Isaac Redman didn't feel conflicted the last time the Steelers and the Ravens faced one another. But his friends certainly did.
Redman, a running back who played college football at Bowie State, scored what turned out to be the winning touchdown in the Steelers 13-10 victory back in December.
"I had a lot of family there," Redman said. "And a lot of my old teammates who are Baltimore fans were there, too. I got everyone tickets to come to the game, and when I scored the winning touchdown, they were kind of like 'No!' but then 'Yeah!' Everyone kind of had mixed feelings, but it was pretty much the best moment of my life."
Redman, who finished his college career as Bowie State's all-time leading rusher with 3,300 yards, has been a decent back-up running back for the Steelers this year. He's rushed for 247 yards on 52 carries (a 4.8 yard average), and he scored two touchdowns in the passing game. Not bad for an undrafted free agent who spent last year on the practice squad.
Redman says he's already enjoyed playing a small part in a rivalry he watched all throughout college.
"We definitely have the utmost respect for the Ravens, but at the same time, when we put the pads on, we want to rip their heads off," Redman said. "They're a great team, and it's good for the fans to see Pittsburgh and Baltimore in another playoff game. Hopefully we'll give them something good to watch."
Heap's return worrisome
Like the rest of the country, the Pittsburgh Steelers couldn't help but notice just how much better the Ravens' offense looks when Todd Heap is a big part of the passing game. Against the Kansas City Chiefs last week, Heap caught 10 passes for 108 yards in a 30-7 victory.
That's the kind of performance the Ravens would have loved to get from Heap the last time the faced the Steelers. It's clear the tight end was going to be a big part of their game plan. But Heap injured his hamstring on the first play of the game, and Baltimore was forced to scramble and sub in rookie Ed Dickson.
Dixon caught three passes for 21 yards in that game. Heap presents a much more difficult challenge.
"He is a multi-talented guy," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of Heap. "He is capable of splitting out and running receiver-type routes. He is match-up issue and problem for a lot of people. Are linebackers athletic enough to cover him? Are safeties or defensive backs in general big enough to cover him? I saw Kansas City going through some of those issues like we have in the past."
Unlike the Chiefs, the Steelers might have linebackers good enough to cover Heap in open space, but it could still be a favorable match-up for the Ravens.
"We saw what they were doing out there with him," said linebacker James Farrior. "At lot of times, it was just easy pitch and catches for them."
Smith a long shot
Pittsburgh is still hopeful it will have defensive end Aaron Smith back for Saturday's game, but it remains a long shot. Smith has been out since Week 7 of the season with a torn triceps, and did participate in a limited capacity at practice Wednesday, but the Steelers seem reluctant to rush him along. They said they planned to watch his injury this week and make a decision from there.
"We'll have to see what the doctors say," Smith said. "It's hard to say. Until we get all the information, look at it and evaluate it, I can't really answer that question. It's been a long journey up to this point, but the guys have done a good job encouraging me and whenever the opportunity comes, I'd just like to get out there. It would be nice to play against the Ravens."
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu didn't participate in practice Wednesday due to a sore ankle, but he's expected to be ready to play by Saturday. Corner Bryant McFadden (abdomen) was limited.
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