Steelers hope Michael Vick stays in the pocket

Steve McLendon said he knows how to bring down Michael Vick. The Steelers nose tackle sacked Vick with one hand during the preseason, and he is not surprised that the Eagles quarterback has been sacked 11 times and committed nine turnovers.

"People have learned how to rush him," said McLendon, a preseason star who is splitting time with starter Casey Hampton. "Vick is trying to stay in the pocket. He's trying to be the quarterback he's not. That's the thing, he's trying to be the quarterback he's not, and I hope he keeps being that quarterback.

"We want him to sit in the pocket. As long as he's sitting in the pocket we have a good chance to get to him and hit him. If we can hit him, get him frustrated a couple of times, we're going to be successful."

McLendon said the New York Giants did not take advantage of what they do best in Sunday night's loss to the Eagles.

"Just to see how the Giants play everyone else, when it comes to the Eagles they don't play them the same," McLendon said. "I feel like they play a little off of them. They should have been more aggressive."

Like McLendon, linebacker LaMarr Woodley said that Vick is vulnerable in the pocket.

"We had nice pressure on him in the preseason, so I feel we can get pressure now in the regular season," Woodley said.

Pressure is one thing; bringing Vick down is another. McLendon offered advice on how to wrap him up:

"Get your hands on him and don't let go. Once you get your hands on him, stay strong and stay tight on him. That's the biggest thing, to get your hands on him because it's going to be hard to get your body on him because he's so elusive."

Key Steelers could return. Linebacker James Harrison, safety Troy Polamalu and running back Rashard Mendenhall are expected to return for Sunday's game at Heinz Field. Coach Mike Tomlin said he is optimistic that all three will play against the Eagles.

Harrison has not played this season. He had surgery Aug. 15 on his left knee. Polamalu missed the last two games with a calf strain. Mendenhall has not played since suffering a torn knee ligament last January against Cleveland.