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Friday, October 11, 2002

By Gerry Dulac, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

LOOKING AHEAD

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.

NOTEBOOK

The Steelers will not know until tomorrow whether ILB Kendrell Bell (high ankle sprain) will play against the Bengals. Bell practiced for the second day in a row and remains questionable on the team's official injury report. If he can't play, rookie Larry Foote will start at the "mack" linebacker position, even though Foote was replaced by veteran John Fiala against New Orleans. Foote had a tough game against the Saints, getting run over by Deuce McAllister on one play and leaving his gap on McAllister's 52-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. "I just messed up," Foote said. "I got caught up in the game. All week, all year, they say I got to stay backside, but, at that split moment, I got a little over anxious. I didn't pay attention to detail, and the guy cut it back for 52 yards." Then he added, "That's not going to happen anymore." Foote is small for an inside linebacker -- 6 feet 1, 230 pounds -- and he's not very fast. He will need to add at least 10 pounds in the off-season. Coach Bill Cowher said he likes Foote and will not replace him with Fiala, who is better against the run. "They're very supportive, the coaches and my teammates," Foote said. "I'm a rookie, but when you're starting, that rookie title is not there anymore. I just got to step up. I don't know how long Kendrell Bell is going to be out, but I definitely don't want to hurt the team. Coach Cowher has the trust and belief in me, and I don't want to let him down."

WR Plaxico Burress said the National Football League rescinded his $5,000 fine for having an untucked jersey in the season opener in New England. Burress appealed the fine, claiming his jersey is doubled over and does not come down below his waist. He said the league upheld the appeal because he was a first-time offender. "I got my money back," he said.

Bengals RB Corey Dillon rushed for 164 yards with a 67-yard touchdown in last week's loss to Indianapolis and ranks fourth in the AFC with 407 yards rushing. But Dillon also leads the team with 20 catches -- more than half the career-best 34 he had last season. "They've changed [their offense] up a little, but they've also kept Dillon in the package, even though they've spread it out," safety Brent Alexander said. "They still find a way to get Dillon involved." Last week, the Steelers compared McAllister to Dillon because he has the same combination of power and speed. In nine career games against the Steelers, Dillon has gained 731 yards on 164 carries (a 4.4 average) with two 100-yard games. "He's more of a proven back," said DE Aaron Smith, who had a season-high eight tackles against the Saints. "You just got to keep him contained, you got to stay in your gap and not give him any holes to run. That's easier said than done. He has speed power, vision. He just sees holes that aren't there and he hits them hard."

LT Wayne Gandy (ankle) and S Mike Logan (hamstring) returned to practice and expect to play against the Bengals. Logan, who is listed as questionable, has been bothered by his hamstring since he was injured Sept 29 against the Cleveland Browns. Gandy, who is listed as probable, injured his ankle against the Saints but returned to the game.

Former Steelers draft choice Danny Farmer, who has been inactive the first four games with a knee injury, is listed as probable and is expected to play for the Bengals. Farmer caught the tying touchdown that forced overtime in last year's Bengals victory in Cincinnati. Farmer was a No. 4 pick in 2000 who was cut before the end of training camp.