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Wednesday, December 06, 2000

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

LOOKING AHEAD

Steelers vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m. Sunday, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. TV, radio: KDKA; WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970).

NOTEBOOK

C Dermontti Dawson will miss his fifth consecutive game because of a hamstring injury, and RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala will miss his seventh consecutive game with a broken foot. Dawson, listed as questionable last week, is out this week. He tried to practice last Wednesday but could not. Fuamatu-Ma'fala was supposed to start running last week but was not ready. WR Courtney Hawkins will be listed as questionable with a knee injury, but he has started and played the past two games after being listed as questionable. Backup LB Mike Vrabel also is questionable with a knee injury. Those listed as probable are Jerome Bettis (buttocks), Mark Bruener (Achilles), Kordell Stewart (calf), Wayne Gandy (shoulder), Deshea Townsend (abdomen), Kimo von Oelhoffen (knee) and Hines Ward (ankle).

Coach Bill Cowher said he has not heard any repercussions from the incident in which Oakland DL Regan Upshaw spit on Steelers P Josh Miller Sunday, but "I do know that it is being addressed in the league office."

QB Kordell Stewart is one of five nominees for the NFL's weekly All-Heart Award. People can vote on NFL.com.

In order to make the playoffs, the Steelers must win their final three games to go 10-6 and get some help in the most likely form of the New York Jets losing two of three. "We are in a situation that our backs are totally against the wall," Cowher said.

Cowher called Norv Turner after the Redskins' coach was fired on Monday. "I gave him my best," Cowher said. "I have a lot of respect for the man. We all know what this business is about."

Cowher was asked at his news conference yesterday about Giants Coach Jim Fassel's statement two weeks ago guaranteeing that his team would make the playoffs. Said Cowher, "Sometimes we sit in these rooms and you guys think we are crazy, anyway. I think that Jim feels very strongly about his team and they have responded to him. The most important thing isn't so much what you say, it is how you play."

Rookie FB Dan Kreider had his first two carries for 24 yards on Sunday. He opened the Steelers' first series with a surprise run up the middle for 22 yards. Will he get the ball more often now? "We don't want to screw up his average," Cowher said in jest. "He has done a remarkable job, he really has. I can't say enough about the kid. He has far exceeded what I thought he would do."