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Tuesday, October 24, 2000

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Steelers (4-3) at Ravens (5-3): 1 p.m. Sunday, PSINet Stadium. TV: KDKA. Radio: WDVE-FM (102.5) and WWSW-AM (970).

FB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala displayed new footwear yesterday in the Steelers' locker room. He wore a protective boot on his injured left foot and was diagnosed with a midfoot sprain. It might be enough to keep him out of Sunday's game in Baltimore. It was the second consecutive game the Steelers lost their starting fullback. Jon Witman's season ended when he sustained a broken fibula and dislocated ankle against Cincinnati. If Fuamatu-Ma'afala cannot play, rookie Dan Kreider will start at fullback or the Steelers will use more of the one-back. They used it more often against Cleveland, with Jerome Bettis as the lone back and two tight ends. One of those tight ends was Corey Geason and he has his best game blocking this season. Kreider played some fullback after Fuamatu-Ma'afala's injury and would welcome his first start if needed. "That decision will be made by end of the week," he said. "I'm not exactly sure what his status is at this point. If the opportunity is there, it would be great. I hope I get the job done."

WR Bobby Shaw, who left the game in the second half with a lower back injury, bounced around the Steelers' locker room yesterday and said he felt fine. OT Wayne Gandy continued to have problems with his torn right biceps but felt he would play again on Sunday.

Rookie Hank Poteat remains the second-leading punt returner in the AFC with a 15.1-yard average.

Josh Miller leads all NFL punters with 18 kicks inside the 20 and seven downed punts. His net average of 36.9 ranks sixth in the league.

TE Mark Bruener had caught at least one pass in 10 consecutive games before he was shut out Sunday. The one pass that came his way, he dropped. He has just seven catches for 53 yards.

Baltimore, the Steelers' opponent Sunday, leads the NFL with a positive 13 turnover ratio. The Ravens have taken the ball away 24 times and given it up just 11. The Steelers rank fifth on that list at plus-10, including an NFL-low six turnovers on offense. Kent Graham remains the only ranked QB without an interception.

The Steelers' defense is ranked third overall in the NFL. Baltimore is No. 2. New Orleans is No. 1.