Wednesday, November 05, 2003

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Summer-like weather might have hit Pittsburgh, but a cold wind of reality has blown through the Steelers as they try to alter a pace that has put them on a path toward their worst record in 34 years.

	Baltimore's Todd Heap catches a touchdown pass over Dewayne Washington in the season opener. The scenario has been repeated a bit too often this season for the Steelers' liking (Peter Diana, Post-Gazette)

"They are trying times," coach Bill Cowher acknowledged yesterday, his 2-6 team reeling from a five-game losing streak that has dropped it among the bottom feeders in the NFL at the midway point of a season gone mysteriously sour.

Cowher made one significant move yesterday, announcing that he will bench veteran cornerback Dewayne Washington and promote Deshea Townsend to the position for the game Sunday against Arizona at Heinz Field. He actually made that switch in the fourth quarter of the 23-16 loss to Seattle after Darrell Jackson beat Washington on a medium-range pass, then stiff-armed Washington and safety Brent Alexander on his way to a 43-yard gain to the 1. That set up the winning touchdown.

Washington declined to talk Sunday about being replaced in Seattle, and the players had an off day yesterday.

"I think right now, in my opinion, it is a change that needs to be done," Cowher said. "Not just based on one game, but based on performance and based, in my mind, on the state of mind that Dewayne is in. I think he needs to sit back and look at it right now ... I think there is a lack of confidence right now. I think that has more to do with it than anything."

Rookie cornerback Ike Taylor also might benefit from Washington's benching, because he likely will play in the dime defense that uses six defensive backs. Cowher said it "is a very strong possibility" that Taylor will play Sunday.

	More Steelers Coverage: Mark Madden: QB opportunity knocks, but Steelers don't let it in Steelers Report: 11/5/03

Washington's perfect 5 1/2-year record of starting every game with the Steelers will end. Since they signed him as an unrestricted free agent from the Minnesota Vikings in 1998, he played in all 88 regular-season games and four playoffs. He's missed only two starts and just one game since the Vikings drafted him in the first round from North Carolina State in 1994, starting 134 games and playing 133, including eight in the playoffs.

His benching also places his future with the Steelers in doubt.

Washington, who turns 31 next month, signed a contract extension at the beginning of training camp in 2001 that lasts through 2005. He earns $3.75 million in salary this year, again next year and $3 million (plus a $750,000 roster bonus) in 2005, but the next two seasons are not guaranteed. He counts $4.8 million against their salary cap in each of the final three years of his contract. If, however, they decide to release him after this season, he would count only $2.1 million against their cap over the next two seasons. They could either take half of that hit in each year, or all in 2004.

Washington's 37 tackles rank fourth on the team, his 3 1/2 tackles for losses rank third and his three passes defensed tie him for fourth.

He is the fourth starter to be benched this year, but the first on defense. Cowher demoted running back Jerome Bettis and tight end Mark Bruener before the season, and right tackle Todd Fordham Sunday. Bettis returned to the starting job the past two games.

The Steelers have not changed their starting lineup on defense all season except when linebacker Joey Porter missed the first two games because of a gunshot wound. They have stuck with the same 11 the past six games.

Their defense ranks second overall in the NFL in yards allowed.

Cowher offered no other changes in his lineup but said he has not decided what to do with the rest of the specialty packages on defense other than that Taylor probably will be involved.

While he will make at least the one change on defense, Cowher said he and his staff will not dramatically alter what they've done over the first half of the season.

"We are going to continue to do the things that we have done as a staff, try to take the players you have and try to put them in a position where they can be productive and, at the same time, you are attacking an offense, defense and a kicking game.

"I don't think you can change that approach. But, certainly, you have to recognize where you are with your football team and the strengths you have. That is not going to change. We are going out to try to win a football game. Because our record is the way it is, is not going to change the way we approach the game as a staff and as a team."

He also said he does not know if his players' frustration might turn into something else, the way things have turned ugly in Oakland, where the defending AFC champions also have slipped to 2-6 and players have been critical of coach Bill Callahan.

"I guess we will see. We have to take this thing one week at a time, and those are the issues that time will tell. ... No one likes to be in this situation. It is foreign to myself, and I am dealing with it as everybody else is dealing with it.

"They are trying times, and I know the answer to it is taking the approach we are taking and keep things in perspective and try to win a game."

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