The first two games were nothing but a mirage. The true Steeler colors showed in their opening home game, and it was not
pretty to watch. Any hope the Steelers fan had attained during the two game road winning streak, was lost before the
Pittsburgh Defense had taken the field.
A 14-0 deficit will do that.
Bob Bratkowski, the receivers coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, was the former Offensive Coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks. When asked about Seahawks QB John Kitna, he said- "Some Quarterbacks when they are under pressure appear to be like a deer looking into the headlights of an oncoming vehicle. John Kitna is never like that. He is composed no matter what the Defense is doing." The same could not be said about Kordell Stewart on this day.
He could never get in a rhythm with his receivers, and at the slightest sign of pressure, he would throw the ball with reckless abandon not caring where the ball ended up. I have always been a big Kordell Stewart supporter, but my patience is running very thin. Most times when he threw the ball, I had no idea who the intended receiver was. There was not a black and gold jersey within 15 yards at most times. The Silver and Blue guys seemed to have a telepathic communication with Kordell on every pass attempt. They were around the ball more than the Steelers Wideouts were. It was one of the few days that I was screaming for Kordell to be replaced. It was obvious this was not going to be one of his better days.
What bothered me more than the bad play of Kordell, was the ultra conservative play calling of Kevin Gilbride. I had to look twice to make sure Ray Sherman wasn't on the sidelines. Before most fans had settled into their seats, the score was 17-0. The knowledgeable Steelers fans were already in a mode of panic. Pittsburgh is not a team known for overcoming deficits of more than 7 points. I guess Gilbride doesn't know this, because he kept running an ineffective Bettis up the middle on first and second downs, to set up third and 8 on every Steeler possession. Kordell was bad, but it appeared to me he was hung out to dry by his coaches. The days of Steeler power running are over. Every quality team they face sets their Defense up to stop it. I thought Gilbride was going to be the answer to set up a new offensive philosophy, but thus far, he is failing.
His biggest glaring mistake came on the Steelers second possession of the game. Faced with a 3rd and one inch, he chose to have Kordell try a sneak up the middle. How many times in a row are they going to try that play, and fail, before they decide to try something different? These are the kind of plays we expected from Ray Sherman. Gilbride promised something different, and so far he is not delivering. The ensuing punt resulted in a 94 yard touchdown return. A first down in that situation could have changed the momentum, and result of the game.
The deep ball is nonexistent, even though Hines Ward, and Troy Edwards seem capable of running the deep routes. These two receivers have to be given the chance to be play makers. So far, the Gilbride offense is hampering their ability to make something happen. If every Steeler fan can notice this, why can't the coaches?
The thing that puzzled me the most in this game, was Mike Tomczac's first play of the game. He received the snap from center, and proceeded to roll out to his left. Why can he roll out, and Kordell can't? Was this the doing of Tomczac on his own, or was it a designed play from the coaches. The way I see it, Kordell is a great athlete, and if he has to run with the ball on every down, so be it. This guy has to be given the chance to use his athletic ability on every down. He seemed to be dampered all day long. I don't know if that was on direct orders from the coaches, or his inability to read a defense. Whatever it is, the answer better be found soon.
Next week the Steelers face the 2-1 Jaguars, who lost to the 3-0 Titans. The loser of this game is going to find themselves in a very precarious position as far as playoff possibilities go. The coaches better find a game plan that allows Kordell to use his athletic abilities. If not, this is going to be one very long season.
After 2 games, the optimism for this teams season was very strong. Most of the Power Polls had them in the top 10. After the poor showing on Sunday, they should fall to about 15. A loss to the Jaguars next week would put them around 20.
Two weeks of optimism, and it took only one week for reality to set in. The 5 week slide of '98 is too fresh in my mind too think the loss to Seattle was only a bump in the road. This team has a great defense, but mediocre offensive play will not allow them to be successful. A change in philosophy is needed, and needed quick.
by Steelergil (Sept.26, 99)