A pair of Irish physicians will roam the Steelers' sidelines tonight at Heinz Field during a preseason game against the New York Jets. Conor McCarthy and Gary O'Driscoll are guests of Steelers president Dan Rooney. The two arrived from Ireland last weekend and have spent most of the week at Steelers training camp, observing the methods of Steelers trainer John Norwig and his staff.
"It's great to see the number of trainers and the professional nature of the work," McCarthy said. "The approach is very professional and organized."
McCarthy and O'Driscoll, who work as trainers for Ireland's national rugby program, are scheduled to visit the medical center at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex today. One of their missions was to meet with Steelers orthopedic surgeon James P. Bradley. McCarthy works in Dublin, O'Driscoll in Manchester. They say the injuries suffered in rugby are similar to those incurred in football — especially with knees and shoulders.
The catch with rugby, of course, is that the players don't wear helmets or pads.
Norwig visited Ireland six months ago as a guest of the Irish Rugby Union and invited McCarthy and O'Driscoll to join the Steelers for a week of camp.
The two were asked which Steelers players would make the best rugby players. McCarthy said he'd like to see quarterback Kordell Stewart give it a try.
"I think he'd be superb," McCarthy said. "He'd be a scrumhalf — the guy who makes all the plays. If he plays badly, the entire team plays badly."
O'Driscoll figures running back Jerome Bettis would inflict some serious damage. "You could use him virtually anywhere," he said.
Both men believe that kicker Todd Peterson would do well in rugby, where kicks are worth two points after a score, and field goals are worth three points. "He could be useful if he could kick from different angles," McCarthy said.
The Steelers played a preseason game in Ireland in 1997 and might visit the country for another game — of tackle football — within the next few years.
TAKE A CHANCE
The Steelers have spent significant time working on their onside kicks the past few days. First-year special teams coach Kevin Spencer is confident his players can recover a few this season — and not just in desperate situations.
"It's kind of neat because the coach (Bill Cowher) isn't afraid to use it," Spencer said. "If you calculate in film study that it's worth it to take a chance, you know the coach is going to be willing."
Spencer excitedly recalled the Steelers and former kicker Norm Johnson executing an onside kick in Super Bowl XXX against the Dallas Cowboys. He says Peterson is adept at several different kicks, including one where he drives the ball into the ground so it will pop high into the air.
Spencer said that in surprise situations, the normal kick coverage team likely would take the field for an onside kick. But in obvious situations, different players could be used. Wide receiver Plaxico Burress, for example, would be a good candidate to try to reel in a high-bouncing kick.
SHOWTIME
Steelers fans will get their first close-up look at talented wide receiver Antwaan Randle El tonight. Randle El can hardly wait. His family —- brothers Curtis Jr. and Marcus, mother Jacqueline and father Curtis Sr. — are traveling in from Riverdale, Ill., to watch the game. Randle El wants to put on a show, but his main goal is winning.
"I'm excited just to play," he said. "I'm a showman, not a show-off; you know what I'm saying⢠I'm not out there just to please. I'm trying to play and win the game the best way I can and not be a burden or a hindrance."
Randle El is expected to play several series and to return punts. He returned 16 punts for 149 yards in his senior season at Indiana but said the job will be easier in the pros.
"Here, you can double-team the outside guys," he said. "In college, that's what gets you: those outside guys."
JETS UPDATE
The Jets gave linebacker Sam Cowart a six-year, $30 million contract after they couldn't work out a deal with James Farrior, who ended up in Pittsburgh. But Cowart has a hamstring injury and won't play tonight against the Steelers.
James Darling, a six-year veteran, will replace Cowart, and Darling is looking forward to matching up against one of the top teams in the AFC, at least according to most perceptions.
"You always think that when you play a team that you know will be on top of the standings," Darling said, "it will be real good for us to go out there, have some three-and-outs and have the special teams do some things we want to do.
"We, for sure, respect them. Hopefully, they feel the same way."
NOTABLE
The Steelers worked out for more than hour yesterday morning at St. Vincent College, putting an emphasis on special teams. Wide receiver Plaxico Burress, who has a slight groin injury, practiced and is expected to play. Safety Mike Logan (hamstring) worked lightly, but he won't play. When Logan returns, he will assume a key role in the passing-down defensive alignments and as the backup to free safety Brent Alexander. Rookie Chris Hope, a third-round draft pick, is the chief backup to strong safety Lee Flowers. Farrior worked with the first team at inside linebacker, but John Fiala will start there tonight.
