Wednesday, November 24, 1999Steelers coach threatens changes
Cowher: 'I want to see results'
The Associated PressPITTSBURGH — Coach Bill Cowher promised Tuesday there will be changes unless the Pittsburgh Steelers start winning — changes that could include quarterback Kordell Stewart.
Cowher, more animated during his weekly news conference than he was even after losing to Cleveland, said the Steelers must be held accountable for a 5-5 record that has put them on the fringe of the playoff race.
This is the first time in Cowher's eight seasons as coach that the Steelers are so far back with six games to play. They missed the playoffs last season, but only after losing their final five games.
“I've never been in this position and I don't plan on staying here,” Cowher said.
Cowher wouldn't blame specific players or positions where production is minimal, such as quarterback or wide receiver, or new offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride's work-in-progress system.
But he warned that changes would be made for this year, not just to look at younger players for next year.
“I wouldn't make a change to send a message, I would make a change to get results,” he said. “It's not any one person, I'm just stating facts. I'm not pleased with the fact we're not getting it done, and until we get it done for 60 minutes, I'm going to look at it with a lot of scrutiny.”
Following consecutive losses to Cleveland (17-16) and Tennessee (16-10), the Steelers probably must win their final six games — or, at least five of six, to retain any hope of making the playoffs.
Several years ago, when the Steelers had far more talent than they do now, such a streak wouldn't have been out of the question, especially with four of their final six at home. But they have lost 10 of their last 15 dating to last season, including five of their last six at home.
“I'm not looking at this point to make changes, but I'm going to make changes if we don't get results,” Cowher said. “It's changes with everything, and the players have been told that. The bottom line is we're not getting it done, and I don't want to hear excuses or what ifs.
“Right now, I want to see results.”
Stewart has slumped badly since this time a year ago, throwing only six touchdown passes in his last 14 starts. But Cowher's only options are 37-year-old Mike Tomczak, who hasn't started a game since 1996, and former Pitt star Pete Gonzalez, who has played only once in two seasons.
Cowher isn't happy with some of Stewart's decision-making and his inability to make big plays, but he refused to single him out as the primary reason for the Steelers' yearlong slide.
Especially with so many other factors at fault, including the frequent penalties, many in key situations, and across-the-board breakdowns at virtually every position.
“Some of the decisions made resulted in some of the inconsistencies we've had, but it's not just Kordell Stewart, it's with a number of areas,” Cowher said. “If I thought it was any one area, I would have made a change.”
Only last spring, Stewart signed a $27 million contract extension that included an $8.1 million signing bonus.
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