When Chad Brown entered the NFL as a former Colorado star, he had plenty he wanted to do with his life. Pro football, in the 23-year-old’s mind, would be only a chapter.
Brown figured he would play just a couple years in the NFL, then walk the Earth. He wasn’t sold on the idea of being a pro football player.
Then a film started to roll and the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers washed over him. Suddenly, Brown was fully buying into being a Steeler. Like every Pittsburgh rookie, Brown was presented with a highlight film of the team’s history. Bradshaw, Harris, Swann, Stallworth, Ham, Lambert, Greene. Brown was a Steeler, just like them. That was 13 years ago.
Last month, Brown became a Steeler again. At 36, this probably is Brown’s last NFL stop. “I’ve come full circle,” he said last week.
After sitting out the first month of the season, Brown, who resides in Lone Tree, was called by the Steelers. They needed a savvy linebacker in their 3-4 defense.
Thinking his career might be over, Brown believed his Pittsburgh days were behind him. He departed in 1997 as one of the first big-money free agents, signing with Seattle.
Pittsburgh? Brown never considered going back. There was some talk with the Broncos this summer, but nothing developed. Instead, Brown will be on the field today playing against the Broncos in Pittsburgh.
“This is an unique situation for me,” Brown said. “The whole thing is a little weird. Not strange weird, but familiar weird. It’s been 10 years, but nothing has changed.
“Mr. (Dan) Rooney is still walking through the offices. Bill Cowher is still the head coach. Dick LeBeau, even though he left and came back, is still the defensive coordinator, and Pittsburgh is still the same city. It’s good to be back. I never thought I would be, though.”
During Brown’s first game back against Kansas City, four weeks ago, his family sat near several fans who were wearing Brown’s old Steelers jerseys from 10 years ago.
“The fans have welcomed me back,” Brown said. “It’s the same old Pittsburgh.”
Veal not going anywhere
Denver: The Broncos quietly extended the contract of prospective restricted free agent Demetrin Veal last week. Denver rarely will redo a contract during the season, but the two-year extension Veal signed was appealing to both sides.
The Broncos also are interested in re-signing their other restricted free agents. The contracts of fullbacks Cecil Sapp and Kyle Johnson and linebacker Louis Green likely will be addressed during the offseason.
Sapp could attract some interest. Running back is one position where there has been some action for restricted free agents in recent years. Sapp can run, he can block and is a big-time special teams player. That said, Denver coach Mike Shanahan is a big fan of Sapp’s, so expect to see him back.
Defensive tackle Michael Myers and offensive lineman Cooper Carlisle will be priorities among the Broncos’ potential restricted free agents. Expect the Broncos to address both players quickly during the offseason.
Defense far from dandy
Indianapolis: Many around the NFL believe this will be another season Peyton Manning fails to get to the Super Bowl. It has nothing to do with Manning or the Colts’ offense.
The Indianapolis defense is porous and eventually could cost the team. Opponents are running like crazy on the Colts. And because of injuries in the secondary, teams are passing at will, too. This is not a deep group, and the problems appear to have just begun. Manning may be capable of putting up 40 points a game, but he probably will need to if the Colts finally are going to be super.
Check back with this Chief
Kansas City: Word broke last week that Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez likely will be a free agent in the offseason.
Even though Gonzalez has played nine seasons and will be 31 in February, he will be highly sought.
Gonzalez is a special talent at a position where teams are eager to have a high-impact player. We know what you’re thinking: Gonzalez would look pretty good in blue and orange.
Depending on how the rest of the season goes, it is conceivable the Broncos would make a run at Gonzalez. The Broncos likely wouldn’t get in a bidding war for him, but he is the type of player who fits their system and could be a big-time weapon early in the Jay Cutler era.
Don’t get too excited, Broncos fans, but if things fall the right way, this could be worth monitoring several months down the road.
Moss making mistakes
Oakland: Although there is excitement in Oakland over the Raiders’ modest two-game winning streak, there also is concern about the offense. Much of it involves wide receiver Randy Moss. He seems out of it.
Opposing players have said Moss looks disinterested at times. In the past two games, Moss – one of the most sure-handed and gifted receivers in the NFL – has dropped seven passes.
These were passes the Moss of Minnesota always would bring in. Moss has been bothered by ankle and hamstring injuries in recent seasons, and he may have even slowed some. Now that he is dropping catchable balls, Oakland is very concerned.
Still, Moss is the Raiders’ best player and they must deal with him for at least the rest of the season.
Around the league
This is the final week of the scheduled byes. …
One of the reasons for New Orleans’ defensive success is tackle Hollis Thomas. After playing for Philadelphia the first 10 years of his career, Thomas is coming up big in his first season with New Orleans. He is creating serious Pro Bowl buzz. …
There was some questioning around the league about the Broncos not playing more physically against Indianapolis receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne last weekend. Denver’s cornerbacks were playing 5 to 7 yards back from Harrison and Wayne. The two wideouts aren’t overly big and physical. Teams often have challenged them more than Denver did. …
Saints rookie receiver Marques Colston is turning heads. He has been consistently good. The seventh-round pick from Hofstra has made a bigger impact than No. 2 overall pick Reggie Bush has for the Saints. At 6-feet-4 and 231 pounds, Colston is looking like he should have been a high pick, not one of the final players drafted. …
Word is the Redskins soon may replace veteran quarterback Mark Brunell with 2005 draft pick Jason Campbell. Why not? The future is now for the Redskins. …
If the Broncos make the playoffs, don’t be surprised if they head back to New England. The Patriots are 6-1 (their only defeat is a home loss to the Broncos) and have an easy schedule the rest of the season. They have only three games remaining against teams with winning records (Indianapolis, Chicago and Jacksonville). Denver, on the other hand, has five games remaining against teams with winning records: San Diego (twice), Kansas City, Seattle and Cincinnati.
EXTRA POINTS
AT ISSUE
Desert exodus
What: Dennis Green’s job security
Background: Green was considered one of the better coaches in recent NFL history when Arizona hired him three seasons ago. In Minnesota, Green had only one losing season in 10 years. He was considered a real catch when the usually cash-tight Cardinals spent the money to bring him in. Since his arrival, there have been major expectations for Cardinals. However, in 40 games, Green’s record in Arizona is 12-28.
Williamson’s take: It’s time for Green to go. Generally, I don’t believe there should be coaching changes during the NFL season, but Green has failed his team. It is not going to get better with him. The Cardinals have enough talent, especially on offense. But Green, who specializes in offense, hasn’t helped bring them along. He ultimately needs to be responsible for what has happened. Three weeks ago, after the great collapse against Chicago, Green fired offensive coordinator Keith Rowen, even though the Cardinals scored 24 points against the stiff Bears defense. Since that loss, the offense has been anemic. Rowen went, and Green must go, too.
THE HOT SEAT
Super challenge
Who: Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher
When: Today at Heinz Field against the Broncos
Why: Cowher’s team is falling apart. The defending Super Bowl champions are 2-5 and coming off an embarrassing loss to the Raiders last week. Pittsburgh and Oakland have the same record. That’s bad. It’s up to Cowher, the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach, to turn things around in the Steel City. Cowher has responded to pressure before. The Steelers were 7-5 last season before winning their last eight games, including their triumph in the Super Bowl. But this situation is tough. QB Ben Roethlisberger has been terrible, and the entire team seems out of sync. This is Cowher’s greatest challenge. The playoffs are a longshot, but Cowher must make this team competitive.
ROOKIE WATCH
Delayed impact
Who: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes
When: Today at Heinz Field against the Broncos
Why: The 25th pick in the draft is a player the Broncos studied extensively. They even brought Holmes in for a predraft visit. They liked him, but decided Holmes wasn’t quite worth the No. 15 pick Denver held before making a draft-day deal for the No. 11 slot, from which the Broncos took quarterback Jay Cutler. The Steelers were thrilled to get Holmes, a speedster from Ohio State, but he has been inconsistent and has had some legal issues. He remains a threat as a receiver and a returner, and has great potential.
Broncos mailbag: Bill Williamson posts a new installment each Tuesday on DenverPost.com. Previous mailbags also are available on the website.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
