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Monday, October 15, 2001

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- For many Steelers fans it was almost the day for which they had waited so long. Trent Green, a stud quarterback of their dreams, was finally on the field with the Black and Gold.

Fortunately for the Steelers, he was on other side of the field.

Fans and media members who campaigned for the Steelers to trade for Green had it half-right. They wanted him to help the Steelers to victory. And he did.

Not many come in second to Kordell Stewart in a passing contest, but that's what Green managed to do yesterday for the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Stewart threw for more yards, more touchdowns and fewer interceptions than Green in a 20-17 Steelers victory.

Stewart clearly was instrumental in his team's win. Just as clearly, Green was instrumental in his team's defeat.

The Steelers played the game they have to play to win. Jerome Bettis was strong with another 100-yard performance. The defense, before faltering late in the game, continued to be the best thing about the team. Stewart contributed several big runs, had a solid but unspectacular passing game and avoided mistakes.

All of this was aided by the startling inaccuracy of Green, about whom Coach Dick Vermeil kindly said: "I've seen him play better.

Green completed 16 of 33 passes for 127 yards and the numbers were better than the performance. He was all over the field -- overthrowing and underthrowing his receivers and often hanging them up for crunching hits.

He even did the unpardonable by exchanging angry words with rookie wide receiver Marvin Minnis. "He heard one thing and I called another," Green said. "That doesn't give me any reason to go off on him the way I did because I made plenty of mistakes as well."

If ever there was a convincing case of not wishing for something because you might get it, Green is it.

He seemed such a perfect fit for the Steelers that there was a clamor for the team to acquire his right from the St. Louis Rams, who had made him available. He was the powerful throwing arm the team needed to reach the playoffs and beyond.

And why not? In 1998 with the Washington Redskins, he passed for 3,441 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was a prime free agent and the Rams, coached at the time by Vermeil, wanted him to direct their pass-oriented offense. But when he blew out a knee in the exhibition season, he was replaced by the unknown Kurt Warner and almost immediately rendered expendable.

The Rams kept him through last season then put him out for the highest bidder. The Steelers resisted the temptation, but Vermeil could not. He loved Green in 1999 and he loved him still. The Chiefs gave St. Louis their first-round draft choice to acquire him.

The Chiefs are 1-4 and terrible. Green is a lot of the reason.

On the other side of the field, Stewart is a lot of the reason why the Steelers are 3-1 and in first place in the AFC Central Division.

"He's on a mission," Coach Bill Cowher said. "He wants to prove that he can quarterback this football team to wins."

Stewart continues to give no one the impression he'll ever put up big passing numbers. He threw for only 141 yards, with 106 of those coming in the first half. He still has trouble hitting receivers on the move, which keeps his yardage total down. But his accuracy is improving to the point his passing is an asset, not a liability.

He's not making mistakes, which once were too big a part of his game. He didn't thrown an interception, unlike Green, who had a pass intercepted and returned 61 yards for a touchdown by Chad Scott.

The Steelers are utilizing Stewart's running skills and he's delivering. Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey has put in plays that take advantage of his exceptional athleticism. He ran seven times for 47 yards, many of them crucial plays.

There's reason for optimism about the Steelers, but also reason for concern. The touchdown pass Stewart threw late in the third quarter was the team's first of the season and only its third offensive touchdown.

What's more, the competition has been awful. The three teams the Steelers have beaten have a combined 4-10 record.

Still, an encouraging scenario is developing. And it's a scenario that looks a lot more attainable with Stewart at quarterback than Green.

Bob Smizik can be reached at bsmizik@post-gazette.com.