I'm starting to feel there is a higher power who has decreed the Steelers will not win. It is not fathomable that the once mighty Pittsburgh Defense could fall to these depths without divine intervention.
Players jump offside. Lineman move early. Outnumbered 3-1, the sole Baltimore player recovers a fumble that is surrounded by Steeler players. Baltimore fumbles 3 other times, and each time they get a favorable bounce to retain possession. A hitherto unknown Receiver torches the Steeler secondary for 3 touchdowns in the third quarter. The opposing Quarterback completes only 8 of 26 passes. But he totals 268 yards, and 3 touchdowns!
What is going on around here?
Sport Illustrated's Peter King had this to say: "I think today must be the worst day ever to be a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Think of this, Steelers fan: in the space of five weeks, you have just played Cleveland, Cincinnati and the dreaded Art Modell- led Ravens. You have gone 0-3. You have not just lost three games, you have been downright embarrassed. A fluke field goal by the expansion Browns. Jeff Blake looking like Johnny Unitas. And Sunday, a receiver who could have been had by any team in the league for the minimum salary burning the Men of Tin for 258 yards. Oh, the shame of it."
He's right. This is getting embarrassing. The Steelers had 7 Defensive offside penalties. The Offense had 3 false starts. Qadry Ismail had touchdown receptions of 54, 59, and 76 yards. Priest Holmes had a 64 yard touchdown run. Jerome Bettis rushed for 39 yards on 13 carries. Bill Cowher said it best in his post game report- "We are not a very good football team as we speak". Lee Flowers was more blunt- "We're playing like crap!"
The lone bright spot on this day was the play of Kordell Stewart. He had 4 receptions for 71 yards. The first 3 converted third down opportunities. The last one was for the Steelers final touchdown. He has unselfishly accepted his demotion to Wide Receiver, and is becoming a role model amongst the other players. Name another starting Quarterback in the League that would have responded as Kordell has. There are none. With the abuse he has taken from the fans, and the media, I admire the way he has responded.
I love the picture that accompanies this article. On the scoreboard, it shows Mike Tomczak congratulating Kordell for his touchdown reception. Above the scoreboard is an advertisement showing Kordell as Quarterback. The ad says- "Stay Posted". Very appropriate. No matter how well Tomczak does, the Quarterback job is Kordell's. The fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers better learn to live with that. It's not hard to see that he has played the Quarterback position adversely for the past year. It is also plain to see that his poor play coincides with a reputation damaging rumor that spread like wildfire. Home is supposed to be a place where you feel safe. Home for Kordell has been nothing more than Boo's, beer dumped on his head, and name calling.
I feel sorry for Kordell. But I feel more sorry for myself. I feel the unwarranted abuse that accompanied these rumors caused the downfall of this team. I have been deprived of seeing the Steelers in the playoffs for the second straight year. I have been deprived of watching a great athlete grow into his position of Quarterback. Instead, I am forced to endure people such as Peter King refer to the Steelers as "Men of Tin".
Cowher is right. This is a bad team right now. I think the turn around will come when the Three Rivers faithful can start to cheer uncontrollably, and prod the players to victory. The fans are the divine intervention needed to get this ship sailing straight again. I can't see that happening soon though. The once proud organization had 13,000 no shows!
Good thing the new Stadium deal is done. The bandwagon is emptying fast. Maybe that's a good thing. With less negativity in the stands, the players might be able to relax for a change, and get down to business.
by SteelerGil (Dec. 13, 99)