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Friday, November 13, 1998 By Gerry Dulac, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
Kordell Stewart was doing everything with a greater sense of urgency. Calling the plays in the huddle. Getting the players to the line of scrimmage. Reading the defense. Taking the snap. Making the throws. Everything.
It was all part of a plan by Ray Sherman, the Steelers' offensive coordinator, to jump-start Stewart and increase the tempo of the offense.
It must have worked, too, because the Green Bay Packers always looked a step slow and a play behind Monday night at Three Rivers Stadium.
"Those are the types of things I wanted to do for him - get him in a tempo but also get our whole offense in a tempo," Sherman said. "Get the plays in quickly, get the guys in and out of the huddle, lining up, and just getting ready to go. That's the way we've got to play the rest of the season."
The results were immediate against the Packers. Stewart completed 11 of 15 passes for 171 yards and converted 8 of 9 third-down opportunities en route to a 24-0 halftime lead. What's more, the Steelers scored on their first five possessions and didn't have to punt until early in the fourth quarter.
They are hoping for more of the same Sunday against the Tennessee Oilers, a team they fell behind, 34-7, before losing, 41-31, two weeks ago.
"It causes them to react off what we're doing as opposed to us reacting to what they're doing," Stewart said. "As long as our tempo is constantly moving and the pace is high, I think we can keep teams on their heels and actually cause them to say, 'What are they going to do now?'
"The quicker we get it going, the better it will be for the team being able to call certain plays, being able to not have to come from behind and play catchup.
"Believe me, there's no feeling like being up, 24-0, at halftime. It's a beautiful feeling."
Coach Bill Cowher gave most of the credit to Sherman, who said the offense is starting to get more comfortable with his play-calling.
"The tempo could have only been there when the guy is staying one play ahead, and he got the calls in there quick," Cowher said. "They were fast. They were decisive. When those things happen at that kind of pace, there is a confidence that comes with that type of tempo."
It's the Lake effect
Add defensive coordinator Jim Haslett to the list of admirers of cornerback Carnell Lake, who played the entire game against the Packers despite a severely sprained ankle.
The Steelers were unsure if Lake would be able to play against the Packers, and, if so, how much. They didn't know until three hours before game time if his ankle would hold up.
But Lake not only started, he made several big plays in the 27-20 victory. He dumped wide receiver Antonio Freeman for a 10-yard loss on a reverse, running him down from behind; and he reached out and tipped a deep pass over the middle for Freeman when the Packers were mounting a late rally.
"He didn't play real well against Tennessee and he knew it," Haslett said. "He wanted to step up, especially on Monday night, and perform. He flew to the ball. That's the kind of Carnell Lake we need for this defense to win, week in and week out."
He's Dunn for now
With the broken hand sustained by David Dunn, the Steelers will use either running back Richard Huntley or wide receiver Jahine Arnold to return kicks along with Will Blackwell.
Dunn's injury - he broke it on the opening kickoff against the Packers - is also the reason rookie Hines Ward has moved up to the team's No. 4 receiver spot.
Quick slants
Lake (ankle) did not practice for the second day in a row and was replaced on the first unit by rookie Deshea Townsend. ... Also missing practice was Dunn and LB Mike Vrabel (foot). ... Nose tackle Joel Steed (knee) was added to the injury list as probable, but he practiced with the first team.
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