He gets out of the headlock old man Harrison has him in as we speakWhat does Geneo Grissom get for giving up his number?
There are also some intelligent, reasonable posts in there too. They are few among the many, but they're there.At this moment there are two threads to focus on. I’m Sure more will pop up as the week goes on
http://thesteelersfans.com/forums/threads/james-is-an-fing-pat.18598/
http://thesteelersfans.com/forums/threads/great-the-pats-and-the-ravens-want-harrison-for-the-playoffs.18572/
Standard fare ATM
“Patriots are Cheaters”
“Harrison is a traitor”
“I hope Brady gets AIDS”
Etc
Agreed. I would argue that their signal to noise ratio is about the same as ours.There are also some intelligent, reasonable posts in there too. They are few among the many, but they're there.
It’s like 10000 knives when all you need is a spoonFrom that message board:
“Harrison is a knife when we needed a spoon. Ever try eating a bowl of soup with a knife? You end up hungry and with a mouth full of cuts.
Pats needed a knife. They got one. Now it's up to us to serve them soup.”
Amazing.
Something like this would do too:One big play makes this all worth it.
Get with the program ... make fun of them!Agreed. I would argue that their signal to noise ratio is about the same as ours.
The guy was an icon in Pittsburgh and won two rings with them so watching him go to the dreaded New England Patriots (its pretty easy to see why their fans might dislike the Patriots or even outright hate them) has to sting..
I need a logic matrix (and also a bit more sober) on this oneIf BB thinks he might be able to contribute, seems hard to assume he can't.
I don’t know what you’re talking about. When has Boston ever freaked out jettisoning a beloved franchise player and seeing them go to an arch rival, especially in the twilight of their career? It just doesn’t seem realistic.If an aging, possibly washed up Willie McGinest was cut by the Pats and immediately signed by the Steelers, with one week to go in the season, and with the Pats and Steelers very likely to play again in the AFCCG, it would annoy me. I'd worry about intelligence he might give the opposing coaches, plays he might make out in the field, the worst case scenario of him making a big play or two against the Pats in the AFCCG and just the sight of him in Steelers colors. I'd worry that this move might energize him and bring out the best in him. That the Pats cut him and thought he was done would not mollify me.
This seems like the right take. I also think it’s fair to be concerned that Harrison represents an upgrade. Is this rounding out the roster by filling a need, or are we grasping at straws?I hope Steelers fans are thinking those kinds of thoughts and that this is very aggravating for them. My hunch is that Harrison will be a net benefit, and that like having some other aging LBs on the D over the years -- such as Seau and Cox -- that this will be fun, and possibly more.
And from a more mundane perspective, LB depth is an issue and he represents that, as long as he can play a little.
I thought you implied he'd only be on the field for obvious passing downs?but I expect a general rush to judgment on Sunday either way.
I thought you implied he'd only be on the field for obvious passing downs?
You are being very generous to that forum. Few sports messageboards anywhere have to signal-to-noise ratio of SoSH, and while BBtL is noisier than some forums, it is still held to higher standards than 75% of all sports messageboards (hell, most forums of any stripe). This one is just ok...sure, there are some clever comebackers in the thread...but overall there are too many "Let him get AIDS/ACL/Monkey's Paw punishment" posts to be allowed here...Agreed. I would argue that their signal to noise ratio is about the same as ours.
The guy was an icon in Pittsburgh and won two rings with them so watching him go to the dreaded New England Patriots (its pretty easy to see why their fans might dislike the Patriots or even outright hate them) has to sting. That is even considering that he may not have anything left in the tank.
Interesting take all around. And I strongly agree that the signal to noise ratio here is not at all the same as that board, and indeed most other boards.I don't say this because I feel Boston fans or Pats patrons have any mockup or holdup on sporting virtue. Having lived in Pittsburgh for 4+ years, as a university prof who also played the role of the dorkynsporty out-of-towner (Weymouth, MA-raised), Pittsburgh is a fascinating village to observe sports behavior. Deeply passionate about an historic, all-time football franchise; moderately passionate about a johnny-come-in-your-face-lately hockey franchise; simmering over a "hey didn't we win a world series without Clemente?" baseball fandom that includes die-hards from Clemente and their kids from McCutcheon: they reserve their innate hatred for Ohio and Philadelphia, but save a surprising portion for New England.
It's like raaaaaaaaain, on conference championship dayIt’s like 10000 knives when all you need is a spoon
It’s releasing the man from your team and commenting like a loon
It's the PEDs, that he probably takesIt's like raaaaaaaaain, on conference championship day
It's a vet minimum deal, since another team already paid
The other cost is the roster spot. With a maximum of four games left, fortunately, we could do without Reilly. Might get interesting if one of the IR guys comes back, or if another spot is needed for depth at a different position.What's "worth it"? Worth what? He's getting peanuts for a few games and likely will be in for a few plays a week in situations where he has one goal--rush the QB.
A lot of people are blaming Steelers management for this situation. The fan base is obviously very loyal to its team but they are not blind to Tomlin's shortcomings as a head coach.I'm confused about Steeler fans and the like calling him a traitor. I was told that only happened when people left NE.
Umm..have you been in a Pats Game Thread at all?if you are comfortable with vague assertions of awesomeness/harsh denouncements of overratedness 4–10 times a day
This is some nice throwback vintage SoSH work here.It’s like 10000 knives when all you need is a spoon
It’s releasing the man from your team and commenting like a loon
It's like raaaaaaaaain, on conference championship day
It's a vet minimum deal, since another team already paid It's the PEDs, that he probably takes
He'll get 2 sacks of Big Ben, it figures
"come for the vague assertions of awesomeness, stay for the harsh denouncements of overratedness" could probably be a forum tagline here, but you're right, most of us at least take 100+ words to make such assertions or denouncements, and have some minimal ideas about spelling and punctuation. Sometimes I go back and type several additional paragraphs, just to make sure I've hit quota.In my mind it runs far closer to what KFFL used to be, which is a fine microverse if you are comfortable with vague assertions of awesomeness/harsh denouncements of overratedness 4–10 times a day.
I don't say this because I feel Boston fans or Pats patrons have any mockup or holdup on sporting virtue. Having lived in Pittsburgh for 4+ years, as a university prof who also played the role of the dorkynsporty out-of-towner (Weymouth, MA-raised), Pittsburgh is a fascinating village to observe sports behavior. Deeply passionate about an historic, all-time football franchise; moderately passionate about a johnny-come-in-your-face-lately hockey franchise; simmering over a "hey didn't we win a world series without Clemente?" baseball fandom that includes die-hards from Clemente and their kids from McCutcheon: they reserve their innate hatred for Ohio and Philadelphia, but save a surprising portion for New England.
That’s great. Belichick and Popovich should do a joint press conference for charity.Exceptional BB performance at press conferrence describing Harrison's signing:
Will Harrison help the team gather intelligence? "We're playing the Jets this week. I don't even know what that has to do with it," he said in his Wednesday morning news conference. "Maybe I'm missing something, I don't know."
How about relative to the Steelers? "We're playing the Jets this week."
How do you describe his playing style? "He's played outside linebacker for the Steelers. We'll see how it goes".
Is he a fit for the Patriots scheme? "Yeah, I don't know. We'll start working with him and see how it goes."
What are your thoughts on his career? "Good".
How much is experience in big games a factor in signing him? "Yeah, we can't control any of that."
How important was that meeting was prior to signing Harrison? "It's always good to meet somebody."
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21891340/new-england-patriots-coach-bill-belichick-say-intel-heart-james-harrison-signing
Except Clemens went from the Blue Jays to the Yankees.I don’t know what you’re talking about. When has Boston ever freaked out jettisoning a beloved franchise player and seeing them go to an arch rival, especially in the twilight of their career? It just doesn’t seem realistic.
.
I’d have gone with Curtis Martin. That sucked.Except Clemens went from the Blue Jays to the Yankees.
True. Sparky Lyle too.I’d have gone with Curtis Martin. That sucked.
I’ve watched most of the post game PCs this year. When Brady gets to the podium, the first question is already half out there, the rest arrive fast and furious, and Tom usually begs off when there could be many more “want to go see my family.” With B.B., he gives opening comments, then the first question comes with some trepidation, as do a few of the others. I think some of the reporters are afraid of him.It blows my mind some of the questions that get asked. I’m assuming about 80% of the reporters in the room cringe when they hear that question asked.
Yeah, imaging this with like Bruschi in week 15 of his final season would be tough. I have a hard time believing I'd call the guy a "traitor" if we cut him, though. Who knows? You never can be really sure until the shoe is on your own foot.Agreed. I would argue that their signal to noise ratio is about the same as ours.
The guy was an icon in Pittsburgh and won two rings with them so watching him go to the dreaded New England Patriots (its pretty easy to see why their fans might dislike the Patriots or even outright hate them) has to sting. That is even considering that he may not have anything left in the tank.
Correct; he signed with the Blue Jays because he wanted to be closer to Texas.Except Clemens went from the Blue Jays to the Yankees.
You nailed this.Yeah, imaging this with like Bruschi in week 15 of his final season would be tough. I have a hard time believing I'd call the guy a "traitor" if we cut him, though. Who knows? You never can be really sure until the shoe is on your own foot.
The part about NFL football fandom that kind of shocks me is how easily fans spend the players' money. Harrison had made a ton of money in his career, for sure. But what are people expecting him to do here? Signing with the Patriots is worth at least $85,000 -- $58,000 for this week and a guaranteed $27,000 divisional share. Up to $150,000 to $175,000 more if they advance. Football players make a ton of money, but not so much that its easy to say "no thanks" to more than 80 percent of the country makes in a year. I'm sure the money isn't his primary motivation for still wanting to play -- not even close. But as a professional athlete closing in on retirement, I would think the chance to bank another 6 figures for a couple of weeks of work is not the kind of thing where you easily say, "nah, some people might call me a traitor."
I'm sure when they get fired by AT&T they refuse to go work for Verizon.He was cut by the Steelers AND passed on by every team in the league on waivers. How can anyone fault him for signing now?