By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

Steelers Notebook

            No matter where you go in Pittsburgh, you hear people talking about Ben Roethlisberger. His likeness is on t-shirts, sports figures and much more.  He is on the cover of national magazines and is in high demand for national interviews.

            And while Roethlisberger is getting plenty of attention coming his way, he isn’t letting it take away his focus on what is first and foremost in his mind – football.              

            “The whole thing is, it’s all about football,” said Roethlisberger. “That’s what the focus is about.  You don’t want anything to detract from that and take away from that because that’s what the focus is all about.   It’s got to be all about that.   I think that’s one of the reasons we’ve been so successful because we focus one game at a time and the on-the-field stuff is what matters.”

            The attention makes Roethlisberger laugh at times, and while he doesn’t let any of it go to his head and is always trying to credit his teammates for the success and not himself, he understands why it is coming his way and knows how to deal with it.

“You know it comes with the territory of being a quarterback and if you aren’t ready for that, then you can’t play the position,” said Roethlisberger. “So the thing is, is that you really have to focus and know what is important.”

            What’s important for Roethlisberger this week is finding a way to attack the Jaguars defense.

            “We know they have a great defense; very fast, very physical defense,” said Roethlisberger. “We know it’s going to be a challenge for our offense and we have to have a game plan and execute our game plan to perfection because it’s just going to be a big challenge for us because of how big, physical and fast they are.”   

           Roethlisberger knows how important winning in Jacksonville on Sunday night is and that the focus is strictly on beating the Jaguars.

          “This will be our biggest game of the year," said Roethlisberger. “Every week is our biggest game of the year for us. You have to win football games. Obviously everyone's ultimate goal is to win the Super Bowl and you can't do that unless you win football games. We got to win this week in Jacksonville and that's why it's the biggest game of the year."               

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            The Steelers secondary has made a vast improvement since 2003 after making changes to the lineup. It has resulted in being ranked third in yards passing allowed this season. But it’s more than just personnel that has made a difference – it’s confidence too.

"Nothing to take away from last year's secondary, but I definitely think we have a better overall understanding of the defense,” said safety Chris Hope. “I think we have a better overall feel for each other. We're not scared to take chances, we have a very athletic secondary and we have a great pass rush. Everything goes hand in hand."

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            There has been plenty of credit to go around this season for the Steelers success, but Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio thinks the team sticking with head coach Bill Cowher after a 6-10 season is they key for the turn around.

            "I would like to commend Mr. [Dan] Rooney for sticking with Bill because I know there was a lot of speculation about how that wouldn't be the smart thing to do,” said Del Rio. “I think the consistency has been good and I think the fact that you have somebody there that you believe in and allow him to work through what they worked through in terms of having a down year.

            "I am happy to see that, especially in today's climate where everybody wants immediate gratification. I think Bill does a great job and I think he has done a good job of bringing them back and having them at the top right now in the AFC."

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             Linebacker Jason Gildon might get his first start of the season with the Jaguars on Sunday. Gildon, the team’s all-time sack leader, was released by the Steelers in June and joined the Jaguars in mid-season. While he is on the other side this week, his heart will always be in Pittsburgh.

            "He was excited for us to get that New England game," said linebacker Joey Porter, who keeps in contact with him. "He called me right when the game was over because he felt a part of it because the hurt was still in his heart from when we lost that championship game (2001). Jason's just a longtime Steeler no matter where he plays at. When he comes back to Pittsburgh, the fans and the city of Pittsburgh will still always love Jason."

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            Defensive end Aaron Smith was credited with a sack against the Redskins that previously went to James Farrior…Clint Kriewaldt was excused from practice on Wednesday because his wife gave birth to their first child…In addition to Gildon, three other former Steelers are on the Jaguars roster – cornerback Dewayne Washington, wide receiver Troy Edwards and running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala.