It turns out Tommy Maddox has more things in common with Ben Roethlisberger than playing quarterback for the Steelers. Maddox also rides a Harley-Davidson motorcycle without wearing a helmet.

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Maddox said while he does offer counsel to the quarterback who took his starting job from him, it would be difficult to recommend he wear a helmet when he rides.

"I don't wear one either," Maddox said. "I've ridden one for four years, and it was no big deal until what's-his-face wrecked."

Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow had knee and internal damage when he was thrown as his Suzuki struck a curb in a parking lot May 1.

"I don't try to do tricks on it in the parking lot," said Maddox, who rides a Road King Classic.

Coach Bill Cowher spoke to Roethlisberger about the risks of riding a motorcycle without a helmet, but did not have the same talk with Maddox because he might not have known about it.

"Everybody's had bikes for a long time, and one guy wrecks and everybody makes a huge deal out of it," said Maddox, 33. "I've got a bike, everybody rides. One guy's doing tricks in the parking lot and wrecks, and all of a sudden it's a front-page story.

"You have to look at life, obviously you have to be smart, and I try to be smart because I have a wife and two kids, not because I'm playing a game. I want to be there for my kids growing up and my wife. You do understand there's consequences to your actions, not only on motorcycles, but that's how you live your life."

Maddox was riding high with the Steelers two years ago when he was their popular starting quarterback after he earned the NFL comeback player of the year in 2002. He, too, was setting records here. But the drafting of Ben Roethlisberger last year, an elbow injury to Maddox in the second game and the best rookie performance in the history of the NFL by Roethlisberger changed all that.

What it hasn't changed is Maddox's desire to start. He realizes it probably will not happen with the Steelers unless Roethlisberger is hurt, and he says he does not want that. He thinks a trade someday is possible, something he thought might happen during the draft last month.

"Going through the draft, you never knew if they really wanted somebody, if I was on the board as trade material," Maddox said. "But I think people know who I am and how I am; I'm not going to go to them and demand anything. I'm going to play as hard as I can and do the things I want to do. If they decide it's best to move me, then I'm going to go somewhere else and play as hard as I can."

Maddox's contract is attractive for the Steelers if he remains their backup or if they want to trade him. He will earn $750,000 in salary and count $1.35 million against their cap this season. Next year, they must pay him a $100,000 roster bonus March 1, and a $900,000 salary and he will count $1.7 million against their cap. He would count $1.9 million in 2007.

By re-signing Charlie Batch this spring, the Steelers hedged their bets for a backup quarterback if they trade Maddox.

Maddox said he would not ask for a trade "right now."

"I think that's something that's kind of out of my control. I'm going to make the best out of what situation I'm in and, if the situation changes, I'm going to make the best out of that."

Once a backup to Kordell Stewart, Maddox knows how to play the role but he does not know how to accept it.

"I don't think you ever accept it. If you accept it, then hang it up and go play golf. I want to be the guy out there playing. I truly in my heart of hearts know my best football's still ahead of me. I feel like I'm getting better and better every day."

Maddox set team records with 519 passing attempts and 298 completions in 2003, when he started every game and was voted a team captain. His 3,414 yards passing that season are second most in club history. The Steelers rewarded him with a $2 million signing bonus in June for him to extend his contract through 2007.

While he says he loves Pittsburgh and playing for the Steelers, Maddox knows it's unlikely he will fulfill his wish of starting again here unless Roethlisberger gets hurt.

"I'm 33 years old and feel good and feel young, and guys are playing longer and longer, especially at this position," Maddox said. "We've seen in the past that in their mid-30s there have been guys at this position start playing pretty good. I'm excited about the future."