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Friday, November 02, 2001

By Gerry Dulac, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Steelers (5-1) vs. Baltimore Ravens (4-3), 1 p.m. Sunday, Heinz Field. TV, radio: KDKA; WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970).

RB Jerome Bettis, who had three 100-yard games and rushed for 470 yards on 78 carries during the month of October, was named the AFC's offensive player of the month.

And ILB Kendrell Bell, who had four sacks and a fumble recovery in October, was named the NFL's defensive rookie of the month.

It's the first time the Steelers have ever had two players honored during the same month.

"I told the guys before practice, when you have team success, the [individual] accolades will follow," Coach Bill Cowher said.

This is the third time Bettis, who is fifth in the AFC with 612 rushing yards on 112 carries, has been named player of the month. He also was honored in November, 1996 and October, 1997.

Bettis had games of 153 yards rushing against Cincinnati, 112 yards at Kansas City and 143 yards against Tampa Bay during October. He also had an NFL-best three runs of 30 yards or longer -- 30, 46 and 48 yards -- last month.

Denver Broncos CB Deltha O'Neal, who had six interceptions in October, including four in one game against the Chiefs, was named the AFC defensive player of the month.

Ronny Jenkins of the San Diego Chargers, who had an 88-yard kick return for a touchdown against the Broncos and a 72-yard kick return to set up another touchdown against the Buffalo Bills, was named AFC special teams player of the month.

"If we're not 5-1, I don't get that award," Bettis said.

Bell had 29 tackles and recorded at least one sack in three of the four games during October. He had two sacks in the 20-17 victory in Kansas City.

Chicago Bears RB Anthony Thomas was named NFL offensive rookie of the month.

"If I would have got that award and the team wasn't doing well, it wouldn't be that important to me," Bell said. "The reason I'm playing well is because of the way we're playing as a defense. It allows me to make plays."

For the second week in a row, LT Wayne Gandy was injured in a Thursday practice and left the playing field.

Gandy sustained a strained left hamstring during individual pass-protection drills and did not take part in any team drills. When he returned to the locker room after getting treatment, Gandy smiled, said he felt "healthy as a horse," and would not discuss the injury.

Gandy likely will be added to the team's injury report today and listed as probable for the game against Baltimore on Sunday at Heinz Field.

Last week, Gandy injured his right shoulder during team drills and slumped to the field in the indoor practice facility. He was added to the injury report, but played the entire game against the Titans.

Bettis (knee) sat out practice for the second day in a row, but the move was more of a precaution, and he said he will work today.

Also, Cowher said backup RB Amos Zereoue, who is listed as questionable with a sprained shoulder, was feeling "much better," and there's a chance he could practice today.

As promised, Cowher did not have the players wear pads in practice for the second day in a row. Cowher said he would do that because of the short work week following a Monday night game and the anticipation of playing a physical game against the Ravens.

"It was the right thing to do," Cowher said.

The key for the Steelers' offense will be identifying where Ray Lewis, a Pro Bowl middle linebacker, is on the field. But therein lies the problem.

The Steelers will have a hard time getting to Lewis because he's quick enough to run away from blockers. What's more, he has a good shield in front of him with beefy tackles Sam Adams (330) and Tony Siragusa (340). That makes it tougher to get a guard on him.

"That's how Baltimore plugs up the middle," said G Alan Faneca, referring to the Ravens' run defense that hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 44 consecutive games. "They have two big guys who take up a lot of space and a lot of manpower. Most teams might have one of those guys. They have two."