Steelers Fever Forums

It's Time To Trade Ben Roethlisberger

Bayz101 — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:32:21 GMT

In the 2013 version of its annual NFL Top 100 Players, the NFL Network listed Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at No. 61. The same signal caller was at No. 30 last season. Since he's obviously in decline, it's time to trade him while he still has value.

You read that correctly. Trade Ben Roethlisberger. The time couldn't be better. The talking heads have spoken. Why keep a player past the point of his usefulness when his skills must so obviously be eroding? They must be eroding or else the man wouldn't be plummeting down NFL Network's list. In fact, check again to see if he's fallen any further. No? Ok, then we'll go ahead and continue with this piece.

But really, though, we should've seen this coming. Wasn't it just back in February that future first-ballot Hall of Famer and erudite Donovan McNabb rated Big Ben as only the eighth best quarterback in the NFL? Wasn't that even generous on his part considering his choice at No. 9 beat Big Ben in 2012? - http://tinyurl.com/a4fwzk8

After all, what has he done anyway? In the first nine games of the season before his injury, he only led the Steelers to 6-3 record. Who cares that his offense was one of the most efficient in the league by a large margin, leading the NFL in third-down conversions and time of possession? Or that Big Ben was leading the NFL in third-down passing and was on pace for having one of the best seasons of his career.

And it wasn't as if he did anything before that. He only has a paltry .690 winning percentage, which isn't even best in the league. He's second for goodness sake! He's also second among active quarterbacks in playoff victories with 10, second in Super Bowl appearances with three, and second in Super Bowl wins with two. And as we all know, second is just the first loser. And the Steelers don't like losers!

Besides, the NFL Network says he's in the lower half of the NFL, so it must be true. Their polls are absolutely and completely scientific, therefore infallible. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette agrees and explains the process involved.

"Pay no attention to these rankings," wrote Bouchette. "They're silly, a gimmick and merely to help the NFL Network boost some of its meager off-season ratings. They also don't really poll that many players because players won't take the time to do it."

Sounds like solid empirical data to me! Bouchette drives the nail further into Big Ben's proverbial coffin when comparing other such polls.

"Sports Illustrated does its 'player' polls too. I saw how they do it. They'd send an intern to Steelers camp and she would interview a dozen or so of their players, many of them undrafted rookies who would never play in the league and ask questions like 'Who is the worst ref in the NFL?'" - http://tinyurl.com/kawrf3l

Doesn't seem like anything more is needed. With evidence obviously showing that Big Ben has been on a precipitous decline the last few years, the NFL Network conducting an objectively precise poll and Bouchette verifying their methodical approach, what else is there to say?

It's time to trade Big Ben now while the Steelers can still get value for him, even if it only nets a seventh rounder (7 for 7?), and usher in the John Parker Wilson era.

(For those who haven't yet realized it, this is satire. which we thought was abundantly evident. C'mon, people! If nothing else alerted you..."the John Parker Wilson era"??? smdh)

http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/20...lisberger.html

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Nice bit of satire. :chuckle:

NFL notebook: Urlacher announces retirement

Feed Robot — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:30:01 GMT

By The Associated Press, The Associated Press
CHICAGO � Brian Urlacher wasn�t sure how dominant he could be any longer, so he�s calling it a career after 13 seasons with the Bears. ...

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Troy Polamalu says Pittsburgh Steelers have 'an edge'

Feed Robot — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:10:31 GMT

The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to come in third place in the AFC North this coming season. That, and a poor 2012 season, has Troy Polamalu and the rest of the Steelers on edge.

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Steelers notebook: Slimmed-down Redman optimistic for 2013

Feed Robot — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:50:07 GMT

By Mark Kaboly, McKeesport Daily News
At the end of last season, Steelers running back Isaac Redman looked in the mirror and wasn�t happy. �I didn�t like the weight I was,� ...

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Jodie Arias

MasterOfPuppets — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:20:56 GMT

i'd still do that psycho bitch ...:drool:

Steelers' Woodley unfazed by teammates' remarks (The SportsXchange)

Feed Robot — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:40:02 GMT

PITTSBURGH -- Linebacker LaMarr Woodley rejoined the Pittsburgh Steelers at their OTAs this week, which may make an impression on his teammates on teammates who reportedly knocked him for being out of shape last season. But he says none of that bothers him or motivates him.

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Cincinnati Bengals: Has the Defense Actually Improved Over the Offseason? (Yahoo! Con

Feed Robot — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:20:02 GMT

COMMENTARY | In 2012, the Cincinnati Bengals defense finished sixth overall in the entire NFL (via CBSSports.com). Instead of bringing in shiny new free agents to bolster the already impressive defense, the Bengals front office decided to spend money to maintain its core.

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Brutal cleaver assault on man in London street is suspected terror attack

Vis — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:33:11 GMT

London (CNN) -- A man thought to be a serving British soldier was killed by two armed men in a frenzied attack on a London street Wednesday, in what the government is treating as a suspected act of terrorism.

Witnesses told of a gruesome scene in which the man was hit by a car, then hacked with cleavers and his body dumped in the middle of the road in Woolwich, southeast London.

The two suspects in the killing were injured in a confrontation with police and have been taken to two hospitals, where they are being treated.

CNN affiliate ITN aired a video showing a man with bloody hands and holding a meat cleaver, who says, "We swear by almighty Allah we will never stop fighting you."

The man, who is black and appears to have a London accent, carries on: "The only reasons we killed this man this is because Muslims are dying daily. This British soldier is an eye for an eye a tooth for tooth.

"We apologize that women had to see this today but in our lands our women have to see the same. You people will never be safe. Remove your government. They don't care about you."

The victim is believed to be a serving soldier who was based at a nearby barracks, Nick Raynsford, a member of Parliament, told CNN.
The soldier had apparently been on duty in central London and was returning to the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich when he was attacked, Raynsford said.
Speaking in Paris, Prime Minister David Cameron said there were "strong indications" that the man's killing was a terrorist incident.
He said he would be returning early from the official trip to handle the situation and will be back in London Wednesday night.

"It is the most appalling crime," he said, speaking alongside French President Francois Hollande, who pledged solidarity with Britain in the face of terrorist threats.

Cameron declined to confirm whether the man killed was a serving soldier, while Britain's defense ministry said it was investigating to see whether that's the case. But the prime minister vowed the United Kingdom would stand firm in the face of threats to its security and "will not buckle."

UK Home Secretary Theresa May led a meeting of the country's civil emergency committee, known as COBRA, on Wednesday evening, and Cameron will chair another such meeting on Thursday.

Afterward, authorities increased security around Woolwich and all military barracks in London, a British government source said.
British Defense Secretary Philip Hammond said the killing was a "very shocking incident" and that the UK takes the safety of its troops "very seriously," as he headed into the COBRA meeting.

London Mayor Boris Johnson tweeted: "This afternoon's attack in Woolwich is a sickening deluded and unforgivable act of violence. My thoughts are with the victim and his family."

That sentiment was echoed by many others -- such as May, the Home Secretary, who described it as a "a sickening and barbaric attack," and Labour Party leader Ed Millband, who predicted the "whole country will be horrified" by what he called the "appalling events."

Commander Simon Letchworth told reporters in Woolwich that local officers had responded when an assault was reported at 2:20 p.m. Wednesday and a firearms unit was called to the scene. British police do not usually carry firearms.

"Two men, who we believe from early reports to have been carrying weapons, were shot by police," he said. "They have both been taken to separate London hospitals and are receiving treatment for their injuries."

'They were hacking at this poor guy'

Eyewitnesses have given gruesome details of the killing.

One, Michael Atlee told CNN he and friends heard gunshots and when they turned the corner saw a pool of blood on the sidewalk and a trail of blood leading into the road.

The man killed appeared to be wearing a T-shirt for Help for Heroes, a charity that helps military veterans, he said.

Another witness, who gave his name only as James, told London's LBC 97.3 radio station that he saw two men standing by the victim on the floor.

At first he thought they were trying to help the man but then saw two meat cleavers, like a butcher would have.

"They were hacking at this poor guy, literally," he told the radio station, as if they were trying to remove his organs.

"These two guys were crazed. They were just not there. They were just animals."

The men appeared to want to be filmed, he said, saying that one of the attackers went over to a bus and asked people to take photos of him as if he wanted to be on TV.

He said the two men had rushed at the police when they arrived, at which point shots were fired and both men went down.

Lauren Collins told CNN: "I still am quite shaken at what I've seen -- I've seen a victim of an awful attack, and I've seen a body of a young man."

Another witness, Woolwich Theatre owner Adrian Green, said the incident was "shocking" but did not reflect the true nature of the area.

Raynsford said the military based at the centuries-old barracks had a close relationship with the local community. Woolwich is a mixed, multicultural area, he added.

Brian Urlacher announces his retirement

Vis — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:21:46 GMT

Bears linebacker Lance Briggs misses playing alongside Brian Urlacher, but he isn�t going to have to get used to seeing Urlacher play in another uniform.

Urlacher sent out a tweet on Wednesday saying that it was an honor to play his entire career with the Bears and including a link to a longer statement announcing that he has decided to retire from professional football.

�After spending a lot of time this spring thinking about my NFL future, I have made a decision to retire,� Urlacher wrote. �Although I could continue playing, I�m not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that�s up to my standards. When considering this, along with the fact that I could retire after a 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear. I want to thank all of the people in my life that have helped me along the way. I will miss my teammates, my coaches and the great Bears fans. I�m proud to say that I gave all of yo everything I had every time I took the field. I will miss this great game, but I leave it with no regrets.�

The decision might have been different had Urlacher found a more robust market for his services as a free agent this offseason, but there was barely any market to speak of for the eight-time Pro Bowler. So he�ll ride off into the sunset after a very successful career that is likely to land him a yellow blazer as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame at some point down the line.

Mike Tomlin: OTAs just 'football in shorts'

Feed Robot — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:00:06 GMT

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says you can't learn too much from organized team activities, in his imitable style. Tomlin also has a new motto for the Steelers heading into training camp.

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Injured Steelers TE Miller improving but cautious (The Associated Press)

Feed Robot — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:00:06 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Injured Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller is pleased with his recovery from a devastating knee injury but says it's too early to tell when he'll return.

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Payton replaces Belichick as highest-paid U.S. coach (The SportsXchange)

Feed Robot — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:00:06 GMT

Sean Payton has taken over the title as America's highest-paid coach.

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Heath Miller Interview

Lady Steel — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:44:08 GMT

Heath Miller Interview

Heath Miller interview after Day 2 of OTAs about his injury from last season and the progress he's made with his knee during the off season.

http://www.steelers.com/video-and-au...6-ac5db15fb931

Heath is so damn yummy! :laughing:

49ers Michael Crabtree has a torn Achilles

Atlanta Dan — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:23:44 GMT

First big injury of the offseason

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree suffered a torn Achilles tendon during organized team activities Tuesday and will soon undergo what could be season-ending surgery, a person informed of the injury told USA TODAY Sports.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...illes/2350547/

Maybe Crabtree can get in touch with Terrell Suggs' "doctor" to get some meds and return later this year:noidea:

What did your grandparent do that's cooler than you?

Vis — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:14:22 GMT

Stole this from FB. My maternal grandfather was a railroad cop before the war dressed like old west Marshall