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Tuesday, September 03, 2002

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Coach Bill Cowher isn't saying yet, but it appears James Farrior will start at inside linebacker alongside Kendrell Bell when the Steelers open the season at New England Monday night.

Farrior's head-to-head competition with John Fiala ends this week when Cowher makes his announcement which one will start against the Patriots. But it's felt throughout the organization that while Fiala knows the defense better, Farrior will play it better. Farrior is quicker and faster and was signed from the New York Jets as an unrestricted free agent.

Yesterday, the two split time in practice with the first-team defense as they have all summer.

"They said they'd make their decision this week," said Farrior. "I want to start, I want to be out there. I'm sure if you ask John the same question, he'll say the same thing. We both want to be out there starting, but that's up to the coaches."

Said Fiala, "We've been in competition for several weeks now, we've both been working hard. We both want that position. We don't know right now, we're just going to keep working hard. Whoever gets it, we'll make the most of that opportunity."

Farrior and Fiala received virtually the same amount of time at the position this summer. They each started once in the first two games, and with Bell out, they both started at inside linebacker the past two games.

Farrior has more experience and is paid better. The Steelers gave him a $1.7 million signing bonus as part of a three-year, $5.4 million contract.

Fiala signed with the Steelers two weeks before he would have become an unrestricted free agent, getting a $575,000 signing bonus as part of a three-year, $1.9 million contract.

Both would earn additional incentives based on playing time.

Farrior is 6 feet 2, 247 pounds. He was the Jets' first-round draft choice in 1997 from Virginia. He became a starter as a rookie but did not become a regular again until last season, the best of his five in the pro when he led the Jets with 181 tackles.

Fiala, who is 6-3 and 238, has been a backup inside linebacker and special teams captain during his four years with the Steelers. He said while he wants to start, it probably does not make a difference to the defense as a whole.

"We've both been out there, making calls and getting things done, and I think we both did well. It won't matter to the defense."

Ward ready to return

Hines Ward concurred with his coach that he will return to the lineup against New England Monday night, barring any setbacks.

"I'm going to be smart about it, but at the same time, I'm going to be out there," said Ward, who caught passes in practice for the first time since his appendectomy. "I need to get my timing down, especially going into the season, I want to make sure I'm full-tilt.

"I feel good. It's a coach's decision. It's basically on Coach Cowher."

Ward has lost no weight since the surgery, staying at 200 pounds. Yesterday, he did not participate in the full-team drills, but Cowher has said he will tomorrow.

Cowher said Sunday that he thought Ward would play against New England, along with three other injured players -- linebackers Bell and Clark Haggans and rookie guard Kendall Simmons. All three practiced yesterday.

Simmons has a hamstring injury and has conceded the starting right guard position to Oliver Ross.

"Yes, that's how it is man," said Simmons, the Steelers' top draft pick. "I set a goal at the beginning of training camp, just show them what I can do. If it's his job, at least I want to get in there and get some kind of playing time this year. I'm not worried about starting, whatever happens happens."