Ben Roethlisberger is nothing if not consistent.
I don't doubt that his injured foot bothered him last season. I saw him on a daily basis limping through the locker room.
But now we have Roethlisberger telling the Tribune-Review that he may need surgery at some point to fix the foot problem.
Of course, this happens after a disappointing loss in the Super Bowl.
It's become a theme for Roethlisberger. Have a bad game on a big stage - which hasn't happened often – and blame it on an injury.
It's a broken toe - or is it? I had a fever of 105. I have broken ribs - unless we win.
Roethlisberger is an outstanding quarterback. But I wish he'd give the injury stuff a rest. So do his teammates. And the Steelers' doctors and trainers. And the coaching staff.
Sometimes, you just get beat. Sometimes the other team outplays you. It doesn't always have to be because of an injury.
With over 20 years of experience covering the Steelers for the Observer-Reporter, Dale Lolley will let you know the insider scoop. Dale can also be heard on the Steelers radio network pre-game show on WDVE-FM game days and Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. on ESPN 970-AM and WDVE during the season as a host of the Antonio Brown Show. Follow him on Twitter at @dlolleyor
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Saturday, June 25, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Lots of scenarios out there
As we march on toward July, a lot of scenarios are being thrown about how the lockout will end.
Shortened training camp, mini, mini-camps, a one-week long free agent period are all being bandied about.
Truth is, nobody knows how or when the lockout will end - save that the owners aren't going to want to start dropping preseason games.
Coaches figure they'll need at least two weeks to get ready to play the regular season. As I've stated before, that largely benefits veteran teams such as the Steelers.
There's not going to be a lot of turnover in the lineup and the system is staying the same.
Regardless of how things work out, this season promises to be one of the most interesting in recent years.
Shortened training camp, mini, mini-camps, a one-week long free agent period are all being bandied about.
Truth is, nobody knows how or when the lockout will end - save that the owners aren't going to want to start dropping preseason games.
Coaches figure they'll need at least two weeks to get ready to play the regular season. As I've stated before, that largely benefits veteran teams such as the Steelers.
There's not going to be a lot of turnover in the lineup and the system is staying the same.
Regardless of how things work out, this season promises to be one of the most interesting in recent years.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Slow time: What's your favorite sports movie?
There have been a lot of great – and some not so great – sports movies made over the years.
My personal favorite remains Slapshot – in part because I went to college in Johnstown where it was made – but Caddyshack, Major League and many other great ones are out there.
What's your favorite?
My personal favorite remains Slapshot – in part because I went to college in Johnstown where it was made – but Caddyshack, Major League and many other great ones are out there.
What's your favorite?
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
What's next for Pryor?
Now that Terrelle Pryor has worked his way out of Ohio State, what's next for the former top QB prospect in the country?
In three seasons for the Buckeyes, the only thing Pryor proved was that he's capable of making bad choices and bringing down a program.
He was compared to Vince Young heading into college, but his body of work doesn't support that. And Young, you'll recall, has struggled reading defenses in the NFL.
This is not to say that Young can't still become a quality NFL quarterback. Look at Michael Vick as an example of a player who got by with his athleticism early in his career and now excells because he understands the game better than he did at 25.
But Pryor's baggage is going to be a tough sell, given his lack of collegiate success. Look at Cam Newton as case and point.
Newton had some baggage heading into the draft, but those things could be overlooked because he had proven to be a stud on the field.
Pryor doesn't have that to fall back on.
© Individual tickets for Steelers regular season games will go on sale through Ticketmaster on June 25.
Tickets will be sold on www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster’s toll free sales line 1-800-745-3000. Tickets will not be sold at Ticketmaster Outlets.
All Accessible seating will also be available through Ticketmaster starting at 10 a.m. on June 25.
In three seasons for the Buckeyes, the only thing Pryor proved was that he's capable of making bad choices and bringing down a program.
He was compared to Vince Young heading into college, but his body of work doesn't support that. And Young, you'll recall, has struggled reading defenses in the NFL.
This is not to say that Young can't still become a quality NFL quarterback. Look at Michael Vick as an example of a player who got by with his athleticism early in his career and now excells because he understands the game better than he did at 25.
But Pryor's baggage is going to be a tough sell, given his lack of collegiate success. Look at Cam Newton as case and point.
Newton had some baggage heading into the draft, but those things could be overlooked because he had proven to be a stud on the field.
Pryor doesn't have that to fall back on.
© Individual tickets for Steelers regular season games will go on sale through Ticketmaster on June 25.
Tickets will be sold on www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster’s toll free sales line 1-800-745-3000. Tickets will not be sold at Ticketmaster Outlets.
All Accessible seating will also be available through Ticketmaster starting at 10 a.m. on June 25.
Sunday, June 05, 2011
RIP John Henry Johnson
Former Steelers Hall of Fame running back John Henry Johnson died Friday.
Johnson, who rushed for 1,000 yards twice for the Steelers in the early '60s was also part of the "Million Dollar Backfield" with the San Francisco 49ers before joining Pittsburgh.
The 81-year-old Johnson also played with current Steelers coach Dick LeBeau with the Detroit Lions and was a member of Detroit's last championship team.
Johnson, who rushed for 1,000 yards twice for the Steelers in the early '60s was also part of the "Million Dollar Backfield" with the San Francisco 49ers before joining Pittsburgh.
The 81-year-old Johnson also played with current Steelers coach Dick LeBeau with the Detroit Lions and was a member of Detroit's last championship team.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Polamalu edges Reed
Got my new copy of USA Today's Sports Weekly today. It had the rankings for NFL safeties - as voted by the staff of Sports Weekly.
The Steelers' Troy Polamalu edged Baltimore's Ed Reed for the top spot.
It's a case of comparing apples and oranges - they really do different things from the safety position - but there's no arguing Polamalu and Reed are the league's top players at that position.
What was surprising, however, was that Ryan Clark - you know, the Steelers' other safety - picked up four votes.
The Steelers' Troy Polamalu edged Baltimore's Ed Reed for the top spot.
It's a case of comparing apples and oranges - they really do different things from the safety position - but there's no arguing Polamalu and Reed are the league's top players at that position.
What was surprising, however, was that Ryan Clark - you know, the Steelers' other safety - picked up four votes.