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Patient McFadden still the starter
PITTSBURGH - Learning to be patient can be difficult for young NFL players.
Nearly every player who makes it into the league weren't just starters, but stars, for their college teams. So they're not accustomed to sitting around, watching and waiting for their chance to play.
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A second-round pick by the Steelers in 2005, McFadden has been a spot starter in his previous three seasons in the league. But he has never been able to push Deshea Townsend or Ike Taylor out of the lineup - until now.
Townsend suffered a heel injury in the season-opening victory over Houston, opening a starting spot for McFadden.
Even though Townsend has returned, McFadden has played so well that head coach Mike Tomlin is sticking with him in the starting lineup.
"It's something I've been praying for a long time," said McFadden as he prepares to make his fifth start of the season when the Steelers (4-1) travel to Cincinnati (0-6) Sunday.
"I've been patient and tried to keep my head in it and try to get better. Now that I have the opportunity, I'm thankful for it and I'm trying to make the most out of it. I'm showing what I'm capable of doing."
McFadden has played well in each of his starts, making 30 tackles, two interceptions, recovering a fumble and knocking down eight passes.
"There is no denying that Bryant McFadden has played winning football for us," Tomlin said. "We are happy with his performance; he needs to continue to deliver that."
In the previous two seasons, McFadden had been expected by Bill Cowher, then Tomlin, to challenge Townsend for a starting spot. But in each of those seasons, the Steelers lined up for their opening game with Townsend starting, and McFadden playing only on passing downs.
McFadden got plenty of playing time, even starting nine games in 2006 when Ike Taylor was benched by Cowher. But when the 2007 season opened, Taylor and Townsend were starting, and McFadden was coming off the bench again.
"I just knew everything was going to work out," he said. "I never really doubted. That's something that I've continued to do."
This year, Tomlin seemed to take a different approach with McFadden. He never said McFadden had a chance to win a starting spot. It was assumed Townsend and Taylor were the starters, and McFadden would work as the third corner.
"I never asked any questions to anybody," McFadden said. "Whatever my job was to do, I was going to do it 100 percent. I kept my mouth closed and was patient. You can't worry about what you can't control. I tried to keep my mind focused on the task at hand."
That approach has worked well for McFadden at just the right time. He's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
"This is my last year. I'm trying to put everything out there when I have an opportunity," McFadden said. "It's very important to do. Most importantly, though, I'm getting the opportunity to play with other talented guys on our defense. It's an honor. I don't want to let them down, let the coaches down, and kind of gel with what they're doing."
Odds and end zones
Willie Parker missed his second consecutive practice Thursday after aggravating his sprained knee and Tomlin said he probably won't play Sunday at Cincinnati. Left tackle Marvel Smith (back) did not practice and it appears he will not play Sunday. Nose tackle Casey Hampton practiced on a limited basis for the first time since suffering a groin injury Sept. 21 at Philadelphia. Defensive ends Brett Keisel (calf) and Nick Eason (ankle) practiced and appear ready to play against the Bengals. Cornerback Jamar Fletcher (hamstring), wide receiver Glenn Holt (ankle) and safety Herana-Daze Jones (hamstring) missed their second consecutive day of practice.
