AFC NORTH Steelers looking for their rhythm

Coach Bill Cowher wants to see more consistency in the passing game.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Jerome Bettis won't play and Duce Staley probably won't, either. If this had happened a year ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers likely would have panicked going into their season opener.
Coach Bill Cowher is concerned about a starting offense that didn't score a touchdown in four exhibition games, but not because No. 3 running back Willie Parker will make his first career start Sunday against Tennessee.
Rather, Cowher said the lack of production, cohesion and rhythm in a passing game that saw Ben Roethlisberger complete only 16-of-36 passes and throw two interceptions in the preseason is a bigger worry.
"Would I have liked to see us be more in sync in the passing game? Yes," Cowher said Tuesday, "and that's the one thing I come out of the preseason saying: 'I wish we would have done better.' But we are where we are. That's really the only true element I'm concerned or worried about."
Roethlisberger never got into the playmaking groove he did during his unbeaten rookie season, overthrowing his receivers or misreading them. However, the starters got relatively little playing time -- only two series in one game -- and Roethlisberger thinks the timing could easily come with one completed pass or one sustained drive.
Still learning
Roethlisberger and Cowher agreed that putting together a game plan, something the Steelers don't do in the preseason, also will help. New receiver Cedrick Wilson is still learning the offense and Antwaan Randle El has never been a starting receiver in four seasons, except as a fill-in for the injured Plaxico Burress last season.
"When you game plan, there are certain elements that you prepare for, certain things that you want to do. Certain plays will complement other plays," Cowher said. "You're always going to have complementary plays that set up other plays. It's a pretty dramatic difference from that point. There's a lot more focus on what you're trying to do."
Bettis, the No. 5 rusher in NFL history, won't play because of the strained right calf that kept him out of the team's final preseason game. Staley, who went into training camp as the starter, hasn't been ruled out, but has practiced only once with the team since training camp began.
Coming along
Pro Bowl linebacker Joey Porter, who, like Staley, had knee surgery a week into camp, is further along in his rehabilitation than Staley and has resumed practicing. He is also listed as questionable.
"Joey has a much better chance of playing than Duce," Cowher said. "We'll assess Duce as the week goes on."
Bettis took over for the injured Staley midway through last season and missed a ninth 1,000-yard season by 59 yards despite starting only six games.
The Steelers have lost their last three meetings with Tennessee, including a playoff game and a regular season game in 2002, but the former AFC Central rivals did not meet last season. While quarterback Steve McNair certainly is familiar, new Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow is not after being hired away from national champion Southern Cal.
"They still do some of the things they've done in the past, but I'm sure they're holding back some things as well," Cowher said. "That's the unknown you've got to expect going into the first game."