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Steelers: Returns not Reed's fault
According to kicker Jeff Reed and his teammates, Reed could wear a similar shirt that would read, "I wasn't hired for my tackling."
But twice in the Steelers' past two home games, Reed has been the last man between a kick returner and the end zone. And on both occasions - against Minnesota's Percy Harvin Oct. 25 and last week against Cincinnati's Bernard Scott - Reed failed to take the opponent to the ground.
"Guys on the kickoff coverage don't really see that as his fault at all," said linebacker Andre Frazier, one of the Steelers' top special teams players. "His job is to kick the ball off and have a good kick. He's a kicker. I don't think it's in his job description to be a great tackler. We're really not bothered by it at all. As long as he's doing his best, we'll accept that. His job is kicking the ball."
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Reed came all the way across the field against Scott, forcing the rookie back to the inside. But Reed failed to get a hand on Scott and the running back finished off a 96-yard return that was the only touchdown scored in an 18-12 Cincinnati victory.
"That was about a 50-yard sprint for me, and my job is to make him cut back inside," Reed said. "I just look at those people (who were critical) like they don't know what they're talking about.
"My job is to make him cut back. When I looked at it on film, it looked worse than it was."
But when a team allows three touchdowns on returns - more than it gave up in the previous four seasons combined - things are going to be scrutinized. And there is a possibility that changes will be made.
The Steelers (6-3) made one Tuesday, releasing linebacker Arnold Harrison and adding linebacker Donovan Woods from the practice squad.
That might not be the lone change.
Several starters have asked to play special teams - including safety Ryan Clark and defensive end Brett Keisel - though head coach Mike Tomlin is balking at making such moves.
The Steelers know that they cannot continue to allow their kickoff coverage to lag. No other team has given up three touchdowns on kickoffs this season. The Steelers have given up a return for a touchdown - on a kickoff, interception or fumble - in seven consecutive games. The Pittsburgh record for such a dubious statistic was set in 1993 when the Steelers allowed eight returns fro scores.
Pittsburgh's defense has allowed 11 touchdowns.
"We've given up almost as many non-defensive touchdowns as we've given up defensively," Clark said. "That's something we need to work on.
"It's not so much about the numbers, it's frustrating because you want to get your opportunity to go out there and play. There's nothing we can do as a defense to stop a team from scoring points if we're not out there when they're scoring."
Odds and end zones
Defensive end Travis Kirschke (calf) did not practice Thursday. Kirschke has missed the last two games. Strong safety Troy Polamalu (knee) also did not practice ... Fullback Carey Davis (hamstring) was limited in practice for the second consecutive day.
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