Steelers lockeroom still grumbling over ward/roth feud? (1 Viewer)

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Steelers' locker room still split over Big Ben?Posted by Michael David Smith on December 20, 2009 11:37 AM ETWhen Ben Roethlisberger decided to sit out a big game against the Ravens because of the lingering effects of a concussion, Hines Ward said there was a split in the Steelers' locker room over it.Ward and Roethlisberger both made some conciliatory comments afterward, and it seemed that they had buried the hatchet. But the situation may not be resolved after all.John Czarnecki of FoxSports.com reports that there is still a real split in the Steelers' locker room about Roethlisberger and whether or not he could have played against Baltimore. According to Czarnecki, some Steelers think Ward was right, and that Roethlisberger was "over-dramatizing his headaches."That's a serious issue, both for the Steelers as a team and for the NFL as a whole. If there really is a large contingent of players in the Steelers' locker room that thinks Roethlisberger didn't step up when he could have for a crucial game, then the Steelers have a big problem.And if players around the league think that saying they have a headache will cause their teammates to question their toughness, the league's increased emphasis on monitoring concussions may be hampered by players increasingly lying about their symptoms.

It's eerie how santonio was relatively absent from the gameplan, but has been pretty dependable since then. Is Roth consciously or subconsciously dissing Ward over this tift?

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

ead to Head: Steelers WR Santonio Holmes vs. Packers CB Charles Woodson

A closer look at the game within the game, Cornerstone players

Sunday, December 20, 2009

By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Steelers WR Santonio Holmes vs. Packers CB Charles Woodson

The name is the same, and so is the position. They even share the same defensive coordinator. Soon, they might have something else in common -- an NFL defensive player of the year award.

Cornerback Charles Woodson is tied for the National Football Conference lead with eight interceptions and is one of the reasons the Green Bay Packers are ranked No. 2 in total defense and No. 3 in pass defense in the NFL.

He reminds his defensive coordinator, Dom Capers, of another cornerback with the same last name -- Rod Woodson, who played for the Steelers from 1987-1996 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in August.

"He's the Rod Woodson of our defense," said Capers, who was the defensive coordinator for three of Woodson's seasons with the Steelers (1992-94). "They are very similar players. We would always have Rod cover the other team's top receiver and we have Charles do the same thing."

Today, that probably means he will shadow wide receiver Santonio Holmes, who, statistically, is the Steelers' second-leading receiver with 70 catches. But he leads the team in receiving yards (1,080) and is Ben Roethlisberger's favorite target when the Steelers need a big play.

In the past five games, Holmes has 34 catches for 490 yards and two touchdowns. He has been the intended receiver 54 times, or 33 percent of the 166 passes thrown by Roethlisberger and Dennis Dixon (against Baltimore), in those five games.

"He does it all, the way they use him," receiver Hines Ward said of Woodson, a 12-year veteran who has 44 career interceptions. "They play him inside, he gets sacks, picks, forced fumbles, pass breakups. And he's doing it week in and week out. He's a 12-year veteran who's still playing at a high level. That's what makes him special."

Said tight end Heath Miller: "He does everything but dispense the water on the sideline."

Woodson's career has been revitalized with the Packers. Since coming to Green Bay as an unrestricted free agent in 2006, he has 27 interceptions in 59 games. He had 17 interceptions in 106 games with the Oakland Raiders, his previous team.

Woodson, 33, has been having such a phenomenal season that he is being touted as a candidate for the NFL's defensive player of the year, an award won last season by Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison. Woodson has returned two of his eight interceptions for touchdowns and also has 15 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and two sacks.

"Rod was defensive player of the year in 1993," Capers said, referring to a season in which Woodson had eight interceptions, one for touchdown. "Charles has a chance to be that for us."

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09354/10223...m#ixzz0aFYBkkL2

 

[Avery]

Steelers' locker room still split over Big Ben?Posted by Michael David Smith on December 20, 2009 11:37 AM ETWhen Ben Roethlisberger decided to sit out a big game against the Ravens because of the lingering effects of a concussion, Hines Ward said there was a split in the Steelers' locker room over it.Ward and Roethlisberger both made some conciliatory comments afterward, and it seemed that they had buried the hatchet. But the situation may not be resolved after all.John Czarnecki of FoxSports.com reports that there is still a real split in the Steelers' locker room about Roethlisberger and whether or not he could have played against Baltimore. According to Czarnecki, some Steelers think Ward was right, and that Roethlisberger was "over-dramatizing his headaches."That's a serious issue, both for the Steelers as a team and for the NFL as a whole. If there really is a large contingent of players in the Steelers' locker room that thinks Roethlisberger didn't step up when he could have for a crucial game, then the Steelers have a big problem.And if players around the league think that saying they have a headache will cause their teammates to question their toughness, the league's increased emphasis on monitoring concussions may be hampered by players increasingly lying about their symptoms.

It's eerie how santonio was relatively absent from the gameplan, but has been pretty dependable since then. Is Roth consciously or subconsciously dissing Ward over this tift?

I believe that Ward made those comments around week 12 (November 29th) and below are Holmes stats since the bye:Week 9: 6 for 93Week 10: 7 for 88Week 11: 7 for 86Week 12: 6 for 74, 1 TDWeek 13: 8 for 149, 1TD Week 14: 6 for 93It appears that Holmes dependability predates Ward's comments about Ben. Don't see anything "eerie" here.

 

[Steelfan7]

Steelers' locker room still split over Big Ben?Posted by Michael David Smith on December 20, 2009 11:37 AM ETWhen Ben Roethlisberger decided to sit out a big game against the Ravens because of the lingering effects of a concussion, Hines Ward said there was a split in the Steelers' locker room over it.Ward and Roethlisberger both made some conciliatory comments afterward, and it seemed that they had buried the hatchet. But the situation may not be resolved after all.John Czarnecki of FoxSports.com reports that there is still a real split in the Steelers' locker room about Roethlisberger and whether or not he could have played against Baltimore. According to Czarnecki, some Steelers think Ward was right, and that Roethlisberger was "over-dramatizing his headaches."That's a serious issue, both for the Steelers as a team and for the NFL as a whole. If there really is a large contingent of players in the Steelers' locker room that thinks Roethlisberger didn't step up when he could have for a crucial game, then the Steelers have a big problem.And if players around the league think that saying they have a headache will cause their teammates to question their toughness, the league's increased emphasis on monitoring concussions may be hampered by players increasingly lying about their symptoms.

It's eerie how santonio was relatively absent from the gameplan, but has been pretty dependable since then. Is Roth consciously or subconsciously dissing Ward over this tift?

One factor is that Ward is battling a hamstring injury. Ben is a big drama queen and I would bet my house that he was playing up the headache issue like he does to all his injuries/made up injuries and did not contemplate that the team doctor would shut him down based on his complaints.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

It's eerie how santonio was relatively absent from the gameplan, but has been pretty dependable since then. Is Roth consciously or subconsciously dissing Ward over this tift?

Ward's hamstring has been less than 100% for several weeks now. I think that has more to do with it. Ben typically just throws to whomever is open.As to the continued b@#$#@ from their locker room.....Dennis Dixon led the offense to two TDs and a 4th quarter lead vs. Baltimore. The defense couldn't hold it(as usual). Maybe the locker room should be questioning whether or not the defense is capable of stopping anyone when they have to(Or perhaps they aren't because they already know the answer).

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

going holmes over Jennings. PPR. Home and Finley/Driver/Wr 3 stealing to many looks from jennings.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

going holmes over Jennings. PPR. Home and Finley/Driver/Wr 3 stealing to many looks from jennings.

 

[Mr.Blonde]

Hines looks to be having a bid day today..........