Tuesday, August 19, 2003

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Bill Cowher yesterday sounded more encouraged by what happened Saturday night than he did Saturday night. The perspective from videotape showed the Steelers' 21-16 loss to Philadelphia had positive moments.

"I looked at the tape and there's a lot of very encouraging things that were done in that game. The most important thing now is we don't take any steps backwards or sideways. We just have to move forward."

The Steelers have two practices today, one light practice Wednesday morning and then they break camp at St. Vincent College. They play the Dallas Cowboys Thursday night at Heinz Field.

"The Cowboys ran the ball pretty well last week," Cowher said. "Maybe we'll get our first taste of someone trying to run the ball. I know when Baltimore comes in here [for the regular-season opener], it will be Jamal Lewis left, Jamal Lewis right, and we have to prepare for that."

Cowher was pleased with the play of his offensive and defensive lines Saturday.

"I like where we are right now. Particularly, I thought both lines played very well the other night. That was very encouraging to see. We played with a lot of energy and I like how we played."

Kendall Simmons took snaps with the first-team offense yesterday and he likely will start at right guard Thursday. He returned to practice a week ago after being diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes days before camp opened.

"We're going to keep increasing the load," Cowher said.

Bad call

The Steelers came away from reviewing the video of the game believing it wasn't instant replay but instant rip-off that contributed to their loss to Philadelphia.

Antwaan Randle El caught a 14-yard fade pass from Tommy Maddox in the corner of the end zone early in the second quarter. Officials ruled it a touchdown. Eagles Coach Andy Reid appealed for replay ruling.

Referee Walter Anderson reviewed tapes and overturned the touchdown. He said Randle El had both feet in bounds but was bobbling the ball. Replays never clearly showed Ward bobbling the ball.

The rule clearly states that the referee must see irrefutable evidence on the tape to overturn a call made on the field.

"No bobble at all," Randle El said. "I didn't feel I bobbled it or anything. The film didn't show I bobbled it. We watched it over and over again."

Said fullback Dan Kreider, "That touchdown in the end zone now was definitely a touchdown. We saw it on film, and I saw it at home. They'd have to explain something to me. I think it was a bad call."

Gildon out

Linebacker Jason Gildon did not practice yesterday, likely will not practice today, and could miss Thursday night's game.

An MRI Sunday showed no damage in Gildon's left knee, which became stiff and had some fluid on it Saturday night. The problem developed, he said, when the team switched its practice from the mushy St. Vincent fields to the FieldTurf at Penn-Trafford High School last Wednesday.

"Jason will probably be one of those game-day decisions," Cowher said. "He had a little bit of fluid and it's already subsiding. I'm probably leaning toward sitting him out this game."

Passing fancy

Once again, the best passer on the team is Randle El.

He ended last season that way and, after two preseason games, he's back on top.

Of course, he has thrown only one pass this year and that came Saturday night. But he looked good doing it.

"Thank you," Randle El said.

He rolled right and crisply snapped off a 12-yard pass to Hines Ward for a first down at the Eagles' 26. As a rookie last season, Randle El completed seven of his eight attempts.

With rookie quarterback Brian St. Pierre at No. 3, could Randle El take over the job if injuries shelve Tommy Maddox and Charlie Batch?

"Oh, I think they'd put Brian in," Randle El said.

That's not the kind of stance he took last season.

Randle El, a former starting quarterback at Indiana, said he wanted to play quarterback at some point in the NFL.

When asked if he could play the position, he laughed.

"Yes, I can do it."

He stands at 5 feet 9, the only reason scouts did not project Randle El as a quarterback in the NFL. He scoffs at that, believing he could play the position in this league. And he does not believe he would have to roll out to throw on the run the way he did Saturday.

"No, I don't like rolling out too much."

Why?

"That's what everyone expects."

Injury report

Cowher ruled out running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (hamstring) and tight end Jerame Tuman (groin) for the game Thursday. Fuamatu-Ma'afala also may not play in the final exhibition game Aug. 29 at Carolina.

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