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Wednesday, November 29, 2000

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Steelers vs. Oakland Raiders, 1 p.m. Sunday, Three Rivers Stadium. TV, radio: KDKA, WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970).

With just 31 receptions for 505 yards, Hines Ward can't be found among the statistical leaders in the NFL, where it takes more than 50 catches just to crack the top 38. He does lead the Steelers in receiving, and his coach believes Ward leads all NFL wide receivers in another category -- blocking. "You can talk to other players around the league," Coach Bill Cowher said. "He may be one of the best blocking receivers in the game today. I am watching other offenses and I don't think I have seen a player block so efficiently. He is not just efficient, but he hits you like he wants to get you out of the game. He does it fairly, and he does it with a passion. He is like a fullback and a receiver. When he is asked to block, he is going to block you."

Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala will miss his sixth consecutive game with a broken foot but will run this week for the first time since he was injured. C Dermontti Dawson, who has missed the past three games with a hamstring injury, will be listed as questionable. He will not hit in practice today. DE Kevin Henry (groin) and CB Jason Simmons (hamstring), both of whom missed the game Sunday, will be questionable, as will WR Courtney Hawkins (knee). Hawkins was listed as questionable last week with the same injury, but he started and played most of the game. Four players are listed as probable: Jerome Bettis (calf), Wayne Gandy (shoulder), Hines Ward (ankle) and Kordell Stewart (calf).

Cowher chose not to be expansive when asked a question about Troy Edwards' 27-yard reception in Cincinnati on Sunday. He caught a short pass, ran into a gaggle of Bengals on the left, reversed field and ran down the right side for a big gain. Asked if Edwards made a step in the right direction with his catch, Cowher answered curtly, "That was a good play." Edwards and rookie Plaxico Burress, the Steelers' first-round draft picks the past two years, each have been buried after opening the season as starters. Edwards no longer rotates with Hines Ward at flanker, and Burress doesn't even play when they use four wide receivers. He played briefly Sunday, first entering the game late in the third quarter. "Everybody wants to play more, and I am very respectful of that," Cowher said. "You have to be patient and seize the opportunity that you get. That is the only answer there is."

After not having a losing season in their first 29 years at Three Rivers Stadium, the Steelers went 2-6 at home last season. They are 2-4 here this season and can at least avoid closing the place out a loser again by winning their final two games -- Sunday against Oakland and Dec. 16 against Washington. "We are playing the Raiders, which is a rivalry that goes back," Cowher said. "One of the great games is the Immaculate Reception. It is going to be cold. I just hope the fans come out."