This isn't garbage time, so don't expect Cowher to empty his bench

Now that the Steelers are unofficially out of it, want to see more young players in the lineup, something to look ahead possibly to 2007?

Want to see more of guard Chris Kemoeatu? Rookie safety Anthony Smith? Center Chukky Okobi? Linebacker James Harrison? Tackles Trai Essex or Willie Colon?

Forget it. Unless injuries force a lineup change, coach Bill Cowher won't empty his bench merely to try to see his younger players in games. It's not in his history and not in his nature.

Cowher did make one change last week when he benched cornerback Ike Taylor and started second-year man Bryant McFadden, but the coach said that was based on performance, or lack of it. Anthony Smith will play in the dime defense because of an injury to Troy Polamalu.

Otherwise, that's it.

Cowher always believed that you play to win, even when you can't make the playoffs. You don't play to evaluate your talent for next season. Chuck Noll held similar beliefs. With a 2-10 record in 1988 -- probably the worst Steelers team of the past 35 years -- many wanted to see him play other people, try different things. He stubbornly refused, saying he would play whoever gave him the best chance to win. The Steelers won three of their final four to finish 5-11 and next season went to the playoffs.

There were similar calls for Cowher to play some younger backups in 2003, when his team was headed for a 6-10 record -- specifically rookie linebacker Alonzo Jackson, its second-round draft pick. Cowher played it straight and Jackson rode the bench. "I wasn't looking at 2004," Cowher said. "I was looking at 2003 and trying to win as many football games as you can. You're going to play the best players you can that give you the best chance to win week to week. You're not looking at the future from that perspective.

"You look at our team: We're young in some areas. We've got experience in other areas. We will continue to play hard week in and week out and try to win as many games as we can. Along the way you'll get the people the experience that they need and you'll find out about the other players and their accountability.

"It's something where you look at the future when the season is over. I don't think it's fair to jeopardize the present at the expense of developing one or a few players."

The Steelers went 15-1 in 2004. Jackson again rode the bench that season and was cut before the next one.

Note to Bruce Gradkowsi: It's a good club you've joined

Dormont native and Tampa Bay starting quarterback Bruce Gradkowski should feel good about the Steelers passing him up in the draft, and not because he got his shot to start early with the Buccaneers, either.

Gradkowski found himself in great company when the Steelers snubbed him last spring. He joins a long list of Western Pennsylvania quarterbacks unwanted by the local pro football team.

Let's start with the Pro Football Hall of Famers: There was Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, George Blanda and Dan Marino. Two others in the hall, Joe Namath and Jim Kelly, were drafted before the Steelers had a shot at them although, judging by history, they likely would have passed them up had they been available to them. They had Unitas, of course, but quickly released him.

Those aren't the only ones the Steelers bypassed. They also ignored guys such as Marc Bulger, Jeff Hostetler, Gus Frerotte, Scott Zolak, Mike McMahon, Charlie Batch (although they took advantage of a second chance), Chuck Fusina and Johnny Lujack.

They did get Butler's Terry Hanratty on the second round in 1969 and Pitt's Alex Van Pelt on the eighth round in 1993, but if you're a quarterback from Western Pennsylvania or one who played at Pitt or Penn State, your chances of playing for the Steelers were slim. Goodbye, Tyler Palko.

C'mon, coach; give him the darn ball

Free Dan Kreider!

There may be no fullback in NFL history, at least the way it's been played for the past 50 years, who has gone through a full season as a starter and did not have one carry from scrimmage.

Only five more games to go, and Krieder can own that distinction. He is a blocking fullback, one the Steelers believe is the best at his craft in the NFL. But wouldn't you think they'd give him the ball once in awhile?

Kreider has 50 rushing attempts in seven seasons. He peaked in 2002 and 2003 when he had 13 and 12, respectively. Last year he had eight. He has a 4.7-yard average per carry in his pro career.

He does have four receptions this season. Even his teammates would like to see him get at least one carry from scrimmage.

"Absolutely, there is no doubt in my mind," said injured halfback Verron Haynes. "When he carries the ball, he's been an effective ballcarrier throughout the years. Plus, it's unexpected."

Kreider on the run is so unexpected, it could go down as a trick play, and as everyone knows, the Steelers have called few of those this season.

"He doesn't get many carries," Haynes said. "He busts through the line pretty hard when he does."

Haynes said Kreider should be rewarded for the job he does.

"It takes a man to do what he does, blocking on every play. Give him a bone."

Kreider is not bashful, he'd take that bone.

"Sure, it's fun to touch the ball occasionally and get a shot," he said, explaining that circumstances this season have limited his opportunities. "Some of the games haven't really allowed us to run that play -- we only have like one or two plays that go to the fullback. Some defenses, it's just not a good play and some games we're behind."