on this ballclub and how to go about that, too."

Tomlin has come under some whispering scrutiny over what has been getting called "Camp Cupcake," in which he has given veterans plenty of days off, but the general result has been that those players are halfway through the preseason schedule in fairly good health, health being the only true barometer of preseason success. The second-guessing of the Steelers' coach is considered an unalienable right by some, but somebody ought to point out that we are suddenly talking about the NFL coach with the best winning percentage in the active 32-man fraternity.

Tomlin is 25-11 counting the postseason, and that .694 is the best on the board.

"If you look at coaches who've won the Super Bowl, a lot of them were hired in their 30s," Colbert said. "There's Shula, Noll, Shanahan, Belichick, Holmgren and more [Landry, Madden and Cowher]. But I haven't even thought of what impact [early success] might have on Mike. He's really done the same things he always did. His approach seems to be exactly the same. He doesn't seem to have gone out of his way to make anything seem like it's not business as usual.

"He's really gone about it as if last year was the same as the previous year."

But unlike his inaugural 10-6 and first available exit from the playoffs, last year was the year Tomlin delivered Pittsburgh itsunprecedented sixth Lombardi Trophy as the youngest coach to win the Super Bowl. Last year, he went 15-4, meaning that he has won more games in two years than 12 of the 15 men who coached this franchise did in their entire tenures.

"He's really done a great job and, if you think of it, he did come into a situation that was similar to Bylsma's," said veteran defensive lineman Chris Hoke. "The last year with coach Cowher, there was a lot of talent here but we were just not playing

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that well. When Bylsma took over, same thing, a lot of talent, but talent that was really struggling."

Cowher's farewell 8-8 might not have delivered as desperate a situation as the one Bylsma flew into in February, but the conversion of the franchise to Tomlin's way of doing things has been every bit as complete.

"The best thing is that he knows that for us to get where we want to go, he's got to be at the top of his game," Colon said. "That's the kind of person you need steering the ship. We're all proud of him."

Gene Collier can be reached at [email protected] or 412-263-1283. More articles by this author


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Steelers Notebook: Big Ben practices; Dixon out this week Wednesday, August 26, 2009 By Chuck Finder, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

One quarterback returned to practice and one did not, although the Steelers appear neither distressed nor even the least bit worried about the injuries to both.

Ben Roethlisberger participated in a limited fashion in practice yesterday for the first time since injuring his right foot at the end of practice Thursday and missing the Steelers' 17-13 exhibition loss at Washington. He was joined on the South Side fields by backup Charlie Batch and free agent Mike Reilly. No. 3 quarterback Dennis Dixon missed practice after sustaining a separated right (throwing) shoulder against the Redskins. Sources said Dixon's injury is not believed to be serious, so the Steelers do not plan to sign another quarterback for camp.

The Steelers expect Roethlisberger to start Saturday against Buffalo in the third preseason game and, like the rest of the starters, play "a significant amount of time. What that is at this point is to be determined," coach Mike Tomlin said.

"Ben participated in a limited capacity," Tomlin said of the starting quarterback, who stood and watched the final 10 minutes of practice while icing down the ailing foot. "We like where he is. We'll continue to move forward. ... He won't be limited in any form or fashion" for Saturday.

Of Dixon, the coach said: "You can characterize him as 'out' this week. That's all I'm willing to characterize him at this point. I'm going to be optimistic."

Also on the injury front, Tomlin reported that tight end Sean McHugh is scheduled for what he termed "clean-up surgery" this morning, with more details about McHugh's status determined from that arthroscopic procedure.

Offensive tackle Jason Capizzi also was limited yesterday due to a shoulder injury. Missing were receiver Santonio Holmes (back), whom Tomlin expected "back soon," along with running back Willie Parker (hamstring); fullback Tank Summers (hamstring); offensive guard Darnell Stapleton (knee) and receiver Hines Ward, who got the day off as with any "simulated in-season Wednesday," Tomlin kidded.

Critical Max

What a week Max Starks just had.

First, toward the end of the final practice Thursday at Saint Vincent College, the Steelers' starting offensive left tackle stepped on what he initially thought was a running back's toes -- only to find out it was the planting right foot belonging to the club's $102 million quarterback, Roethlisberger.

Then, the first play Saturday night at Washington, he was called for holding.

The latter was acceptable, all part of being an offensive lineman, he said.

The former?

"Just a play," Starks said, not one bit sheepish about the subject but rather the end result of a pass-rushing confrontation between him and linebacker James Harrison. "Two guys going really hard, one guy didn't see the other one.

"Ben kind of stepped up and around and kind of got nicked. Actually, I didn't know where he was. I turned to look, and he already was by me ... I looked back, 'Who did I step on?' When I saw Charlie coming in, that's when I realized ..."

Roethlisberger and Starks -- whose lockers are next to each other in the South Side facility --have talked about the play, the one that kept Roethlisberger out of the exhibition Saturday.

"I kind of clipped [him] with my heel," Starks continued. "That's what happens. It's football. Obviously, it isn't ballet. I'm glad it wasn't anything serious. He knew I was upset about it. But he'll be fine."

As for the 10-yard holding penalty called on Starks on an incomplete screen pass from Batch to Parker on the offense's opening play two nights later, Starks ascribed that to another mundane football moment.

"Oh, I wasn't actually thinking about it," Starks said. "It's a screen pass. You're supposed to break from the defense ... It's one

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of those things you're competing. It wasn't like jumping offsides ... or fighting after a play. It's a holding call. You're an offensive lineman, that comes with the territory."

Quick hits

Halfback Mewelde Moore (hamstring) returned to practice for the first time since Aug. 4. "It feels good to be out there doing what I love to do," Moore said. Could he be ready for Saturday? "Hey, man, one day at a time."

Staff writer Ed Bouchette contributed to this report. Chuck Finder can be reached at [email protected].


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NFL Notebook: Burress hopes to play after jailAdmits to uneasiness about time in prison Wednesday, August 26, 2009 The Associated Press

Plaxico Burress said yesterday that he plans to return to the NFL after serving a two-year prison sentence on a weapons charge.

In an ESPN interview broadcast last night, the former Steelers and New York Giants receiver said he is not sure about what to expect in prison and is anxious about being separated from his family and revealed his wife is expecting a baby girl Thanksgiving.

Burress, 32, pleaded guilty last week to attempted criminal possession of a weapon stemming from an accidental shooting last November and accepted a two-year prison term. He is to be sentenced Sept. 22.

He said he didn't know whether he would live or die in the moments after accidentally shooting himself at a Manhattan nightclub.

"I almost killed my own self. And I got to go to prison for almost killing my own self."

Dolphins

The small-stakes investment of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams in the Miami franchise was formally announced yesterday. The sisters are the first female African-Americans to hold an ownership stake in an NFL franchise, the Dolphins said. The league has no African-American majority owner.

Cowboys

Two Dallas employees seriously injured in the collapse of the team's indoor practice facility filed lawsuits against the company that designed the structure and others linked to its construction and repair. Scouting assistant Rich Behm and special teams coach Joe DeCamillis filed lawsuits against Summit Structures LLC and others involved in building and repairing the steel and fabric facility.

Seahawks

Edgerrin James did not practice with the Seahawks yesterday, a day after the league's active leading rusher reportedly had reached an agreement on a free-agent contract with the team. James' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was inside team headquarters into yesterday afternoon. A team spokesman said there was "nothing new to report" -- even though T.J. Duckett was out of practice hours after an Internet report that the veteran running back was about to be waived to make roster room for James.

Titans

Tennessee activated All-Pro center Kevin Mawae off the physically-unable-to-perform list, and his first practice is the latest step in his recovery since tearing his right triceps tendon in December. Mawae needed surgery in the offseason to repair the torn tendon. The 15-year veteran has targeted the season opener Sept. 10 at Pittsburgh for his return.

Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


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Steelers' preseason game has added importance By John Harris TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, August 26, 2009

While it's only an exhibition game, Saturday night's Steelers-Bills contest at Heinz Field is generally considered the most important of the preseason.

Starters usually play longer in the third exhibition game, and the play-calling resembles what's likely to occur in the regular season.

"We're approaching this game as if it was a real game," right tackle Willie Colon said. "I think this game you're going to see us out there more."

Said coach Mike Tomlin: "We're looking for our starters to play a significant amount of time."

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers' most visible starter, returned to practice as a limited participant Tuesday after missing the second preseason game against Washington because of a right foot injury.

Roethlisberger suffered the injury during the morning practice on the final day of training camp at St. Vincent College last Thursday. He missed the afternoon practice that day along with Friday's walk-through, and he watched the preseason game against the Washington Redskins the next day from the sideline.

Tomlin said Roethlisberger will start against Buffalo.

"He won't be limited in any form or fashion," Tomlin said.

Surrounded by reporters in the locker room following practice, defensive captain James Farrior asked Roethlisberger about his playing status.

"Ben, you missing any time?" Farrior said.

"I don't think so. Not that I know of," Roethlisberger said.

Yesterday's practice was the Steelers' first since the final day of training camp.

Roethlisberger took some reps with the first-team offense. Backup Charlie Batch, who started against Washington, took the majority of reps.

In Roethlisberger's absence, Batch guided the first-team offense to its first

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touchdown of the preseason against the Redskins.

"Being able to go down there and help put this team in the end zone, that was a plus," Batch said.

No. 3 quarterback Dennis Dixon, who suffered a mild separation of the AC joint in his right shoulder, did not practice and has been ruled out against Buffalo.

Some Steelers are mixed on the importance of the game against the Bills. Colon said the offensive line needs to perform better on first and second down and develop more cohesion.

"From our standpoint, as an offensive line, we're going to approach it like we're getting ready for a Sunday game," Colon said. "We've got a lot of things to accomplish while we're out there. We've got to get the run game going. Obviously, we've got to keep the quarterback upright."

Receiver Hines Ward said he tries to keep exhibition games in perspective.

"Of course you want to go out and put on a great showing, but that doesn't indicate how the season's going to go," Ward said. "I've been here long enough, the third game we went out and looked miserable ... and then went out and had a great season. It'd be great to play a little longer. When I suit up, I want to play. One game is not going to make or break the season."

John Harris can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.

Images and text copyright © 2009 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co.

Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from Trib Total Media

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LeBeau 'humbled' by Hall of Fame nomination By John Harris TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, August 26, 2009

When Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called his team together at the conclusion of Tuesday's practice, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau was expecting a typical post-practice talk.

Instead, LeBeau received the surprise of his life.

Tomlin announced LeBeau was named by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Senior Committee as a finalist for election into the Hall of Fame with the Class of 2010.

"That was the last thing I expected to hear,'' said LeBeau, who was genuinely taken aback by the honor. "I'm humbled.''

LeBeau's players reveled in the news. LeBeau has a unique relationship with members of the Steelers defense, who respect his innovative coaching methods as well as his easy communication style.

"I think this is long overdue,'' inside linebacker and defensive captain James Farrior said. "He revolutionized the zone blitz, and his contributions to the game are unparalleled. He deserves to be in as a player or coach. It couldn't go to a better person.''

LeBeau, who starred at cornerback for 14 seasons with the Detroit Lions, will join running back Floyd Little as Senior Committee finalists, along with 15 still-to-be-named modern-era candidates for election into the Hall.

The Hall of Fame selection meeting will be held the day before Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida. To be elected, nominees must receive the same 80 percent voting support that's required of all finalists. On Tuesday, members of the Senior Committee met in Canton, Ohio, to discuss the finalists. To be a senior nominee, an individual must have completed his active career by at least 25 years.

LeBeau, 71, started a record 171 consecutive games, and his 62 career interceptions are tied for seventh in NFL history. He is entering his 51st year in pro football -- 37 as a coach, 14 as a player.

Last season, LeBeau's unit led the league in total defense, pass defense and points allowed per game while finishing second against the run.

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"I've got an unusual group of guys on both sides of the ball,'' LeBeau said. "There's no question they've kept my name current with what they've done. I'm grateful to them, and I'm grateful to the committee and all my friends through the years.''




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Roethlisberger's attorneys to seek sanctions By Michael Hasch TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Attorneys for Ben Roethlisberger have notified the attorney for the woman who claims she was sexually assaulted by the Steelers quarterback that they intend to seek sanctions against him for the "frivolous" lawsuit filed against the millionaire football player.

The attorneys notified Reno attorney Calvin Dunlap on Tuesday that he has 21 days to rectify what they call factual errors in the lawsuit before they seek sanctions against him in the Second Judicial District Court of Nevada where the suit was filed.

Dunlap is representing the Nevada resort worker who claims that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her on July 11, 2008, at Harrah's Lake Tahoe Hotel and Casino, where she worked as a VIP concierge and he was attending a celebrity golf tournament.

Roethlisberger, 27, has denied assaulting the 31-year-old woman who has never gone to police. The Tribune-Review does not name alleged victims of sexual assault.

"Roethlisberger respectfully requests that the fabricators of a scheme masquerading as a lawsuit, designed to harass and embarrass him ... be subject to Rule 11 sanctions," the proposed motion states. "(Roethlisberger) hopes the sanctions will shock (the woman's) counsel back to reality ..."

The Internet Lectric Law Library states: "Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11 provides that a district court may sanction attorneys or parties who submit pleadings for an improper purpose or that contain frivolous arguments or arguments that have no evidentiary support."

Dunlap, who could not be reached for comment last night, previously filed court documents accusing Roethlisberger's attorneys of trying to "bully" the woman into dropping her civil suit and for suggesting they might countersue her, a move he said "borders on extortion."

Michael Hasch can be reached at [email protected] or 412-320-7820.



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T.O. out for Saturday's game By The Associated Press Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Steelers fans won't get a chance to boo Terrell Owens on Saturday.

The Buffalo Bills' wide receiver will miss the 7:30 p.m. preseason game at Heinz Field with a sprained toe.

Owens, who will miss his third straight preseason game, still hasn't been through a full practice since jamming his foot during the Bills starting offense's only series against Tennessee in the Hall of Fame game Aug. 9.

Owens spent 10 minutes working out on his own in practice yesterday, the first time he's been on the practice field since taking part in individual drills on Aug. 17.

The Associated Press can be reached at or .



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Ward: Receivers' battle should help Steelers By John Harris TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, August 26, 2009

• The battle for No. 3 receiver between veteran Shaun McDonald, second-year player Limas Sweed and rookie Mike Wallace will help the Steelers offense, starter Hines Ward predicted. "I can't put numbers on who's going to get what, but competition brings out the best in everyone," Ward said Tuesday. "Right now, there's no clear-cut favorite who's No. 3. Each day, they're having to prove themselves. Those guys are going to help develop our depth at wide receiver, and it's going to give us a great opportunity to run four and five (receiver sets) in third-down situations."

• In the preseason opener against Arizona, Doug Legursky started at center in place Justin Hartwig. A week later against Washington, Legursky started at left guard for Chris Kemoeatu. Legursky's versatility could prove handy for a team that values players who can play multiple positions. "What can you say? The guy's an undrafted free agent and he's able to come in and fill a starting role in the preseason and hold his own," left tackle Max Starks said. "He's done a great job and he's definitely as asset to this offensive line. We communicated great on our side. He's very smart and very flexible.''

• Receiver Santonio Holmes took a helmet to his back against Washington and sat out yesterday's practice. Running back Mewelde Moore returned to practice after being sidelined with a hamstring injury. Two other running backs missed practice with hamstring issues: Willie Parker and rookie Frank Summers, whose status coach Mike Tomlin said remains "iffy.'' Tomlin said tight end Sean McHugh will have arthroscopic knee surgery this morning. Quarterback Dennis Dixon (shoulder) and guard Darnell Stapleton (knee) are out Saturday for the Buffalo game.

Digits

4 -- Third-down plays for the first-team offense against Washington.

2 -- Third-down conversions for the first-team offense against Washington.




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WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26, 2009 :: Last modified: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 11:37 PM EDT

Roethlisberger should be ready Saturday By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff

PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger didn’t speak to the media after practice Tuesday, but there’s no doubt he’ll play extensively Saturday against the Buffalo Bills. "He won't be limited in any form or fashion," coach Mike Tomlin said.

Five days after suffering a lower leg injury at the last full practice at training camp, Roethlisberger was back on the practice field as the Steelers returned to team headquarters on the South Side of Pittsburgh. On Thursday at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Roethlisberger suffered an Achilles’ tendon/heel injury when he was stepped on by tackle Max Starks during a passing drill. Roethlisberger missed this past Saturday's preseason game against the Washington Redskins. But he’s got the green light for this Saturday's exhibition at Heinz Field against the Bills. “We like where he is,” Tomlin said. At Tuesday’s practice, Roethlisberger was limited. He took part in individual drills and some team drills. But for most of the 11-on-11 periods, it was back-up QB Charlie Batch running with the first-team offense. After practice, Roethlisberger walked by a group of media members in the locker room and said, “I have a meeting in three minutes guy. Maybe after.” Roethlisberger and the rest of the first-stringers are expected to play at least a half, if not more, against the Bills. Meanwhile, third-team QB Dennis Dixon remains out indefinitely with a separated shoulder. Dixon was injured in the fourth quarter Saturday night. "I'll characterize him (Dixon) as out for this week, but that's all I'm willing to characterize him at this point," Tomlin said. "I'm going to be optimistic."

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Steelers Notes: TE Johnson improves chances By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff

PITTSBURGH — When training camp started on July 31, rookie tight end David Johnson was a long shot at best to earn a roster spot with the Steelers. But now, 27 days later, his chances have improved significantly. For one thing, Johnson has gotten better and better on the practice field. Then on Tuesday, coach Mike Tomlin said that Sean McHugh, a third-team tight end last year, needs arthroscopic knee surgery.

McHugh, who missed Saturday’s preseason game in Washington, was to be operated on this morning. Tomlin called it “some clean up surgery.” So there’s a chance McHugh may miss the final two exhibitions. A seventh-round pick who was the 241st player taken in this year’s NFL Draft, Johnson has yet to catch a pass in the two preseason games. But he’s blocking well both at tight end or occasionally when he's lined up as a fullback. “The best thing I’ve been doing is just adjusting (to the pro game),” said Johnson, who played at Arkansas State. “I’m learning from the vets every day and I’m just fighting for a job.” MORE INJURY NEWS Besides McHugh and third-team quarterback Dennis Dixon (separated shoulder), three other Steelers missed practice Tuesday with injuries. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes sat out after taking a helmet to the back Saturday in Washington. Tomlin said Holmes “will participate here soon (at practice).” But Holmes told the NFL Network that he may miss Saturday’s game against Buffalo. Stay tuned. Running back Willie Parker, who scored the Steelers’ only touchdown Saturday, sat out with a tender hamstring. “He’ll be fine,” Tomlin said. Running back/fullback Frank “Tank” Summers is still hobbled with a hamstring injury that kept him out of Saturday’s game in Washington. He’ll likely miss the game against the Bills. Tackle Jason Capizzi was limited Tuesday due to a sore shoulder. Wide receiver Hines Ward isn’t hurt but was given the day off by Tomlin.

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FIRST GAME PLAN For the first and only time this preseason, the Steelers are actually putting in a game plan for Buffalo. “We have a legitimate, simulated (regular-season) game week,” Tomlin said. “We laid the foundation (Tuesday) for our game plan in all three phases, offense, defense and special teams.”


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LeBeau nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame By Mike Bires Times Sports Staff

PITTSBURGH -- Dick LeBeau, the Steelers’ highly regarded defensive coordinator, will be one of two senior committee nominees for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “That’s correct,” said Joe Horrigan, the HOF’s vice president for communications and exhibits. “We’re sending out a press release as we speak.”

Horrigan said today that the other senior committee nominee is former Denver Broncos running back Floyd Little. Once voting in the selection process begins later this year, LeBeau and Little will join 15 modern day finalists. The modern-day finalists have yet to be chosen. Between four and seven inductees are chosen each year. LeBeau, 71, is tied for seventh in NFL history with 62 career interceptions. He’s a former Ohio State star who played cornerback for the Detroit Lions for 14 years. Read more about LeBeau in Wednesday’s editions of The Times or on the web at www.timesonline.com

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Big Ben back to practice field Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - Ben Roethlisberger is back on his feet again. Both of them.

The Steelers quarterback practiced Tuesday for the first time since injuring his right foot during the team's final training camp practice, and coach Mike Tomlin said he will play in Saturday night's exhibition game against Buffalo.

"He won't be limited in any form or fashion," Tomlin said.

The Steelers starters are expected to play about a half against Buffalo, their most extensive playing time before the Sept. 10 season opener against Tennessee.

Roethlisberger sat out last Saturday's preseason game against Washington, two days after left tackle Max Starks accidentally stepped on the quarterback's right foot minutes before the Steelers ended training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.

During practice Tuesday at the team's training complex in Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger took part in individual drills, including the 7-on-7 passing drills, but did not take any snaps with the entire offense on the field until late in the workout.

A bag of ice was strapped onto the back of his right foot minutes before practice ended, just as it was after he was hurt last week.

"We like where he is," Tomlin said.

Roethlisberger didn't talk to reporters, but he appeared to work without any significant discomfort although he still has a slight limp.

Roethlisberger has not missed a game since being held out of a meaningless final regular season game in 2007, when the Steelers knew they would have a playoff game the following weekend.

The Steelers will be without second-year quarterback Dennis Dixon (separated right shoulder) against Buffalo and possibly for the Sept. 3 exhibition game against Carolina. Dixon was hurt during the Redskins game, which means more snaps for backup Charlie Batch.

"I'll characterize him (Dixon) as out for this week, but that's all I'm willing to characterize him at this point," Tomlin said. "I'm going to be optimistic."

Dixon was pushing Batch for the backup job, but may be out of the running for that now because of the injury. At this time a year ago, Batch already was done for the season because of a broken collarbone, so he is enjoying playing in the preseason more than usual.

"It's good to be out there again," said Batch, a 12-year veteran.

The only other quarterback in camp is undrafted free agent Mike Reilly of Central Washington, a Division II school. In limited preseason action, Reilly has gone 2 for 5 for 17 yards and been sacked

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once, but the Steelers don't plan to sign any other quarterback before the season starts.

Notes: Backup tight end Sean McHugh, who essentially serves as the fullback on some running plays, will have arthroscopic knee surgery Wednesday in what Tomlin calls a "clean-up procedure." McHugh is expected to miss the rest of the preseason. ... Count cornerback William Gay among those who is glad to be back at Steelers headquarters following nearly three weeks at Saint Vincent. "You get tired of just seeing the dorms and the (practice) fields," he said.

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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Ex-Lion LeBeau nominated for Hall John Niyo / The Detroit News

Dick LeBeau, the former Lions great and current Pittsburgh Steelers coaching guru, is finally getting his shot at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. LeBeau and former Denver Broncos running back Floyd Little are the seniors committee nominees for the Class of 2010.

LeBeau, now the Steelers' defensive coordinator, began a 50-year career in the NFL in Detroit, playing 14 seasons with the Lions. He ranks seventh on the NFL's all-time list with 62 career interceptions and holds the NFL record for consecutive games played by a cornerback with 171.

"Some of those days I didn't feel like playing football," said LeBeau, 72. "But I never missed a day of practice as a player, and I have never missed a day of work as a coach. If I have done anything noteworthy, it is that."

The Hall of Fame vote will take place during the Super Bowl weekend in Miami in February. The 2009 class inducted in Canton this summer included one of the two senior nominees, Bob Hayes.

"It's about time," said Lions linebacker Larry Foote, who spent the last five seasons under LeBeau in Pittsburgh. "When he left the game, he was top three in interceptions all-time, and he's still top 10. That itself, he should be in. I don't know why they've been overlooking him. He invented the zone defense -- the fire zone. Look at his rap sheet, look at his defenses -- always in the top five, so many No. 1 defenses. He means a lot to this game." Find this article at: http://www.detnews.com/article/20090825/SPORTS0101/908250419/Ex-Lion-LeBeau-nominated-for-Hall

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Little, LeBeau finalists for Hall Associated Press CANTON, Ohio -- Former Denver Broncos running back Floyd Little and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau are finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The hall's seniors committee on Tuesday chose the 67-year-old Little, who gained more than 12,000 total yards in the NFL, and the 71-year-old LeBeau, a star defensive back before becoming a coach.

They will join 15 modern-era candidates on the complete list of finalists for the 2010 class, which will be voted on Feb. 6 at the Super Bowl in Miami.

Little was chosen for five Pro Bowls, rushing for 6,323 yards and 43 touchdowns, making 215 receptions for 2,418 yards and nine TDs. When he retired in 1975, Little ranked seventh in career rushing.

He also was one of the league's best kick returners, leading the AFL in punt returns as a rookie in 1967.

LeBeau played for 14 years for Detroit and has been a coach for 37. LeBeau intercepted 62 passes, which ranks seventh all-time.

As Pittsburgh's defensive coordinator, LeBeau has won two Super Bowls in the last four seasons.

"I can't imagine there has ever been a person who has been at that level as a player and as a coach," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "There have been great players who were OK coaches and vice versa, but this is someone who was a great player and then one of the most influential defensive coaches of all time."

Still, because the Hall of Fame requires a candidate to be retired five years before he can be voted in and LeBeau still is coaching, he is being considered as a player.

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LeBeau among many worthy candidates

By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com Of the 253 men enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, there are 219 players, 18 coaches and 16 so-called "contributors" to the game.

And no assistant coaches.

Maybe it's time to address the fact that the Hall of Fame has inducted no one who gained his celebrity predominantly through his contributions as an assistant coach or in some similar capacity. The issue was raised at the annual Hall of Fame selection meeting in February, and is gaining some traction among the people who vote for enshrinement.

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"I think it has [gained some support]," said Hall of Fame vice president Joe Horrigan. "Certainly we realize the important role that assistant coaches have had. We're all wiser to the dynamic of what assistant coaches mean to the game."

The significance of Pittsburgh Steelers longtime defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who got almost as

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The Pro Football Hall Of Fame does not have a inductee honored specifically for his work as an assistant. The likes of Jim Johnson (left) and Bobb McKittrick (right) and special teams guru Frank Gansz (center) are among those who merit consideration.

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much attention at last year's Super Bowl as head coach Mike Tomlin, clearly has prompted much of the discussion. But LeBeau is an anomaly of sorts (in fact, some proponents refer to it as the "Dick LeBeau Rule"). His credentials from 14 seasons (1959-1972) as a Detroit Lions cornerback, some observers argue, are more than enough to merit LeBeau legitimate Hall of Fame consideration as a player.

And with good reason, since LeBeau's 62 career interceptions are tied for seventh in NFL history. Only one person with more interceptions, former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Ken Riley (65) is not enshrined in Canton. And according to Peter King of Sports Illustrated, LeBeau holds the league record for most consecutive starts (171) among cornerbacks. (In fact, LeBeau was named Tuesday a finalist as a player by the hall's senior committee.)

His career as a coach might be just icing on the cake.

But it is as a defensive coordinator (LeBeau notched a 12-33 record as head coach of the Bengals from 2000 to 2003) that LeBeau has earned much of his acclaim. That's especially true in recent years, in which the Steelers have won two of the past four Super Bowls, and LeBeau and his innovative zone blitz schemes have been widely credited for plenty of the team's success.

Still, LeBeau, 71, isn't the only assistant coach or even veteran scout whose body-of-work candidacy deserves a hearing during the selection process.

A few weeks ago, Larry Kennan, the executive director of the NFL Coaches Association, phoned to discuss what needed to be done to have Jim Johnson, the recently deceased Philadelphia Eagles defense coordinator, considered for the Hall of Fame. Others have suggested late San Francisco assistant Bobb McKittrick; longtime offensive line coaches Jim Hanifan and Joe Bugel; special teams guru Frank Gansz; and an impressive collection of celebrated coaching aides.

Others have suggested that the Hall of Fame enshrine more general managers and scouts and men whose contributions to the NFL are noteworthy.

Talent evaluators such as Bobby Beathard and Gil Brandt receive plenty of mention. Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune typically suggests NFL Films founder Ed Sabol, without whose brainchild the league would probably not enjoy the scope of its popularity. Horrigan noted earlier this week that any such initiative might be more appropriately termed "the Bucko Kilroy Rule," citing the 50-plus years of work of the late Patriots scout and front-office administrator. Readers certainly can suggest plenty of other worthy candidates.

By rule, such contributors are already technically eligible for Hall of Fame inclusion. The only technical caveat, established in a bylaws change promulgated two years ago, is that the person be subjected to a five-year waiting period, like players. The bylaws make no delineation between head coaches and assistant coaches. That means that, as an assistant coach, LeBeau would have to wait for five years after his retirement. Even in his 70s, but in the physical shape of a man perhaps 20 years younger, retirement for LeBeau is hardly imminent.

There is a danger, of course, to expanding the roster of men who should be debated for Hall of Fame

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (right) values the assistance of defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.



enshrinement. Some have suggested that the 46-year-old Hall of Fame is overstocked, that some of the men voted to the shrine are more deserving of membership in what King has termed "The Hall of Very Good." To expand the list of possible enshrinees, and essentially further widen the consciousness of voters to a subset of non-player personnel, might further dilute Hall of Fame honors.

It's not a given that folks regarded as innovators automatically be considered. The punch-out pass-blocking technique, employed now by almost every NFL offensive lineman, wasn't widely used until then-Pittsburgh assistant Dan Radakovich introduced it to the Steelers nearly 40 years ago. But even his most ardent admirers likely would agree that "Bad Rad" probably isn't a Hall of Famer.

There already exists a backlog of players who deserve to have their careers debated, and electing non-players might further exacerbate that logjam. In the past 10 years, six owners or coaches have entered the Hall of Fame, including a run of one selection every year for four straight years (2000 to 2003). That's six spots, critics contend, that could have gone to players.

Arguably the most respected of the 44 electors, Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News, thinks that assistant coaches and scouting personnel still face a bumpy road to Hall of Fame recognition.

"People keep talking about it, but I really don't think it's going to fly," Gosselin said. "Many of those assistants were players or [head] coaches at one time, and experienced some failure while they were in those positions."

That said, there is a new consciousness about the role of assistant coaches in the league, and that reality could work its way into the Hall of Fame balloting.

Maybe it's about time.

Len Pasquarelli, a recipient of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's McCann Award for distinguished reporting, is a senior writer for ESPN.com.




August 26, 2009

ANALYSIS

Ryan Has Jets Right Where He Wants Them

By GREG BISHOP

BALTIMORE — After his second preseason game ended in another loss Monday night, Jets Coach Rex Ryan

stood behind a lectern in the tunnels at M&T Bank Stadium and peddled positives, his trademark confidence

bearing not even the slightest dent.

It was clear, after only two preseason games, that the Jets had been remade the way Ryan wanted. They have

run the ball and rushed the passer with consistency. They have incorporated Leon Washington more often

into the offensive game plan. And they have played with an edge they lacked last year, when their season

crumbled in December.

That the Jets had not yet named a starting quarterback, or won a game, did not seem to bother Ryan. His

team moves forward under a cloud of uncertainty, with an offense in development and a defense that will be

without two suspended starters for the regular-season opener. Yet no one remains more certain of these Jets

than their coach.

“Judge us on what happens in the regular season,” Ryan said.

All signs point toward the Jets naming the rookie Mark Sanchez as their starting quarterback sometime in

the next week, perhaps as early as Wednesday. Sanchez could have secured the position with a strong

performance Monday against the Baltimore Ravens. Instead, he looked like a rookie quarterback facing a

fixture among the N.F.L.’s defensive elite in the Jets’ 24-23 loss.

Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said that Sanchez’s eyes grew big at the line scrimmage, that he was jumpy in

the pocket. But Lewis added that Sanchez would be fine, a sentiment seconded by Ryan.

In Sanchez, Ryan saw a rookie who rebounded after a first quarter filled with miscues. His first pass attempt

was intercepted and returned for a touchdown; his second attempt was dropped by Lewis; and later, he threw

to receiver Jerricho Cotchery before Cotchery had turned around.

But afterward, Ryan focused on the scoring drive that Sanchez led in his fifth and final possession. Ryan and

Sanchez accentuated the progress Sanchez made, instead of lamenting the opportunity he missed. This spoke

volumes about Ryan’s thought process.

“If I would’ve tanked after the pick, that would’ve been a real missed opportunity,” Sanchez said of the

interception. “That would’ve been making a mistake a tragedy.”

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Cotchery said the offense would prefer a decision on the quarterback — Sanchez or Kellen Clemens — as soon

as Ryan could make it. So far, the quarterbacks are fairly even: 14 points and a turnover in six series for

Sanchez; 13 points and 2 turnovers in eight series for Clemens.

This strengthens the argument for Sanchez, who does not have the three years of experience that Clemens

has in the Jets’ system. Clemens needed to distinguish himself early, certainly by now. And he has not.

“I know we have the potential to be a really good offense,” Cotchery said.

Encouraging signs came from Washington, the ground game and receiver David Clowney. Washington

returned a kickoff 52 yards, gained 48 yards rushing on eight carries and had two receptions, including a

touchdown catch from Sanchez, a 19-yard play.

Washington recently decided to stop talking about his contract dispute and instead continued to remind the

Jets that he led the N.F.L. in combined yards and plays longer than 40 yards last season. He remains the Jets’

most consistent threat, a “little stud” as Ryan described him Monday night.

The Jets’ rushing offense produced 141 yards, including 80 in the first half, against the stout Ravens defense

— more evidence of the ball-control approach Ryan promised when he took over.

And Clowney has added another dimension to the offense. He caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from

Clemens in the second half, his second scoring reception this preseason, and Ryan did not appear upset with

the penalty Clowney drew for removing his helmet in celebration.

“I told our team if we had left him in there in the fourth quarter, he would have gotten another one,” Ryan

said, meaning another touchdown, not another penalty.

Still, uncertainty remains. Ryan has been particularly displeased with the Jets’ collection of punters, and

neither Reggie Hodges nor the recently signed Kenneth Parrish stood out Monday night. Neither averaged 40

yards a punt.

Receiver Brad Smith also struggled, dropping a long pass from Clemens that would probably have gone for a

touchdown, then drawing an offensive-pass-interference penalty that negated another gain.

The Jets will open the season Sept. 13 in Houston without defensive end Shaun Ellis (one-game suspension)

and linebacker Calvin Pace (four-game suspension), and with linebacker Vernon Gholston yet to make an

impact this preseason. In the interim, nose tackle Kris Jenkins and cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Donald

Strickland are expected to return from injuries.

“We got decent players that we’ll add to the mix pretty soon,” Ryan said. “And this defense will be right where

I predicted it will be, right at the top of this league.”

Of that, and so much more, Ryan remains certain.

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Plaxico Burress (FSY) is planning to return to the NFL after serving a two-year prison sentence on a weapons charge.

"When I get out, I'll be 33, not 43," Burress said in an ESPN interview broadcast Tuesday night. "I'll still be able to run and catch. I'll still have the God-given ability to snag footballs; that's what I love to do. Of course, I want to play again."

The former Giants receiver pleaded guilty last week to attempted criminal possession of a weapon after accidentally shooting himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub last November. He accepted a two-year prison term and is to be sentenced Sept. 22.

With prison just weeks away, he acknowledged he's especially anxious about being separated from his family.

"I think that will be the toughest thing for me, you know, being away from my family and my son," said Burress, who broke down in tears talking about his wife and son. "I want to be with my wife. She's pregnant; she's due on Thanksgiving Day. I'm having a baby girl. And I won't even be there for that."

Burress said he wasn't sure what to expect but has spoken about it with Michael Vick (FSY), who served 18 months in federal prison for his role in running a dogfighting operation.

"He said: 'You'll get through it, I went through it. You'll get through it, there will be better days,"' Burress recalled.

"Who wants to go to prison? Nobody," Burress said. "Like I said, I got myself into a situation and, you know, I got to deal with the consequences for it."

He said his .40-caliber Glock fired after he missed a step walking up stairs at the Latin Quarter Club in Manhattan. The gun began to slide down his pant leg, and Burress said he accidentally pulled the trigger through his pants when he tried to stop the gun from hitting the ground.

Burress said he didn't know whether he would live or die in the moments after the shooting.

"The first thing that went through my mind was I don't want to bleed to death, and I just want to see my family," Burress said. "My situation could have been a lot worse. It (the gun) could have went off and killed somebody or killed myself. I have to wake up every morning and look at my leg, and I have a hole in my leg. I almost killed my own self, and I got to go to prison for almost killing my own self."

He said he did not know New York City law (FSY) required a mandatory 3½-year prison sentence for carrying an unlicensed gun.

"If I did know that, there was no way I would have put myself in that situation," Burress said.

That November night Burress said he was concerned for his safety because teammate Steve Smith (FSY) had been held up at gunpoint earlier in the week, and Burress and teammate Antonio Pierce (FSY) were going to pick up halfback Ahmad Bradshaw (FSY) at the same complex.

Still, after arriving at the club, Burress said he thought twice about taking the gun inside.

"I knew I had that gun on me and I stepped out of the car and I was like, maybe I should leave it in the car," he said. "I second-guessed myself right then, and that decision right then got me to where I am right now."

That's a man headed to prison just 18 months after catching the game-winning touchdown against the previously unbeaten New England Patriots in the final minute of the Super Bowl.

"Four or five years from now, down the road, I will look back on it and say I was reckless, I made a very bad decision and I am suffering major consequences from it," Burress said. "I took away what I love to do most, which is play football, and I lost my job. That's where I am now."

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BALTIMORE — So far this season, ESPN's Monday Night Football is focusing on football. Imagine that.

"The goal will be to deliver the game," said producer Jay Rothman before Monday's New York Jets-Baltimore Ravens game. "Fans are tuning in for a game. They want football."

After 21st-century experiments involving Dennis Miller, Lisa Guerrero and Tony Kornheiser and various celeb drop-bys, MNF has replaced Kornheiser with TV rookie Jon Gruden to team with Ron Jaworski and play-by-play man Mike Tirico. Jaworski says he and Gruden call each other constantly as they watch games and suggests they'll never have to feign fascination: "We're football geeks!"

And Gruden, 46, doesn't worry about Jaworski keeping his head in the game: "It's his life."

The obvious question is whether Gruden, who's coached football from his first year out of college until he was fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this year, wants a life in TV. The three weeks so far, he says, have brought "some of the neatest experiences I've ever had in football. … And, if I'm good enough, I'd like to continue to do it." And not, he suggests, because TV is all fun and games compared to coaches' wins and losses: "This is a lot more pressure (than coaching). I don't have any experience to draw on."

But Rothman says, so far, Gruden "is fabulous; he could be an all-timer in this business, really," and has coaching experience that's transferable to TV. He says Gruden, who once coached the Oakland Raiders, told him Raiders owner Al Davis "ripped me to shreds. So there's nothing you could say that could hurt me."

Easy to say until Rothman, say, rips into Gruden for wearing the wrong TV makeup. But Rothman says he's not worried about Gruden seeing TV as just a season-long pit stop between coaching jobs: "He says he wants to be great, and I don't concern myself with all the one-and-done talk."

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Cowboys employees file lawsuits

Associated Press DALLAS -- Two Dallas Cowboys employees seriously injured in the collapse of the team's indoor practice facility filed lawsuits Tuesday against the company that designed the structure and others linked to its construction and repair.

Scouting assistant Rich Behm and special teams coach Joe DeCamillis filed lawsuits against Summit Structures LLC and others involved in building and repairing the steel and fabric facility. The 88,000-square-foot structure collapsed in a wind storm May 2 while a practice for recently drafted players was being conducted inside.

Behm, who was paralyzed from the waist down, and DeCamillis, who suffered a broken vertebrae, seek unspecified damages in the suits, which contain similar language but were filed in separate Dallas courts.

The tentlike facility did not meet applicable codes for wind loading resistance even after Summit, based in Allentown, Pa., and a Las Vegas engineering firm, JCI Holding LLC, represented to the Cowboys that design defects had been corrected, according to the suits.

The complaints contend that the actions of Summit; a related company, Cover-All Building Systems of Saskatoon, Canada; and JCI constitute gross negligence. The suits also claim the companies engaged in a civil conspiracy by agreeing to hide and conceal the facility's shortcomings.

"I think this entire thing was so easily preventable had Summit and Cover-All and the engineers from Las Vegas set about to resolve the problem instead of minimizing their costs," said Frank Branson, the attorney representing Behm and DeCamillis.

Tom Fee, the attorney for Summit, said the company would not comment on the suits except to reiterate its belief that unusually high winds caused the collapse.

"Summit believes there will be credible evidence that there was a catastrophic weather event involved," he said.

Scott Jacobs, an engineer who leads JCI Holding and is one of the named defendants in the suits, did not respond to a phone message seeking comment.

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A firefighter stands surrounded by the collapsed canopy that covered the Cowboys' indoor practice facility in Irving, Texas, on May 2.

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The lawsuits state that Summit was notified in 2007 that the Cowboys' facility hadn't been properly designed and presented a safety hazard. Repair work described as a "temporary fix" was done in the summer of 2007, and permanent repairs were supposed to be made after the 2007 season, according to the suits.

The suits claim that Summit and JCI represented in 2008 that the permanent work had been done when that wasn't the case.

City of Irving building records show only that the Cowboys sought to have the roof fabric replaced in 2008. Nathan Stobbe, the president of Summit Structures, attributed the repair to "aesthetics" in a letter sent to the company's other customers after the collapse.

The failure of the Cowboys' facility was at least the fifth involving a Summit-designed building since 2002. The Cowboys selected Summit to build their practice facility in June 2003, just months after a warehouse built by Summit for the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority collapsed in a snowstorm.

Greg Iannarelli, the port's chief's counsel, has told The Associated Press he spoke to Cowboys official Bruce Mays when the team was considering hiring Summit and again when a Philadelphia judge issued an order stating the warehouse collapse was due to design flaws.

Branson said workman's compensation law prevents Behm and DeCamillis from suing the Cowboys. However, he said he believes the team was duped in its dealings with Summit and JCI.

Branson said his inquiry has found that the Cowboys learned of deficiencies in their building after hiring Charles Timbie, a building-collapse expert who worked with the Philadelphia port authority when it sued Summit. Branson said it was Timbie's work that led the team to require Summit and JCI to make repairs.

"I think evidence will show that [the companies] represented to the Cowboys and to Timbie that they had made those permanent fixes, and [the repairs] weren't adequate," Branson said.

Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple declined to comment on the lawsuits.

The suits also detail alleged flaws in the building's foundation and names as defendants three companies that were involved in its construction. The foundation issues -- related primarily to the steel rods used to secure the building's steel trusses -- were discovered through evidence obtained after the collapse, Branson said.


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