Bill Cowher Plays Quotations

In any big game, a lot of it comes down to an ability to weather storms, to be able to respond to situations. We did a good job down there but we didn't do a very good job up here. It comes down to making plays and trying to be opportunistic and deal with circumstances that happen within the course of a game. With these two teams it's going to come down to execution.

Heath made some plays and he's developing into a good target. He's a good football player.

He's very important, not just to our defense but to our football team. He's certainly a very explosive player defensively. He can cover. He can rush. He plays the run. He's a complete outside linebacker. He's been very productive on a consistent basis.

You don't see us running a lot of different plays with Willie. They're the same plays, they just may unfold differently.

When you game plan, there are certain elements that you prepare for, certain things that you want to do. Certain plays will complement other plays, ... You're always going to have complementary plays that set up other plays. It's a pretty dramatic difference from that point. ... There's a lot more focus on what you're trying to do.

Joey is the emotional leader for our football team without question. He is the kind of guy that gets us going. We have some unique personalities and Joey is unique in his own sense. I've never been one to try and harness guys. I just want them to be respectful of the game and of the opponents. I love a team that plays with emotion, plays with passion. I love being around people that love to do that and Joey does it in his own way and without a doubt, Joey is the emotional leader for our team.

We played our tails off defensively. We made the plays on offense when we had to. The sign of a good football team is when you (don't) play your best football and still win the game.

This team understands it's a journey. This is the first step. It was almost a battle of wills out there today, like who was going to flinch first. We just came up with a couple more big plays than they did, and that was the difference in the game.

We don't ask people to run differently, ... Runners are runners. I never try to curtail a runner. Our offense has got enough plays that within the running play a ball carrier has a chance to express his ability. I think Willie has gotten more comfortable with the plays we've run. He's had a chance to watch some pretty good backs in front of him be patient on certain plays, hit it on certain plays. I think he's earned this opportunity if indeed Jerome can't go. I'm not concerned; I'm rather excited.

We don't ask people to run differently. I mean, runners are runners. I've never tried to curtail a runner. Our offense has got enough plays that, within the running play, a ballcarrier has a chance to express his abilities. I think Willie has gotten more comfortable with the plays we've run.

Letting them take the opening drive right down against us wasn't very encouraging. We responded. We had some guys make plays ... (but) we just didn't play very well.

I think you'll find in any second-year player, his comfort level is much greater. There's no question he's more comfortable with our offense and understanding the plays and the design of the plays and where they're intended to go. Consequently, he's much more in control of the huddle than he was a year ago.

A lot of stuff we have done during training camp was done competitively. When you game plan, there are certain elements that you prepare for, certain things that you want to do. Certain plays will complement other plays. It's a pretty dramatic difference from that point. (But) we'll see. I'm not going to say that was the result of anything. You still have to go out and perform and do it.

We mixed it up and did a good job of dropping eight and bringing pressure and trying to disrupt them and get them out of their rhythm. They hit some big plays there in the fourth quarter, and we were fortunate to get out of there with the win.

Willie's done a good job. Willie's earned an opportunity he's been given, and I don't anticipate changing Willie. But certainly we'll have to sit down and see how the rest of the mix plays out.