THIS IS A PRIME-TIME PRESENTATION OF NBC SPORTS AND

THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

We left the 2005 season at Super Bowl XL in Detroit, Michigan. Dan Rooney's Pittsburgh Steelers conquered the goal of 31 other NFL franchises' long dreams. Bill Cowher after 14 seasons of fustrations and agonies, finally conquered the dream all Head Coaches lure for. The sensational Ben Roethlisberger, the commander of the field, became the youngest quarterback in NFL History to win a Super Bowl at age 23. Jerome "The Bus" Bettis, a profolic career for the future Hall of Fame Running Back, retired on a very high note. Willie Parker establish himself in the record books shattering the longest rush in Super Bowl History--an undrafted free agent from North Carolina. Finally, Hines Ward, the hardest hitting wide receiver in the National Football League has finally reaped the rewards of hard work and became the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XL. Tonight, the Pittsburgh Steelers inherit the biggest responsibility as Super Bowl World Champions, the goal of a title defense. That goal starts tonight here on NBC.

VERSES

NBC THURSDAY NIGHT PRIMETIME SPECIAL FOR THE OPENING KICKOFF FOR 2006 FROM HEINZ FIELD IN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

The Defending World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers play host to the upcoming AFC East opponent, Nick Saban's Miami
Dolphins.

(the crowd on their feet and the towels are twirling wildly)

Hello everyone, welcome to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where the atmosphere is full of electricity and excitement. I am
getting chills already in what is going to become an electrifying game for both teams as we opening up the 2006 season here at Heinz Field. The Steeler Nation has waited 26 years to finally celebrate the "ONE FOR THE THUMB" an impressive fifth world championship. The Steelers became the first sixth seeded team in NFL History to sweep through the playoffs on the road to Super Bowl XL and defeating the Seattle Seahawks in glorious fashion. The Steelers are posed to defend their title, but they have lost four key players, Jerome "The Bus" Bettis who retired on a very high note and has come aboard to join me in the boardcasting booth as the newest addition to the Sunday Night Football team. The other key players to note, Kimo Von Olehoffen left on free agency to join the New York Jets, Free Safety Chris Hope whom also left free agency to join the Tennessee Titans and finally, the worry among those in Pittsburgh and the Steeler Nation the loss of Antwaan Randle El to the Washington Redskins. You think the Steeler Nation is worried? Absolutely not, reason being, the Steelers stacked up high on talent with the Class of 2006 Draft choices and acquiring free agency Free Safety Ryan Clark from the Washington Redskins. The Steelers selected in the first round trading up to acquire the sensational phenomeon from Ohio State University, Santonio Holmes. The others to note, Willie Reid who has become a terror on the special team as a return
man and Bill Cowher has been praising this man all along. Another sensational draft pick that has brought rave attention to the entire coaching staff is Free Safety Anthony Smith who delivered one vicious hit against Philadelphia last week that left a lot fans rattling in their seats. He is going to be a very special player in the years to come. The Steelers top off the class with Willie Colon the Offensive Tackle from Hofstra University, Orien Harris the Defensive Tackle from Miami (Fla.) University, Omar Jacobs the Quarterback from Bowling Green State University, speaking of Omar Jacobs, he is struggling along in camp having a heck of a time digesting the playbook along with constant fumbling in the pre-season games. Coach Bill Cowher has spoken to the media in the consideration of only carrying two Quarterbacks this coming season. Jacobs might be heading to the Practice Squad for protection from waivers. Filling out the rest of the draftees Charles Davis from Purdue University, a Tight End, Marvin Philip from California University, a Center, and finally Cedric Humes from Virginia Tech University, a Running Back. A very flashy draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers and one that should reward very special talent in the seasons to come here in Pittsburgh.

(The crowd gets louder and the Towels flying feverishly)

I turn the opponent's report over to my great partner here in the booth. The Future Hall of Famer, Jerome "The Bus" Bettis. I am sure you are so excited to be back in Pittsburgh and see your former teammates start their campaign on a high note to a title defense. Jerome: You better believe it, David. I am thrilled to be here, I am wishing I was on that field with them. This crowd is totally awesome and on fire since they've waited for a long time for this fateful day they would celebrate another Championship here in Pittsburgh. So, here we talk about this:

On the other side of the field, the Miami Dolphins coming off a turblence of an off-season that seen the return of running
back Ricky Williams, who is currently suspended by the National Football League for violation of the drug substance
program back in 2004 for the entire 2006 season. He is now currently playing for the Toronto team in the Canadian Football League. He has suffered a broken arm in the opening game for Toronto. The Dolphins are coming off 9-7 season trailing behind the New England Patriots in the AFC East. Coach Nick Saban is very confident this season is about to become a turn-around for the better. The reason, the free agent acquistion from the Minnesota Vikings, Daunte Culpepper, who is coming off a hectic off-season
with knee surgery. The Dolphins are taking a risk with his knees in hoping he can return to pre-injury form. In 2004, he
put up the best numbers of his career throwing for over 4700 yards and 39 Touchdowns. If Culpepper holds up and cuts
down on the turnovers, an ongoing problem that plagued him last season in Minnesota, the Dolphins will have a talented
triggerman that can galvanize the talent around him and alleviate some pressure on the defense. The new featured back is now Ronnie Brown who had a brilliant season last year should be able to bring some offensive power to the running aspect of the offense. On defense, the leader is Jason Taylor, the pass rusher along with linebacker Zach Thomas who is still good enough to solidify on the momentum from 2005. Two other players to note as addition to the Dolphins, former Detroit Lions QB, Joey Harrington who was brought in for insurance purposes in case Culpepper couldn't go and Ex-Giant Will Allen will start at one corner. Coaching Staff changes also came about in the form of Offense with the former Buffalo Bills Head Coach, Mike Mularkey and on the defensive side, former Head Coach of the Houston Texans, Dom Capers.

The Dolphins class of 2006 is led by a trade involving Defensive Back Jason Allen of Tennessee, their 2nd round pick was traded to Minnesota for Daunte Culpepper, 3rd Rounder is Derek Hagan, Wide Receiver from Arizona State, 4th Rounder
Joe Toledo the Tackle from Washington. The Dolphins traded their 6th round for A.J. Feeny-Cleo Lemon trade to San
Diego. Rounding off the draftees are Rodrique Wright, the Defensive Tackle from Texas and Devin Aromashodu the Wide
Receiver from Auburn. A nice draft lineup for the Dolphins which surely build up momentum for the future of this
franchise.

(The pre-game report heads back to me to continue)

The Head Coaches leading the game today:

Coach Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh Steelers, in his 15th season. Record of 141 wins 82 losses and 1 tie. 12-9 in the playoffs. The Steelers are, of course, the defending World Champions on the turf.

Coach Nick Saban, Miami Dolphins, in his 2nd Season. Record of 9 wins and 7 losses. Prior to the Miami Dolphins, Nick
Saban coached the Louisania State University Tigers to an overall 48 wins 16 losses in a 10 year career that was mark by the 2003 National Championship.

Look at the lineups for the game:

MIAMI DOLPHINS:
OFFENSE:

QB: Daunte Culpepper (Minnesota 7 games 64.4% Comp. 1564 yards 6 TDs and 12 Interceptions)
RB: Ronnie Brown (Last Season: 15 games 207 attempts 907 yards 4 TDs, Receiving 32 receptions for 232 yards and a
touchdown)
FB: Fred Beasley
WR: Chris Chambers (16 games, 82 receptions for 1,118 yards and 11 Touchdowns) Lethal number one target
WR: Marty Booker (15 games, 39 receptions, 686 yards and 3 touchdowns)
WR: Wes Walker, Derek Hagan, Fred Gibson (former Steelers), Kelly Campbell, Marcus Vick, and Cliff Russell
RT: Vernon Carney
RG: Bennie Anderson
C: Rex Hadnot
LG: Jeno James
LT: L.J. Shelton
TE: Randy McMichael (16 games, 60 receptions 582 yards and 5 touchdowns)
TE: Justin Peelle

DEFENSE:
LDE: Kevin Carter (52 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 Fumble Recovery) and Matt Roth (20 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 Fumble Recovery)
LDT: Keith Traylor (13 games, 31 Tackles, 2 Sacks)
RDT: Vonnie Holliday (16 games, 51 Tackles, 5 Sacks, 2 Fumble Recoveries) and Jeff Zgonina (16 games, 43 Tackles, 2 Sacks, and 1 Fumble Recovery)
RDE: Jason Taylor (16 games, 74 Tackles, 12 Sacks *, 2 Fumble Recoveries, and a TD) and David Bowens (16 games, 24 Tackles, 6 Sacks)
LOLB: Donnie Spragan (16 sacks, 53 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 Interception)
MLB: Zack Thomas (14 games, 158 Tackles *, 2 Sacks, 1 Interception and a Fumble Recovery)
ROLB: Channing Crowder (16 games, 84 Tackles, 2 Fumble Recoveries)
LCB: Will Allen (16 games, 72 Tackles, 1 Fumble Recovery)
FS: Renaldo Hill (16 games, 89 Tackles, 1 Interception)
SS: Travares Tillman (16 games, 59 Tackles, 3 Interceptions, 1 Fumble Recovery)
RCB: Travis Daniels (16 games, 61 Tackles, 1 Interception, 1 Fumble Recovery)

SPECIAL TEAMS:
K: Olindo Mare (25-30 FG, 83.3%, Longest FG 53, 100% Extra Points)
P: Donnie Jones (88 Punts, Longest Punt 63, Average 43.5, I20 31, Net Average 39.3)
KR and PR: Wes Walker (29 receptions, 434 yards, 15.0 AYKR, Longest Return 47)

PITTSBURGH STEELERS
OFFENSE:
QB: Ben Roethlisberger (The Youngest QB to win a Super Bowl, 27-4 record in his 2nd Season)
(12 games, 62.7% completion, 2385 yards, 17 Touchdowns and 9 Interceptions. 3 Rushing TDs)
RB: Willie Parker (Holder of the longest rush in Super Bowl History)
(15 games, 255 attempts, 1202 yards, 4 Touchdowns Receiving: 18 receptions, 218 yards, and 1 Touchdown)
FB: Dan Kreider (16 games, 3 attempts, 21 yards Receiving: 7 Receptions, 43 yards)
WR: Hines Ward (Super Bowl XL Most Valuable Player)
(15 games, 69 receptions, 975 yards, average 14.1 per reception, Longest Reception 85 yards, 11 Touchdowns *)
Nate Washington, R-Willie Reid, Sean Morey, and Walter Young
Flanker: Cedrick Wilson (16 games, 26 receptions 451 yards, 17.3 average per reception, Longest Reception 46 yards)
Quincy Morgan, R-Santonio Holmes, Lee Mays, and Issac West
RT: Max Starks
RG: Kendall Simmons
C: Jeff Hartings
LG: Alan Faneca
LT: Marvel Smith
TE: Heath Miller
Jerame Tuman (15 games, 3 receptions, 57 yards, average of 19.0 yards per reception, Longest Reception of 27 yards)

DEFENSE:
LDE: Aaron Smith (16 games, 39 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 1 Interception, 1 Fumble Recovery)
NT: Casey Hampton (16 games, 42 Tackles)
RDE: Brett Keisel (16 games, 33 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 1 Fumble Recovery)
LOLB: Clark Haggans (13 games, 59 Tackles, 9 Sacks)
LILB: James Farrior (14 games, 119 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 1 Fumble Recovery)
RILB: Larry Foote (16 games, 102 Tackles, 1 Fumble Recovery)
ROLB: Joey Porter (16 games, 56 Tackles, 10.5 Sacks *, 2 Interceptions, 1 Fumble Recovery)
LCB: Ike Taylor (14 games, 30 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 Interception)
Ricardo Colclough (14 games, 30 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 Interception)
FS: Ryan Clark (At Washington: 13 games, 57 Tackles, 0.5 Sacks, 3 Interceptions)
Tyrone Carter (16 games, 24 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 Interception, 1 Fumble Recovery)
SS: Troy Polamalu (16 games, 91 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 2 Interceptions, 2 Fumble Recoveries, and 1 Touchdown)
Mike Logan (12 games, 24 Tackles)
RCB: DeShea Townsend
Bryant McFadden

SPECIAL TEAMS:
K: Jeff Reed (24-29 FG, 82.8% average, Longest FG 44 yards, 100% Extra Point)
P: Chris Gardocki (Holds the NFL Record for the longest streak of no blocks)
(67 Punts, Longest Punt 65 yards, Average 41.8, I20 22, 0 Block, Net Average of 34.7)
KR: Ricardo Colclough
Quincy Morgan
R- Willie Reid
R- Santonio Holmes
PR: R-Willie Reid
R- Santonio Holmes

(Jerome Bettis does the special segment, KEYS TO THE GAME)

THE KEYS TO THE GAME:

DOLPHINS:
DEFENSIVELY:
1. Stop Ben Roethlisberger's Scrambles (Penetrate the pocket and advance the Pass Rusher to force mistakes, limit the
amount of blitzes since Ben is able to pass well under pressure and scrambles well)

2. Block and Close the gap of the Opening Rushing Holes for Willie Parker (Once Parker sees the hole, your in deep trouble
as he hits the 4th gear and it out of the reach of anyone trying to stop him, fancy footwork is his speciality along his his dominate speed)

3. Cover the Corners and the Middle of the Field (Ben is very accurate on the corner routes as well as down the middle
routes, Hines Ward is the key go to guy for Ben Roethlisberger, and also a new weapon which we will cover next.)

4. Watch for Heath Miller (This guy is going to be the secret weapon in the passing formations especially on the Pass Action, guarantee to see several attempts for passes to come his way.)

5. Beware of the Trick Plays (The Whiz is darn good at execution of the trick plays. Nate Washington on the motion will signal a wrap-around reversal that will kill the defensive line and secondary enough for Nate to use his speed to run for the pay dirt. Cedrick Wilson could also be used in the passing trick. This is a very dangerous plan that Coach Whisenhunt can use.)

OFFENSIVELY:
1. Daunte Culpepper's weaponry of passing (His receivers must get open on all routes, with a dangerous Safety Troy
Polamalu lurking around in the opening, must keep a keen eye on this man. The right side of the secondary seems to be the
weak spot, passes there could be more fruitful, but the secondary of the Steelers do have streaks. The middle lanes of the passing routes is a very dangerous risk as well as the left side of the field with Ike Taylor becoming a force to be reckon with. Daunte Culpepper could have success or a very long night)

2. Open the holes and the gaps for Ronnie Brown: (This is a very key point in obtaining an offensive flow against this
mighty Steelers Defense. The Steelers are a primarily a blitzing defense, very quick and very focused. It could mean a very long night for the Dolphin's Offensive line if they can't handle Casey Hampton, Joey Porter, James Farrior, and Aaron
Smith.)

3. Good Field Position--Special Teams is going to decide the game (The need of good field position is very vital against this
stingy Steelers Defense)

STEELERS:
DEFENSIVELY:

1. Contain Daunte Culpepper on the scramble (Daunte special weapon that makes me so good is the mobility of his rushing,
he has a tendency to break wide open and scramble for big yards, the job of Casey Hampton, Joey Porter, James Farrior,
Aaron Smith, and Troy Polamalu is to watch for this guy to scramble, also Daunte has streaks of brillance and does have a downfall streak, his confidence and momentum will be determine on the play of the Defense.)

2. Block all the rushing lanes (You can't leave any gaps or opening in the rushing lanes or Ronnie Brown will have a big
night on his hands. Run Stuffing is a key vital piece for the Steelers to become victorious)

3. Cover the Receivers well and watch for Randy McMichaels (The Dolphins have a similar attack offensively as the Steelers
would, Daunte can scramble and pass as well as Ben Roethlisberger, they have a great runner in Ronnie Brown as well as the Steelers Willie Parker, where the Dolphins could get the Steelers is on the deep threat routes utilitzing Chris Chambers and Marty Booker, both of whom can break the game wide open. Randy McMichaels could have a big night if the Steelers are left sleeping in the middle)

OFFENSIVELY:
1. Ben Roethlisberger's Passing Attack (No question about this, if Ben gets hot, this will be a very long night for the
Dolphin's Secondary. Keep in mind also, the Offensive Line must protect Ben in the pocket and on the run. Very vital key to the success of the offense. Trick plays could bring a shift of momentum for the Steelers. If this offense gets red hot, you can expect a very big explosive offensive game from these guys.)

2. Power Running Game (Willie Parker speciality is using his fancy footwork and his lethal speed. The offensive line must
open up the gaps and lanes neccessary to see the sprinting Parker hit the gear neccessary for big gains. I expect a very big night from this man and he is also the vital piece of the success of the offense)

3. Heath Miller as a target (This offense seems to have no weaknesses, but if Ben gets in a rut, you might expect to see a whole new ballgame using Heath Miller as a secondary target in the passing game, if he gets hot, the Dolphins will be in for a very long night)

(Excellent observation there, Jerome. I am very impressed with the hard work you put into this segment. Jerome: I am excited to be here on NBC and the NFL coverage, this is going to be a wild ride. David: Indeed it will be, my friend.)

(David continues the program)

This is a very special night for both teams as we begin the campaign for the 2006 Season on the road to Super Bowl XLI in Miami. My prediction for this game, the Steelers will have the home crowd behind them all the way with the twirling
Terrible Towels and the crowd noise will be intense. The title defense is on, and the bullseye is on them. The Steelers should have a big night against the upcoming defense of
the Dolphins. The victory will be in the hands of the Steelers--31-13 as Ben has a big passing night and Willie Parker starts
the season on a grand note. The success of the playoff run for the Steelers will carry over to the start of the title defense.

As we leave the pre-game show, take a look at the Sold-Out crowd of 60,000 plus fans in a Sea of Gold twirling those beautiful Terrible Towels. What a site to see here in Pittsburgh. Opening Kickoff for 2006 Season is next, stay tuned.

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