PROF. CHOW LEARNS LESSON.

Byline: BILLY WITZ

PITTSBURGH - The NFL education of Norm Chow began under blue skies, 80-degree temperatures and a slight breeze off the water, and when the Tennessee Titans received the opening kickoff, it continued to look like just another afternoon in Southern California.

Chow moved his players around like chess pieces, his quarterback didn't sit still or hold onto the ball, and the ball ended up in hands of virtually anyone wearing a white helmet.

Eleven plays, 61 yards, and when Steve McNair, after a misdirection play-fake, hit tight end Ben Troupe, who got lost dragging against the flow from left to right, it was touchdown Trojans - er, Titans.

``The first drive was how we planned it,'' Chow said after his offense made the Steelers, the NFL's leader in total defense a year ago, look a lot like Oklahoma, Oregon State or anyone else the Trojans steamrolled the past few seasons.

And then Chow was reminded that he's not in college anymore.

The Titans' turnstile defense didn't stop the Steelers until the fourth quarter and made a hero of Willie Parker, a third-string halfback who rushed for 161 yards. The offense made enough mistakes to keep from keeping up.

All told, it added up to a 34-7 loss.

Even so, it was a memorable experience for Chow. He watched warm-ups on the field before the game, exchanged quick greetings with Pittsburgh and former USC safety Troy Polamalu, then headed up to the press box to call plays.

``It was fun. It was exciting. It was challenging,'' Chow said. ``I was excited about it, but I've been excited all week.''

Many eyes will be on Chow this season. He had built a reputation, even before he arrived at USC four years ago, as one of college football's sharpest offensive minds. He's coached three Heisman Trophy winners - Ty Detmer, Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart - and won three national championships at BYU and USC.

But Chow's relationship with USC coach Pete Carroll began deteriorating, amid concerns by Chow that his role was being diminished. When Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher, a former Trojan, lost his offensive coordinator, Mike Heimerdinger, to the New York Jets, he interviewed Chow.

Their conversation convinced Fisher that Chow could handle the NFL. For Chow, 59, it was a new challenge and a chance to nearly triple his salary, now about $900,000.

Yet some skeptics wonder how well Chow - like Mike Riley and Steve Spurrier - can adapt to the pro game, with its emphasis on scheming.

It wasn't a problem Sunday.

Although the Titans managed only a touchdown, they didn't punt until midway through the third quarter - and that was at the Pittsburgh 39-yard line.

Their four drives in the first half resulted in a touchdown, a missed field goal and two turnovers forced by jarring hits. Steelers linebacker James Farrior rocked tailback Travis Henry, knocking the ball loose at the Titans 48, and safety Chris Hope's big hit on Drew Bennett inside the Pittsburgh 10 popped the ball right into Polamalu's hands.

``We didn't do his play-calling and offense justice,'' tight end Erron Kinney said. ``If we don't kill ourselves with penalties and turnovers, it's a different game. It's a slugfest.''

Chow said he has two objectives in his offense: establish the run and keep McNair upright. So the Titans came out mostly in two or three tight-end formations, pounded away with Chris Brown - who had 62 yards on eight carries at halftime - and used a quick passing game to keep the blitz-happy Steelers off McNair until the fourth quarter.

McNair completed 18 of 26 passes for 219 yards to six receivers. Five of the incompletions were drops.

Chow said he learned plenty Sunday. With fewer possessions in the pro game, it's harder to give away a play to set up something else later. There's also more detailed scheming, meaning he must get caught up on opponents' personnel.

As he headed for the team bus and the flight back to Nashville, Chow hardly seemed discouraged, saying he looked forward to next week. At the end of the day, he was headed to a familiar place - back to school.

Billy Witz, [phone]

billy.witz(at)dailynews.com