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Well-Rounded Steelers Able To Do Whatever It Takes Article by McMillen & Wife It's been a given since last season that the Steelers can win sheerly on the strength of their defense when they have to. It's also old news that they can beat you with "the Bus" even when you're willing to stack eight men in the box. But surely, we can't suddenly be expected to believe that the Steelers just might reach the promised land even if Kordell Stewart is forced to shoulder the load. Or can we? Seeing is believing, folks... and the more I see, the more I believe. Not only has Kordell Stewart matured into a productive, calm, cool and collected field general under the tutelage of Mularkey and Clements... he appears to be emerging as one of the NFL's most effective (and dangerous) signal callers. A player that was ostensibly our biggest weakness coming into the season has become a real strength. So I'm putting it on the table right now... the Pittsburgh Steelers are bound for Super Bowl XXXVI. What we're seeing right now from Kordell is what many of us always suspected he was capable of. Certainly, I've waffled in my support of Stewart at times over the last few years, so I'm not in any position to say, "I told you so." But my wife, Sandy, is. Anyone who frequents our site knows that Sandy has been absolutely unwavering in her belief in Kordell from day one. When that dark, black cloud of perceived inadequacy poured over Stewart like a cup of beer dumped by disgruntled fans in '98 & '99, Sandy remained true. When the media ran with an unsubstantiated, vicious rumor that was nothing short of character assasination, Sandy remained true. And when Stewart was benched in favor of players like Mike Tomczak (whom we liked) and Kent Graham (whom we didn't), Sandy remained true. So rather than forcing all of you to listen to me rehash the win over the Titans (a surprising shoot-out which was the most enjoyable and exhilerating game I've watched in quite some time), we've got a message from the Sandstress herself this week. One warning: if you've been a Kordell basher over the last couple of years, watch out. Tim McMillen, Webmaster, McMillen & Wife
Critics Quiet but Hopeful for Slip-Up Article by Sandy McMillen Edited by Tim McMillen There's nothing quite as disgusting as someone who can look you in the eye, smile, and wish you good luck while they're actually wishing with all their hearts that you'll fail miserably. I'm no mind reader, but I can guarantee you that there is a sizable contingent of so-called Steeler fans out there that are doing exactly that when it comes to Kordell Stewart. People like the infamous Steelmob from our message board are bad enough. He tears down Kordell regardless of the circumstances. But at least Steelmob is consistent: he's a mindless, ranting, raving, racist, hateful pig no matter what Kordell is doing! But there's something even worse about those who smile politely while they hate in secret. You people know who you are, and you don't fool me for a minute. I'm not talking about fans who are suddenly jumping on the Kordell bandwagon. That's only natural, and to those of you finally getting behind your quarterback, I say welcome aboard! But to those among you who are currently paying Stewart lip service to fit in, look cool, or whatever your motivation is , while secretly hoping he fails so you can say, "I told you so," kindly go #$%& yourselves. Kordell has shouldered way too much blame over the last couple of years for the Steelers' plight. Take away all of Kurt Warner's receivers, stick him in a Kevin Gilbride-run offense and dump beer on him and see just how well he does. Kordell showed what he was capable of in 1997 when he had Chan Gailey in the booth and Yancey Thigpen and Charles Johnson to throw to. Then suddenly, they were all gone. It's no wonder that Kordell battled confidence and performance problems in 1998 and 1999! Who wouldn't have? In any case, Stewart's "emergence" (as Tim likes to call it) into a solid NFL quarterback is not some sudden development. In fact, it's not an emergence at all. It has been evident for the last two seasons that Stewart was a good quarterback to those of us who weren't wearing "Kordell will never succeed" blinders like many fans I know (did I mention my husband?).
In the end, people will show their true colors when Stewart falters (as every quarterback from Favre to Manning does) for a week or two. That's when we'll see all the phonies immediately jump ship, glad for the chance to return to tearing down Stewart. Good riddance, because the good news is, that's also when we'll learn that plenty of fans have been converted into Kordell backers for good. My hunch is that Kordell bandagon will remain plenty full from here on out, and with good reason. On that note, I'm going nighty-night. Sandy McMillen, Webmistress, McMillen & Wife P.S.---Don't forget to be a sweetheart and order some of my Steel City Soap!
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Sorry I couldn't help myself! Go Steelers! We are doing well ,as you all can see, and we need to keep winning. We need to keep a killer attitude! Lets go Pitt!!!! Down w/the Vikings! They took what is likely the best blows the Titans can give out this year, at least offensively, and won it going away at the end. McNair had one of the unconscious throwing games he is prone to against the Steelers, and they were on their heels during a good portion of the first half and early in the second half. But by the end of the game, the team with the clear talent and coaching edge walked off the field with a "W," while Jeff Fisher was left with that whinny look on his face. Mike - no apologies, guy... the special teams were horrible in the first half, and just the opposite, as noted, with Brown booming KOs and hitting his FG, Troy with a VERY timely big return and huge hit on Mason. They played a big role in the team taking over in the second half. And Chad... it was a VERY bad 116 minutes and 30 seconds until Scott got that gift pickoff return. He will make ESPN for that play, but he has been a butch for all but the last 4 minutes of the last two games. The real story of this game, of course, was the two QBs. The Steelers were obviously very aware of McNair, and came in willing to let him pass, rushing mostly four guys with orders to maintain their lanes and dropping back into zones. This was especially the case after the big play to start the game... they got burnt on the play action and seemed to get even more conservative. Meanwhile, McNair is almost impossible to sack, and is such a cagey scrambler and runner. That play late in the game where Deshea Townsend DID intercept the pass, Aaron Smith (who has spent all season breaking QBs in half) had McNair by the waist and tried to flip him over and couldn't. It seems every time the Steelers play the Titans, I at least, underestimate this guy... but unless he just plays his best ball against the Steelers, he really is a good QB. So, with very little pressure and the secondary and LBs (again) not playing their best games in coverage, McNair had all day to hit WRs on long crossing patterns, and Wycheck, who ate Flowers and the LBs up all day. Yikes... Meanwhile, with the Titans putting their 8 men in the box (as usual) against the Steeler O-line and Jerome bottled up, the balance of the game fell to Kordell Stewart. This was mentioned by a number of people before the game, and it was exactly how it played out. Stewart had a very good game and because of that, the team will come back to Pittsburgh with a "W." Two weeks ago, Tim Lewis made great halftime adjustments to help the team beat the Browns, and this week I posted what my halftime adjustments would be... 1) ratcheting up the pressure on McNair. 2) rolling KS out. 3) hitting some screens or quick passes. They did roll KS out more in the second half, and Amos' TD catch came off a screen. They also got McNair on a blitz from Logan, but mostly sat back and let him pick them apart until after they got ahead by 10 late, then were able to pin their ears back and go after him. Of course, McNair couldn't do anything at that point. I love Tim Lewis bunches, and I think it was a good idea to be conservative early, but he probably could/should have been more aggressive in the second half. Other thoughts... * They let Mason get away with TOO much garbage up until they finally flagged him when he put the ball in Holmes' face. Early in the first half, he was pushed out of bounds by Dewayne Washington, and after the play punched him in the face two times - last week, Kordell got a penalty for no physical act whatsoever, just for saying "mean stuff" or something. * the Gildon moment of the game - 13:20 of the first half. The Titans had the ball at the Steelers 25... Gildon got Fred Miller psyched into two penalities, then beat him on the rush to force McNair to force an incompletion. Tennessee ended up having to punt when they at least would have had a FG attempt. * the Titans busted out a Steelers play with the seal out pitch to George that set up their TD at 5:00 of the second quarter. *Plax's TD at the end of the half - Desmond Howard won a Heisman and I ruled some pickup games with that play... isolation, man to man defense at the goal line, the WR reads the DB and runs either a fade or a post... MONEY play that every team should run on a regular basis. * Massively huge play of the game - Jerome rooting the ball out from in between four Titans to get his fumble back - next play was Kordell's long TD run. * Next huge play - Troy's return, setting up Amos' sweet run off the screen for a TD on 3rd and 15. This situation could have broken the Steelers backs. Troy had the big return, and they got nothing on first and second down, setting up a possible FG attempt. If they only get three after that return, or even a miss from Brown, that would have HURT . But a great call, and a great effort by Amos. * good sign for Plax and the team - he got 114 yards and it was no big deal. He let Rolle knock that one ball out for an incompletion, but outside of that caught everything including one long jump ball between two guys, and one really tough sliding catch. And that play where they boot KS and run Plax all the way across the field is almost unstoppable. * KS - game ball. He was perfect on that first drive that got a FG, a little shaky throwing the ball at times after that, with few that might have been picked off (I will give him credit for purposely overthrowing Witman on a swing pass where he was getting pressured and Whitman was covered), and a horrid T-zak euphis ball. Bu overall, for the second game in a row, Stewart carried the team on a day when the running game was not automatic like it was earlier in the year. Add in his run, and he gets a game ball. * The Steelers generally fair well against George, but it is almost sad to see him right now. I have always liked him, but he just is not the same. He had one clear fumble, and tried to fumble the seal out pitch. Some of it is his line, I think, but he just is not the same. <<< Back to Mac & Wife's
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