THE PITTSBURGH Sports CHATTER

[ALinChainz]

by Fanball Staff - Fanball.com

Wednesday, March 10, 2004

News

Duce Staley is going to play for the team he rooted for as a child. The Steelers signed the former Eagle running back to a five-year contract on Tuesday. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the deal is worth $14 million and includes a $4 million signing bonus.

Views

Staley is expected to unseat Steelers legend Jerome Bettis for the starting job, in what is sure to be a "lesser of two evils" situation. The Bus is about out of gas, but Staley has shown nothing other than an ability to catch short passes the last couple seasons. Look for Amos Zereoue to be released by the Steelers.

[Sarge]

Amos Zereoue is awful.

Staley has alot more gas than Bettis does at this point.

[ALinChainz]

And is a lot better receiver than either of them. Now that line needs some help. But the threat of a running game helps Maddox out big time.

[Chaz Rock City]

I'm glad the Steelers are trying to upgrade the running game. Bettis was great in his prime, but those days are over. If the line still sucks, it won't matter who the RB is. Steelers still have to fix the secondary.

[SilvioDante]

Staley is a frickin' head case. I'll be surprised if he doesn't hold out after trainning camp. Word was he was a cancer in the Eagles locker room also. Well, if that is the case, Plax has a new buddy...

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Great signing IMO....

I'm getting a little concerned about the O-line issue, they don't seem to be giving it enough attention....

In terms of their #1 pick at #11, with Cleveland taking Garcia, it's becoming more and more likely that Rothlesberger may slip that far....

And they'd be a fool not to take him....

[BuzinBad]

Originally posted by Sarge
Amos Zereoue is awful.

Staley has alot more gas than Bettis does at this point.

I totally agree. It's sad to watch the Bus sucking late in his career. The only thing sadder is watching Emmitt Smith trying to continue to play when he has NOTHING left in the tank.

[POJO_Risin]

I totally disagree with that pick Va...totally disagree...

you gotta go with Rivers...

the guy wins games...doesn't look great doing it...but wins games...

without Rivers...NC State wins three games a year...

[POJO_Risin]

I remember reading an article late in the season listening to McNabb discuss how the team listens to Staley over anyone else. Either that explains why they blow it every year...or it overblows how shitty he is. Both Westbrook and Buckhalter say that McNabb was the solitary reason why they were successful this year. He could have shattered that team by demanding to start...but never did...he came out and played...kept his whole shut...and went about his business...

I remember Va...at one point a couple of months ago in a thread here saying that Duce was a possibility...I never really thought that they would do it...

So now we move to the secondary. Do you think the Steelers now have the cash to go out and get a Bobby Taylor perhaps?...

I think Rivers is going to be a Steeler...for good or bad...

I think the dude from Miami (OH) won't make it that pick with Cleveland...I think they'll trade down...to Buffalo...so the Bills get their man...

I could also then see the Steelers trading down a few picks...and still getting Rivers later in the round...

but what happens if Gamble drops down to 11?...how do you pass that up...

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Well well, look who popped his fookin' head in here... Hope all is cool bro...

Personally, I wouldn't mind either Rothlesberger or Rivers.... I only keep bringing Roth--- back up because he's rated higher... I guess only time will tell if that holds up (see Leaf, Ryan....)

But as I said before, although I like the signing of Duce, they need to step it up, at CB and O-line both....

It's not out of the realm of possibility that they may take someone like DeAngelo Hall from Va Tech with #11... He's a good cover corner, who runs back punts as well.... Or yeah, Gamble also....

[POJO_Risin]

You know...the thing is...both those guys may or may not be the best corner...

Gamble and Hall are both solid...but a lot of people are saying that Dunta Robinson is the best right now...can step right in...

so the question is...do we want upside...or right now...

See last years draft for my preference...

I agree wholeheartedly...I hope Cowher has something up his sleave with the OL and with CB though...because if they take a qb one...it's for the future...and not next year...I think it will all depend on the Bills actually...

if they trade up to get the guy from Miami...There really isn't anyone in the near picks who need a qb...

I think Pittsburgh could trade down...get Rivers with a pick 20 or so...and get a high 2nd or another first rounder in a trade down...if they can go there...

This is going to be an interesting draft...

[Lou]

Have fun with Bobby Taylor you know why? He is really not very good anymore. He never could tackle, now he's older, and he bitches about everything. Watching him play, trust me, he is NOT an all-Pro anymore. He's on the wrong side of 30 and he'll kill your cap with the money he wants.

[POJO_Risin]

Well...not really paying much attention to Taylor...I don't see Pittsburgh going after him anyways...but trust me Lou...he'd be much better than what we have...

[POJO_Risin]

Okay...Plax hasn't shown up yet...but says he'll be there for training camp...

Ward is there...but won't be there at training camp because the fucker is rightfully pissed that the bitch Maddox is getting more money (ridiculous...the should have cut his ass)...

but Roethlisberger is looking good...developing well against the Steeler D...

so it's distinctly possible that Maddox will get all that money...to not even start...what a bunch of morons...they're going to lose Ward and Burress...but hey...

they have fucking Maddox...

[Va Beach VH Fan]

I don't think so bro, Maddox is gonna start at least half the year if not the full year, unless he pulls a Kordell and blows goats right off of the bat....

Ward has a point, but his whining to the media is disappointing... He's a class act, but this isn't the first time that when something doesn't go his way he goes to the media....

They told him as soon as he started whining, you're gonna get your money, just not this year, next year....

[POJO_Risin]

Yeah...but Maddox didn't deserve that shit bro...he didn't perform last year...and you can say what you want about the line..but the guy folds when the wind blows the wrong way...

WARD...well...I agree with you about the whining...but dude...he's the fucking offense right now...he does it all...and if freakin' Maddox got upped for blowing chunks...Ward deserves a look too....blame the Steelers front office if you will...but they shoulda known it was coming...

As far as Maddox...oh...I agree...but if Roethlisberger looks good...and Maddox looks like he has in the past...well...it may be sooner than you think...

[Va Beach VH Fan]

I agree, I think they should've upped the ante to Maddox last year and not have to worry about it....

Now did he deserve it ?? Well, looking at his stats the answer right off of the bat would be hell no, but let's consider the shitty O-line.... When you've got a bad O-line, you can't run, you can't pass-block, and you get knocked on your ass, especially if you're not mobile.... I think at least part of the fault needs to go to that aspect....

But now, they've set a precedence that Ward is bitching about....

He's underpaid, sure, but I wish that people would just live up to the contract they signed in the first place.... This renegotiation shit really pisses me off....

[POJO_Risin]

Look...I have no problem with the philosophy of living up to your contract...but when your boss shows you that if you whine (Maddox), you get paid...well...

and I knew you'd go with the line deal Va...but I'm going to generally assume that in your heart of hearts...you know that Maddox...good line or not...will fall faster than Kordell's pants in San Francisco during big games...he...like Kordell...has a propensity to throw to double coverage...and stare down receivers...he's slow...and he gets beat up...

I liked the Steelers old policy...fuck you...you signed the deal...that's what you'll live with...

they fucked up with Maddox...

What happened with Gildon? Who did he sign with?

[SRK]

Gildon has not signed with anyone as of yet. I think the Steelers defence will be much improved WITH Dick LeBeau running things not to mention the speed in the secondary. Maybe the LBS can chase the Q B instead of trying to cover WRS.

[POJO_Risin]

Well bro...the key will be the secondary...being fast is great...but can they cover will be the test...we'll see...

I think Polamaulu will be improved...he better be anyways...and I like their picks...

I'm just sick of listening to those fucking Offensive players whining...

You know it's freakin' bad when fucking Duce Staley is the quiet one on offense...

Welcome to the club SRK...this thread usually gets pretty good play throughout the year...

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
and I knew you'd go with the line deal Va...but I'm going to generally assume that in your heart of hearts...you know that Maddox...good line or not...will fall faster than Kordell's pants in San Francisco during big games...he...like Kordell...has a propensity to throw to double coverage...and stare down receivers...he's slow...and he gets beat up...

What happened with Gildon? Who did he sign with?

Wrong again, you must've been drinking the Lake Erie water again....

When the line was healthy, two years ago, he took the team to the AFC Championship.....And that's with a half-assed Bettis....

As for Gildon, last I heard he was visiting the Packers....

[POJO_Risin]

Yeah...he did take them to the AFC championship game...and they coulda won that game...but I still think that big hit that nearly killed him affected him...

he flinches...and has since then...

Now...he has two receivers that are both whining and bitching...and a rb that...well...is a great runner...but isn't known for his strength in the locker room...

Need I remind you that homo Kordell took Pittsburgh to 2...yes...2 AFC championship games...

[POJO_Risin]

Maddox isn't the answer bro...even for a stopgap...

I'd rather have Co....no I wouldn't...

[SRK]

Thanks ,I have been a life long Steelers fan and DLR ,classic Van Halen fan for many years so this is the forum for me. I' ll be headed to training camp again this summer. I try to make it up there at least twice a year...It should be an interesting season.

[POJO_Risin]

I see you're in Ohio...you can't be from there and a Steeler fan eh?

Have to be from PA...and transplant?

[POJO_Risin]

Well...as you know...every season for a Steeler fan is an interesting season...we can't just be bad or good...there's always gotsta be drama...

[SRK]

I live in Ohio but its only 32 miles from Pittsburgh so its Steelers country around here I`m right on the border of three states. All the sports coverage is from Pittsburgh.

[POJO_Risin]

I grew up in Cleveland...lived in Erie and Mercer County for a good part of my life...good to have you aboard...

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Originally posted by SRK
I live in Ohio but its only 32 miles from Pittsburgh so its Steelers country around here I`m right on the border of three states. All the sports coverage is from Pittsburgh.

I'm guessing around the Youngstown area, close ???

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Well, what else is new, Steelers open the preseason with a loss....

And to top it off, I fucked up the VCR timer... The game was tape delayed on the NFL Network at 1AM this morning....

Saw the highlights....

Duce looks like he'll be the starter, he was sharp while he was in there, although he fumbled at the DET 10 yd. line....

Bettis was, well, the Bettis of the last few years, 5 carries, 5 yards....

Big Ben came in the game at the beginning of the 2nd qtr., and I thought he looked pretty damn sharp.... 8-13, 84yds. and a TD..... Maybe wishful thinking on my part, but so far, so good....

[Warham]

Lions look pretty good.

[ALinChainz]

They did. We don't need anymore injury, thats for sure.

Would like to see some Kevin Jones now. Going to be different having a real threat back there.

Need Bly and Bryant healthy and out there, but good experience for the young guys.

I thought the Steelers runningback, #46 Donte Brown was solid.

[ALinChainz]

And Roethlisberger looked comfortable back there. I thought he played well for the first time out.

[POJO_Risin]

I keep trying to tell you Va...the only qb this team has a shot with is Roeth...and the only reason why I say that is because the others suck for 1...and he hasn't shown any reason to think otherwise...

Pittsburgh doing anything with Maddox's contract was a mistake...and we'll see that soon...

they should have gone after a midlevel guy...a Brees...who could serve as a starter...and be a longterm backup...

Maddox should have been cut...

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Originally posted by ALinChainz
I thought the Steelers runningback, #46 Donte Brown was solid.

Right up until he fumbled on his own 20.....

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
I keep trying to tell you Va...the only qb this team has a shot with is Roeth...and the only reason why I say that is because the others suck for 1...and he hasn't shown any reason to think otherwise...

Pittsburgh doing anything with Maddox's contract was a mistake...and we'll see that soon...

they should have gone after a midlevel guy...a Brees...who could serve as a starter...and be a longterm backup...

Maddox should have been cut...

He's gonna have a better year Poj, mark my words....

The O-line is healthy (for now), and that makes a huge difference....

And don't discount Duce being back there for the majority of the snaps vice Bettis....

A good running game, with a healthy O-line, obviously means you don't drop back to pass as often....

Now if Bettis was still #1, then you'd be looking at 2nd and 8, 3rd and 7, etc....

[Snoo]

I'd be playing Brown in front of Bettis. He was great last preseason and looks well on his way again. He was good in college. He redeemed himself after the fumble.

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Yeah, I just can't see him going to the practice squad again...

Every time he goes out there, he produces....

I can't see Bettis being cut, but I can see something like Verron Haynes being sent to the squad instead of Brown....

[Snoo]

That would be nice. Hopefully when Bettis breaks down this time he can do it early in the year and help the team out unlike his usual where he's "a few days rest away from being 100%" and doesn't officially admit he's fucked up until midway through the year.

[POJO_Risin]

How can he NOT have a better year after last year...

he'd have to be dead...not to...