Cowher Questions Stewart’s Tantrum

Quarterback Kordell Stewart’s teary-eyed tirade in Tampa, Fla., is causing his coach and his Pittsburgh Steeler teammates to question his leadership ability and may lead him to being yanked again Sunday against Cincinnati.

Stewart’s breakdown--he cried after being replaced by Mike Tomczak during Sunday’s 16-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then got into a finger-pointing argument with the coach--”was wrong . . . disappointing” and upset his fellow players, Coach Bill Cowher said.

“It’s a very sensitive situation, but part of being a quarterback is being a leader on the team and getting people to respond around you,” Cowher said Tuesday. “If you don’t handle situations right, you can be misperceived. And perception is reality.”

Stewart has 11 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions a year after leading the Steelers to the AFC championship game.

“What he did was flat wrong,” Cowher said, growing louder and speaking faster with every word. “He knows it, I discussed it with him and, right now, he’s not playing very good football. . . . If I don’t sense his play gets any better, he’s going to find himself on the sideline again, and that’s the facts.”

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The Connecticut House of Representatives approved, 97-49, building a $375 million downtown stadium for the New England Patriots in Hartford, a plan intended to invigorate the area.

The vote came after nearly five hours of debate in the House and repeated assurances from supporters that the stadium would pay for itself through taxes. The state Senate was scheduled to take up the proposal almost immediately. Senate leaders expected it to pass.

Plans call for the Patriots to move from Foxboro, Mass., and play their first game in Hartford in 2001.

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Kick returner-running back Dave Meggett, a favorite of New York Jet Coach Bill Parcells, was signed by the team.

Meggett, who also played for Parcells with the New York Giants and New England Patriots, has not played this season while rehabilitating an ankle injury. He was released by New England in May after being charged with sexual assault.

Meggett is expected to replace Leon Johnson (rib injury).

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Atlanta Falcon Coach Dan Reeves remained in serious but stable condition at Piedmont Hospital after undergoing quadruple-bypass surgery on Monday.

After spending the night in intensive care, Reeves was expected to move to a private room soon. He probably will be discharged Friday and should be able to coach in the playoffs.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars signed veteran quarterback Will Furrer to replace backup Jamie Martin, who was placed on injured reserve because of a season-ending knee injury.

Furrer, playing for his sixth NFL team in six seasons, will back up rookie Jonathan Quinn, who will make his first start Sunday at Minnesota.