Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Mike Tomlin runs onto the Heinz Field turf for the first time as Steelers head coach last night. Click photo for larger image. Listen In: Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin summarizes his team's performance in Saturday night's preseason loss to the Steelers and Green Bay Packers: Tomlin: Mixed bag against Packers

Mike McCarthy, former Pittsburgh bartender and Pennsylvania Turnpike toll-taker, came to his hometown as coach of the Green Bay Packers last night, and he turned to an old favorite when it came time to feed his players.

McCarthy requested a change in the caterer for the team bus ride after the game to the airport be changed. He requested Aiello's in Squirrel Hill to feed them.

McCarthy, 43, began his second season as the 14th Packers coach, a job Vince Lombardi once held. A lower Greenfield native and graduate of old Bishop Boyle High School in Homestead, McCarthy became the latest in a long line of Western Pennsylvania natives who became NFL head coaches.

He coached Green Bay to an 8-8 record in his first season.

McCarthy and Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals are current NFL head coaches from Western Pennsylvania. Others who recently quit or were fired are Bill Cowher of the Steelers, Marty Schottenheimer of the Chargers, Jim Haslett of the Saints and Dave Wannstedt of the Dolphins and Bears.

"I think those guys definitely paved the path," McCarthy said. "Not only football coaches, you look at how many guys are in personnel. You can't go to a football thing without running into a scout or assistant coach from Western P-A."

McCarthy began coaching at Pitt under Paul Hackett and spent six seasons in college and 13 seasons as an assistant in the NFL before the Packers hired him last year.

"It was very gratifying to see him become a head coach, he was shooting for that from the very beginning," said Joe McCarthy, his dad and former boss.

Mike worked at the old man's place, Joe McCarthy's Bar & Grill in lower Greenfield. He also worked the graveyard shift at Exit 5 on the Pennsylvania Turnpike the summer of 1989 when he was a graduate assistant at Pitt and contemplated one day becoming a high school football coach in Western Pennsylvania.

"It was a good experience," McCarthy said. "Every once in a while you'd run into someone you knew and had just a few minutes to try to explain why you're sitting in a toll booth taking tolls."

His parents remain Steelers fans -- except, of course, when they play the Packers. They attended the game last night.

Smith vs. Clark

Anthony Smith replaced Ryan Clark as the starting free safety last night. Those two are competing for a job Clark held last season and in the first preseason game.

Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Charlie Batch drove the Steelers to a touchdown and field goal in three possessions. Click photo for larger image.

Linebacker James Harrison (ribs) was scratched from the game even though he returned to practice Wednesday. Clark Haggans again started in his place on the right outside and rookie LaMarr Woodley made his second start in Haggans' spot on the left.

Other injured players who did not dress for the Steelers were halfback Willie Parker, guard Alan Faneca, center Chukky Okobi and linebacker Lawrence Timmons.

As announced by coach Mike Tomlin, Chris Kemoeatu started for Faneca at left guard, Willie Colon replaced Max Starks at right tackle and Sean Mahan made his first start at center.

Hoke injured

Backup nose tackle Chris Hoke received good news from what first appeared to be a serious knee injury in the third quarter. Hoke's left knee was hyperextended and he could return to practice this week.

Hoke was injured when he was leg-whipped by a teammate, rookie cornerback William Gay.

'Concentrate' Washington

Nate Washington was told by his coaches the past week to concentrate more on catching the football. Washington caught the first pass Ben Roethlisberger threw him last night and cradled it as if it were Tom Cruise handling his mother's crystal egg in "Risky Business." He caught it, but hugged it to the turf without being tackled for a 9-yard gain on first down.

It looked at first as if he made a spectacular catch inside Green Bay's 30 on a long pass from Charlie Batch. Washington stretched out along the sideline and the ball hit his hands as he was falling -- and he did not catch it. A drop? Maybe in the pure sense of the word but it would have been a tough catch.

Maxed out

Max Starks, playing exclusively at left tackle, gave up two sacks in the first half -- one to defensive end Cullen Jenkins, another to defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.

Starks has given up three sacks in two games, all at left tackle. Colon started at right tackle against the Packers.

Changing role?

Cedrick Wilson, who caught four passes for 99 yards in the preseason opener, might force the coaches to take a longer look at him as a punt returner.

Wilson had a 45-yard return in the first quarter that was negated by a 15-yard holding penalty against Deshea Townsend, and also had a 15-yard return in the second quarter.