The Steelers acquired two players yesterday to replace halfback Verron Haynes and linebacker Arnold Harrison, who were placed on injured reserve with torn anterior cruciate knee ligaments.
The team claimed veteran linebacker Marquis Cooper off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings and signed running back John Kuhn from their practice squad.
Cooper, drafted in the third round from the University of Washington by Tampa Bay in 2004, played 26 games in two seasons for the Buccaneers. He was active for one game with the Vikings this season.
Kuhn, who played at Shippensburg University, spent part of his rookie season last year on the Steelers' practice squad as well.
The Steelers also signed rookie running back Cedric Humes back to their practice squad.
Haynes is scheduled to have surgery today on his knee. Harrison will have surgery after the swelling in his knee subsides. Both injuries occurred Sunday in Oakland.
Center Jeff Hartings also was injured in that game and has an MCL knee sprain that will keep him out of the game against Denver Sunday at Heinz Field. Coach Bill Cowher also declared three other players out for the game: Safety Mike Logan (hamstring), linebacker James Harrison (ankle) and receiver/return man Willie Reid (foot).
Starting nose tackle Casey Hampton (hamstring) and linebacker Clark Haggans (ankle) are listed as questionable.
Kuhn could compete with Najeh Davenport and Duce Staley to become the third-down back.
Chukky Okobi will start at center for Hartings, and guard Kendall Simmons will take some snaps at center in practice.
"He's been in this league a while, and, every time Jeff has gone down, he's stepped in and been a very consistent player," Cowher said of Okobi.
Cowher said he will decide whether Simmons or Chris Kemoeatu will start at right guard "week to week." Kemoeatu made his second start this season against the Raiders.
Accepting the blame
Cowher, on his team's plight after losing five of the past six:
"There's a lot of disappointment to be sitting here where we are, at 2-5. First of all, I accept full responsibility for that. It starts with me.
"There's been a lot of frustration that has taken place in the course of these games in terms of the different ways we have found to lose. The bottom line is that we have lost. Each of us is going to have to do more, and that starts with me. I can assure you that we will do whatever we deem necessary to win a football game."
He acknowledged, though, that his defending Super Bowl champs have lost confidence.
"Confidence is a fragile thing. We have no reason to be a confident team at this point. We haven't done the things it takes to win football games. We have to go out there and establish that.
"You have to be careful about being a realist and not trying to sugar-coat things. I think it's important that we deal with where we are and what the facts are. I think you have a veteran team that understands that. There's no easy and clear-cut answer to that. If there was, a lot of things would have been rectified at this point. The only answer to it is to go out there and pay attention to the little things. And that starts with me."
Lots to kick about ...
It should come as no surprise that the coach is disgusted with some of his special-teams play, particularly the kickoff- and punt-coverage teams.
"The kickoff-coverage team is 30th in the league in terms of starting point [the 30 yard line]. Our punt ... is 32nd [37.2 net average]. There's no question it's been one of the bigger disappointments with us, the kicking game.
"Those are the facts. We've got to find a way to rectify it. I'm not going to make any excuses, we're just not getting it done."
... and more
Cowher also said he was surprised and disappointed with the inconsistent play of his offensive line.
"Very much so. There's no easy answer to the inconsistencies of this team. ... Offensively, we've not been able to run the ball consistently."
He said, however, they have been inconsistent in many areas, most notably in turnovers. They have 18 compared to 23 all last season.
Ann Heisenfelt, Associated PressAs if we needed further proof that Tom Brady has come a long way since 2002, he threw is not threw for 372 yards and four touchdowns in a demolition of Minnesota, 31-7, Monday night.
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Listen In:
Audio commentary from Bill Cowher's press conference Tuesday:
The Steelers aren't playing with confidenceCowher takes the blame for the 2-5 startPoor play: special teams and blockingListen to entire press conference
First Published: November 1, 2006, 5:00 a.m.
