One era ends, another begins. Pittsburgh Steelers: Bill Cowher 1992-

[Jayeburgh]

Week 14: Pittsburgh 8-4 @ Washington 4-8
28-21 loss.
Shane Matthews cmp:21 att:30 yrds:194 td:3 int:1
Marvin Harrison rec:8 yrds:81 td:1
Hardy Nickerson tkl:9 sack:1

Trent Dilfer cmp:23 att:33 yrds:261 td:3 int:1
Paul Richardson rec:9 yrds:121 td:1
Corey Dillon att:19 yrds:75 td:1

Week 15: Pittsburgh 8-5 @ San Fransisco 9-4
28-21 win.
Tiki Barber att:19 yrds:95 td:0 rec:1 yrds:3 td:1
Moe Williams att:6 yrds:21 td:2
Darren Perry tkl:3 int:2

Steve Young cmp:26 att:36 yrds:274 td:2 int:4
Ricky Watters att:15 yrds:78 td:1 rec:5 yrds:42 td:1
Peter Boulware tkl:11 sack:1

Week 16 New York Jets 9-5 @ Pittsburgh 9-5
13-7 win.
Shane Matthews cmp:20 att:30 yrds:213 td:0 int:1
Marvin Harrison rec:11 yrds:113 td:0
Rod Woodson tkl:4 int:1

Jeff Blake cmp:19 att:31 yrds:207 td:1 int:3
Robert Smith att:22 yrds:121 td:0
Brock Marion tkl:4 int:1

Week 17: Pittsburgh 10-5 @ Arizona 9-6
34-17 loss.
Shane Matthews cmp:14 att:21 yrds:138 td:0 int:3
Levon Kirkland tkl:8 sack:0
Tony Gonzalez rec:7 yrds:66 td:0

Chris Chandler cmp:17 att:22 yrds:200 td:2 int:0
Johny Johnson att:22 yrds:109 td:0
Jaime Asher rec:4 yrds:44 td:2

[Jayeburgh]

1998 End of Year Report

NFL NEWS:
MVP: Jim Everett LA Rams, Brian Griese Atl, Neil O'Donnell Buf
ORotY: Damon Huard Det, Marcus Robinson Was, Brian Griese Atl
DRotY: Greg Ellis Den, Brian Simmons NY Giants, Nate Wayne Car

Standings

AFC East
Miami 11-5
New York 9-7
Buffalo 8-8
Indianapolis 7-9
New England 6-10

AFC Central
Cincinnati 11-5
Jacksonville 10-6
Pittsburgh 10-6
Baltimore 6-10
Tennessee 3-13

AFC West
Seattle 10-6
Kansas City 8-8
San Diego 8-8
Oakland 6-10
Denver 1-15

NFC East
New York 11-5
Arizona 10-6
Dallas 9-7
Washington 8-8
Philadelphia 5-11

NFC Central
Minnesota 11-5
Detroit 10-6
Green Bay 9-7
Chicago 9-7
Tampa Bay 6-10

NFC West
Los Angeles 12-4
San Francisco 9-7
Atlanta 6-10
Carolina 6-10
New Orleans 5-11

Super Bowl Prediction: Los Angeles vs Miami

Passing Leader:Jim Everett Los Angeles comp%:68.9 yrds:4081 td:27 int:16
Rushing Leader: Robert Smith New York Jets att:327 yrds:1235 td:4
Receiving Leader:Mark Seay Buffalo rec:99 yrds:1450 td:4
Sack Leader: Pat Swilling New Orleans sack:17.5
Interceptions Leader: Jimmy Hitchcock Arizona int:13

Top College Recruits:
QB- Daunte Culpepper Central Florida
RB- Ricky Williams Texas
TE- Dan Campbell Texas A+M
WR- David Boston Ohio State
OL- Barry Sims Utah State
DL- Jevon Kearse Florida
LB- Rod Coleman East Carolina
CB- Champ Bailey Georga
S- Scott Shields Weber State
ST- Martin Gramatica Kansas State

Expansion team Cleveland Browns have the #1 draft pick.

[Jayeburgh]

1998 End of Year Report


Record:
10-6; 3rd in AFC Central

Injuries:
Joe Johnson DE Torn ACL IR
Greg Lloyd LB Hip Stress Fracture unknown


Team Leaders:
Shane Matthews comp%:69.3 yrds:3075 td:21 int:15
Tiki Barber att:276 yrds:1128 td:7
Marvin Harrison rec:92 yrds:1115 td:7
Levon Kirkland/ Al Fontenot/ Greg Lloyd tkl:116/61/50 sack:7.5
Darren Perry int:7

Notes:
-Greg Lloyd will undergo surgery to repair his hip. Recovery time unknown. At 33 years old and the prospect of missing a whole season, return seems doubtful. Would be 35 if that scenario played out.

[Jayeburgh]

1998 Playoffs

Wild Card Round: Games and Predictions
Pittsburgh @ Jacksonville///// Jacksonville 24-21 Pittsburgh
NY Jets @ Seattle////// Seattle 17-10 NY Jets

Dallas @ Minnesota////// Dallas 23-13 Minnesota
Arizona @ Detroit/////// Detroit 14-9 Arizona

BYE:Miami, Cincinnati, NY Giants, LA Rams

Wild Card Games: Jacksonville 21-19 Pittsburgh, Seattle 17-14 NY Jets, Minnesota 23-13 Dallas, Arizona 17-14 (ot) Detroit

Divisional Round: Games and Predictions
Jacksonville @ Miami///// Miami 21-20 Jacksonville
Seattle @ Cincinnati///// Cincinnati 13-6 Seattle

Minnesota @ NY Giants///// NY Giants 17-14 Minnesota
Arizona @ LA Rams///// LA Rams 27-24 Arizona

Divisional Round Games: Miami 27-20 Jacksonville, Seattle 16-7 Cincinnati, NY Giants 38-10 Minnesota, Arizona 10-9 LA Rams

AFC Championship Game: Seattle Seahawks @ Miami Dolphins
Prediction: Miami 28-14 Seattle
Time:Saturday 1pm Weather: Sunny, Clear, Windy, 73 degrees

Final: Seattle 24-13 Miami Player of the Game: Brian Blades rec:4 yrds:100 td:1

NFC Championship Game: Arizona Cardinals @ NY Giants
Prediction: NY Giants 20-12 Arizona
Time: Sunday 1pm Weather: Cloudy, Snow, 33 degrees

Final: NY Giants 28-10 Arizona Player of the Game: Kent Graham cmp:16 att:25 yrds:209 td:2 int:0

[Jayeburgh]

Date: January 31, 1999
Game time: 6:25 p.m. EST
Game weather: 73 degrees, clear, sunny
Stadium: Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida

VS.

New York Giants Injuries:
Rodney Hampton (Starting RB)
Charles Johnson (Starting WR)

Seattle Seahawks Injuries:
Scott Rehberg (Starting Tackle)
Brenston Buckner (Starting DE)
Brady Smith (Backup DE)
Ryan McNeil (Starting CB)
Darrell Davis (Starting Kicker)

Final: New York Giants 23-20 (ot) Seattle Seahawks

Super Bowl MVP: David Meggett att:26 yrds:147 td:2


(Sorry, last year I forgot to post the Super Bowl MVP )

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NFL MVP: Michael Strahan DE Indianapolis Colts tkl:92 sack:17 int:6

ORotY: Brian Griese QB Atlanta Falcons cmp%:63.5 yrds:4004 td:26 int:18

DRotY: Nate Wayne LB Carolina Panthers tkl:99 sack:7 int:2

[Jayeburgh]

1998 AFC Pro Bowl Team

QBs:
Neil O'Donnell Buffalo
Scott Mitchell Miami
Jim Miller KC

RBs:
Robert Smith NY Jets
Tiki Barber Pittsburgh
Adrian Murrell Cincinnati

FBs:
Mike Alstott Miami
John L. Williams Seattle

WRs:
Mark Seay Buffalo
Antonio Freeman Jacksonville
Marvin Harrison Pittsburgh
Derrick Alexander New England
Rob Moore NY Jets
Joey Galloway Buffalo

TEs:
Ben Coates New England
Frank Wycheck Indianapolis

Tackles:
Ross Verba KC
Richmond Webb Miami
Bob Dahl Baltimore
David Williams Tennessee

Guards:
Chris Gray Tennessee
Jerry Ostroski Denver
Ed King Baltimore
Dave Szott KC

Centers:
Dermontti Dawson Pittsburgh
Marco Rivera Seattle

DEs:
Michael Stahan Indianapolis
Kevin Carter SD
Greg Townsend Oakland
Al Fontenot Pittsburgh

DTs:
Michael Dea Perry Baltimore
Maa Tanuvasa KC

LBs:
Chris Slade Baltimore
Rufus Porter Seattle
Mo Lewis NY Jets
Mike Croel Denver
Leonard Little Buffalo
Levon Kirkland Pittsburgh
Charlie Clemons Jacksonville
Lee Woodall SD

CBs:
Troy Vincent Miami
Marcus Coleman Baltimore
Antonio Langham Buffalo
Deon Figures Buffalo


Safteys:
Darren Perry Pittsburgh
John Baylor Indianapolis
Darryl Williams Cincinnati
Tony Parish New England

K:
Mike Vanderjagt Indianapolis

P:
Josh Miller Miami

[Jayeburgh]

1998 NFC Pro Bowl Team

QBs:
Jim Everett LA Rams
Brian Griese Atlanta
Trent Dilfer Washington



RBs:
James Stewart Philadelphia
Ricky Ervins Washington
Barry Sanders Detroit

FBs:
Scott Greene Minnesota
Rudy Harris Detroit

WRs:
Terrell Owens Carolina
Joe Horn NY Giants
Randal Hill Arizona
Mike Pritchard Atlanta
Lawrence Dawsey TB
Keyshawn Johnson LA Rams


TEs:
Chad Lewis Washington
Jerry Evans Atlanta

Tackles:
Lomas Brown Detroit
Brad Hopkins Detroit
Doug Riesnberg Carolina
Houston Hoover Atlanta

Guards:
Randall McDaniel Minnesota
Kevin Gogan Dallas
Andy Heck Carolina
Tony Semple SF

Centers:
Ryan Tucker GB
J.R Conrad NO

DEs:
Pellom McDaniels Atlanta
Chuck Smith Atlanta
Charles Haley Dallas
Burt Grossman LA Rams

DTs:
Warren Sapp Atlanta
John Randle Minnesota

LBs:
Pat Swilling NO
Jessie Armstead LA Rams
Chad Brown Arizona
Jamir Miller
Kevin Greene LA Rams
Roman Phifer LA Rams
Bryce Paup GB


CBs:
Jimmy Hitchcock Arizona
Willie Clay Detroit
Deion Sanders Atlanta
Donnell Woolford Chicago

Safetys:
James Washington Dallas
Greg Johnson NY Giant
Orlando Thomas SF
Jay Bellamy Washington

K:
Adam Vinatieri Carolina

P:
Darren Bennett Arizona

[Jayeburgh]

Round 1 Blaine Bishop CB Pittsburgh
Round 2 Max Lane Tackle Tampa Bay
Round 3 Charles Johnson WR New York Giants
Round 4 Keith Brooking LB Kansas City
Round 5 Dana Hall Safety San Fransisco
Round 6 Travis Jervey FB New York Jets
Round 7 Matt Joyce Guard Miami
Round 8 Mark Ingram WR Jacksonville
Round 9 James Campen Center Indianapolis
Round 10 Eric Hill LB Arizona
Round 11 Alonzo Spellman DE Chicago
Round 12 Bruce Matthews Center Tennessee
Round 13 Rodney Peete QB New Orleans
Round 14 Marcus Pollard TE Oakland
Round 15 Greg Rakoczy Guard New England
Round 16 Thomas Everett Safety Dallas
Round 17 Chuck Bullough LB Philadelphia
Round 18 Marion Butts RB San Diego
Round 19 John Jackson Tackle Pittsburgh
Round 20 Renaldo Wynn DT Cincinnati
Round 21 Danny Stubbs DE Cincinnati
Round 22 Greg Clark TE Green Bay
Round 23 Terry Irving LB Baltimore

Cleveland forfeit picks 24-30.

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The 1998 Offseason

Team Needs:
Fullback (Starting)
Offensive Line (Future)
Linebacker (Depth/Future)
Wide Recever (Depth)

Coaching:
None.

Free Agents Retained:
Chris Fuamatu-Ma'Afala RB 2 year extension $150,000/year
Andrew Jordan TE 4 year extension $470,000/year
Oliver Ross TE Practice Squad 1 year deal
Michael Westbrook WR 3 year extension $581,000/year (signing bonus $25,000)
Jamain Stephens Tackle 4 year extension $320,000/year
Al Fontenot DE 5 year extension $1,816,000/year (signing bonus $250,000)
Melvin Johnson Safety 3 year extension $752,000/year (signing bonus $50,000)
Terry Billups CB Practice Squad 1 year deal


Free Agents Released:
Duval Love Tackle
Robert Delpino RB
Eddie Fuller FB
Yancey Thigpen WR
Jonathan Brown DE
Tyrone Stowe LB
Leon White LB
Alan Haller CB

Free Agents Signed:
Leroy Hoard FB (Baltimore) 4 year contract $1,760,000/year (signing bonus $200,000)
Rich Camarillo Punter (Detroit) 1 year contract $1,012,000/year (signing bonus $125,000)
J.B Brown CB (Chicago) 1 year contract $1,325,000/year (signing bonus $225,000)
Simon Fletcher LB (Denver) 1 year contract $1,240,000/year (signing bonus $175,000)
Andre Tippett LB (New England) 1 year contract $910,000/year (signing bonus $125,000)
Fakhir Brown CB (Undrafted Rookie) Practice Squad 1 year deal

Players Released:
Mike Devlin Guard
Brad Costello Punter
Greg Lloyd LB

Trades:
None.


1999 Draft Class:
Round 1: John Tait Tackle Brigham Young
Round 2: Champ Bailey CB Georgia
Round 3: Clint Kriewaldt LB Wisconsin- Stevens Point
Round 4: David Boston WR Ohio State
Round 5: Doug Brzezinski Guard Boston College
Round 6: Lionel Barnes DE Louisiana- Monroe
Round 7: Ben Lynch Center California

[Jayeburgh]

1999 NFL Preseason News

-Salary cap set at $43,000,000.

-Tennessee moves into their brand new stadium Adelphia Coliseum.

-Cleveland is ready to kick off their season in the new Cleveland Browns Stadium.

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The 1999 Pittsburgh Steelers Depth Chart:

QB:Shane Matthews, Glenn Foley, Jim Druckenmiller
RB:Tiki Barber, Moe Williams, Chris Fuamatu-Ma'Afala
FB:Leroy Hoard, Merril Hoge
TE:Tony Gonzalez, Andrew Jordan, Eric Green
WR:Marvin Harrison, O.J. McDuffie, David Boston
WR:Randy Moss, Michael Westbrook, Jermaine Lewis
T:John Tait, Anthony Brown
G:Kevin Mawae, Larry Moore
C: Dermontti Dawson, Larry Allen
G:Leon Searcy, Doug Brzezinski
T:Justin Strzelczyk, Jamain Stephens

DE:Joe Johnson, Junior Bryant
NT:Joel Steed, Jose White, David Hoelscher
DE:Al Fontenot, Regan Upshaw
LB:Levon Kirkland, Scott Galyon
LB:Hardy Nickerson, Simon Fletcher
LB: Derrick Brooks, Andre Tippett
LB:Marcus Buckley, Clint Kriewaldt
CB:Rod Woodson, Champ Bailey, J.B Brown
CB:Kwamie Lassiter, Randy Fuller
S: Darren Perry, Melvin Johnson
S:Carnell Lake, Shaun Williams

K: Olindo Mare
P: Rich Camarillo

KR/PR: Jermaine Lewis

Practice Squad:
Oliver Ross TE, Ben Lynch Center, Lionel Barns DE, Terry Billups CB, Fakhir Brown CB (UDFA)

(Rookies in Red)

Position Changes:
None.

Coaches Corner:
Head Coach: Cowher
OC: Mike Mularkey
DC: Dick LeBeau
ST: Dave Arnold


Notes:
-Greg Lloyd was cut due to injury, age, return time table. Lloyd says "I'll return next next year and someone will pick me up. No worries".

-Steelers Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey said that the Steelers will still run the ball but will be pass first. He also said that 25 attempts per game or more will not be uncommon.

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1999 Pittsburgh Steelers Season Schedule: 12-4 Division Champs, Super Bowl Champions

Week 1: Miami WIN 24-3
Week 2: @ Cleveland WIN 35-31
Week 3: Carolina WIN 14-0
Week 4: @ Baltimore WIN 27-6
Week 5: New England WIN 30-10
Week 6: @ Cincinnati WIN 22-20
Week 7: Jacksonville WIN 34-10
Week 8: Bye
Week 9: @ San Fransisco WIN 20-19
Week 10: Cleveland WIN 41-17
Week 11: @ Jacksonville LOSS 24-6
Week 12: Cincinnati WIN 20-10
Week 13: Tennessee WIN 34-27
Week 14: @ Oakland LOSS 34-14
Week 15: Baltimore WIN 30-0
Week 16: @ Atlanta LOSS 36-27
Week 17: @ Tennessee LOSS 45-36

Wild Card: Bye
Divisional: Indianapolis Colts WIN 16-10
AFC Championship: New York Jets WIN 28-3
Super Bowl: New Orleans Saints WIN 31-27

[Jayeburgh]

Week 1: Miami 0-0 @ Pittsburgh 0-0

Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Defense.

The game was won in the trenches for Pittsburgh as they open the 1999 season with a win. They beat Miami 24-3 with a beast of a defense. The Steelers recorded 7 sacks and 2 interceptions. One was returned for a 73 yard touchdown by Kwamie Lassiter. With only 9 carries on the day, Tiki Barber made the most of them when he ran a 60 yard touchdown run in the 3rd. The Steelers had 21 rush attempts all day but spread the carries around. Rookie WR David Boston's first catch of his career was a 9 yard touchdown.

Shane Matthews cmp:15 att:26 yrds:158 td:1 int:0
Levon Kirkland tkl:4 sack:2.5
Hardy Nickerson tkl:2 sack:2.5

Scott Mitchell cmp:11 att:20 yrds:132 td:0 int:2
Lance Johnstone tkl:4 sack:1
Ken Dilger rec:4 yrds:58

Week 2: Pittsburgh 1-0 @ Cleveland 1-0

Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Offense.

Pittsburgh needed the offense to carry the team this week. Pittsburgh beat expansion team Cleveland Browns 35-31. Tiki Barber had a night of mixed results. 14 carries for 36 yards and two touchdowns(3 yards and 5 yards). Matthews found six different receivers. With Westbrook, McDuffie and Harrison all catching td passes. Rookie QB Jake Delhomme had a big day with four td passes.

Shane Matthews cmp:25 att:36 yrds:341 td:3 int:0
Randy Moss rec:9 yrds:171 td:0
Darren Perry tkl:5 int:1

Jake Delhomme cmp:29 att:39 yrds:287 td:4 int:1
Marcus Pollard rec:9 yrds:77 td:0
Alonzo Spellman tkl:5 sack:1

Week 3: Carolina 1-1 @ Pittsburgh 2-0

Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Men of Steel.

On a overcast day in Pittsburgh, the Steelers shut out the Panthers 14-0. Despite 3 turnovers by the Steelers, Trent Green was unable to put together anything. A lot of his troubles was caused by the Steeler D. As they got pressure all night long. Resulting in 2 sacks and a number of passes being knocked down.

Shane Matthews cmp:24 att:35 yrds:260 td:2 int:2
Tony Gonzalez rec:9 yrds:84 td:1
Joe Johnson tkl:2 sack:1

Trent Green cmp:20 att:31 yrds:203 td:0 int:0
Rashaan Salaam att:20 yrds:75 td:0
Hugh Douglas tkl:4 sack:1

Week 4: Pittsburgh 3-0 @ Baltimore 2-1

Pittsburgh Post Gazette

The Steel Curtain Resurrected?

With the Steelers defense reviving ideas from the 70's opponents have been struggling to score. Only allowing an average of 10 points per outing the Steeler D is ranked #1 overall in points allowed.

WR Marvin Harrison is continuing where he left of last year and making spectacular catches and running crisp routes. He finished the game with 6 catches for 90 yards and a td. Baltimore shut down Randy Moss allowing only 1 reception for 15 yards. The only problem was that it was a 3rd and 14, giving Pittsburgh a first down. Then Baltimore let up a 2 yard td run on the next play giving Pittsburgh their first lead of the game 7-6. Pittsburgh went on to win 27-6 and improve to 4-0.

Shane Matthews cmp:19 att:26 yrds:248 td:2 int:0
Levon Kirkland tkl:6 int:1
Hardy Nickerson tkl:7

Charlie Batch cmp:17 att:29 yrds:152 td:0 int:1
Kenny Holmes tkl:4 sack:2
Garrison Hearst att:15 yrds:68 td:0

[Jayeburgh]

1999 Quarterly Report

NFL NEWS:
None.

Standings

AFC East
Indianapolis 3-1
New York 2-2
Buffalo 1-3
Miami 1-3
New England 0-3

AFC Central
Pittsburgh 4-0
Cincinnati 3-1
Jacksonville 2-2
Baltimore 2-2
Cleveland 1-2
Tennessee 1-2

AFC West
Denver 4-0
Kansas City 3-1
Oakland 3-1
San Diego 1-3
Seattle 0-4

NFC East
Dallas 4-0
Philadelphia 3-1
Arizona 2-2
Washington 1-2
New York 1-3

NFC Central
Green Bay 3-1
Minnesota 2-1
Chicago 1-3
Detroit 1-3
Tampa Bay 0-4

NFC West
Los Angeles 3-0
New Orleans 3-1
Atlanta 2-2
Carolina 1-2
San Francisco 0-3

Super Bowl Prediction: Pittsburgh vs.Dallas

Passing Leader:Brad Johnson Indianapolis comp%:74.1 yrds:1149 td:10 int:6
Rushing Leader:Johnny Johnson Arizona att:59 yrds:301 td:3
Receiving Leader:Terry Glenn Denver rec:28 yrds:329 td:1
Sack Leader: Bert Berry Green Bay sack:8.5
Interceptions Leader: Brock Marion New York Jets int:4

Top College Recruits:
QB- Chad Pennington Marshall
RB- Jamal Lewis Tennessee
TE- Aaron Shea Michigan
WR- Dennis Northcutt Arizona
OL- Brian Waters North Texas
DL- Corey Simon Florida State
LB- LaVar Arrington Penn State
CB- David Macklin Penn State
S- Mike Brown Nebraska
ST- Shane Lechler Texas A+M