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Wednesday, October 09, 2002

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Steelers vs. Bengals, 1 p.m. Sunday, Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati. TV: KDKA. Radio: WBGG-AM (970), WDVE-FM (102.5) and the Steelers Radio Network.

RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala will miss his second consecutive game with torn rib cartilage. The rest of the Steelers injury report: out -- LS Mike Schneck (elbow); questionable -- LB Kendrell Bell (ankle), S Mike Logan (hamstring); probable -- OT Wayne Gandy (ankle), S Lee Flowers (ankle), TE John Allred (concussion), RB Amos Zereoue (knee).

The Steelers have had only two leads all season. They led Oakland, 7-3, in the first quarter Sept. 15. That lasted three minutes and 54 seconds before Oakland scored on Charlie Garner's 36-yard run to take a 10-7 lead they never relinquished. The only other lead the Steelers have held in their first four games came when Todd Peterson kicked a 31-yard field goal in overtime to beat Cleveland, 16-13.

Playing from behind so often can wear on a team.

"You have to make sure that you fight the two things that can happen," Coach Bill Cowher said. "That is the discipline part, and not trying to make a play when you are behind. There is a discipline that says stay within the system and the opportunities will come. The other thing is the mind-set. The mind-set, I think right now, is to make sure we do not deviate from our approach to the game and how we prepare. ... You have to be careful that you don't fall into that trap that when it does not unfold immediately, and you look up and see that you are behind, the score is not a factor until you are in the fourth quarter of the game where the clock becomes a factor. So, you cannot get caught up in looking and worrying about the scoreboard."

While Cowher was talking about not changing his approach while falling behind in a game, he said, "You will never see me go for a two-point play in the first half. Too many things can happen in a game. There is so much football left to be played." Saints Coach Jim Haslett did just that in the first half Sunday against the Steelers. He sent in a two-point play after Deuce McAllister scored to give New Orleans a 19-7 lead in the second quarter. The pass failed.

Players doused Haslett with ice packed in an orange Gatorade bucket after the Saints won Sunday. That type of celebration usually is saved for championship games or milestone victories. It's not usually seen when a team wins its fourth game of the season. Asked if he had Gatorade dumped on him for an early-season victory, Cowher answered, "Not that I remember." Was he surprised it happened to Haslett, his former defensive coordinator? "To be honest with you, I do not concern myself with the other sideline at all."

It comes as no surprise that Cowher believes the Bengals settled on the right starting quarterback, Jon Kitna, after they started Gus Frerotte and Akili Smith in games this season. Kitna scorched the Steelers for 411 yards by completing 35 of 68 passes Dec. 30 to beat them in overtime, 26-23. "I think they have picked the best one. I think Jon Kitna has been a guy -- maybe we brought out the best in him last year -- [who has had] success in this league. He had it in Seattle and he runs that offense very well. I think you could see it last week when they came back. ... He did a good job last week in Indianapolis and is throwing the ball well. I was impressed with him."

Cleveland kicker Phil Dawson called the grass at Heinz Field the worst surface in the NFL after the Steelers beat the Browns Sept. 29. But the grass at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati still carries the reputation throughout the league as the worst. "There is nothing you can do about it," Cowher said. "Both teams are playing on it. I know that there have been some concerns by some of the teams that have played there. I know it wasn't in the best shape last year when we played there. I know it was last December. I look at that and say both teams are playing on it so deal with it."