Steelers linebacker James Farrior said something the other day that clearly agitated defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.
"I hope we're not running him off by the way we're playing."
You know, to retirement.
"I would hate to see him go out like this," Farrior said, shaking his head.
LeBeau didn't want to hear it.
"The last thing I want the players to think is that I'm going to turn tail and run away just because the going gets a little rough," he said. "We preach all the time about sticking together and fighting through adversity. How would it look if I walked away now? I'm not going to run away from those guys. I'm going to stay right here and fight with them."
That's great news on an otherwise bleak December morning with winter quickly approaching and the Steelers lugging around a five-game losing streak that has reduced their playoff chances to slim and none.
The news that LeBeau will be back in 2010 for his 52nd NFL season -- providing, of course, the Rooneys and coach Mike Tomlin sign off on it, which seems like a given -- will be greeted with big smiles in the locker room today before the team plays the Green Bay Packers at Heinz Field.
