Putting up big numbers is nothing new for wide receiver Hines Ward, so his seven catches for 131 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins are something that his teammates have come to expect.
"Hines has been doing that for 20 years or however long he's been playing in this league," said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. "He's an incredible warrior and an incredible player. You just can't say enough about what the guy brings to the table every day in practice and then every Sunday.
"Maybe he's got some secrets that we all need to get a hold of. He's just an incredible competitor. I think when you compete like he does it can help take you to a next level and just keep doing it."
Fellow receiver Mike Wallace expects the numbers out of Ward as well, but is amazed at how he is able to be so consistent year-in and year-out, playing the physical style that he does.
"I don't know how he does it for this long and all of the pounding he takes," said Wallace. "I love playing with him because you can always count on Hines.
"Going into the year everyone doubted him because they said he is getting older. I don't see it. He is still playing the same way from well before I got here. He isn't slowing down any time soon. I think he can probably play until about 40 maybe."
Wallace himself had a good showing against the Dolphins, with a 53-yard touchdown reception. It's those types of plays that make him a weapon opposite of Ward.
"Any time you can get long touchdowns and not have to drive all the way down the field it saves our offense," said Wallace. "It hurts our defense a little bit, but I think they are happy about it."
Rookie Emmanuel Sanders got off to a rocky start against the Dolphins, fumbling the opening kickoff that the Dolphins recovered at the 22-yard line and turned into a field goal.
"I had bad ball security," said Sanders. "I hit the hole, had the ball real low and he knocked it out. The defense did a real good job holding them to three points. I knew I had to bounce back and make up for the three points I gave up."
Sanders did just that. He finished the day with five returns for 144 yards, a 28.8-yard average, including a 48-yard return. He also added an 18-yard reception that for a third down conversion.
"The big thing is that he bounced back," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "Young guys are going to make mistakes. Hopefully they are not mistakes of that nature – putting the ball on the ground – but our defense gave us life, particularly those first two possessions of the game. The defense kept us in it, making them kick field goals right there. But as an individual, Emmanuel really bounced back. He moved the chains for us offensively on third down again this week. Of course our kickoff return game was excellent as the game wore on."
Taste of the Steelers, a highlight of the team's Annual Alumni Weekend, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. at the West Club at Heinz Field. Steelers alumni are center stage, sharing stories of their playing days for guests in attendance. Guests can enjoy a buffet dinner, with samplings of Heinz Field fare, while bidding on unique Steelers items in a silent and live auction. Taste of the Steelers benefits the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute at UPMC and the Cancer Caring Center. For tickets or more information call 412-802-8256.
