Steelhorse
04-01-2006, 09:31 AM
Pittsburgh, Pa. (March 31, 2006) -- Kordell Stewart worked diligently to stay in football shape over the past year, hopeful some NFL team would again give him the opportunity to extend his NFL career.
His effort was rewarded in a very unique way. Today, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed their ex-starting quarterback Stewart to play behind hometown quarterback Charlie Batch, who took over the number two position last year from Tommy Maddox. Maddox was released from the Steelers earlier last month. Details of the deal were not disclosed, however the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback is said to have signed a two-year, $1.95 million contract with Pittsburgh.
Stewart, 33, is considered by head coach Bill Cowher as a good back-up fit with the Steelers considering his experience in the league. The 11-year veteran more recently served as the back-up for the Baltimore Ravens and previously the Chicago Bears.
'It's the logical choice,' coach Bill Cowher said. 'Kordell gave us some great football when he was here and he is very familiar with our divisional opponents. We?ve had some good talks over the past two weeks and I?m confident that Kordell understands his new role and also understands the versatility we?re looking for in him. Even though we changed up our system somewhat, there should be enough carry-over for him, verbiagewise, that he can adjust quickly. It's a nice comfort zone having him back. Ben should benefit from his level of experience.'
The Steelers are also comfortable with Batch as their immediate back-up to Roethlisberger. Cowher said that Stewart will have, ?every opportunity? go compete with Batch for the second position. 'One of the nice things about Charlie and Kordell is they have similar attributes,' Cowher said. 'They're both active in the pocket, they both have strong arms, they both move around decently, so we don't have to change a whole lot.'
Whether Stewart claims the back-up job is uncertain. 'Charlie is our second string quarterback, and he will be our second string quarterback until circumstances change,' Cowher said. 'That's the only approach we can take and that's as far forward as we're going to go with it right now.' If Stewart can grasp the offense, it?s pretty certain he will get the nod.
The Steelers contacted him on March. 12, and Stewart secretly worked out for the team at their Southside facility the following week. Just like that, the former Steelers star and 2001 Pro Bowler was back in the NFL and on his old team.
'I knew I could still play the game. I'm young in comparison to some quarterbacks that are playing right now,' he said. 'So, as far as my confidence and thinking it was going to happen, yes I did. You always have that hope, wishing someone could call you sooner rather than later.' As far as being out of football a season, Stewart added, 'It was very tough. You want to be out there competing,' he said. 'Not having a chance to play was really tough. But I tried to turn a negative into a positive. I tried to look at it from a positive aspect, continue to watch the game, study the game and learn things that I didn't know before.'
His objective is not to take a job away from anyone. Stewart merely wants the opportunity to see his old team repeat as world champions.
'I want to show Coach Cowher and the other coaches that I haven't lost a step, that I'm the same guy that helped this team get to the playoffs a few years ago,' Stewart said. 'Whenever they need me, I'll be ready to step up and do whatever's asked, even if it means playing in other roles.'
During his previous tenure with the Steelers, Stewart took the team to the AFC Championship game, losing to the New England Patriots, as well as incurring the wrath of coach Bill Cowher.
Also, that same year, he set records for completion percentage (60.2), rushing yards (537) and finished fourth in the balloting for NFL MVP. He has also has taken Pittsburgh to the title game in 1997 just two years after being drafted by the Steelers in the second round (60th).
The signing of Stewart comes after an intense few weeks of teams around the league trying to sign qualified back-up quarterbacks. Steelers owner Art Rooney has put out the following statement on the signing of Stewart, 'April f*cking fools!'
His effort was rewarded in a very unique way. Today, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed their ex-starting quarterback Stewart to play behind hometown quarterback Charlie Batch, who took over the number two position last year from Tommy Maddox. Maddox was released from the Steelers earlier last month. Details of the deal were not disclosed, however the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback is said to have signed a two-year, $1.95 million contract with Pittsburgh.
Stewart, 33, is considered by head coach Bill Cowher as a good back-up fit with the Steelers considering his experience in the league. The 11-year veteran more recently served as the back-up for the Baltimore Ravens and previously the Chicago Bears.
'It's the logical choice,' coach Bill Cowher said. 'Kordell gave us some great football when he was here and he is very familiar with our divisional opponents. We?ve had some good talks over the past two weeks and I?m confident that Kordell understands his new role and also understands the versatility we?re looking for in him. Even though we changed up our system somewhat, there should be enough carry-over for him, verbiagewise, that he can adjust quickly. It's a nice comfort zone having him back. Ben should benefit from his level of experience.'
The Steelers are also comfortable with Batch as their immediate back-up to Roethlisberger. Cowher said that Stewart will have, ?every opportunity? go compete with Batch for the second position. 'One of the nice things about Charlie and Kordell is they have similar attributes,' Cowher said. 'They're both active in the pocket, they both have strong arms, they both move around decently, so we don't have to change a whole lot.'
Whether Stewart claims the back-up job is uncertain. 'Charlie is our second string quarterback, and he will be our second string quarterback until circumstances change,' Cowher said. 'That's the only approach we can take and that's as far forward as we're going to go with it right now.' If Stewart can grasp the offense, it?s pretty certain he will get the nod.
The Steelers contacted him on March. 12, and Stewart secretly worked out for the team at their Southside facility the following week. Just like that, the former Steelers star and 2001 Pro Bowler was back in the NFL and on his old team.
'I knew I could still play the game. I'm young in comparison to some quarterbacks that are playing right now,' he said. 'So, as far as my confidence and thinking it was going to happen, yes I did. You always have that hope, wishing someone could call you sooner rather than later.' As far as being out of football a season, Stewart added, 'It was very tough. You want to be out there competing,' he said. 'Not having a chance to play was really tough. But I tried to turn a negative into a positive. I tried to look at it from a positive aspect, continue to watch the game, study the game and learn things that I didn't know before.'
His objective is not to take a job away from anyone. Stewart merely wants the opportunity to see his old team repeat as world champions.
'I want to show Coach Cowher and the other coaches that I haven't lost a step, that I'm the same guy that helped this team get to the playoffs a few years ago,' Stewart said. 'Whenever they need me, I'll be ready to step up and do whatever's asked, even if it means playing in other roles.'
During his previous tenure with the Steelers, Stewart took the team to the AFC Championship game, losing to the New England Patriots, as well as incurring the wrath of coach Bill Cowher.
Also, that same year, he set records for completion percentage (60.2), rushing yards (537) and finished fourth in the balloting for NFL MVP. He has also has taken Pittsburgh to the title game in 1997 just two years after being drafted by the Steelers in the second round (60th).
The signing of Stewart comes after an intense few weeks of teams around the league trying to sign qualified back-up quarterbacks. Steelers owner Art Rooney has put out the following statement on the signing of Stewart, 'April f*cking fools!'