Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Ben Roethlisberger adjusts his new florescent green beanie yesterday in practice. Click photo for larger image.

Not wanting to get his bell rung, Ben Roethlisberger broke out a florescent green beanie to wear over his helmet in practices yesterday, hoping to ward off defensive teammates, if not the random bucks that roam throughout the Laurel Highlands.

He opted for the new look after watching nose tackle Chris Hoke bump backup quarterback Charlie Batch Saturday.

"I put it on to keep Chris Hoke away from me," Roethlisberger said. "So far, so good. I'm not fearful. It's more of a goofy thing. Plus, I completed all of my passes this morning and this afternoon so we're going to keep it going. I'm superstitious."

Roethlisberger said he wants to play Saturday against the Cardinals in Arizona, even just one series, but coach Bill Cowher has not let him know yet.

"We'll talk as we get closer," Cowher said.

Batch took over the first-team offense in the two-minute drill yesterday because, as Cowher explained, he would be in Saturday's game in the final two minutes of the first half.

Roethlisberger praised the depth of his wide receivers, although he said, "I'd like to stack a couple of them on top of each other to get a little height out there, but they're doing good."

None of the Steelers' top six wide receivers is taller than 6 feet 1.

Brooks downplays incident

Veteran backup lineman Barrett Brooks promised that when the truth comes out, his early Sunday morning arrest on various traffic charges on the South Side of Pittsburgh won't be as bad as it sounds.

He hasn't convinced one man that what happened was not serious, though.

"Internally we discussed it and I was very disappointed in the judgment that he displayed Saturday night," Cowher said. "I talked to the football team about it and we'll leave it at that. But I certainly don't condone the actions and certainly there's a responsibility that goes with being a professional athlete and handling yourself properly and Barrett used very poor judgment."

Brooks, 34, was charged with fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, driving at an unsafe speed and other traffic violations while riding a motorcycle.

"It wasn't as it seemed," Brooks told reporters after morning practice. "I apologize to the Rooneys. Their family is a great family and they believe in not doing stuff like this but I really didn't do anything. Once things come to fruition here, we'll be all right. I was just riding a motorcycle, and that was it. That was the extent of it."

Asked why he did not stop while the police were in pursuit, Brooks said, "I didn't see him. ... There was a total miscommunication. It just wasn't the way it's said. All the stuff that's been said is totally misinterpreted."

He disputed a report that the arresting officer tackled him.

"Come on now. That's what I do for a living, know what I'm saying? You'll see. I'm telling you guys it was just totally blown out of proportion. Once you guys see, once everything comes out, you'll understand."

Colon moves in

It may have had nothing to do with Brooks' incident, but rookie Willie Colon was the backup left tackle yesterday. Colon turned in one of the better performances by a young player the first week of training camp, where he had practiced on the right side.

Trai Essex, who started four games at left tackle as a rookie last season for injured Marvel Smith, was playing left guard yesterday when he left practice because of an injured groin. Brooks then moved into the spot at left guard.

Cowher said the injury to Essex will keep him out a week to 10 days.

In the meantime, the coach believes guard Chris Kemoeatu will return to practice today or tomorrow wearing a soft cast on an injured left wrist. The injury apparently occurred Saturday, but X-rays yesterday morning showed no major damage.

Washington might start

Wide receiver Hines Ward missed both practices again with a sore left hamstring, which could keep him out of Saturday's game. If so, second-year pro Nate Washington would start at flanker.

"I think one guy who's really doing a great job is Nate Washington," Roethlisberger said. "I don't want to talk too much about him because his head might get too big but he's doing a great job right now."

Porter improving

Cowher said linebacker Joey Porter is "coming along" and he might do some things in practice in two or three days. Porter is on the physically unable to perform list after having knee surgery in May. He has been at Saint Vincent College lifting, running and watching.

"I'm not going to ask to go out there and practice hurt," Porter said. "I'm not going to ask to set myself back. I'm going to be smart about the situation. When I'm ready, I'll be out there."

His goal, he has said all along, is to be ready for the first regular-season game.

"I'm doing my normal rehab I'm required to do. I'm running, lifting, doing everything I can to strengthen up my knee, whatever I can do to help me get out on the football field for the first game."

Said Cowher, "We'll still proceed cautiously with that but I'm very encouraged by his progress."

Dour Cowher

Cowher was not pleased at one point during afternoon practice when he yelled, "Somebody hit somebody!" He said there has not been enough consistency to suit him in this training camp.

"There's been some good signs at times, but we set some very high standards around here. I'm not sure that we've reached those yet because that has to be done on a consistent basis. I really haven't seen anything done that well on a consistent basis."

Kickoff events set

Rascal Flatts will perform at Heinz Field and Diddy and Cassie will entertain from Miami Beach when the NFL kicks off its season Sept. 7 at Heinz Field to celebrate the Steelers' Super Bowl win "and salute the City of Pittsburgh," the league announced.

The kickoff events start at 8 p.m. on WPXI, followed by the game at 8:30 p.m. Martina McBride will sing the national anthem.