PITTSBURGH (AP) _ There aren't many Pittsburgh Steelers left from the days when Chad Brown made the Pro Bowl. That doesn't mean the Steelers have forgotten how good he was _ or how much better he has been in Seattle.

It also doesn't mean they weren't worried when Brown got a big scare two weeks ago, suffering a pinched nerve in his neck that initially created fears it could be career-threatening.

When the injury proved more painful than serious, players on two teams were relieved: the Seahawks, for whom Brown now plays, and the Steelers, whom Brown will try to defeat Sunday at Three Rivers Stadium.

"Chad's a friend. You don't want the guy to have a nerve problem in his neck just because you're playing against him," Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart said. "The fact that he had a pinched nerve in his neck, that kind of scared me, because when you're dealing with necks, that's nothing cool to play with."

Brown, one of the NFL's top linebackers, expects to play as the Seahawks (1-1) try for their second road victory in as many weeks and attempt to deny the Steelers the seventh 3-0 start in franchise history.

Like many of the players from the 1994 and 1995 Steelers who changed uniforms after playing in one Super Bowl and two AFC championship games, Brown was booed during Seattle's 13-10 loss in Pittsburgh last season.

But unlike many of the Steelers who left, Brown has played even better in his new location, making 150 tackles, 7{ sacks and the All-Pro team last season.

That's why he didn't understand the booing. Sure, he reasoned, he left Pittsburgh, but he also left behind some nice memories.

"I definitely was disappointed, because so many guys left while I was there, and guys would have bad things to say about the team or organization and I wasn't one of those guys," Brown said. "I actually would have preferred to stay at that time. It's a little frustrating from that perspective, but, you know, that's how fans are."

The Steelers continue to establish their offensive identity under new coordinator Kevin Gilbride, one that incorporates more running and decision-making by Stewart than before. Jerome Bettis still runs the ball, although he was slowed by a hamstring injury and a Ravens defense that held him to 46 yards in a 22-20 Steelers victory last week.

"But I think all of coach (Bill) Cowher's teams are going to be basically the same," Brown said. "They're going to control the clock by running the ball, not put too much pressure on their quarterback. When they have to pass, they're going to go with four and five receivers. Defensively, they're going to try to play physical and go after people."

Seattle fans wish the Seahawks would go after wide receiver Joey Galloway, an important yet missing piece of new coach Mike Holmgren's offense. Galloway is working out in Columbus, Ohio, waiting for his agent, who will meet with the Seahawks in Pittsburgh, to negotiate a new contract.

Without Galloway, the Seahawks weren't artistic or dynamic offensively in a 28-20 loss to Detroit or the Bears victory. Backup quarterback Glenn Foley salvaged the Chicago game with a pair of second-half touchdown passes and Ricky Watters ran for 99 yards.

No matter, quarterback Jon Kitna is expected to return from a foot injury and replace Foley in Pittsburgh, where the Seahawks are 1-5.

The Steelers haven't played a regular-season home game since losing to Cincinnati 25-24 on Dec. 20, one of three home losses last season, the most under Cowher.

With defending AFC Central champion Jacksonville (2-0) coming to town a week from now, Cowher said it is important for the Steelers to maintain the early momentum generated by victories in Cleveland and Baltimore.

"The biggest thing was we were able to win on the road," he said. "When you do that and have success doing it, it tends to lead to some confidence. It is important when you have a new offense like we have. But we're nowhere near where we need to be and we need to keep that in perspective."

SEATTLE Season schedule and results

PITTSBURGH Season schedule and results

September 12 Detroit L 20-28 September 19 @Chicago W 14-13 September 26 @Pittsburgh 1:00pm ET October 3 Oakland 8:20pm ET October 17 @San Diego 4:05pm ET October 24 Buffalo 4:15pm ET November 1 @Green Bay 9:00pm ET November 7 Cincinnati 4:15pm ET November 14 Denver 8:20pm ET November 21 @Kansas City 1:00pm ET November 28 Tampa Bay 4:05pm ET December 5 @Oakland 4:15pm ET December 12 San Diego 4:05pm ET December 19 @Denver 4:15pm ET December 26 Kansas City 4:05pm ET January 2 @NY Jets 1:00pm ET

September 12 @Cleveland W 43-0 September 19 @Baltimore W 23-20 September 26 Seattle 1:00pm ET October 3 Jacksonville 1:00pm ET October 10 @Buffalo 1:00pm ET October 17 @Cincinnati 1:00pm ET October 25 Atlanta 9:00pm ET November 7 @San Francisco 4:15pm ET November 14 Cleveland 1:00pm ET November 21 @Tennessee 1:00pm ET November 28 Cincinnati 1:00pm ET December 2 @Jacksonville 8:20pm ET December 12 Baltimore 1:00pm ET December 18 @Kansas City 12:40pm ET December 26 Carolina 1:00pm ET January 2 Tennessee 4:15pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

Copyright 1999 STATS, Inc. Commercial distribution without the express written consent of STATS is prohibited.