n derby is always a big occasion and this one was no

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Pittsburgh Steelers took a calculated risk last spring when they opted not to re-sign quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with two years remaining on his current deal, opting instead to focus on bolstering the roster elsewhere.Its going to cost them, and president Art Rooney II knows it. Then again, there are worse positions than negotiating with a player coming off the best statistical season of an already remarkable career.Ill take that problem, Rooney said with a laugh Wednesday.It may be one of the easiest ones to solve over the next few months for the AFC North champions. Pittsburgh returned to the playoffs in 2014 after a two-year absence, going 11-5 and riding a dynamic offence and a perfect December to its first division title since 2010. While Rooney called it a good season with a lot of positives the Steelers last Super Bowl appearance is becoming an ever smaller speck in the rearview mirror.Obviously we didnt achieve our ultimate goal, Rooney said.Maybe, but Pittsburgh looked closer than in consecutive 8-8 seasons in 2012 and 2013. Rebuilding is nearly complete, at least on offence. The Steelers set franchise records for points and yards behind Roethlisberger, All-Pro running back LeVeon Bell and All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown. Press Rooney on if this means the franchises identity has shifted away from its roots on the other side of the ball and he politely disagrees.Id say we still strive for a team with a strong defence and thats something well always try to have, he said while adding the offence was fun to watch.The goal is to make it just as enjoyable when the defence takes the field. That part might be tricky. The Steelers finished 18th in yards allowed, their worst performance since 1991. Hall of Fame defensive co-ordinator Dick LeBeau resigned earlier this month and the status of longtime fixtures Brett Keisel, Ike Taylor, Troy Polamalu and James Harrison is uncertain. Rooney said it will be a few weeks before any decision is made on who to bring back and who to let walk. Keisel and Polamalu both have a year remaining on their current deals while Taylor and Harrison are free agents, though Harrison didnt rule out one more season after occasionally brilliant play at age 36.Whoever returns out of that group would be short-term investments at best, and likely a relatively inexpensive one. Thats not the case with free agent linebacker Jason Worilds. The team placed the transition tag on Worilds last spring, and he responded with 7.5 sacks. With little established depth at outside linebacker — where former first-round pick Jarvis Jones has struggled to stay out of the training room — Worilds provides some stability.To retain him, the Steelers will need to pay him like hes one of the elite at his position even if Worilds has yet to make a Pro Bowl. Rooney declined to put Worilds in any particular category, saying only the team would like to have him return in part because his specialty happens to be the current groups biggest weakness.Weve got to get more sacks and put more pressure on the quarterback and I think in the games we were successful, we were able to do that, Rooney said. Thats a key piece of the puzzle that we have to look at as we build this defence going into next year.While Rooney doesnt believe new defensive co-ordinator Keith Butler — promoted after more than a decade as an assistant — will make drastic changes from the 3-4 scheme favoured by LeBeau, he does expect Butler to offer more than tweaks. Finding new and creative ways to become disruptive in the backfield is a must.It is a challenge now for a defensive co-ordinator to keep up with these high-powered offences, Rooney said.And it will be Butlers responsibility to build around a core that includes defensive end Cam Heyward and linebacker Lawrence Timmons. There is a significant need for help in the secondary, especially if Taylor and Polamalu do not return. Rooney lauded the play of converted special teamers like Antwon Blake but understands defensive back will be a major need when the draft comes. The Steelers havent taken a cornerback in the first round since Chad Scott in 1997.That may have to change if Pittsburgh wants to get serious about returning to leagues upper echelon. Rooney anticipates having a bit of money to spend in free agency, though the team rarely splurges on high-priced veterans.If theres an opportunity to sign somebody like that, well look at it, he said. 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Cheap Jordans Free Shipping . -- At the beginning of training camp, Andrew Bogut set a goal to play all 82 regular-season games and regain his place among the NBAs best centres.TSN.ca presents its latest weekly power rankings for the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League staff. Rankings were weighted evenly between separate lists made by TSN Radio host and soccer analyst Gareth Wheeler as well as TSN.cas soccer editors. 1. Chelsea (Last Week- 2) Chelsea was not in action this week in the Barclays Premier League. 2. Liverpool (LW- 4) For the third time this season Daniel Sturridge scored the only goal in a 1-0 Liverpool victory, this time over longtime rival Manchester United. Simon Mignolet picked up his third clean sheet for Liverpool and once again looked brilliant in net for the Reds. Liverpool are now the only team with a 100% record in the league. 3. Manchester United (LW- 1) On the back foot for the majority of the first half, United were not able to find the breakthrough in the second and fell 1-0 to Liverpool. Robin van Persie, last season`s top scorer, failed to find the net for the second consecutive game. The late introduction of Javier Hernandez was not enough to spark United to a goal. 4. Manchester City (LW- 5) While it could have been more dominant, an impressive bounce-back 2-0 victory for City over Hull as they attempted to erase last weeks upset loss to Cardiff. Alvaro Negredo scored the opener and winner, while Yaya Toure scored his second quality free-kick goal of the season. 5. Arsenal (LW- 7) The North London derby is always a big occasion and this one was no different as the Gunners were able to steal the headlines from Spurs with a 1-0 victory. Olivier Giroud scored the only goal in the game for a team whose biggest moment of the week was yet to come. Arsenal would go on to make a big money transfer for Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid. 6. Tottenham (LW- 3) After splashing all of that money in the transfer window, Spurs still had to watch Arsenal celebrate a 1-0 victory in the first North London derby of the season. On the bright side, they were finally able to complete the transfer of Gareth Bale so they should be able to move on and move forward from those questions. 7. Stoke City (LW- 12) Jermaine Pennant fired home a free-kick to give Mark Hughes charges the victory they deserved in a game they mostly dominated. Kenwyne Jones was strong in the victory for Stoke City. 8. Norwich City (LW- 14) In front of their home fans, Norwich was able to earn their first victory of the season over Southampton on the strength of Nathan Redmonds 68th minute marker. It was the only goal in an end to end battle that saw chances wasted by both sides. 9. Southampton (LW- 6) Captain Adam Lallana smashed a ball off the post and the Saints had two major penalty shouts waved away, as they fell 1-0 to Norwich City. They were punished on the wings throughout the contest and it eventually led to their demise. 10. West Ham United (LW- 8) It was only after Stoke City took a 1-0 lead that West Ham came to life and tried to inject themselves into the match to find a goal. They were unfortunately not able to find the net and have now not scored since their opening contest. 11. Astton Villa (LW- 9) Aston Villa was not in action this week in the Barclays Premier League.dddddddddddd 12. Everton (LW- 10) Prior to moving Marouane Fellaini to Manchester United, Everton earned their third draw from three games, scoreless against Cardiff City. They controlled the play and had a few good chances on goal but in the end were not able to breakthrough for the goal to earn their first victory of the season. 13. Cardiff City (LW- 13) Both the team and two goal man Fraizer Campbell were not able to duplicate the success they found in their victory over Manchester City, but they did earn a point in a scoreless draw against Everton. Keeper David Marshall was strong in goal for the Welsh side picking up the clean sheet. 14. Swansea City (LW- 17) After opening with two defeats, the Swans finally earned their first victory of the season, 2-0 over West Bromwich Albion. Ben Davies scored in the first half and Pablo in the second to secure the three points. 15. Newcastle United (LW- 19) 411 minutes from the start of the season until Hatem Ben Arfa fired home for Newcastle to hand them a 1-0 victory over Fulham. Tim Krul only had to face two shots to earn the clean sheet for his side who have suffered through a rough start to the season. Alan Pardews side looked good for the first time. 16. Fulham (LW- 11) Both Dimitar Berbatov and Darren Bent were both largely kept in check by Newcastle in Fulhams 1-0 defeat. They were intent to defend and try to pinch a winner on the counter attack but eventually their defence broke in the 86th minute sending them to their second defeat of the season. 17. Crystal Palace (LW- 20) After opening the season with two defeats, Palace finally got on the right side of a result with a 3-1 victory over Sunderland. Dwight Gayle scored the winner from the penalty spot in the 79th minute after their opponents were reduced to 10-men for a foul in the box. Jason Puncheon, who drew that foul, was a standout for the newly promoted side. 18. Hull City (LW- 16) Danny Graham had the chance, six minutes into the game, to put Hull ahead and perhaps cast doubt on a Manchester City team that already was carrying a shadow from their previous contest. He scuffed a clear chance on goal and eventually the Manchester City bullied their way to a 2-0 victory. What could have been if he had converted that opening chance. 19. West Bromwich Albion (LW- 15) The only team in the Barclays Premier League that has yet to score, West Brom fell 2-0 to Swansea and slipped to the bottom of the table. They were not badly out played in the contest, or really out played at all, but were not able to convert chances when they created them. 20. Sunderland (LW- 18) Still searching for their first win of the season, Sunderland found it very hard dealing with Crystal Palace who beat them 3-1. John OShea was sent off for tripping Jason Puncheon in the area leading to the deciding penalty goal. Prior to the sending off they were already chasing the game and the man disadvantage sealed the deal. ' ' '