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Thursday, July 25, 2002

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Marvel Smith denied he smoked marijuana when he was arrested two weeks ago in his hotel room in Tempe, Ariz.

	Offensive tackle Marvel Smith talks about his recent arrest for possession of marijuana. (V.W.H. Campbell Jr, Post-Gazette)

"I had nothing to do with what was going on," the Steelers' starting right tackle said. "I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, for the most part."

Smith was charged with possession when police, alerted by the smell of burning marijuana, knocked on his hotel room door and found a small amount of the illegal drug. But Smith denied using it, firmly stating "no" when asked by a reporter yesterday.

While his wife also was present in the hotel room, Smith yesterday alluded to others who apparently had left by the time police arrived.

"It's all my responsibility," Smith said. "I made the decision of who I had around me and where I was at. It was all my decision."

Smith, speaking publicly for the first time since his arrest, said some of the reports of the incident were untrue or "blown out of proportion." He declined to say what those were.

Although he tested positive for marijuana use while a football player at Arizona State, this apparently is Smith's first violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Coach Bill Cowher said he does not think Smith will be suspended. Second-time offenders are suspended for four games.

"I just want to apologize to the Steelers and the fans of Pittsburgh," Smith said. "I know I made a poor decision in regards to who I was with and where I was at the time. I accept the full responsibility and all consequences that are going to come to me in regards to the situation. I'm just looking forward to putting it behind me and getting on with season."

Medical updates

Quarterback Charlie Batch, tight end Mark Bruener and halfback Amos Zereoue pronounced themselves in good shape and hope to be in uniform when the Steelers practice for the first time tomorrow at St. Vincent College.

Zereoue, who has gained back all the weight he lost while fighting a benign cyst on his liver this spring, reported at 209 and has been cleared to run today when Cowher puts the team through a grueling test of 14 consecutive 40-yard dashes.

Batch and Bruener had minor injuries/surgery in the past two weeks. Batch had loose cartilage removed from his left knee, and Bruener's right foot was sprained while running.

"I'll be ready to go by Friday," Batch declared.

Said Bruener: "I look to go to work Friday morning. You're not going to see me missing any time."

Both must be cleared by doctors before they can practice.

First things first

While the Steelers strive to become first, they pulled off a first yesterday when they hired Ariko Iso as one of their assistant trainers.

Ariko is the first full-time female athletic trainer in the NFL.

She spent the past five seasons as head football trainer at Portland State and was an intern in training camp with the Steelers the past two years.

"Ariko has proven herself while working with us during the past two training camps," trainer John Norwig said. "She is an extraordinary athletic trainer and an outstanding person."

Quick snaps

The Steelers have 84 of their 85 roster players in camp, with only rookie offensive lineman Kendall Simmons not on hand. ... Two linebackers have changed numbers. James Farrior will wear 51 instead of 50; rookie Larry Foote will wear 50 not 47.