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Sunday, January 12, 2003

By Lori Shontz, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- When the Steelers' AFC divisional playoff game went into overtime yesterday and the Titans won the toss, Tennessee kicker Joe Nedney sought out quarterback Steve McNair on the sideline. "Just get me down there," Nedney said, sure he was capable of a winning field goal even though he had missed a 48-yarder at the end of regulation.

	Joe Nedney makes the most of his second chance. (Matt Freed, Post-Gazette)

And he was able to deliver to the Titans a 34-31 victory ... eventually.

His first attempt, which he made from 31 yards, was called back because the Steelers had called a timeout. "About one one-hundredth of a second before I kicked it," Nedney said.

His second attempt failed. But Nedney got to kick it again -- from 5 yards closer -- when Steelers cornerback Dewayne Washington, who was rushing, was called for running into the kicker.

"He got a pretty good hit on me," Nedney said, grinning. "But I think when I'm done playing ball, I might try acting."

His third try turned out to be the charm, and although the crowd at The Coliseum went wild, there was no one happier to see the kick split the uprights than Nedney.

"We don't get opportunities for redemption very often," he said. "By 'we,' I mean kickers. I got one, and I don't expect another one. And I apologize for adding gray hairs to everyone's head around here."

The victory puts the Titans in the AFC championship game against the New York Jets or the Oakland Raiders, depending on the result of the other divisional championship game today. That's someplace they never thought they would be after losing four consecutive games early in the season and going into the second week of October with a 1-5 record.

But they won 10 of their past 11 regular-season games, and they were the only NFL team to go undefeated in December.

"I've been fond of a lot of players in my career and fond of a lot of teams, but right now I can't put into words how I feel about these players, what they have overcome and where they are right now," Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said. "You talk about character and perseverance and all the things associated with this, that is what this thing is all about."

Nedney's last-minute display of perseverance was preceded by plenty of others.

The Tennessee medical staff told Fisher that quarterback Steve McNair, whose thumb was injured when it bounced off a helmet in the fourth quarter, wouldn't be able to return because he couldn't grip the ball. McNair sat out all of two plays, then returned.

He put the Titans in position to win the game in regulation with a field goal, and he completed two passes on that winning, overtime drive, even though he couldn't throw with as much velocity as usual.

"I'm so used to it, I feel like sometimes I do better when I'm injured," McNair said. "Sometimes I look forward to it."

The wide receiver who made both of those catches, Justin McCareins, hadn't caught a pass the entire game.

But none of the Titans felt quite as relieved as their place-kicker did.

"I hit the worst kick of my life, and I got a chance to redeem myself," Nedney said. "I went from feeling 'this big' to being King of the World for a week. ...

"I'm going to cherish it that much more, because I almost let it slip from my hands."