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Steel Tradition want’s to wail, MAIL: Overrated Ben, Underrated Willie, a horrid schedule and an I can’t believe you said that!
Here’s a look at some of the e-mail I’ve received about the Steelers since the 2008 NFL draft. One focuses on Ben Roethlisberger, and how this particular fan can’t believe that Steelers’ fans believe all the hype. Another focuses on why there isn’t as much hype on Willie Parker, and how the Steelers were idiots for drafting Rashard Mendenhall. A third focuses on the Steelers’ difficult schedule, and the last focuses on a piece that was written here a few days ago. I hope you enjoy them twice as much as I did.
Dear James–
I’ve been a reader here for a couple of years, and have enjoyed Mike’s writing over the offseason, and your writing during the draft and after. I just wanted to drop you aline saying that I can’t figure out for the life of me why in the world the majority of Steelers’ fans like Ben Roethlisberger. Here’s a guy who barely leads the team to a Super Bowl victory, nearly gets killed being a moron, allows the Steelers to make him come back to soon from his appendix surgery, had a horrible season after the Super Bowl year, and has really made the offensive line bad because of his refusal to find a receiver and get it to him. What do you think of Roethlisberger? Not-So-Gentle Ben–Erie, PA
Dear Not-So-Gentle-Ben,
If you’ve been a consistent reader here, you’ll know that I’ve thought Roethlisberger has been outstanding from the second Pittsburgh took him with their first pick in 2004. I had Roethlisberger as the #1 rated quarterback in the draft, ahead of both Eli Manning and Philip Rivers. He initially was considered the best of the draft, until Manning’s name, and Rivers’ pedigree passed him up. Since then, as you mentioned, he WON a Super Bowl, and was the first one to have done so since Bradshaw. He nearly died, as you mentioned, but came back ready to play. No, he wasn’t 100%, but HE CAME BACK. No, he shouldn’t have come back so soon after his appendix surgery, but HE CAME BACK! That’s the tenacity that Steelers’ fans have loved in their favorite players over the years. As good as Lynn Swann was, most Steelers’ fans backed Stallworth because he played through injuries, and stuck around. Swann is a great, don’t get me wrong, but there are still a few whispers about all the injury issues, and how he stepped away so early. As far as the offensive line goes, I never blame a quarterback for their misgivings. I listen to a lot of garbage about the line being built for the run. If you are a good lineman, a really good lineman, you can do it all. The Steelers line can’t. Can you give Roeth a thumbs-down on occasion for holding on to the ball to long. Sure. But anyone who thinks that it’s Roeth, and not substandard line play and injuries just don’t know much about football. Did I mention that he wins games?
Read my piece from a few days ago about the past Steelers’ quarterback, and then compare them to Roeth. You tell me, why Steelers’ fans like him.
Dear James–
Are the Steelers’ brass idiots? They draft Rashard Mendenhall, when Willie Parker is the best running back in the NFL, and you agree with them? I thought you had more sense than that. I was obviously wrong. You’re as dumb as Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert. James, Mike and Kevin are idiots–Sacramento, CA
Dear James, Mike and Kevin are idiots,
Thanks for comparing me to the two guys that are in charge of Steelers’ personnel, I think. I agree with you about Parker. He’s one of the top five backs in the NFL. He’s a guy that can gain nothing for two quarters, and gain 120 yards in the third and fourth. What he doesn’t do well at times, is gain three or four yards for a first down. A lot of people compare his style to Barry Sanders. I won’t go that far. He’s got the same tendency to dance around in the backfield, looking for holes at times. Still, he’s more north/south than Sanders, and has less ability to make holes when he can’t find them. Pittsburgh hasn’t really had a consistent hole-maker at running back since Jerome was more of a full-timer. Mendenhall is that kind of back, and he’s a lot more explosive than people have given him credit for. There were several teams that had him as a top ten talent. When you can address a need at #23 with a guy that should have gone top ten, you do it every time, biggest need or not. This is the NFL of 2008, not of 1980. To be successful, you need two backs. As good as San Diego was, LaDanian Tomlinson will be the first to tell you that Michael Turner gave him the needed rest to make him the best back in the NFL. That’s what Mendenhall will do for Parker.
As far as me being an idiot, I’m sure my wife would agree with you nearly 100% of the time. And yet, I still find my way to work, and find my way to this site…to many people’s dismay.
Dear James–
Pittsburgh will only win three games this year with that schedule. You people are kidding yourself if you think they’ll win more. I know more than you–Boston, MA
Dear I know more than you,
You couldn’t know more than me if I tried to be stupid. The Steelers already have four in the bag before I even look at the schedule: Houston, Baltimore, Cleveland and Cincinnati at home. I’m not even looking at the schedule, but know those games are wins. That’s four, and makes you an idiot before I even start analyzing each game, which I will gladly be doing between now and September. This team couldn’t lose 13 games in a year if it went out and TRIED to. Without looking at each game, I will tell you that the talent on this team is at least a 10-win season. I agree that it’s a difficult schedule, but it’s also a long season. If you know anything about the NFL, Mr. Patriot fan, then you surely know that there are going to be a few teams on that schedule that aren’t as advertised. Pittsburgh isn’t one of them. They are too good. So take your bias up to Foxboro and shut your pie-hole. The window is closing. Accept it.
Dear James–
I cannot believe that you condone the stoning of Bill Belichick. Even as a joke, in today’s world, you have made a serious accusation. First, we talk about stoning, then what, guns…missiles. You, James, are what is wrong with the world. Even hinting at such a heinous act is punishable by me not coming to your site any more. You should be stoned! Salem’s Witch Trials–Salem, MA
Dear Salem’s Witch Trials–
I’m very, very sorry. You are right. I should never have said to stone Bill Belichick. The next thing you know, people will start stoning others at will. You’ll be driving down the street, and you’ll see friends stoning friends. It won’t be pretty. Imagine if gangs resorted to this sort of action. Imagine if armies put down their guns, rockets and bombs and started collecting rocks. Imagine if terrorist groups stopped hijacking planes, and using pipe bombs, and instead used bags of rocks. WHAT WOULD WE DO?
Imagine Salem, if people like you would stop connecting something so insignificant to guns and missiles. Imagine if people like you, who nail me for pretending to stone Belichick (but fail to hit him, except for a few shots from the weak-armed Mike Tomczak) would just stay under the rock you come from…
No doubt, we’d be in a better world.
Nice job, by the way, saying I should be stoned in an e-mail that doesn’t condone stoning.
Well done.
To e-mail Steel Tradition about the Steelers, and possibly be included in a future wail, MAIL, send it to steeltradition@mvn.com, or pojorisin@gmail.com. We look forward to your e-mails!
This entry was posted
on Saturday, May 17th, 2008 at 4:21 pm and is filed under Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, Jerome Bettis, LaDanian Tomlinson, Mike Tomczak, Terry Bradshaw, Michael Turner, Steel Tradition, morons, idiots, wail Mail, Houston Texans, Kevin Colbert, James Pete, Steelers, Philip Rivers, Willie Parker, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Ben Roethlisberger, Bill Belichick, Mike Tomlin, Rashard Mendenhall, Barry Sanders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Eli Manning.
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21 Responses to “Steel Tradition want’s to wail, MAIL: Overrated Ben, Underrated Willie, a horrid schedule and an I can’t believe you said that!”
May 17th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Mendenhall represented good value where he was drafted, but the best value pick by the Steelers by far, was getting Tony Hills at the end of the fourth round. As a position to fill, offensive left tackle is generally accorded high priority, moreso than running back. Hills was among only a handful of prospects who played the position full time as a collegian and has the necessary athletecism to continue as a pro. Jake Long and Ryan Clady were both legitimate left tackles in college and should remain so. Branden Albert was a gaurd, never played either tackle position to any extent. Chris Williams and Gosder Cherilus were both right tackles primarily in college. Jeff Otah is just too big and slow. Sam Baker has a solid background but isn’t the athlete that Hills is. Duane Brown, yet another first rounder, was less an athlete and not as accomplished a lineman as Hills at the college level.
The red flag on Tony was his injury history, but the knee injury, which was the most serious and most likely to hamper him going forward, happened over 5 years ago. When he was a 17/18 year old tight end recruit in high school. Before he ever played a game as an offensive lineman. Since that time he has played his full college career at left tackle, culminating in First Team All Big 12, and First Team Walter Camp All America honors. Obviously he has made whatever adjustments he had to regarding his surgically repaired knee. The current injury was a straightforward broken leg, unrelated to his prior injury, and not something that should affect him long term.
As a left tackle project, I think Hills is a safer pick than half the offensive linemen drafted in the first round. The fact that they were able to wait until the fourth round, and trade back a bit in drafting him is pretty remarkable.
May 17th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I love these Patriot fans coming on here. They CHEATED their way to 3 Superbowl wins and it only cost their team $750,000 and the lower of a first round pick.
And, the only reason they won the first one was because that silly tuck rule that was called because the NFL did not want Al Davis’s team to advance in the playoffs. Without that and the cheating, they probably would not have any.
I can only imagine what other ways they have been cheating of the years but have not been caught.
May 17th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
James, I agree with the responses to the questions asked.
I don’t know how anyone can think that Ben is not a great QB by the way.
My goodness, just think back to the days of Kordell, Malone, Brister, Stoudt, Tomczak, Jim Miller and last but not least, Kent Graham.
And to anyone that does not believe he is a good QB, please tell me 5 QB currently playing who are better.
Ummm…Peyton and Brady and ummm….ummm….ummm…Carson Palmer, Nah..he is a whiner and also not a winner, ummmm the only others in contention are Tony Romo, who is YET to win a playoff game, Eli who people wanted to bench up until midseason last year and Rivers…ummm no thanks…
May 17th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
You have more trust in Hills than I do, although I won’t disagree that he’s a good pick.
There seemed to be a true battle between scouts, some who thought that he had reached his ceiling, and some who believed he didn’t.
Those who said he reached his ceiling believed there were physical limitations. The injury was a long time ago, but it’s the type of injury that many never truly recover from.
Those who said he didn’t, said that he’s been recovering since high school.
Then there are those that talk about chronic injuries, although I don’t necessarily see that.
As far as who was the better value, we’ll see.
Mendenhall could be one of the top rushers in five years. Hills could be a top tackle in five years.
Maybe we’ll both be right Rob…
May 17th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Rob, I get 5-10 e-mails a week about this site. I would say 75% are from Steelers fans, who like the site…5% are from Steelers fans that think I’m on crack…
and the remaining 20% are from a variety of other fans from other teams, envying the Steelers, the site for the most part.
about 5% of that 20% are New England fans, calling Steelers fans wannabes, or something similar…
They all make me laugh my ass off. I would never e-mail a Patriots site…ever.
If I thought they were full of crap…I’d post it right on their site…with my e-mail big and bold…
May 17th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
It’s not that I consider Hills a sure thing, just that he seems just as likely to succeed as most of the o line prospects drafted in the first round. If Hills had a chance to work out post season for the scouts I think he might have been rated ahead of a couple of the first rounders, at least.
May 17th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
First off, Ben is an franchise QB in an era of mediocrity at the position. Yes, our schedule is tough, but bring it on as it will only make us better! Mendenhall was a good pick, the steelers are best when they run north-south and the sharing at the position should only bring more rewards in the red zone. Lastly, the steelers have always found good players in lower rounds. Which one will be the gem this time around: Davis, Hills or Dixon; only time will tell. Go STEELERS!!!
May 17th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
The last Steeler lineman to win first team Walter Camp All American honors was Alan Faneca, 10 years ago. Maybe it’s a sign for Hills, who arrives as Big Al leaves, and inherits his #66 jersey. It should fit, they are exactly the same size at 6-5 and around 310 pounds.
May 18th, 2008 at 6:10 am
Pittsburgh has never had a good quarterback. Yes Mr. Bradshaw, I said it. Pittsburgh never had a good quarterback that can win games on his talents. Ben is that kind of QB. Bradshaw has four superbowl rings ONLY because of the team around him. If camera coverage was better back then you could probably see that his eyes were closed most of the time. He could throw the ball a country mile…somewhere down the field. It was the receivers that reacted to the ball and went and got it. How many times has Ben scrambled and got out of trouble vs the times he scrambled and failed. How many sacks has Ben avoided due to s sub par O-line by scrambling. How much trouble has Ben got out of due to a poor O-line by moving. History shows that if your QB scrambles you will have more sacks and int’s than a pocket QB, but the arm chair fans that never played the game beyond high scool don’t realize the holes that open up in the linebacker seams with a moving QB or the time spent by the opposing defense the week prior figuring out how to keep him in the pocket. Look at Ben’s stats in wins; pass completion %; wins; comeback games; wins; and did I mention WINS!!!
May 18th, 2008 at 7:10 am
Myrtle Jim how can you say Bradshaw was not a good Quarterback. I just can’t understand that statement. I can tell you one thing. It takes 11 players to win a Football game. Only one man can’t do it by himself I don’t care if he is the best Quarterback in the world he wouldn’t win any games without the Line and the recievers catching the balls. Yes Ben is a very good Quarterback but who makes him good. His recievers and line. Go Steelers
May 18th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Ejoyed the article. Nice job again!
May 18th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Ben is a WINNER…period!
That’s it, end of story, no contest or argument against it can be made. Look at the stats in his first 4 years and he’s on his way to greatness. You can even lump in the horrible 3rd “windshield” year and he still has better 1st, 4 year stats than 80% of the QB’s that have ever played in their 1st 4 years. If you take out that 3rd year, then he is at the top of the list.
Statistics aside, the thing that makes him great is that Ben has the same inner drive, raw talent and intangible, immeasurable skill that Elway, Favre, Marino and Steve Young had. The ability to shoulder the load and lead his team to victory when it’s needed. The ability to make plays when very few others would have been able to. Look at how many plays Ben has made by shedding a defender, or avoiding a sack and scrambling. Look at how many times Ben has driven them down the field to take the lead late in the game and win. Sometimes needing to dig out of the hole he has created…but he does it. Steelers should have beaten JAX twice this year and would have been playing in NE during the playoffs, if the DEF could have made one lousy 4th qtr stop.
As for the Super Bowl, Ben made two HUGE plays when he needed to, to secure a win. The scramble to buy time and find Ward on the busted play that resulted in a TD. The block to keep Randel El totally free to throw the TD pass to Ward. Hey…even the GREAT Steelers teams of the 70’s won some ugly games and had to overcome mistakes to win. That’s part of football and THAT’s what makes winners and champions in any sport. Talk to any champion about their road to the winner’s circle or a championship run and you are going to hear about the challenges it took to get there. It ain’t no cake walk people…and sometimes even a little luck helps and the champs will tell you that too.
You think Ben has luck on his side? Bounced off a windshield, appendix surgery, knee injury….and he still came back that year. Somebody is looking out for that boy. Who said God wasn’t a Steeler fan ???
May 18th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Ben isn’t the fastest processer in the game at the position, by any means. Doubt he ever will be. But the team is making some moves to take the load off his shoulders. Bringing in RB like Moore, Mendenhall, and Russell, who are good pass catchers out of the backfield. I think you see a lot more dump passes and swing passes in the years ahead. Look at players like Reggie Bush and Mo Jones-Drew, they are the favorite targets of their QBs most of the time. It saves the QB from absorbing some damage, and can make him look a lot better in terms of completion percentage.
Also they are bringing in some bigger targets, Spaeth, Baker, Trannon, Sweed, maybe Cody Boyd or Micah Rucker. That should allow Ben to get rid of the pass a fraction sooner without having to be as concerned about exact placement.
These changes will have a more significant impact than drafting a bunch of new offensive linemen. Even it they get one of the top prospects at the position, like Jake Long or Ryan Clady, it still won’t make a huge difference in a 5 man line, and the rookie wouldn’t be more effective than the player he replaces for a couple of seasons. Ben could be crippled by that time.
May 18th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Since you’re entertaining random emails, no one seems to have brought up the fact that Mike Humpal, the Steeler 6th round pick, absolutely OWNED Rashard Mendenhall the only time the two players met on the field last season. Mendenhall had the worst game of his junior year against Iowa, while Humpal had 18 tackles, several in the backfield, a fumble recovery and an interception. I think he won National Defensive Player of the Week for that effort.
May 18th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
As for Ben, I watched his pro day workout and I knew then that he had “it”. I also knew that whatever team drafted him would have themselves a QB to build a team around.
Ben was drafted on a team that was built around Jerome Bettis and his power running style. Ben happened to get draft by the Steelers at the end of Jerome’s career. It was Jerome’s team when Ben showed up. Now that Jerome is retired it’s Ben’s team. Mike Tomlin has the task of building the team around Ben and IMO, so far he’s on the right track. He knows that he has to address his offensive line. He also knows that the football Gods were especially kind to them for allowing Mendenhall and Sweed to fall where they did in the draft.
As for the Tony Hills pick, it was good value where they got him, as long as he heals up. IMO, due to his injuries alone he could be a boom or bust prospect. Let’s hope so because Kevin Colbert’s day two track record has not been very good.
Bradshaw not a good QB?! Please. He has FIVE Super Bowl Rings. No other QB of his era even comes close.
The Steelers need to address their OL and more so the DL for this team to remain competitive into the near future.
May 18th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
MBlaster: Bradshaw only has four rings and he got those based on the team around him.
May 19th, 2008 at 8:00 am
I love how people say that Ben is only good , and this other nutjob is saying this about Bradshaw also, because of the team around him. RIdiculous. Bradshaw called his own plays. Give me a break. Ben has gotten us out of how many jams? LOL
Ben is a winner and is going to be one of the greats. He is a top 5 QB. Brady is number one. Peyton is number two and Ben , IMO is number three. Ben is way better than Romo (has not won a playoff game.). Better than Palmer(same as Romo). McNabb is declining. Rivers is the one I would say is where he is because of the team around him. My dog could be a so called top 5 QB with that team he is on.
Ben is an awesome QB. Period.
May 19th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Ummm..MBlaster, I believe Bradshaw was the SB MVP for 2 of those games and in the Hall of Fame.
Bradshaw was a clutch player in the Big Games, not always so hot in the regular season.
May 20th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Ummm..Dave B., you’re mistaking me for someone else.
Myrtle Jim, You said: “Bradshaw only has four rings and he got those based on the team around him.”
“Only has four rings.” Yeah. Only four.
“He got those based on the team around him.” That’s a lame statement because it can be used for any QB in any era.
May 20th, 2008 at 8:51 am
you know what i don’t understand is everyone keeps talking about how we need a pass catcher out of the backfield.what about parker. it’s always amazed me we never use him for this.it’s not like he can’t catch the ball or that he hasn’t done anything when he has been used like this,he kicks ass. just my opinion anyway.thanks for a great site!!
August 6th, 2008 at 11:03 am
I saw Micah Rucker play at EIU. He is an awesome receiver and should be a great asset for the Steelers.
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