Hostetler’s job would require unique skills

Quarterbacks coach would be Jeff Hostetler's job description, should he and Steelers formalize their apparent desire for each other. A more apt title might be quarterbacks psychologist.

Brushing up Kordell Stewart's fundamentals would fall under Hostetler's province. But he was leaning heavily on other aspects of his potential duties as he talked Tuesday following an extensive interview session with Bill Cowher and newly minted offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey.

'As a quarterback coach, you've got to find out what makes a guy tick,' Hostetler said. 'How to motivate. How to teach and be positive when you need to and be constructive when you have to.'

Here, Hostetler believes, he would talk Kordell's language.

'The tough situation for quarterbacks is when you're coached by guys that haven't played the position,' he said.

Hostetler played quarterback. More to the point, he played it in the NFL. He started for the victorious New York Giants in Super Bowl XXV. He enjoyed varying degrees of success in a career that included stints with the Los Angeles and Oakland Raiders and ended in 1997 with the Washington Redskins.

Moreover, Hostetler did it the hard way, something with which Stewart should be able to identify. As a senior at Conemaugh Township High School in Somerset County, Hostetler played running back because the team needed him there and a younger brother could play quarterback.

At Penn State, Hostetler found himself battling to avoid being shifted to linebacker by Joe Paterno.

Hostetler transferred to West Virginia, was drafted by the Giants in the third round in 1984, then got his chance owing to an injury to Phil Simms. Hostetler never recaptured his Super Bowl glory, but he learned about dealing with the adversities of the position.

'I've been through all those ups and downs, and been in New York for nine years and L.A. for four and dealing with the media, dealing with having great games and having terrible games,' Hostetler said. 'You've got to be able to put that real thick layer of skin on and you need a guy that's going to be there to say 'Hey, OK, that's over with. Let's move on.' I think that's what he (Stewart) needs.'

Apparently, so do the Steelers.

Hostetler talked about working on mechanics and fundamentals, improving recognition, generally fine-tuning a quarterback's game. He also - and this will come across as a negative to those who want a Steelers quarterback coach to be seen and not heard on matters of the game plan - thinks he should have a voice in what is run.

'If your quarterback doesn't feel comfortable with what he's doing, your likelihood of success isn't that great,' he said.

Similarly, if the quarterback doesn't like the guy he's working for, it probably adversely affects his play, too.

Stewart got along famously with since-departed offensive coordinator Chan Gailey. The relationship with Gailey replacement Ray Sherman was rocky. Sherman replacement Kevin Gilbride was between the two extremes, but closer to the Sherman experience.

Now, Mularkey comes in professing to have a good relationship with Stewart and Hostetler is sounding sympathetic even before accepting the job.

A young quarterback could be expected to have problems with a carousel of offensive coordinators, Hostetler said. Even as he assessed Kordell's career as having its 'ups and downs' Hostetler added, 'I saw him play the Raiders and I felt like that was probably the best game I've ever seen him play.'

Stewart threw for just 136 yards in that game, but he made good decisions and tossed a pair of touchdown passes. And the Steelers won, 21-20.

Hostetler is saying all the right things, if Kordell is listening.

Sam Ross Jr. is a columnist for the Tribune-Review.