Nov 27, 2002 4 min read

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Coach Bill Cowher isn’t telling who the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback will be Sunday in Jacksonville, Tommy Maddox or Kordell Stewart. He isn’t telling the Jaguars, that is.

Maddox, briefly paralyzed by a hit in Tennessee on Nov. 17, has been cleared by doctors to play. But Cowher said the two quarterbacks’ styles are so different, they force a team to structure two defensive game plans.

“They are a very contrasting type of quarterback, so need I say more?” Cowher said.

Pressed further for an explanation, Cowher repeated himself, saying, “Need I say more?”

Obviously, losing Jacksonville as a division opponent wasn’t enough for Cowher to put aside a rivalry that thrived for several years in the former AFC Central.

But while Cowher won’t say who will start, Stewart seems resigned to returning to the bench. Despite completing a team record 84.6 percent (22-of-26) of his passes in a 29-21 victory over Cincinnati on Sunday, Stewart said afterward there’s no reason to think Maddox won’t start.

“Of course, I want to play,” Stewart said. “But I’m more than sure Tommy is the starter on this football team.”

Maddox has no lingering medical problems from his scary mishap in Tennessee, and, he said, “I want to get back out there as soon as I can.” Maddox started seven straight games before sitting out the Bengals game.

By delaying his decision, at least publicly, Cowher also gives Maddox time to settle back into the routine of practice. Maddox did not work with the starters last week, although he ran some 7-on-7 passing drills at the end of the week.

If there is any hesitancy on Cowher’s part to put Maddox back into the lineup, it is because Stewart played virtually error-free against Cincinnati.

The Steelers (6-4-1) didn’t commit a turnover for the first time all season, and Stewart drove them to scores on their first three possessions for a 17-0 lead before the offense stalled for the next two quarters.

Stewart has impressed Cowher by supporting Maddox, even though Stewart didn’t think he should have been benched.

“He has been the consummate pro, and nobody has exemplified being unselfish more than he has,” Cowher said. “He has put the team before himself, and he has carried that attitude into his preparation. … He led the team Sunday and will continue to do so in the future, in whatever role he is asked to.”

But while Stewart supplied a steadying head in winning for the first time in his last five starts, the Steelers did not roll up yardage the way they did in averaging 29 points during Maddox’s seven starts.

Cowher was so displeased with the victory he didn’t give the players their usual Monday off, saying, “I don’t think we played well enough to get a day off.”

The Steelers will go into Jacksonville (5-6) without backup linebacker and special teams captain John Fiala. He was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with two damaged left knee ligaments and can’t play again this season, even though he doesn’t need surgery.

With the Steelers growing thin on the offensive line, they also signed center-guard Jeff Smith, who played for the Chiefs from 1996-99 and the Jaguars in 2000 and 2001. He was released by Tennessee during training camp.

starting center Jeff Hartings (knee) will miss at least one more week, and right guard Kendall Simmons (knee) is doubtful. Simmons is the emergency center, meaning Chukky Okobi might have been without a backup if the Steelers hadn’t signed Smith.

This time, coincidentally or not, the Steelers signed a former Jaguars player the week of their game. In the past, the Jaguars often signed former Steelers just before the teams met, including defensive back Ainsley Battles last season.