Steelers off-season: The rush to judgment
STEELERS OFF-SEASON: THE RUSH TO JUDGEMENT
by Swissvale72
I've just emerged from my basement and the daily sojourn on my Nordic Track, this cardio session the human body's equivalent of a battle with beachfront erosion. One cannot endeavor to win such a battle, but merely to stave off defeat for as long as possible. Notable for the '09 Steelers-Chicago debacle being replayed for my viewing pleasure during this foray, I was adorned in my "Bernard Pollard Fan Club" shirt, complements of Pittsburgh t-shirt magnate, Father George. The most amusing component of that story was the New England faithful (all two dozen of them) attributing the t-shirt manufacture to Kansas City, until they checked out Father George's website, and saw it brimming with Black & Gold.
Anyway, thoughts from the Nordic Track centering on the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Pestilence, War, Famine & Death):
For the 3rd time in 5 years, the long off-season of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been highlighted by worrisome headlines generated by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Once accidental, twice alleged, thrice of questionable decision-making (like throwing into coverage at the Bengal 5-yard line in '06), the seeming malfeasance of #7 have the denizens of Steeler nation, the assembled fourth estate, and even teammates, coaches and owners, shouting out in unison, "Are you kidding me?" alternated with a “What the Fuck!!” chorus.
The recent activity on this story involves comments from a teammate, the coach and the owner:
*Seriously, would we feel better had the punter said that he had daily heart-to-hearts with the quarterback, rather than three convos over the course of their association as locker room neighbors? I've lived next to the same guy for 19 years. I talked to him once, three months in, not talked since.
Personally, if Ben’s to spend more quality time with the specialists, I'd like to hear more about him hanging out with the kicker!! Can you imagine that combustible mix; Ben and Jeff Reed? Actually, they could compliment each other. Skippy seems able to have plenty of sexual liaisons without any accusations levied. Ben has a soft spot for law enforcement. They've both reportedly had bathroom incidents, though Skippy's assault was fortunately on an inanimate object. One should also note that both of these gents (using the term loosely), enjoying wine, women & likely song, with the exception of the Debacle in the Windy City, are absolute "money" in the clutch.
*Let's remember that Coach Tomlin probably minored in Rhetoric (code for "bullshit") at William and Mary. I'm surprised he was able to shut the fuck up as long as he has. I thought that any day, he'd be talking about "unleashing hell," or the off-season being a "game of attrition."
*Remember this as a rule to live by. Never trust a guy who combs his hair straight back. That would be Art II. First, he cedes the annual public sale of Steelers tickets to Ticketmaster. And now, he follows it up with this lukewarm statement on the plight of his quarterback. And no, the Chief didn't comb his hair straight back as well. It was parted in the middle, making a substantial difference.
In truth though, are any of these comments cause for serious concern? Measured responses all, they packed much less punch than did the statements made by Hines Ward last November when Ben was sitting out the Baltimore game.
At this juncture, as spring has sprung, we are sure of but several facts regarding the annual dalliances of Big Ben:
*He had an interaction, sans helmet while atop his speedy motorcycle, with a car driven by an elderly Jewish lady from Maine...and lost.
*He admitted to consensual sex with a hotel worker from Tahoe.
*He (according to the Pittsburgh dailies) admitted to "contact" with a 20-year-old in a Milledgeville, Georgia club.
The rush to judgment spawned by the latest episode is its own story. To the growing list of the unknown add:
*The details of the goings-on in Milledgeville, the collection of blow-by-blow descriptions, excuse the pun, are exercises in self-arousal by scores of people sitting at keyboards.
*The psychological profiles/assessments of Big Ben represent the best efforts of amateur psychologists and no-nothings throughout the land.
*The examination and analysis of the Georgia Penal Code serves as a nightly alternative to Law & Order (when does Lindsay Vonn appear?).
*The character assassination of the accuser, the alleged victim as it were, the assignment of motive, the description of this unknown 20-year-old as "skank & ho" represent the worst of us as Steeler fans.
To the list of knowns and unknowns, please add my personal commentary:
*Whether or not Ben is a tool, a boor, or an ingrate is irrelevant.
*Whether Ben is a criminal, and a candidate for the Sexual Offenders Registry (known in the biz as the “perp list”), needing to inform local authorities nationwide of his whereabouts, is certainly relevant.
*Ben is an immensely talented quarterback.
*Ben has won two Super Bowls, the 2nd with as stirring a final drive as has ever been in the 44-year history of the Big Game.
*For any Steeler fan to believe that this team is better off without Ben, to get down on one's knees and pray nightly for anything other than this episode going away, is the height of idiocy.
All that said, Ben clearly needs to take those steps necessary to cease the off-season drama, creating unnecessary distractions for his teammates, coaches and the Pittsburgh Steelers ownership.
Is Ben a miscreant? Maybe…but hopefully not to the level of his off-season activity being criminal. Regardless of the level of free-agent activity and the selections in the upcoming draft, if #7 is not under center at Heinz Field on September 12th, the 2010 campaign of the Pittsburgh Steelers promises to be one of disarray and disappointment.
by Swissvale72
I've just emerged from my basement and the daily sojourn on my Nordic Track, this cardio session the human body's equivalent of a battle with beachfront erosion. One cannot endeavor to win such a battle, but merely to stave off defeat for as long as possible. Notable for the '09 Steelers-Chicago debacle being replayed for my viewing pleasure during this foray, I was adorned in my "Bernard Pollard Fan Club" shirt, complements of Pittsburgh t-shirt magnate, Father George. The most amusing component of that story was the New England faithful (all two dozen of them) attributing the t-shirt manufacture to Kansas City, until they checked out Father George's website, and saw it brimming with Black & Gold.
Anyway, thoughts from the Nordic Track centering on the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Pestilence, War, Famine & Death):
For the 3rd time in 5 years, the long off-season of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been highlighted by worrisome headlines generated by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Once accidental, twice alleged, thrice of questionable decision-making (like throwing into coverage at the Bengal 5-yard line in '06), the seeming malfeasance of #7 have the denizens of Steeler nation, the assembled fourth estate, and even teammates, coaches and owners, shouting out in unison, "Are you kidding me?" alternated with a “What the Fuck!!” chorus.
The recent activity on this story involves comments from a teammate, the coach and the owner:
*Seriously, would we feel better had the punter said that he had daily heart-to-hearts with the quarterback, rather than three convos over the course of their association as locker room neighbors? I've lived next to the same guy for 19 years. I talked to him once, three months in, not talked since.
Personally, if Ben’s to spend more quality time with the specialists, I'd like to hear more about him hanging out with the kicker!! Can you imagine that combustible mix; Ben and Jeff Reed? Actually, they could compliment each other. Skippy seems able to have plenty of sexual liaisons without any accusations levied. Ben has a soft spot for law enforcement. They've both reportedly had bathroom incidents, though Skippy's assault was fortunately on an inanimate object. One should also note that both of these gents (using the term loosely), enjoying wine, women & likely song, with the exception of the Debacle in the Windy City, are absolute "money" in the clutch.
*Let's remember that Coach Tomlin probably minored in Rhetoric (code for "bullshit") at William and Mary. I'm surprised he was able to shut the fuck up as long as he has. I thought that any day, he'd be talking about "unleashing hell," or the off-season being a "game of attrition."
*Remember this as a rule to live by. Never trust a guy who combs his hair straight back. That would be Art II. First, he cedes the annual public sale of Steelers tickets to Ticketmaster. And now, he follows it up with this lukewarm statement on the plight of his quarterback. And no, the Chief didn't comb his hair straight back as well. It was parted in the middle, making a substantial difference.
In truth though, are any of these comments cause for serious concern? Measured responses all, they packed much less punch than did the statements made by Hines Ward last November when Ben was sitting out the Baltimore game.
At this juncture, as spring has sprung, we are sure of but several facts regarding the annual dalliances of Big Ben:
*He had an interaction, sans helmet while atop his speedy motorcycle, with a car driven by an elderly Jewish lady from Maine...and lost.
*He admitted to consensual sex with a hotel worker from Tahoe.
*He (according to the Pittsburgh dailies) admitted to "contact" with a 20-year-old in a Milledgeville, Georgia club.
The rush to judgment spawned by the latest episode is its own story. To the growing list of the unknown add:
*The details of the goings-on in Milledgeville, the collection of blow-by-blow descriptions, excuse the pun, are exercises in self-arousal by scores of people sitting at keyboards.
*The psychological profiles/assessments of Big Ben represent the best efforts of amateur psychologists and no-nothings throughout the land.
*The examination and analysis of the Georgia Penal Code serves as a nightly alternative to Law & Order (when does Lindsay Vonn appear?).
*The character assassination of the accuser, the alleged victim as it were, the assignment of motive, the description of this unknown 20-year-old as "skank & ho" represent the worst of us as Steeler fans.
To the list of knowns and unknowns, please add my personal commentary:
*Whether or not Ben is a tool, a boor, or an ingrate is irrelevant.
*Whether Ben is a criminal, and a candidate for the Sexual Offenders Registry (known in the biz as the “perp list”), needing to inform local authorities nationwide of his whereabouts, is certainly relevant.
*Ben is an immensely talented quarterback.
*Ben has won two Super Bowls, the 2nd with as stirring a final drive as has ever been in the 44-year history of the Big Game.
*For any Steeler fan to believe that this team is better off without Ben, to get down on one's knees and pray nightly for anything other than this episode going away, is the height of idiocy.
All that said, Ben clearly needs to take those steps necessary to cease the off-season drama, creating unnecessary distractions for his teammates, coaches and the Pittsburgh Steelers ownership.
Is Ben a miscreant? Maybe…but hopefully not to the level of his off-season activity being criminal. Regardless of the level of free-agent activity and the selections in the upcoming draft, if #7 is not under center at Heinz Field on September 12th, the 2010 campaign of the Pittsburgh Steelers promises to be one of disarray and disappointment.
Total Comments 3
Comments
-
Well Said
Another analyticaly lucid, succint, and entertaining piece from Swiss. Exit 7, eh?...how appropriate.
As a life-long Steelers and Patriots fan (certainly, being born in raised in NE is sufficient explanation?), having described Ben as "awesome" upon my first viewing of his first performance with Pittsburgh, and being on-record as stating "Ben is the NFL's best QB, and has been every year of his career, minus his injury/recovery", I can only hope Steeler decision-makers are as level-headed as Swiss: If Ben is a convicted of a felony, drastic measures may be in order; until then, IT'S PRO SPORTS! --- get in the habit of reminding yourself, "they're probably all scumbags" --- give-up the adolescent, hero-worship/disillusionment/girly-gossip. Watch and enjoy...in the QB department, you guys are damn lucky...can't say the same for the coaching/ownership depts.Posted 03-22-2010 at 11:18 AM by Unregistered -
BLAH, blah blah blah............. blah
seriously swisscheese ENOUGH withthe beachfuck erosion! youve used that line about 39 times in your "articles" and it wasnt funny the first time.
At least you are typing run on paragraphs anymore.... and yes I know that technically doesnt exist but as soon as websters gets around to reading your rambling bombastic pontifications they will come up with a new term "the swisscheese runon" aka diahrea of the keyboard aka officially "run on paragraph"
Congrats cheeseface youll now be famous....
One more point.... if you are going to make bullet points then make them bullet points if this is really an article, why? because by the end of the thirteenth point everyone has forgotten what the fuck your point actually was as your bullets are all different calibers and pointing in different directions.
Thus pointing out another possibility..... when even your POINTS start rambling mayhap its not just your body suffering from beachfront erosion but your freaking mr. potato head brain too!Posted 03-22-2010 at 02:50 PM by Unregistered -
good story and your correct..and to the critics who think they can do better; go for it!
Posted 03-31-2010 at 07:52 PM by donnie shells ghost 
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