The Pittsburgh Steelers had an excuse for playing an unproductive offensive game. Their starting quarterback was out with an injury. What was Washington's excuse?
The Redskins, on Reggie Brooks' 4-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter, were able to generate just enough offense to come away with a 10-3 exhibition victory Sunday night at Three Rivers Stadium.Playing without starting quarterback Neil O'Donnell, who sat with elbow tendinitis, the Steelers (2-2) were limited to a 43-yard Gary Anderson field goal in the second quarter. They victimized themselves with inopportune penalties and fumbled twice near the end zone.
Washington starter Mark Rypien, the 1991 Super Bowl MVP, had impressive numbers Sunday with little to show for them. He was 13 of 21 for 97 yards in 2 1/2 quarters but never drove the Redskins (2-1) into scoring range after Chip Lohmiller's 47-yard field goal on the opening drive. Rypien is 29 of 44 for 310 yards, one touchdown and one interception in three exhibitions.
"Our execution was a little off and we had some breakdowns, but we played a real good team," Rypien said. "We didn't score many points, so we're not pleased with that."
Washington's first-team offense has generated only 13 points in its last two exhibitions, including a 19-10 loss to Miami on Aug. 14.
Pittsburgh's offense wasn't much better under Mike Tomczak, who was 7-of-14 for 118 yards while playing the first half. Rookie Alex Van Pelt played the third quarter and was 6-of-10 for 36 yards.
Bucs
This time, Anthony Munoz says his career is over for good. One of the finest offensive linemen in NFL history retired for the second time in nine months Sunday, sidelined by a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
Influenced, in part, by the salaries unrestricted free agents were receiving this spring, Munoz changed his mind about leaving the game after 13 years with the Cincinnati Bengals and signed a one-year contract worth about $1.1 million with Tampa Bay.
The 11-time Pro Bowl selection was injured making a tackle after a fumble during Saturday night's exhibition game against Buffalo and concluded it's time to get on with life after football.
"It's difficult and frustrating, but I'm at peace because I know that I worked hard to make this comeback," he said. "I gave it my all in camp. I'm at a point now in my life where it is easier to handle things like this."
Bengals
Cincinnati released kicker Jim Breech, who spent 13 years with the team. Breech is 11th on the all-time NFL scoring list with 1,158 points despite always being considered to have limited range. He converted 19 of 27 field goals for 70 percent last season.
"It's the fourth time I've been cut. The situation never gets easier," Breech said.
This year, with the Bengals' overall youth movement and the drafting of former University of Kentucky kicker Doug Pelfrey in the eighth round, the team was ready to make a change for good.
Rams
Injury-plagued Los Angeles suffered another setback when rookie defensive tackle Maa Tanuvasa underwent surgery for torn ligaments and cartilage in his right knee.
Tanuvasa, an eighth-round pick from the University of Hawaii, was injured on the final play of the Rams' 21-10 exhibition loss Saturday night in Cleveland. He had been impressive early in training camp and had a shot at making the 53-man roster.
Instead, he probably will go on injured reserve. Under the NFL's new rules, a player who goes on IR must sit out the season.
Starting guards Tom Newberry (hip pointer) and Leo Goeas (sprained neck) also were hurt in Cleveland.