Cowher not satisfied as team gears up for Raiders

Receiver Hines Ward said Pittsburgh had a productive training camp.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
PITTSBURGH -- At least Steelers coach Bill Cowher and his players agreed on one thing following Thursday's 16-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers in the exhibition finale at Heinz Field -- they're glad summer training is over.
They certainly didn't see eye-to-eye on how they performed against the defending NFC champions.
Cowher was upset with starting units on offense and defense.
Lack of production
In two series (minus starting tailback Duce Staley and left guard Alan Faneca, who didn't play), the Steelers' offensive starters produced two first downs, 42 yards and zero points.
In between those series, the Panthers' offense drove 80 yards on 18 plays to set up John Kasay's 29-yard field goal.
Carolina (4-0 in the preseason) converted three third-down opportunities before stalling.
"It's not like we're getting blown coverages or they are just beating us bad," right outside linebacker Joey Porter said. "I don't want to take away anything from Carolina, but I feel that the plays that they did make was all because of what we didn't do. Those things are correctable."
Cowher criticized his players for sloppy execution, mental mistakes and two fourth-quarter fumbles by young players (punt returner Ricardo Colclough and tailback Willie Parker).
"It was just a disappointing effort overall," said Cowher after the Steelers finished 2-2 in the exhibition season.
Wide receiver Hines Ward, who caught one pass from starting quarterback Tommy Maddox for 6 yards, credited the Panthers' defense for playing well and being one of the NFL's best.
"They can get pressure from a four-man rush, but overall, I think we did [well]," Ward said. "By the time we were ready to get back on a roll, they pulled us. Tommy marched [the backups] down the field and we scored.
"We had a great training camp and hopefully we can carry it over to the season," Ward said. "This preseason has been good for us. A lot of guys are anxious for the season to start."
Affirmation
Maddox, who played three series and engineered the Steelers' only touchdown drive, agreed.
"Yeah, we're ready," Maddox said. "I think everybody is excited about next week, opening at home against an opponent like the Raiders. Everybody's going to be fired up."
Porter, who missed the first part of last season after suffering a gunshot wound to his left buttocks outside a Colorado bar on Labor Day weekend, said he believes the Steelers' defense is more than ready for the regular season to begin on Sept. 12 with a home game against Oakland.
"I feel great going into the season," Porter said of his recovery. "This defense is doing a lot of good things. We have a confident group, we have a bunch of young guys that can run fast [and] do a lot of things out there. We have a solid defense -- I wouldn't trade them for anyone."
williams@vindy.com