Steelers whine about fines
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (right) apparently has become the spokesman for a new generation of old-school players. He's upset that some of his teammates have been fined for what the NFL considers unnecessary roughness and wonders if the game has gone soft.
"I think regarding the evolution of football, it's becoming more and more flag football, two-hand touch," Polamalu told reporters at the Steelers training facility. "We've really lost the essence of what real American football is about. I think it's probably all about money. They're not really concerned about safety."
Hines Ward (boo-hoo), James Harrison, Nate Washington and Ryan Clark drew fines totalling $45,000 for their conduct in the Steelers Oct. 5 game against Jacksonville, drawing complaints from coach Mike Tomlin and team chairman Dan Rooney.
Polamalu went a step further and said that football is being turned into a "pansy game" and said that the former defensive greats of the game could not have functioned under the current system of discipline.
"When you see guys like Dick Butkus, the Ronnie Lotts, the Jack Tatums, these guys really went after people," Polamalu said. "Now, they couldn't survive in this type of game. They wouldn't have enough money. They'd be paying fines all the time and they'd be suspended for a year after they do it two games in a row. It's kind of ridiculous."
Now, Troy is a former USC guy, so I usually cut him a lot of slack, but he probably took this a little too far. Former Oakland defensive back Jack Tatum provided the rationale for the more protective rules that are in place now when his brutal hit in a preseason game turned Patriots receiver Darryl Stingley into a quadriplegic.
There's no question the NFL has gone a little overboard at times in its attempt to protect the players -- the Terrell Suggs roughing call two weeks ago is a good example -- but the rules against egregious hits are more than justified because today's players are much bigger and faster than they were in the days of Dick Butkus.
Don't you agree? Or would you like to read the entire story before making up your mind?
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Comments
I completely disagree with Troy. I'm not surprised he said it since he comes from a team with 2 of the dirtiest players in the NFL: he and Hines Ward. I only wish the commisioner would have the guts to suspend Ward.
Posted by: Ben | October 16, 2008 9:17 PM
How can you possibly call the Steelers whiners. Being from Baltimore yet a long time Steelers fan, all the Baltimore Ravens and their fans do is cry over officiating. Their losses have nothing to do with Flacco only having one touchdown and SEVEN pics or the fact that the defense is so old it can,t play for four quarters. NO, it was bad refs that cost the Pathetic Purple the games. Baltimore fans make me sick.
Posted by: Thomas Arnold | October 16, 2008 9:30 PM
Hines Ward is a filthy little cheap-shot artist who should've been fined and suspended many more times before this!! There's a difference between playing "hard hitting" football and playing "cheap shot" football with intent to injure. The NFL should do everything within it's power to penalize and attempt to eliminate dirty players who are too cowardly (Ward) to play the game by the rules and only hit between the whistles. Polamalu isn't a dirty player, just a whiny one.
Posted by: SevernDave | October 17, 2008 7:10 AM
At least Ravens players don't cheapshot opposing players when they aren't looking and take swings just to get other players to swing back and draw flags.
Flacco is a rookie that is having issues keeping sight of the defense when he has to move more than a couple of yards. He's gonna be good when he figures that out. They can't all be Matt Ryan.
And sorry, the Colts game was the first one this season where the defense looked completely overwhelmed, both of the other losses there was a BS penalty that lead to the ultimate downfall.
Posted by: Jimbo | October 17, 2008 7:16 AM
I'm with you Thomas . . . if this was Ed Reed saying the same thing, everyone would be agreeing with him.
And as a lifetime B-More guy and a life long Steelers fan, I can honestly say people here only hate Ward cause he's not a Raven. Hines is great . . .
Posted by: Adam R | October 17, 2008 8:56 AM
I'm with you Thomas . . . if this was Ed Reed saying the same thing, everyone would be agreeing with him.
And as a lifetime B-More guy and a life long Steelers fan, I can honestly say people here only hate Ward cause he's not a Raven. Hines is great . . .
Posted by: Adam R | October 17, 2008 8:56 AM
What kind of name is Thomas Arnold? You should probably go back to the woods and find your long lost front teeth.
Posted by: Dave | October 17, 2008 11:45 AM
Although I respect Hines Ward for his ability to hang on to the ball, he plays dirty football. End of Story.
Now that I got that one off my chest, let's move on. I am a Ravens fan and, naturally, despise the Black and piss- er, Gold. But I totally agree with Polamalu in the sense that the league has grown soft. I'm not longing for the days of Leatherheads (didn't see the movie, but I'm sure it sucked), but the league has taken its protective stance for offensive players way too far. Even my blind hatred for the Steelers and their whiny fans isn't enough to make me disagree with what is a very good point by Polamalu; now cut your hair!!
Posted by: Mr. Deez | October 17, 2008 2:08 PM
PS
Although I agree with most of what Troy had to say, I find it amusing (if not disturbing) that he would incinuate that Joey Porter isn't his idea of a dirty player. Maybe he should ask Todd Heap's leg what it thinks about that.
Posted by: Mr. Deez | October 17, 2008 2:12 PM
Does everyone feel it necessary to complain when they don't get their way? I get the feeling that this is the case. There are so many other things to worry about in this world than if a ref 'did you wrong'. Our beloved Ravens complain just as much (well not as much as last year), as the rest of them (Steelers). We just love to wag our fingers at them because they are the enemy. I do agree the refs are making some calls that should never take place - all across the NFL. Unfortunately, most of time, it dramaticaly effects the games outcome by changing momentum - or destroying it all together. Instead of (only) fining players for running their mouth about a call, how about fine the refs that make horrible calls? Just a suggestion - I know it will never happen. Got to remember though, most of the time, they get it right.
To comment about the Hines Ward hate...us B-more fans need to stop with this crap. We love to hate good players like him because we don't have one like him on our offense. It is a shame, but he is a great athlete (ehhgh...my stomach is turning). If he was making 1st downs for us...putting nasty blocks for our offense, he would be praised (if he were a Raven). Heck, he already trash talks like a Raven. Another aspect of the game that I hate in the NFL (that's another discussion).
Next question...why are there Steelers fans commenting in here? And Peter...why are those comments in here? Just trying to start a fire. LOL.
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Pete's reply: It's called The Schmuck Stops Here. That would apply especially to Steeler and Eagle fans.
Posted by: Jami | October 17, 2008 5:13 PM
No comment from Balt fans when Ray Lewis said prior to the Steeler game to leave someone knocked out after every play. Remember the first kick-off when a Steeler was crackback blocked running down the field? Not even a fine.
Posted by: Paul Lipinski | October 21, 2008 2:26 PM
I find it hard to believe that people from Baltimore would say that Troy Polamalu and Hines Ward are dirty players. The only dirty players are Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs are puting bounties on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Why doesn't the people in Baltimore just get a clue and realize that Pittsburgh has the Ravens number and give it up.
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Pete's reply: I think everybody outside of Pittsburgh thinks Ward is a dirty player. Got no problem with Polamalu. Maybe, if all goes well, we'll get to see who really has who's number next weekend. I believe over the past six seasons, the two teams are 6-6 in head-to-head competition.
Posted by: Richard Prather | January 8, 2009 1:43 PM
Aww, the poor little birdy fans are complaining about little Hines Ward. I don't recall Steeler players going to jail for drug dealing or accused in muder investigations. The Ravens are a bunch of thugs who had one great year 8 years ago. No wonder their fans have so little class.
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Pete's reply: Sounds like you're doing a little living in the past yourself.
Posted by: Eric | January 8, 2009 9:19 PM
Wasn't Ray Lewis charged with something in 2000? Got 6? Nope B's!
Posted by: RALMurder2000 | December 4, 2011 10:00 PM