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Wednesday, August 12, 1998 By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
It won't be like Aug. 29 when Greg Lloyd returns to Three Rivers Stadium, or Sept. 6 when the Steelers play against Rod Woodson for the first time, but Friday night will hold a special meaning for another free agent.
For the first time in 20 years, Tom Modrak will work for the opposition when the Steelers take the field Friday night in Philadelphia. Modrak, a key to the Steelers' drafting prowess as their college personnel director, is now boss of the Eagles as their director of football operations.
"I'm going to be glad to see everybody, but we're going to try to win," Modrak said yesterday from the Eagles' training camp at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.
The Eagles took a backward step last season after they had made the playoffs with consecutive 10-6 seasons under Coach Ray Rhodes. Last year, they were 6-9-1, and there have been reports that if they don't make the playoffs this year, Rhodes' four-year tenure could end.
Owner Jeffrey Lurie hired Modrak to bring stability to a front office that has had little of it for years.
They have been hit early with injuries and have turned over the offense to third-year quarterback Bobby Hoying. They lost two starters, tight end Jason Dunn and center Steve Everitt, to injuries and have a disjointed offensive line. Dunn is out six to eight weeks as a result of a knee injury suffered in the 29-15 loss to the New York Jets last Thursday.
"We didn't get off to a great start," Modrak said. "Hopefully, we'll get a lot of people back on the field soon."
Modrak did not take the job until after the draft, and the Eagles' No. 1 pick was offensive tackle Tra Thomas, the latest in a series of first-rounders pumped into their offensive line, many of whom have failed.
"I think we'll be a good team," Modrak said. "We need to get our offensive line solid. We have some good runners and our defense is solid."
Evans calls it quits
It happens virtually every training camp and it happened for the first time yesterday: A player packed up his bags and went home without being told.
Mike Evans, an offensive guard from Mercyhurst College, quit the Steelers with 10 days left in training camp at St. Vincent College.
The 6-4, 307-pound rookie from Peters Township, was signed as a free agent. His departure leaves the Steelers with 78 on the roster, counting fullback Tim Lester, who has not begun to practice as he continutes to rehabilitate from shoulder surgery last spring.
The first official cutdown for NFL teams is Aug. 25, when rosters must be trimmed to 60. The final cutdown is Aug. 30, when teams must have their 53-man roster in place.
Quick slants
Linebacker Earl Holmes (calf) and fullback Jon Witman (back) did not practice again yesterday, but Coach Bill Cowher hopes both will return this week. ... Josh Miller punted for the second straight day and hopes to play Friday.
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