2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season

2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season
Head coach	Bill Cowher
General manager	Kevin Colbert
Owner	The Rooney Family
Home field	Heinz Field
Results
Record	13–3
Division place	1st in AFC Central
Playoff finish	Won Divisional Playoffs (Ravens) 27–10 Lost AFC Championship (Patriots) 17–24
Pro Bowlers	6 LB Kendrell Bell RB Jerome Bettis G Alan Faneca OLB Jason Gildon QB Kordell Stewart WR Hines Ward
AP All-Pros	4 Alan Faneca (1st team) Jason Gildon (1st team) Kendrell Bell (2nd team) Jeff Hartings (2nd team)
Team MVP	Kordell Stewart
Team ROY	Kendrell Bell

In 2001, after finishing the previous three seasons a combined 22–26, the Steelers returned to the top seed in the AFC, rolling to a 13–3 record in their first season playing at Heinz Field. The Steelers went 7–1 in their new home stadium, with the only loss coming to the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens (a loss the Steelers avenged in the divisional playoffs).

However, for the third time in Bill Cowher's coaching tenure, the Steelers fell in the AFC Championship Game at home. This time, the eventual champion New England Patriots defeated the top-seeded Steelers.

Personnel

Staff

2001 Pittsburgh Steelers staff
	Front office President – Daniel M. Rooney Vice President & General Counsel – Arthur J. Rooney II Vice President – John R. McGinley Vice President – Arthur J. Rooney, Jr. Administration Advisor – Chuck Noll Director of Business – Mark Hart Business Accounting Coordinator – Jim Ellenberger Human Relations/Office Coordinator – Geraldine Glenn Business Coordinator – Omar Khan Accounting Manager – Jodie Spagnolli Communications Coordinator – Ron Wahl Public Relations/Media Manager – David Lockett Network Administrator – Scott Phelps Marketing and Merchandising Director of Marketing – Tony Quatrini Marketing Coordinator – Rick Giugliano Merchandising Manager – Tim Carey Assistant Merchandising Manager – Sam Rogiero Marketing Assistant – John Wodarek Producer/Broadcasting Manager – Rick Fairbend Marketing/Community Relations Manager – Lynne Molyneaux Marketing Assistant – John Simpson Marketing Assistant – Mike Marchinsky Ticket Operations Ticket Manager – Brian Bonifate Football Operations Director of Football Operations – Kevin Colbert College Scouting Coordinator – Bill Baker Pro Scouting Coordinator – Doug Whaley Pro/College Scout – Phil Kreidler College Scout – Mark Gorscak College Scout – Bob Lane College Scout – Bruce McNorton College Scout – Dan Rooney College Scout – Bill Nunn BLESTO Scout – Kelvin Fisher Head coaches Head Coach – Bill Cowher Offensive coaches Offensive Coordinator – Mike Mularkey Quarterbacks – Tom Clements Offensive Line – Russ Grimm Running Backs – Dick Hoak Wide Receivers – Kenny Jackson Tight Ends – Ken Whisenhunt Offensive Assistant – Mike Miller			Defensive coaches Defensive Coordinator – Tim Lewis Linebackers – Mike Archer Defensive Line – John Mitchell Defensive Backs – Willy Robinson Defensive Assistant – Lou Spanos Special teams coaches Special Teams – Jay Hayes Strength and conditioning Conditioning Coach – Chet Fuhrman Medical Staff Ophthalmologist – Dr. Randy Beatty Physician, Orthopedic – Dr. James P. Bradley Neurological Surgeon – Dr. Joseph Maroon Physician, M.D. – Dr. Richard Rydze Physician, Consultant – Dr. Abraham J. Twerski Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates Training Staff Head Athletic Trainer – John Norwig Assistant Athletic Trainer – Ryan Grove Football Staff Player Development Coordinator – Anthony Griggs Equipment Manager - Rodgers Freyvogel Field Manager – Rich Baker Field/Equipment Assistant – Paul Gallagher Video Coordinator – Bob McCartney Video Assistant – Andy Lizanich Video Assistant – Rob Brakel Photographers – Mike Fabus [1]

Notable additions include Casey Hampton, Jeff Hartings and Kendrell Bell.

Roster

2001 Pittsburgh Steelers final roster
	Quarterbacks  8 Tommy Maddox 17 Tee Martin 10 Kordell Stewart Running backs 33 R. J. Bowers 36 Jerome Bettis 45 Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala 35 Dan Kreider FB 38 Jon Witman FB 21 Amos Zereoué Wide receivers 88 Tim Baker 89 Will Blackwell KR 80 Plaxico Burress 81 Troy Edwards KR 83 Lenzie Jackson 82 Bobby Shaw 86 Hines Ward Tight ends 48 Matt Cushing 85 Cory Geason 84 Jerame Tuman		Offensive linemen 62 Roger Duffy C/G 66 Alan Faneca G 72 Wayne Gandy T 64 Jeff Hartings C/G 78 Mathias Nkwenti T 56 Chukky Okobi C/G 79 Oliver Ross T/G 77 Marvel Smith T 66 Rich Tylski G 68 Keydrick Vincent G Defensive linemen 94 Rodney Bailey DE 96 Kendrick Clancy NT 73 Chris Combs DE 98 Casey Hampton NT 91 Aaron Smith DE 67 Kimo von Oelhoffen DE		Linebackers 97 Kendrell Bell ILB 57 John Fiala ILB 92 Jason Gildon OLB 53 Clark Haggans OLB 50 Earl Holmes ILB 51 Mike Jones ILB 90 Justin Kurpeikis LB 55 Joey Porter OLB Defensive backs 27 Brent Alexander FS 40 Myron Bell S 41 Lethon Flowers SS 31 Mike Logan S 22 Hank Poteat S/PR/KR 30 Chad Scott CB 23 Jason Simmons S 26 Deshea Townsend CB 20 Dewayne Washington CB Special teams 54 Mike Schneck LS  3 Kris Brown K  4 Josh Miller P/H		Reserve lists 87 Mark Bruener TE (IR) Practice squad 19 Demetrius Brown WR 95 Rameel Connor DE 76 Chris Hoke DE 24 Payton Williams CB [2] [3] [4] Rookies in italics 55 Active, 1 Inactive, 4 Practice squad

Preseason

Schedule

Week	Date	Time (ET)	TV	Opponent	Result	Record	Game Site	NFL Recap
1	Fri. Aug. 3	7:30 p.m.	KDKA	at Atlanta Falcons	W 17–16	1–0	Georgia Dome	Recap
2	Thu. Aug. 16	8:00 p.m.	KDKA	at Minnesota Vikings	L 24–10	1–1	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	Recap
3	Sat. Aug. 25	1:00 p.m.	KDKA	Detroit Lions	W 20–7	2–1	Heinz Field	Recap
4	Thu. Aug. 30	7:30 p.m.	KDKA	Buffalo Bills	W 20–0	3–1	Heinz Field	Recap

Regular season

Schedule

The Steelers did not play in their home stadium for the entire month of September. Their Week 2 game against the archrival Cleveland Browns was canceled due to the events of September 11, and was rescheduled for the end of the year. Week 3 was their bye week.

Week	Date	Time (ET)	TV	Opponent	Result	Record	Game Site	NFL Recap
1	Sun. Sep. 9	1:00 p.m.	CBS	at Jacksonville Jaguars	L 21–3	0–1	Alltel Stadium	Summary
-	Sun. Sep. 16	This week cancelled due to the September 11th attacks.
2	Sun. Sep. 23	Bye Week
3	Sun. Sep. 30	1:00 p.m.	CBS	at Buffalo Bills	W 20–3	1–1	Ralph Wilson Stadium	Summary
4	Sun. Oct. 7	1:00 p.m.	CBS	Cincinnati Bengals	W 16–7	2–1	Heinz Field	Summary
5	Sun. Oct. 14	1:00 p.m.	CBS	at Kansas City Chiefs	W 20–17	3–1	Arrowhead Stadium	Summary
6	Sun. Oct. 21	1:00 p.m.	CBS	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	W 17–10	4–1	Raymond James Stadium	Summary
7	Mon. Oct. 29	9:00 p.m.	ABC	Tennessee Titans	W 34–7	5–1	Heinz Field	Summary
8	Sun. Nov. 4	1:00 p.m.	CBS	Baltimore Ravens	L 13–10	5–2	Heinz Field	Summary
9	Sun. Nov. 11	1:00 p.m.	CBS	at Cleveland Browns	W 15–12 (OT)	6–2	Cleveland Browns Stadium	Summary
10	Sun. Nov. 18	4:15 p.m.	CBS	Jacksonville Jaguars	W 20–7	7–2	Heinz Field	Summary
11	Sun. Nov. 25	1:00 p.m.	CBS	at Tennessee Titans	W 34–24	8–2	Adelphia Coliseum	Summary
12	Sun. Dec. 2	1:00 p.m.	Fox	Minnesota Vikings	W 21–16	9–2	Heinz Field	Summary
13	Sun. Dec. 9	4:15 p.m.	CBS	New York Jets	W 18–7	10–2	Heinz Field	Summary
14	Sun. Dec. 16	8:30 p.m.	ESPN	at Baltimore Ravens	W 26–21	11–2	PSINet Stadium	Summary
15	Sun. Dec. 23	1:00 p.m.	Fox	Detroit Lions	W 47–14	12–2	Heinz Field	Summary
16	Sun. Dec. 30	1:00 p.m.	CBS	at Cincinnati Bengals	L 26–23 (OT)	12–3	Paul Brown Stadium	Summary
17	Sun. Jan. 6	1:00 p.m.	CBS	Cleveland Browns	W 28–7	13–3	Heinz Field	Summary

Standings

AFC Central
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
^(1) Pittsburgh Steelers	13	3	0	.813	352	212	W1
^(5) Baltimore Ravens	10	6	0	.625	303	265	W1
Cleveland Browns	7	9	0	.438	285	319	L1
Tennessee Titans	7	9	0	.438	336	388	L2
Jacksonville Jaguars	6	10	0	.375	294	286	L2
Cincinnati Bengals	6	10	0	.375	226	309	W2

Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday September 9, 2001): at Jacksonville Jaguars

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	3	0	0	3
Jaguars	0	21	0	0	21

at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

• Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 63,785
• Referee: Mack Gentry
• TV announcers: (CBS) Don Criqui (play by play), Craig James (color commentator)

- (Sunday September 16, 2001): vs. Cleveland Browns

Due to the September 11th attacks the National Football League postponed all games. It was played after the rest of the scheduled season had been completed.

Week 3 (Sunday September 30, 2001): at Buffalo Bills

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	3	0	10	20
Bills	0	3	0	0	3

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

• Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 72,874
• Referee: Tom White
• TV announcers: (CBS) Ian Eagle (play by play), Solomon Wilcots (color commentator)

Week 4 (Sunday October 7, 2001): vs. Cincinnati Bengals

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	0	0	0	7	7
Steelers	0	10	0	6	16

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
• Game weather: 46 °F (Partly Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 62,335
• Referee: Larry Nemmers
• TV announcers: (CBS) Bill Macatee (play by play), Trevor Matich (color commentator)

This was the first game at Heinz Field.

Week 5 (Sunday October 14, 2001): at Kansas City Chiefs

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	6	14	0	20
Chiefs	0	2	0	15	17

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 78,413
• Referee: Ron Blum
• TV announcers: (CBS) Gus Johnson (play by play), Brent Jones (color commentator)

Week 6 (Sunday October 21, 2001): at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	7	10	0	17
Buccaneers	0	3	0	7	10

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

• Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 65,588
• Referee: Ed Hochuli
• TV announcers: (CBS) Dick Enberg (play by play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator)

Week 7 (Monday October 29, 2001): vs. Tennessee Titans

	1	2	3	4	Total
Titans	0	7	0	0	7
Steelers	7	10	10	7	34

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 9:00 pm EST
• Game weather: 51 °F (Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 63,763
• Referee: Terry McAulay
• TV announcers: (ABC) Al Michaels (play by play), Dan Fouts & Dennis Miller (color commentators), Eric Dickerson & Melissa Stark (sideline reporters)

Week 8 (Sunday November 4, 2001): vs. Baltimore Ravens

	1	2	3	4	Total
Ravens	0	7	0	6	13
Steelers	3	7	0	0	10

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 1:00 pm EST
• Game weather: 63 °F (Partly Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 62,906
• Referee: Bob McElwee
• TV announcers: (CBS) Dick Enberg (play by play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator)

Week 9 (Sunday November 11, 2001): at Cleveland Browns

	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Steelers	3	3	3	3	3	15
Browns	9	0	3	0	0	12

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

• Game time: 1:00 pm EST
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 73,218
• Referee: Dick Hantak
• TV announcers: (CBS) Ian Eagle (play by play), Solomon Wilcots (color commentator)

Week 10 (Sunday November 18, 2001): vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	0	0	7	0	7
Steelers	3	3	7	7	20

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 4:05 pm EST
• Game weather: 57 °F (Mostly Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 62,644
• Referee: Ron Winter
• TV announcers: (CBS) Ian Eagle (play by play), Solomon Wilcots (color commentator)

Week 11 (Sunday November 25, 2001): at Tennessee Titans

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	3	7	14	10	34
Titans	7	7	3	7	24

at Adelphia Coliseum, Nashville, Tennessee

• Game time: 1:00 pm EST
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 68,801
• Referee: Bill Leavy
• TV announcers: (CBS) Dick Enberg (play by play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator)

Week 12 (Sunday December 2, 2001): vs. Minnesota Vikings

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	3	0	0	13	16
Steelers	0	7	14	0	21

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 1:00 pm EST
• Game weather: 48 °F (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 62,661
• Referee: Tony Corrente
• TV announcers: (Fox) Dick Stockton (play by play), Troy Aikman & Daryl Johnston (color commentators)

Week 13 (Sunday December 9, 2001): vs. New York Jets

	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets	0	7	0	0	7
Steelers	3	9	0	6	18

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 4:15 pm EST
• Game weather: 41 °F (Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 62,884
• Referee: Terry McAulay
• TV announcers: (CBS) Greg Gumbel (play by play), Phil Simms (color commentator)

Week 14 (Sunday December 16, 2001): at Baltimore Ravens

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	3	10	0	13	26
Ravens	0	7	0	14	21

at PSINet Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

• Game time: 8:30 pm EST
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 69,506
• Referee: Tom White
• TV announcers: (ESPN) Mike Patrick (play by play), Joe Theismann & Paul Maguire (color commentators), Suzy Kolber (sideline reporter)

Week 15 (Sunday December 23, 2001): vs. Detroit Lions

	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	7	7	0	0	14
Steelers	14	13	10	10	47

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 1:00 pm EST
• Game weather: 43 °F (Light Rain)
• Game attendance: 62,809
• Referee: Johnny Grier
• TV announcers: (Fox) Kenny Albert (play by play), Tim Green (color commentator)

Week 16 (Sunday December 30, 2001): at Cincinnati Bengals

	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Steelers	14	3	6	0	0	23
Bengals	0	10	0	13	3	26

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

• Game time: 1:00 pm EST
• Game weather: 20 °F (Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 63,751
• Referee: Jeff Triplette
• TV announcers: (CBS) Gus Johnson (play by play), Brent Jones (color commentator)

Week 17 (Sunday January 6, 2002): vs. Cleveland Browns

	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	7	0	0	0	7
Steelers	0	7	14	7	28

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 1:00 pm EST
• Game weather: 32 °F (Snow)
• Game attendance: 59,189
• Referee: Bernie Kukar
• TV announcers: (CBS) Gus Johnson (play by play), Brent Jones (color commentator)

Playoffs

Schedule

Week	Date	Time (ET)	TV	Opponent	Result	Game Site	NFL Recap
Divisional	Sun. Jan. 20	12:30 p.m.	CBS	Baltimore Ravens	W 27–10	Heinz Field	Summary
Conference	Sun. Jan. 27	12:30 p.m.	CBS	New England Patriots	L 24–17	Heinz Field	Summary

Game summaries

AFC Divisional Playoff (Sunday January 20, 2002): vs. Baltimore Ravens

	1	2	3	4	Total
Ravens	0	3	7	0	10
Steelers	10	10	0	7	27

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 12:30 pm EST
• Game weather: 30 °F (Mostly Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 63,976
• Referee: Tony Corrente
• TV announcers: (CBS) Dick Enberg (play by play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator)

AFC Championship Game (Sunday January 27, 2002): vs. New England Patriots

	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	7	7	7	3	24
Steelers	0	3	14	0	17

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 12:30 pm EST
• Game weather: 57 °F (Mostly Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 64,704
• Referee: Ed Hochuli
• TV announcers: (CBS) Greg Gumbel (play by play), Phil Simms (color commentator)

Honors and awards

Pro Bowl Representatives

See: 2002 Pro Bowl

• No. 10 Kordell Stewart-Quarterback
• No. 36 Jerome Bettis-Running Back
• No. 66 Alan Faneca-Offensive Guard
• No. 86 Hines Ward-Wide Receiver
• No. 92 Jason Gildon-Outside Linebacker
• No. 97 Kendrell Bell-Inside Linebacker (as "need" player)

References

1. 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
2. 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
3. 2002 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
4. "2001 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-12-27.

External links

• Recap at NFL.com