Interceptions offset Steelers' strong start

Interceptions of Tommy Maddox started Tennessee's comeback.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
PITTSBURGH -- The returns are in and Steelers coach Bill Cowher is not pleased.
"Interceptions are a problem no matter how you want to look at it, but certainly when they are being returned for touchdowns," said Cowher after Sunday's 30-13 loss to Tennessee.
Despite passing for 331 yards, quarterback Tommy Maddox was picked off twice to turn a strong Steelers start into a Titans' walk in the park.
In the Steelers' loss to Kansas City two weeks ago, a kickoff, punt and interception were returned for scores by the Chiefs. Sunday, the Titans capitalized on two long interception returns.
"We had our opportunities, but the offense gave up 16 points and you can't do that against a great team like Tennessee," said wide receiver Hines Ward, who caught nine passes for 76 yards.
Rolle sets up score
Right before halftime, cornerback Samari Rolle returned the first pick 49 yards to the Steelers 1, setting up Tennessee's go-ahead score.
Early in the fourth quarter, linebacker Rocky Boiman's theft was returned 60 yards for a touchdown.
What's frustrating the Steelers (2-2) is how well they began the game (controlling the ball for 21 minutes, 3 seconds of the first half), and how their defense contained Tennessee's offense to 198 yards.
Running back Eddie George was limited to 21 yards on 11 carries. Quarterback Steve McNair completed 15-of-16 passes, but only for 161 yards.
"We played pretty [well] in both halves," Steelers linebacker Joey Porter. "We gave up a couple of big plays in the passing game, but what we did get rectified is stopping the run."
Second worst game
Maddox endured his second-worst complete game since becoming the starter a year ago.
The offensive collapse came after a first quarter so dominating that the Titans offense had the ball for just 1:57.
The Steelers opened the game with a 16-play drive that consumed 9:17. But they had to settle for a 26-yard field goal by Jeff Reed.
After the Titans ran three plays and punted, the Steelers ran 10 plays, going ahead 10-0 on tailback Amos Zereoue's 5-yard run.
Goal-line stand
Adding insult to injury was how the Titans executed a goal-line stand in the final two minutes when the Steelers had first-and-goal at the 1. Three times, the Titans stuffed Zereoue for no gain and Maddox threw an incompletion.
"It felt like we were in the red zone all day, but we didn't capitalize on it," Maddox said. "We're just not making the plays we need to. The coaching staff is putting us in good position. We're just not making the plays.
"It's frustrating [because] the defense played great [and] the offensive line stepped up and played hard."
Ward credited the Titans defenders "for great team defense. They held everything in front of them, so they took away the big play. They had a lot of safeties helping over the top."