Sunday is Dick LeBeau's 75th birthday. After you pick your jaw up off the floor -- the Steelers' Hall of Fame defensive coordinator could pass for 57, easy -- consider the gift the football gods have given him: On the day he turns three-quarters of a century, he gets to playcall Pittsburgh's opener. Against Peyton Manning. "That's not a real appetizing part of this birthday, trying to defend one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time," LeBeau said from his Steelers office Wednesday night. "But honestly, playing the game Sunday soothes the fact that it's my 75th a little bit."
Now for how LeBeau stays young. He runs before practices, on the field. He golfs a lot in the offseason. He does crossword puzzles and mental games. He hangs around the youngest players on his unit, to learn the latest in youth-think."It's a young man's game, but in my heart, I still think I qualify," he said. "I'm surrounded by young people, which helps. I honestly don't think about it much, but I have made a promise to myself: If I ever feel myself slipping, I'll get out. I haven't felt it yet. ''No one's pushing him out the door. At 74, LeBeau orchestrated the league's No. 1 defense, both in yards and points allowed. Keep doing those crosswords, coach.