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Saturday, September 14, 2002

By Gerry Dulac, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Raiders (1-0) at Steelers (0-1), 8:30 p.m. tomorrow. Heinz Field. TV: ESPN, WTAE. Radio: WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970) and Steelers Radio Network.

He hasn't played a snap since the second preseason game, but that won't stop rookie Kendall Simmons from replacing Oliver Ross as the starting right guard against the Raiders. "I think he's comfortable and we're comfortable with him," Coach Bill Cowher said. "The only way to get any better is to let him play." Simmons, the Steelers' No. 1 draft pick last spring, did not play Monday night against the Patriots after missing the final two preseason games with a hamstring injury. Cowher said he wanted to work Simmons into the game to get him more playing time, but he opted against it because he did not want to risk aggravating Simmons' injury. Ross, a converted tackle, did not play very well in the preseason and had a hard time with Patriots DT Richard Seymour in the opener. Ross started four games at right guard last season when Rich Tylski was injured and was signed to a new contract in the off-season. But Ross is considered a better tackle, and the Steelers want to get Simmons into the lineup.

C Jeff Hartings (sprained knee) practiced and is expected to play against the Raiders. He is listed as questionable on the injury report. ILB Kendrell Bell (ankle) and CB/KR Hank Poteat (turf toe) are out.

One of the best matchups is Raiders RT Lincoln Kennedy, a two-time Pro Bowl pick, against DE Aaron Smith, the Steelers' best pass-rushing lineman. "You name it, he can do it -- run-blocking, pass protection," Smith said of the 6-foot-6, 335-pound Kennedy. "He wasn't All-Pro for no reason. I got my work cut out for me." Smith faced Kennedy two years ago when the teams played at Three Rivers Stadium, but "what I see on film he looks even better." The Steelers had just two sacks on Patriots QB Tom Brady Monday night -- 1 1/2 by DE Kimo von Oelhoffen. Part of the problem was Brady's quick throws and screens, making it difficult to sack him. The Steelers might have a difficult time getting to Raiders QB Rich Gannon, who was sacked just 27 times last season, second fewest in the AFC. "Most teams we play aren't going to hold the ball very long because they know we like to blitz and come after them," Smith said. "Plus, teams don't typically play us the same as they play everybody else."

The Raiders have six players on their roster with at least 14 years' experience in the NFL. That includes QB Rich Gannon and WR Tim Brown, who are in their 15th season. WR Jerry Rice is the oldest (39), playing in his 18th season. Last season, after an 8-2 start, the Raiders lost their final three regular-season games and four of their last six, an indication that their aging players wilted in the stretch. Coach Bill Callahan, who replaced Jon Gruden, wants to be sure that doesn't happen again. "That was something that was thought of very hard in the off-season," Callahan said. "When I went into training camp, I wanted to make sure our veteran players were practiced intelligently. I didn't want to burn them out. I wanted to keep them stimulated and energized about the game. How we practiced them and how many reps we gave them did come into play."

The Raiders have nine new starters on defense, including DTs Sam Adams (Ravens) and John Parrella (Chargers), LB Bill Romanowski (Broncos) and FS Rod Woodson (Ravens). The only holdover defensive starters are CB Charles Woodson and DE Tony Bryant. As part of their scheme, the Raiders will change from their 4-3 base defense to the 3-4 alignment used by the Steelers. When they do that, Parrella plays nose tackle. Last week, the new-look Raiders defense held Seattle to 14 first downs and 186 yards offense, including 43 on the ground. RB Shaun Alexander, who scorched them for 266 yards rushing last year, was held to 36 yards on 13 carries.

The Steelers have made a habit of slow starts, losing their past three season openers and seven of 10 under Bill Cowher. What's more, they are 5-5 in home openers under Cowher. "You don't want to go 0-2, but I don't think it's the time to panic," Smith said. "It's the time to make adjustments and fix whatever's wrong. It was the first game of the season. We got 16 games. Unlike college, where you lose one game you aren't going to win the national championship, here you can lose a game, and all you got to do is get to the playoffs and they start over."

The Steelers have made a change in their security measures at Heinz Field to allow fanny packs that do not exceed 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches in size. That standard also applies to small handbags and cases.