Stewart's arm still getting it done

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A mere two years removed from his banishment to wide receiver, Kordell Stewart is making a difference for the Steelers.

At quarterback.

No longer relegated to handing the ball off to Jerome Bettis, or bootlegging for big gains as had been the case earlier this season, Stewart is throwing for big yardage and doing a variety of things ordinarily expected from quarterbacks. That included leading a comeback victory for the Steelers Sunday, a 34-24 triumph over the Tennessee Titans that grew from the unpromising beginning of a 14-3 deficit.

The greatness of quarterbacks often is measured in terms of comeback ability, but Stewart was in no mood to take a bow for this one, despite running for one touchdown and throwing for another in the pivotal third quarter. That's when the Steelers turned a 14-10 halftime deficit into a 24-17 lead.

"That says a lot about this team," Stewart said of the turnaround. "You'd like to give it all to the quarterback and take it all from him when he doesn't do too well, but the truth of the matter is that's all about football right there."

Others were not as hesitant to single out Kordell, who threw for a net of 247 yards. The man for whom 200-yard passing performances once were rare occurrences - he had none in the first five games this season - now has thrown for at least 232 yards in four of the past five games.

"I can't give enough credit to our quarterback," Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. "I'm telling you, he's got a look in his eye right now."

Players are noticing, too, including strong safety Lee Flowers.

"Kordell is having a great year right now," he said. "He is playing with so much confidence. Teams dare him to beat them and he does.

"Teams are going to have to start approaching our offense a little bit differently. Who are you going to stop• Are you going to stop Jerome (Bettis) or are you going to stop Kordell• Are you going to stop our receivers or ... we're not one-dimensional any more on offense."

Said cornerback Dewayne Washington of Stewart: "For him to bounce back this year and really lead us, I would say he's the MVP of our team because he goes out and makes plays when they stop the run. That's what we need to be successful."

Stewart is developing a rapport with his receivers. He has gained enough confidence to throw the ball to them even when they are not completely open.

"Just giving them a chance," he said. "All it is is pitch and catch."

They make plays, and the confidence of both sides grows. So do the yardage figures.

But Kordell hasn't forgotten the running ability that makes him special. In the third quarter yesterday, he pulled down the ball when the rush got close and no receivers were open. Forty-eight yards later, he was in the end zone.

Ironically, it is the Steelers' running game that opposing defenses have been gearing up to stop. They have slowed Bettis noticeably, but Kordell's arm is taking up the slack.

That development is making all the difference for the Steelers, who are 8-2 and looking like a team with a future beyond a mere playoff appearance.

"We're throwing the ball well. We're running the ball well. And we're looking like a complete offense so far," Stewart said. "If we keep this up, we're going to make some good things happen later on down the road."

If that occurs, give the revitalized quarterback the a large share of the credit.