NFL
Sluggish Steelers edge Cowboys
By Times Wires
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 22, 2003
PITTSBURGH - The Steelers haven't had a winless preseason in 38 years. Brian St. Pierre, a quarterback with no guarantee of making the team, kept that streak alive.
St. Pierre led a 70-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter that was capped by his two-point conversion pass to Wes Ours, and the Steelers rallied to beat the Dallas Cowboys 15-14 Thursday night.
Dante Brown, a free-agent rookie running back from Memphis, scored on a 13-yard run on fourth and 1 to get the Steelers (1-2) within 14-13. St. Pierre, a fifth-round pick out of Boston College, found Ours in the right flat with the go-ahead conversion pass with 4:11 left.
It otherwise was another dreary performance during the Steelers' worst training camp in Bill Cowher's 12 seasons.
The Cowboys (1-2) had long touchdown drives in each half - one with Quincy Carter at quarterback and the other with Chad Hutchinson.
The Steelers' Tommy Maddox had his first scoring pass of the preseason, a 25-yarder to Plaxico Burress.
Not only have they practiced poorly, the Steelers' regulars have played ineffectively in three consecutive games.
The Steelers offensive starters outgained the Cowboys' regulars 190-113 with most of the yardage an 85-yard drive in the second quarter that was Pittsburgh's best of the preseason.
"We haven't been on top yet, but we took a step forward," Cowher said.
Jerome Bettis, benched Wednesday, carried three times for 18 yards. Amos Zereoue had 12 yards on seven carries.
BILLS: Receivers coach Fred Graves was back at practice after missing nearly a month following surgery for prostate cancer. "TV is the worst thing in the world during the day," Graves said. "There's nothing on TV. You get all those infomercials and all that stuff."
CHARGERS: Defensive tackle Leonardo Carson was arrested in his hometown of Mobile, Ala., for investigation of first-degree burglary and second-degree kidnapping. Carson, on leave to attend his grandmother's funeral, was booked into Mobile County Metro Jail and released on $57,500 bond, police said. General manager A.J. Smith said the team was still trying to find out what happened.
According to a report released by the Mobile Police Department, a woman told officers that Carson forcibly entered an apartment, physically assaulted her and forced her into his vehicle. Carson drove to a nearby shopping center where he had car trouble and the woman escaped, according to the report.
Meanwhile, running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who left Wednesday's practice with a bruised heel, reported little discomfort and could see limited action Saturday against the Texans. Wide receiver David Boston, also bothered by a sore heel on Wednesday, returned to practice. Starting cornerback Tay Cody pulled up with a strained hamstring.
DOLPHINS: Defensive end Jason Taylor says tonight's matchup against the Falcons at Pro Player Stadium means more than the first two preseason games. "If we make some of the same stupid mistakes we've made in the previous two weeks, then obviously there's a problem," he said. "But even if we go out this week and they score a touchdown or we throw an interception, it's not the end of the world. No team in this league right now is ready to open the season." Starters will play into the third quarter.
49ERS: Defensive end Chidi Ahanotu, a former Buc who started for the Bills last season, agreed to a one-year deal that includes a $25,000 signing bonus.
GIANTS: Tight end Jeremy Shockey spoke for the first time since apologizing for published comments about his sexual preferences and others critical of Dallas coach Bill Parcells. He talked for less than two minutes, and made it clear his personal life was off limits. "Y'all had your chance, y'all blew it," he said.
LIONS: Cornerback Dre' Bly will miss Saturday's preseason game against the Browns because of a sprained ankle. Defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson, signed over the weekend, said he is ready to play.
RAIDERS: Rookie Justin Fargas, the NFL's leading rusher in the preseason who is challenging Tyrone Wheatley to back up Charlie Garner, will run behind the first-string offensive line for the first time tonight against the Vikings.
REDSKINS: The team is leaning strongly toward keeping all four tailbacks: Trung Canidate, Ladell Betts, Kenny Watson and Chad Morton.
SEAHAWKS: Former Buc Damien Robinson, a safety, has been limited by a separated shoulder but could be ready for the opener Sept. 7 against the Saints.
TEXANS: Rookie running back Domanick Davis returned to full practice for the first time since breaking his right hand in a blocking drill July 29.
MILANOVICH IN CFL: Former Bucs and Storm quarterback Scott Milanovich is playing with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. Milanovich, 30, has completed 40 of 72 passes for 521 yards and a touchdown with seven interceptions in three games.
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