By Shannon Russell
The Cincinnati Enquirer

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After five weeks of criticism and finger-pointing, the Bengals secondary had enough.

Jeff Burris, Artrell Hawkins, Marquand Manuel and Cory Hall waited out pre-kickoff festivities, ignored announcements of their individual names and stood poised before boisterous teammates at Paul Brown Stadium Sunday afternoon. Then, hands clasped, they squared their shoulders and ran onto the field in a symbolic gesture of unity.

Four quarters later, they were back to square one.

"We got outplayed. We didn't execute," Manuel said. "That's all it is - that's all it comes down to." The Steelers rolled up 408 total yards in the 34-7 drubbing, running at will over the lackluster Bengals defense. Running back Jerome Bettis rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Tommy Maddox hit receiver Plaxico Burress with eight passes for 149 yards, including a 36-yarder over Hall on Pittsburgh's first drive.

Sentiment has done little for the secondary, which was touted as new and improved in the preseason. The additions of ninth-year corner Burris and rookie strong safety Manuel were intended to smooth its rough edges and upgrade its talent level. Six games later, offenses are averaging 342 yards and 30 points a game.

But Hall said the biggest glitch in the secondary's solidarity is the constant lineup changes. Burris and Hawkins have settled into the corner positions, but the safeties are a revolving mix of combinations. In addition to Manuel and Hall, strong safety JoJuan Armour and free safeties Mark Roman and Lamont Thompson have played key roles.

"There's no security in the secondary because we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow at these positions," Hall said. "I don't know. I didn't expect JoJuan not to be out there. I didn't expect Lamont not to be there, either. You look at it all and just think."

Hall said an article pointing out cornerbacks inspired the group to be seen - and evaluated - as a single unit.

The hand-holding idea was Burris'.

"The biggest thing is if we're divided, it's easier for us to be conquered," Burris said. "We've had our shares of ups and downs, but we're always there together. And we are going to be together, regardless of the situation."

In the fourth quarter, Burris bolstered the secondary with a fourth-quarter interception, his first interception of the season. He picked off a pass intended for Hines Ward, setting Corey Dillon up for a 2-yard touchdown run.

The secondary's starters, which accounted for 19 tackles, intend to display the same teamwork resolve Oct. 27 at Tennessee. But it doesn't change the agony of the defeats.

"I don't think it can get much lower," Hawkins said. "Collectively, I think this is as low as I can remember it being (around here). When you put so much time in and you don't get the results, it's tough."

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