Wednesday, September 17, 2003

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Maybe the running game isn't the only thing the offense should worry about when the Steelers take their 1-1 record to Cincinnati Sunday.

	Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox will face Cincinnati's tough pass defense Sunday. (Peter Diana, Post-Gazette)

The winless Bengals have found some bite, and it comes in the form of a pass defense, which is as surprising as the Steelers' inability to run. Cincinnati has gone from worst to first in the NFL, at least when it comes to defending against the pass.

Last season, opposing quarterbacks had their highest cumulative passer rating against the Bengals at 99.9, and Cincinnati allowed more touchdown passes than anyone (30). Denver's Jake Plummer and Oakland's Rich Gannon were unable to throw a touchdown pass against the Bengals in the first two games this season, and they combined for a passer rating of 34.9, the lowest permitted by any NFL defense.

Now, Tommy Maddox will take his turn against the Bengals after a shaky game in Kansas City. Maddox threw for 336 yards, but he also tossed three interceptions. One of those interceptions was returned for a touchdown and another might have cost the Steelers a score. He came under a heavy rush, was sacked four times and bounced around on many other occasions.

"The other day I am sure Tommy Maddox tried to force a couple of passes down the field," Coach Bill Cowher said, "and some of it might have been more situational, with him feeling like we needed to get more big plays as opposed to taking what they give you."

	More Steelers Coverage: Who: Steelers (1-1) at Bengals (0-2) When: 1 p.m. Sunday Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati TV, Radio: CBS, WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970) and the Steelers radio network. Notable: The Steelers have lost to the Bengals just once the past three seasons and that was in overtime. Porter may face Bengals Sunday Steelers Report: 9/17/03 ... a word from our columnist Mark Madden: Bruener could help get offense out of a tight spot

Cowher singled out five big plays in Kansas City that had a profound effect on the outcome of the game and said only one, Chad Scott's interception return for a touchdown, benefited the Steelers. Among the other five, Maddox was involved in two. He threw a high pass that glanced off Antwaan Randle El's outstretched hands, was intercepted by safety Jerome Woods and returned 46 yards for a touchdown. Maddox also threw an interception in the end zone from the 5-yard line.

He led the NFL with a 134.3 passer rating in the opener, but it is down to 89.6 after two games. Of more concern is his third-down passing rating, which is 44.4, third from the bottom in the AFC.

"I am comfortable with his decision-making and our utilization of people," Cowher said. "All we are trying to do is take what teams give us, and this is how it has unfolded in two weeks. After two games, you have to be careful not to make too many generalizations about our philosophy."

Kansas City's defense came after Maddox often and had some success. Maddox does not move well out of the pocket, but he has other advantages to beat the blitz.

"It is his decision-making, without a doubt," Cowher said. "He has a quick release. He stays in there and he threw a couple of passes in the face of pressure the other day. I think he sees things that are coming, and he knows where to go with the ball and he can get rid of it pretty quick."

Nevertheless, some defensive coaches around the league believe the best way to thwart the Steelers' passing game is to turn up the heat on Maddox, and the Steelers play a team Sunday with one of the NFL's best defensive coaches as its new head coach, Marvin Lewis. Until the Steelers beat the pressure, Cowher believes they will see more of it, even though the Bengals have just one sack in two games.

"That is something that we have to be prepared for, to see the blitz and see a lot more pressure," Cowher said. "Until you stop something like that, if people feel like it is effective against you ...

"We were close to hitting a big one on a slant to Plaxico Burress, and he almost broke the tackle. Those are the types of things you have to be able to do sometimes so that a team that is watching says we have to be careful. At the same time, if you are not, and they feel like it is affecting you and your timing, rhythm and efficiency, then you are going to keep getting it until you show an ability to beat it.

"We anticipate pressure, and again that will be something that will fall into the approach Cincinnati has taken into their first two games."

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