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Tuesday, October 30, 2001

You think the Steelers' 34-7 victory against the Tennessee Titans last night meant something to Hines Ward? You should have seen him mercilessly abusing Titans safety Perry Phenix. During the television timeout that followed a Ward touchdown catch in the second quarter, Phenix had to line up on the kickoff receiving team in front of the Steelers' bench. Ward made sure he reminded him repeatedly what an idiot he was for setting up the score with a personal foul penalty.

You think the game meant something to Kendrell Bell? His helmet was broken as the Titans were driving inside the Steelers' 5. It wouldn't buckle. Neither would he, as it turned out. He wasn't sure what to do, so he did what he does best. The heck with the helmet; he put his face in running back Mike Green's chest and threw him for a 2-yard loss.

Plaxico Burress? The guy didn't make a play in a year-and-a-half, but he made three big ones last night.

Kordell Stewart? He was terrific, throwing for 232 yards.

Jerome Bettis? He didn't get 100 yards this time, but he scored two touchdowns.

Brent Alexander? His one-handed interception in the second quarter was the best catch of the season.

And how about Bill Cowher? You think he wanted this one? He always wants it on Monday night. He always has the Steelers ready to play. And he always is at his best for prime time. Forget his fake field goal call last night. How about his 9-0 home record on Monday night?

All of it was impressive. It was almost unbelievable, actually.

"We knew we have a great team, but we wanted to show the nation," Ward said. "It was nice to do it the way we did it. All we've been hearing is how Jerome is doing his job, but we don't have a passing game. Well, tonight, we went out and made some plays throwing the football. If we can keep doing that, we're going to be tough to beat."

The Steelers rocked a quality opponent. The Titans hadn't just beaten them seven consecutive times. They came in with a 2-3 record, a desperate team. The Steelers took the Titans' best shot and kept on rolling.

Ward, literally, took their best shot. The ubiquitous Phenix put a ferocious lick on him early in the second quarter. Ward got up and, bent over at the waist, jogged to the bench before collapsing.

What's that old line about never letting them see you sweat?

Ward didn't stay down long. He was back in during the same series and, later, lured Phenix into that foolish, drive-sustaining personal foul, caught a sweet 3-yard touchdown pass from Stewart and maybe, just maybe, mentioned something to Phenix about being unemployed today.

"Nah, I just told him I was going to be back after him all night," Ward said. "I had to get my get-back after he hit me in the chest like that. I blocked him all night. I guess he got tired of it and gave me that shot right in front of the official. He made a terrible play and put his team in bad position."

And what did Phenix say back?

"Nothing," Ward said, grinning. "His lip was bleeding. He was hurting. He had a rough night."

All of the Titans did. There was no shortage of reasons. Bell, who did nothing to hurt his chances for the defensive rookie of the year award ... Stewart, who must have left most of America wondering why he has been so maligned ... Alexander and the others on defense ...

And just what got into Burress?

He went up and outfought Donald Mitchell for a 33-yard gain. He kept his concentration and came down with a tipped pass for a 43-yard gain. He outmuscled Samari Rolle for a 28-yard catch.

When his career night was done, his numbers read: six catches for 151 yards.

The thing he and Stewart had going all night might have been the most encouraging aspect -- not to mention the most shocking -- of this rout.

What wasn't surprising was Cowher's aggressiveness. He always comes up with something special when the Monday night cameras are rolling.

But a fake field goal?

"Kris Brown is fast, you know?" Cowher said.

Kris Brown took the pitch from holder Josh Miller and rambled around left end. The officials gave him a good spot. Replays seemed to show he stepped out of bounds a few yards short of the first down. But the play stood after a review by referee Terry McAulay.

First down, Steelers.

The fake worked -- just like everything else Cowher and the Steelers are doing these days.

Ron Cook can be reached at rcook@post-gazette.com.