The Steelers have a better record than 19 teams

Hey 4B.

Yes, it is hard for me also to pinpoint what person or event actually can be pinpointed to the "Transformation". I, like you, want to say the acquisition of Minkah. Is it is really that simple though? Maybe. He definitely is part of the reason. I think it is a combination of personnel and factors. Another person who I do not see mentioned much at all, who I think has played a major role in the new and improved "D" is Steve Nelson. I do not see a lot of credit being thrown his way but IMO has been a huge acquisition for us.


STEELWINDS AKA The East Side Kid

 

I am enjoying this season much more so than 2017 even personally. Yes, the Offense is not as explosive or even dynamic compared to that team but this Offense is starting to find it's identity. Not a moment too soon either.


Some are worried about Buffalo and for good reason. Keep in mind that Chandler Jones is worth mentioning as he has 13 sacks as well as 5 forced fumbles on the season. Budda Baker is another hidden gem on that Arizona Defense.



Again, not saying Buffalo will be the defining game for the 2019 Pittsburgh Steelers because I believe it will. In order to find that answer though, have to get through Arizona first. Win there then worry about Buffalo.

 

Hey steelersrule6.

I am not going to totally disagree with you. It is a fact that different players based on their ability level get treated differently. Do I like it? No. However, like you stated it is factual. The one that sticks out in my mind is James Harrison vs. Cedric Wilson. Both hit their girlfriends, yet James stays and Cedric gets shown the door. Fact is Cedric was a huge contributor in our playoff run that lead to winning Super Bowl XL but overall James definitely was more of a significant player to the team.

Once again though, Tomlin went on record stating to the effect that "Different players get treated differently". And once again, I personally never ran my classroom or any team I coached that way. It just potentially opened up too many "trap doors" that I could fall into and lose some respect/control of the young folks that I was put in charge to work with. That is just me though.


STEELWINDS AKA The East Side Kid

 

Hey BURGH43STEL.

Yes and No to your response. Did AB "flip-out" somewhere along the line as a Steeler? Absolutely. Now the question is: "What is the catalyst(s) that triggered this off? Ultimately, as you referenced, it is up to each individual to be responsible for his/her actions. Given that, each person in this world has different thresholds as to those points. Temptation is always there for all of us. The question is what is the right price to cave-in?

That in a strange way is the beauty of human-nature, good and bad. That is what separates all of us on this Earth. During AB's first few years, there was not even a whiff of what we witnessed towards the end years. Was it success, money, notoriety or a combination of all and other things as well?

Maybe he became a victim of his on success. That is not to let him off the hook in anyway. Once again it is just human nature. I have seen it many times. Where the average student/athlete eventually rises above everyone else and with it a transformation in character. as the person begins to become "elite" there is a chance that the "not for the good" rises as well. It is those that can deal with success and being able to keep one's ego in check at the same time that is the issue here.

In Part, the people around that person (Tomlin in this case and other people in Steeler management) may have contributed to this "outbreak". Is it fair to blame these other people? Well once again, students, athletes, employees etc., will only get away with what management allows. Some people on their own can keep their egos in check as their stardom emerges and rises and others are not as strong to do so.


STEELWINDS AKA The East Side Kid

 

Scouts said AB had "team wrecking tendencies" going back to college. As a result, he dropped in the draft. The Steelers thought he was worth the risk of a 6th round pick. They were correct in that assessment.

We are not talking about students. We are talking about a grown a** 30 year old man with millions of dollars on the line. He let BR criticism and foolishness (poor off the field judgement, helmet, ect) stop his grind (ability to work to earn ). Stupid stupid stupid. AB thought he was bigger than the game.

The person that probably contributed the most to AB's out break was Ben Rothelisberger. Ben has a history of not being the "best" teammate. Some of his actions and rumors speak to that history.

What AB should had done was have a man to man conversation with Ben. Tell Ben don't ever embarrass me again on the radio or in practice.

I don't see the point blaming the people in the organization for AB's actions. They didn't put a gun to his head to make him behave the way that he did. They didn't make him act up off the field either. The Pats or Raiders didn't make him behave the way that he did either. What those organizations did was give him an opportunity to play and make a lot of money. Doesn't get much better than that.

It say something of Tomlin's leadership and people skills that he was able to "contain" AB for SEVERAL highly productive years.

 

Hey BURGH43STEL
Good Stuff Sir!

I did not know about the college stuff: "team wrecking tendencies" going back to college." Totally new to me. Thank you for that information. I must admit I got pumped up about him an Emmanuel Sanders statistics in college which I can at least say my intuition was right about NFL production.

Given that, maybe you did but I did not see any of that his first few years in the NFL. As Joe Greene said about Franco Harris, "We got One". In that regards that can applied to both Brown and Sanders. And that is where the fork in the road comes with those two Brown=Nut Case....Sanders=Level Head.

Now, as far as Ben, I was aware of him "calling out" AB. Yes, that was not cool. Especially, on a "World-Wide Platform" such as the radio. Practice, I once again do know exactly what was said. The reason I may seem oblivious to things such as the Radio and the Practice is that (as I have stated many times here before) is that I am so sick of every little tidbit of news that is brought to us instantaneously by the 100s of media outlets today which most of it is coming from hack reporters out there that I do not usually pay attention to it. 9/10 times it is usually stuff for the tabloids in the grocery line.

Given that, I will admit again that the Radio Incident was not cool. Practice incident maybe depending on the comment, to a degree. I just researched that but all I kept finding was "Undisclosed" incident so I do not have the details on that. Either way, yes, no one wants to be called out by a teammate or a boss for that matter in public. I agree, Ben and AB should have sat down for both instances. However, what my research did find is that AB lied all week about a "Knee Injury" as to why he missed practice that week. Now, that is not cool either. Then AB shows up out of the "Blue" to play. The ultimate team leader (Tomlin) must have had more insight that at least for the practice incident sided with Ben and told AB that he would be sitting out the final game against the Bengals. However, still paid him for he game?! More contradictory stuff to sort through.

Yes, I have heard that Ben can be a Prick at times about things like this. However, not defending Ben, but when Ben does something like this he is a jerk and when others do it, it is just their "Competitive Spirit" coming out. Not always spun that way but I have seen it enough. Either way, both were the leaders of this team at that time and should have worked out their differences 1-1 behind closed doors. A little blame to each here IMO. in the end.

Personally, believe it or not,I still want AB back, as well as Bell. I know I am in a very small minority here but I do. We are so much better with them but they both had to go with their lying and underhanded scheming which is not cool. Especially for a team-sport. Maybe they could get away with it for Tennis or Golf (not that, that would be cool either) but especially when it affects 50+ other players as well. in the end both had great" situations in Pittsburgh. Probably to the extent of HOF. However, we will never know. Just look at each now. B is unemployed and Bell is no where producing how he did in a very ideal situation with the Steelers. Everyone's differences could have been worked out IMO if there was a strong administration in place through all of this. Just IMO. Take care my friend.

STEELWINDS AKA The East Side Kid