NFL Season 2010

[GTHobbes]

The charges may have been dropped but the behavior still occurred, no?

I have no idea what behavior occurred. But I've got to believe that if James Harrison "abused" anyone, they'd be left with more than some "red marks" on their cheek. However, I will admit that maybe it's because I'm a Steelers fan that I think that way.

[ScoopBrady]

The charges may have been dropped but the behavior still occurred, no?

I have no idea what behavior occurred. But I've got to believe that if James Harrison "abused" anyone, they'd be left with more than some "red marks" on their cheek. However, I will admit that maybe it's because I'm a Steelers fan that I think that way.

So breaking down the door and smashing of the cellphone is acceptable? It doesn't sound like he beat her but he doesn't come off as needing a new halo either.

[XXXIV]

The charges may have been dropped but the behavior still occurred, no?

I have no idea what behavior occurred. But I've got to believe that if James Harrison "abused" anyone, they'd be left with more than some "red marks" on their cheek. However, I will admit that maybe it's because I'm a Steelers fan that I think that way.

So breaking down the door and smashing of the cellphone is acceptable? It doesn't sound like he beat her but he doesn't come off as needing a new halo either.

I dont know if hes a good or bad guy but what I do know is that in todays ESPN created sports world where the bad guys are rewarded it doesnt matter at all.

Women beating is low on a football reporters list. Warren Moon beat up his wife multiple times and still got into the HOF even without sniffing a super bowl appearance.

[Danimal]

The charges may have been dropped but the behavior still occurred, no?

I have no idea what behavior occurred. But I've got to believe that if James Harrison "abused" anyone, they'd be left with more than some "red marks" on their cheek. However, I will admit that maybe it's because I'm a Steelers fan that I think that way.

So breaking down the door and smashing of the cellphone is acceptable? It doesn't sound like he beat her but he doesn't come off as needing a new halo either.

The memory of public when it comes to sports stars are short. I mean the Steelers have a scumbag playing QB for them now but no one cares what he did anymore.

[GTHobbes]

The memory of public when it comes to sports stars are short. I mean the Steelers have a scumbag playing QB for them now but no one cares what he did anymore.

We've had a QB who was convicted of nothing suspended for 4 games, and a LB fined $75k for a legal hit. It's not like anyone on our team has gotten away with murder, a la Ray Lewis. And speaking of...I'll bet if you asked Ray, he'd say that the memory of the public isn't all that short. Seems like a reminder of his story comes up at least once a year. Think anyone is ever going to forget Favre's story?

[Rodster]

The memory of public when it comes to sports stars are short. I mean the Steelers have a scumbag playing QB for them now but no one cares what he did anymore.

Thank you !

I remember the Dolphins back in the 90's had their share of scumbags like Cecil "The Diesel" Collins who was convicted of burglary, sneeking into womens bedroom at night. Sports are full of these types. The problem is they want their team to win so bad they'll pretty much excuse and behavior as long as their team puts a "W" in the win loss column after the game.

[Danimal]

We've had a QB who was convicted of nothing suspended for 4 games,

I think you lack the ability to be unbiased, but I'll bite and ask you think that Ben did nothing? You think the whole thing was made up?

So we're basing thing on convictions now? I'll admit I don't know all the facts but was Ray Lewis convicted?

[pk500]

This ESPN-induced, knee-jerk hysteria about how the NFL's edict will "change the game of football" is comical. Nothing will look any different in the games this Sunday.

Anyone who has watched football for a while knows that players, especially defensive backs, lead with their heads while tackling WAY more than even 15 years ago. Linebackers and DB's simply launch their bodies horizontally toward the player or pile like an Exocet missile skimming across the water in the Falklands War, never extending their arms to wrap up, especially if the ball carrier or receiver is nearing out of bounds.

I don't give a sh*t what these guys are saying about how they were taught to play the game. No one who grew up playing Pop Warner or high school football at least 15 years ago was taught to lead with their head. I was taught (a LONG time ago ) in Pop Warner to tackle with my head up, planting my shoulder into a guy's body and wrapping up with my arms.

All the NFL is trying to do is to remind players to use fundamentals while tackling. If you think that's going to make the game less physical, ask Dick Butkus, Mike Curtis or Deacon Jones if old-school tackling technique made them softer than today's players.

I'd love to hear the feedback of guys like BK or Divot, who played big-time college football in the last 15 to 20 years. Did your team's defensive coaches instruct their players to lead with their heads when tackling?

[pk500]

We've had a QB who was convicted of nothing suspended for 4 games

Ah, St. Ben. He has no history of being aggressive with women. It's all a big frame job.

Remember, O.J. Simpson was convicted of nothing in a criminal trial, either.

[XXXIV]

Remember, O.J. Simpson was convicted of nothing in a criminal trial, either.

Thats cause he was clearly framed by Columbian drug lords.

[Danimal]

Ah, St. Ben. He has no history of being aggressive with women. It's all a big frame job.

The thing about guys like him is he can't control himself. By nothing happening legally it just makes him think he is untouchable, the NFL suspension will slow him down a tad but I would bet we'll be hearing about another Ben story down the road.

[pk500]

Ah, St. Ben. He has no history of being aggressive with women. It's all a big frame job.

The thing about guys like him is he can't control himself. By nothing happening legally it just makes him think he is untouchable, the NFL suspension will slow him down a tad but I would bet we'll be hearing about another Ben story down the road.

Absolutely. All of this sanctimonious "I need to be a better man" bullsh*t by Roethlisberger is good media coaching. Nothing more.

I hope I'm wrong, for his sake and the sake of the Steelers. But I side with Danimal, big time.

[wco81]

I remember some DBs talking about "kill shots" and then they proceeded to get gashed the next game because they failed to wrap up and there were a lot of broken tackles.

They did show a stat that through 6 games, there has been like 35-40 concussions or head injuries this year compared to 21 after 6 games last year.

[dougb]

take away the hard helmets and implement soft leather padding and that would eliminate alot of the kill shots. The major problem is that the protective equipment is being used as a weapon - same problem exists in hockey with the hard pads.

Best wishes,

Doug

[ScoopBrady]

I love when defensive players play the "All they do is protect the glamor positions like QB, RB, or WR. They don't protect us at all."

Hmm.... maybe they'll start protecting you when 11 guys are after your head when you have the ball.

The bottom line for me is if they fundamentally tackle well, as PK described, there's more than enough opportunities for big hits. There have been big hits my entire life watching football, the difference is there was more skill and technique involved back then and now you just have players trying to make Sportscenter with no regard of the possible effects it will have on the other player.

[Brando70]

Ah, St. Ben. He has no history of being aggressive with women. It's all a big frame job.

The thing about guys like him is he can't control himself. By nothing happening legally it just makes him think he is untouchable, the NFL suspension will slow him down a tad but I would bet we'll be hearing about another Ben story down the road.

Absolutely. All of this sanctimonious "I need to be a better man" bullsh*t by Roethlisberger is good media coaching. Nothing more.

I hope I'm wrong, for his sake and the sake of the Steelers. But I side with Danimal, big time.

If the penis doesn't fit, you must acquit!

After the Favre Dong Debacle, I don't know what to think anymore, except that athletes appear to be even dumber than I had previously thought. Amazing that men who are capable of making precise football analyses in a split second can't understand if no means no or if there could be a chance the dick picture they just sent might get out into the public.

[XXXIV]

After the Favre Dong Debacle, I don't know what to think anymore, except that athletes appear to be even dumber than I had previously thought. Amazing that men who are capable of making precise football analyses in a split second can't understand if no means no or if there could be a chance the dick picture they just sent might get out into the public.

I have learned never to mistake sports IQ for well IQ.

Magic Johnson, Joe Montana and Wayne Gretzky would be the smartest man ever born if it was about the abilty to read a play in slow motion. They are more idiot savants than smart.

[vinny-b]

Anyone who has watched football for a while knows that players, especially defensive backs, lead with their heads while tackling WAY more than even 15 years ago. Linebackers and DB's simply launch their bodies horizontally toward the player or pile like an Exocet missile skimming across the water in the Falklands War, never extending their arms to wrap up, especially if the ball carrier or receiver is nearing out of bounds.

I don't give a sh*t what these guys are saying about how they were taught to play the game. No one who grew up playing Pop Warner or high school football at least 15 years ago was taught to lead with their head. I was taught (a LONG time ago) in Pop Warner to tackle with my head up, planting my shoulder into a guy's body and wrapping up with my arms.

thank you for posting this, PK.

the above is in line with my previous post. The NFL is not the same game which were introduced to in the early 80's. In my estimation, the game took this direction in the late 80's. With players like Andre 'Dirty' Waters and other 'name' safties leading the way. In short, the type of technique is over the top. For anyone who prefers this vintage of play, fine. However, don't pretend to mourn the player if he doesn't get up, and in the worst case - paralyzed. Cuz it makes you a phony.



FYI am familiar with players like Nighttrain Lane, Fred Williamson, etc. There are exceptions to every era.

[XXXIV]

I only played Pop Warner and sophmore HS football but even there they taught head up do NOT lead with helmet or you might break your own neck.

[ScoopBrady]

So, speaking little number 4, how do you all think this will play out assuming he's guilty.

I personally do think the reports are true. It's probably at least partially due to the fact that I am a lifetime Bears fan but from what I've seen (and wish I could unsee 8==> make that 8=> ) but that sure sounded like him and I could see him being cocky enough to think he'd get away with it. So, that being said, I think the NFL will try to sweep it under the carpet or at least delay things until the end of the season and then Favre will officially retire for the last time. Does anybody see this getting resolved any earlier if he's guilty?

[GTHobbes]

The NFL is not the same game which were introduced to in the early 80's. In my estimation, the game took this direction in the late 80's.

When was Darryl Stingley paralyzed? Wasn't that in the 70s? And didn't Ronnie Lott make a hall of fame career out of being a hard hitter? I've got a picture of Lambert hanging in my office where he's missing most of his front teeth. Think he lost all those choppers from arm tackling? C'mon.

Guys today are pussies -- or at least some are. You'll never see Hines Ward crying about stuff like this -- because he's tough enough to get up after hard hits, even after more than 10 years of making his living on crossing and other short patterns (he never has been an outside burner). Baltimore's talked about having a bounty on him for years -- which hasn't made a difference, at all.

I remember a few years ago when the Steelers didn't have any good hitters on defense -- and teams passed all over them as a result. Lambert was right 20 years ago when he said to put a dress on QB's -- except now they need to put 'em on WR's as well. It's a shame, really.

[Brando70]

There's a difference between being a hard hitter and a cheap-shot artist. Lott wasn't a cheap-shot artist. Rodney Harrison and Adrian Wilson were cheap-shot artists. And Smiles the Receiver is one of the only WRs consistently mentioned as a dirty player.

Like Vinny, I don't watch the NFL for explosive hits. I have the same reaction a lot of fans do, but I watch it because I love football: the athleticism, the big plays, the strategy. You don't have to put guys in the hospital to make the game exciting, and you can blow players up without having to catapult yourself at their heads.

[XXXIV]

Like Vinny, I don't watch the NFL for explosive hits. I have the same reaction a lot of fans do, but I watch it because I love football: the athleticism, the big plays, the strategy. You don't have to put guys in the hospital to make the game exciting, and you can blow players up without having to catapult yourself at their heads.

100%

[GTHobbes]

Absolutely. All of this sanctimonious "I need to be a better man" bullsh*t by Roethlisberger is good media coaching. Nothing more.

I hope I'm wrong, for his sake and the sake of the Steelers. But I side with Danimal, big time.

Here's what our QB had to say in an interview with Bill Cowher last weekend:

"You get accused of things and it hurts, especially when you know that there is no truth to it at all. I could sit here and say honestly that I would never and have never harmed a female and never would.

I mean, I have a sister. I'm the only boy in the family, I'm the only grandson. So, I would never ever do that and there's vicious allegations that are not true and it does hurt and it's not fun to be accused of things.’’

[dbdynsty25]

And he's a F'n liar.