Tuesday, September 23, 2003

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Titans vs. Steelers, 1 p.m. Sunday, Heinz Field. TV: KDKA. Radio: WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970) and Steelers Radio Network.

Last season ended on a bitter and controversial note for the Steelers when they lost in the playoffs at Tennessee, 34-31, in overtime. The Titans' Joe Nedney got a second chance to kick the winning field goal after Dewayne Washington was flagged for running into the kicker after Nedney missed his first try from 31 yards. The Steelers accused Nedney of overacting. That loss prevented the Steelers from advancing to their second consecutive AFC championship game. Sunday, the Steelers have an opportunity for some payback when they play the Titans (2-1) at Heinz Field, although Nedney is out with a knee injury. Washington said the game was important, but not for that reason. "They're the next team on our schedule. Obviously, we're excited about it. They're a great team and they beat us last year."

The Titans beat the Steelers twice last season. Both games were in Tennessee. The first game was memorable because QB Tommy Maddox was temporarily paralyzed after a hit on the field and missed the next two games. Tennessee has caused the Steelers problems through the years. The Titans won nine of the past 11 meetings. "They're a good football team," Washington said. "In my eyes, they have one of the best quarterbacks in the league, if not the best. Steve McNair doesn't get rattled no matter what you do. We blitz the guy all day and he's going to stay in there. They really have a good defense, also."

The Steelers have a pretty good defense of their own. They are No. 1 in the AFC on defense -- No. 1 against the pass and tied at No. 8 against the run. That's a far cry from No. 20 as a pass defense in the NFL last season. "It's a whole team effort," Washington said. "We're really honing in on this whole team concept thing. It's not just offense, not just defense or special teams." The Steelers' offense ranks No. 2 in the AFC.

The game will bring former Steelers kicker Gary Anderson, 44, to Heinz Field for the second time. Anderson, the NFL's career scoring leader, was not on a roster until the Titans signed him two weeks ago after Nedney's knee was sprained. Anderson kicked a 25-yard field goal and an extra point in the Minnesota Vikings' 21-16 loss to the Steelers Dec. 2, 2001.

It's always more pleasant on Mondays following a victory for any football player, particularly those who play for the Steelers. Coach Bill Cowher does not take losing well, and he take it out on those around him, including the players. "Oh, yeah. I'm sure you guys know that," Washington told a handful of writers. "Coach doesn't like to lose. Nobody in this business likes to lose." And nobody likes to be in a team meeting with Cowher the day after a loss. "He screams louder," Washington said. "Normally, we're sitting in there going through special teams. If he sees some things, he'll definitely be screaming out."

LB Jason Gildon was able to make light of the lateral he tossed into Joey Porter's helmet on the Steelers' 5 Sunday because Porter recovered the loose ball. "It looked good on tape today," Gildon said. "I regret he didn't catch it, but that's about it." The play could have ruined Gildon's second career interception, a diving catch after CB Chad Scott tipped a Jon Kitna pass. Both of Gildon's interceptions were thrown by Kitna. "I just have to be careful where we are on the field," Gildon said. "We're out there trying to make something happen. We just have to be aware of the situation."

The Steelers' offensive line played well and seemed energized to be successfully run blocking again. "For some reason, you do get more satisfied," C Jeff Hartings said of run blocking. "It also depends on what you're looking to do when you go into a game. Here in Pittsburgh, they've been known for running the ball. To me, whether you have to pass the ball to win or run the ball to win, you do what you're having success at on that day. But I also think that when we take the mentality that we're going to run the ball and realize it might be 2-3 yards a run and then we might break a 10-15 yarder, we usually have a lot of success, like we did a couple years ago. That pretty much was our offense. If we get back to that, it definitely helps our defense out."

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