Submitted by
Matt Taylor
Submitted by
Bill McCombs
Bill McCombs
Submitted by
Michael Aubrecht
Visit Mike's Steelers site,
The Unofficial Steelers Online Fanclub.
This being said, I also find myself having these same debates with other Steeler die-hards and the latest contract extension for Kordell Stewart (5 year, $27 million, thru 2003) is a perfect example.
When Kordell first came on the scene, he was electrifying. A true star athlete who made defensive coordinators cringe. His ability to play any position and make incredible plays out of desperate situations was second to none and Steeler fans quickly embraced him with a passion not seen since the dynasty days. When he was moved up to the starting QB position, he remained a leading quarterback with mobility, speed and power. He had some incredible comebacks and ended a great starting season by taking us all the way to another AFC championship game. Fans were quick to propose that he was perhaps another Terry Bradshaw and that this could be our ticket back to the glory days... and then it happened...
As usual in Steeler country the team had to deal with another successful Offensive Coordinator leaving and another (different style) Coordinator arriving. Chan Gaily was an expert at recognizing player’s capabilities and building an Offensive scheme around them while Ray Sherman attempted to convert players into an existing Offensive scheme. The result was devastating. A team already known for losing key talent was now known for losing, period.
Now I realize that Kordell still has a lot of growing up to do. His behavior on and off the field this season left something to be desired, but his performance was also impeded by a new coach, injured offensive line, inconsistent running game and the loss of his go-to guy Yancey Thigpen.. This was intensified by living up to the previous year’s performance while trying to learn the position of a NFL Quarterback. He did make mistakes, but no more than any other inexperienced player. As a result, many fans have already turned on Kordell.
I admit I miss the Slash days, but I also recognize the potential that he has and his performance over the last two seasons has shown what he can and can’t do. I feel he needs to concentrate on football. No more video game boxes and telephone commercials, just playbooks and game films. We want Kordell Stewart the athlete, not the marketing machine. Pittsburgh’s not about that (and hopefully never will be). You want endorsements, move to Dallas, you want smash mouth, in your face football with blood, mud, guts and glory… Welcome to the ‘Burgh.
I’ll also admit that I’m not used to losing either, but many die-hards can recall the early losing seasons delivered by another young and inexperienced quarterback named Terry Bradshaw. Kordell is a talent and like any talent, he needs time to grow. So be patient and give Kordell a chance. Cowher has already made some good decisions in obtaining the new Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride (previously with San Diego, Jacksonville and Houston) and also obtaining a quarterback coach.
The Steelers organization made a good business decision in signing this extension. First, it helps to take some pressure off the upcoming salary caps. Second, it shows that the team is committed to repairing the Offense as opposed to rebuilding it. Finally... If he does live up to his potential, we’ve retained a star and if he doesn’t, someone else with buy him out via free agency and hand the Rooney’s a big check. It’s a win-win situation and that’s just what the Steelers need.
Michael Aubrecht The Unofficial Pittsburgh Steelers Online Fanclub @ http://www.nothinbutnet.org/steelerweb
Submitted by
Jim Grant
Jim Grant
Submitted by
Tommy Coleman
Let's go back a bit, shall we... First of all, I live in AnnArbor, Michigan, and have been a Wolverine fan my whole life, so when I tell you that Kordell broke my heart long before he became a Steeler, you can believe it, brothers and sisters. Truth be told, if the Steelers hadn't drafted him, I would probably still despise the sight of his grin and dazzling athletic abilities. When I heard he was a Steeler, I called a friend and said he broke our hearts... now he can mend them.
1995: What a year. The one thing that bugged me the most was, as the season went on and it became apparent he was something special, beyond the nay sayers and doubters, the media started to press him; "Are you going to be a quarterback? Are the Steelers telling you the truth?" They even had the nerve to bring in that sanctimonious "Cry Baby" Warren Moon to play the "Race Card." Hey, Warren, the Steelers had a black quarterback 10 years before you ran to Canada, and man, we have not heard the end of it yet (the annual Warren Moon Whine and Dance Weekend). He really does Edmondton a disservice, but enough about that blow hard. On and on it went and each week it seemed to get worse, until the Steelers seemed forced to play to the media and that was not Kordell's fault in my opinion. I still think they under utilized him in SuperBowl 30.
1996: All I'll say is "Poison Fog!"
1997: AFC Championship Game as a first year starter and a great team around him. He made a couple of throws that really cost us, but Norm missed a kick he would "NORMally" make. It's a TEAM sport, folks!
1998: At the Quarterback Challenge that summer I could see he had a lot of work to do on his accuracy. Then there are all of the other factors Kordell can't control (If you want to play the blame game, there is a enough to go around, people). I'll say this; Kordell has to look in the mirror and he has to take it to the higher level. I've heard so many viscious things said about him and from people I never would expect it from. We all heard it and I for one think you people who gossip and slander others with no basis to found your crap on are insecure, hateful, misguided souls with deep rooted psyhcological problems stemming from childhood traumas! I'll pray for your enlightenment. There is really a clear parallel between Kordell and Terry Bradshaw: the media, the fans, the close relationship to the Head Coach, Lousiana, losing in the AFC Championship Game in their third year, etc. I hope when it is all said and done, Kordell (unlike Terry) doesn't turn away from the Great City of Pittsburgh with a hole in his heart where there should be "a whole lot of love." Of course, the fact is, Kordell may have been the best receiver on the team in '98, but he can't throw to himself. Well, wait a minute... hmmm... HAVE FAITH!
NOT Anonymous,
Tommy Coleman
Submitted by
GENIE GENE
#1 STEELER FAN
GENIE GENE
Submitted by
Robert Botkin
Submitted by
Dennis "DDogg" Wright
The Steelers are winners. There's no doubt about that. With the exception of the dismal 1980's (my apologies to Louis Lipps, Mark Malone, David Little, and co.), the Steelers have mounted a string of winning teams in the past 30 years. What started with one miracle play launched the greatest dynasty in sports history. But none of this would have been possible had it not been for the cast and characters that made the whole thing happen, including the Rooney's.
It takes a special player to play in Pittsburgh, a city laced with heart... a blue collar town flowing with unwavering pride. That's why you can say in the same respect that it takes a special fan to watch the Steelers. Well, for some reason, that comment doesn't have as much merit anymore. I look around me and you know what I see? Fans who aren't proud... who don't have heart. I see a lot of ungrateful, bitter people who have no business acting this way. You're Steelers fans, for God's sake! If any group of people should know how to apreciate something, it's us. All this Kordell talk is making me sick.
The fans did the same thing to Bradshaw early in his career. But after one magical draft in 1974, Chuck Noll had finally put together the team he wanted, and it was time to win. He gave the ball to Terry for good, and as the Steelers are doing with Kordell, put all of their confidence in him. A young guy from a small college in Louisiana blossomed into one of footballs all-time greats... all because his team believed in him. They saw the ability... it just took time for it to be unleashed.
Kordell has that same potential. This guy has only had two full seasons as an NFL quarterback. The same as Terry before he blossomed. I hate to compare Kordell to such a great player like Terry this soon, but the circumstances are just too similar. The latest draft may do for Kordell what the '74 draft did for Bradshaw. It takes the right chemistry to make it work. All the right pieces are there. Now, they have to put them together. I feel Kordell is an exceptionally gifted player who has a lot of great years ahead of him... hopefully as a Steeler. I'm not gonna make any excuses for him, but I will say this... give the man time.
We've all seen this before. I tell you, it's like deja vu. And if history proves me correct, that one for the thumb is well on the way. You have to believe, people. That's what the Pittsburgh Steelers are all about. Overcoming adversity. If Cowher and Rooney entrust a whole team in Kordell's hands... then so do I. They see something in him that we all may not see just yet. But it's there... it's there. You can't honestly say that Kordell didn't bring some excitement back to the 'Burgh when he came to this team. The difference is that there weren't as high of expectations then as there are now.
I think this was a wake up call to a lot of people, and maybe a blesssing in disguise. This losing season may be the best thing that could have happened to him... to the fans... and to the Steelers organization. Last season put alot of things in perspective. Because of it they've addressed issues they may not have addressed, and came away with a hell of a draft. They made a lot of free agent moves that they otherwise may not have made. With the new stadium on the way and a young team out to prove something, I think that the Steelers of old have just been ressurected into the Steelers of new. With players like Kirkland, Dawson, Bettis, Bruener, Flowers, and Kordell, plus all the young talented playes waiting for a chance to shine (like Orpheus Roye... he's ready to show his stuff), it's time to start planning the Super Bowl parties, 'cause I gotta feelin'... One for the thumb, baby!
Dennis Wright
Las Vegas,NV
Submitted by Saraya
Submitted by Thomas Bragg
Thomas D. Bragg
Swank in Wisconsin
Swank in Wisconsin
Talv18@aol.com
Holly Manley (aka, "Anonymous")
Over the years, I have received a lot of flaming e-mails regarding Kordell Stewart, especially when I had my own web site called Lloyd's Land. I can understand it if people want to support Kordell. It is an opinion... I have mine, and so do the other people who have commented on the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. But to be objective is what matters. Each person sees the game in their perspective and should be entitled to state that opinion without being harrassed by other Black and Gold fans with the ##_# remarks.
Comment: What's wrong with Bettis? Hello, is anyone home? He's missing Tim Lester. It would or could have been 23-0, if the cornerback had not let the ball bounce off his chest and Hines Ward caught it in the end zone. Or was I watching another game?
What this all boils down to is whether Kordell has the ability to become a winning QB in the near future. I say potatoe you say potato. Let's face it... Steve Young, Dan Marino, John Elway, he's not. And if anyone wants to write me and argue about it, be my guest. Kordell is not a thinking QB, he can't even make a statement without putting his foot in his mouth. He had two good years (or so I'm told). I feel it was due to Johnson, Thigpen and Bettis. Now the defense has his number, and I don't think Kordell wants to run like he use to... might get hit you know.
Let's hope he gets better. I say he won't, but I can admit, I may be wrong. Can a Kordell Stewart advocate admit they have made a mistake? We'll see.
Holly Manley
a/k/a Anonymous
P.S.-- Hey Tim, all of a sudden I feel infamous. Whoops, gotta go... I just received a molatof e-mail.
How can I say this delicately... you're NOT good! It is a shame from a fan's perspective that Dan Rooney invested so much dough in you! Now we're stuck with you. Don't get me wrong - kudos to you and Leigh Steinburg for getting such a huge deal. I'd like to hire Leigh to negotiate my next raise, but I hear he only works with quarterbacks. But as a fan, I need options and the Steelers don't have any of those. Mike, Pete and Anthony are professional clipboard carriers and soon, you will be too, once Mr. Bill wakes up. Don't fret though - every other living ex-Steelers QB has come up smelling like roses. Bradshaw's on Fox, Malone's has his own show on ESPN, Bubby has two rings and now starts (gasp) in Denver, and Neil got big money to leave Pittsburgh, sucked, and now finds himself as the starter in Tennessee. Certainly, your pimply pocked face would land somewhere. I hear Houston is taking applications for a QB. In fact, your long term job security will center around the league's continued expansion. But let's face it, Kordell - you' ve done a fantastic sales job - to Bill, to Dan and to Tom. These guys don't seem to follow you on game-day. Unfortunately, I do. I've had enough! I'm ready for change. Even if it means "sacrificing" the season four games in.
Frenchman in OH
Jimmy Grant
I have to blame Cowher for a lot of this. His ego stands in the way every time. People can put down O'Dummell (that's for you Tim), but I don't blame him for the Superbowl. He was never a thinking QB. He did what they told him to do, throw where they told him to throw, and I think that is what cost the Steelers the Super Bowl.
Bettis can't even score. What the hell were they thinking when they got rid of Tim Lester? Bettis will be the next to go... watch.
OK... I've remained on the Kordell bandwagon up until now, similar to the way I hung in there with O'Dummell until his Super Bowl heroics ruined my day and any Steelers chance of a fifth ring.
I'm jumping off in a hurry today. And I'm jumping off the Cowher wagon as well. How many poor performances does a team have to have before someone, anyone, starts looking at the coaching staff for answers, and to lay blame. I'm personally tired of the coddling Cowher seems intent on giving Kordell. I'm tired of the smiles and laughter between the two on the sidelines as if they know something we don't. A Steelers football season isn't a joke to me. It's serious business. I've invested a lifetime of very fond memories in this team only to watch free agency, off and on field offensive and front office complacency, and an obvious lack of work ethic and respect for the opponent make me sick to my stomach on a weekly basis (Now I know what Bears fans have felt like for so long).
The seasons a wash. Trust me. The team needs to start building for the future. Now. I could understand the losses if I saw rebuilding going on. It's not.
Kordell IS NOT the guy to take this team to the next level. Put Gonzalez in until a real QB is either drafted or signed. Let Kordell carry the board for awhile to get a fresh perspective of the real world, then get rid of him and the big salary.
The offensive line absolutely sucks. Dawson is the only talent I see on that line. This is a major project in and of itself. It's going to take big off season money to fix this catastrophe, so start saving money now by dishing Kordell to the f#@%ing Bungles, or something.
I like the receiving corps. They're talented, but not gamers. We're stuck with them for now, so start playing Edwards as much as humanly possible. The kid's going to be a star. Use some of the Kordell money to sign a go-to deep threat guy to compliment him, like Thigpen was.
The running game remains bright, but we'll never see it flourish because of a pitiful offensive line, a bad QB, and unimaginative play calling (sound familiar?). It's not hard to figure out that teams are still stacking the line to stop the run because Kordell isn't feared as a serious threat at QB.
The defense is fine (still awesome, actually). My favorite part of the team. Always has been, always will be. So stop screwing it up by allowing it's stars to run to the gold every year (See below).
One last thing to the management: PLEASE stop letting valuable, important, fan favorite players go to free agency!!! Hire a f#@%ing accountant to finagle the salary cap like the 49ers have done for so many years. Maybe then we can return to the days where hoping for a championship team didn't seem like such a pipe dream.
Christ, I hope I'm wrong. Someone tell me I'm wrong, because I never thought in my entire life I'd ever hear myself say that I wish O'Dummell was still the Steelers QB!!!!
Thanks. I had to vent and I appreciate you allowing me the soapbox to do so.
Chris
flanman in AZ :(
Tom Bragg
http://community.webtv.net/francoharris/TomsPittsburgh
GO STEELERS... with or without Kordell!
NAT
Kordell Stewart is an anomaly as a quarterback. He's different enough to perplex defenses, but as we saw last year, not so talent laden that they can't figure him out enough to shut him down. In his defense, our beloved Front Office did not exactly help him out terribly by dishing his number one receiver off to another team. I will also concede that the Sherman offense was a contributing factor to his failure, but a great athlete will adapt and overcome - providing they want to. His Offensive Line didn't exactly treat him as royalty either. But come to think of it, how did Kordell treat his fellow offensive players? Seems to me what I heard from him repeatedly was, "it's not my fault." Hmmm, what's that say about his view of his fellow offensive players? The way my pappy raised me, was, "to get respect, you gotta give respect."
In my mind, this is Mr. Kordell Stewart's number one problem. He is self-centered, conceited and immature. He's got the tools, but needs a serious attitude adjustment. He needs to worry less about getting his hat on backwards for the cameras on the side line and more about opening his ears and eyes to what his coaches are telling him. He needs to sit off by himself after a bad series and chew his own butt. Last season, I practically puked every time I saw him joking and primping himself after a horrendous offensive series, like it was just another day at the office. I've never seen Aikman, Young, Kelly, Montana, Elway do this. When their offense screws up, there is fire in their eyes and they can't wait to get back on the field to make up for it. I just don't see this ownership or field generalship from Stewart. He needs to praise his offense in public and most importantly take ownership of offensive problems - at least in public. Many an offensive line has taken a dive and let their quarterback get creamed when deserved. I'm not sure this has happened yet to Kordell, but it's gotta be getting close. My favorite definition of leadership is, "it is the art of inspiring ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things." An NFL quarterback definitely needs to have this quality. Not all great quarterbacks have been blessed with 10 Pro Bowl players on their offense.
Can he make it? Man, I hope so. Frankly, I don't know who else we have to turn to. I really think the Front Office has gambled and possibly lost on this one. Banking your future on such an unorthodox style of player is a big departure for a conservative team like the Steelers. I like Stewart's skills as an athlete, not so sure as a QB, but as a utility "slash" player he's great. In the "slash" role he is more of a follower and less of a leader, and I think that suits him better.
Kordell, I think you really might have the tools, please show us you've got the attitude to go with them.
Doug Fredericks
I am sick and tired of Kordell Stewart comparing himself to QBs like Aikman, Young, and Farve (maybe Farve... not a big fan of his either). Kordell, please put a sock in it. I don't know who put you on the "top of the world", but in my estimation you are "an average guy now based on how the season went" hanging on the coat tails of other great players who have now departed. You had a bad year because there was no one to make you look good. You need to take a lesson in Humility 101, or maybe Bill Cowher should stop wispering in your ear.
Make no mistake, I think Kordell is a waste of time and energy. I'm still pissed off about them letting go of Quinn and picking up Gonzalez.
Kordell is not the great white hope. O'Donnell was better. Not as exciting, but he came through. I don't know why everyone thinks the last few years have been exciting. He threw about the same last year as the year before, including interceptions, except we did not win. Check the stats.
I'm not sure why Kordell seems to think he has the capability to lead this team. My guess is it's Cowher. He tells people he's behind them, builds them up, and I'm sure he's talking a lot of shit to this kid. I'm sure KS is not as much BS as I think, but he really doesn't know how to talk to the press.
Sincerely
A Fed-Up Fan
P.S.---You know what really pissed me off was Rooney saying that he wanted Lloyd and Woodson to come back for 1 day to retire Steelers. Put two socks in it, Dan, and I don't mean your mouth.
