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Friday, September 13, 2002

By Gerry Dulac, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

The Steelers spent the last two weeks of the preseason getting James Farrior and John Fiala ready to play Kendrell Bell's inside linebacker position in the 3-4 defense. They did that as a safeguard in case Bell could not start the season opener because of a high ankle sprain.

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Bell, the NFL's 2001 Defensive Rookie of the Year, did start Monday night against the New England Patriots, but he aggravated his injury and is out until at least Sept. 29. Undaunted, the Steelers wasted little time getting his replacement in with the first-team defense.

Rookie Larry Foote.

Huh?

The Steelers decided to sacrifice experience for big-play potential when they opted to start Foote, not Fiala, in Sunday night's home opener against the Oakland Raiders at Heinz Field.

"Larry had picked up the defense very well," defensive coordinator Tim Lewis said. "He understands the package. What he may give up in experience, he makes up with athletically. He has a very keen sense for the ball."

The switch makes sense. Bell plays the "mack" linebacker, a position that allows for more freedom to blitz and run around the field. Foote was that kind of player at Michigan, where he played outside linebacker.

When Bell was injured in the preseason, Fiala and Farrior took turns playing that position. At the time, Fiala and Farrior were battling to be the starter at the other inside spot, known as the "buck" linebacker. But Coach Bill Cowher said he wanted both players to learn Bell's position so the loser of the Fiala-Farrior battle could step in and be comfortable at that spot.

When Bell was hurt against the Patriots, Foote, a fourth-round draft pick, replaced him and played so well he will start there, alongside Farrior, against the Raiders.

Fiala, a five-year veteran who was signed to a new incentive-laden contract in the off-season, said he was not surprised.

"Larry's been playing that position all preseason," Fiala said. "Larry's been doing a good job, so they decided to keep me at buck."

"He has a very good eye for plays," Lewis said. "He knows how to read and diagnose, and he's a good tackler. If you go by measurables, he's a guy you might overlook. But watch him play football, whether on tape or in our preseason, and you can see. He continues to grow."

Foote is a not a pro scout's dream. He is not tall (6 feet), not heavy (231 pounds) and not fast. But the Steelers liked the way he was always around the ball when he played at Michigan. They liked that he was always making big plays behind the line of scrimmage (he ranked fourth in school history in tackles for losses).

What's more, Foote has done a good job picking up the Steelers' complicated defensive scheme, something Bell was not able to do quickly his rookie season.

"Since I've been a little kid, I've always tried to be knowledgeable, always tried to know what I'm doing," Foote said. "That way, you know that you can play a little loose, take a few more chances, play fast.

"I did all right [against the Patriots]. I didn't blow any coverages. The physical part, I got to step it up a little. Just tackling, getting my head on right side, making sure I get the ballcarrier going back, little things like that."

Lewis is not worried about Foote botching any coverages against the Raiders, who rank No. 2 in total offense in the American Football Conference after their 31-17 victory against the Seattle Seahawks.

Still, it is not the most enviable position in which to be playing the Raiders, the defending AFC West champions. Especially after the defense surrendered 30 points in the season-opening loss in New England.

Last year, the Steelers ranked No. 1 in the NFL in run defense and total defense. Their inside linebackers were Bell and Earl Holmes, the team's leading tackler.

Against the Raiders, the inside linebackers will be Foote and Farrior, who is making only his second start since coming over in free agency from the New York Jets.

"I just want to prove to the coaches I can play," Foote said. "I want to show them if they call on me I'm ready."

Lewis thinks he's ready. If he didn't, Fiala would have been the starter against the Raiders.

"He played well against the Patriots," Lewis said. "The things he brings to the table are a very keen sense of how to play the game. He's trying to do everything just right right now, so it probably slows him down a little bit. But as he gets into a flow and gets into a rhythm, I think you'll see a pretty natural player."

That's what Foote likes about Bell's position -- it gives him a chance to make plays.

"The coaches send you all over the field," Foote said. "Sometimes, when you look at the blitzes, it's like they drew them up in the dirt. They send you everywhere. You go all across the field. They put you in position to make plays.

"And I want to prove to the coaches I can play."

He's already done that.