Free Republic

The end of one of the greatest NFL stories ever was supposed to have come on Nov. 24, 2004, high above the country on a flight, coincidentally, from Phoenix. That's where Tom Coughlin first pondered making the switch that figured to mark the end of Kurt Warner's career. The next day, Warner, then 33, was a backup quarterback, just like he was when he started his career. He was destined to spend the rest of his NFL life holding a clipboard, mentoring young quarterbacks, or serving as an insurance policy for a competitive team. Nobody saw his resurrection coming. Nobody...

Roethlisberger not getting off motorcycle ALAN ROBINSON / Associated Press Posted: 11 hours ago PITTSBURGH (AP) - Despite Kellen Winslow Jr.'s accident and his own coach's admonition, Big Ben isn't hopping off his big bike just yet. Ben Roethlisberger was lectured Friday by Steelers coach Bill Cowher on the dangers of riding a motorcycle without a helmet - as Roethlisberger has been spotted doing recently - but the quarterback isn't ready to get off his $20,000 cycle. "He talked about being a risk taker and I'm not really a risk taker. I'm pretty conservative and laid back, but the big...

The only thing going wrong for the Steelers' offense is that the regular season does not open for another three weeks. Looking in midseason form after just two exhibition games, the first-team offense rolled up and down the field against Houston last night with a precision not seen last season. The Steelers scored two touchdowns in three series, and the second and third teams continued to pour it on as the Steelers whipped the Texans, 38-3, in Heinz Field.