Wednesday, September 10, 2003

Every so often -- like after every Steelers loss -- a cry goes up among the citizens to fire coach Bill Cowher because he has failed to deliver yinz one for the thumb, as is your birthright.

True, Cowher does have certain shortcomings. He's bad at clock management. But then, what NFL coach is good at clock management? He picks on the kickers. He spits way too much. He's 1-3 in AFC championship games, a terrible mark considering each of those games was at home.

But if the 34-15 victory Sunday against Baltimore is any indication, any disappointment the Steelers provide in the new campaign will be the fault of the players because Cowher and his staff pitched football's equivalent of a perfect game.

Well, almost. I wasn't crazy about tight end Mark Bruener being a healthy scratch. Don't buy that nonsense about needing Matt Cushing for special teams. Cushing was on the field for just two plays in that capacity. And Bruener's absence cost the Steelers a timeout on their first field-goal try because the coaches neglected to replace him on that platoon, thus leaving 10 men on the field.

That's small potatoes, though. Cowher got all the big stuff right.

Every one of his tough personnel decisions came out well. Amos Zereoue got 23 yards on five carries in the Steelers' first offensive series, establishing the run and establishing himself as the best fit for the Steelers' offense. Jerome Bettis carried a mere four times and his groin still was injured. But not his bad groin. His bad groin feels good, but his good groin feels bad.

Jay Riemersma and his pass-catching ability really do add a new dimension at tight end. Riemersma was absurdly open for his third-quarter touchdown, but I can't ridicule the Ravens' defense for that. After all these years, why would anyone bother covering a Steelers tight end?

Todd Fordham didn't totally stink at right tackle, which is probably the best we can hope for. Marvel Smith continued his improvement at left tackle.

Defensive coordinator Tim Lewis had to use James Farrior more because of Joey Porter's absence. That said, Farrior was the best linebacker on the field, and that's saying something. Safety Troy Polamalu was kind of quiet and might not be ready to start. But that's OK, because Polamalu isn't starting. Mike Logan is, and his quickness and aggressive play were massive.

Tactically, offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey was superb. He established the run early. He involved everyone. He gave Bettis and Verron Haynes small but effective roles. I hate Mularkey's overuse of trick plays, but Antwaan Randle El's brief stint at single-wing quarterback clearly flustered the Ravens.

Mularkey also made a great call when he sent Zereoue wide on fourth-and-1 in the third quarter. He played to Zereoue's strength instead of following the ho-hum up-the-middle blueprint most coaches stick to in that spot. Zereoue gained 12 yards, and Riemersma caught his touchdown on the very next play.

On defense, the Steelers weren't as good as Kyle Boller made them look. But Lewis never gave Boller a chance.

The Steelers' cornerbacks are often rightfully criticized for giving opposing receivers too much of a cushion at the line. But the Steelers closed that cushion on the near sideline against Boller, thus depriving the rookie quarterback of some easy early flips that might have given him confidence.

The Steelers only had two sacks, but the pressure on Boller was consistent, intense and varied as Lewis frequently mixed things up.

In the preseason, Cowher put pressure on starters Dewayne Washington and Chad Scott by stirring Deshea Townsend into the first-team cornerback mix. Scott responded by playing his usual lousy game.

But, his two interference penalties aside, Washington responded by playing some tough, determined football. His tackle of Todd Heap in a one-on-one situation saved the Steelers at least 20 yards. Where was that at Tennessee when the Steelers really needed it?

Cowher and his staff brought their best this past Sunday. You blast them when they falter. So praise them when they shine.

Anyway, it's stupid to even imagine that Cowher will get fired someday, let alone campaign verbally for it. Like Chuck Noll before him, Cowher will be the Steelers' coach until he reaches retirement age, be it forced or otherwise.

On most NFL teams, the coach is basically a bridge between the players and management. The temporary nature of his job dictates that.

But by naming coaches about as often as the Catholic Church names popes, the Steelers make the coach part of management. This makes the decision-making process as smooth as can be. Hiring coaches for the long term also makes it easier for a team to keep players and build a consistent personality. When you come to play for the Steelers, you know exactly what you're getting.

You're getting Bill Cowher.

That's fine by me. It should be fine by you.

Mark Madden is the host of a sports talk show from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays on WEAE-AM (1250).

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