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Thursday, December 07, 2000

Eleven questions for Phil Simms, a former New York Giants quarterback (who wore that number, of course) and the CBS color commentator Sunday for the Steelers-Giants hairpull inside Giants Stadium.

How is Kordell Stewart faring, in your estimation?

Hey, I can't believe you're asking me that. I love it when I hear [color commentators] on TV analyzing, 'Well, they're restricting Kordell, he should run more.' I say, 'Oh, come on, you're an ex-player, how can you be that stupid?' No. 1, you can't design that many runs for a quarterback in the NFL because they won't work. If you catch them off guard, that's the only time it works. You win in the NFL -- and it will not change -- by throwing the ball.

A year ago, you wanted to see him become more of a pocket passer. Has he done that, or has he turned back into the 1997 Stewart?

When he can drop back and win games throwing the football, that's when he becomes a terrific quarterback. Then you can find out if he's really got it. When he runs now, it's because they're not capable of beating you throwing the football on a regular basis.

Does he look to you like a starting quarterback in whom the Steelers can trust the next few seasons?

I've seen plenty of him to know that he's establishing some really good ground there. His play has inspired teammates. It's given them hope. It's just given him confidence. You know what? What's up in the head of that quarterback, it's unbelievably amazing how it transforms down to his physical abilities.

Should this Steelers team have won more games -- Cleveland in the last seconds and Philadelphia in overtime spring to mind?

They came very close to pulling off a tremendous record. Bill Cowher is playing games about the way he told me he would back in the preseason [before the Mexico City game]. ... You're going to outhit, outperform and outwill in the clutch to win some close games.

Should this team make the playoffs?

Should it? I don't care who you beat and all that stuff. When the season's over, the teams that have the most wins, good for them. You don't back into the NFL playoffs, there's no such darn thing. I'll say this: If the Steelers win the next three and go 10-6, yeah, I'll say they deserve to be in the playoffs. But there's a tremendous possibility this year that somebody could go 10-6 and get left out.

Could you believe how the Oakland-Steelers game ended, with MVP candidate Rich Gannon and Coach of the Year candidate Jon Gruden confused about the downs?

I was amazed Rich Gannon didn't rip it down the field and give them a chance to win. Do I fault them? No. It's the human part of the situation. But, you know, the Steelers deserved to win it.

What is it about the broadcast booth that sends so many guys into football coaching: John Mackovic, Dick Vermeil, George Seifert, Bill Parcells, Mike Ditka ... and in so many other sports?

Man, that coaching thing is strong, being in charge of a team. It's like being in the Super Bowl as a player every week. I'd love to be able to get that adrenaline fix myself. I've heard it from too many coaches: That fix, they need it.

Is this your first time back in Giants Stadium to broadcast a game, and how will this feel?

I did two Jets game this year, but I haven't done a Giants game in two years. Somebody asked me, 'Will you be rooting for the Giants?'

No, I won't. It's seven years now [since retiring]. My life has changed dramatically. I'm an AFC guy now, that's the truth. I can't even remember playing; it's like another life.

What's with Jim Fassel, OK, and his playoff promise, OK, and his little disagreement with your CBS colleague Ditka, OK?

In big-game situations, I just remember Lawrence Taylor saying and doing things, it was like the rest of us weren't in the locker room. All the media went to him. The attention was focused on one guy, and it let the other people go about and do what they needed to do. If that's what he's trying to accomplish, [Fassel's] a smart dude. They've played pretty well the two games since he did that.

Josh Heupel or Chris Weinke for the Heisman Trophy?

Best college football player in the country? I think without question, it's Chris Weinke. In my opinion, Chris Weinke has an NFL arm and could be good.

Finally, Major Applewhite or Chris Simms at the University of Texas?

I'll let you decide. And if you have a hard time, I don't know what to say about your opinion.

X-rated item

Starting today, Playboy launches an online poll to choose the "Ten Hottest Woman TV Sportscasters in America," and then plans to invite the winner to pose nude on its pages. Among the list at www.Playboy.com: ABC's Melissa Stark, CBS' Bonnie Bernstein and Jill Arrington, NBC's Hannah Storm, former Olympian Summer Sanders (my kids watch her on Nickelodeon) and Fox's Pam Oliver, Lisa Guerrero and Jillian Barberie.

Fox's Keith Olbermann, in a radio commentary, summed it up best: "I cannot fathom how any of these sportscasters think they can truly help themselves or others of their gender by participating ... " Indeed, it could set back a generation of an equal-rights struggle.

Bet you that the victory and the photo essay goes to Barberie, the oft-criticized weather forecaster on Fox's NFL pregame show. She's the only non-journalist of this group.

Shame on Playboy. Showing policewomen or female firefighters in the nude won't affect how criminals or infernos react to them. A pictorial of a woman sportscaster certainly could cause some truly ugly scenes once they returned into the sanctum of a locker room.

You can reach Chuck Finder at cfinder@post-gazette.com