Yet for all of his down-moments which we choose to remember, he also made some pretty incredible plays and played some great games for the Steelers during his tenure in Pittsburgh.  With that in mind, I thought it would be nice to shy away from a “Negative Nancy” attitude and post my “Top Ten” Memories of Kordell Stewart’s career with the Steelers.

Kordell was one of the most versatile players in team history. Image Courtesy of espn.go.com

10. Kordell’s First Professional Touchdown Pass

Monday Night Football

Steelers 20 vs. Browns 3

November 13, 1995

After the 5-4 Steelers got through a marathon of an Overtime game against Chicago the week before, they took on the 4-5 Browns on Monday Night Football at Three Rivers Stadium in an important A.F.C. Central game  This provided a great setting for “Slash” to show off his talents.  Stewart actually kicked off the scoring in the 2nd Quarter when the Steelers entered the Red Zone.  I can still remember how excited I was to see him in the game lined up at Quarterback at the 2 Yard Line with a chance to score.  He did not disappoint me in that specific instance.

Kordell’s first ever Touchdown pass illustrated not only his athleticism, but his ability to put pressure on the opposition because of his versatility.  He rolled all the way to the right sideline from the left hash, saw nothing, then rolled back to the left and found a wide-open Ernie Mills for the score in the back of the end zone to draw first blood!  It was a good night for Stewart overall, as he ran the option a bit and racked up 13 Yards rushing and made 2 grabs for 21 Yards as well.

9. “Slash” Does It All Against the Patriots

Steelers 41 vs. Patriots 27

December 16, 1995

In a late season game against the Patriots during his Rookie season, Kordell was at his versatile “best” and chipped in nicely that afternoon.  Kordell’s best play came when he turned a 22 Yard run into a Touchdown in the 3rd Quarter and extended the Steelers’ lead to 24-12 in a game they eventually won late in the 4th Quarter.  The run was quite impressive as Stewart made a couple guys miss and slipped a Tackle inside the 10.  On the day, Kordell even threw a few passes and went 2 for 3 for 41 Yards in addition to his 25 Yards total on the ground.  It was just another day at the office for the Steelers and Stewart as the team was working him steadily into their game plans.

8. Career-High Run in Carolina

Panthers 18 vs. Steelers 14

December 22, 1996

Nothing was there, so he just stepped up in the pocket and started to run.  The thing was, nobody caught him.  Thanks to the Defense covering the Receivers and some solid blocks down the field, Stewart got to the second level and just turned on the jets down the left sideline and did not stop until he crossed into the end zone.  This play was Kordell making something out of nothing, and essentially outrunning an entire Defense by himself.  Kordell did not have a great day otherwise (8 for 21 for 77 Yards and 2 INT’s), because despite the fact that the Steelers led 14-9 and Stewart’s run plus an Andrew Hastings’ Touchdown catch erased a 9-0 deficit, the Steelers lost the game in the Second Half.  Nevertheless, not many Running Backs break 80 Yard runs in their careers, and Stewart’s sprint in Charlotte was pretty darn incredible that day.

7. “Slash” Has Best Day as a Passer Ever

Steelers 23 vs. Jaguars 17 (OT)

October 26, 1997

Kordell Stewart picked the right regular season game to throw for the most Yards during his career, because the Steelers needed every one of them that afternoon/evening as they beat the Jaguars and catapulted themselves into 1st place in the A.F.C. Central that season.  Down 10-0 at Halftime, the Steelers and Stewart responded like champions.  Stewart directed a scoring drive capped off by a 28 Yard Touchdown pass to Courtney Hawkins to make the game 10-7.  Then a defensive stand at the Goal Line allowed the Steelers to take over at their own 2, and Stewart led a 98 Yard scoring drive which ended with a 1 Yard Touchdown run by him.  Jacksonville then went ahead 17-14, and the Steelers tied it on a Norm Johnson Field Goal with just over 2 minutes to play.

The stage was set for Overtime, and Kordell and Jerome Bettis played the heroes.  Stewart flipped a shovel pass to Bettis just inside the Jaguars’ 20 Yard Line, and the 17 Yard Touchdown catch and run was a walk-off win of epic proportions and a coming out party for “Slash” the Quarterback.  Stewart threw for 317 Yards and the 2 Touchdowns, and rushed for 37 and the first go-ahead score.  With the win, Pittsburgh had taken a 1-game lead over the Jaguars for the Divisional crown, and as the season unfolded, this was the game which ultimately gave the Steelers the upper-hand in the A.F.C. Central.

6. Tight-rope Run Just Enough for Steelers to Win

A.F.C. Divisional Playoff

Steelers 7 vs. Patriots 6

January 3, 1998

The Steelers faced off against the Patriots in the Divisional Round of the 1997 Playoffs at Three Rivers Stadium, and boy what a Defensive struggle it was.  Despite the fact that only 13 points total were scored, it did not stop Kordell Stewart from making the game’s biggest play in the 1st Quarter.  Stewart raced down the sideline on a run near midfield and proceeded to score the game’s only Touchdown on said 40 yard dash.  The run was huge because it would be the only points that the Steelers would score that day.  Tight-roping the sidelines and making something out of nothing with his legs, Kordell was his vintage self on that play.  The rest of Stewart’s day was rather pedestrian (14 for 31 for 134 Yards and 1 INT), but the fact he could rip off a 40 Yard run when it was open for him to do so reminds me of how much of a weapon he truly was that season.

Kordell got his "closure" retiring as a Steeler.

As all the hoopla surrounding the retirement of Kordell Stewart dies down this week I’ve started to think about Steeler Nation and their history, and present, when it comes to how they deal with their quarterback.  We are rightfully brutal on opposing quarterbacks, Joe Flacco looks like Bert from Seasame Street, Tom Brady may have girl parts, and Carrot top aka Andy Dalton has just begun to learn how much Steeler Nation loves to harass opposing teams’ quarterbacks.  But how do we do with our own?  Not very good if you ask me.  Kordell spoke of receiving death threats from fans during his poor performing seasons, Tommy Maddox got garbage thrown on his yard and his kids were harassed in school, and Ben can’t open his mouth without constant criticism of anything and everything he says.  So why are we so harsh on our own quarterbacks?  Possibly it’s the high standard that has been set in this town, whether it is the legendary quarterbacks that have come from Western Pennsylvania or the standard of 4 Super Bowls won by Bradshaw, Steeler Nation has a constant love-hate relationship with its quarterbacks. (more…)

Kordell Stewart came back to Pittsburgh today to announce his retirement, seven years after he last played a down. photo courtesy foxsports.com

In a strange and unprecedented move, former Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kordell Stewart came back to Pittsburgh today to announce his retirement from the National Football League.  Stewart, now 39-years old, has not played since last suiting up as a backup for the Baltimore Ravens in 2005.  He has spent several years working as a TV analyst for ESPN.  The fact that Stewart chose to retire as a Steeler is no surprise, as he spent the majority of his career in the black and gold.  The manner in which this all happened today was mind boggling, however.  As stated, Stewart has not been an active player in over seven years and for all intents and purposes, everybody thought he WAS retired.  Everybody but “Slash”, apparently.  Stewart signed a one-day contract with the Steelers today to formally retire as a member of the organization.

The name Kordell Stewart still brings a lot of baggage with it in this town.  At times, he was a guy we felt we could ride all the way to the promise land, known back then as “One for the Thumb”.  At times he was beloved by this city, and more often than that he was – shall we say – unpopular.  A player who was ahead of his time – a quarterback with a rocket arm who could run a 4.3 40-yard dash – Stewart was an enigma; best known for his iconic “Hail Mary” touchdown pass to WR Michael Westbrook to give Colorado a win over Michigan in 1994.  The Steelers, looking for the best athlete on the board in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft, selected Stewart 60th overall.  The team was basically set at the Quarterback position with starter Neil O’Donnell and veteran backup Mike Tomczak, making the choice a curious one for a team that was just starting to really develop into an AFC powerhouse.  The general thought was that Stewart would be evaluated in training camp, and the team could then decide where he would fit on the roster.  The Steelers were a deep, young team in 1995 – only seven players were age 30 or older – and were slowly climbing the mountain under Head Coach Bill Cowher.  After early playoff exits in 1992 and 1993, the team had really hit its stride in 1994 – a 12-4 record and the #1 seed in the AFC playoffs.  The season came down to an AFC Championship Game match-up against the heavy underdog San Diego Chargers at Three Rivers Stadium.  The Steelers were upset – at home, in January, by a warm weather team – and the loss was at the time considered one of the most heartbreaking in team history.  Despite the free agent losses of Pro Bowl guard Duval Love and Pro Bowl TE Eric Green, the team looked to add some sizzle in the draft to mesh with a roster that had all the pieces in place for a Super Bowl run.

Kordell Stewart in 1995

The Steelers were looking to add “wrinkles” to the offensive playbook of coordinator Ron Erhardt, and Kordell Stewart was seen as the type of player who could cause sleepless nights for opposing defenders.  He had a cannon arm, throwing the ball up to 75 yards in game situations.  His speed was off-the-charts fast, and in 1995 he had no equal athletically as far as quarterbacks were concerned.  His hands and footwork were tailor-made for a big time wide receiver.  Kordell Stewart had it all – and nobody, including Erhardt or Cowher, had ever seen a player with as many tangible tools.  The one thing Stewart lacked was the ability to play quarterback in the NFL right away.  For all of his athletic talents, Kordell wasn’t a fast learner.  If the Steelers had plans to make a pro quarterback out of him, it was a goal that would take a commitment over several years to accomplish.  However, there was no way the team was going to allow him to languish as a #3 QB on the sideline – the Steelers were going to use that size and speed immediately.  The brain trust would meet in dark film rooms and late-night think tank sessions and come up with a select few plays that would confuse and frighten defensive coordinators all over the Country.  It took half a season for the team and coaches to begin bringing their experiment to life, and on a chilly Week 9 afternoon at Three Rivers Stadium the Steelers welcomed the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars to town.  The NFL was about to be introduced to “Slash”.

In the game against Jacksonville, Stewart saw his first regular season action by rushing two times for 16 yards in a 24-7 Steelers win.  The following week at Chicago, the team utilized Stewart as a running back and wide receiver.  “Slash” made his first NFL reception, a 27-yard toss from QB Neil O’Donnell.  He also ran the ball once, and the Steelers used him as a decoy all afternoon.  The Steelers again won, this time on a Norm Johnson FG in overtime that propelled them to a 37-34 victory.  Although he had yet to have a huge impact on the game, the NFL was abuzz about the Steelers new weapon.  Defensive Coordinators league-wide now had to account for a player who was quite possibly the most gifted athlete in the league, and they had no idea where the Steelers were going to use him.  A decade before anybody had ever heard of Devin Hester or Joshua Cribbs, the first true all-purpose NFL player was born.

Stewart during a game against Cleveland in 1999

After starting out the season a disappointing 3-4, the Steelers rode their new weapon to win eight of their final nine games and finish 11-5.  They won the AFC Central Division and finally hurdled the rest of the conference to win the AFC Championship.  Kordell Stewart was the added dimension that made the Steelers the force they were in 1995, and all told he collected 381 all-purpose yards and scored via the run, the catch, and the pass.  For a fanbase that had been raised on the smashmouth style, Stewart became an immediate smash as “Slash”.  Within a few weeks of his debut, #10 jerseys were all the rage at Three Rivers Stadium and every national pregame show was talking up Stewart as the “next generation” of NFL player.  When the playoffs began, Stewart was the most feared player to take the field.  In the Divisional playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, he would add punting to his repertoire – booting a 41-yard pooch punt that caught the Bills completely off guard.   His touchdown catch in the AFC Championship Game against Indianapolis was a thing of beauty, and turned the tide of the game back into the Steelers favor just before halftime.  Although the Steelers would lose to Dallas in their first Super Bowl appearance since 1979, the 1995 season was the most successful of the Cowher era thus far – and Kordell Stewart was one of the main players who triggered that success.

After spending another season in the “Slash” role in 1996, Kordell Stewart became the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1997.  He immediately became the hottest signal caller in the game, leading the Steelers to an 11-5 record, another AFC Central division title, and another trip to the AFC Championship Game.  He completed 236 passes for 3,020 yards and 21 touchdowns, and added 476 yards rushing with 11 touchdowns.  In the top overall single player performance of the entire season, Stewart threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more in a 35-24 in a Week 15 win over the Denver Broncos.  He finished the season with a QB Rating of 75.2% and led the league with four comeback victories.  In a very tight AFC Divisional Playoff game against New England that the Steelers would win 7-6, Stewart rushed for 68 yards and scored the only touchdown of the game on a 40-yard sprint to the endzone.  Just as the Steel City was becoming overrun with Kordell Fever, the team fell to Denver in the AFC Championship Game 24-21.  Stewart was considered the primary reason for the loss, throwing three interceptions and completed only 18 of 36 passes.  He did score once again on a 33-yard scamper, but his overall play left a lot to be desired.

From 1998-1999, Kordell Stewart remained the Steelers starting quarterback despite poor play and back-to-back losing records for the team.  In 2000, the organization attempted to move forward by signing veteran QB Kent Graham to be the starter.  Besides a 1-3 start to the season, watching Graham play quarterback was the polar opposite of Stewart.  The slow-footed Graham lasted just four games before the team turned back to Stewart in an attempt to salvage their season.  The team rebounded and finished 9-7 in the final season at Three Rivers Stadium, narrowly missing the playoffs.  As the Steelers were preparing to move onto a new chapter in their storied history, it was all but set in stone that Kordell Stewart would be the man at the helm.  Fans and media speculated as to whether Kordell would ever be able to lead the Steelers again after his demotion, and horrible rumors about Stewart’s social life began to make life unbearable for the now veteran player.

As the 2001 season approached, the Steelers hired their third offensive coordinator in four years.  Following Chan Gailey and Ray Sherman would be Mike Mularkey, a former Steelers player and the tight ends coach from 1996-2000.  The addition of Mularkey and new Quarterbacks coach Tom Clements reinvigorated Stewart.  In the first year at beautiful new Heinz Field, Kordell Stewart put together his best overall season and led a dominate Steelers team to a 13-3 record and the #1 overall seed in the AFC.  Stewart racked up 3,109 passing yards (his second 3,000+ season) and threw for 14 touchdowns.  On the ground, he ran for 537 yards and 5 touchdowns.  He was voted to his first and only Pro Bowl, was the Steelers Team MVP, and was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Year.  Once again, the NFL was infatuated with Kordell Stewart and his image graced the covers of Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News.  To Steelers fans who had been waiting for a quarterback that could lead the team back to its past greatness, it seemed that once again Stewart might be that guy.  The Steelers once again won a home playoff game, this time defeating the Baltimore Ravens in a game that helped mold the beginnings of the NFL’s bloodiest rivalry.  The Steelers were heavy favorites to reach Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans, so much so that fans were planning their trips to the “Big Easy” and lining up which opponent from the NFC their team would match up better against.

Unfortunately, it was not to be.  The New England Patriots, led by their suddenly superstar quarterback Tom Brady and a defense with a “bend but do not break” mentality, ended the Steelers 2001 season in the AFC Championship Game.  Once again, it was Kordell Stewart who took the loss on the chin by throwing three interceptions and looking lost for most of the game.  In reality, the Patriots – who entered the game as double-digit underdogs – were on their way to a stunning mini-dynasty and (possibly) had some help from videotaped practices.  The Steelers lost 24-17 and were outplayed in every facet of the game, and that cold night at Heinz Field would turn out to be the ultimate turning point in the Steelers career of Kordell Stewart.  Losing another home AFC Title game to a huge underdog was a major strike in the eyes of Steeler Nation, who had now seen the Steelers lose two of these games with #10 manning the wheel.  The Patriots went on to upset the St. Louis Rams in the Super Bowl by playing the type of low-scoring affair that the Steelers excelled at – making it feel as if a fifth Lombardi Trophy had been stolen from the franchise.  Whatever slack the fans and media had been giving Kordell Stewart for having such a great bounce-back year was officially gone.

Stewart celebrates a touchdown run by RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala during a Week 4 win over Seattle in 1998.

The 2002 season would signal the end of the road for Kordell Stewart in the black and gold.  After losing the first two games of the season, the Steelers had a strange Week 3 bye week and by that point the coaching staff had seen enough of a Steelers offense that could only muster 31 total points in two games.  After being sacrificed to the New England Patriots in Week 1 for the opening of Gillette Stadium, the Steelers came home to play Oakland in a Sunday Night Football match-up.  The Steelers kept it close through three quarters before the special teams allowed the Raiders to blow the gates off in the fourth with a 96-yard kickoff return TD.  A couple of fumbles killed Pittsburgh drives that had promise despite an erratic quarter by Stewart.  The loss was the worst regular season defeat at Heinz Field, and the Steelers looked like a shell of the team that had dominated much of 2001.  A Week 4 match-up against the Cleveland Browns was Stewart’s last chance to show he was able to rebound the Steelers from their lousy start, and after a lackluster performance put the team in a 13-6 hole the coaching staff turned to backup QB Tommy Maddox.  After leading the team to a 16-13 overtime victory, it was clear that “Tommy Gun” was the new starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Kordell Stewart would make four more appearances as a Steeler, including two late season starts that helped keep the team in playoff contention after an injury sidelined Maddox.  It was the swan’s song for his Steelers career, and once the season was over the Steelers released Stewart.  Maddox would remain the starter for 2003 and was the bridge to gap the franchise until the 2004 drafting of Ben Roethlisberger.  Once Big Ben took over for the injured Maddox in the third week of 2004, the “Tommy Gun” era quickly ended.  Kordell Stewart would sign with the Chicago Bears and play there in 2003, then was brought in as a back-up for Baltimore in 2004-05.  After a few starts with the Bears in his only season there, he was replaced by Chris Chandler and never started another NFL game.

The surprise “retirement” party that was thrown today for Stewart was something nobody could have predicted.  The Kordell Stewart era of football in the Steel City isn’t looked back on as being special nor did it have a storybook ending.  However, the Steelers enjoyed two very good seasons with Stewart under center, and he was a major part of the 1995 Super Bowl XXX team.  Many fans remember the frustration they felt when Kordell was the quarterback here, myself included.  I also remember a player that redefined the quarterback position in the NFL, and a player who at times looked like he was unstoppable.  Superstars today such as Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III have Stewart to thank for changing the way the league looks at mobile quarterbacks, much like Stewart had Randall Cunningham to thank for opening the door to his career.  While the Steelers didn’t collect any hardware – the way we define winners and losers in Pittsburgh – he did have a large effect on the franchise and on numerous Steelers legends.  Jerome Bettis and Hines Ward each benefited from having Stewart around in the primes, a fact that both have stated numerous times.

It was just another example of the class organization the Steelers are by allowing Kordell Stewart to have his very-late moment in the sun today.  For better or for worse, when you are a Steeler – you know you have a home for life.

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10. 1982 Steelers

(6-3) Strike-Shortened Season

Lost in Conference Playoff 1st Round to San Diego

The 1982 strike-shortened season was sort of “The Last Hurrah” for many of the ’70′s Steelers.  1982 was also special because it marked the franchise’s 50th Anniversary, the first season the Steelers’ Defense employed a 3-4 Front, and it marked the final “full” season of Terry Bradshaw’s great career.

Speaking of Bradshaw, when he was “on” that season, there was little teams could do to stop him as he tied for the League lead with 17 TD passes during the 9 game season.  In addition, Bradshaw also led the League as 7.1% of his completions went for Passing TD’s that season as the Steelers enjoyed a solid season on the Offensive side of the ball.

Running Back Franco Harris also had himself a decent season as his career with the Black & Gold was winding down, placed 9th in the League in Rushing Yards (604) and Yards Per Carry (4.3), and even led the team in receptions with 31.  Overall, the Steelers ranked 8th in the League in Rushing Yards and averaged 131.9 Yards Per Game as Harris and Frank Pollard led the way behind the blocking of Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer Mike Webster and member of the franchise’s 75th Anniversary squad, Tackle Larry Brown.  As for the passing game, future Hall of Famer John Stallworth earned himself a Pro Bowl berth as he hauled in 27 Passes for 441 Yards and 7 TD’s, and proved to be Pittsburgh’s most potent threat at the Wide Receiver position.

Jack Lambert notched another Pro Bowl berth to his belt in 1982.. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-US PRESSWIRE

While the once dominant “Steel Curtain” Defense was collectively continued to age, the top veterans still performed at a high level in 1982.  Donnie Shell and Jack Lambert were named 1st Team All-Pros and Defensive Back Dwayne Woodruff tied with Shell for the team lead with 5 INT’s.  Holdovers from the 1970′s, Defensive Linemen Gary Dunn and Tom Beasley also had fine years getting to the Quarterback (6.0 Sacks apiece), as the Steelers employed a 3-4 Defensive scheme for the first time in their team history.  For the year,  Pittsburgh finished 4th in Total Points Allowed, 1st in Rushing Yards Allowed, and only allowed one 100 Yard rusher the entire 9-game season (Joe Cribbs, Buffalo).

The Steelers started off 1982 hot as they beat Dallas (36-28) and then defending A.F.C. Champion Cincinnati (26-20) in successive Weeks.  Bradshaw threw for 6 Touchdowns combined in both games including the game-winner in Overtime to defeat the Bengals at Three Rivers Stadium.  In spite of Pittsburgh’s hot start, there was no football to be played until late November, and the Steelers looked a tad inconsistent over the final two months.

During the final 7 contests the Steelers looked good (Large Margin Wins over Houston, New England, Cleveland, and Kansas City) and also not so good (Shutout Losses to Buffalo and Seattle).  Nevertheless, the Steelers finished with a 6-3 record, and in the ’82 8-team per Conference Playoff format were given the #4 seed and scheduled to play San Diego at Three Rivers Stadium in the first Round of the postseason.

Sadly for the Steelers, they gave up a 28-17 lead in the 4th Quarter, and Pittsburgh was sent home for the rest of the winter.  After the 1982 season ended, the Steelers saw Lynn Swann and Jack Ham retire, and would eventually see players like Bradshaw (who only played in 1 game in 1983), Harris, Lambert, and Mel Blount leave in the near future.  Even though Pittsburgh made the Playoffs in 1983 and 1984, 1982 and it’s Playoff format would have given this team a much better shot at winning, and the Steelers as a team stacked up against the rest of their postseason foes much better in 1982 than they did in 1983 and 1984.  Alternate history and scenarios aside, the Chargers ended Pittsburgh’s season in 1982, and Pittsburgh would not play another postseason game at home for another decade.

9. 1992 Steelers

(11-5)

Lost in Divisional Playoff Game against Buffalo (24-3)

I remember the 1992 Steelers not having many high expectations.  They had a new Coach for the first time since the late ’60′s (Bill Cowher), A.F.C. Central rival Houston was a heavy favorite to go to/win the Super Bowl, and the Steelers had a Quarterback controversy brewed between Bubby Brister and Neil O’Donnell.  However, there were a few things which many did not account for in 1992.

First, there was the fact that there was quite a bit of young talent on the roster left over from the Noll years, the Offensive Line was a solid bunch, the Defense under Dom Capers was primed to explode, and Running Back Barry Foster would have a season for the ages that many outside of Pittsburgh do not usually remember.

In 1992, the Steelers’ Offense ran on the strength of Barry Foster.  That season, Foster led the AFC in Rushing Yards with 1,690 and scored 11 TD’s on the ground.  Foster was even a potent pass-catching threat, and finished second on the team in Receptions with 36.  Foster, who was named 1st Team All-Pro that year, set the then-team record for Yards from Scrimmage in a season with 2,034, made the Pro Bowl, and tied an N.F.L. record for the most 100 Yard Rushing Games in a season with 12.

Quarterback Neil O’Donnell made his first and only Pro Bowl in his second season as a starter and threw for 2,283 Yards and 13 TD’s in 12 games as a starter.  The Wide Receiver trio of Jeff Graham (49 Catches for 711 Yards and 1 TD), Ernie Mills (30 Catches for 383 Yards and 3 TD’s), and Dwight Stone (34 Catches for 501 Yards and 3 TD’s) were O’Donnell’s (and Brister’s) top receiving threats in 1992.  Tight Ends Adrian Cooper and Eric Green (who was suspended during that season for violating the League’s drug policy) chipped in with 5 total receiving Touchdowns as well, and Fullbacks Merril Hoge and Leroy Thompson contributed a total of 50 Catches for 509 Yards and 1 Touchdown through the air to help O’Donnell and Brister when they subbed for Foster in 1992.

Foster had over 300 yards on the ground during Pittsburgh's 3-0 start, Image Courtesy of life.com

The Defense under new Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers flourished as “Blitzburgh” was beginning to form.  Linebackers Hardy Nickerson, Pro Bowler Greg Lloyd, Jerrol Williams, and David Little all wreaked havoc in Capers’ Linebacker-friendly scheme and terrorized Quarterbacks and Offenses as a whole.  The Defensive Line led by Donald Evans and Gerald Williams stuffed the run and even chipped in some Sacks (3.0 apiece).  And the Secondary, led by 1st Team All-Pro Cornerback Rod Woodson had yet another awesome year, as Carnell Lake, D.J. Johnson, Larry Griffen Rookie Safety Darren Perry all helped out a club which had a +11 Turnover margin on the season.

The Steelers shocked quite a few people when they went 3-0 out of the gate, including an impressive win over Houston in the Astrodome on Opening Weekend.  Despite dropping their next two games, the Steelers quickly rebounded and won their next three to sit at 6-2 at the midway point in the season.  The highlight of their second 3-game win streak was a 21-20 victory over the Oilers at Three Rivers in the teams’ second meeting.  The win gave the Steelers control of the A.F.C. Central and a full head of steam as they geared up for the second half of the season.  Pittsburgh finished the rest of the season 5-3 despite losing O’Donnell for four weeks down the stretch to an injury.  Former starter Bubby Brister filled in adequately and went 2-2 during O’Donnell’s absence as Pittsburgh secured the #1 seed in the A.F.C., but O’Donnell was given the green light to start the Steelers’ first Home Postseason game since 1982 against Buffalo.

Despite losing at home in the Divisional Round 24-3, and being bested by the veteran Bills who would go on to appear in their 3rd straight Super Bowl, 1992 was an extremely important year for the franchise.  The two biggest reasons were A) The gap from Noll to the future looked to have been adequately bridged, and B) The franchise finally appeared to be headed in the right direction after the hum-drum decade of the 1980′s.  While they may not have won, this season set the wheels in motion for another five straight postseason appearances by the franchise.

8. 1997 Steelers

(11-5)

Lost in Conference Championship Game against Denver (24-21)

If I had to pick a “favorite” Steelers team from my child-hood it would be the 1997 group.  Were they overly dominant on either side of the football?  No.  Did they make numerous mistakes?  Absolutely.  Were they pretty to watch at times?  Nope.  But you know what?  They were one very important thing: Exciting.  And the 1997 Steelers came within a few mistakes from defying the odds and winning a title that season.

1997 marked the Kordell Stewart’s first season as a full-time starting Quarterback, and he was a human highlight film so many times that year (like accounting for all 5 Touchdowns in the Week 15 win against Denver).  Statistically, Stewart was incredible in 1997 as Kordell went 236 for 440, passed for 3,020 Yards, 21 Touchdowns, and added 476 Yards Rushing with 11 Touchdowns to boot.  Stewart had some solid pass-catchers at his disposal though, as Yancey Thigpen was the go-to-guy in 1997.  In Thigpen’s Pro Bowl contact year he made 79 Catches for 1,398 Yards an 7 TD’s.  While Charles Johnson (46 Catches, 568 Yards, and 2 TD’s), Courtney Hawkins (45 Catches, 555 Yards, 3 TD’s), and Tight End Mark Bruener (6 Touchdown Catches) all had solid seasons for Pittsburgh, the Steelers were still a running team, and Jerome Bettis had the season of his career in 1997.

While Kordell may still be a polarizing figure in the Steel City, nobody can deny his wonderful 1997 season, Image Courtesy of sportsgridnet.com

In a season which the Steelers led the N.F.L. in Rushing Attempts and Yards, Bettis set career highs with 1,665 Yards and 375 Carries behind a stout Offensive Line which was anchored by Future Hall of Fame Center Dermontti Dawson.  During the regular season, “The Bus” scored 9 Touchdowns total (7 Rush, 2 Receiving), and ran for 111.0 Yards Per Game over his 15 regular season contests.  Whether it was his rumble on a shovel pass for a Touchdown in Overtime against Jacksonville for the Division lead in Week 8, or when he scored the game winner of his 3 Touchdowns in 142 Yards Rushing performance against the Cardinals in Arizona for another Overtime win, Bettis was clutch for his team when he was needed most.

While they were a bit more porous in 1997 (finished 11th in Total Points), the Steelers Defense still proved to be quite tough tin 1997, and Carnell Lake proved to be the super-star. Lake had a season for the ages as he played both his Strong Safety spot and filled in at Cornerback.  In ’97, Lake led the team in Sacks (6.0), notched 60 Tackles, had 2 Forced Fumbles, Returned a Fumble for a Score in a thrilling Week 4 victory over Indianapolis, and Picked Off 3 Passes to earn 1st Team All-Pro honors.  The rest of the Defense had a nice season as well as the front three of Pro Bowler Joel Steed, Kevin Henry, and Nolan Harrison started a combined 48 games, and 1st Team All-Pro Linebacker Levon Kirkland (126 Tackles) and Earl Holmes (96 Tackles) were tackling machines on the inside for Pittsburgh as the Steelers led the League in Fewest Rushing Yards and Touchdowns allowed.

Despite starting 1-2 (and Bill Cowher almost tackling Jaguar player Chris Hudson on Monday Night Football), the Steelers came back and won 10 of their next 12 games, and won many in thrilling fashion.  Whether it was coming back from 21 down in Baltimore in Week 6, 10 down the following week against the Colts, the aforementioned Over Time wins against the Jaguars and Cardinals, 14 down at home against Denver, or winning in Over Time against New England to sew up the #2 seed in the A.F.C., this Steelers team refused to quit and finished the year with an 11-5 record.

After they won a sloppy yet heartstopping game 7-6 over New England in the Divisional Round, the Steelers squared off against Denver for the right to go to the Super Bowl.  Unfortunately, Pittsburgh faltered in the final two minutes of the 1st Half and could not overcome turnovers and John Elway as they lost the game 24-21.  Of all the Steelers’ Playoff losses which I remember, the one to Denver at Three Rivers one hurts the most and will hurt the most until my dying day.  For a full explanation click on these links here and here.  The 1997 team was one of just raw excitement because you could never count the team out of any game.  So many late-game comebacks, and Kordell Stewart was the toast of the N.F.L. that entire year.  As sad as the ending was, I will always remember how fun this team was to watch, and how talented they were.

Good News:  Only three teams remain standing between the Pittsburgh Steelers and a date with destiny in Dallas.

Bad News:  All three of them beat the Steelers during the regular season.

Good News:  First up are the Baltimore Ravens, who destroyed the pitiful Kansas City Chiefs while the Black and Gold sat back and relaxed.

Bad News:  Ravens-Steelers games are the football equivalent of an electrified barb wire cage match of death.  This basically negates having a bye since the brutality on display is equal to two full games worth of punishment.

Good News:  The Steelers own the Ravens.  As long as Ben Roethlisberger is behind center.

Bad News:  The New England Patriots will steamroll the overrated New York Jets.  And the Patriots own the Steelers.

Wild Card weekend shook out pretty much as I expected.  The dog-raping scumbag hero of Philadelphia mutants was exposed as a poor man’s Kordell Stewart by Dom Capers.  Peyton Manning choked again.  Although this time he had a lot of help from that finger puppet he calls a head coach.  And Seattle.  If I only had a little more confidence in myself, I would’ve been a bestselling author, taken Suzanne Soares to prom, and made a bundle this weekend by betting on the Seahags.  Told ya the Saints weren’t all ‘dat.

Enough about the wanna bes and also rans.  Steelers, Ravens, Patriots, and Jets.  The prelims are officially out of the way.  Bring on the main event.