Loss to Texans has Steelers kicked in rear
PITTSBURGH – In preparing for today’s game against the Carolina Panthers, the Pittsburgh Steelers buzzed around with practice field with great tempo this week and, after the daily sessions ended, remained on the field without coaches to fine-tune their game and run extra sprints. The Steelers have either been embarrassed into blissful harmony by last week’s loss or they’d received a stern talk from a coach or team leader. Running back Jerome Bettis said it was the former.
“It was one of those games where nothing needed to be said,” Bettis said. “A lot of times you have a players-only meeting or something like that, but this wasn’t one of those situations. You didn’t have to say it, you just knew it.
“There hasn’t been any rah rah this week, but all the guys understand the sense of urgency, and everybody’s looking at each other with an expectation that you’re being held accountable, and that’s a little different. Each group feels the need to pick it up. It’s true with the running backs, and I was talking to Hines (Ward) and he feels the same way about the wide receivers. So I think everybody is kind of going to turn it up.”
The Steelers will need to carry that tempo into today’s game. The Panthers are only 5-8 but are riding a two-game winning streak and coming off of their most impressive win of the season, 52-31 over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Quarterback Rodney Peete is healthy and humming. The 36-year-old has battled a variety of injuries this season but last week threw for 319 yards, a 10-year high for the 14-year veteran. He completed 21 of 29 passes and threw for 3 touchdowns with a passer rating of 128.4.
“He’s a very smart guy, a very streaky quarterback,” said Steelers Coach Bill Cowher. “When he gets hot he sees the field very well. He’s experienced and he’s playing with some confidence.”
Peete’s go-to receiver is Muhsin Muhammad, who caught 12 passes for 155 yards in the last two games to give him 46 for 667 on the season.
Muhammad, though, isn’t a deep threat. That description fits inconsistent Steve Smith, who erupted last week with two punt returns for a touchdown and another touchdown on a 31-yard pass from Peete.
In the backfield, Dee Brown of Syracuse has replaced suspended Lamar Smith. Brown rushed for 122 yards two weeks ago against Cleveland but last week was held to 45 yards on 17 carries by Cincinnati. Scouts say Brown lacks speed, but has good foot quickness and vision.
Defensively, the Panthers are second in the NFL with 42 sacks, and 33 of those have come from a front four that normally doesn’t require pass-rush help from blitzers. However, with the suspension of rookie end Julius Peppers, the Panthers may look to outside linebacker Hannibal Navies for some sock in its rush.
In the league’s statistical rankings, the Panthers are 30th offensively (19th rushing and 29th passing) and 6th defensively (8th rushing and passing). But the Steelers know how unreliable those rankings can be. After allowing only 47 yards in their loss last week, the Steelers’ defense improved from 16th to 8th.
“We came into the season with high expectations and things haven’t gone as planned, but at the same time we’re still in it,” said safety Lee Flowers. “We’ve lost some games we should’ve won and we can’t control that, but we’re still in it. That’s the biggest thing.”