Thursday, September 11, 2003

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Steelers vs. Chiefs, 1 p.m. Sunday, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo. TV: KDKA. Radio: WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970) and the Steelers Radio Network.

TE Mark Bruener was as surprised as anyone when he was made inactive for the opener Sunday against Baltimore in Heinz Field.

"I was very disappointed, I'll be honest," Bruener said. "I was extremely disapointed I didn't have an opportunity to play."

It was the first time in his nine-year career with the Steelers that Bruener was a healthy scratch. He went from their starting tight end the past eight seasons to not dressing for the opener while coach Bill Cowher dressed three other tight ends -- Jay Riemersma, Jerame Tuman and Matt Cushing. Cowher said he did so because he needed Tuman and Cushing for special teams. That's the same thing he told Bruener.

"I told him he was the head coach and I have to respect his decision," Bruener said. "I don't have to like it, but I have to respect it."

Incidentally, the first time the Steelers lined up for a field-goal attempt, they had to call a time out because they only had 10 men on the field. Riemersma either forgot or was not told that he was to replace Bruener on the place-kicking team. Cushing played only twice on special teams.

What is even more surprising is that Bruener took a pay cut at the Steelers' request, going from $2.03 million in salary to $800,000. Now that he was on the roster for the first game, they must pay him his entire salary this season no matter what happens because he's a vested veteran. Why would they want him back, pay him $800,000 a year and not dress him for games?

Bruener has no answers to any of these questions, nor where he fits on the depth chart. Is he the No. 2 tight end, No. 3 or No. 4?

"I'll just see how it goes," said Bruener, the team's player representative to the NFLPA. "I'm going to prepare like I'm going to play until they tell me I can't. That's the only fair way for me to be for my teammates."

It was bad enough Sunday when the Steelers had trouble running against Baltimore. Now they're losing yards at midweek. Yesterday, the Steelers' rushing total dropped from 98 yards and a 3.0-yard average per carry to 88 yards and a 2.6-yard average. The Elias Sports Bureau, which keeps the official statistics for the NFL, consulted with the Steelers and changed a Antwaan Randle El sack to a running play, which lost 10 yards. That changed Randle El's rushing total from two carries for 1 yard to three carries for minus-9. It also eliminated one of three sacks against Steelers quarterbacks and added 10 yards to their net passing of 251.

QB Tommy Maddox was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week after he completed 21 of 29 passes for 260 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and led the league with a 134.3 passer rating. "Everybody on our offensive side had a good game and it's a nice award for everybody," Maddox said.

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