Good Monday to you Steelers’ fans.
Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs who have won their second Super Bowl. Their victory was their first such victory in 50 years and keeps the 49ers on five Lombardi Trophies…
Hall of Fame Thoughts
Congratulations to Troy Polamalu who was the first ballot selection we all knew he would be despite some stupid voting by one voter (more on this later). Few defensive players affected a game the way Polamalu did on a play by play basis and when you have Tom Brady among others praising him then you know you’ve got a sure-fire first ballot Hall of Famer… The omission of Alan Faneca is something I can’t get past. It reeks of the Steelers’ bias we’ve heard for years about and let me explain why. Faneca was more decorated as player and team member than either Kevin Mawae (who went in last year) and Steve Hutchinson who was inducted this weekend. Both of those men are worthy of entering the Hall but neither should have been in before Faneca. You can tell me to take off my Black and Gold glasses all you’d like but the facts speak for themselves. For whatever reason, voters are always concerned with team representation and how it “looks.” They then argue “he’ll get in eventually.” If he’s good enough to get in “eventually” then why not now? I feel horrible for Faneca.
Tweet of the Day… Good for Andy Reid.
Super-Bowl winning HC Andy Reid at this morning’s press conference: "I didn't spend the night with the trophy. I spent it with my trophy wife."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 3, 2020
Peter King is the Worst
Long-time NFL writer Peter King has become a very tough pill to swallow in recent years. Formerly of Sports Illustrated and now at NBC, King has become the ultimate Patriots’ fan and apologist while also spewing his political preferences. King has commented before that “the Steelers may have too many guys in the Hall of Fame.” My understanding is that Hall of Fame players are inducted based on their personal abilities not the colors or logo they wear. King essentially admitted that this morning that he jumped the shark when he said he didn’t vote for Polamalu because “I knew he’d get in anyway.” For a guy that lectures readers on politics when they are there to escape that very subject you’d think he would have a better take on this. You either think a guy is Hall of Fame worthy or you don’t. How many other times has he done this and cost a worthy player a chance at the Hall? Does King recognize how many elections have come down to one vote? Furthermore, King didn’t have Alan Faneca in his final five either furthering the notion of his ‘Steelers’ bias.’ What a joke.
Looking Ahead
With Bill Cowher, Donnie Shell and Polamalu entering the Hall I think the worst kept secret in the NFL will be that the Steelers are playing in the Hall of Fame Game. That’s not a 100% thing yet but considering that Art Rooney II said he “expects it” then I think it’s a good bet. Regardless, I expect to see a massive contingent of Terrible Towels in Canton that weekend.
Ouch.
Kyle Shanahan was the offensive coordinator for Atlanta when they blew a 28-3 lead against New England in the Super Bowl. Now he has authored another blown lead in a Super Bowl as a head coach. His game management choices at the end of the first half were VERY questionable and his decision to throw 20 times and run just ten in the second half are also going to lead to a lot of speculation.
Have a great day Steeler Nation!
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