Wednesday, September 17, 2003

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

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

Dante Brown, the Steelers' leading rusher and touchdown-maker in the preseason, moved up to the big leagues yesterday when the Steelers signed him to their 53-man roster from their practice squad. To make room for the undrafted rookie halfback, the team released LB Erik Flowers, signed two weeks ago as insurance at the position after Joey Porter was wounded by a gunshot. They signed LB James Harrison to their practice squad to replace Brown. Harrison had been released from the 53-man roster to make room for Flowers. Coach Bill Cowher made the move because third-down RB Verron Haynes is listed as questionable with a knee injury. Amos Zereoue and Jerome Bettis are the only other halfbacks on the team. Cowher said if Haynes cannot play, Zereoue might play on third downs. Cowher released RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala and had one fewer back on the roster this season than he had in the past. "We were contemplating last week doing it, and I think at this point, it looks like it is the right thing to do at this time," Cowher said. Brown rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries (4.4-yard average) in the preseason. He played at the University of Memphis and is a native of Cincinnati, where the Steelers play their third game Sunday.

Cowher will be facing yet another one of his former assistants who went on to become a head coach in the NFL. Cincinnati's Marvin Lewis is the fifth assistant under Cowher to become a head coach. He also is the first one who also played against Cowher in high school. Lewis played quarterback at Fort Cherry High School when Cowher played linebacker at Carlynton. Both once joined others from their high schools at former IUP coach Bill Neill's summer football camp in Indiana, Pa. "Carlynton and Fort Cherry is a pretty good rivalry," Cowher said. "I remember we had about six guys go up to the IUP football camp, and they had about six guys up there. There was some trash talk done at that camp about the game we were going to play next year. They won, 6-0, on a kickoff return for a touchdown. How ironic is that?"

Cowher is still smarting from the Steelers allowing a 100-yard touchdown return on a kickoff Sunday in Kansas City. He was asked if he were on the kickoff-coverage team for that Carlynton-Fort Cherry game. "No, I was not. Even if I was, you would have to go back into the films to find that one out. I wouldn't tell you."

Cowher has a 5-4 record against three former assistants, all five victories coming at the expense of former Cincinnati coach Dick LeBeau. He's 0-1 against the Saints' Jim Haslett, 0-2 against Dom Capers of Carolina and Houston, and never coached against Chan Gailey during his time as Dallas coach. Lewis joined Cowher's first staff in 1992 as linebackers coach and left in 1996 to become defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens. He will be seeking his first victory as an NFL coach Sunday.

The Steelers rank 11th on offense inside opponents' 20, where they've scored just two touchdowns on six possessions. They are tied for last on defense when opponents crack their 20, allowing five touchdowns on five possessions. "We need to be more effective playing red-zone defense," Cowher said. "You have to hold them to field goals. If we do that a couple times, I think it would be a better indication of how we played as opposed to them getting down every time and scoring [touchdowns]."

Cincinnati RB Corey Dillon has only 118 yards on 32 carries, a 3.6-yard average after two games. He left the game Sunday in Oakland with a hyperextended knee. Lewis has said his status will be determined day to day, but Dillon told Cincinnati reporters he will play.

C Jeff Hartings, who has an injured left ankle to go with his chronically sore knee, will be listed as questionable for the Cincinnati game along with Porter and Haynes. Three other Steelers are probable: LB Clark Haggans (knee), S Chris Hope (groin) and S Mike Logan (thigh bruise).

Cowher said he might make a few personnel changes on his special teams after they allowed a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 45-yard punt return to the 7 that set up another touchdown.

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