Steelers Have Problems in Loss

The Pittsburgh Steelers, beginning the exhibition season the same way they ended last season, felt fortunate that it wasn’t a game that counted. The New York Jets only wish it did.

Vinny Testaverde led a long touchdown drive on New York’s opening possession and the Jets, aided by the special teams mistakes and turnovers that doomed Pittsburgh in the AFC title game, beat the Steelers, 16-6, Thursday night at Pittsburgh.

“It was really encouraging to open the preseason with a touchdown,” said Testaverde, who completed six of eight passes for 61 yards despite a thumb injury that bothered him early in camp. “I felt right in stride.”

The Steelers, consensus picks to win the AFC championship they lost at home to New England seven months ago, probably felt stuck in time.

Except for a couple of big plays by second-round draft pick Antwaan Randle El, who created first downs the first four times he touched the ball, it was an effort remarkably similar to the AFC championship game loss.

Jerome Bettis gained only eight yards in seven carries.

Again, there were turnovers--Kordell Stewart was intercepted on the first of two series run by the Steeler starters, leading to one of John Hall’s field goals--and some mistakes by Troy Edwards on special teams, plus a blocked punt, and four turnovers.

These were the same kind of errors that led the Steelers to fire former special teams coach Jay Hayes and bring in Kevin Spencer, only to get a repeat performance.

“It’s eerie to get all that again.... It’s amazing. I’m stuttering, I almost don’t know what to say,” punter Josh Miller said. “But we’ll get it fixed.”

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Seattle offensive tackle Chris McIntosh will be out indefinitely because of a recurring neck injury, Seahawk Coach Mike Holmgren said.

McIntosh suffered a neck stinger in training camp last year and played in only 10 games, starting three. Holmgren said McIntosh appears to have the same injury.

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Ben Lynch, a top reserve for San Francisco last year who filled in when Pro Bowl center Jeremy Newberry was lost for an early portion of the season, re-signed with the 49ers.

The 49ers did not tender Lynch, a three-year veteran, a contract offer this spring, hoping to get by at backup center with younger players who also could play different positions on the offensive line. But training camp injuries to starters Newberry and guard Ron Stone, among others, finally persuaded the team to re-sign Lynch.

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Tennessee linebacker Peter Sirmon was released from the hospital and Coach Jeff Fisher said he might play Saturday night against the St. Louis Rams in the exhibition opener.

Sirmon was hospitalized Tuesday for flu-like symptoms including a fever that worsened.

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Center Mark Fischer signed with the Denver Broncos after four years with the Washington Redskins.

The 28-year-old Fischer spent most of last season on injured reserve after hurting his right knee.