This Offensive slide has gotten out of hand. When a team has a Defense that gives up
1 touchdown in 2 weeks, it should amount to 2 victories. With Kordell at the helm,
this team would have trouble scoring against the Bethel Park Blackhawks. This
horrendous display isn't even worth joking about. It is downright embarrassing.
Maybe the worst thing, is that it isn't all Kordell's fault. He has an offensive line that can't block, receivers that can't get open, and coaching calls that leave a person shaking their head. I would like to think this slide will end soon, but I can't see it happening.
I am making the trek to Buffalo this weekend to witness the latest pummeling first hand. Even if Kordell throws 5 touchdown passes, and runs for another couple, I can't see my displeasure with his performance changing. He is too erratic to think he will ever develop into a quality NFL field general. That is what makes the flea flicker on fourth down so puzzling. He was having trouble hitting the receivers 5 yards down the field, let alone 50 yards. I can see the coaches trying to get something to happen, but a first down should have been the first priority. Jerome was starting to roll, and 1 yard should have been easily in his grasp.
Speaking of the Bus, that little head shake of his has got to stop. A five yard carry does not cause reason for celebration. Maybe the Defenses are keying in on him because that don't want to see his cockiness anymore. It's time for him to show a little class, and just return to the huddle after a good play. That is what he gets paid for after all.
But, back to Kordell.
Why is it Jeff Garcia, a renegade from the CFL, and Kurt Warner, a World League standout, are capable of figuring out NFL defenses, and Kordell can't? The receivers and the Offensive line cannot be his sole problem. I think his problems stem mostly from the hometown crowd. He is so afraid of rejection, and the accompanying Boo's, that he is too tentative to ever get in a rhythm. He tries forcing his throws, and they always end up off line, or in the hands of the Defense. On the road, Kordell seems to be in charge, and his team rallies around him. Sunday in Buffalo should prove my theory right. But that won't change my view of him. He has to be able to handle the negative feedback a crowd used to winning will rain on him. He must develop a thicker skin, and feed off of the fans fury. Only then will he become a quality Quarterback.
Terry Bradshaw went through the same thing, as did every QB before, and after. It is part of the learning process, and it has taken him far too long to get a grasp on this concept. After every poor performance, he desperately tries to convince himself, and everyone else, that his confidence is still intact. The only problem is that he has to prove that on the field, not in a press conference.
I'm not ready to give up on the season yet. Our Defense is too darned good. It is a shame that this quality unit can't get a little help from the other side of the ball. If Haslett can keep this team playing with passion, playoffs are not out of the question. A weak schedule should keep the team in the hunt all year. It's the coaches on the Offensive side that have to pull up their socks, and find a way to get some cohesiveness out of a very mediocre unit. If they can light a fire under Kordell and company, and get them playing above their potential, the Three Rivers crowd might finally find something to cheer about.
But I wouldn't hold my breath.
by Steelergil (Oct. 4, 99)