When I think of San Francisco, thoughts come to mind of gunslingers, and the gold rush. Well the Steelers went to 3Com park
on Sunday in search of some gold. They found it in the slinging arm of Kordell Stewart.
For the first time this year, Kevin Gilbride handed the reins to Kordell, and told him to go out and win the game. He responded with a first quarter of super accuracy, to effectively put the game out of reach after 15 minutes of play. With a 14-3 lead, and the driving rain getting worse, a game of ball control, and field position was the smart move to make.
Courtney Hawkins- "I wonder what we could've done if we had been playing in good weather. Kordell was that sharp."
Levon Kirkland- "It was good, man, good to see Troy grab one and Hines. That just shows we have the capability. If the conditions were better, we might have scored more."
Hines Ward- "We knew that their secondary was risky, that they took chances and gave up the big play. Kordell had talked all week about this. I haven't seen him this confident since the first game of the season".
We all remember that first game of the season. That was the game our hopes for success were founded on. Kordell was throwing the deep ball, changing plays at the line of scrimmage, and looking 100% better than the Quarterback of 1998. But by Week 5, everyone was calling for his head on a platter.
Kordell's progression has seemed slow at times, but he seems to be getting more accurate with each passing week.
I listen to a radio station out of Toronto called "The Fan 590". Last week they had Bill Hillgrove, (from the Steelers radio network) as a guest. When the host asked him about the struggles of Kordell Stewart, Bill relayed this story.
He said that after the Steelers win against the Falcons on Monday Night, Myron Cope pulled former coach Chuck Noll aside. He asked him if he thought Kordell would ever be a great Quarterback in this league. He also told Coach Noll that any comments detrimental to Stewart would be strictly off the record. Coach Noll responded, "Myron, the kid just needs time".
With each passing week, it seems that time is getting closer, and closer. The interceptions have all but disappeared. It was Stewarts third consecutive game without a pick. He now has as many touchdown passes as interceptions. His touchdown total could have improved by one, if not for the illegal shift penalty against Will Blackwell that negated a Troy Edwards touchdown in the fourth quarter. The biggest factor appears to be that Kordell is getting his confidence back.
"My vision on the football field is getting better. This is probably the best I've thrown in a long time. My receivers have always caught the ball well, but today I was putting it where they could go and get the rock."
That statement shows that his maturity level is also rising. He put the passing games struggles on himself, and not on his receivers. Although this was not a breakout game for Kordell, it put a damper on all the naysayers who want him removed. Getting to play the Browns again this week, should continue to improve his confidence, and his passer rating.
My favorite play this week, was on Lawrence Phillips 75 yard kickoff return following the Steelers first touchdown. Troy Edwards ran down the field to try and make the tackle. Unfortunately, he was blocked out of the way, and Phillips ran by him. The next thing you know, Edwards is catching him from behind to make the touchdown saving tackle. That was some hustle! The criticism he received from Cowher after the previous game was well accepted. He had one heck of a game.
I always preach optimism, and this game has given even more reason for it. The lapse the Defense had trying to stop the run, was the only negative to be taken from this game. That was totally out of the ordinary, and easily correctable. The strides taken by the Offense, far outweigh the mental lapse taken by the run stoppers.
Bring on the Brownies! The gunslinger is waiting.
by Steelergil (Nov. 08, 99)