Notebook
Steeler in bind if Okobi can’t play Sunday PITTSBURGH – By all accounts, Chukky Okobi made a smashing debut at center in place of injured starter Jeff Hartings last week. But Okobi left practice early Wednesday with a hip pointer, leaving the Steelers with rookie guard Kendall Simmons as the team’s only alternative.
Simmons has never played the position in a game at any level. And with Hartings also missing practice and still listed as questionable for Sunday’s game in Cleveland, Okobi’s return becomes imperative.
“He’s all right,” said Coach Bill Cowher, who dubbed Okobi’s status as “probable.”
Cowher was asked about a potential back-up to Simmons, who, previous to this season, had only practiced at center as a sophomore at Auburn.
“Right now, nobody, I guess,” Cowher said. “If we had to play today, we’d have one.”
And that’s when the fun with the injury list began. Cowher was asked if he’d sign a center before the game.
“No, we’re fine,” he said.
Is Hartings going to give Simmons a crash course on moving from guard to center?
“Kendall’s fine. He’s been getting some work there since training camp,” Cowher said. “Understand now, Chukky is probable. OK?”
Does that mean he’ll play?
“There’s a chance.”
Jerome Bettis said today he’s doubtful to play. Does that mean he’s doubtful?
“That’s probably why those words have been attached to those percentages – doubtful, questionable, probable,” Cowher said.
How’s Hartings progressing?
“Jeff’s doing fine and he’ll do some stuff tomorrow.”
He’s questionable, so that means he’s got a 50-50 chance of playing, right?
“That’s how that works.”
The Browns’ injury report was released Wednesday. Out of the game are cornerback Corey Fuller (hamstring), strong safety Robert Griffith (shoulder) and back-up linebacker Ben Taylor (hamstring). Passing-downs linebacker Brant Boyer (chest) is listed as probable.
TATTOO YOU: It’s never a good idea to have a tattoo done of a woman’s name. Almost as dangerous is to have a tattoo done of your college football number. Simmons did exactly that after his freshman year in college. He was lucky, though, that after he was drafted by the Steelers Chris Combs was cut, allowing Simmons to switch from No. 71 to No. 73.
“I wasn’t worried,” said the rookie. “I’d have waited five, six years, whatever it would’ve taken, to get that number. I’m a patient man.”
BLOW BY BLOW: Hines Ward said he started the fight that resulted in the ejection of Plaxico Burress from last Sunday’s game, and that he would help pay any fine incurred by his teammate.
“He came out to try and bail me out,” said Ward. “Not that I needed any help, but I had two or three Ravens around me and he tried to pull some of them off of me. He ended up getting knocked to the ground. I told him I’d pay half his fine. He was out there battling with me and I respect the guy for doing that. He didn’t have to come out there and try to help me out at all.
“He wasn’t even around when it all happened. I was walking off the field and I got ear-holed by (Edgerton) Hartwell and that’s where it all began. He ear-holed me. I was walking off and he smacked the crap out of me. I didn’t particularly like that, but that’s where it all began.”