See You From Heinz Field, Section 235

Section 235-236 at Heinz field. That's where I'll be on Sunday, just like every Sunday for a Steelers game. See, the thing is, I am from Pittsburgh — but like many Pittsburghers, I moved to another city for greener pastures.

I still go back for the games though, in fact I have missed weddings, dodged a work trip to the Philippines (it was the Steelers vs. Jets playoff game last year), and I have even passed on a more lucrative career opportunity, just to ensure I am there every single game.

Since Heinz field has opened, I have been to every single Steelers game at Heinz Field. Not only have I been to the games, but I am on 40-yard line, club level, Steelers side. The funny thing is, I don't have season tickets. In fact, I have never used a ticket to get into the stadium. It's just not that easy in Pittsburgh.

In a football-crazed town, a ticket to the beloved hometown Steelers is hard to come by, unless it is through family. Forget about becoming a season-ticket holder, there is currently a 25-year waiting list. I really can't afford to buy a ticket to the game from eBay, either. So how on earth am I going to get into this place?

I had an idea during my senior year at Duquesne University. If you can't beat them, join them. So that's what I decided to do. I couldn't have picked a better time. It was 2001, and the Steelers just dawned a new home. This new home was bigger, and hence the Steelers needed extra staff.

Five years strong, I have worked section 235-236 as an usher. Being at the stadium gives me a rush, the highest of all highs. I was there for great playoff victories against the Ravens and Browns in the past. I was also there for two AFC championship games. Those were the lowest of lows.

The first loss, to the eventual Super Bowl champion Patriots, was after a 13-3 season. The Steelers were the favorite, the loss was a shock. I rebounded.

The second loss, to the eventual Super Bowl champion Patriots, was after a 15-1 season. A magical season in which a rookie QB dubbed "Big Ben" couldn't and wouldn't lose. The thought that day was, it can't happen again can it? Not after this magical ride!?! To, oh no, here we go ... again!

Walking away from the stadium that day was tough, it was a defeated town, and it had a ghost town feeling to it. I had doubts I could ever go to a game again. The loss just hurt that much.

Well, it's a new year and another opportunity against the Patriots. Here we go ... again. Let's not forget it is only Week 3 of the season, this game will not do anything but give a solid glimpse of where each team is at this point in the season. This could very well be another AFC Championship preview.

Coach Bill Cowher is poised and determined to not only get to the big game, but to win it this time. This may be his best opportunity to do it. How does a coach keep last year's 15-1 team, a team that is 2-0 this year and has crushed both opponents, from getting complacent and comfortable?

"We'll keep the edge," he said. "Trust me, we'll keep the edge. Whether it's New England or whoever it is, you have to. Not having it is not even an option," said Cowher.

"You can't look at what we did in the past and think, because of what we did, we can just go into the next game and beat somebody," receiver Hines Ward said. "Especially the defending champions. The veteran guys understand that we need to go out and put in the work, because this is a championship team coming to our backyard. We can't be expected to come out and just play. We gotta go out there and execute our game plan and simulate that at practice as much as possible."

But how can the team stop Tom Brady? During that championship game, Brady exposed the No. 1 defense in the NFL. Troy Polamalu is quick to acknowledge that neither he nor the secondary played particularly well against Belichick's Patriots in the AFC championship game last January.

They allowed too many big plays — completions of 60, 45, 18, and 16 yards — and let New England set the tone. Perhaps his added role in the defense, which includes playing linebacker in the quarter package, will throw off Tom Brady, who went 14-of-21 for 207 yards with two TDs in the AFC title game.

It is a new year and the Patriots actually appear vulnerable with QB Tom Brady looking very human last week and their running game mediocre at best. No one wants to exploit those weaknesses more than a Pittsburgh team that has lost two AFC Championship Games to New England in the past four years. The Steelers run defense will look to shut down Patriots RB Corey Dillon and then pressure Brady into making some mistakes. However, don't count Brady and Co. out just yet. Look for the Patriots to keep Pittsburgh off balance with their play-calling and formations. If the Steelers play with too much emotion and players try to make too much happen, it will create seams New England's offense is capable of exploiting.

But what can the Steelers exploit? Once again, New England has major problems in the secondary. Equally as important, New England has some changes at linebacker.

Specifically, can the Patriots really expect to make it three-straight Lombardi Trophies with Chad Brown and Monty Beisel starting at inside linebacker?

The Steelers investigated both in free agency and envisioned Beisel a potential backup who could contribute on special teams and Brown a role-playing pass-rusher at 35. The Pats concluded the two could replace Tedy Bruschi and Ted Johnson inside.

Ultimately, there won't be many surprises in this heavyweight slugfest. Look at that AFC Championship Game. Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger threw three interceptions and fumbled once. He will be eager to prove he can move and still protect the football going up against this defense, but it's important that he stay patient and take what the defense gives him. New England does a good job of masking its coverage and it has the playmakers to turn a Roethlisberger mistake into a costly turnover.

In their past three losses to New England, the Steelers committed 13 turnovers — in their one win, they committed none.

The winner of this game will win the turnover battle. Special teams, specifically setting up field position, will be just as important. Oh, and I heard Rodney Harrison's comments on the crowd not being a factor. Tell that to section 235.