Martin won’t press after subpar performance

and keep in mind that I have to just [do] my job and let Big Ben still in pain: SteelTAMPA — Bucs running things play out. I’ll just let it ers quarterback Ben back Doug Martin has come to me.” Roethlisberger said reached benchmarks in the It wasn’t as if Martin Thursday that he’s still past several weeks that have didn’t produce. He scored hurting from his sprained resulted in his name being two touchdowns in the loss. right shoulder and dislomentioned in the same But there weren’t many didcated ribs. breathas greats suchasWalyou-see-that sort of high

Though nothing is offiter Payton. lights, and his longest run cial, Roethlisberger didn’t So, whenherushedfor50 went for just 10 yards. That’s sound optimistic about his Benson done: Packers yards and averaged just 2.4 underwhelming for a guy chances of playing Sunday running back Cedric Benyards per carry last Sunday who has an NFL-high four against the Ravens. son will miss the rest of the against the Falcons, you had runs of 40 yards or longer

“There’s always a season after undergoing to wonder how he might this season. chance,” he said. Asked if foot surgery, coach Mike view his performance. The offensive line’s perthe issue is pain or arm McCarthy announced. Predictably, the recordformance had something to strength, Roethlisberger Benson had been on the breaking rookie from Boise do with it. Corrections have said “both.” injured reserve after sufState has the proper perbeen made and players have

The Steelers (6-5) have fering a Lisfranc injury spective. taken responsibility heading lost both games without during a Week 5 loss. “If I try to do more than I into Sunday’s game at Denver.can, that’s when something bad can happen,” Martin Martin doesn’t seem consaid. “So, I just try to go out cerned. Jared Allen Lance Louis

“I have a lot of confidence in the front line,” he said. “With all the changes that havebeen[made], I still have confidence in them. They’ve done a good job in practice, and the numbers say it.”

A small feat of Martin’s that likely went unnoticed against the Falcons was his ability to turn almost certain losses into runs for no gain or even positive yardage. It’s something coach Greg Schiano said helped the Bucs even have a chance to win the game, and it’s something Martin takes great pride in.

“I do think people take that for granted,” he said. “They don’t understand how having a tackle for loss or no gain is really bad for the offensive series. You really want to get at least three to four yards onthat first run to getyouinabetter position for second and third down. It’s crucial not to lose yards on first down.”

NOTES: On Thursday, the Bucs announced that former coach Jon Gruden will attend the Super Bowl XXXVII celebration Sunday, Dec. 9. “I told Jon, I can’t go without you,” former Bucs defensive tackle Warren Sapp said. “Yeah, he’s coming. Hell yeah, he’s coming. I’m telling you, I’ve never been back to that stadium. I’m not going back without the head of my ship. We’ve got to have him. I grinded on him for a good two months.”