Notebook: Steelers: Heinz' fans not as good as Three Rivers'

The Steelers' long-awaited, regular season debut at Heinz Field was a disappointment in at least one regard, according to running back Jerome Bettis.

The new facility wasn't nearly the madhouse that Three Rivers Stadium used to be, Bettis said following the Steelers' 16-7 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

'Three Rivers to Heinz Field• No comparison,' Bettis said. 'Three Rivers Stadium was clearly a louder stadium. And we didn't have the same fans. I feel bad saying this, but for us to go into our first game here, it was nothing like Three Rivers Stadium. The fans never even stood up. It was very disappointing to me because our defense needed them a lot of times, and they looked like they were just watching the game.

'I went to the Miami-Pitt game, and there was a lot more enthusiasm from the crowd. And I'm a Notre Dame guy, so for me to make that comment, that was big. I'm begging, I'm pleading with the fans to please, when you come in there, come in there with your Steeler rags, please; I didn't see any Terrible Towels.

'We need you guys. There are going to be some times when things are rough. There we some times out there when we really needed (the fans) and they rose to the occasion a couple times, but we need them there all game long.'

The game did attract a crowd of 62,335, a record for an NFL game in Pittsburgh.

THAT'S MY HEAD YOU'RE HOLDING

When Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress fumbled after a 17-yard reception in the second quarter, the Bengals immediately signaled that they recovered. But Steelers tight end Mark Bruener said he had it all the time.

'They took off my helmet, and I think they thought it was the football,' Bruener said.

Still, the Steelers lost the ball on quarterback Kordell Stewart's fumble five plays later. It was one of four fumbles by the Steelers, including two that were lost.

PAY ATTENTION

Guard Alan Faneca was called for a false start in the second quarter with the Steelers on the Cincinnati 12-yard line, even though coach Bill Cowher said he went to great lengths in the preceding timeout to make sure that everyone knew the snap count.

'It's completely mental and you hate yourself for it,' Faneca said.

The Steelers ended up scoring two plays later on Stewart's touchdown run.

SLIPPERY BALLS•

The Steelers had two errant snaps between Stewart and center Jeff Hartings, and commemorative balls designed for the first regular-season NFL game at Heinz Field might have been to blame.

'I don't think that's something you can make excuses about,' Hartings said, 'but, sometimes, reasons like that aren't excuses. Maybe we have to practice with more slippery balls.'

Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna didn't have any fumbles, but he did miss several wide-open receivers.

'There was a problem with the football today,' he said. 'I know that and I'm sure Kordell would tell you the same thing. They had 60 balls today because of the new stadium, and it seemed like they didn't rub down any of them. I don't know if you've ever tried to throw one of those balls when they are new, but they are slick.

'Early in the game, we had a deep play called and I ended up throwing the ball to my back.'

ASSIST TO COWHER

Kris Brown's 48-yard field goal with 1:57 left in the game ensured the victory, but he wasn't sure he could make it until after he spoke to Cowher.

With the wind blowing from left to right, Cowher told Brown to aim for the left upright and let the wind carry it down the middle.

'I was just concerned with how hard the wind was going to push the ball,' said Brown, who was kicking into the open end of the stadium next to the Ohio River. 'The ball was pushing right a lot quicker than I thought it was going to.

'It wasn't a situation where I wasn't confident that I could make the kick. It was just a situation where I needed to talk to somebody about where I needed to place the ball in order for it to go through.'

Brown was 3 for 3.

ADVICE FROM BURRESS

Burress wasn't complaining about Stewart after catching three passes for 37 yards, but he was able to get open a few other times when passes went awry.

'I don't really see what's going on in the pocket,' he said. 'Maybe he has pressure. And when he does overthrow me, I kind of come to him and tell him, 'Calm down and relax just set your feet and throw the football.' '

'YOU KNOW ME'

Security was tight for people entering Heinz Field, especially at the media gate where reporters were asked to open their laptop bags and turn on their computers. But authorities allowed one local celebrity to enter without inspection: Cowher, who arrived with his family.

Cowher was luckier than Washington Redskins cornerback Darrell Green, a 19-year veteran, who didn't have the proper identification before a game two weeks ago at FedEx Field in Washington and was sent back to his car to retrieve it.

BY THE NUMBERS

Hines Ward moved into 20th place on the Steelers' all-time reception list, passing running backs coach Dick Hoak and finishing the day with 148. ... Bettis has rushed for more than 100 yards in nine of 12 games against the Bengals, including one with the Los Angeles Rams. The Steelers are 7-4 against the Bengals since Bettis joined the team in 1996.

INJURY UPDATE

Steelers wide receiver Tim Baker suffered a concussion on the opening kickoff. ... Bengals defensive tackle Tony Williams injured his ankle in the first quarter. Both players returned. ... Linebacker Adrian Ross strained his right quad and did not return.

HE SAID IT

> Safety Myron Bell said he didn't engage in any trash-talking with his former Bengals teammates, many of whom remain close friends with him. 'We're too old for that,' he said.