By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Proficiency in one area has only spotlighted a deficiency in another. That a capable group of young receivers and a former XFL quarterback have the Steelers atop the AFC in passing offense isn't the thrill it would seem to be in Pittsburgh.

The running game, a Steelers offensive staple, has been a non-factor through the first two weeks of the NFL season.

"We have to have balance," Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. "We've always strived for that.

"We can't be a team that has to throw 40 or 45 times and expect to win games. ... We have to establish the running game and make sure people honor it."

Two years removed from averaging 33 more rushing yards a game than any other team in the NFL, and with nearly the same cast in the backfield, Pittsburgh ranks 14th in the AFC and 27th in the NFL in rushing offense.

Primary running backs Amos Zereoue and Jerome Bettis are getting limited touches (34 in the first two games) and finding limited success when called upon (125 yards, one touchdown).

Of Zereoue's 104 yards, 37 came on two fourth-quarter plays in a 41-20 loss against the Chiefs in Week 2.

"It's a situation we have to address," Cowher said. "At the same time, we are not going to sit there and just abandon throwing the football.

"It is something we do very well."

Quarterback Tommy Maddox has completed 65 percent of his passes for 596 yards and four touchdowns entering Sunday's game at Paul Brown Stadium.

His 89.6 passer rating is seventh among quarterbacks with 50 or more attempts.

"They want to run the ball and establish the run," Bengals defensive end Justin Smith said. "But they definitely can throw the ball. They've got some big-time receivers and a quarterback that can get them the ball."

Receivers Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress have caught a combined 31 passes for 468 yards and three touchdowns.

They rank third and fourth in the NFL in receiving yards, respectively.

"Their receivers are probably one of the biggest strengths of their team," Bengals defensive end Duane Clemons said. "I would imagine they want to get more mileage out of them."

The Steelers have leaned on their passing game en route to a 1-1 record.

"Even though they may not be doing what is their strength," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said, "it's a good football team that can adjust and move forward and get something else done that gives them a chance to win games."

There are signs that point to the Steelers' desire to win with a balanced offense.

In 1996, Bettis rushed for 1,431 yards and wide receiver Charles Johnson caught 60 passes for 1,008 yards.

Pittsburgh hadn't had a 1,000-yard rusher and receiver in the same season since Franco Harris and John Stallworth did it in 1979.

Pittsburgh accomplished the feat again in 1997.

In 2001, the Steelers had a 1,000-yard rusher in Bettis, a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Ward and Burress and a 3,000-yard passer in Kordell Stewart.

But neither Bettis, the 10th leading rusher in NFL history, nor Zereoue rushed for more than 770 yards last season.

Ward and Burress, meanwhile, both eclipsed 1,300 yards receiving last season, while Maddox came on in relief of Stewart and passed for 2,836 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The Steelers made the playoffs in both seasons (2001 and 2002), losing in their second postseason game each time.

Steelers at Bengals

When: 1 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Paul Brown Stadium (sold out).

TV: Ch. 12, 7.

Radio: WCKY-AM (1360), WOFX-FM (92.5).

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E-mail kkelly@enquirer.com

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