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Sunday, April 28, 2002

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

The Steelers did not draft Hank Poteat in the third round two years ago merely to return punts.

They drafted him to play cornerback, something he has done only a handful of times in games since he left Pitt.

Coach Bill Cowher expects more from Poteat in 2002.

"It is a big year," Cowher said. "It's his third year ... you would expect him to be much further along than he's ever been."

He is, at the moment. Jason Simmons left as a free agent and the coaches promoted Poteat to Simmons' old job as the No. 4 cornerback.

That likely won't change because Chad Scott and Dewayne Washington start, and the Steelers re-signed Deshea Townsend as their No. 3 cornerback.

The Steelers also drafted LaVar Glover in the seventh round from Cincinnati as a possible No. 4 cornerback.

"Right now, it's all about opportunity," Poteat said. "I'm hungry, the confidence is up."

Poteat has contributed the past two seasons as a punt returner, but that was "just something I was doing to help the team out and get on the field.

"I was drafted as a corner."

He lost his job as the punt returner last season because of a high ankle sprain. He would like to continue to return punts and to move up on the depth chart at cornerback.

"I'm working hard to eventually be a starter, I don't always want to be the fourth guy."

The Steelers believe he can become a factor in their secondary.

"He's played behind some good corners. He understands this system," Cowher said. "You can see him getting a little more comfortable out there than he's been in the past, where he can now take some chances. If he can stay healthy, he should be a big contributor."

No. 1 pressure

Some say the pressure put on first-round draft choices is unfair. But that's life in the big leagues, where the No. 1s get paid more than any other draft choice and have the expectations that go with it.

Now, it's guard Kendall Simmons' turn.

"The No. 1 pick always has pressure, no question about it," Cowher said. "Everyone looks at that player as being a guy who's supposed to come in [and contribute]. You're wondering how he's doing. He's monitored a lot more closely than anybody else. We've seen that down through the years."

There has been little pressure put on offensive linemen in their rookie seasons with the Steelers, but that might be different with Simmons. The job is open at right guard, and he's a candidate to start.

"We're not going to throw him in there until he's ready," Cowher said. "He'll have a chance to compete and to play."

Un-Cole

It might be understandable that quarterback Travis Cole has not been accurate throwing the ball through two days of minicamp. He's a rookie, went undrafted, is trying to learn a new system, and he and Tommy Maddox are the only quarterbacks in camp.

Cole has displayed a strong arm, but that did not come as welcome news for center Chukki Okobi. After snapping the ball to Cole, Okobi stood up and Cole drilled him in the back of the head with a pass.

Allred catches on

Cowher likes how tight end John Allred has looked the past two days. Allred signed with the Steelers this week. The Bears drafted him with the 38th overall pick in 1997, and he played until a knee injury in 2000 slowed his career. He hasn't played since.

"He's moving very well, catches the ball well," Cowher said. "He runs very good routes. He can give you something in the passing game. We'll see how he is in camp when we put the pads on. We liked him coming out. He's a talented kid. The injury he came off, sometimes it takes more than a year."

The anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee were torn Oct. 8, 2000. It was the final year of his contract. He signed with St. Louis but was released before the Rams' 2001 training camp. He has 31 receptions for 281 yards and two touchdowns in his career.

"He can catch the football," Cowher said. "He has good hands."

Logan, Bell sit

Veterans Mike Logan and Kendrell Bell sat out yesterday because of minor injuries. Logan has a sore hamstring, and Bell has a sore hip from lifting weights last week.