Steelers Better Off Than Bucs In Lockout
March 10th, 2011
Though Joe tries not to think about it because Joe is nearly as sick of CBA chatter as he is of the incessant airing of the Dixie Chicks school bus commercial on the Man’s Channel, the NFL Network (Joe saw/heard it 10 times last night — 10!), the CBA issue is the elephant in the room.
With the Dixie Chicks school bus commercial, Joe can just shut off the NFL Network, drastic as that may be, or simply turn the channel for a brief moment.
The CBA quarreling between NFL owners and the NFLPA won’t wishfully go away with a click of a button, sadly.
Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman has stated he will get the Bucs together to work out if a lockout happens, which makes Jeff Faine grit his teeth and want to run for his Orlando haberdashery.
John Czarnecki of FoxSports.com isn’t as sold. In an article where he roundly and largely throws bouquets at Team Glazer, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik and Raheem Morris, the NFL columnist believes the Bucs’ youth will undermine them in a lockout.
If the NFL locks out the players for months, it could severely damage the chemistry and continuity that Freeman has built in the passing game with Williams and other young receivers like Arrelious Benn and Michael Spurlock.
Conversely, a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers, tough-luck losers of the Super Bowl, should be able to comfortably deal with a long-term lockout.
They were one of the oldest teams in the NFL last season and they return 11 starters who are 30 or older. This veteran group has taught well by Mike Tomlin, who demands physical, high-speed practices. They know what it takes to reach a championship game, many of them playing in three Super Bowls in the last six seasons. The league may not have liked the Steelers’ method of tackling at times last season, but no one questions the character of their players and the organization as a whole. This is a first-class franchise.
Joe has heard this argument before and frankly, who knows? Joe does know that the Redskins worked out more than any other team in the two more recent NFL labor stoppages and the result was the Redskins won a Super Bowl when play resumed.
Joe has spoken with Bucs receivers enough that, to a man, often offer a comment such as, “This is Josh’s team. If Josh says to do it, you do it.”
So Joe believes Freeman will have the vast majority of the Bucs who are serious about winning at whatever high school they work out at, much to Faine’s chagrin.
March 10th, 2011 at 9:31 am
What a crock of crap. The same Steelers whose QB last offseason decided to get drunk and allegedly rape a chick.
It is apparent that Freeman has command of the team and I think the youth is a benefit at this time, because they all know who the boss on the field is and they’re going to follow him.
Do we really know? Of course not, but to use the Steelers as an example is pretty stupid given the last off season.
March 10th, 2011 at 10:04 am
This IS Josh’s team and I don’t really car about anyone else’s team. Those who doubt Freeman always seem to end up on the losing side of the equation. I know, I was one of them, but hey, you don’t have to tell me twice, and don’t take my word for it, ask Joe, Peter King, Adam Schein, Brian Billick, etc. Now would someone please bring me another glass of Rah Koolaid and can you put that in a large sippy cup please. Thank you.
March 10th, 2011 at 10:13 am
That steelers team did make it to the big one without Rapistberger in four games(they went 3-1 during which, I believe). Now, I think they lost, cause kharma was on the roster!
March 10th, 2011 at 10:14 am
As for Freeman and the Bucs, I hope that they don’t have to do any “immitation” OTA practices at high schools or fake training camps! I hope they will be at One Buc getting it done right!
March 10th, 2011 at 10:23 am
Hmmmmm. Big Rapi… err.. Ben is not exactly a leader off the field and in the locker room. He is on the field, no question. But there have been grumblings about him with a lot of the players, so not sure how that plays into it, but doesn’t look good.
What does help them though, is the passing game in Pitt is not exactly a precision timing thing. It usually turns into run to the open area while ben moves around.
March 10th, 2011 at 10:36 am
The bucs are probably in a little better shape than most, since they know Free is their QB. Teams that are still searching for a number one might be screwed.
Panthers, Cards, Browns, etc.
On the other hand, teams with more experienced Qb’s like Colts, Chargers, Saints, Steelers etc might be better off than the bucs with a young team and QB.
Who knows.
Its an unfortunate bit of speculation.
March 10th, 2011 at 10:47 am
BigMacAttack- lmao- make that 2 sippy cups!
It’s guess work on how the lockout could affect teams. Older Vets have to train harder, because it’s harder to stay in shape.
The one place it kills us is getting both Oline and Dline with their new coaches. I think that is critical to making major improvement this year. That one really hurts all the first year players on both lines!!
March 10th, 2011 at 11:55 am
Joe – May I suggest the “mute” button instead of changing the channel. changing the channel completely seems rather drastic. Although just the sight of it can induce nausea. I was so flipping happy the 2010 season ended thinking that that torturous piece of crap would be replaced by something new. Nope. Still must watch slime ball Arthur Blank bounce his rhythm-less head while that mind numbingly bad songs plays out. Remember the good ol days when they knew how to make school bus commercials? “Whose are favorite player…Derrick Brooks!” Now that’s entertainment. ; ) Also – Just wanted to thank you Joe for all the great Buccaneers info. This is quickly becoming my go to site for Buc stuff. Keep up the good work.
March 10th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
I still say younger teams have the advantage because their bodies can bounce into shape faster. The key for the Bucs will be to get off to a fast start before other older teams get their legs back.
March 10th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Thanks for the kind words Buc N’ A. Glad you like this place.
March 10th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Good point Captain Tim.
March 11th, 2011 at 12:03 am
Hey Joe. In an earlier post you were refering to the “birds on the bus” commercial, and you made a statement about it making you not wanting to give to the United Way or an organization like it (I can’t remember which one you said exactly). I just wanted to let you know that you can feel good in your donations to said organization because the Dixie Chicks bus commercial is for the NFL’s Play 60 program. Just sayin’. 🙂