Plaxico Burress Steelers #1 pick

Anyone who has been following my page for the last few years, knows I am a big Kordell Stewart fan. It has something to do with watching him throw his first touchdown pass against Buffalo in his preseason debut. It was August 1995, and I had no idea who this kid was. It was only a preseason game, but the athleticism he showed had me jumping out of my seat.

He didn't disappoint during the regular season. His role as "Slash" brought excitement to the Offense that I had not felt since the days of Swann and Stallworth. I was proud to be a Steeler fan, and even prouder that our front office was smart enough to steal this Colorado kid in the second round of the draft.

It amazes me how long ago that was. Now, I feel that besides myself, Bill Cowher is the only other person on his side. Hopefully this draft has changed all that.

First, I want to start with a recap of Kordell's 1997 season.

• Started in all 16 regular-season and both postseason contests...
• had an outstanding first season, becoming only the fourth player in Steelers history to surpass 3,000 passing yards...
• was selected as an alternate to the Pro Bowl...
• finished the season with 3,020 passing yards...
• completed 236 of 440 pass attempts for 21 touchdowns and 17 interceptions for a 75.2 pass rating...
• also was the team's second-leading rusher, gaining 476 yards on 88 carries...
• had a long run of 74 yards versus Baltimore (10/5), which is the third-longest TD run by a quarterback in NFL history...
• established a Steelers' team record for touchdowns by a quarterback (11)-ranks second on NFL's single-season list-set by Terry Bradshaw in 1972...
• became the first quarterback in the NFL to throw 20 or more TD passes and rush for 10 or more TDs...
• set an NFL mark as the only player to have two games with at least two rushing TDs and three passing TDs in a game...
• had the longest postseason touchdown run in team history with his 40-yard sprint against New England (1/3) that was also the longest rush of his postseason career and the third playoff rushing TD...
• accounted for all five of Steelers' touchdowns in two games-at Baltimore (10/5) and against Denver (12/7)...
• had a career-high 317 passing yards on 25-of-42 passing with two TDs versus Jacksonville (10/25)...
• completed 18-of-28 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns and an additional two rushing touchdowns at Baltimore (10/5)

These are the things I remember about Kordell. Although I was disappointed the Steelers lost to Denver in the AFC Championship game that year, I was comforted by the fact that this was his first year as a starter. I had no doubt that the team would be returning the following season. The media was raving about him, and the fans adored him. The experience he gained that year would only make him better.

Even though I didn't know it at the time, something would happen in the offseason to knock Kordell off his pedastal. He lost the services of John Jackson, and Yancey Thigpen. Without his go-to receiver, and his Left Tackle, Kordell suffered immensely. Without rehashing the horrors of the last 2 years, I believe the loss of these 2 men left Kordell with little chance for repeat success.

It took a couple of years, but it appears the Steelers have given Kordell the weapons to return him to his 1997 form. The additions of Wide Receivers Plaxico Burress, and Danny Farmer give Kordell a good compliment to go with Hines Ward, and last years #1 pick, Troy Edwards. The drafting of Marvel Smith finally gives the Steelers a true Left Tackle. I will be giving a preview of all these draftees in another column.

Trust me. These additions are the type of players who can make this team good in a hurry. If Kordell blows this chance, it will truly be his last stand.

Even I won't give him another chance.

by SteelerGil (Apr. 17, 00)

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