Happy Hump Day Steelers’ Fans!
A lot of Ben Roethlisberger stuff to start out with so let’s go!
Yesterday on his radio show Big Ben said he wants Heinz Field to “get loud” for the Miami Dolphins’ visit to the Steel City for the AFC Wild-Card Game. I know I will be doing my best!! First of all, I find it a bit sad that any player needs to ask the home crowd to “get loud.” Isn’t that a given when playing at home? I blame millenials. OK, not all but some.
Ironically, Big Ben also said he needs the home folks to quiet down when the offense is on the field especially in the Red Zone. During the Christmas Day game against Baltimore, Roethlisberger and several linemen were seen waving their arms to calm the fans down. The Steelers’ faithful need to remember that Seven does a lot of his communication at the line of scrimmage so pipe down until the ball is snapped!
Just when I thought it was safe to read about Roethlisberger in a national publication I was wrong. Why Sports Illustrated and writer S.L. Price chose to come out with another negative article really frustrates me. I wrote about it last night if you’re interested.
This might sound crazy but I think the team learned a ton about itself in the finale Sunday against the Browns. It was pretty clear to me that the team was going through the motions and was trying to get through the game regardless of the outcome. Ryan Shazier said as much postgame and I think it was an excellent learning opportunity for a lot of guys. They looked embarrassed to be down 14-0 and almost 21-0 if not for Shazier’s interception. I’m hopeful this turns into a positive.
Tweet of the Day… An absolute beauty from Dave DiCello
Gonna round out my Top 10 of 2016 today! #3 is the most beautiful winter sunrise I've ever seen in #Pittsburgh, icy rivers and all! pic.twitter.com/Y5dpicQHiI
— Dave DiCello (@DaveDiCello) January 4, 2017
Congratulations to former Steelers’ great Alan Faneca who was selected as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. If you’ve seen Faneca recently (he was training camp this year) then you know he looks more like a marathon runner than an all-pro guard. Either way he is more than deserving of a gold jacket.
Hines Ward did not make the cut and I’m not surprised. I believe he will be enshrined someday but I think he’s going to have to wait a few years.
Right now, I think Ladarius Green plays on Sunday. Mike Tomlin said yesterday he is still in concussion protocol but is making very good progress. His availability will impact the decision on which receivers get a helmet in my opinion.
Just started reading “His Life’s Work” The Chuck Noll biography. His German family sounds very familiar to my own. Then I came along…
Have a great day Steeler Nation!
