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Friday, October 27, 2000

By Chuck Finder, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

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

The Steelers could compensate for the absence of FBs Jon Witman and Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala -- both out by unlucky breaks -- and play more of a one-back offense Sunday. But they still have a few backs around to play. Besides Jerome Bettis, who practiced yesterday on an aching toe that hasn't prevented him from gaining 100 yards each of the past three games, the Steelers also have HBs Richard Huntley and Amos Zereoue at the ready. Huntley has carried the ball only five times the past five games after earlier enduring a hamstring injury, and Zereoue has yet to see a carry. He has been inactive for four games and played sparingly in three others partly due to a nagging toe sprain that continues to leave him listed as questionablefor the game Sunday in Baltimore.

"It could be better," said Zereoue, the second-year pro from West Virginia. "I'm surviving there. It's still tough. Turf toe is one of those things that doesn't get better right away. But I'm sucking it up. We'll see what happens. [Playing Sunday,] that's not my call. The only thing I can do right now is go out there, practice and learn."

That's exactly what Dan Kreider continues to do at FB. One week after he was signed off the practice squad to replace the fallen Witman, Kreider finds himself replacing Fuamatu-Ma'afala as the first-team FB. "Being my second week, I do feel more comfortable with the offense," said Kreider, a rookie from New Hampshire. "I recognize things a lot better. No doubt, these [Ravens] are some of the best linebackers in the league. A tough test right off the bat."

WR Troy Edwards was excused from practice early yesterday to rest the ailing muscles in his side, the result of getting slammed to the turf against Cleveland Sunday. Yet he is listed as probable and believes he'll be OK to play in Baltimore this weekend. "I think so. But you never know. I'm all right. They pulled me out before I hurt it." Fellow WR Bobby Shaw got through the entire practice yesterday, although he remains listed as questionable with a back injury.

Other injury news: T Shar Pourdanesh (knee, questionable), C Dermontti Dawson (hamstring, probable), T Wayne Gandy (shoulder, probable), LB Jason Gildon (heel, probable) and DE Kevin Henry (shoulder, probable) all practiced and appear healthy enough to face the Ravens.

WR Will Blackwell, placed on the physically unable to perform list after knee surgery, donned pads yesterday and worked with trainers as "part of rehab," Coach Bill Cowher said. Blackwell's practice clock starts next week, meaning he'll get three weeks to work out with the Steelers before the club must decide whether to place him on injured reserve or cut him loose.

For the record, Kordell Stewart is 5-0 against the Ravens as a starting QB and owns some interesting numbers across the board: 59 of 110 (53.6 percent) for 811 yards, six touchdowns and as many interceptions; 23 rushes for 118 yards and four touchdowns; four receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown. Of the 162 points the Steelers scored against Baltimore in those meetings, he was directly responsible for 66.

No one has seen this kind of defensive dominance since the previous time the Steelers registered consecutive shutouts -- 1976, back when future Hall of Famers such as Joe Greene, Jack Lambert and Jack Ham patrolled for Coach Chuck Noll. "That's a big statement," S Lee Flowers said, addressing any comparison to that unit a quarter century ago. "Ooooooh. It is very early to put our defense with that defense of the '70s, Joe Greene and those guys. We're headed in that direction. We're on the right track. But I dare not say we're better than those guys. It's a big start. If we get a shutout [in the next two games], then you can put us up there."

More Flowers, on Baltimore's offensive woes (49 possessions without a touchdown and switching to backup QB Trent Dilfer Sunday): "Early in the season, Tony Banks could do no wrong. He was on ESPN's 'UpClose' and everything. I wouldn't call them vulnerable right now. They have a quarterback situation. ... The Quadry Ismails, Shannon Sharpes, Jamal Lewises, they all have to step it up right now."

Final Flowers, on this tangle for AFC Central second place: "This is a playoff game for us. That's how we're going to treat it. We're going down there with that attitude."

The revolving door ushered Pepe Pearson back into the Steelers' fold this week. The running back from Ohio State was signed Aug. 1 for training camp, waived Aug. 27, signed to the practice squad Sept. 27, released again Oct. 3, and signed for the practice squad once more on Wednesday. He replaced OL T.J. Washington, who was released from the practice squad the day before.

K Kris Brown, after five field goals and an extra point, was named the AFC special teams player of the week. It marked the third time in his NFL season and a half that he was so honored.