Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 72

I i I I i 1 i i ii -1 i imm 'u hj 1)3 PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1997 PRO F00TDAL1 STEELERS SALARIES: THE BOTTOM LINE -iT By Gene Collier Post-Gazette Columnist (ulariM Var Playar Justin Strzelczyk Right tackle One of the reasons the Steelers have given up just 20 sacks this season. John Jackson Left tackle Helped the Steelers produce a rusher for the second consecutive season. i nhe Steelers yesterday bus-iJ Al I 1 It leu uiemseives wiin me Darticulars of how to avoid losing to the Tennessee Oilers by 65 points, and while that remains the annoyingly arcane last detdi! of a fifth AFC Central Division title in six years, at least it pre-; eludes Coach Bill Cowher from saying, "There's a fine line there." At least momentarily. The "fine line" is perhaps Cowher's most favored cliche, coming more frequently in the Bill glossary than even "all three phases," "it's all part of it," "the best interests of our football team," and "I would say that's a true statement." In Tuesday's weekly media spritzing, for example, Cowher fine-lined us five times: "So there's that fine line," "there's a very fine line," another "there's a very fine line," another "there's that fine line," and a "that's always going to be a fine line." Remarkably, none of those references were related to the Steelers' fine defensive line, or to their very fine line, this year's offensive line, perhaps the very finest in football. "Without a doubt, this is the best offensive line I've ever seen," said Jim Sweeney, the 14-year veteran who so expertly spackled a hole at right tackle Saturday in New England.

"Just to watch these guys is a treat I've watched a lot of line play over the years; it's what I focus on on the sideline, and this unit is pretty spccisl "But then I thought that before I even came here." The Steelers' magnificent blockers are only now again under some fleeting scrutiny because starting right tackle Justin Strzelc-zyk is recovering from a calf injury, because his backup, Jamain Ste- Ehens, hurt his ankle Saturday in is first NFL start, and partly because left tackle John Jackson left Saturday's game briefly when he was kicked in the leg. Offensive line coach Kent Stephenson says everything will be I fine (it's a fine line) by the time everything has to be, a home playoff i game Jan. 3 or Jan. 4, and that this is as good a unit as he's seen in 13 NFL seasons as much for the peo-: pie who don't play regularly as for those who do. "It's the quality of the backup help," Stephenson said.

"They are really true professionals who prepare every week like they're done a good job when needed them. We haven't misied a beat with them in there." Ifte opponents have rarely missed a beating. I'Tflough Sweeney and Stephens and Tom Myslinski contributed immensely to the overtime victory at Foxboro and third-round draft pick Paul Wiggins is likely to play some tackle at Tennessee, the Steelers will finish the regular season Sunday having put together one of their most productive offensive seasons primarily behind Jackson and Strzelczyk, guards Brenden Stai and Will Wolford, and center Der-montti Dawson. It is anything but an accident that the Steelers have a rusher (Jerome Bettis) and a receiver (Yancey Thigpen) in Adams, Michael 1997 168.5 141.0 131.0 1998 168.5 174.0 164.0 1999 168.5 190.4 1 80.4 'I Arnold, Jahine 1997 232.7 234.5 169.0 1998 232.7 264.3 201.0 Bailey, Henry 1997 137.9 94.7 92 0 1998 137.9 181.2 180.4 Bell, Myron 1997 362.9 362.9 361.0 Bettis, Jerome 1997 3625.1 2800.2 1500.0 1998 3625.1 3700.0 2500.0 1999 3625.1 3800.0 2800.0 2000 3625.1 4200.0 3200.0 Blackwell, Will 1997 453.8 396.3 230.0 1998 453.8 453.8 287.5 1999 453.8 511.3 345.0 1 Botkln, Kirk 1997 197.7 197.7 196.0 Brown, Deauntae 1997 56.1 29.7 56.1 "-v Brown, B. 1997 550.6 526.2 475.0 Bruener, Mark 1997 838.2 891.9 650.0 Coleman, Andre 1997 205.8 115.3 196.0 1998 205.8 215.6 215.6 Conley, Steven 1997 313.2 314.7 207.5 Dawson, Dermontti 1997 2109.8 2446.7 1670.0 1998 2109.8 2366.0 2050.0 1999 2109 8 3215.0 2900.0 2000 2109.8 3315.0 3000.0 2001 2109.8 315.0 1600.0 Emmons, Carlos 1997 167.5 174.3 165.0 Fiala, John 1997 56.1 56J 561 Flowers, Lethon 1997 193.9 223.3 196.0 Fuller, Randy 1997 363.2 363.2 361.0 Gibson, Oliver 1997 223.1 256.1 196.0 Gildon, Jason 1997 361.2 361.2 361.0 Harrison, Nolan 1997 436.7 321.9 300.0 1998 436.7 471.7 450.0 1999 436.7 516.7 495.0 3 Hawkins, Courtney 1997 483.3 358.3 3250 4 1 1998 483.3 508.3 475.0 1999 483.3 583.3 550.0 Henry, Kevin 1997 558.4 416.9 350.0 4 1998 558.4 591.7 525.0 1999 558.4 666.7 600.0 Holliday, Corey 1997 197.9 197.9 196.0 Holmes, Earl 1997 234.1 235.4 169.0 1998 234.1 266.0 201.0 Jackson, John 1997 1362.8 2013.2 1750.0 Johnson, Charles 1997 919.8 1023.5 682.5 Johnson, Norm 1997 301.3 370.8 275.0 1998 301.3 398.3 302.5 Jones, D.J.

1997 56.1 ZV3 56.1 Jones, Donta 1997 221.9 255.5 196.0 Jones, George 1997 188.1 167.3 131.0 Kirkland, Levon 1997 1082.5 1725.5 1400.0 1998 1082.5 1525.0 1 300.0 Lake, Carnell 1997 2319.5 2451.0 1900.0 1998 2319.5 2200.0 1700.0 Lester, Tim 1997 390.8 511.9 400.0 1998 390.8 520.0 500.0 Lloyd, Greg 1997 2621.8 3177.2 1200.0 1998 2621.8 3475.0 2800.0 1999 2621.8 3875.0 3200.0 Lyons, Mitch 1997 228.5 203.8 200.0 1998 228.5 228.3 225.0 1999 228.5 253.3 250.0 1 i Manuel, Rod 1997 169.8 142.3 131.0 1998 169.8 175.3 164.0 1999 169.8 191.7 180.4 Marsh, Curtis 1997 205.8 103.8 196.0 1998 205.8 215.6 215.6 McAfee, Fred 1997 381.0 382.6 365.0 1998 381.0 418.2 401.5 McCann, David 1997 56.1 56.6 56.1 Jjr Miller, Josh 1997 183.2 195.0 195.0 1998 183.2 214.5 214.5 tiro Myslinski, Tom 1997 239.1 280.7 2750 Nori, Mark 1997 56.1 57J 56.1 Oldham, Chris 1997 313.7 297.6 275.0 Olsavsky, Jerry 1997 373.1 426.5 196.0 1998 373.1 362.0 275.0 1999 373.1 353.7 300.0 Perry, Darren 1997 1473.5 1550.5 1325 0 1998 1473.5 1450.0 1225.0 Quinn, Mike 1997 139.1 132.5 131.0 'f rf 1998 139.1 145.6 144.1 i -i on Roye, Orpheus 1997 171.6 178.2 164.0 1998 171.6 193.5 181.5 Jg) Sadowski, Troy 1997 288.8 97.1 275.0 "''i 1998 288.8 302.5 302.5 Scott, Chad 1997 1038.0 814.0 480.0 1998 1038.0 914.0 600 0 1999 1038.0 1034.0 720.0 2000 1038.0 1154.0 840 0 2001 1038.0 314.0 960.Q ,) Stai, Brenden 1997 265.9 291.1 2090 Steed, Joel 1997 729.1 1333.8 1200,0 Stephens, Jamain 1997 932.3 818.9 572.5 X'" 1998 932.3 932.0 687.0 1999 932.3 1046.5 801.5 2001 932.3 1161.0 916.0 In thousand) Yearly Annual Bas avorag cap valua salary 1678.8 1678.8 1678.8 1678.8 1046.4 2345.0 2712.5 3162.5 250.0 1550.0 2050.0 1 2500.0 1 919.5 919.5 919.5 1551.7 1200.0 1500.0 1300.0 1700.0 1500.0 302.5 325.0 325 0 635.6 1013.8 880.0 567.1 567.1 401.4 600.0 300.0 500.0 J' ir 284.6 246.3 153.0 Nobody in NFL clears wider hole than Steelers' offensive linemen Dermontti Dawson: The anchor and and it's a sure bet that Dan Marino has been hit harder and more often than Stewart. The Arizona Cardinals, just for contrast, have allowed 76 sacks. At the same time, the Steelers' per-game average of 160 rushing yards is the best in the NFL again. Since 1992, only the Steelers, Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills have averaged better than 2,000 rushing yards a season. When this season ends, it appears only the Steelers will have averaged more than 2,000 rushing yards over the past six years.

"It depends mostly on the indi Patriots Pete Carroll: Can he put the IN THE SPOTLIGHT Patriots (9-6) at Dolphins: (9-6): 9 p.m. Monday. TV: WTAE (Ch.4). Patriots RB Curtis Martin returned to practice and may play. IN THE CENTRAL Means to an end: Very quietly, Jaguars RB Natrone Means has scored a rushing touchdown in five straight games and regained some of the form that made him such a force in the playoffs last season.

Staying the course: Dave Wannstedt says he will return as the Bears' coach in 1 998 despite a 4-1 1 record so far this season and the team's failure to make the playoffs four of his five years at the helm. Case dismissed: Assault charges against Giants Tito Woo-ten were dropped after his girlfriend said they had reconciled. NUMBERS Tipping the scales: The most impressive statistic for the Packers belongs not surprisingly toQB Brett Favre, but it's not his passing yardage or completion percentage. It's his weight: 237 pounds. six-time Pro Bowler.

viduals, on how willing they are to work," said Sweeney, who said he has thought about coaching this largely misunderstood discipline when his playing days are done. "There are some very unnatural movements involved, and not everyone can be gifted at it like Dermontti and Jackson and Brenden. Those are big guys who can really run and there aren't many of those. There are more grunts. It's a blue-collar kind of thing but at the same time, there's a lot of finesse." There's a fine line there.

NOTES Chad Scott got the Joe Greene Great Performance Award as the Steelers' Rookie of the Year from the local chapter of the Professional Football Writers of America. "A lot of rookies played well, Will Blackwell, George Jones, Mike Vrabel," said Scott, a 23-year-old defensive back out of Maryland. "Will got hurt and that probably worked in my favor. I know Joe Greene was one of the best d-lineman ever to play the game, so it's an honor to get this award." Local writers also presented to safety Darren Perry the annual Chief Award, which honors the of Steelers founder Art Rooney and goes to the player who best exemplifies founder Art Roo-ney's spirit of cooperation with the media. Practice was again closed to the media, but afterward the Steelers added safety Myron Bell to the injury list.

He's officially probable with a foot injury. 1 Associated Press pieces together by Monday? No passing fancy: The Giants yes, the Giants lead the NFL with 26 interceptions this year. Big turnaround: Looking for reasons why the Jets can make the playoffs if they beat Detroit Sunday? Consider this: They have committed the fewest penalties in the AFC 78. Last year, they had 110. I Slip, slldln' away: The Cowboys' five-year reign as the NFL's top merchandise-selling team has ended.

The Packers have bumped Dallas into second place. The 49ers, Steelers and Dolphins round out the top five. Green Bay products accounted for 25 percent of sales while Dallas accounted for 21 percent, according to Sporting Goods Business. 73 L- i iilFL LLuiJlaj fame burdens Henry the same season for only the third time since 1970. The bright evidence that this offensive line has afforded Cowher's team such perfect balance along with its high production is available everywhere.

Five times this season the Steelers steamed to more than 400 yards of offense in a game, and coordinator Chan Gailey has been able to deploy it any way he likes. Kordell Stewart, for example, navigating what is essentially his first-year at quarterback, has been sacked only 20 times. Only the Miami Dolphins have allowed fewer, friend predicted it." That would be Sean Richards, host of the WAMO morning show. Henry can be heard on the show Mondays and Fridays at 7:35. Last Thursday night, Richards matched the Steelers against the Patriots in the John Madden Football video game on his Sony Playstation.

The Steelers won, 52-17. "You had an interception, which means you'll get one tomorrow," Richards told Henry on the show the next morning. "Do I score?" Henry asked. "No, Bledsoe catches you." Don't you wish Richards would predict that you're going to win the lottery? "I made another prediction for him," Richards said yesterday. "I told him he was going to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

I can't wait to see if I'm right." Sorry. Dean Smith is on this week's cover. There's a feature story on another former WAMO guest host Carnell Lake but not even a picture of Henry. "The season's not over," Richards said. It's true, there will be other chances for Henry to make the Sports Illustrated cover.

Thanks to his Immaculate Interception, the Steelers' season might not end for a long time, maybe not until Jan. 25 at the Super Bowl. "When you put it like that Henry said, quietly, "Wow!" year of their contract who will become unrestricted free agents if they are not signed before February: John Jackson, Yancey Thigpen, Joel Steed, Myron Bell, Randy Fuller, Jason Gildon and Tom Myslinski. Restricted free agents include Donta Jones and Brenden Stai. COOK FROM PAGE D-l The Jaw will be happy if Henry keeps playing so well on defense.

Henry has had a big second half of the season and is third on the team with 4V4 sacks. "This has been the best defensive line play we've had since I've been here," Cowher said. The Immaculate Interception was just the topper. The Patriots led, 21-13, and had the ball, third-and-7, at the 50 with 2:10 left. The Steelers were out of timeouts.

The Patriots figured to run a running play, then punt But Bledsoe tried to hit Dave Meggett with a pass in the left flat. He never saw Henry, who is 6 feet 4, 282 pounds. Bledsoe didn't want to answer his pages this week, either. Henry said the ball looked like "a big, juicy tomato" as it floated toward him. He snatched it and.

lumbered up the sideline for 36 yards to the Patriots' 15 before Bledsoe caught him. "I saw two wbjte jerseys out of the corner of my eye so I knew I was lateraling it matter what," Henry said. The Steelers were penalized for the illegal lateral but still scpred the game-tying touchdown -and two-point conversion. They wejit on to win the game they desperately needed to get the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs.

"The most phenomenal part of the whole play," Henry said, "is a itewart, Kordell 1997 1998 1999 2000 Strzelczyk, Justin 1997 1998 1999 Sweeney, Jim 1997 Thigpen, Yancey Tomczak, Mike 1997 1997 1998 Vrabel, Mike 1997 Steelers' salaries revealed 1998 284.6 284.6 191.3 1 1999 284.6 322.8 229.5 Wiggins, Paul 1997 302.5 262.0 162 0 1998 302.5 302.5 202.5 1999 302.5 343.0 243,0 Witman.Jon 1997 287.1 288.1 200 0 1998 287.1 326.7 240.0 Wolford, Will 1997 2493.9 2600.2 2000 0 -i1', 1998 2493.9 2575.0 2000 0 1999 2493.9 2675.0 21QQ.Q Woofford, Donnell 1997 1462.6 850.5 500.0 1998 1462.6 1500.0 1150.0 1999 1462.6 1650.0 13QQ.Q SALARIES FROM PAGE D-l Backup quarterback Mike Tomczak signed a two-year contract that pays him $500,000 this season and $600,000 next season. He also received a $200,000 signing bonus. Among those players in the last.