They had to turn to Roethlisberger in the opener when their ground
game produced just 36 yards and the quarterback responded again with 363
yards and the only drive in overtime to beat Tennessee, 13-10.
That's two straight game-winning drives using the no-huddle for
Roethlisberger, who did it to win Super Bowl XLIII. He has 20 by the
Steelers' count during his career of five seasons plus one game.
Coordinator Bruce Arians, who has a solid background in the passing
attack, thinks they can use the no-huddle more often than ever this
season.
"That package has tripled in size now, and it's damn near the whole
offense," Arians said. "It's evolved to where he can almost use 80
percent of the playbook in it and he's gotten very proficient at it.
"A lot of times I've had quarterbacks who could play that fast but
the other 10 guys couldn't, so you couldn't use it. But the other 10
guys are playing at the same speed he's playing at in the no-huddle,
which is what makes it work."
So, why would they not use it more often?
"Well, we're not Buffalo, we're not the K-Gun of Jim Kelly,"
coordinator Bruce Arians said, "But we could be, we could be very
easily."
PLAYER/PERSONNEL NOTES
--WR Limas Sweed did not practice Thursday after leaving practice
Wednesday with a foot sprain. He's not likely to play on Sunday and will
be replaced on the active roster by veteran Shaun McDonald.
--CB Ike Taylor has been known to cover the opponent's best receiver,
lining up wherever they put him. Devin Hester is Chicago's best by far
and Taylor could draw that assignment Sunday.
--RB Willie Parker will start Sunday, but he and Rashard Mendenhall
will rotate. Parker will play two series, then Mendenhall one, and they
will do it that way unless one gets hot.
--S Ryun Mundy, on the practice squad last year as a rookie, is now
the top backup at both free and strong while Troy Polamalu sits out the
next 3-6 games. Tyrone Carter starts at SS for Polamalu.