Nov 28, 2002 By Jim Wexell For The 4 min read

Kordell to start Sunday PITTSBURGH – With Tommy Maddox coming back from an injury, the Pittsburgh Steelers tried to keep secret who would start at quarterback Sunday in Jacksonville, but practice gave it away: Kordell Stewart will start for the Steelers.

After Stewart took nearly all of the first-team snaps, though, the fa?ade continued. Coach Bill Cowher was asked if anything should be read into what transpired Wednesday afternoon.

“No,” he said.

When will he announce the starting quarterback?

“Sunday.”

Can you say anything about the quarterback situation?

“No, not really.”

How did Maddox look?

“Good, real good.”

How did Stewart look?

“Really good.”

If one starts, could the other relieve?

“No doubt. No question.”

Could you then go back to the other guy?

“No doubt about it.”

The game continued into the locker room, where both Stewart and Maddox pleaded ignorance. Stewart was up first. He was asked what could be gleaned from him taking most of the snaps.

“The only indication that is going to allow me to know if I’m starting on Sunday is if Coach Cowher says it,” Stewart said. “That’s really the only way we’ll know for sure. I got some work in. I’m not concerned too much about who’s starting because I have to prepare to play regardless.”

Stewart relieved Maddox in Nashville two weeks ago after Maddox temporarily lost feeling in his extremities after suffering a spinal concussion.

Stewart completed 13 of 17 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns in the relief appearance, and followed it up last Sunday by completing 22 of 26 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown in a 29-21 win over Cincinnati. It was the first game this season in which the Steelers didn’t turn the ball over.

Stewart was asked if those numbers looked as good on film as they do on the stat sheet.

“I had a coach once tell me, he’d rather see me complete 25 for 25 with no interceptions, no touchdowns and maybe rush for 2 or 3 yards as opposed to being 49 of 50 and the one incomplete pass is intercepted for a touchdown and they win the game. It was pretty because we won.”

As reporters tried to figure that out, Maddox entered the room. Was he disappointed?

“For what?” he responded. But Maddox did admit he’d be disappointed by not starting Sunday.

“I think there’s always a level of disappointment,” he said. “You know, I feel good. I’m ready to get back out there, but that time will come.

” I don’t know when it will be but that time will come. Like I said, I’ll prepare every day and see what happens.”

Maddox said the injury he suffered two games ago shouldn’t be a consideration. He was asked if he felt worse than he did prior to the injury.

“I feel better,” Maddox said. “I was telling Tom (Clements) out there today, ‘It’s amazing what a week off can do.’ My arm felt great. It felt like I was throwing the ball good. So, yeah, I feel good.”

Before the injury, Maddox was on pace to break Stewart’s team record for completion percentage in a season.

The record, for quarterbacks with at least 250 attempts, is 60.2 percent. Maddox has thrown 234 passes and completing 62.8 percent this year, but Stewart is coming on strong. He’s attempted 140 passes and completed 66.4 percent.

Stewart believes the six weeks he spent on the sideline gave him fresh insights. Maddox was asked what he learned last week.

“I learned how much I don’t want to be over there,” he said. “It’s a different perspective and I’m eager to have an opportunity to get back on the field and play.”