Friday, September 19, 2003

By Shelly Anderson, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

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

The Bengals won just two games last year and went 0-7 before getting the first one, 38-3, at expansion Houston. Cincinnati now has a new coach, Marvin Lewis, and has made many changes. "I can't go through the whole list of them," said receiver Chad Johnson, who is third in the AFC in receiving yards with 226, behind the Steelers' Hines Ward (237) and Plaxico Burress (231). "But everything is what it's supposed to be like on an NFL team. We were missing some things that we needed, starting with the strength and conditioning program all the way up to other decisions, bringing in other players, things like that. But the change is showing and it is all coming around." Except winning. Cincinnati is 0-2. "We have to get the 'W,' " Johnson said.

One of the many areas in which the Bengals have struggled is at quarterback. After a stream of starters, Jon Kitna seems to have settled in. He ranks second in the AFC in passing yards with 567 and completions with 45, behind the Steelers' Tommy Maddox (596 and 49). "Kitna is doing a real good job," Johnson said. "He's in a comfort zone. He came in throughout training camp not having to look over his shoulder. So it puts him in a comfort zone and he can just go out there and do what he needs to do to get the job done. It is showing. We are throwing and catching the ball real well."

Although Steelers coach Bill Cowher said he might make a few personnel changes on special teams after Kansas City got a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 45-yard punt return to the 7 to set up another touchdown last week, he remains firm on using starters. "We use starters on special teams," he said. "Our punt team has James Farrior and Clark Haggans on it. Brett Alexander has been on the kickoff team. We use them sporadically throughout. We don't want to use them on all four phases, but we have no problem using them."

Steelers DE Kimo von Oelhoffen played his first six NFL seasons with Cincinnati. One of his teammates his last three seasons there was RB Corey Dillon, who has rushed for 1,000 yards each season in the pros. Dillon is listed as probable because of a hyperextended knee, but the Steelers expect him to play. "Corey is one of the best out there," von Oelhoffen said. "He's one of the top three. He's strong. He's tough. He won't ever give up. You can keep tagging him and tagging him and tagging him." Dillon hasn't been all that terribly tough in losses to Denver and Oakland, rushing for a combined 128 yards and one touchdown.

Cowher is 16-6 against the Bengals. That's more victories than he has against any other team.

Ward's No. 86 jersey is the 25th best seller at NFL Shop. It's the first time Ward's jersey hit the top 25 and it's the best-selling Steelers jersey.

This will be the first time the Bengals will have consecutive sellouts at home since 1992. They sold out Paul Brown Stadium for their opener against Denver.

LB Joey Porter was the only player on the Steelers injury list whose status changed. He was upgraded to probable and will start. C Jeff Hartings (ankle) and RB Verron Haynes (knee) remain questionable. LB Haggans (knee) and S Chris Hope (groin) and S Mike Logan (quadriceps) remain probable. All but Hartings and Haynes practiced. Hartings will practice today and be evaluated, Cowher said.

There were three changes on the Bengals' injury report. CB Tory James (virus) has been added to the list as probable. RB Rudi Johnson (thigh) and G Victor Leyva (chest) were upgraded from questionable to probable. WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hamstring) and MLB Riall Johnson (calf) remain out. TE Matt Schobel (hamstring) remains questionable. Dillon remains probable.

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