March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Strzelczyk wants Super Bowl ring

If Justin Strzelczyk’s wish list for January 1993 is fulfilled he will: Get another chance to square off against Buffalo Bills All-Pro defensive end Bruce Smith. Help the Pittsburgh Steelers win the AFC title. Earn a Super Bowl ring.

Based on the way the regular season went for the former University of Maine football standout, Strzelczyk’s list, while ambitious, looks very attainable as the Steelers prepare for their Jan. 9 playoff opener against either Kansas City or the winner of the Houston-Buffalo AFC wildcard game.

“It’s gone well,” said Strzelczyk, now in his third year as a backup offensive lineman for Pittsburgh, which picked him in the 11th round of the 1990 NFL draft. “I’ve been pretty consistent. Sometimes I wished I’d played better, used better technique or something. But mostly I filled in and did the job.”

Strzelczyk started eight games for Pittsburgh this season, either subbing for often-injured right tackle Tunch Ilkin or left tackle John Jackson. He appeared in four other games as the Steelers rolled up an 11-5 record and won the AFC Central title.

Personal highlights for the 6-foot-5, 300-pounder (No. 73 in your program) included starting in a Monday night game against Cincinnati and in a contest against Buffalo at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., located just a few minutes from his home town of West Seneca.

“It was a great feeling being introduced as a starter in both of those games,” he said.

Unfortunately, Strzelczyk said, Smith and the Bills ruined his hometown appearance by posting a 28-20 victory.

“Bruce Smith beat me a couple of times in that game. It was nothing that got the quarterback killed. He didn’t get a sack on me. But he beat me. I’d like to go up against him again. He’s the best and if I do good against him, it only helps me,” Strzelczyk said.

Sizing up the AFC playoff field, Strzelczyk said he would like to play Buffalo again, even though the Steelers posted a combined 3-0 mark in the regular season against Kansas City and Houston.

“Buffalo beat us, so I don’t know how hungry they’d be to get us again,” he explained. “Kansas City has a score to settle. We blew them out at their place. And we beat Houston twice, so they’ll be real vengeful. It doesn’t really matter who we play at this time of year, we still have to play well. But I wouldn’t mind another crack at Buffalo.”

In the NFC, Strzelczyk said the feeling in the Steeler locker room is San Francisco is the team to beat.

Having signed a two-year contract at the start of this season for a reported $75,000 per year plus incentives, Strzelczyk said he is feeling more secure. Especially since the offense has been playing well.

The Steelers enter the playoffs ranked fifth in total offense in the AFC. Running back Barry Foster finished second in the NFL in rushing with 1,690 yards and quarterback Neil O’Donnell, currently injured, is the conference’s third-rated passer.

“Our offensive line has played well,” said Strzelczyk, who played defensive line for Maine from 1986-89. “I’ve had the chance to come in and play and contribute. I’m taking it one year at a time. My goal is to be a starter.”

Strzelczyk said there’s a good chance O’Donnell will return for the playoff opener, but even if backup QB Bubby Brister plays, he believes the Steelers will be a solid choice to reach the Super Bowl. Whether Strzelczyk himself starts or fills in, he’s excited to be in his first playoff.

“We’ve got the home field throughout the playoffs, which is a big advantage. The fans here are already going nuts. And we’re playing pretty well. The Super Bowl would be a dream come true for us,” said Strzelzcyk, whose dreams have had a habit of doing just that.


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