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Saturday, December 14, 2002

By Gerry Dulac, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Steelers vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. tomorrow, Heinz Field. TV: WPGH. Radio: WBGG-AM (970), WDVE-FM (102.5) and the Steelers Radio Network.

The Steelers keep referring to their 24-6 loss to Houston Sunday as a fluke, a once-in-a-lifetime game, because of the manner in which they overwhelmed the Texans in yards (422-47) and first downs (24-3). But a very similar game occurred in 1986, when the Steelers lost their season-finale at home to Kansas City, 24-19, despite an overwhelming edge in first downs (28-8), offensive yards (515-171) and rushing yards (175-38). The Chiefs scored three touchdowns on a recovered blocked punt in the end zone, a 97-yard kickoff return and a 78-yard blocked field-goal return. "Somebody asked me if I'd ever be involved in a game like [Houston], and I said, 'Yeah,' " said running backs coach Dick Hoak, an assistant coach on the 1986 team. "You stick around this game long enough you see everything."

LT Wayne Gandy, who has an injured calf, and WR Hines Ward (hamstring) returned to practice yesterday, but it was unknown if they would play against the Panthers. Ward, who has played in 77 consecutive games since being drafted in 1998, was encouraged because he said he did more than he was scheduled to do in practice. "We'll see come Sunday," Ward said. "I did a lot [yesterday]. I did more than I was supposed to do. I was happy about that. I'm a good healer." If Gandy can't play, he will be replaced by Oliver Ross, who will start his second game this season. Ross' other start was at right guard in the season opener. Meantime, ILB Kendrell Bell (abdomen) was added to the injury list as probable, but he practiced and is expected to play.

WR Plaxico Burress is empathizing with QB Tommy Maddox, who is coming off a game in which he had three turnovers returned for touchdowns. Burress had six catches for 83 yards against the Texans, but he dropped five passes, including what could have been a 25-yard touchdown. "Nobody's losing any faith in anybody around here," Burress said. "That's why you have 16 games -- to go out and prove yourself all over again the next week. I'm not worried about Tommy. Everyone's going to play bad once in a while. Nobody's perfect. When you're all out there trying your hardest and things don't go your way, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. I've always thought as long as you're out there giving your all, and things don't go your way, you keep on going and don't look backward."

Panthers QB Rodney Peete, 36, was acquired in the off-season to be a mentor and backup to Chris Weinke. But, in his 14th NFL season, he won the starting job and is closing in on personal highs for touchdowns (13 in 1991) and passing yards (2,326 in 1995). Peete has more 300-yard passing games this season (3) than his previous 13 seasons combined (2). Curiously, Peete's first NFL start was against the Steelers Oct. 1, 1989, when he was with the Detroit Lions. "I'm having the most fun playing right now that I have had in the previous 13 years," Peete said during a conference call. "Even throughout the ups and downs that we have had this year, it's been a lot of fun to just go out and play and not really go out to try to prove anything to anybody. I love the game and want to play it as long as I can until they kick me out." Peete shouldn't have a hard time finding a job, not with his list of friends and associates. Before he started his first game with the Panthers, Peete got a call from an old friend wanting to wish him luck -- Bill Clinton. Peete is married to actress Holly Robinson ("21 Jump Street") and their wedding was officiated by the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Right after the couple exchanged wedding vows, Holly had the Southern California marching band parade down the aisle, playing the Trojans' fight song for her husband, who went to USC. Peete's second cousin is golfer Cal Peete and his father-in-law, Matthew Robinson, is the original "Gordon" on Sesame Street."

Maddox might have been the MVP of the defunct Xtreme Football League, but the most noted player was Rod Smart, also known as "He Hate Me." Smart is a backup running back with the Panthers, and he leads them with 18 special-teams tackles. Smart played with Steelers rookie FB/RB Verron Haynes at Western Kentucky before Haynes transferred to Georgia. Haynes said Smart had a different nickname at Western Kentucky. "He was fast, very fast," Haynes said. "We used to call him 'Snoop' because he could run."

Carolina LB Hannibal Navies (ankle) and LT Todd Steussie (knee) practiced yesterday and are expected to play against the Steelers. Navies and Steussie are listed as questionable.