DASH BY SLASH BOOSTS HIS STOCK AS PLAYOFF QB : STEWART WON'T START AT QUARTERBACK BUT COULD FINISH THERE IN OPENER.

Byline: Alan Robinson Associated Press 

The Indianapolis Colts, who nearly beat the Pittsburgh Steelers with a Hail Mary pass in the AFC championship game in January, now must prepare for a quarterback quite capable of throwing one.

Kordell Stewart, already experienced with football's most breathtaking and unpredictable pass play, won't start the Colts-Steelers rematch in Sunday's AFC wild-card playoff game. But he just might finish it.

With the Steelers (10-6) facing the win-or-out mentality of the playoffs, Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher hinted Tuesday that Stewart no longer is the No. 2 quarterback, but rather is No. 1-A.

And those gentle pats on the back that Cowher has given slumping starter Mike Tomczak for weeks? They might become a forceful shove toward the bench if the offense stumbles again early in Sunday's game.

``We're going to try to utilize some of the skills Kordell has,'' Cowher said of Stewart, whose talent as a runner/passer/receiver has earned him the nickname of Slash.

``The playing time he had (in the regular-season finale) was a big plus, and that's going to give him confidence and give an opponent something to worry about. It gives our offense some confidence, to see a guy come in and do some of the things he did.''

What Stewart did in Sunday's 18-14 loss at Carolina was provide the offense with its first positive jolt in weeks. His 80-yard TD run was the longest by a quarterback in NFL history and, after a slow start passing, he completed six of his final nine throws.

Clearly, Stewart gave Cowher - and the Colts, too - something to think about. And not just because he can throw a Hail Mary, as the former Colorado quarterback did in 1994 to beat Michigan in one of college's most memorable finishes.

Stewart is expected to divide practice snaps with Tomczak today, but how much he plays Sunday likely will be dictated by how well - or poorly - Tomczak plays.

For a month now, that's been not very well. The Steelers scored at least 20 points nine times while starting 9-3, but have scored 17, 16, 15 and 14 points while winning only one of their last four.

Cowher suggested the most positive sign during Sunday's loss was how Stewart's teammates reacted when he played.

``He got better as the game went along, and I thought our football team responded well to everything that took place,'' Cowher said. ``Kordell . . . can give you a lift and a little change of pace, it's something that can only be a plus for you. I like where we stand right now.''

Even if Jim Miller doesn't. The opening-game starter, but now a forgotten No. 3 on the depth chart, Miller criticized Cowher for not informing him of his demotion before the Carolina game.

``If any player has a problem, my office door is always open. If they want to know where they stand, you can come and see me,'' Cowher said. ``You don't have to air your feelings anywhere else. If you're confused about where you stand, it's simple, go see the head coach. I'll tell you where you stand.''

And, oh yes, the Steelers will practice their Hail Mary defense this week. If Jim Harbaugh's desperation pass hadn't been knocked away from intended receiver Aaron Bailey in the end zone last January, the Colts - not Pittsburgh - would have played in the Super Bowl.

``We have a person who's supposed to jump up, a person who's supposed to go as deep as the deepest (receiver) - and a guy like Randy Fuller, who's supposed to knock the ball out if he does catch it,'' Cowher said. ``I mean it.''

Meanwhile, if the Steelers win, their divisional playoff game at New England will be played on Sunday, Jan. 5. If the Colts win, they would play at AFC West champion Denver on Saturday, Jan. 4.

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Photo: Steelers QB Kordell Stewart could see action against the Colts if starter Mike Tomczak falters on Sunday.

Associated Press