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Steelers ink untested rookie as kicker
Jerry DiPaola is the Tribune-Review high school sports editor. He can be reached via e-mail.
After placing veteran Todd Peterson on the season-ending injured reserve list with cracked ribs, the Steelers tried out four out-of-work kickers at Heinz Field on a windy, rainy afternoon Tuesday. At the conclusion of the workout, Cowher decided to sign rookie Jeff Reed, an undrafted rookie who was cut by the New Orleans Saints in training camp.
"It's a dream come true," Reed said. "A blessing from God."
Reed was the choice over Danny Boyd, Joe O'Donnell and veteran Michael Husted, who hadn't tried a field goal since 2000. Boyd and O'Donnell, who was cut by the Steelers in training camp, had never kicked in the NFL.
Reed, 23, was a walk-on at the University of North Carolina in 2000, had never kicked in a college game before that season, but he turned out to be a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection. He earned honorable mention all-conference honors the following season as a senior .
Reed concluded his college career with 28 field goals in 36 attempts and 66 of 67 point-after conversions. He set a school record with 66 PATs in a row.
Reed, 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, kicked a 54-yard field goal in high school in Charlotte, N.C. His longest in college was 49, and he missed six of 10 attempts between 40 and 49 yards.
Reed said he excelled in long-range field goals yesterday during the workout.
"I made my long ones," he said. "That made an impression on them."
Meanwhile, O'Donnell, a graduate of Fox Chapel High School, left the Steelers' practice facility disappointed, but determined, to continue his quest to land a job in the NFL.
"I love this game too much to die now," he said.
O'Donnell said kicking at Heinz Field was difficult, but it couldn't be avoided.
"It wasn't the easiest place to have a tryout, especially under these conditions," he said, "but that's what you have to do, if you're going to play there. This is where you're going to kick."
Reed said Heinz Field is tough, but no different than any football field.
"Every field is tough. There is something tough about every field. I have no problem with the field. You have to make the field goals. That's what I'm here for. It's tough, but it's just a challenge," he said.
The Steelers' kicking game isn't the only area of the team where changes will be made. Cowher said five players will miss the game Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, including three starters — quarterback Tommy Maddox, center Jeff Hartings and inside linebacker James Farrior.
Maddox is out indefinitely after suffering brain and spinal concussions, and Hartings will have arthroscopic surgery on his re-injured knee today. Farrior has an MCL knee sprain. Dime defensive backs Mike Logan (groin) and Hank Poteat (knee) also are out. The Steelers are hoping that Hartings, Farrior, Logan and Poteat will miss no more than two games.
"It's nothing that looks like it's long-term," Cowher said.
A crisis situation is developing at linebacker, with rookie linebacker Larry Foote doubtful with a calf injury. To ease the problem, the Steelers signed 12-year veteran Mike Jones, who was with the team last year but released after the season. Jones was with the Oakland Raiders earlier this season, but he was released three weeks ago.
When former Steelers linebacker Earl Holmes was out with a knee injury late last season, Jones replaced him in the dime defense, but Cowher said he has no such plans for Jones this season.
Initially, Jones will be the backup for inside linebackers Kendrell Bell and John Fiala, who will replace Farrior in the starting lineup. Center Chukky Okobi will start for Hartings.
Kordell Stewart will start for Maddox and will be backed up by Charlie Batch. Wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, who was a quarterback at the University of Indiana, will be the third quarterback. Cowher said the team will install a small package of plays for Randle El, if he is inserted at quarterback. Running gadget plays, Randle El has completed 3 of 4 passes for 31 yards.
Running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (pectoral muscle) and defensive back Chidi Iwuoma (knee) are questionable. Tight end John Allred (concussion) and running back Jerome Bettis (knee) are probable.
After reading off the lengthy, 10-name list yesterday at his news conference, Cowher said, "I might have been better served to tell you who is healthy."
To make room on the roster for Jones, the Steelers released tight end/long snapper Dan O'Leary.
