By Teresa Varley/Steelers.com
The Steelers and Dallas Cowboys have a long history, including three meetings in the Super Bowl.
It’s a clash of two teams who have storied histories, two teams who take pride in what the logo means.
Coach Mike Tomlin spoke of the rivalry earlier this week, one that he appreciates and respects.
“The strength of the brands is something that is to be respected,” said Tomlin. “I respect that every day when I get out of the car in this parking lot. It’s a responsibility to represent the black and gold, and I would imagine the guys in Dallas feel the same way.
“You can’t put a price tag on standards and legacy, and both organizations have that. We walk on the ground that’s been paved for us by those that have come before us. We feel really blessed and honored to do so and I’m sure that will be reflected in the way that both teams play this weekend.”
Cowboys Coach Mike McCarthy was born and raised in Pittsburgh and remembers as a kid watching the Steelers every week, normally followed by the Cowboys as those were the two teams that ruled the airwaves then.
“A normal day for us back then, you watched the Steelers at one o’clock and the Cowboys at four o’clock,” recalled McCarthy. “Those were great years. Four Super Bowls, two World Series and a national championship. So, it was a great time to be a kid in Pittsburgh.”
The Cowboys weighed in on the Steelers, but also talked about losing several players to injury, including pass rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy on dealing with injuries to top pass rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence:“This is what this league’s all about. It takes a lot of players to win in this league week in and week out, So, it creates a great opportunity for others and that’s really our approach.”
Defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa on the injuries to Parsons and Lawrence:
“It’s just the nature of the beast. Injuries happen. We can have no type of drop off. It’s next man up. Everyone has to step up and do their jobs.”
Cornerback Jourdan Lewis on trying to replace Parsons and Lawrence:
“You really can’t replace them. They’re the motor of our defense. We just have to ways to attack offenses without those guys, unfortunately.”
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer on the Steelers receiving corps:
“I think they’re good. They’ve got tight ends that are really good. Obviously, (George) Pickens is a really good player. The first thing I notice when I put the tape on is these guys have a lot of speed too coming off. It will be a good test for us.”
Zimmer on what he can take from slowing down Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the fourth quarter and relate it to slowing down another mobile quarterback in Justin Fields:
“They’re all different. Justin’s always been a guy that can move around in the pocket. I think he’s playing a lot better than he has. He’s throwing the ball. I think he was 23 of 34 last week, something like that. I think he is doing a good job of taking care of the football as well.
“We have to be diligent in our pass rush lanes. When we get in those situations, we have to do a good job against the quarterback runs. We did a much better job against (Giants
quarterback) Daniel Jones when he was doing some of the quarterback zone reads. So, we’re going to have to make sure we’re on our Ps and Qs this week.”
Linebacker Marist Luifau on Fields:
“Just very fast. Jumps off the tape and he’s a playmaker. If we let him get out with his speed, he can make plays. We’ve got to be very disciplined with our rush lanes and keep in mind he can move.”
Cornerback Trevon Diggs on Fields:
“He’s a running quarterback so there’s always challenges that come with that. He can make the throws. He’s got good receivers to throw to, so we have to be on our game.”
McCarthy on if he thinks the Steelers will go after rookie tackle Tyler Guyton, especially with the holding calls he has had, and how do you balance that:
“I think they’re definitely aware, but the way their edge pieces play, they’ve been playing that way for three decades, since 1992 when the defense went in. So, that’s not going to change regardless of who’s playing tackle. We’re definitely aware of how they play and it’s an extremely impressive defense.”
Defensive lineman Mazi Smith on what he thinks will be the biggest challenge going against the Steelers and a mobile quarterback.
“Me personally, I just hit my blocks. If the ball comes to me, it comes to me. If it don’t, it don’t. I don’t really try and get a feel for an offense. I get them on the field. I am still a young player, so I haven’t played them before. I don’t know what they’re like. Keep an open mind and be ready for the blocks.”
Zimmer on if there is any advantage without having Parsons and Lawrence that the Steelers won’t know what pressures they will have early in the game:
“I don’t think so. They’re going to do what they do and figure out what we’re going to do as we do it.”
Odighizuwa on the matchup against the Steelers:
“They’re a good team. They are 3-1 now. I think it’s going to be a good challenge. They’re going to run the ball. This is the type of game you love to have as a player, going against good competitors. It’s going to be exciting.”
Zimmer on going against the Steelers numerous times and if there is something that always rings true no matter who the offensive coordinator is:
“Obviously, Mike Tomlin has been there a long time. He is a guy that preaches toughness and no excuses. His teams have always been disciplined, physical. They’ve always started with the run game. Even when (Ben) Roethlisberger was there, he was a guy who could throw the heck out of the ball, but he was a guy that would make big plays down the field as well. Offensive line was always good. Defense has always been outstanding. I don’t think that is going to change.”
Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer on Mike McCarthy returning to Pittsburgh:
“Being the son of a dad that was from Pittsburgh, just the history of football in Pittsburgh. For Mike, you see family, you see friends. I think sometimes it puts you are ease when you go back, and you are around people that love you. He’s got a big family. I am sure he is going to have a lot of tickets for the game. His mom and dad are awesome people. His family is great. But we could play them anywhere. We could play them here and each game is important. It would be great to go there and play well and find a way to get a win against a really good team.”
McCarthy on when he got into the Steelers and following the sports teams as a kid growing up in Pittsburgh, and who were his favorite players:
“There’s so many to pick from. (It was in) 1972 when I remember things changed in football. But, being born in ’63, to go through the ’70s back in Pittsburgh as child and just the way the city was booming with the steel industry. It had a tremendous vibe to it.
“But ’71 was really when the Pirates won the World Series, being a big fan of the Pirates and Roberto Clemente was my favorite player. They had a great team. They won it again in 1979.
“But the Steelers, I do remember the Immaculate Reception and where I was, but that changed everything. I can remember the Steelers losing the year before to the Dolphins. That’s when it changed. I was a big Tony Dorsett fan, still am. When (Pitt) won the national championship, I lived very close to the University of Pittsburgh and watching Tony Dorsett go through Pitt.
“A normal day for us back then, you watched the Steelers at one o’clock and the Cowboys at four o’clock. Those were great years. Four Super Bowls, two World Series and a national championship. So, it was a great time to be a kid in Pittsburgh.”
