General Sports Discussion (Be Warned!)

[Horseman]

Originally Posted by Ildrahil

And this is why I don't watch the NFL any more. They pay these prima donnas so much money that they can't afford to let them get hurt. Then they put these incredibly convoluted rules in place to keep the players from spraining an ankle, like the kickoff rules y'all were disgusting (<--- oops, I meant discussing) earlier which I'm so happy I have had the displeasure of watching. This isn't football any longer, at least not football that I can recognize.

Back in the early 70s the Steelers drafted all their talent. That was how one built a team back then. There was very little of this free agency garbage. The Steelers had arguably the greatest draft in NFL history in 1974, selecting four players who would become Hall of Famers in wide receiver Lynn Swann (first round), linebacker Jack Lambert (second round), wide receiver John Stallworth (fourth round) and center Mike Webster (fifth round). It's still the only single draft in league history that has produced four Hall of Fame players and helped the franchise win four Super Bowls over the next six seasons. The great thing is, they had a draft in 1972 that produced two Hall of Fame players. And those people played football.

What cemented it for me was how the team treated Rocky Blier when he was wounded in Vietnam. He was shot in the thigh and then a grenade basically shredded his calf. He was told he'd never play football again. The Steelers took him back. Art Rooney actually sent him a note that said, Rocky, we aren't doing so good. We need you back. They put him on injured reserves for a whole year and gave him two more years while he regained 40+ lbs of muscleand strengthened his leg. When a reporter asked why he kept Blier around, saying he stunk, Art Rooney looked at him and said, No, he stunk last year, this years he's just not very good. He won four SUper Bowls with the Steelers and was the blocking back for Franco. More than that, he could rush too and one year both him and Franco went over 1,000 yards, only the second time that was done to that point. This is why the Steelers players of that time were loyal to the Steelers, because the Steelers were loyal to them. They weren't the only team like that either.

Tell me, what team would do that now? It's all dollar signs.

For all the reasons listed, I loved the Steelers. The Dolphins have always been my team, but the Steelers a close second.
It's absolutely true. I'm not even sure modern players would play in the field conditions of the 70s.

Blier is absolutely a stud, and I believe old man Rooney committing to keep Blier and allow him to rehab sent a signal through the entire team about loyalty.

[Admin Dirk]

Wow. Aaron Rodgers benched.

Who would have ever thought they'd see that?

[Admin Bhelogan]

Repeat after me, "The Jet's problem is not the QB".

[Ildrahil]

The Jets problem is the sound too much like the Mets and come from the same city.

[zevonian]

@ Drifter One - Who you like for the Champions League Final in 2025?

[Codger]

Originally Posted by Admin Dirk

Wow. Aaron Rodgers benched.

Who would have ever thought they'd see that?

Twas hilarious. While he didn't set the world on fire, he also didn't completely suck, so there's that. The Jets have plenty of issues, but the playoffs aren't one of them.

[Horseman]

Originally Posted by Admin Bhelogan

Repeat after me, "The Jet's problem is not the QB".

I agree

[Drifter One]

Originally Posted by zevonian

@ Drifter One - Who you like for the Champions League Final in 2025?

My word, a football question!

As much as I would love to say the mighty Gunners, I can't see past Real Madrid/Man City.

Boring I know, but they need to be unseated! (I know City only won it once but their squad depth is immense!)

[zevonian]

Originally Posted by Drifter One

My word, a football question!

As much as I would love to say the mighty Gunners, I can't see past Real Madrid/Man City.

Boring I know, but they need to be unseated! (I know City only won it once but their squad depth is immense!)

Bayern Munich for the win. It'll be a masterpiece for Neuer at goal.

[Drifter One]

Not a chance. Harry Kane is a curse and does not win trophies.

Ever.