Highlights

TODD HALEY: “Good afternoon everybody. Second day of practice in preparation for the Steelers. I think that everybody in this building understands that playing the defending Super Bowl champions regardless of where this game is being played is going to be a physical, physical test for us. This is a physical team in all areas, offense, defense, and special teams and we’ve got to be ready for that test. That’s one of the most important things here this week as we go forward.”

Q: Is this Steelers team different from the one you faced last year in the Super Bowl? Can some of your game plan carry over from last year?

HALEY: “We’re a totally different team than we were in Arizona. Now, Pittsburgh has stayed predominantly the same but there are some new pieces in all areas and some other pieces look liked they’ve improved.

“Hines Ward has had a bit of a rejuvenation. I think last year he was playing beat-up most of the year. This year he looks healthy, spry and is making plays. Holmes, like I said the other day, looks like he is trying to be great.

“There are a couple of new pieces in there both offensively and defensively but coach LeBeau and coach Arians, I think, they’ve played pretty strong to their philosophy and how they want to play. So from that standpoint, you know what you’re going to get. Blocking and running routes, and protecting and doing those things are going to be the key in our execution.”

Q: Are they the toughest team in the league from a physical standpoint as long as you’ve been in the league?

HALEY: “I would say one of the toughest – there are a few up there. But consistently Pittsburgh is a physical matchup and they’re that way from start to finish and it’s something that you must be prepared for.”

Q: Would you like the Kansas City Chiefs someday under your direction to be like the Pittsburgh Steelers from a physical standpoint?

HALEY: “That would never be a bad thing. I think for the Steelers this has been a long time in the making. This is something that was established back in the ‘70s and a blueprint they set about for the entire organization. Like I said yesterday, I’m thankful to have been a part of or had a little piece of. But having that inside knowledge of a lot of the stuff that was going on, I know that they set the stage for what they’ve stayed for a long time. They’re consistently in all areas – personnel, how they draft, all areas, they’re very consistent in nature. They don’t panic. If things don’t go real well early they don’t panic; they’ve proven that over the years.

“I think that this model would be a great one to follow as would some other teams obviously. New England being one of those teams and Indianapolis, Philadelphia. These are teams that have been able to sustain through different players. That’s the key. As players come and go they continue to have guys ready to go and step in and fill in. That’s something you’d love to down the road aspire to be like. I think that’s how you get good: staying the course.”

Q: Is it mostly consistency in evaluating players?

HALEY: “I think that’s the key: they know what they want to put out. They know the mold and, while I won’t speak for them but in generalizing, as you become a consistent organization you know what you want and it’s so important that the coaching staff and personnel department are on the same page. If there is one thing that I’ve taken out of my time in the league and also my personal experience growing up that is the key. If the personnel and the coaching staff know what they want – and it works both ways – then you have a chance. You continue to add players that fit how you want to play.”

Q: Matt Cassel said this is one of the tougher defenses for a quarterback to prepare for. Would you agree that it’s a defense that’s tough to…

HALEY: “Oh, they’re good. They’re well coached, very solid, rarely expose themselves, so to speak. They do a tremendous, tremendous job of making it appear like they’re bringing more than are actually coming. They’re able to stay sound on the back end while still creating pressure and giving you problems up front. Other than being a physical group that hustles from start to finish and that plays fast, I think they do a great job of making it appear like more are pressuring than are actually coming. You think seven or eight are coming and sometimes it’s just four and you’re not able to realize it fast enough.

“Like I said, this is a great challenge for us. As a young team and a new team that’s trying to find our way and find our identity we’ve had some great tests early on. But I think we’re a little further along together in this process.”

Q: Dick LeBeau has been doing this for a long time. Does he continually come up with something different or is it just the same stuff that’s executed well?

HALEY: “I think he does a great job innovating also. I can remember as a young coach in New York when he was in Cincinnati and he had the ‘walk-around package’ and you got to third down and all 11 [players] were walking around. He was one of the first doing that and the zone blitz you’ve got to give him credit for. But I think he sticks to his fundamental philosophy and then innovates where possible. But again, year in and year out, a very good defense.”

Q: What are the characteristics of a guy like Jovan Belcher that stuck out to you?

HALEY: “I think he’s a run-and-hit linebacker. He’s sideline to sideline. He’s got a natural explosion when he hits. Some guys just have that natural hit role and explode into you. When he hits you hear it.

“I think he can run. He’s playing a new position and very early on you saw that he had very good instincts. I think that is what has accelerated his learning and his ability to step in and start playing. Like I’ve said way back, he’s a player we’re all excited about him as we go forward.

“He had a very good game on special teams last week – very good. Made some really big plays for us and that’s an area that early on he probably thought was where he would contribute solely but he’s turned it into a little bigger job. I think a young guy playing like he’s played and coming from where he’s come from, the position he was playing, we’re excited as we go forward. He’s got a lot to learn but I think when you get those run-and-hit linebackers you get excited. He would probably fit in that Pittsburgh defense too.”

Q: Is he a guy you would characterize as mentally tough?

HALEY: “Yeah, to do what he’s done and come from as far as he has he’s the same guy every day, just maybe a smidgen better every day. If you ‘re that and our effort to just be consistent – the same guy every day – if you have that, even if you’re not a superstar, you have a chance to succeed. It’s when it’s up and down that’s when it gets difficult.

“To get to where he’s gotten there has to be mental toughness.”

Q: The guys who excel in other sports have certain qualities that work in football. Jovan Belcher was a three-time All-American wrestler in high school.

HALEY: “I love wrestlers from the standpoint of balance if nothing else - linemen who have been wrestlers, too. A lot of times when he’s been a wrestler he has a little lower of gravity and not built for speed so much. In Jovan’s case that’s not the issue. He’s not built like a typical wrestler.

“But I think that does nothing but help you. There isn’t anything tougher than that. You go in those wrestling rooms and it’s 100 degrees and a lot of sweat.”