Starkey: Steelers taking unfair hits

A really good commentary from Starkey.

Quote :

By Joe Starkey

Fiscal negligence? Is that what the Steelers are being accused of?

How ridiculous.

How incredibly unfair.

Contrary to what the new order of revisionist Steeler historians are telling you, this franchise has deftly navigated the salary cap over the past decade. Its decision-makers brilliantly have combined a win-now philosophy with a willingness to part with still-productive players.

Why did they keep the core largely intact?

Because it was winning, silly!

The Steelers were in the Super Bowl three years ago. They were a botched series (home Baltimore game) away from a first-round bye in 2011. They were thick in the race last winter when a preposterous spate of injuries sabotaged their season. They haven't had a losing season since 2003.

And it's not like they've avoided tough financial decisions, parting with the likes of Joey Porter, Alan Faneca, Chris Hope, Plaxico Burress and now James Harrison.

In cases where prospective free agents were unwilling to accept less than what they could get on the open market, the Steelers simply said goodbye. Mike Wallace is a good example. He was going to chase every penny. I don't blame him, but the Steelers weren't going to play that game with a receiver.

They were going to have to make a decision between Wallace and Antonio Brown at some point — just as they did between Burress and Hines Ward — and chose Brown when it became clear Wallace was going for the gold.

The revisionists' most popular complaint is that the Steelers have been operating with too much of a credit card mentality, pushing debt into the future by way of restructured contracts instead of paying as they went along.

I hear it all the time …

“That's why they're up against the cap!” (as if that isn't the case most years).

“That's why they can't sign any big free agents!” (as if they ever do).

“That's why they can't sign some of their own best players!” (see above: it's happened before).

Listen to these people long enough, and you'd think Howard Baldwin was running the Steelers.

READ MORE: http://triblive.com/sports/-topstories/3655995-74/steelers-wallace-players#ixzz2NmUnKMrF

I agree our FO always makes decisions that at the time seem crazy only to work out in the long run. Where are the latest casualties like Farrior? Out of the game. Bringing back Gay may seem crazy but look at how he improved with Carnell tutoring him. Maybe we get a solid corner in this years draft. That would make letting a first year starting CB walk (who had a pretty good season) seem a lot less costly. My faith is in these guys in the FO.

I wonder if this is a response to this.

As a fanbase we have become spoiled, especially as of late winning 2 out of 3 appearances in the SB, and having a franchise full of players, coaches, and staff that maintain a high level of standard - WINNING!

Throughout the last 35+ years of me watching the Steelers I have enjoyed more good seasons than not. Even including the decade I'd rather forget, the 80's. Yes, as a fan, we all have our favorites - Nickerson, Lloyd, Greene, Woodson, Lake, Brown, Ward, Harrison, and more. We get pissed when those favs leave or get the boot, but somehow, somewhere the FO seems to find that replacement player. Our problem, as fans, is that we want that replacement player yesterday and it usually takes a season or two or three to find it.

In the meantime other teams pick us dry of other deserving players - like Keenan Lewis - who just might be that star. But can you blame them? Why do all the work when the Steelers will do it for you?

What if Lewis tanks next year with the Saints? Remember his one good season was his contract season

bayz101 wrote:

I wonder if this is a response to this.

Good thought, but Starkey's commentary actually came out before Robinson's. It definitely provides an alternative view on the same points.