2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season

2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season
2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season
Owner	The Rooney Family
General manager	Kevin Colbert
Head coach	Bill Cowher
Home field	Heinz Field
Results
Record	13–3
Division place	1st AFC Central
Playoff finish	Won Divisional Playoffs; (vs. Ravens) 27–10; Lost AFC Championship; (vs. 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
	← 2000; Steelers seasons; 2002 →;

The 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 69th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League (NFL). 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 playoff berth and AFC Central title since 1997 and 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 Super Bowl champion New England Patriots upset the top-seeded Steelers.

The Steelers ran the ball 580 times in 2001, the most in the NFL.

Offseason

NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
2001 Pittsburgh Steelers draft
1	18	Casey Hampton *	Defensive tackle	Texas	from N. Y. Jets
2	39	Kendrell Bell *	Linebacker	Georgia	from New England
4	111	Mathias Nkwenti	Tackle	Temple	from N. Y. Jets
5	146	Chukky Okobi	Center	Purdue
6	181	Rodney Bailey	Defensive end	Ohio State	from N. J. Jets
6	182	Roger Knight	Linebacker	Wisconsin
7	218	Chris Taylor	Wide receiver	Texas A&M
Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Personnel

**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 Running backs – Dick Hoak Wide receivers – Kenny Jackson Tight ends – Ken Whisenhunt Offensive line – Russ Grimm Offensive assistant – Mike Miller			Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Tim Lewis Defensive line – John Mitchell Linebackers – Mike Archer 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 roster**
Quarterbacks (QB) 8 Tommy Maddox 17 Tee Martin 10 Kordell Stewart Running backs (RB) 36 Jerome Bettis 33 R. J. Bowers 45 Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala 35 Dan Kreider FB 38 Jon Witman FB 21 Amos Zereoué Wide receivers (WR) 80 Plaxico Burress 81 Troy Edwards 83 Lenzie Jackson 82 Bobby Shaw 86 Hines Ward Tight ends (TE) 48 Matt Cushing 85 Cory Geason 84 Jerame Tuman		Offensive linemen (OL) 62 Roger Duffy C/G 66 Alan Faneca G 72 Wayne Gandy T 64 Jeff Hartings C 78 Mathias Nkwenti T 56 Chukky Okobi C/G 79 Oliver Ross G/T 77 Marvel Smith T 66 Rich Tylski G 68 Keydrick Vincent G Defensive linemen (DL) 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 (LB) 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 OLB 55 Joey Porter OLB Defensive backs (DB) 27 Brent Alexander FS 40 Myron Bell SS 41 Lethon Flowers SS 31 Mike Logan FS 22 Hank Poteat 30 Chad Scott CB 23 Jason Simmons CB 26 Deshea Townsend CB 20 Dewayne Washington CB Special teams 3 Kris Brown K 4 Josh Miller 54 Mike Schneck LS				Practice squad 18 Tim Baker WR 19 Demetrius Brown WR 95 Rameel Connor DE 76 Chris Hoke DE 43 Payton Williams CB ^[2] ^[3] ^[4] Reserve 89 Will Blackwell (IR) 87 Mark Bruener TE (IR) Rookies in italics 53 active, 2 reserve, 5 practice squad

Preseason

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue
1	August 3	at Atlanta Falcons	W 17–16	1–0	Georgia Dome
2	August 16	at Minnesota Vikings	L 10–24	1–1	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
3	August 25	Detroit Lions	W 20–7	2–1	Heinz Field
4	August 30	Buffalo Bills	W 20–0	3–1	Heinz Field

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1	September 9	at Jacksonville Jaguars	L 3–21	0–1	Alltel Stadium	Recap
2^[A]	Bye
3	September 30	at Buffalo Bills	W 20–3	1–1	Ralph Wilson Stadium	Recap
4	October 7	Cincinnati Bengals	W 16–7	2–1	Heinz Field	Recap
5	October 14	at Kansas City Chiefs	W 20–17	3–1	Arrowhead Stadium	Recap
6	October 21	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	W 17–10	4–1	Raymond James Stadium	Recap
7	October 29	Tennessee Titans	W 34–7	5–1	Heinz Field	Recap
8	November 4	Baltimore Ravens	L 10–13	5–2	Heinz Field	Recap
9	November 11	at Cleveland Browns	W 15–12 (OT)	6–2	Cleveland Browns Stadium	Recap
10	November 18	Jacksonville Jaguars	W 20–7	7–2	Heinz Field	Recap
11	November 25	at Tennessee Titans	W 34–24	8–2	Adelphia Coliseum	Recap
12	December 2	Minnesota Vikings	W 21–16	9–2	Heinz Field	Recap
13	December 9	New York Jets	W 18–7	10–2	Heinz Field	Recap
14	December 16	at Baltimore Ravens	W 26–21	11–2	PSINet Stadium	Recap
15	December 23	Detroit Lions	W 47–14	12–2	Heinz Field	Recap
16	December 30	at Cincinnati Bengals	L 23–26 (OT)	12–3	Paul Brown Stadium	Recap
17^[A]	January 6	Cleveland Browns	W 28–7	13–3	Heinz Field	Recap

Standings

AFC Central
view talk edit	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: 83 °F (28 °C) (sunny and rain)
Game attendance: 63,785
Referee: Mack Gentry
TV announcers: (CBS) Don Criqui (play by play), Craig James (color commentator), Beasley Reece (sideline reporter)

- (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 2 (Sunday September 23, 2001): Bye Week

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: 63 °F (17 °C) (sunny)
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 (8 °C) (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. Also Jerome Bettis passed 10,000 yards rushing for his career.

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: 57 °F (14 °C) (sunny)
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: 84 °F (29 °C) (partly cloudy/rain)
Game attendance: 65,588
Referee: Ed Hochuli
TV announcers: (CBS) Dick Enberg (play by play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator), Bonnie Bernstein (sideline reporter)

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 (11 °C) (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 (17 °C) (Partly Cloudy)
Game attendance: 62,906
Referee: Bob McElwee
TV announcers: (CBS) Dick Enberg (play by play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator), Bonnie Bernstein (sideline reporter)

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: 42 °F (6 °C) (cloudy)
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 (14 °C) (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: 63 °F (17 °C) (sunny)
Game attendance: 68,801
Referee: Bill Leavy
TV announcers: (CBS) Dick Enberg (play by play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator), Bonnie Bernstein (sideline reporter)

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 (9 °C) (Sunny)
Game attendance: 62,661
Referee: Tony Corrente
TV announcers: (Fox) Dick Stockton (play by play), Troy Aikman & Daryl Johnston (color commentators), Pam Oliver (sideline reporter)

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 (5 °C) (Cloudy)
Game attendance: 62,884
Referee: Terry McAulay
TV announcers: (CBS) Greg Gumbel (play by play), Phil Simms (color commentator), Armen Keteyian (sideline reporter)

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: 42 °F (6 °C)
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 (6 °C) (Light Rain)
Game attendance: 62,809
Referee: Johnny Grier
TV announcers: (Fox) Kenny Albert (play by play), Tim Green (color commentator), Jennifer Hammond (sideline reporter)

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 (−7 °C) (Partly 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 (0 °C) (Rain & Snow)
Game attendance: 59,189
Referee: Bernie Kukar
TV announcers: (CBS) Gus Johnson (play by play), Brent Jones (color commentator)

Playoffs

Schedule

Week	Date	Kickoff (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 17–24	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 (−1 °C) (Mostly Cloudy)
Game attendance: 63,976
Referee: Tony Corrente
TV announcers: (CBS) Dick Enberg (play by play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator), Bonnie Bernstein (sideline reporter)

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 (14 °C) (Mostly Cloudy)
Game attendance: 64,704
Referee: Ed Hochuli
TV announcers: (CBS) Greg Gumbel (play by play), Phil Simms (color commentator), Armen Keteyian & Bonnie Bernstein (sideline reporters)

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)

Notes

^ ^a ^b The Steelers were originally scheduled to host the Cleveland Browns during Week 2 of the original NFL schedule (September 16) at Heinz Field. However, due to the September 11 attacks, the game was rescheduled to Week 17.

References

^ 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
^ 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
^ 2002 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
^ "2001 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 27, 2014.