THE STEELERS DYNASTY STARTS HERE IN 1974>>>

CHUCK NOLL ACCENTUATES THE POSITIVES

That was the headline for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s sports pages following the Steelers' unexpected home loss to the Houston Oilers. At his weekly press conference, Chuck Noll stressed that things were not as bad as they appeared with his team only looking impressive in three of the twelve games played.

“I try to set a positive atmosphere,” Noll said. “We would have liked to be 12-0, but we are 8-3-1 and I like to emphasis the things that got us the eight wins. I think we are capable of winning ten games. If we do that, we will win our division. I think we have that kind of team.”

The Post-Gazette accepted the Steelers’ defense were up to scratch, but their offense was suspect. Asked if anyone on the offense that could only produce 84 yards played well, Noll responded, “Our defense and our special teams played very well.” His grin and non-answer said it all.

The coach declined to specify whether he thought the quarterback or the receivers were to blame. “It’s a major problem all over. We spent a great deal of time on our running game early in the season because it wasn’t going well and our passing suffered,” Noll offered.

Noll indicated he will continue to alternate rookies Lynn Swann and John Stallworth with starters Ron Shanklin and Frank Lewis at the wide receivers position. The coach also suggested that Terry Bradshaw would be the team’s starter provided there are no lingering effects from his bruised ribs.

“Give the credit to the Oilers. They were magnificent,” Noll said in praise of the team he had predicted earlier in the season were not as bad as everyone thought.

GILLIAM READY TO PLAY - IF PICKED

“When Noll switched to Bradshaw before the Atlanta game, I was surprised,” said Joe Gilliam, who led the Steelers to a 4-1-1 start to the season.

“It was the kind of thing you could see coming. I thought my performance spoke for itself. We were in first place, we were leading the league in total offense most of the time and our passing attack was the best in the league.

But I suffered from a lack of support in the media. My contribution was always underplayed. What I was doing didn’t seem to matter.”

Coach Noll had hinted that Gilliam’s reluctance to use the running game was the major reason for his demotion. “There are always many factors,” Gilliam added. “A lot of them were out of my control too.
In my own mind, I’m still getting better. But it hasn’t been an easy year for me. I’m a human just like the others. I’ve never had trouble sleeping before. Now I do.

I’m still here just waiting for my chance. I think my record still speaks for itself and I certainly think I’m capable of getting the job done.”

Next up for the Steelers are the New England Patriots. A team with a secondary that is one of the worse in the NFL, providing a golden opportunity for an effective passer to dominant. Only coach Noll knows who that quarterbacl will be.

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Last updated June 15th 2013.

SteelerNationUK on tour 2012 added May 2013.
The Terrible Towel photos updated April 2013.
Steeler Nation UK in Dublin with the Steelers 1997 added April 2013.
Portsmouth Spartans added April 2013.

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