You can't blame Jonathan Scott for still having a smile on his face on Monday, the day after the Steelers won the AFC North. After all, since coming into the NFL in 2006 not only has Scott not been in the playoffs, he has never even been on a winning team.
Scott, who signed a one-year deal with the Steelers this offseason, was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2006 and spent two seasons there, going 3-13 and 7-9. He signed with the Buffalo Bills late in 2008 and they finished 7-9 and in 2009 the Bills were 6-10.
"It's an amazing feeling being able to look at the whole spectrum of the league and see there are only 12 teams left. That is it and we are one of them," said Scott. "Now we are at a point where we have to go out there and continue to do what we are doing and strive to be the best."
He credits the attitude among Steelers players with being the driving force in them making the post-season and putting them in position to make a Super Bowl run.
"I like that everyone knows they are going to win," said Scott. "That attitude shows when you are out on the field with everyone. It's expected. It gives you a great deal of confidence knowing we are going to come out with a victory, the next guy is going to give his all. It's always refreshing to know someone is battling for you and fighting to get a 'W' for you.
"This team has a lot of resilience, a lot of fight mentally and physically. As you can see it's carried all of the way into January."
Scott, who was sporting his AFC North Champs t-shirt, said he never experienced an attitude like the one in the Steelers locker room since he has been in the NFL and it reminds him of the way things were at the University of Texas.
"I am having glimpses of what it was like when we won a National Championship when I was back in school," said Scott. "This is a feeling I remember and a feeling I love to have. We have to keep it rolling."
Linebacker Stephenson Sylvester is fortunate to experience the playoffs as a rookie, and after growing up watching games he is looking forward to being on the other side of it.
"Being a fan in the years before, in college and high school, and watching the NFL so much and now you are a part of the playoffs, is great," said Sylvester.
Many of the veterans have been sharing advice with the younger players, letting them know what to expect this time of year.
"Things intensify in December and January," said Sylvester. "The coaches and veterans tell us about it, that the play is different, the energy, games are closer. You have to go out each game and know every play can have an effect on the game."
The dates won't be known until spring, but the Steelers do know who they will be playing in 2011. The following are the team's opponents for next season:
Home:Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks.
Away:Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers.
