Wednesday, September 03, 2003

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

LOOKING AHEAD

Baltimore Ravens at Steelers, 1 p.m. Sunday, Heinz Field. TV: KDKA. Radio: WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970) and the Steelers Radio Network. The Steelers have lost their past three openers by a combined score of 67-17.

Todd Fordham's play Friday night against Carolina DE Julius Peppers, the 2002 NFL defensive rookie of the year, won him the starting job at right tackle over Oliver Ross. Coach Bill Cowher picked Fordham to start, the last position left undecided before the Steelers open the season Sunday against Baltimore. "I think he earned that right," Cowher said. "Oliver gives us a very quality backup."

Both players are recovering from sprained ankles but should practice today. Ross got off to a slow start and Fordham had to split time early in training camp between guard and tackle because G Kendall Simmons did not practice the first two weeks.

"Oliver did not play well in the first game," Cowher said, "but I thought he got better after that. I like the way he responded, and I told him that. The one thing Todd has done since the time he came here is he's been very consistent, very solid and certainly played very, very well the other night, on the road in Carolina against a good football player in Julius Peppers. I'm comfortable with where Oliver is, in terms of he hasn't leveled off but gotten better with each game. But I think Todd has earned the opportunity."

Ross will serve as the top backup tackle on both sides. "I feel comfortable with having Oliver there as an experienced guy to back him up or go to the left side, as he's done before," Cowher said. "That's how we're starting, not to say we won't make a change if we feel it's necessary somewhere down the road."

With LB Joey Porter out, Cowher said the Steelers will not sign a player "this week" to improve their depth at outside linebacker, which is not good. Rookie Alonzo Jackson moves up to No. 3 on the outside. He's still learning the position after being converted from a defensive end, where he played at Florida State. Inside linebackers James Harrison and Clint Kriewaldt can play outside if necessary. "Over the course of the preseason, [Jackson] became more comfortable in the first- and second-down defense," Cowher said. "In the third-down defense, he feels most comfortable putting his hand down and rushing the quarterback. In the first-down defense, he becomes a guy who makes a few mistakes as you'd expect a rookie to do, but he's getting better with each game."

Matt Cushing probably just picked up a nickname, whether he likes it or not. He made the 53-man roster again not so much because he plays tight end, but because he can also play fullback. Starter Dan Kreider is the only fullback listed on the roster. That prompted a question for Cowher at his news conference yesterday: Is Cushing the Steelers latest "Slash?" "He's not a Slash," Cowher said with a smile. "Slash refers to skill people. Maybe Slush." After the laughter stopped, Cowher said, "Don't take it personally. That's why he's No. 48. We really weren't sure what to do with the guy, but I'm glad he's on our football team. He is a versatile player, a consistent player and he really had a good camp. He won a spot on this team based on what he did. He wasn't handed anything." Cushing has played in 33 games and has started six times for the Steelers in the past four seasons.

Ravens QB Kyle Boller will make his first NFL start Sunday, and Cowher said they will try to confuse the rookie from California. "Yes, we certainly need to create some indecision with him, and disguising and mixing it up is a part of it, and presenting him with maybe some things that he has not seen yet on video will be a part of it. We have to create some indecision."

The Steelers traded a conditional seventh-round draft choice to the Eagles during the weekend to acquire Fred Milons, a return specialist. But he won't return kicks Sunday. Cowher said Antwaan Randle El will return punts and be joined on kickoff returns by Ike Taylor or Lee Mays. QB Tommy Maddox will hold on place-kicks because kicker Jeff Reed is more comfortable with him doing it. Randle El also held on some place-kicks in the preseason.

Other than Joey Porter, who will not play, the Steelers have a sparse injury report. Five players are listed as probable for Sunday's game: WR Chris Doering (ankle), OT Oliver Ross (ankle), C Jeff Hartings (knee), TE Jerame Tuman (groin) and OT Todd Fordham (ankle).

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