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Saturday, January 12, 2002

Compiled by Gerry Dulac

The Steelers will play their first playoff game at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Heinz Field against the lowest-remaining seed in the AFC. If the Jets defeat the Raiders today, the Steelers will play the Jets. Otherwise, the Steelers will play the winner of the Ravens-Dolphins game tomorrow.

Coach Bill Cowher said he told WR Plaxico Burress he needs to use better judgment after Burress was issued an arrest warrant in Cleveland. Burress failed to appear for an arraignment after he was cited for violating the city's open container law. Burress was issued a citation Dec. 24 in the Flats -- an entertainment area near downtown Cleveland -- when he was carrying open bottle of beer while riding as a passenger in a car.

"I talked to him," Cowher said. "You have to use good judgment, but, really, it's a nonissue. He certainly has to make sure he makes good decisions and uses good judgment."

Burress said he thought he settled the matter because he paid the fine by mail. But the citation, which is similar to a traffic ticket, required Burress or a representative to appear in court. When he failed to appear Monday, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

"We're in a profession where you're very highly scrutinized and you have to accept that responsibility," Cowher said.

The Steelers spent yesterday's practice working on the Miami Dolphins, the last of three potential teams they could face in the first round of the playoffs. Cowher waited until the final day of the week to work against the Dolphins because, unlike the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers did not play Miami in the regular season. "We had them last because we wanted them freshest in our minds," Cowher said. "That was one team we hadn't played."

RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (groin) did not practice all week, but Cowher said he will do some running this week and "should be ready to go next weekend." Fuamatu-Ma'afala was injured in the third quarter in Sunday's victory against the Cleveland Browns. He did not return to the game, but he said he could have played again, if necessary.

Cowher confirmed that QB coach Tom Clements turned down an opportunity to be head coach of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. Clements is becoming a hot commodity because of the development of QB Kordell Stewart. He was being pushed for the head coaching position at Notre Dame by former Irish coach Ara Parseghian and QB Joe Montana and, according to the Dallas Morning News, could be the new offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, who want someone to work with mobile QB Quincy Carter.