Four days before the Browns and Steelers kick off the 2007 season, Roethlisberger opened up a can big enough to contain snakes, not the just the proverbial worms, at the end of a conference call Wednesday when the subject of Bill Cowher returning to coaching came up.
Cowher, a former Browns linebacker and later a special teams coach under Marty Schottenheimer, was the Steelers head coach from 1992 until he retired after last season.
Roethlisberger was asked if he thought Cowher would never coach the Browns out of loyalty to the Rooney family, which has owned the Steelers since 1933. Dan Rooney, son of Steelers' founder Arthur J. Rooney, hired Cowher 15 years ago,
It was as though Roethlisberger anticipated the question and was eager to pounce on it.
"Only he could tell you that," Roethlisberger said. "Honestly - and I can only talk for a few of the players here - we joke around and say that (Cleveland) could be his No. 1 spot."
Cowher is on record saying he will not coach this year or in 2008. Roethlisberger is skeptical and believes Cowher will be back on an NFL sideline next year.
Cowher's name is sure to come up if the Browns falter, but from what General Manager Phil Savage says, it would be talk and nothing more. Savage was adamant Saturday saying Coach Romeo Crennel's job is not in jeopardy. Crennel is 10-22 overall and 1-11 in the AFC North in two seasons.
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Punter Dave Zastudil has a sore back, but Crennel expects his punter to be ready to go against the Steelers.
Zastudil's injury flared up in practice Monday. He ran with the team prior to practice Wednesday. He did not punt the ball during the portion of practice the media was allowed to watch.
"Anytime you have a back injury you're always worried because backs are fickle," Crennel said. "I'm worried about anybody's injury. In planning, I think you have to have a plan so that you can cover yourself.
"If it does linger somewhere down the road, then I've already looked at some guys and have a priority about who I might want to bring in."
Five punters had tryouts Tuesday. None was signed. Phil Dawson would be the punter if Zastudil's injury flares up during a game.
Captain, my captain
Teammates have elected wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, center Hank Fraley, linebacker Andra Davis, linebacker Willie McGinest and kicker Phil Dawson as team captains. Safety Sean Jones and tight end Steve Heiden are co-captains.
"These guys are exemplary guys to be leaders and to be out front for the team," Crennel said.
"Going forward, I know NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wanted to put emphasis on veteran leadership. These guys will have a captain patch on their jerseys. They will be the leaders and the spokesmen for the team."
Jurevicius said he is honored to be a captain, especially since he was elected by his teammates.
"My deal is going to be to lead by example and make sure when we step onto the field we're doing things that are going to represent the Browns and ourselves," Jurevicius said.
"I think the captains the players elected are a great group of guys. I'm not speaking about myself. I'm speaking about the other guys. They've been there and done that."
Jurevicius, McGinest and Fraley are in their second year with the Browns. Dawson is in his ninth season and Davis is in his sixth.
Injury update
- Right tackle Kevin Shaffer practiced outdoors Wednesday for the first time since suffering a concussion Aug. 25. He remains hopeful of playing against the Steelers.
- Safety Mike Adams was limited Wednesday because of a groin injury. The Browns do not have another safety behind Sean Jones and Brodney Pool.
- Gary Baxter (patellar tendons) is listed as the backup strong safety but he is not ready to play.
- Davis was limited but hopes to be back in the starting lineup Sunday. He missed the preseason with an ankle injury.
- Defensive end Orpheus Roye is practicing after missing preseason with a knee injury.
- Fullback Lawrence Vickers is slowed by a hamstring injury.
