Steelers at Raiders (21-20) |
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Stewart Takes Licking, Keeps on Ticking Article by McMillen & Wife Kordell Stewart's NFL career has been, to put it mildly, roller coaster ride... a riches to rags tale of a player with so much talent and promise that he became the toast of the entire NFL in only his rookie season. Yet by his 4th season, his unrealized potential had resulted in fan disdain bordering on hatred. Even in his darkest days, former Steeler QB Mark Malone never had disgruntled fans dump beer on him on his way into the locker room or raise questions about his sexual preference. But that's exactly what happened to Kordell Stewart. Well, folks, mark Sunday, Dec. 3rd, 2000 with a big black and gold star on your calendars, because that date marks the emergence of the REAL Kordell Stewart. What we witnessed Sunday vs. the Raiders wasn't just Kordell having a great single-game personal performance. No, it was much, MUCH more than that. There is a pattern developing, here, my friends... Kordell Stewart's leadership has finally taken hold. His courageous, resilient play in the face of adversity has elevated the entire team, both offensively and defensively. THAT is the mark of a true NFL quarterback... the ability to take a licking and keep on ticking. Certainly, Bradshaw was that way. Resilient. I like the way the word rolls off my tongue. Re-si-li-ent. According to Webster's Dictionary, it means "capable of withstanding shock without permanent deformation or rupture." The word fits both men. Like Bradshaw, Kordell has endured far more than his fair share of harsh, even cruel treatment from impatient fans. The natives in Pittsburgh have a history of becoming quite restless with their quarterbacks, and Stewart is no exception. And like Bradshaw, I think all of the piling on by the fans & media has thickened his skin. True, Kordell will never have Bradshaw's arm... few will. But Kordell, like Terry, seems to have found a way to apply the mental toughness acquired over the last several years to his game. As the saying goes, "What does not break me will only make me stronger." Certainly, Kordell has become a LOT stronger... but so what? The REAL question is, has he progressed enough to become Pittsburgh's quarterback of the future? The answer is YES... Kordell Stewart has finally arrived. Tim McMillen Webmaster, McMillen & Wife |
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i'm holding out hope that they at least make it to the playoffs! just my two cents worth.....take care! Kelley Allison due to my overwhelming dissapointment with the steelers lately iv'e been trying to watch the games with more of an emotional detachment. but this game sucked me in. consider: - nearly putting my foot through the tv when graham threw the int. - screaming endless strings of obscenities at the idiot refs. - cheering on breuner drag that raider trash into the endzone for a score. - wanting to kill upshaw for spitting on our punter. - seeing jb and kordell move the chains. - etc. if we lost this one it would seriously take me a long time to recover. especially living here in northern california. fortunately, good triumphed over evil and we sent those punks back to the airport with a loss. great game and well deserved! a serious gut check for our boys. that was great to see. Thank you Kordell for the early Christmas present, no one should ever call you a wimp that's for sure!!! I also jump on the wagon,I have been down right nasty towards Kordell in the past,which I apologized for,leave the offensive coach and plays intact for next season please!!!! Great win,I hope the Steelers prove me WRONG and win all their remaining games!!!!! GO STEELERS,.......there's alot of teams praying the Steelers miss the playoffs,with good reason!! My two or more cents: (1) Kudos to Coach Cower for instilling the confidence into this team, when half the city was ready to run him out of town after the 1999 fiasco. (2) Kordell Stewart has finally matured as an NFL quarterback. My one fear was that we would give up on Kordell and watch him have success with some other team (probably the Bungles - who seem to pick up every other discarded Steelers player). After a pretty impressive first year as the starting quarterback, Kordell fell into the mire. He has slowly and effectively pulled himself back up through desire, hard work, and determination. He did not sulk, he did not complain, he simply went about his business and made the most of his opportunities (I think there is a lesson here for Troy Edwards and Plaxico Burress). What you see is an offense that is finally using it's weapons effectively. The fact that Kordell was able to have such a big game at Three Rivers against a quality opponent like Oakland is commendable. For you fans that still want to run him out of town at his next bad game, remember one thing - for every Brett Favre or Dan Marino there are at least 10 to 20 Scott Mitchells and Kent Grahams. Kordell has the skill to be a starting NFL quarterback, he now appears to have the confidence back. I say keep things fairly intact on the offense for next year and you will see big things out of Kordell, the running game, and the receivers (yes I actually said the receivers). (3) Jerome - simply awesome! (4) The defense is not perfect, at times they look great other times they look like they could be wearing Cincinnati Bungles jerseys. One thing, they do have heart and they do not quit (i.e. - 1999). (5) The offensive line went from one of the teams biggest weaknesses last year to a strength this year. They have proved many a skeptic wrong with veteran leadership (hats off to the one-armed Gandy and the others) and quality play by every member who has stepped up when called upon. I never would have predicted that the 2000 team would make the playoffs. Each of the 3 remaining games are against teams that the Steelers can beat (if they don't beat themselves). I say, lets win them one at a time and let the cards fall where they may (as the platitudes go). Whatever happens, this team and the coaching staff has made me proud to be a Steelers fan once again. If I were to make one change in Pittsburgh, it would be to the negative sports reporters. It looks like Kordell even quieted them down this week. Happy Holidays, Dave Also, Bruener's TD . What can you say, really? That was all heart. It's been a long time since I felt this good about a win for my beloved Black & Gold, and I'm going to savor this one all week. The last three games are all very winnable, so let's win 'em and see what happens. Playoffs, anyone? I was amazed at the number of Steeler fans who thought we were going to lose sunday. I knew ALL SEASON that there was no way we would lose to the Raiders. It's been a tough season, the 0 and 3 start, the offense problems, a hobbled Dawson, but it was all worth it to beat the hated Raiders. It's good to see Stewart playing well, he is our quarterback. He has limitations, he'll never throw for 400 yards, but who cares as long as he can make those touchdown scrambles? The offense is starting to come together, we make not make the playoffs this season, but we are definately BACK. Maybe not the best team in the NFL every week, but the Steelers certainly are competitive and on any given sunday can beat anyone. I hope we slip into the playoffs, maybe face Tennessee again . . . . . There is nothing more satisfying than watching the Raiders lose to the Steelers, especially in a physical (spitting) contest. I'm just saddened that I live in Michigan and only got to hear the thing on the radio, if anyone taped it I'd love a copy. Go Steelers. -Jason Mankey P.S. JIMMY KIMBEL PICKED THE STEELERS IN HIS UPSET PICK. I DON'T CARE IF OAKLAND WINS THE REST OF THE YEAR. PITTSBURGH WON THIS ONE. I CAN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT IT. YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Jim "J.C." Patterson Fresno, CA (born and raised in East Liverpool, Ohio) The 6-6 Steelers took to the field today against the AFC best 10-2 Oakland/I-5 Raiders. I've got to be honest with you all, I wouldn't let myself believe this was over until it really was. Folks, today's game was one that shows everyone why football is worth watching. Today's game was what football was all about. It was about teams playing aggressive, physical football. It was Pittsburgh vs. California. It was about running backs making grinding, bursing runs, making every defender who touched them pay. It was the Frostbelt vs. the Sunbelt. It was about gang tackles. It was about receivers wrestling to gut out every last yard. It was the Rooney's vs. Al Davis. It was about guys pushing aside injury all for the sake of the game, and for the sake of injury. It was about leaders stepping up when they called upon. Yes, it was the Steelers vs. the Raiders again. This was one hell of a match up. I don't know what this victory will mean, since this team has no margin for error we've got two tough NFC teams to face in consecutive weeks. But the Steelers went out there today against the AFC's best and came away with one hard fought victory, and they have every right to be proud. The Rich Gannon, a strong candidate for league MVP, played well today and came close to pulling yet another come-from-behind win. But this team the Steel Curtain held. Does it not feel good to finally win a close one? The worst thing you can do with a game like today's is to get overly analytical, so I'll keep that part short. While I thought that the Raiders were able to move the ball on us well, a little too well, at times, the fact that our defense only gave up 13 points (minus Graham's interception) is an accomplishment. Likewise pass blocking on the offensive line is still a liability, but when it came to winning the battle at the line of scrimmage and running the ball, we imposed our will. But today's game can't be measured by statistics, or performances by individual units, this one came down to guts and some gusty performances, such as... ....The Steelers got NO pressure an Gannon all day, but... Jason Gildon comes down with the sack/ intentional grounding on a key third down in Steeler territory. (If memory serves, Janakoiksi missed the ensuing field goal.) ....Jerome Bettis pounding the ball on the way to another hundred-yard game. That man is a winner, pure and simple. Let's hope the Steelers are serious about the negotiations to resign Bettis that being Monday. ...Like Mark Bruner, fighting and willing his way into the endzone (...take note Voges.) ...and most of all, and who would have guessed, Kordell Stewart coming in to save the day. Not only did he come in and make some phenomenal plays on a sprained knee, but folks, his return to the field gave everyone else on the field, both offense and defense the spark they need to come back to win this one. I've been down on you before Slash, but way to go Kordell! This bud's for you! What happens from here? Its hard to say. They should forget what is happening elsewhere in the league, and focus on what they need to do week-to-week, and then let the chips fall where they may. And in the mean time, the rest of us can just enjoy this win. Later, KT Does anyone else think that Dan Krieder is secretly Mike Alstott's separated-from-birth twin? Back to McMillen & Wife's
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2000: 94-51 '99 total 78-59 '98 total 117-69 |