Thursday, October 14, 1999Steelers search for answers
Will try to end 3-game losing streak
BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati EnquirerBill Cowher has gone from the toast of Pittsburgh to toasted by some of the city's diehard hard-hats.
The heat is relatively mild, but Cowher is in a career slump as the Steelers (2-3) prepare to visit the Bengals (1-4) on Sunday. The Steelers have lost three straight games, following their first non-playoff season since Cowher took over seven years ago.
His track record has earned Cowher grace time, but the fiery coach admittedly is searching for answers. When asked whether he is coaching differently, the Pittsburgh-area native was able to laugh.
“I don't think I've suddenly become a bad coach,” he said Wednesday, in a teleconference with Cincinnati media. “It's new territory for myself, and all I know is you have to approach things with hard work.”
Cowher made it look easy upon arrival as Steeler coach in 1992, the same year Dave Shula took over the Bengals. While Shula floundered, Cowher became just the second NFL coach to guide a team to the playoffs in each of his first six seasons. The only other man to do that was Paul Brown with the Cleveland Browns.
Cowher has been to a Super Bowl (1996) and twice was AFC runner-up (1994, 1997 seasons), which is why the current funk is hard to accept in football-mad Pittsburgh.
“It searches your soul. It's not easy,” Cowher said. “I really believe you don't ever accept losing, you learn to deal with it. I'm in the process of learning how to deal with it.”
For years, the Steelers lost key free agents but managed to win. But the talent drain has caught up with them.
Under Cowher, The Steelers have lost several Pro Bowlers to other teams or injuries. The list:
LB Chad Brown, LB Greg Lloyd, CB Rod Woodson, RB Barry Foster, G Carlton Haselrig, QB Neil O'Donnell, PK Gary Anderson, TE Eric Green, S Carnell Lake, G Duval Love, LB Kevin Greene and WR Yancey Thigpen.
The Bengals have scooped up some other ex-Steelers in strong safety Myron Bell, nose tackle Oliver Gibson and offen sive tackle Jamain Stephens.
Bell said most players love playing for Cowher, who at 42 is the third-youngest head coach in the NFL.
“He's enthusiastic, and he listens to the players,” said Bell, who played from 1994-97 in Pittsburgh. “He really gets you prepared for a game. But after three or four years of losing all those free agents, their depth is a little bit down.”
The Steeler defense ranks No.2 in the NFL this year, but the offense ranks just 19th. Important Steelers such as quarterback Kordell Stewart and running back Jerome Bettis have not played well this season. Stewart is only 23rd in the NFL in passer rating (67.9), while Bettis is just 20th in rush ing (256 yards).
One problem is there has been yet another switch of offensive coordinators, with Kevin Gilbride taking over. Stewart has played for four offensive coordinators in five years.
“When you have a young team and new faces, coaching-wise, as well, we're in the process of growing together,” Cowher said. “But at the same time you have to apply a sense of urgency to get the thing turned around quickly.” The Bengals certainly offer that chance, but Cowher was reminded Wednesday that Cincinnati, 3-13 last season, swept the series with Pittsburgh in 1998.
“I'm sure it's very fresh in their minds, and you guys will do a good job of reminding us,” Cowher said. “The most important thing is that we've lost three straight, and we have to stop the bleeding.”
A Pittsburgh columnist dubbed the team “Operation Make Strides,” after the Steelers overplayed several positives from last week's 24-21 loss to Buffalo, such as a relatively good day by Stewart (21 of 29, 216 yards, 2 TDs, 1 interception).
“I will never accept losing,” Cowher said. “It does eat away at you, but you have to keep working at it.”
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