Casey Hampton News

You've probably seen the video. Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes didn't try to strip the football when he went after Georgia running back Washaun Ealey last Saturday; he tried to strip an eyeball .

The thin air in Denver isn't as much of a concern to the Pittsburgh Steelers as their rapidly thinning defensive line.

Kicker Jeff Reed and long snapper Greg Warren hosted the event, which benefitted Animal Friends and Homeless Children's Education Fund.

The Steelers ' bye week couldn't have come at a better time for at least one player.

When head coach Mike Tomlin announced last week he was sticking with second-year running back Rashard Mendenhall over veteran Willie Parker as the starter, it wasn't much of a surprise, even to Parker.

Needing to make a statement against a very good offense, the Steelers defense proved that not only is it capable of slamming the door at the end of a game, it's adept at putting points on the board.

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Steelers players view Sunday's 1 p.m. game against the Minnesota Vikings at Heinz Field as their most important matchup since they defeated Tennessee in the opener.

Adrian Peterson, the best running back in the world, is coming to town with Brett Favre, arguably the greatest quarterback ever, with a defense that's stopped the run better than anyone else in the NFL each of the past three seasons.

Even the Super Bowl champs get pumped when they prepare to play an unbeaten team with a legend at quarterback, the league's best running back and a stout defense.

Some wore his No. 4 jersey. Some are so young they can't remember him breaking into the NFL in 1991, when linebacker LaMarr Woodley was 6. Only one member of the Steelers defense was on the team the last time Favre played in Pittsburgh 11 years ago.

Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine is releasing a 50th Anniversary collector's edition publications, with the La Marque Cougars and Dickinson grad Andre Ware featured throughout.

A player running for 100 yards is a difficult task against many NFL defenses. Accomplishing the feat against the Steelers is rare.

Willie Parker and Troy Polamalu practiced Wednesday and expect to play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, but it'll be a 2-for-1 deal since Aaron Smith was placed on injured reserve late Tuesday afternoon.

Ben Roethlisberger continued his assault on prime-time television last night with an appearance on Jay Leno's "10 at 10" segment, and before anyone jumps off the deep end, there was no travel involved.

Troy Polamalu has played less than two quarters this season, but the abbreviated action hasn't stopped the Steelers' strong safety from compiling his own must-see TV moments for the 2009 season.

Rege Behe can be reached via e-mail or at 412-320-7990. It's as if the bar from "Cheers" was reborn as a Pittsburgh gourmet delicatessen.

Being part of the Pittsburgh Steelers Football team requires wearing the same uniform.

The Pittsburgh Steelers might not have to wonder any longer how much better they would be if they had star safety Troy Polamalu.

Strong safety Troy Polamalu ranks among the elite players in the NFL. The Steelers have missed Polamalu's playmaking ability since he's been out with a knee injury.