To the rescue in Pittsburgh comes … Chad Brown?

By Darrell Laurant  |   Friday, October 13, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Pittsburgh Steelers
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Is that fake ketchup coming out of the giant bottle at Heinz Field, or are the Pittsburgh Steelers bleeding to death?

Parity is one thing, but this is ridiculous. After winning the Super Bowl over Seattle eight months ago, Bill Cowher's team has started the 2006 season 1-3, losing successive games to Jacksonville, Cincinnati and San Diego. Next up is 2-2 Kansas City at home, a game that no longer looks like a lock.

How bad is it? On Thursday, the Steelers signed a blast from their past -- linebacker Chad Brown, a key part of the "Blitzburg" defense in the early and mid-'90s. This move became necessary because a) Joey Porter injured a hamstring in practice this week and may not play Sunday and b) his backup, James Harrison, is definitely out with a high ankle sprain. That leaves second-year man Arnold Harrison (no relation to James), who has yet to play this season. And now, former Steeler Chad Brown.

Brown had been out of a job since Sept. 1, when he was cut by the New England Patriots. A starter with the Pats at the beginning of last season, he was eventually demoted and finished with 27 tackles and not much else.

In his prime, the Colorado product was a Porter-style 'backer who was lethal in blitzing situations for the Steelers. He also put in some good years with the Seahawks, recording seven sacks in 2003. But he is 39 years old, signed in all probability because he's still familiar with the Steelers' defensive scheme.

Moreover, starting cornerback Deshea Townsend may be sidelined for Sunday as well, also with a hurt hamstring. And former golden boy Ben Roethlisberger, the youngest quarterback ever to lead his team to a Super Bowl, has no touchdown passes and seven interceptions.

Roethlisberger's passer rating actually went up in the loss last week -- from 30.7 to 58.5 -- and he may still be feeling the effects of an offseason motorcycle accident and emergency appendectomy. It doesn't help that his favorite target, WR Hines Ward, is battling hamstring woes.

At least people aren't calling the Steelers lucky any more.

Get more Pittsburgh Steelers commentary at RealFootball365.com
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