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- steelkings
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Securing The Franchise
by steelkings » Fri Dec 11, 2009 6:55 pm
Todd Webster
December 11th, 2009
105 million dollars I think was the investment. If you built a 10 million dollar home you would build a fence around it. If you had an expensive car, you would insure that it performed in the highest possible way. Adults are free to do as they please in this country. We must give most adults the benefit of the doubt that they will act responsibly. But sometimes that’s not good enough. Is there any reason that Ben Roethlisberger was in a Vegas Hotel without the benefit of a Steeler appointed bodyguard or two?
I’m not talking about someone to keep people from attacking Roethlisberger. I’m talking about someone to keep Ben out of trouble. Whether or not it comes to him, or he invites it himself. The Steelers 2009 problems started in July when Roethlisberger, Superbowl ring and a whole lot of money, put himself in a position that would bring home a very stiff distraction. The assault allegation came up several times through out the year. That had to weight heavily on a young adults shoulders. We often think that money solves all problems. It does not repair perception. Especially the way a young man perceives himself.
The assault allegation was only the tip of the iceberg for the distracted Pittsburgh Steelers. Their leader and voice of reason left to become the ambassador to Ireland. There are several things that would have happened differently had Dan Rooney been available in a “hands on†way for this team. I’m assuming that the Speath, Reed arrest would have been handled differently by Rooney. I’m also thinking we would not have seen half the team on WWE Raw during the bye week. Perhaps Big Ben wouldn’t have been on Leno the week before a big game. This all again plays to team security. The front office must protect the investment. They have to know where players are and what they are doing at all times.
There was a chance to rescue this 2009 season. That moment came directly after the loss at Kansas City. Between that game and the start of the Ravens game, more dirty laundry was aired than I have ever seen from the Steelers locker room before. Harrison questioned the coaching staff. Ward went after Roethlisberger later in the week. Tomlin was making up stupid names for big games while telling anyone who is buying it, that his team is a close-knit group. It is obvious that it is not and was not.
The organization had a chance directly after the Steelers walked into that Arrowhead locker room to save this season if they would have simply told the team to shut up about anything negative. No interviews above the NFL minimum. The Ward distraction would have been gone. The Harrison distraction would have been gone.
It is hard to overcome the loss of several key players. Especially when you already lack depth. We didn’t just lose Polamalu, Smith and Kirschke. We lost the whole team after the Kansas City game. The players tried to rally in the adverse scenarios surrounding the rival game with the Ravens. But when that didn’t work out the team just quit. The pressure mounted for “a win or else†Raiders game that went terribly wrong. And the Steelers were simply resigned to the fact that the pressure and distractions were just too much to overcome against the Browns.
The pressure is off now. Elimination is all but assured. I have a feeling that now this team will be able to go out and play with much less anguishes. I like their chances much better against Green Bay now that there is nothing to lose. They may even pick off a pass. It really is a shame that it has come to this. It’s hard to trash years where you can put a solid team on the field. They don’t come all that often. The lack of security cost the Steelers a chance to make the playoffs with a team that was clearly good enough to win another Superbowl.
December 11th, 2009
105 million dollars I think was the investment. If you built a 10 million dollar home you would build a fence around it. If you had an expensive car, you would insure that it performed in the highest possible way. Adults are free to do as they please in this country. We must give most adults the benefit of the doubt that they will act responsibly. But sometimes that’s not good enough. Is there any reason that Ben Roethlisberger was in a Vegas Hotel without the benefit of a Steeler appointed bodyguard or two?
I’m not talking about someone to keep people from attacking Roethlisberger. I’m talking about someone to keep Ben out of trouble. Whether or not it comes to him, or he invites it himself. The Steelers 2009 problems started in July when Roethlisberger, Superbowl ring and a whole lot of money, put himself in a position that would bring home a very stiff distraction. The assault allegation came up several times through out the year. That had to weight heavily on a young adults shoulders. We often think that money solves all problems. It does not repair perception. Especially the way a young man perceives himself.
The assault allegation was only the tip of the iceberg for the distracted Pittsburgh Steelers. Their leader and voice of reason left to become the ambassador to Ireland. There are several things that would have happened differently had Dan Rooney been available in a “hands on†way for this team. I’m assuming that the Speath, Reed arrest would have been handled differently by Rooney. I’m also thinking we would not have seen half the team on WWE Raw during the bye week. Perhaps Big Ben wouldn’t have been on Leno the week before a big game. This all again plays to team security. The front office must protect the investment. They have to know where players are and what they are doing at all times.
There was a chance to rescue this 2009 season. That moment came directly after the loss at Kansas City. Between that game and the start of the Ravens game, more dirty laundry was aired than I have ever seen from the Steelers locker room before. Harrison questioned the coaching staff. Ward went after Roethlisberger later in the week. Tomlin was making up stupid names for big games while telling anyone who is buying it, that his team is a close-knit group. It is obvious that it is not and was not.
The organization had a chance directly after the Steelers walked into that Arrowhead locker room to save this season if they would have simply told the team to shut up about anything negative. No interviews above the NFL minimum. The Ward distraction would have been gone. The Harrison distraction would have been gone.
It is hard to overcome the loss of several key players. Especially when you already lack depth. We didn’t just lose Polamalu, Smith and Kirschke. We lost the whole team after the Kansas City game. The players tried to rally in the adverse scenarios surrounding the rival game with the Ravens. But when that didn’t work out the team just quit. The pressure mounted for “a win or else†Raiders game that went terribly wrong. And the Steelers were simply resigned to the fact that the pressure and distractions were just too much to overcome against the Browns.
The pressure is off now. Elimination is all but assured. I have a feeling that now this team will be able to go out and play with much less anguishes. I like their chances much better against Green Bay now that there is nothing to lose. They may even pick off a pass. It really is a shame that it has come to this. It’s hard to trash years where you can put a solid team on the field. They don’t come all that often. The lack of security cost the Steelers a chance to make the playoffs with a team that was clearly good enough to win another Superbowl.
- steelkings
- Practice Squad
-
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 6:51 pm
Re: Securing The Franchise
by steelkings » Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:07 am
Im new to this board. Has anyone read my piece?
Re: Securing The Franchise
by FineLine » Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:56 am
I read it.What Ben needs to do is settle down,get married,have kids,stay home and drink milkshakes.No rape allegations,no motorcycle accidents,no distractions.Do you ever see Manning or Brady go on wrestling TV shows during a season?Until he's willing to put in the time to study film,he always be a notch below those two.
I have also wondered if this current debacle with strife in the locker room would be happening if Dan Rooney was around instead of serving the sainted Obama in Ireland.Then again,the old man needs to relinquish his duties to his son anyway.
Tomlin is becoming the coach who cried wolf.All these proclamations and bluster and bravado and his team doesn't back him up.
I have also wondered if this current debacle with strife in the locker room would be happening if Dan Rooney was around instead of serving the sainted Obama in Ireland.Then again,the old man needs to relinquish his duties to his son anyway.
Tomlin is becoming the coach who cried wolf.All these proclamations and bluster and bravado and his team doesn't back him up.
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