Rash of mistakes foils Steelers

Coach Bill Cowher said he has to get his team better prepared.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
PITTSBURGH -- A multitude of Steelers mistakes had their fans rather perplexed during the Cleveland Browns' 33-13 shellacking of the home team Sunday night at Heinz Field.
Specifically, should they be more upset with the offense's inability to convert 10 of their 11 third-down opportunities?
Or does the poor pass coverage that made beleaguered Browns quarterback Tim Couch look like Bernie Kosar deserve the most howls?
What about Clark Haggans' offside penalty on a kickoff that gave the Browns a second chance, which Andre Davis turned into a 69-yard return? Or Haggans' illegal block that wiped out a punt return touchdown by Antwaan Randle El?
Not a good show
"That was a very poor display of football," Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. "[We had] the same old current theme -- turnovers and big plays. That was a disappointing performance."
Quarterback Tommy Maddox completed only 11-for-24 passes for 136 yards. Two were intercepted, including cornerback Daylon McCutcheon's 75-yard touchdown return in the third quarter that put the Browns ahead, 30-10.
Maddox also was sacked three times in the first half.
"We'll take a look at anything, but I don't anticipate making any changes at the quarterback position," Cowher said. "We did not play that well up front."
Wide receiver Hines Ward had two receptions and Plaxico Burress one. Tailback Amos Zereoue was the leading receiver with seven catches for 57 yards.
Ward's response
Asked if the Browns' cover-2 scheme was responsible for his lowest output of the season, Ward said, "No."
Ward then hinted that either his number wasn't being called by offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey or Maddox didn't see him open.
Maddox bristled when queried about his confidence.
"What do you think I am going to do -- jump off a cliff? Yes, I have confidence in myself and my teammates," Maddox said. "It is [only] five games into the season.
"Are we playing the way we need to be playing? No. But it is not as gloom and doom as everybody thinks it is," Maddox said. "We are going to get this turned around."
When Maddox ascended to starter a year ago, the Steelers converted from a running machine to an aerial-dominated threat.
Running game thwarted
The Steelers running game offered little help as the Browns limited Zereoue to 38 yards on 13 carries. Former starter Jerome Bettis had three second-quarter carries for 8 yards, including the team's only touchdown.
Maddox wasn't the only guilty party of costly mistakes. Burress made a false start on a first-half fourth-and-2 play.
Late in the first half, cornerback Dwayne Washington was penalized for a face-mask, one play before Couch scrambled 9 yards for a 23-10 lead.
"Some of those things have not been characteristic of us coming into this game," Cowher said. "I guess that's what is disappointing."
Cowher said any changes that are needed "start with me. I've got to do a better job of preparing this football team."
Ward said the team "can bounce back from this. I'm not worried, but it's disappointing because I see us put in the effort and all the hard work, and it's not paying off right now. We're killing ourselves."