STEELERS Lighter, healthier Bettis not a sure bet

The running back could still join the ranks of the released.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- For the first time in eight years, Jerome Bettis does not have job security, and it shows.
Bettis reported Tuesday for the first day of the Steelers' coaching sessions in better shape than at the end of last season, when a knee injury and subsequent weight gain limited him to four yards on four carries in two playoff games.
The substandard postseason play came on the heels of a 666-yard regular season, Bettis' worst with the Steelers.
"He looks great," Coach Bill Cowher said. "They cleaned his knee at the end of the season. He's fine and he's been working out."
Cowher nudged Bettis along with the rehab process by hinting at the end of last season that he could join Kordell Stewart as a free agent.
No guarantees
While Cowher acknowledged that Bettis has lost weight, he didn't make any promises for the running back, who has rushed for 8,451 of his 11,542 career yards with the Steelers.
"There's no guarantees," Cowher said. "There's going to be some very competitive situations going into camp with Amos [Zereoue] and Fu [Chris Fuamatu-Maafala] and Jerome."
Bettis would not talk about his weight, focusing instead on the health of his left knee.
He underwent surgery Jan. 27 to repair cartilage.
"It's been two years since I could go into an offseason healthy. I feel good," he said.
Bettis said he underwent intensive rehabilitation in Los Angeles with personal trainer Bob Kersee.
"I just think that sometimes you need to show people that it's still there," Bettis said. "It's just an opportunity for me to come out and show everybody [The] Bus still has some tread left."
Zereoue finished 2002 as the team's leading rusher with 762 yards on 193 carries (3.9 average).
Tight end Mark Bruener also is fighting for a spot following knee surgery. Like Bettis, he is due a large salary this season.
Bettis' base salary will be $2.75 million and Bruener's will be $2.05 million.
By releasing either player after June 1, the Steelers would defer salary-cap space.
Bruener missed the final six games of the 2002 season and underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee in December. He said he will be cleared by doctors next week to train full-time with the team.
Bruener caught 13 passes for 66 yards last year.
Competition
The Steelers signed free-agent tight end Jay Riemersma to a three-year, $3.9 million contract on March 20.
"There are a lot of questions that are out there," Bruener said. "What's going to happen? I don't know.
"We may have to wait until the end of training camp -- we might know sooner than that. But my approach hasn't changed," Breuner said. "I'm going to do everything I can to prove to this organization I have a lot of football ability left in me.