Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Cribbs ain't bitter about it.....

And although he was the victim of Harrison’s viciousness, Browns wide receiver Joshua Cribbs(notes) had a softer message for Pittsburgh’s enforcer: “Don’t change you.”

“You’re a player, so play,” Cribbs said he told Harrison, his former Kent State teammate and close friend. “Let refs ref. Let the NFL administration, let everyone do their jobs. If you get fined, just try to tailor yourself, but play the game. Don’t try to change who you are.”

The league said the shot was legal—a claim the Browns dispute—and Cribbs found it within reasonable limits as well.

“I had the ball and was going down and he came in to clean me up,” Cribbs said. “It’s his job to try to put me out of the game. If I was a linebacker, you try to knock guys out. That’s what linebackers try to do for the most part. You have to follow the rules, but that’s their job.”

If (Harrison) played for our team we’d be applauding his efforts,” Cribbs said. “I’m just trying to be honest. If he were on our team we’d be rallying behind him, just like his team is doing for him. He plays to knock people out. Wouldn’t you want a linebacker like that on your team?”

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Not really interested in debating this. The NFL is a business, and like any other business the gov. Has "the right" to regulate it. And with that, I'm done here

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

HEY!!! You have enough to worry about, keepin' your team healthy!! Colts boy!!!:noon:D (said with luv).
Didn't Teddy Roosevelt think of banning football at one time due to people getting killed in games, back in his day? To bad we don't play Peyton and his boys this year, maybe in the AFC Playoffs?:noon :xxx

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Wonder if anybody could say anything positive about James Harrison today....

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

My personal feelings are these guys are being paid millions of dollars to "play" a game. Let them hit and get hit. There are risks and they are fully aware of them. If they don't want to take the risks somebody else will. It is a sport and should not be compared to a job. I don't wish harm on anybody, but I do want to see hard hits.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

I was alluding to the his recent interview in Mens Journal....

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

He speaks his mind and he tells it like he sees it. Most of what he said was true, but there are definitely plenty of things to criticize in what he said. Goodell is a horrible commissioner and Roethlisberger is no Peyton Manning.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

right on

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

The NFL is a 15 billion dollar a year business, it's far from a "game". Players are multi-million dollar entertainers. To not protect that investment to some degree would make no sense whatsoever.
Players, owners, and the NFL are all going to do anything they can to protect players, and rightfully so.
Can you expand on your comment "it is a sport and should not be compared to a job"? Those boys definitely work their asses off, and they have an extremely demanding job, both mentally and physically. One of the toughest in the world from a physical standpoint.
That said, I don't want to see the game changed, and I get a bug up my ass every time a new rule is instituted. I also don't want a guy to suffer a career ending open field hit that could be tuned down a bit, so it's tough to swallow new rules, especially when they're pointed straight at my Steelers.
The new contract cuts out a lot of non-gameday hitting, and that'll help with all the wear and tear on these guys that leads to injury. I'm hoping that translates to even more intensity at game time, and I think it will. It'll also help keep players playing rather than sitting on the bench, which is good for all us fans.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

unfortunatly I predict it leads to less intensity at game time. We'll see what happens though. Just like if the steelers stop doin goal line drills for the sake of preventing hits, of course their goal line defense game time is going to suffer.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

While I agree that Goodell is a horrible comish, would you go into an interview and say "If he was on fire I wouldn't even piss on him to put it out" about your boss? Kinda stupid imho.

Also can't remember the last time I heard a player talk about his team's quarterback (who happens to have 2 superbowl rings) like Harrison talked about Big Ben.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Like I said, there are things that you can criticize him for saying. He has very strong feelings towards Goodell. I would too if he kept taking money out of my pocket for playing the game how it is, in my opinion, supposed to be played.

Pretty sure the 2005 team could have won that super bowl game with me at quarterback.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

James Harrison continues to be the NFLs model citizen....

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Hey...he said he was sorry to Colt a couple of plays later.:)

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Maybe thats why I'll never understand Steeler fans. I wouldn't even joke about a guy on my team who has a history of blatant dirty cheap shots with intent to cause injury, or support a QB who has a shady off field history at best.

Its hysterical that they always talk about the ownership as classy and a first rate organization, yet look at the product on the field.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Steelers = Dirtiest team in the NFL, IMHO. It's like they teach their players to NOT wrap their arms.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Harrison always whines about getting fined, but absolutely rips heads off...
I feel as if most of the new rules this Season had him and Suh in mind. Just my opinion.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

He actually laughed about it on his twitter.


The guy is a joke, and once the NFL tests for HGH he will be gone.

You don't go from a 230 LB practice squad guy to a 255 LB wrecking machine made of steel at age 26 without a little help.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Or a lot of hard work and complete, free access to a top-notch strength & conditioning coach with every piece of workout gear in the world... Just saying with enough motivation and a guy telling you exactly what to eat & drink and how to work out, its amazing what you can accomplish.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

People argued the same thing for all of the 50+ HR hitters in baseball ten years ago. We all know how that turned out.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Oh to view the world through a pair of black and yellow glasses....

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Well Harrison got a 1 game suspension for his hit on McCoy. We'll see if that changes his MO. Doubt it.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

;sHe is definitely not a Steelers fan, in fact that assertion is laughable. :r

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Well than I apologize, doesn't change the fact that my statement is true.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Its true because you believe it.

I, in fact, HATE the Steelers, I was born and raised as a Bengals fan (despite the ownership having no love for me as a fan, I still love the team), however, one has to respect the hard work and dedication that is given day in and day out to put your body on the line for the entertainment of a country. Look, I wish I could say I thought the guy was using PEDs, I really do, nothing would make me happier than calling the dude a cheater, but I just don't see it as the truth. Truth is, the guy was making like $5,200/wk on p-squad, while nice, gave him the ability to train his balls off... A guy like Harrison doesn't seem like the type to want to put PEDs in his body, he looks like the type that wants to do it himself just to say he did when he's ripping heads off of players.. but then again, he can prove me wrong, so that's just my :2

Ryan Howard hits 58 hrs, is he using??? Albert Belle, Greg Vaughn, Jim Thome, Prince Fielder, Cecil Fielder, Brady Anderson, Ken Griffey, Jr., Andruw Jones... etc, for the 3 you speak of, I just gave you 9 that didn't so the argument there is that because there are a couple of bad apples, the whole bunch is spoiled is not true. I agree that the possibility exists that players in the NFL are getting away with PED usage (Brian Cushing), but I don't think that just because a guy goes from p-squad to the team because he realized he was too small to play LB in the NFL is a reason to instantly assume he was using. Almost every player that leaves college and makes it to the NFL bulks up or shapes up or trims down when given the opportunity to meet with coaches whose sole jobs are to help them do just that. ****, give me a conditioning coach 5 days a week all year round and I bet I could get into football shape as well... oh yeah and then I get a salary for doing it... thats just gravy!

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

You can't say those 9 "didn't". You gave me nine that either a) didn't use, b) weren't caught or c) weren't tested since MLB didn't start testing until 2004. More than likely, either a) or c). Anyone who's career ended before 2004 is suspect, in my eyes. There's a reason they call it the "Steroid Era". And you seriously don't think it's likely that Brady Anderson used PEDs? He's one of the posterboys, IMO. And I realize I set the barometer at 50+ HRs. My bad. A guy that went from averaging 3 HRs/yr to 20/yr is just as suspect.

I don't disagree it's possible, even likely, that Harrison doesn't use. Most players probably don't. My point was how many times did we hear "hard work", "training" and "eating right" from baseball players in the 90s and early 00s? A TON. It turned out a lot of it was BS.

All of this doesn't change the fact that Harrison is one of the dirtiest, non-arm-wrapping tacklers in the NFL.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Personally I hate the steelers, and the team as a whole is loaded with dirty players, so yes my opinion is biased. Truth be told the NFL is very Lax on their PED testing. Yes guys get caught occasionally, but you can not tell me there aren't guys doing stuff either that can't be tested for, or even worse, know when they are going to be tested.

And I'm not saying a guy can't get in shape, but lets face it he went from practice squad, to defensive MVP in one season. That doesn't happen, ever. To anyone.

and by the way LOL at Albert Belle and Brady Anderson being on your list of guys who didn't use. Neither was ever tested.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Actually the NFL has one of the strictest PED testing policies of all sports and probably the strickest of the major 4 in America, with probably the biggest list of banned substances.

And as far as stuff that isn't tested for, the only thing I am aware of is HGH because there isn't a reliable test that doesn't involve getting blood drawn, and even that one is not proven to be 100% accurate.

Knowing when they are going to be tested is not an issue either, every Monday after a game a random sample from every team is tested as soon as they show up to the facility, with no way to anticipate if they are on the list. There are also random drug screenings in the off-season where you have 24 hours to appear at the closest testing facility. Failure to take any drug test within the prescribed time results in a positive test.

Now street drugs are a different story, but cocaine and marijuana aren't exactly helping people catch touchdowns or sack the QB. ;)

I realize most of your statements stem from your hatred of James Harrison and the Steelers in general, but they are not entirely correct. :2

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Hatred is such a strong word, but yes I am biased. This is America where the court of public opinion rules, and just based off what I see on the field, and the issues with his character, yes I'm going to assume he cheats. If that makes me a bad person, or judge-mental, so be it.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

I went back and forth and read your statements you've made, and have seen that what you consider to be true and what actually is true don't necessarily have anything at all to do with each other, but I'll let you know what the Steeler Nation thought about Big Ben.

There's not a single Steeler fan who wasn't shocked when he hit the field this year. The fans almost unanimously expected (and wanted) to see him gone. The fact that he's still there attests to the Rooney family. The fans trust them because they have taken care of us, and have set the highest standards in the NFL for generations. I can trust that they left no stone unturned and know the full truth of all Ben's transgressions. I can assure you there are many more you haven't heard about, and that the organization has since reigned him in. Despite that, he remains on thin ice.
If the Rooney's kept him and are willing to vouch for him and work with him to make an outstanding human out of him, I've got to be behind them.

So far as Harrison goes, he doesn't have a lot of fans among Steeler followers. He's an asshole. He's got a big mouth, no respect, and isn't getting any love whatsoever.
The hit on Colt McCoy was inexcusable. I think a game's suspension is too light, and if he was gone for the rest of the year, it'd suit me fine. I'm hoping he's dealt away in the offseason, but I don't think he will be. I think he's going to be approached the same way Ben was. He'll fall in line, clean up his act, or they'll see to it that he's gone. He won't be the first top-notch linebacker with a bad attitude we've dealt away.

If you actually knew anything about what Steeler fans think, you'd know these things. And you'd understand what's behind a joke if someone makes a joke (and I'm not sure what the "joke" reference was).
If you knew anything about Harrison, you'd laugh at yourself about the HGH assertion. It doesn't even remotely make sense.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

You were using Harrison as an example of the lax enforcement on the performance-enhancing drug testing policies of the NFL. Whether or not he takes them (or may ever be caught), the fact is, the league is one of the most oft tested and stringent in their testing of the major sports. :2

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

I'm sorry Scott, but I think "the Rooney family setting the highest standards" is hogwash. They've done a good job painting that picture, but their actions don't match their words. Some examples:
Najeh Davenport - charged with child endangerment and unlawful restraint. He was cut (Way to go Rooney!!!). But when the Steelers needed help at RB 3 months later...well, let's bring him back (He's reformed!!!!).
Cedric Wilson vs. James Harrison - within 1 1/2 weeks of each other, both were charged with domestic abuse. One was cut the other retained. Double standard?
Santonio Holmes - was permitted three or four strikes before he was traded.
Jeff Reed - First charged with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief, and later on a seperate instance, charged with resisting arrest, simple assault, disorderly conduct, and public drunkenness. Grounds for cutting, or at least not resigning? No, he kicked the ball well at Heinz field, so they slapped the franchise tag on him and paid him close to $3M after those incendents.
Ben Rothlesberger - don't even have to go there.

Most of this is all since 2008...3+ years! "Highest Standard" my ass.

And this is all of the off-field stuff. It's the way they play that makes me call them dirty. All teams have off the field issues, but the Rooney family shouldn't act like they hold their players to a higher standard when their actions clearly show they don't.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Sorry Scott, but all you have to do to see that that statement is not true is go read the Steeler thread right here on CA.

Without even going back and looking I can think of at least Loki on this forum and Mikey too I believe who defended Rothlisberger through hell and high water, regardless of the evidence of the things he's done off the field.

;s;s

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

You make me cry, Vic.
As with everything, there's nothing black and white. It's good you guys took up for him. I sure didn't. I still don't. Everyone I know still says stuff like "the raper had a nice game today". He certainly isn't loved like he used to be. You can hear him referred to as the raper on the radio even now.
My statements do convey the sentiments of the biggest percentage of the population of Steelers fans in Burgh and outside of Burgh. I get it from reading every single day and listening to the radio every day.
My stepdaughter's last boyfriend helped throw Ben off their golf course for pissing on the green. Small world, ya know? I guess I hear a lot more of it from being right in it (even though I've been in Cleveland for a year). There's nothing that happens with the players that doesn't get spread far and wide REAL fast.

I've been trying to think of one single person here, back home, or down in Burgh that took up for Ben the last time he got in trouble, and the whole time I've been typing I still came up with no one. Except you traitors. :lr

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

I might not have been clear Scott. I don't defend Rothlisberger at all. It's pretty clear in my mind what I believe the evidence to show.

I was just making the point that not all Steeler fans were shocked to see him back on the field.

Unfortunately every team has fans who'll defend to the death the players on their team , no matter what they did. I'll bet Rae Carruth still has his defenders amongst Carolina fans.

You watch the tape, it's pretty clear that Harrison went right for another head shot, so his lies won't get him anywhere. Whether the rules are right or wrong they're the rules, and when you repeatedly show that you're going to ignore the rules and just do whatever the hell you want, what's the league supposed to do?

Clothslining people used to be legal too, maybe we should still allow that.. We don't want to sissify the game too much after all.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Joel, if you take a look at what's happened and is happening in the front office and the ownership of the Steelers since July of 2008, you'll understand exactly why that kind of bullshit has happened, and continues to happen.
You'll also find that Art Rooney II has been heading up day to day since then (or thereabouts) and it was Dan Rooney prior to him who didn't put up with any nonsense.
You'll also find that Art Jr. was fired by Dan in the past. They bump heads because Art Jr. is a dick.
So with all the insquabbling and politicing and major money, disinterested owners, half the family bailing out, the Steelers are now a business instead of a family operation, or more aptly a business trying to look like they are a family operation to maximze the price of the team until the sale all shakes out.

So I'll take one for instance. Harrison vs. Wilson.
Wilson got dumped to make a statement, but Harrison's business value was greater and overrode the committment to "not tolerating domestic violence".

I guess, after looking at the whole picture, you got me.
I should have said "The Rooney Family used to set the highest standards". They certainly haven't done things the way they used to over the last few years.

One last thing, Joel...
Why they slapped the franchise tag on Skippy instead of running him out of town, only to cut him , it's a complete mystery to me. I never chased down the reasons, but it had to boil down to money.
Does one single iota of that situation make any sense to you? Me neither. Add to that he was drunk all the time and he sucked. Sofaman and I talked hours on Skippy and have yet to shed any kind of sensible light on that whole thing. It's just nuts.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

I hear ya, brother. And to waste a kid like Colt McCoy, really? For what?
Harrison, like I said before, is an asshole. He's got no problem with letting everyone know he's an asshole. He just opens his mouth and it falls out.
He got suspended for one game and they denied his appeal. He could care less. James Harrison is his own biggest fan, he doesn't care about what impact it has on the club. He's the James Harrison island.
I'm sad he's not gone for the year. It'd make for a better locker room and a big sigh of relief from the players.
He'll redeem himself with his play again and everyone will forget they can't stand him. I think he likes it that way.
Personally I just hope he gets sent to Dallas.
I'd trade him for a pair of mediocre guards or a good left gaurd in a heartbeat, that's what we need. And I'd love to see Matt Flynn throwing the ball in Pittsburgh. Ben would do well in a Bengals jersey.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Sorry for making this an anti-steeler thread. Wasn't really my intention. I think we all like rough, physical, hard hitting football. Honestly there aren't better games than the in division games where every play is a highlight reel hit.

I think we are all in agreement, that Harrison's hit on McCoy was totally dirty, and in the continuing string of cheap shots. I've seen people defend him, in this very thread, I've see his twitter account quoted basically laughing it off, and worse of all I've see the league just continue to allow this to happen. In my mind one game wasn't enough, hes a repeat offender who will continue to push the envelope.

Also I wasn't wrong on the lax testing for HGH. The NFL has been trying to get something on the books, but as of right now has nothing. Even the US congress was trying to get involved in implementation, but where do we stand? No testing.

So again I stand in the court of public opinion; Whats your take on James Harrison?

Things we know
- Practice squad player, suddenly gains 10 percent of his body weight and becomes the NFL defensive MVP in one season
- Constantly dishing out illegal hits, even after being warned
- Has off the field domestic assault issue
- Bad mouths entire team, league, and Goddell in Mens health interview

Do I know for sure he took HGH? Nope not at all but look at this. The guy has zero respect for other players, his teammates and the league. Lets face it the reason this thread was created is because last season this guy saw fit to take two massively cheap helmet to helmet cheap shots in the same week. So yeah, I'm not going to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Almost positive (pun intended) he was given a four game suspension for testing positive for a masking agent last year.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

But if you're a Super Bowl MVP wide receiver who likes weed, your ass gotta go. Ben Roethlisberger is a Steeler for one reason (and a damn fine one); top ten quarterbacks don't grow on trees, and the Steelers aren't competing for Lombardi Trophies without him.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Then you don't know Jack. Look, I'm no fan of Silverback, but what you're saying is plain nonsense. Here's a picture of him in NFL Europe in 2004:
http://insidetheiggles.com/files/201...r-harrison.jpg

Here he is in 2005 when he tackled the Cleveland Browns fan:
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2009/0123...on_fan_600.jpg

And finally here he is during his interception return in the Super Bowl against the Cardinals, the year he won the DPOY (where you claim he packed on 10% of his bodyweight in one offseason).
http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2009...rrison_600.jpg

In any of those pictures that span over a four year period does he look noticeably larger.


Finally, although by no means scientific, his listed playing weight going all the way back to his Senior season at Kent State has always been around 240 lbs.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

I could be wrong on the weight thing, looks like he was listed at 238-240 in his days at kent state and the highest I've seen him listed in the NFL is 250, currently listed at 242.

But, cut 4 times by the steelers, sent to lawlnfleurope, and all of a sudden beast mode... begs the question...

I'm not saying people can't become better players, it happens all the time. But a guy cut from an NFL roster 4 times, usually doesn't become the Defensive MVP of the league.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

On the other side of the ball, we have Kurt Warner.
Wasn't he packing groceries before he came and won a Super Bowl?

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Well, he didn't even start in the NFL until 2007, in which he garnered first team all-pro honors. He sat behind Joey Porter for what, three seasons I think (help me out here Steelers fans) a damn fine linebacker in his own right. Then in 2008 he won the DPOY award. From everything I've ever heard about him, his physical skills were never a question; it's the age old, "million dollar body, ten cent head condition." He's been in the same system long enough that it's not an issue, but I bet he'd struggle mightily if he ever finds himself playing on another team that runs a variant of the 3-4 that he's not accustomed to (like the Texans for instance under Wade Phillips). If he were doing/saying the things he did without his success, people would think him a moron. But because of his successes, he's, "eccentric.":)

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

And a couple of MVP awards, and a legit shot at the HOF. I know he was cut by the Packers, and was let go early in a Bears training camp because of a spider bite, and was cut by the Rams, too (but that was after he had already led them to two Super Bowls).

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Here it is...
Undrafted in 94, stocked shelves at HyVee grocery store for $5.50 an hour.
Tried out for the Packers in 94, was released.
Arena Football in 95, 96 and 97.
97 he was to tryout for the Bears but got bit by a spider on his throwing elbow on his honeymoon. That nixed that.
In 97, he got God, and things started changing.
In 98 he got signed by the Rams and got sent to Europe to play, then third string at St Louis behind Tony Banks and Steve Bono.
In 99 he was 2nd string, Trent Green tore up his ACL, and Warner became NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP.
In 2000 he broke his hand midway through the season, his interceptions went up, and they got beat in the wild card round.
2001 he was MVP again and lost the Super Bowl.
etc.

Man, I love that story. What a show that Rams offense was. Rodger's run this year looks a lot like it, but the Rams were different. Rodgers is precision perfect almost all the time. Warner was just different. He kept you on the edge of your seat, breathless. Maybe cause you didn't know what was next. With Rodgers you always know what's next. More perfection. :tu

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

I use "asshole", but I get your drift. :lr

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Objectively speaking, overall that Rams offense was better because of Marshall Faulk. The Packers have nothing remotely close to a player that can do what he did. That said, I'll take Rodgers & the Packers wide receiver corps (including tight ends) over the Rams anyday of the week. The Packers win by sheer numbers, as they have six legit targets at Rodgers disposal, whereas Warner really only had Bruce/Holt/Hakim/Proehl and the aforementioned Faulk.

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

Which pro sport tests for HGH? And what is the reliable test for it? There are none. The NFL is no more lax on their testing policy of HGH than any other major sport. They test more often and for more items than any other of the major sports. I realize this is all based on James Harrison, but the league is doing more than any other sport to prevent PED use. :2

Re: NFL's new safety policy
 

If Rothisberger is a top ten QB, and I'm not even willing to concede THAT, the only reason is most QBs in the league right now are about as good as Curtis Painter, in other words they blow.

The Steelers win in spite of him, not because of him.. He's more Mark Sanchez than he is Peyton Manning