My Thoughts on Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes

It sure has been a busy week for Steeler Nation and not because the NFL draft is quickly approaching. It’s not even because of free agency moves made by the organization. The Steelers have been experiencing some unusual off-season publicity.

I’ll start by talking about the problems with Santonio Holmes. Holmes was traded to the New York Jets for a 5th round draft pick this past Sunday. I know what you’re thinking, a 5th round draft pick? The Steelers top wide receiver and Super Bowl XLIII MVP who is coming off his best season as a Steeler traded for a 5th round draft pick.

Actually, I’m not surprised by this, Holmes has been in trouble since his rookie season with the Steelers. He has had some domestic disturbance issues, substance abuse issues and was suspended once for possession of marijuana. Holmes was given several chances by the Steelers and told after the possession charge that the Steelers would not give him any more chances. Santonio chose to violate the league’s policy on illegal substances and the Steelers took action by sending him to NY for a 5th round draft pick.

On a side note, the Jets were the only team that showed any interest in Santonio Holmes, the rest of the league didn’t want to take the risk. Holmes is a great wide receiver but needs to think about how his off field actions affect his status in the NFL and right now, it’s not good.

Ben Roethlisberger continues to have serious issues off the football field. The issues go back to the motorcycle that almost killed him a few years ago. Ben has made some very bad decisions in his off time and the most recent allegations will probably lead to a suspension. Many experts believe Ben will face a minimum 2 game suspension, while others say as many as 4 games.

I really hope that Ben spends some time with someone like Tony Dungy and straightens up. I understand he’s a young, single guy but he’s also a very high profile NFL football player. He can’t put himself into situations like he has most recently in the Atlanta area and last summer in Nevada. The allegations against Ben may or may not be true and yes, the charges were dropped in both cases but, he will always have this hanging over his head.

You can see how I feel about both players, they are both young and made some very bad decisions and they both are going to face consequences. Holmes was cut loose from a city that has embraced him and would have been proud to see him retire in a Steeler uniform.

The people of Pittsburgh love Big Ben and want to see him succeed but this most recent fiasco will test Steeler Nation and really put him under the microscope this coming season.

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.

Steeler Fanatic Sells HinesWard.com to….

You guessed it.. Hines Ward!

It’s a rather long story but I approached Hines Ward’s business manager/ attorney a while ago offering to sell the domain to Hines. I’ve owned this domain since Hines was a rookie and used it for a fan site and affiliate site and Hines Ward branded www.MVP86.com

My thought and reasoning behind the sale of the domain was two-fold. I know Hines is getting near the end of his career and could use the domain for himself. The other reason is I didn’t want the domain to end up with someone other than Hines Ward.

After talking to his attorney and good friend Andrew Ree, we agreed on an undisclosed amount for the domain and a personalized game jersey. I’m not going to disclose the amount of the sale but it wasn’t an exorbitant amount and I didn’t do this to make huge profits. I did this because I am a Steeler fan at heart and wanted Hines to have the domain.

Here’s a photo of the personalized jersey and the check made out to me from MVP86 LLC. which is his company. I’ve blurred out some of the information as I’m sure Hines doesn’t want his account number and address on the net. LOL

This will be a great conversation piece to add to my Steeler collection and a story to tell for a long time. It’s also an opening if I ever meet Hines in person.

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.

Steelers Lose to Raiders and Need Help Bad

I haven’t been posting to the Blog that much but it’s not because the Steelers are stinking up the NFL. We are getting ready to sell our house and move out to the country so, we’ve been working on our house to have it listing ready.

These last few games have shown how vulnerable our secondary is and should tell the front office exactly where we need to draft or find a couple good corners via free agency.

Sure, Troy being hurt has been a big factor but our corners and back up safeties are not top caliber players. Townsend is getting old, Gay is terrible, Taylor is inconsistent, Clark and Carter are ok but, not what we need at safety, Mundy and Burnett are too inexperienced. You can see what I mean, our secondary is suspect and needs fixed.

Here’s the thing, Steeler fans go into every season with extremely high expectations and think we can win the Super Bowl every season. We love the Steelers and Steeler Nation puts everything they have into the game. Hell, sometimes I think the fans are more excited than the players each game and we probably are.

We don’t like losing seasons and this season we’ve lost 6 games and every one of them were winnable games. We didn’t get BEAT by any team, we beat ourselves every game, by terrible mistakes and most recently, horrible play by the secondary and special teams.

Don’t worry, I’m still gonna be rooting on the Steelers this thursday night when we travel to Cleveland to take on the Brownies. Cheap Steeler Tickets

Go Steelers

Pat Lovell

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.

Steelers Lose Huge Game to the Bengals

Last week when thinking about this game I was pretty confident that the Steelers would come out on top of a very close game. I didn’t think the Bengals were enough of a team to handle our number one defense. Well, the defense played a pretty decent game but I didn’t plan for our offense, Ben specifically playing like crap.

I’m going to start with this and get it off my chest. I defended Jeff Reed after the Chicago game, defended him after the last Bengals game and even defended him after his 2 scuffles with the law. But, it’s time for Reed to be cut! He is personally responsible for missing the kicks in the Bears and Bengals games, he is responsible for missing tackles in every return Touchdown scored against our special teams. What the hell was that yesterday, he had a clean shot at slowing down or knocking the returner out of bounds and he let him run by. He is also responsible for his actions off the field, it’s obvious he has an alcohol problem and I’ve had enough.

Dear Pittsburgh Steeler Organization,

Cut Jeff Reed now, he is costing this team wins and responsible for terrible publicity off the field!

Sincerely,

Pat Lovell “The Steeler Fanatic”

Ok, enough about “the kicker”, which is how I will now refer to this worthless player. What on earth happened to Ben and the Wide Receiver’s yesterday. If Ben wasn’t over throwing them, they were dropping the ball. I still can’t believe Miller dropped a pass that hit him in the hands. Every WR dropped catch-able passes yesterday.

Why not work on establishing the run? Why not Blitz? Why did the Steelers step out of their game plan and play to the Bengals. That is very out of character and it cost us the game. A team should never let the other team dictate their game, especially at home.

We have a lot to work on this week and now 1st place is, in reality, out of reach, unless the Bengals implode. We have to fight and work very hard to end up with a wild card spot.

Suck it up and learn from the mistakes made in this game and most importantly, start looking for a kicker, NOW!

Pat Lovell
“The Steeler Fanatic”

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.

Steelers Go Wide Left Against the Bears

The Steelers went into Chicago as the reigning Super Bowl Champs and riding the high of beating the Titans in overtime at home 10 days ago. They came out and dominated the first quarter controlling the ball for over 12 minutes and scoring on their first possession of the game.

Then came the 2nd quarter and the rain. I don’t know if it was the weather or the adjustments but the Bears turned around and dominated the 2nd quarter tying the game and going into halftime tied 7-7.

Well, you know how it ends….. Jeff Reed misses 2 field goals in the 4th quarter and Robbie Gould hits one with 30 seconds left in the game to win it.

I don’t know what to think about this game. We looked good for the most part, ran the ball decent (for a change), stopped the run (as usual), special teams played well and Ben played well except for a few under thrown balls but, I’m not sure that wasn’t from the rain.

The defense…. It’s funny how a team can take advantage of a starter being hurt and the Bears did that, well. They abused Aaron Carter all day long.

We are feeling the loss of Polamalu right now and Carter and the rest of the Defense need to step up. Did you notice the big plays took place right in front of Carter? I don’t think the two TD’s happen either, if Troy is in there. I don’t think the big pass plays to the Tight End happen either. We need Troy back and fast.

I’ll go easy on Reed after this game, he has done way too much over the last few years to get crap for missing a couple field goals, on the road and in the rain.

The loss stinks but it’s a long season and we know where the weaknesses were in this game. Time to regroup and go into Cincinnati and beat the Bengals.

Go Steelers.

Pat Lovell

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.