"It's frustrating ... because I want statistics, just like anybody else that's on offense. That's the only way you keep a job in this league. But, at the same time, there's nothing I can do. I guess I could gripe about it."

-- Cedrick Wilson

Cedrick Wilson was the only player the Steelers signed in free agency in the offseason, and he was a big addition. He would be the receiver who would help them replace Plaxico Burress in the passing game, a player with a modest resume in San Francisco but a receiver with the speed and explosiveness to stretch a field and make big plays.

	Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Steelers receiver Cedrick Wilson would like to have more catches this season. Click photo for larger image. Related coverage Ex-Steeler Courson dies Steelers Notebook: Staley-Bettis backfield returns

But, at the midway point of the 2005 season, frustration is beginning to pile up faster than catches for Wilson. And it's not just from a lack of productivity.

Wilson, the team's No. 3 receiver, is part of an offense that has attempted fewer passes (175) than any team in the National Football League and ranks 27th in the league in yards passing per game (164.4). He is discovering what Burress and even Hines Ward have complained about for years -- they would like more receptions and to be a bigger, more integral part of the offense.

"I don't know what to do in a situation like this," Wilson said.

After a nice start, Wilson has just nine catches for 161 yards and no touchdowns heading into the nationally televised game Sunday night against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field. Worse, he has just three catches in his past five games, the longest being 22 yards.

Part of the problem is the emergence of rookie tight end Heath Miller, who has 19 catches in the past five games and is becoming the preferred target in the middle of the field. But another problem is the amount of passes the Steelers have attempted in the past three games (61), including just 16 in their 20-10 victory Sunday in Green Bay.

"It's frustrating ... because I want statistics, just like anybody else that's on offense," Wilson said. "That's the only way you keep a job in this league. But, at the same time, there's nothing I can do. I guess I could gripe about it.

"Maybe it takes me going up to the coaches and say, 'Look, can I get the ball more? I'd really love to be involved more.' Maybe those types of things."

The Steelers, though, have not been throwing the ball much, even though Ben Roethlisberger is the NFL's top-rated passer (112.4). Before he was injured, Roethlisberger attempted just 11 passes in the season opener against Tennessee and 14 in Cincinnati. Charlie Batch, who will make his second start against the Browns (3-5), threw 16 times against the Packers.

What's more, the big play has disappeared from the passing game. After completing a league-best eight passes of 30 yards or longer in the first four games, the Steelers haven't completed a pass longer than 26 yards in the past four.

"We're not using a tremendous amount of three-wide receiver sets because we've gotten up in games and stayed with our basic sets and tried to run the ball," offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said. "Everybody who is a good player, especially at this level, wants the ball. I never fault a guy for that. But winning makes the adjustment a little easier."

Wilson began the season with two catches in each of the first three games, including receptions of 40 and 36 yards in Week 2 in Houston. Since then, he hasn't caught more than one pass in three of the past five games. He went back-to-back games without a catch before ending the drought with a 10-yard reception against the Packers.

At that pace, Wilson will fall far below the numbers he posted last season with the 49ers -- 47 catches, 641 yards and three touchdowns -- when he wasn't even the team's No. 1 receiver.

"I am one of the only free agents they brought in and I'm a receiver, so you would think I'd be used more," Wilson said. "But this offense is not based that way. That's research I should have done during the offseason before I came here. Now, the situation is what it is, and I pretty much have to make the best out of it. I'm just trying not to be negative."

That was one of the complaints issued by Burress, the team's No. 2 receiver, before he left to sign with the New York Giants in free agency. He said he didn't think he was a good fit with the Steelers because, in effect, two or three catches a game weren't enough to keep him happy.

"I've been going through that ever since I've been here," said Ward, who leads the team with 30 catches. "I can kind of relate to Ced's situation. As players around here, it seems you're based off the stats sometimes. That's something I finally got over. I don't have to go out there and put up 100, 90 catches like Marvin [Harrison] and all the other guys. I'm not in that style of offense.

"That's just something he has to understand. When you come to Pittsburgh, your expectations [have to lower]. If you think you're going to catch 100 balls here, you're in the wrong place."