SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL Injury list could trim with help of open date Wednesday, October 08, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Bill Wade/Post-Gazette Steelers kicker Jeff Reed, left, celebrates with Army Sgt. Rob Bush, 35, of Grove City, after Sgt. Bush kicked an extra point. He served in Iraq in 2003 and 2005. See the photo journal Heroes at Heinz for more images. The floodwaters of Steelers injuries subsided yesterday as defensive end Brett Keisel returned to practice, others on the sideline prepared to return and the forecast for a sunny weekend off brightened everyone's mood. Running back Willie Parker sprinted, nose tackle Casey Hampton jogged, and Jeff Reed's left calf strain in his planting leg improved and should not prevent him from kicking when the Steelers resume play Oct. 19 in Cincinnati. "I think this bye is coming at the right time," Keisel said. "I think Casey will be back, I think Willie will be back. Hopefully, we got our injuries out of the way at the beginning of the year and we can make this run." Keisel, out since his calf was injured in the season's second game, was the only injured player to return to practice. But Parker (knee) and Hampton (groin) will be ready to go against Cincinnati, as will Reed and tackle Marvel Smith (cramps). "He is appreciative of having the opportunity to practice," coach Mike Tomlin said of Keisel. "He was the liveliest set of legs that we had out there today." Reed called his injury a fluke, having occurred during his kickoff just before halftime in Jacksonville He returned to kick off to the Jacksonville 1 to start the second half. "I expect to be back," Reed declared after practice yesterday. "It doesn't feel great right now, but it happened two days ago. It's a nice time to have a bye week, to say the least." "He is going to be fine, I think," Tomlin said. There was some question if Reed might have been able to attempt a field goal as the Steelers drove into Jacksonville territory, trailing by one point in the closing minutes of the game Sunday night. It became moot when Ben Roethlisberger completed an 18-yard pass to Hines Ward on third down and then pitched the game-winner to Ward from 8 yards out with 1:53 left. "He had a kick in him if we needed it," Tomlin said. "The outer limits of his range remain to be a question." Reed said he could have kicked using a shorter step because of his injured left calf. "I was warming up into the net, so I could have done it, especially if it were a shorter field goal," he said. "It probably would have been a 1 1/2 step, instead of a full 2 steps." Reed said his calf "got real tight, balled back a little bit and then gradually got worse as the game went on." Up Next • Game: Steelers (4-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-5). • When: 1 p.m., Oct. 19. • TV: KDKA. • Inside: So just where was Max Starks in the latest shuffling of the offensive line Sunday night in Jacksonville? Hard to say. Page 1 of 2 Injury list could trim with help of open date 10/8/2008 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08282/918208-66.stm
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SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL
Injury list could trim with help of open dateWednesday, October 08, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Bill Wade/Post-Gazette
Steelers kicker Jeff Reed, left, celebrates with Army Sgt. Rob Bush, 35, of Grove City, after Sgt. Bush kicked an extra point. He served in Iraq in 2003 and 2005. See the photo journal Heroes at Heinz for more images.
The floodwaters of Steelers injuries subsided yesterday as defensive end Brett Keisel returned to practice, others on thesideline prepared to return and the forecast for a sunny weekend off brightened everyone's mood.
Running back Willie Parker sprinted, nose tackle Casey Hampton jogged, and Jeff Reed's left calf strain in his planting leg improved and should not prevent him from kicking when the Steelers resume play Oct. 19 in Cincinnati.
"I think this bye is coming at the right time," Keisel said. "I think Casey will be back, I think Willie will be back. Hopefully, we got our injuries out of the way at the beginning of the year and we can make this run."
Keisel, out since his calf was injured in the season's second game, was the only injured player to return to practice. But Parker (knee) and Hampton (groin) will be ready to go against Cincinnati, as will Reed and tackle Marvel Smith (cramps).
"He is appreciative of having the opportunity to practice," coach Mike Tomlin said of Keisel. "He was the liveliest set of legs that we had out there today."
Reed called his injury a fluke, having occurred during his kickoff just before halftime in Jacksonville He returned to kick off to the Jacksonville 1 to start the second half.
"I expect to be back," Reed declared after practice yesterday. "It doesn't feel great right now, but it happened two days ago. It's a nice time to have a bye week, to say the least."
"He is going to be fine, I think," Tomlin said.
There was some question if Reed might have been able to attempt a field goal as the Steelers drove into Jacksonville territory, trailing by one point in the closing minutes of the game Sunday night. It became moot when Ben Roethlisberger completed an 18-yard pass to Hines Ward on third down and then pitched the game-winner to Ward from 8 yards out with 1:53 left.
"He had a kick in him if we needed it," Tomlin said. "The outer limits of his range remain to be a question."
Reed said he could have kicked using a shorter step because of his injured left calf.
"I was warming up into the net, so I could have done it, especially if it were a shorter field goal," he said. "It probably would have been a 1 1/2 step, instead of a full 2 steps."
Reed said his calf "got real tight, balled back a little bit and then gradually got worse as the game went on."
Up Next
• Game: Steelers (4-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-5).
• When: 1 p.m., Oct. 19.
• TV: KDKA.
• Inside: So just where was Max Starks in the latest shuffling of the offensive line Sunday night in Jacksonville? Hard to say.
Page 1 of 2Injury list could trim with help of open date
The Steelers tried a 2-point conversion that would have pushed their lead to seven points but it failed. Punter Mitch Berger then kicked off, the ball traveling 59 yards to Jacksonville's 11.
Berger could be a candidate to kick off in Cincinnati even if Reed is healthy enough for place kicks.
"We will take a look at how he looks at the beginning of next week and then make a determination of what direction we will go in regards to that," Tomlin said of Reed's injury. "Berger is capable. He did it for 12 years in the league, but it is premature at this point. We are just going to let [Reed] rest up and see what he looks like at the top of next week."
That's the prognosis for a lot of players. Many of them did not practice yesterday, including Roethlisberger, who missed two full practices last week as he continues to fight through a sore right shoulder.
"I know that he will be healthy enough to play winning football," Tomlin said of his quarterback. "I think he is there right now even though he is not comfortable all of the time from a standpoint of preparation, at least from where I see it. But yes, he is going to be closer to 100 percent healthy. We will see where he is at the end of this thing."
Steelers Notebook: Tomlin -- Matchup favored EssexWednesday, October 08, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Darnell Stapleton, left, drew high marks for his first start Sunday night against Jacksonville.
A Steelers offensive lineman was involved in another miscommunication yesterday, but this time it did not occur on the fieldand it was not his fault.
The communication error occurred when a gaggle of reporters gathered around tackle Max Starks yesterday to get his opinion on why Trai Essex replaced injured Marvel Smith at left tackle in the fourth quarter Sunday night in Jacksonville and not him.
A few minutes earlier, coach Mike Tomlin gave his reason:
"Well, Starks is our third tackle and that has been obvious. Essex had an opportunity to dress because we were down a man with Kendall [Simmons].
"Due to the game circumstances and the situation we were in from a matchup standpoint, we thought that Essex had the tools to fight that battle. They had Quentin Groves over there, an edge rusher, speed guy, kind of undersized. We thought that Essex gave us a legitimate matchup and we were in the situation that we were going to throw the ball a bunch. They knew it and we had to go the length of the field. That is why we went in that direction."
OK. What Tomlin said is Essex, who is listed at 6 feet 4, 324 pounds, is a better blocker on the left side against a lighter speed rusher than Starks, who is 6-8, 337 pounds, and more suited to the right side and better as a run blocker. Groves is listed at 6-3, 259 pounds.
But when Tomlin's answer was relayed to Starks, it was misrepresented as the coach saying Jacksonville had shorter, stockier defensive ends.
"That's what he said?" Starks answered. "You know, Quentin Groves is 6-5, 246, and Derrick Harvey's about 6-5, about 250. So I guess he was shorter and stockier. That was his decision, if that's what he says, then that's what it happens to be."
But then, Tomlin never said shorter nor stockier.
Anyway, Starks later said he wasn't upset that Essex was chosen over him, and, in essence, matched Tomlin's answer as to why.
"No, I wasn't disappointed," Starks said. "I knew both of us could play both positions. I know our strong suits -- Trai's naturally a left tackle and was a natural fit rather than what's been happening."
What was happening was Starks dressed for every game as the No. 3 tackle and Essex suited up only for the second time in five games on Sunday night. As Tomlin said yesterday, Starks remains his No. 3 tackle.
Page 1 of 2Steelers Notebook: Tomlin -- Matchup favored Essex
Starks, on a one-year contract as the Steelers' transition player that pays him almost $7 million, said he would like to return to play for the them next season.
"I'd love to come back here. This is where I was drafted, this is where I won my first Super Bowl, this is where I had 34 consecutive starts. I have a lot of great memories here. You always want to honor the organization that gave you your first start. So I would definitely look forward to coming back here."
Starks will become an unrestricted free agent Feb. 27 if the Steelers do not sign him by then.
Making impact at guard
Darnell Stapleton made his first pro start, at right guard, Sunday and Tomlin liked what he saw.
"He really did well; he did some nice things," Tomlin said. "We know what kind of guys that [Jacksonville] had inside in John Henderson and [Rob] Meider, some big, powerful men.
"Darnell is not small; he is short. He played with great leverage and did a nice job for us. We put together a winning performance in the second half of a Monday night game and we were on a short week, so we stuck with who we were playing in that regard. He had an opportunity and he delivered, which is encouraging. We will continue to move forward in that regard."
It sounds as if Stapleton, an undrafted player from Rutgers in 2007, will get his second start in Cincinnati.
Injury report
There were not many solid injury updates other than defensive end Brett Keisel's return to practice and the positive outlook on kicker Jeff Reed's left calf.
Many players missed practice for minor injuries and some just earned a day off such as wide receiver Hines Ward and linebacker James Farrior.
But wide receiver Dallas Baker had his left arm in a sling, an injury Tomlin described as a "shoulder," and special teams ace Keyaron Fox has a hamstring injury. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes has an abdominal soreness that he said developed in Cleveland when he landed on someone's shoe.
Report: Harrison fined
Fox Sports reported that Steelers linebacker James Harrison was fined $20,000 for criticizing officials for his roughing the passer penalty in Jacksonville Sunday night.
Asked what he thought of the penalty for roughing the passer on linebacker James Harrison in the fourth quarter in Jacksonville, Tomlin said, "I have no comment in regards to the officiating."
First published on October 8, 2008 at 12:00 am
Page 2 of 2Steelers Notebook: Tomlin -- Matchup favored Essex
Reed welcomes rest for ailing leg By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Mitch Berger is in his 15th NFL season, so there is not much the Steelers' punter hasn't experienced.
Still, Berger apparently didn't look too confident late in Sunday night's game as he kicked balls into a net in preparation for a possible field goal attempt.
"I know he was a nervous wreck because he hasn't kicked a field goal since college," said Steelers kicker Jeff Reed, who strained his left calf earlier in the game. "I told him if it is a game-winner, I will find a way."
Whether Reed would have been physically able to make a game-winning field goal in Jacksonville became a moot point when Ben Roethlisberger threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward. Reed's injury also looks like it will be a mere footnote to the Steelers' 26-21 win over the Jaguars.
Reed said the bye week should give him enough time to make a full recovery and play Oct. 19 when the Steelers visit the Cincinnati Bengals.
"It's exactly what he needs," coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday of the downtime Reed and the rest of the Steelers will get. "He's going to be fine, I think."
Reed said he hurt his calf while kicking off near the end of the first half.
It didn't become an issue until late in the game when the Steelers, trailing 21-20, moved inside the Jaguars' 10-yard line but were faced with a third down.
Had the Steelers not gotten the touchdown, they would have faced about a 25-yard field goal.
Reed, who is 47 of 52 in his career on field goals between 20 and 29 yards, said he would have shortened his stride from two to one-and-a-half steps to compensate for his ailing calf.
"He had one kick in him," Tomlin said.
The Steelers did not need Reed to kick the extra point after they scored the touchdown because the situation called for a two-point conversion attempt, which was unsuccessful.
Page 1 of 2Reed welcomes rest for leg - Tribune-Review
The bigger concern for the Steelers is making sure that Reed, who is perfect in nine field goal attempts this season, doesn't aggravate the injury when he does return.
Berger entered the NFL as a kickoff specialist. Booming kickoffs that regularly resulted in touchbacks were once his signature.
Kicking off, however, took such a toll on his groin, Berger said, that he may not be a viable option in that capacity -- even if the Steelers want to ease Reed back into action by having him concentrate on field goal and extra-point attempts.
Against the Jaguars, Berger kicked off after the final Steelers' touchdown and didn't get the ball inside the 10-yard line.
"All of the injuries I've had, they're all from kickoffs," said Berger, who missed the entire 2006 season because of a groin problem, "so it's probably best I stay away from it."
The Steelers have time to ponder their options. Reed, meanwhile, has two weeks to rest his injured plant leg.
"It doesn't feel great right now, but that (injury) was two days ago," Reed said. "It's a perfect time for the bye week."
Steelers host wounded vets at Heinz Field By Karen Price TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Jeff Reed said he was almost in tears listening to a young woman tell of fighting for her country in Iraq, being captured and made a prisoner of war before she was rescued.
Hers was one of many stories that Reed heard Tuesday, as the Steelers and VA Healthcare hosted the first Heroes at Heinz event at Heinz Field.
Standing on the same field on which they are accustomed to hearing a cheering crowd, Reed and eight of his teammates listened to tales of wounded veterans at Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Including that of Pfc. Jessica Lynch.
"I just can't believe I met her," said Reed, who set up tees at the kicking station and offered pointers to about 130 veterans and their families. "As athletes, we get too much credit for being heroes. We're doing something that God has blessed us with and in a lot of people's eyes, a game-winner makes you a hero. But (the soldiers) are fighting for the country. They're the true heroes."
The soldiers got to kick, punt and throw a football as well as mingle, get autographs and take photographs with Reed, Chris Hoke, Daniel Sepulveda, Aaron Smith, Matt Spaeth, Mewelde Moore, Greg Warren, Patrick Bailey, Roy Lewis and Dezmond Sherrod.
Sgt. Jeremy Feldbusch, who served with the U.S. Army in Iraq, missed his first few attempts throwing the ball through a target downfield, but Lewis and Moore refused to give up on him. Put a little more arc on it, they'd say after one toss. Like that, but a little harder this time, they'd say after the next.
"I'm the blind guy, so they were just trying to help me," said Feldbusch, who lost his right eye and sight in his left after a piece of shrapnel entered and lodged in his skull April 3, 2003, when his 3rd Ranger Batallion came under fire.
Feldbusch, who was accompanied by his parents, said it was exciting to be on the field with the players.
"It's nice to meet some of the guys," said Feldbusch, who joked that he plays golf a lot better than he throws a football. "It's great for the invite. For the veterans and wounded service members, it's just nice to be part of it."
Page 1 of 2Steelers host wounded vets - Tribune-Review
Mike Clark, 32, of the North Hills, brought his wife, Kelly, and their 1-year-old daughter, Emily. All three were wearing Steelers jerseys. When Clark was with the Army stationed near Jalalabad and Tora Bora, Afghanistan, in 2005-06, he carried a Terrible Towel.
"I used to get pictures with it everywhere," said Clark, who returned home after suffering a stress fracture and needing surgery in his left foot from carrying 160 pounds up and down the mountains. "Being invited down here is so great. I'm really glad they did this."
Hoke chatted and took pictures with Sgt. Rob Bush and his son, Jacob, saying that he also had a son about Jacob's age. When another veteran asked for a photo, Hoke enthusiastically replied, "Yeah! Let's do it, man!" before asking the man's name and where he lives.
"This is really cool," Hoke said later. "These are the people who fight for us to have our freedom and be who we are as Americans. To come out here and spend a couple hours with them and hear their stories is unbelievable. There's nothing better than this."
Lynch said it was an honor to be on the field and meet the Steelers players.
"The main thing is that (the veterans) are honored, that people actually care that we were over there and we were injured," said Lynch, 25, of Parkersburg, W.Va. "It's nice to be able to come home and do events like this where we are appreciated."
Notebook: Starks remains upbeat about inactivity By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Max Starks is still the team's third offensive tackle even though he was passed over Sunday night when Marvel Smith left the game with cramps.
Tomlin inserted Trai Essex at left tackle instead of Starks. This despite Starks starting four games in place of the injured Smith last season.
Tomlin said he went with Essex at left tackle because he thought it would be a better match-up for the Steelers because the Jaguars' defensive ends rely more on speed than size.
"That's what he said?" Starks said. "That was his decision."
Starks, who started at right tackle when the Steelers won Super Bowl XL, has been a reserve the past two seasons. He has been diplomatic when asked about his situation, and he stayed that course Tuesday.
"My best way of doing this is to just keep staying positive and keep working hard out there and hopefully getting our defense ready for games," the 6-foot-8, 345-pound Starks said. "I feel like they just have better chemistry with the guys who are in there versus having me in there, so I just trust their decision."
Starks signed a one-year, $6.9 million tender offer that the Steelers made to him last February. The Steelers, he said, never offered him a long-term contract extension.
It doesn't appear the fifth-year veteran is in the Steelers' future plans -- or their immediate ones.
"I'm blessed to be making the money that I am," Starks said. "Am I happy the way that I am making it? No. What else can you do? I prepare every day and wait for that opportunity.
Keisel returns
What Tomlin called the liveliest legs in practice yesterday morning also were among the unlikeliest ones.
They belonged to starting defensive end Brett Keisel, who hasn't played since
the Steelers' Sept. 14 game at Cleveland because of a strained calf.
Keisel said he will play against the Bengals on Oct. 19. That he practiced yesterday even though the Steelers have a bye this week showed just how eager he has been to get back on the playing field.
"He was a live wire out there," Tomlin said.
Keisel said he could have played this week if the Steelers would have had a game.
"It feels great to back out there with my teammates and test it a little bit," Keisel said of his injured right leg. "I'll be hunting Bengals next week."
Extra points
Tomlin said Darnell Stapleton solidified his hold on the starting job at right guard with his play in the Steelers' 26-21 win over the Jaguars. "He really did well," Tomlin said of the second-year player. "We'll continue to move forward with him in that spot." ... The Steelers signed linebacker Patrick Bailey to their practice squad. Bailey has played in two games this season, but the Steelers released him last Saturday to make room for defensive tackle Scott Paxson on the 53-man roster. ... The Steelers will hold their second and final practice of the week today at their South Side facility.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 8, 2008 :: Last modified: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 11:00 PM EDT
Reed will get his kicks By Mike Bires Times Sports Staff
PITTSBURGH — You can call him “Skippy.” You can call him “Psychopath.” Or you can call him “Mr. Automatic.” By any name, Jeff Reed says he’ll play in the Steelers’ next game. “I expect to be ready for Cincinnati,” the Steelers’ kicker said Tuesday after missing practice with a strained calf muscle.
Reed suffered the injury to his left plant leg, and not his right kicking leg, while booming a kickoff into the end zone for a touchback late in the second quarter of Monday night’s 26-21 win in Jacksonville. Reed kicked off to start the second half, but the Steelers used punter Mitch Berger for the final kickoff late in the fourth quarter. If the Steelers would have tried a field goal at any point in the second half, Reed would have been the kicker. Berger, a 13th-year pro, has kicked off numerous times over the years. But he’s never tried a field goal in an NFL game. “I would’ve kicked it,” Reed said. “Mitch was warming up and I told him, ‘Relax, man.’ I know he was a nervous wreck because he hasn’t kicked a field goal since college. I told him if it is a game-winner, I will find a way. I will just take smaller steps and make sure my form stays true. “It would’ve been more difficult. But at the same time, I wouldn’t have let my teammates down unless I couldn’t walk. It would’ve been tough, but I would’ve found a way.” Reed has stayed true to form on every field goal try he’s attempted this season. He’s a perfect 9-of-9 in field goal tries, and his 46-yarder on Sept. 29 gave the Steelers a 23-20 overtime win over Baltimore. Just before Reed connected on that game winner, Ravens coach John Harbaugh called a timeout to ice him. It didn’t work. As the victorious Steelers ran of the field after Reed connected, coach Mike Tomlin could be heard yelling, “Can’t ice a psychopath!” Moments later in the locker room, wide receiver Hines Ward endorsed Reed for Pro Bowl honors and called him “Mr. Automatic.” Because Berger does have a history of kicking off in the NFL, there’s a chance he may be used in that role when the Steelers (4-1) play the Bengals (0-5) on Oct. 19. But if his rehab goes according to plan, Reed will handle extra points and field goals.
Like other banged-up Steelers, Reed will use this week’s bye to rest and recuperate. “I didn’t get a time frame for the injury from the trainer,” Reed said. “All I can do is rehab, ice (it) and get it as ready as I possibly can for next week. “It was a freak thing. I never had a calf injury before. But fortunately, it’s not a tear. It doesn’t feel great right now. But I should be OK. It’s nice to have a bye week to say the least.”
PITTSBURGH - It was largely a day for many of the Steelers' regulars to take a day off to rest their various bumps and bruises as the team held the first practice of its bye week Tuesday.
It was a pair of veterans who practiced that had head coach Mike Tomlin smiling.
Defensive end Brett Keisel and running back Willie Parker were back on the field for the Tuesday, fueling the team's hope it will come out of its bye week at close to full strength. The Steelers (4-1) next play Oct. 19 at Cincinnati.
"Willie Parker, he is marching back and got a little work done at the running back spot," said Tomlin, adding, "it was great to get Brett Keisel back today as a full participant."
Parker, the team's two-time Pro Bowl running back, has missed the past two games with a sprained knee suffered late in the Steelers' loss Sept. 21 at Philadelphia.
Keisel has been out since a Sept. 14 victory at Cleveland where he suffered a calf injury.
Their injuries, along with ones to nose tackle Casey Hampton, backup running back Rashard Mendenhall and guard Kendall Simmons, forced the Steelers to play Baltimore Sept. 29 and at Jacksonville Sept. 5 shorthanded.
Still, the Steelers won both of those games, getting good contributions from defensive end Travis Kirschke, nose tackle Chris Hoke, running back Mewelde Moore and guard Darnell Stapleton.
Tomlin gave a speech before Sunday's 26-21 victory at Jacksonville that didn't dwell on whether the Steelers could win without their injured starters, instead focusing on another aspect.
"A lot of times when you get injuries people ask questions like 'Can you win without Casey Hampton; can you win without Brett Keisel?' " Tomlin said. "That is not a question that needs to be asked; it is a question of 'Can you win with Hokie (Chris Hoke); can you win with Travis Kirschke?'
"I wanted to make sure that those guys took that perspective in regards to some of the things that we were facing; not only on the defensive line but on the entire football team. It is not about whether we can win without Willie Parker; it is about whether we can win with Mewelde Moore."
As for new injuries suffered against Jacksonville, Tomlin said placekicker Jeff Reed's sore left calf would not have prevented Reed from attempting a possible game-winning field goal.
"He was willing to kick," Tomlin said of the injury, which occurred in the first half. "I don't know how far and thankfully we didn't have to find out."
Reed is expected to be OK to kick when the Steelers come out of their bye week, though Tomlin said it's a possibility punter Mitch Berger could handle kickoffs.
Page 1 of 2Steelers getting healthy as Parker, Keisel return
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's sore right shoulder, which required a cortisone injection last week, is expected to be at or close to 100 percent against the Bengals. ... Stapleton will continue to start at right guard. ... Tomlin said the decision to play Trai Essex at left tackle instead of Max Starks in the second half when Marvel Smith went out with cramps was due to the matchup with Jacksonville's Quentin Groves. "Due to the game circumstances and the situation we were in from a matchup standpoint, we thought that Essex had the tools to fight that battle. They had Quentin Groves over there an edge rusher, speed guy kind of undersized. We thought that Essex gave us a legitimate matchup and we were in the situation that we were going to throw the ball a bunch."
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Page 2 of 2Steelers getting healthy as Parker, Keisel return
Steelers: Kicker Jeff Reed's groin injury not serious
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Steelers kicker Jeff Reed probably won't miss any games because of a groin injury he suffered in a win over Jacksonville on Sunday night. Pittsburgh (4-1) is off this week, and Reed said Tuesday he should be fine for the Oct. 19 game at Cincinnati. Reed could have attempted a field goal during the Steelers' final possession if necessary, coach Mike Tomlin said. The Steelers, trailing 21-20, scored on Ben Roethlisberger's 8-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward with 1:53 remaining for a 26-21 victory. If the drive had stalled, Reed might have been needed to attempt a potential go-ahead field goal. "I don't know how far (Reed could have kicked) and thankfully we didn't have to find out," Tomlin said Tuesday. "He had a kick in him if we needed it. The outer limits of his range remained a question." Reed is 9-for-9 on field goals this season. Reed was hurt during the first half, although he kicked off to begin the second half. Punter Mitch Berger kicked off after that, and he also might be needed to kick off at Cincinnati. Tomlin said that won't be decided until practice next week. Defensive end Brett Keisel, out for three weeks with an injured calf, practiced Tuesday and might be ready to return. "He was the liveliest set of legs we had out there," Tomlin said. Running back Willie Parker, who has missed two games with a sprained knee, previously said he would play against the Bengals. Among those sitting out the Steelers' only practice of the bye week were Roethlisberger (shoulder), offensive tackle Marvel Smith (groin), nose tackle Casey Hampton (groin), cornerback Deshea Townsend (heel) and safety Troy Polamalu (quadriceps). Roethlisberger had pain in his slightly separated right shoulder during the fourth quarter, but that didn't prevent him prevent him from going 6-of-8 for 61 yards during the decisive 80-yard drive. Tomlin predicted Roethlisberger "is going to be closer to 100 percent healthy" coming out of the bye, before the Steelers play during each of the final 11 weeks of the regular season. Copyright Associated Press 2008
No assembly required. Batteries included. Rookie running backs don't come into the NFL wearing such labels, but they are showing again this season that they arrive ready.
Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears, Darren McFadden of the Oakland Raiders, Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans and Steve Slaton of the Houston Texans lead their teams in rushing. Jonathan Stewart is smashing for touchdowns with the Carolina Panthers. Felix Jones is making big plays with the Dallas Cowboys.
NFL INSIDER: Scoring up 7.4% across NFL in '08 POWER RANKINGS: Cowboys at No. 3, trail first-place Giants
Like all rookies, they face adjustments. For running backs, that includes blocking on pass protection. But running skills translate immediately.
Last February at the NFL scouting combine, all six showed they could run the 40-yard dash very fast in shorts. Now, they're running in full pads with footballs in their hands.
"For the most part, they're not doing anything differently than they've been doing their whole lives. It's all about making people miss," says Mike Mayock, draft analyst for the NFL Network. "At each level it gets harder because the athletes get better. But I think it's the position in the NFL where a rookie can step in."
This year, that theory is proving to be true. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, rookie running backs have 550 rushing attempts for 2,407 yards. Both totals are the most through the first five weeks since 2001 (628 attempts, 2452 yards).
With the NFL's current strategy leaning toward teams using two running backs to share the load, the rookies are getting their shots. USA TODAY looks at the top six running backs in this year's freshman class:
• MATT FORTE, BEARS
Chicago drafted the 6-2, 216-pounder from Tulane in the second round after five running backs had gone in the first. Forte figured to compete with incumbent Cedric Benson for the starting job. But the Bears cut Benson in June after his second alcohol-related arrest in a month.
In an opening day start against the Indianapolis Colts, Forte ran 50 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter and totaled 123 rushing yards. He's been the starter since and tops all rookies in rushing yards (383) and carries (107). He's run for two touchdowns and caught 22 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns.
Forte has dropped to an average of less than three yards per carry in his past two starts. But last week against the Detroit Lions he scored two TDs on a 9-yard reception and a 1-yard run.
"The thing you like about this guy is he's very versatile," says Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. "He can block, he stays in on nickel defense, he's got good hands, he catches the ball, and he's one of the top receivers that they have right now.
• CHRIS JOHNSON, TITANS
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Page 1 of 3Stud class: Rookie RBs lighting up NFL at unusual pace - USATODAY.com
He's started four of five games and tops the Titans with 381 rushing yards, while sharing carries with 235-pound LenDale White.
"I watched a lot of tape of him (Johnson) at East Carolina, and I didn't think he liked to run between the tackles," says Mayock of the 5-11, 200-pounder. " … But they have really used him well and he's run hard."
The 24th pick in the first round, who ran the fastest time of any player at the NFL's scouting combine (4.24), is no surprise to coach Jeff Fisher.
"You don't draft someone in the first round with question marks. We had high expectations for him," Fisher says.
• FELIX JONES, COWBOYS
At Arkansas, he was a playmaker as a backup to Darren McFadden and a kick returner. Dallas made him the No. 22 overall pick.
ROOKIE FOCUS: Felix Jones sees Hall of Fame in his future
Marion Barber anchors the running game. But while the 5-10, 207-pound Jones has rushed just 27 times, he has averaged nine yards per carry and scored three rushing touchdowns. Last week he had a 33-yard TD run vs. the Cincinnati Bengals. He also returned a kickoff 98 yards for a score against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2.
"Felix Jones might not get as many carries as the rest of these guys, yet he might have the biggest impact down the road because the touches he gets with the Cowboys are quality touches with a good team," Mayock says.
• DARREN McFADDEN, RAIDERS
His time of 4.33 seconds in the 49-yard dash at the NFL combine ranked second among running backs and solidified the 6-2, 200-pounder from Arkansas as the top-rated running back. He came in with potential along the lines of 2007 rookie rushing star Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings.
In the Raiders' second game, against the Kansas City Chiefs, McFadden ran 21 times for 164 yards and a touchdown. But he suffered a big toe injury (turf toe) in that game. In two starts since, he's totaled 21 carries for 62 yards.
McFadden has shared carries with 245-pound Michael Bush and Justin Fargas. With Fargas expected back this week after missing two weeks with a groin injury, he, McFadden and Bush all figure to play Sunday at the New Orleans Saints. "It's a good mix with (Fargas) and Darren and Michael," says new Raiders coach Tom Cable.
• STEVE SLATON, TEXANS
When he was drafted, the 5-9, 201-pounder from West Virginia looked like a potential third-down back. But with Ahman Green sidelined by a knee injury, Slaton got the start in the Texans' second game, against Tennessee, and he ran for 116 yards and a touchdown. He's started the past three games and leads Houston with 285 rushing yards.
"He's been one of the big surprises of the year," Mayock says. "A lot of people had him going fourth, fifth, sixth round because there was a perception he was too small and too fragile playing in that spread offense at West Virginia."
Slaton set out to show he's more than a third-down back. "I think that's any running back's mentality," he says. "You don't want to be labeled as just one position or one down. You want to carry the ball as many times as you can."
• JONATHAN STEWART, PANTHERS
The 5-10, 235-pounder from Oregon has not started for Carolina, but he has been a factor in the running game along with third-year pro DeAngelo Williams.
He leads the Panthers with four rushing TDs. Last week against the Kansas City Chiefs, while Williams was running for 123 yards and two touchdowns, Stewart ran a career-high 19 times for 72 yards.
Stewart, the second running back taken in the draft and the No. 13 pick overall, says he and Williams aim to wear down defenses.
"Wear and tear, no matter who is in the backfield," Stewart says. "Just keep pounding."
Page 2 of 3Stud class: Rookie RBs lighting up NFL at unusual pace - USATODAY.com
Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
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By Jeff Zilgitt, USA TODAY
A new coach brings optimism. But August optimism doesn't always translate into October success in the NFL.
Through Week 5, the Washington Redskins' Jim Zorn, the Atlanta Falcons' Mike Smith, the Miami Dolphins' Tony Sparano and the Baltimore Ravens' John Harbaugh are a combined 11-7 (.611).
Last season's five first-time head coaches had a .416 winning percentage after Week 5.
All four entered the 2008 season with no NFL head coaching experience. Only Smith had been a coordinator in the NFL. Each coach brings different offensive and defensive schemes, but they share a path to success by connecting with players and holding them accountable.
They share another common thread. All four were assistants on winning teams — Zorn, 55, with the Seattle Seahawks' Mike Holmgren; Harbaugh, 46, with the Philadelphia Eagles' Andy Reid; Smith, 49, with the Jacksonville Jaguars' Jack Del Rio and former Ravens coach Brian Billick; and Sparano, who turns 47 today, with former Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells.
•In Washington, quarterback Jason Campbell has prospered in Zorn's version of the West Coast offense, which in turn has made running back Clinton Portis, the NFL's No. 2 rusher, a valuable commodity again. On Sunday, the Redskins (4-1) defeated the Eagles in Philadelphia 23-17 after falling behind 14-0. "We're getting good response because our guys are executing," Zorn said.
•In Atlanta, Smith is winning with the league's No. 2 rushing attack, led by Michael Turner, who leads the league in rushing with 543 yards.
•In Miami, the 2-2 Dolphins are a top-10 team on offense and defense. Their wins came against the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers, last year's AFC Championship Game opponents.
•In Baltimore, the 2-2 Ravens have lost consecutive games by a total of six points, including a 13-10 loss to the undefeated Tennessee Titans at home Sunday. While rookie quarterback Joe Flacco has struggled at times, the Ravens rank No. 4 in rushing yards per game and first in defense.
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Alleged victim in North Philly shooting sues Harrison
ESPN.com news services Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison has not been charged in an April 29 shooting in North Philadelphia, allegedly committed with a gun licensed to him, and a police investigation into the incident remains open. But the alleged victim isn't waiting for the criminal justice system to decide what charges, if any, Harrison should face before seeking his day in court.
The alleged victim, Dwight Dixon, has filed a civil suit against Harrison, claiming that he suffered "serious and permanent injuries ... and a severe shock to his nerves and nervous system" as a result of the shooting, which wounded his left hand, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.
While Harrison acknowledged to city police detectives that he had been in a fight with Dixon prior to the shooting, he insisted that he had nothing to do with the shooting, sources said, according to the report.
Harrison's attorney, Daniel J. Hart, and his agent, Tom Condon, did not return calls seeking comment, according to the Daily News.
The lawsuit, filed last month, seeks $100,000 in damages -- and seems designed to go forward regardless of whether Harrison is charged. According to the Daily News, one section of the lawsuit reads "The defendant intentionally and outrageously shot the plaintiff," while another section of the complaint claims Dixon was shot by someone else using Harrison's gun.
"Look, it's our position that Marvin Harrison was the shooter," said Robert M. Gamburg, Dixon's attorney, according to the Daily News. "But even if you believe the other theory, Marvin's gun was still used in the shooting, so he was negligent for leaving the weapon where someone else could obtain it."
According to the Daily News, sources said Harrison and Dixon had been squabbling for two weeks prior to the shooting, following a disagreement between the two men at Playmakers, a North Philadelphia bar that Harrison owns. Ballistics tests determined that shell casings found at the scene of the shooting matched Harrison's Belgian-made handgun.
Witnesses and Dixon separately identified Harrison as the shooter, sources said, according to the Daily News.
Under Pennsylvania law, Harrison could face misdemeanor charges if police determine that his gun was used in the commission of a crime.
Associated Press FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Matt Jones' cocaine charge will be heard in drug court rather than in the regular criminal system and will allow him to keep any conviction off his record.
Jones, 25, was to have gone on trial Friday for his July 10 arrest when a Fayetteville police officer saw him inside a car allegedly cutting up cocaine with a credit card.
Prosecutor John Threet said his office reached an agreement with Jones on Tuesday to send the case to drug court. Threet and Jones' attorney, Woody Bassett, said Circuit Judge William Storey approved the transfer Tuesday.
Bassett said Jones has to appear in drug court 1 p.m. Oct. 13 before Circuit Judge Mary Ann Gunn. Jones is a former quarterback at Arkansas and a first-round draft pick of the Jaguars in 2005.
Prosecutors say the felony charge will be dismissed if Jones completes the drug program.
Officials said Jones will have to undergo a nine-to-12-month intervention program in which he is to take part in group therapy sessions and serve 30 hours of community service. He also must submit to regular drug tests.
Gunn told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that Jones will likely not be required to move back to Arkansas to participate in the drug court program if the NFL allows him to continue playing. She said Jones must adhere to the NFL's anti-substance abuse program and pass all its drug testing requirements.
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