Sunday, August 31, 2003

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

The Steelers trimmed their roster by eight and added one yesterday after a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles brought them a receiver and kick return specialist.

Freddie Milons, who returned a kickoff 82 yards for Philadelphia Aug. 16 in Heinz Field, was acquired for a conditional draft choice. Milons, 5 feet 11, 190 pounds, was a fifth-round draft choice from Alabama in 2002. His leg was broken in the final preseason game last year. He made the Eagles' 53-man roster but never played.

"Freddie is someone we have been interested in since his collegiate playing days at Alabama," Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said in a statement. "This was a good opportunity for us to add a young receiver who has good return capabilities."

Before adding Milons, Coach Bill Cowher released eight players and must make seven more roster moves by 4 p.m. today to reach the 53-man limit.

There were no surprises among the players released. They included offensive linemen Josh Burr, Calvin Collins, Mike Cook and Jimon Pugh, defensive end Jabari Issa, wide receiver Brian Robinson, linebacker Terrance Robinson and safety Eric Totten.

Totten dressed for one game with the Steelers last season but spent most of 2002 on their practice squad. Burr spent last season on their practice squad. Collins is a five-year NFL veteran who signed June 2 with the Steelers.

Turnover status quo

The Steelers were unable to accomplish one thing in the preseason that Cowher said was a priority went training camp started: A turnaround in their fortunes with turnovers.

Cowher preached ball control this summer after his team lost 36 turnovers last season, negating the 36 fumbles and interceptions they gathered. But after the completion of their four preseason games, the ratio was worse: They lost three interceptions and three fumbles, and intercepted no passes themselves while recovering just one fumble.

Their first team also put little pressure on quarterbacks this preseason. Linebacker Kendrell Bell had a sack Friday night in Carolina playing in the nickel defense, the only starter to come up with a full sack. Linebacker Clark Haggans, Jason Gildon's backup on the left side, had two sacks Friday and finished as the summer leader with 2 1/2.

Fu good to stay?

There has been plenty of speculation swirling around the status of Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala since his hamstring was injured on the opening kickoff of the third exhibition game. He has been injured often in his five-year professional career, and many speculated that he would be cut or traded to make room for rookie halfback Dante Brown.

However, Brown did not run particularly well Friday when he rushed for 5 yards on eight attempts. And Cowher might have given a clue to Fuamatu-Ma'afala's fate when he was asked about the health of Fuamatu-Ma'afala and tight end Jerame Tuman, who missed the game with a groin pull.

"Tuman and Fu will be ready to go on Monday," Cowher said.

Fordham advantage

One starting position remains unresolved, but Todd Fordham made a good case for himself at right offensive tackle Friday night in Carolina. He held off defensive end Julius Peppers, the NFL rookie defensive player of the year in 2002, and generally seemed to do well.

"He did good, he did a real good job, especially having Peppers on him," said right guard Kendall Simmons. "Todd had a lock on him, he did a real good job locking on him."

Fordham left the game with a sprained ankle, but Cowher said he should be OK to practice this week. Cowher will pick between Fordham and Oliver Ross to start when the season opens Sunday against Baltimore at Heinz Field.

By the numbers

Among the leaders in the preseason for the Steelers:

Brown ran 24 times for 106 yards and Verron Haynes had 104 yards on 28 carries. Starter Amos Zereoue had 63 yards on 18 carries and Jerome Bettis ran 14 times for 42 yards.

Chris Doering, who might have moved up to the No. 4 receiver, caught 13 passes for 165 yards. Doering left Friday night's game with a sprained ankle but Cowher said he too should be OK to practice this week. Haynes caught 13 passes for 130 yards.

Tommy Maddox wound up with a 90.1 passer rating. He completed 59.5 percent of his passes and threw one touchdown and no interceptions. He was sacked three times. Charlie Batch had a 73.2 passer rating with one touchdown and no interceptions.

Kicker Jeff Reed made four of five field goals and had 16 points. Brown ran for two touchdowns, the only player with more than one.

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