NFL Capsules: Tomlin motivates with Denver's No. 1 message

PITTSBURGH — The more coach Mike Tomlin keeps talking about it, the more agitated his players get.

Exactly the response Tomlin wants from his Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tomlin keeps referring to the Broncos as having "the world’s best defense," a reference to Denver’s spot atop the NFL team yardage statistics. He mentioned it during the weekly team meeting. Before practice on Wednesday. Before practice on Thursday. And he’ll likely keep saying it until game time Monday.

"We’ve heard coach Tomlin say it 1,000 times already this week," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "They’re a great defense, a big challenge for us ... an awesome challenge."

By constantly reminding that the Broncos (6-1) are playing better statistically than the Steelers (5-2), Tomlin is trying to motivate both his offense and his defense. He wants his offense determined to prove it can move the ball in Denver, and his defense mad that it’s no longer No. 1.

"They’ve put in a very aggressive style of defense," Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said. "They changed to a system very much like ours and Baltimore’s. They’ve got the personnel to run it right now."

The Steelers were the NFL’s best defense statistically the past two seasons, but they’re No. 8 this season. They’re No. 1 against the run, but are 16th against the pass, which is dragging down their overall ranking.

"When you prepare for a team like this, it’s like playing a division team, like a Baltimore," safety Troy Polamalu said. "It’s always defense challenging defense. It’s an important goal in every game for us: As a defense, we always want to outplay the other defense."

The Broncos didn’t do that during a 30-7 loss Sunday to Baltimore, which allows Tomlin to also sell this to his players: The Broncos are determined not to have another letdown in a game that potentially could prove important when the AFC playoff seeding is determined.

"I just think the Denver Broncos ran into a buzzsaw," Tomlin said.

What the Steelers defense might run into is a Broncos offense that looks much different than it did against Baltimore.

When Broncos coach Josh McDaniels was an assistant coach with New England, the Patriots had success against Pittsburgh with spread-type formations that forced Polamalu to play deep coverage and didn’t allow the Steelers to blitz as much.

The Broncos had trouble pass protecting for quarterback Kyle Orton against Baltimore, and the Steelers are capable of bringing the same kind of pressure the Ravens did. If the Broncos spread it out at times, Orton can get rid of the ball quicker and perhaps lessen the intensity of the Steelers’ pass rush.

"He doesn’t take sacks," Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said of Orton, the former Bears quarterback. "He doesn’t throw interceptions. He’s very good at getting the right play. He’s a veteran, and you’re not going to confuse him."

Of course, the Steelers will try to do exactly that.

Linebacker James Harrison believes the Steelers will be ready for whatever the Broncos do.

"It’s really whatever coach LeBeau feels works for that game, for that opponent," Harrison said. "Some games we might rush a little more and there are quarters and games where we might not blitz at all. That’s part of being a linebacker in coach LeBeau’s defense. Rush the passer and drop into coverage, that’s part of the whole package."

Just as Orton probably must remain patient and wait to take advantage of whatever the Steelers give him, Roethlisberger understands he can’t be too eager to go downfield with safety Brian Dawkins and cornerback Champ Bailey waiting to make plays.

While Roethlisberger has been the NFL’s most-sacked quarterback since entering the NFL in 2004, his ability to improvise when his pass protection breaks down has repeatedly created big plays. Roethlisberger also has been successful running the no-huddle, which the Ravens used on 31 plays against Denver.

"It changes the tempo, it keeps defenses on their heels," wide receiver Hines Ward said. "It’s a matter of wanting to get into a speeded-up tempo. We hop into it to try to get some things going. Will we use it? I don’t know. But we have it — every week, every game, the package is in."

Houshmandzadeh: What’s all the fuss?

RENTON, Wash. — No one in Seattle will ever confuse T.J. Houshmandzadeh with Steve Largent.

The outspoken Houshmandzadeh is "shocked" with the fuss being made in his first Seahawks season over his angry gestures and comments about not getting the ball enough, in a city where people are used to their star receivers being quiet yet ultra productive — like Largent. Seattle’s Hall of Famer was so understated he wouldn’t even spike the ball following any of his 101 career touchdowns.

Declaring "I like myself, man, I really do," Houshmandzadeh said Friday he’s been hearing all week from those inside and outside Seahawks headquarters, from former teammates in Cincinnati, even from his two daughters at home.

Last weekend in Dallas, he angrily gestured toward Matt Hasselbeck to throw the ball with more loft immediately after he tried to zing a ball to the tightly guarded receiver near the Cowboys’ goal line in the first quarter.

The discussion between the two players continued at the bench. Both made gestures but did not appear to be arguing so much as explaining themselves.

Then in the third quarter, Houshmandzadeh was seen angrily shouting on the sidelines following the end of another possession in Seattle’s eventual blowout loss.

The day ended with the NFL’s leading receiver the previous three seasons, before he signed a $40 million, five-year contract with Seattle last spring, owning just 35 receptions in seven games— and with Seattle (2-5) absorbing consecutive losses of 20-plus points for the first time since 2001.

"From what he told me, it didn’t affect him, it didn’t bother him," Houshmandzadeh said of Hasselbeck. "But I guess other people felt otherwise."

Coach Jim Mora and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp both said they’ve talked to Houshmandzadeh this week, and that all is well.

"Man, I’ve been doing that my whole career. Guys from Cincinnati texted me and told me they were surprised it took me until Game 7 to do it," Houshmandzadeh said of his stomping and griping.

"Whether I was right or wrong — which, you know, (I was) probably wrong — it was just the competitor in me. I didn’t mean no harm by it. I was just upset by the course of the game, which I would hope everybody is. People express themselves differently, obviously, but it never got this much attention before.

"I’m shocked."

Houshmandzadeh said he felt compelled to approach his three-time Pro Bowl passer this week and tell Hasselbeck: "Br’, if I’ve got a problem with you I will tell you.’

"That’s just how I am. I don’t send subliminal messages. If I’ve got a problem with Matt, I will tell Matt. And I didn’t have a problem with Matt, at the time. I just wanted the ball. We were losing the game, and it was a big third down. Had we completed it, I would have been fine."

Monday, Hasselbeck said of Houshmandzadeh’s fire: "That’s kind of his demeanor. There’s no issue there. The issue is, we have to complete more passes."

Hasselbeck made a point of mentioning he nominated Houshmandzadeh to be the team’s player representative for this season.

Houshmandzadeh sought comfort this week in those who know him best. He talked for an hour on Tuesday with Carson Palmer. Houshmandzadeh said his old Bengals quarterback never had a problem with his antics because Palmer "knew me, knew I was a team guy."

Wednesday, he commiserated with Bengals receiver and friend Chad Ochocinco.

Asked to assess his season, Houshmandzadeh quickly replied, "Oh, terrible."

"People lie. Numbers don’t. As of right now, I’m not doing anything. I don’t know why it is like that. ... I like myself man, I really do. I feel like I’m always open. And there’s times that I’m not open, and I’m supposed to feel like I’m open.

Yes, Houshmandzadeh thinks he should get the ball on every pass play.

"You watch the tape, you’ll see the same thing I’m seeing," he said. "That’s why I’m optimistic.

"Hey, there’s games left. I’ve just got to build Matt’s trust and confidence with me."

This receiver who may be more than the usually staid Seahawks bargained for also had an opinion on his team cutting Edgerrin James, the league’s fading active leading rusher who was hugely popular with his new teammates. The move came Tuesday, two days after Mora told his players if he had to fire guys to turn the season around he would.

"It was a shock what happened, the guys who were released, especially ‘Edge’ because he’s just a good dude, you know what I’m saying?" Houshmandzadeh said. "Teams should just have him in the locker room — even if he can’t play, so they think. Just have him in the locker room because he’s cool. I mean, he’s good for (the) team.

"That’s my opinion, and I think that the opinion of a lot of guys. But we’ve just got to just play."

-- Gregg Ball

Matty Ice mired in a bit of a slump

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Psst, did you hear the news? This one’s a stunner, so brace yourself.

Matt Ryan is NOT perfect.

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback has shown his human side over the last three weeks, throwing seven interceptions after being picked off just 13 times in his first 20 regular-season games.

Not all were his fault, of course. There were protection issues and tipped balls and receivers not always running the proper route. But it all comes back to the quarterback, the guy known as Matty Ice.

"You’ve got to ride the ebb and flow of a season," Ryan said. "There’s going to be ups and downs. It’s a long, long year. At the end of it, you look back and kind of judge how you did. Right now, we’re just grinding. We’re going to continue to prepare during the week like we always do, trust that what we are doing is right and stay the course."

Still, Ryan’s play in the last three games — two of them losses — has raised at least a bit of concern in Atlanta, if for no other reason than it’s the first significant bit of adversity to crop up in what has largely been a charmed start to his career.

After being drafted No. 3 overall out of Boston College in 2008, Ryan won the quarterback job in training camp, threw for a touchdown on his very first NFL pass, led a team that was expected to struggle to an unexpected playoff berth and was named offensive rookie of the year.

The Falcons went to great lengths to ensure that Ryan had plenty of weapons around him for Year 2, trading for future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez and ending Roddy White’s holdout by agreeing to a contract that makes him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league.

Ryan played well over the first four games, completing two-thirds of his passes for just shy of 1,000 yards, with seven touchdowns and only two picks. But he struggled some in a grind-it-out win over the Chicago Bears, was sacked four times in a loss to Dallas, and completed just 19-of-42 with three interceptions in Monday night’s loss to unbeaten New Orleans. His quarterback rating in that defeat (46.6) was the second-lowest of his career.

Now, the Falcons (4-3) are trying to snap their first losing streak of the Ryan era when they go up against one of the league’s top defensive teams, the Washington Redskins, on Sunday.

"We know he’s going to bounce back," running back Michael Turner said. "Matt’s cool under pressure. He’s not being rattled back there or anything like that. As long as we protect him well and the receivers run nice crisp routes and get the timing right, everything will be an improvement."

True to his steady demeanor, Ryan showed no signs of panic as he discussed the slump standing in front of his locker at the Falcons’ training complex.

"You have to be more judiscious with the football, make better decisions," he said. "But you don’t want to lose that sense of aggressiveness. You want to take some chances, you want to make some plays. I know I have to play better. We have to play better as a team."

Gonzalez said he’s not the least bit concerned about Ryan’s troubles. As the last game showed, the stat sheet doesn’t always tell the entire story.

On the first interception, which was returned for a 48-yard touchdown by Jabari Greer, White got knocked off his route and Ryan threw the ball a little quicker than he would have preferred because of a blitz. With the Falcons going for the go-ahead touchdown, Ryan delivered a pass that was tipped by a deeper-than-expected Jonathan Vilma and picked off at the 1-yard line. The third pick was a throwaway: Ryan threw up a Hail Mary on a desperate final play.

"He’ll be fine," Gonzalez said. "When certain things happen, when interceptions are thrown, I know the viewer looks at it and says, ‘OK, that was a bad throw. But it may be the protection or it may be the receiver went too deep on the route. These are things you don’t get to see or don’t understand because you don’t know the route and how we designed it throughout the whole week."

While Ryan’s demeanor never seems to change, his teammates have noticed a little more fire in his Matty Ice’s eyes during practice this week.

"We’ve been talking and walking it through, and he’s already saying, ‘I’m not going to do this, I’m not going to do that, I’m going to fix this, I’m going to get my footwork fixed so I can get better,"’ White said. "That’s the type of guy he is. He goes out there and works hard. The next game, he’s going to show improvement."

-- Paul Newberry

Injuries

Colts put CB Jackson, S Sanders on IR

INDIANAPOLIS — The injury bug is still haunting the Indianapolis Colts.

Cornerback Marlin Jackson and strong safety Bob Sanders were lost for the season Friday as the team placed them on injured reserve.

Jackson, who missed the second half of the 2008 season after injuring his right knee during practice, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee during a non-contact drill Wednesday. He had been rehabbing the knee after he was hurt against Seattle on Oct. 4.

Sanders, a two-time Pro Bowler, tore his left bicep against the 49ers last weekend and will need surgery.

Sanders had just returned to the Colts’ lineup two weeks ago. He had missed all of training camp and the first five games of the year after undergoing offseason knee surgery. He has missed 40 of 87 games during his injury-plagued, six-year NFL career.

Indianapolis’ other veteran cornerback, Kelvin Hayden, is also expected to be sidelined for the next three to four weeks after he suffered a sprained knee during the 18-14 win over San Francisco. Hayden is not expected to undergo surgery.

"Not real sure (how long Hayden will be out)," coach Jim Caldwell said. "We’re kind of looking at probably a three to four week window."

The Colts (7-0) host AFC South rival Houston (5-3) this Sunday. Texans quarterback Matt Schaub and receiver Andre Johnson will likely be looking at a Colts defense with two rookies — Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey — starting at cornerback. Three-year veteran Melvin Bullitt will take Sanders’ place at strong safety.

"(Sanders and Gonzalez) are fine football players, great leaders and members of our team," Caldwell said. "The thing about it, though, we’ve had young people step up and do a great job in their absence. We’ll continue on that path."

Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, meanwhile, underwent arthroscopic surgery Thursday to clean out loose particles in his right knee. Gonzalez suffered a sprained ligament in the knee during the Colts’ season-opening win over Jacksonville. A date for his return has yet to be determined.

Wide receiver Pierre Garcon (ankle), defensive tackle Fili Moala (concussion), offensive tackle Tony Ugoh (rest) and placekicker Adam Vinatieri (knee) did not practice Friday. Garcon and Moala are both listed as questionable for the Houston game, as is running back Donald Brown (shoulder).

Defensive end Josh Thomas has returned to the Colts for the second time this season. Thomas originally played with the Colts from 2004-08, starting 12 games. And Indianapolis signed tight end Tom Santi off the practice squad.

Dolphins’ Crowder, Ferguson doubtful Sunday

DAVIE, Fla. — Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder and nose tackle Jason Ferguson are listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.

Both have been limited in practice this week, including Friday. Crowder missed last week’s win against the New York Jets with a left shoulder injury, and Ferguson has an elbow injury.

Coach Tony Sparano hedged when asked if he’s optimistic Crowder will play.

"I’m kind of right in the middle right now," Sparano said. "He’s done some work. Whether or not it’s enough work, I’m not sure."

Reggie Torbor would again replace Crowder in the lineup. Torbor tied for the team high with seven tackles against the Jets.

"I feel really good about the guy I have going in the game if Channing Crowder does not play," Sparano said.

Paul Soliai would make the first start of his three-year career if Ferguson doesn’t play.

"The good news is that Paul’s been playing more and more and more each game," Sparano said.

Packers’ Rodgers, Driver probable for Bucs game

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Donald Driver practiced Friday and are probable for Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay.

Rodgers suffered a sprained toe in last Sunday’s 38-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and has been coping with a sprain in his other foot the past few weeks.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Rodgers was able to do everything in practice Friday and didn’t have limited mobility. The coach said Driver had a good practice after treatment for a neck injury.

The Packers also are expected to have veteran tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher ready to play Sunday, possibly as starters.

The 34-year-old Driver hasn’t missed a game because of injury since Week 2 of the 2003 season.

Lions coach hoping Johnson, Smith can play Sunday

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz says he’s optimistic that wide receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Kevin Smith will play Sunday at Seattle.

Johnson has missed Detroit’s past two games with a sore right knee but practiced all week. Smith, who injured a shoulder in last weekend’s 17-10 loss to St. Louis, missed Wednesday’s practice but took part in workouts Thursday and Friday.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford was limited in practice this week by a sore right knee but is expected to play against the Seahawks.

The last time Stafford, Johnson and Smith all played together was during the first half of the Lions’ only win of the season, a 25-17 decision over the Washington Redskins on Oct. 26.

Player News

Aaron Rouse replacing C.C. Brown as Giants safety

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Riding a three-game losing streak, the New York Giants decided Friday to insert Aaron Rouse into the starting lineup at safety for Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers.

Rouse will replace beleaguered veteran C.C. Brown, who has been beaten twice on deep passes for touchdowns during the losing streak.

Brown missed a defensive audible in last Sunday’s 40-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, allowing DeSean Jackson to score on a 54-yard pass play late in the first half.

"This is the NFL, pressure comes week in and week out," Rouse said. "As a team and as a member of this team, everybody has to be prepared to play whether you are a starter or not. We look at it as if you are first- or second-string you are going to be a starter because it only takes one play for you to come up in that starting 11. Regardless whether or not I was starting this week, that is how I practice. I’m looking forward to the opportunity."

In making the switch, coach Tom Coughlin said Rouse plays the ball better in the air than Brown, so he will be paired with Michael Johnson.

"We have three guys, they all play a lot," Coughlin said. "The third safety played 26 snaps the other day. So we are just going to try to maneuver around a little bit and defend the deep ball better, that’s all."

Rouse was awarded to the Giants on waivers in September after Kenny Phillips was lost with a season-ending knee injury that required surgery.

Rouse was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round in 2007. He played in 27 games with 11 starts before being waived in September.

The highlight of Rouse’s Green Bay career was a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown in 2008 against Peyton Manning. It was the longest interception return in Lambeau Field history.

Coughlin said defensive tackle Chris Canty and linebacker Michael Boley took 50 percent of the snaps Friday and will be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Canty has been sidelined since the opening game of the season with a calf injury and Boley had surgery on his right knee a month ago.

Pro Bowler Ty Law, Broncos agree to terms

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Defensive back Ty Law has agreed to terms on a deal with the Denver Broncos.

Kevin Poston, Law’s agent, confirmed the news Friday in an e-mail to The Associated Press. The agreement came after Denver’s media availability and a Broncos spokesman said the team had no comment.

Law is expected to sign the deal Saturday, pending the passing of his physical. He may even make it out to practice as the Broncos (6-1) prepare to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.

The 35-year-old Law, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, will fit right in with veterans Champ Bailey, Andre’ Goodman, Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill, all in their 30s.

Law becomes the latest former New England player to reunite with Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, who spent his previous eight seasons as an assistant with the Patriots.

A first-round pick by New England in 1995, Law helped the Patriots to three Super Bowl titles. He played for the New York Jets last season.

The Broncos have been relatively quiet on the free-agent front so far during the season, making just their second move.

Last week, Denver signed 16-year veteran punter Mitch Berger in place of Brett Kern. Berger got off to a rusty start, averaging 38.4 yards on eight punts in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens last weekend.

With Bailey and Goodman turning in solid seasons on the corners, Law might be utilized more in nickel packages. The Broncos are currently using Jack Williams and rookie Alphonso Smith in that role.

Law played 10 seasons with New England before signing with the Jets in 2005, where he had a career-high 10 interceptions. After being released by the Jets, Law followed Herm Edwards to Kansas City, starting every game for the Chiefs in 2006 and ‘07.

Law sat out the first 10 weeks last season, before joining up with the Jets. He has 52 career interceptions.

-- Pat Graham

Patriots release former Steelers G Simmons

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots have released guard Kendall Simmons.

Friday’s move came after Simmons was inactive for six of his seven games with the team. He played only on special teams on Oct. 18 in a 59-0 win over the Tennessee Titans.

Simmons, 30, signed with the Patriots on Sept. 6 after being waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers. They chose him with the 30th pick of the first round in 2002 out of Auburn and he started all 80 games in which he played during seven seasons with Pittsburgh. He missed the entire 2004 season with a right knee injury and was limited to four games last year by a right Achilles’ tendon injury.

Elsewhere

Three Packers players fined $5,000 each by league

NEW YORK — Green Bay Packers Johnny Jolly, Al Harris and rookie B.J. Raji have been fined $5,000 each by the NFL for actions in last Sunday’s loss to Minnesota.

Defensive tackle Jolly was fined on Friday for unnecessary roughness for head-butting Minnesota running back Chester Taylor.

Cornerback Harris was fined for unnecessary roughness for grabbing a helmet-opening to make a tackle, and DT Raji was fined $5,000 for a major facemask violation.

Arizona DT Darnell Dockett was hit for $5,000 for a helmet-to-helmet contact in a game with Carolina, and Panthers tight end Jeff King was fined the same amount for striking an opponent late.

The biggest fine of the week went to Cleveland linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, $7,500 for roughing the passer when he struck Chicago’s Jay Cutler in the face.

Indianapolis linebacker Clint Session was fined $5,000 for roughing the passer because he struck 49ers QB Alex Smith in the knee area.

As for Jolly, Packers coach Mike McCarthy expressed his displeasure with the play earlier in the week. Taylor was tackled for a 5-yard loss on a third-down pass play. Instead of kicking a field goal, Minnesota had an automatic first down at the Packers 7 and scored a touchdown four plays later.

"Not very smart," McCarthy said. "We had them stopped. Personal fouls in that situation and the way it happened, from my understanding, it’s unacceptable, to extend the drive like that and it cost us four points."

Jolly wouldn’t say what provoked his aggressive act on Taylor with the play over.

"Hey, I play on edge," Jolly said. "They made the call. A good call by the ref," Jolly said after the game.

Roethlisberger’s accuser in suit quits casino job

RENO, Nev. — The woman who filed a lawsuit accusing Ben Roethlisberger of raping her has quit her job at the Lake Tahoe hotel-casino where she claims the assault occurred in the NFL quarterback’s penthouse room more than a year ago.

The woman had been working as a VIP host at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe in July 2008 when she alleges the two-time Super Bowl champ for the Pittsburgh Steelers lured her to his room under false pretenses and forced himself on her. He was in town playing in a celebrity golf tournament.

Her lawyer, Cal Dunlap, said Friday she quit "because of the way Harrah’s was treating her." He told The Associated Press he can’t go into detail.

Dunlap said the woman took several leaves of absence for medical reasons in the months after the alleged incident, but returned to work in March and had been there since.

Harrah’s officials did not immediately return a telephone call or e-mail seeking comment.

The woman filed the suit in Washoe District Court in Reno last July.

Roethlisberger’s lawyers asked the state Supreme Court to overturn a ruling by a district judge denying their motion to move the trial to Douglas County, closer to Lake Tahoe. No hearing has been set for that request.

Last month, Judge Brent Adams also denied a motion to dismiss the suit. It seeks a minimum of $440,000 in damages from Roethlisberger and at least $50,000 in damages from Harrah’s officials who the woman claims conspired to cover up the incident.

Roethlisberger has denied the allegations and maintains the woman acted voluntarily at all times while in his room.

-- Scott Sonner