Still crazy after all these years

Are we headed back to the Buddy Parker days? … ominous future or is it the "standard"? The Post-Gazette, usually a paper that papers over the weaknesses of their NFL team, was blunt in its assessment.  The Steelers have now set a record, albeit an ominous one, The Steelers have now gone five seasons without a playoff victory. That’s the longest stretch between postseason victories since the NFL-AFL merger. The Steelers had gone four seasons between playoff wins a couple of times since 1970, but they’ve now reached uncharted waters during the Super Bowl era. The Steelers have been one-and-done in their past three playoff appearances, losing to the Jaguars in the divisional round in 2017 and to the Browns and Chiefs in the wild card round the past two seasons. They missed the playoffs in 2018 and 2019. Ray Fittipaldo, “Steelers' playoff-win drought is entering  unchartered  territory,” Post-Gazette, January 17, 2022 Problem: Tomlin for life The difficulty is that...

The young gunslinger … Not the “Bungles” any longer Perhaps Jim Trotter does not realize that in the age of the Internet, words have consequence. He works for an organization that I have called “semi-pros.” NFL.com just seems to be south of the curve. Now, their mistake regarding the Cincinnati Bengals, who last week captured the title of the NFC North after finishing last the past three seasons.  In predicting the AFC North to be the toughest division this year, it also made this prediction, THE BAD: The Cincinnati Bengals still have a long way to go. Jeffri Chadiha, “ 2021 NFL season preview: Ranking all eight divisions,” NFL.com, August 25, 2021 They selected the Browns and Ravens to be on top of the division and the Bengals to finish last.  Famous last words. Now, Trotter and the others at that semi-pro outfit have changed their tunes. Win over Chiefs opened eyes So, this is what Trotter wrote earlier this week, CINCINNATI -- What now? Some said...

This will never occur under present management When Penn State hired its first female president, Neelli Bendapudi, in December, the decision was listed as one that is historical. She is the first female president and the first non-caucasian president in Penn State’s 166 years of existence.  Dr, Bendapudi has served as president of the University of Louisville since 2018, and she has a distinguished resume.  However, what Nittany Lions sports fans are interested in is her commitment to athletics. That is a little difficult to ascertain, but it is a good question. One interesting aspect of her resume is that she has a business and financial background, which could be very helpful in raising money. However, the person whom she should consider bringing with her is Vince Tyra. His name is not one that many in athletics might know, but his impact at Penn State, which needs hundreds of millions dollars to bring its football edifice, Beaver Stadium, into the 21st Century. ...

Hate to say that I predicted this, but I did … will he be Jimmy Johnson or Lou Holtz? The reality is that most football coaches who have made the jump from college to the NFL have not been overwhelming successes.  Urban Meyer wants to change that, using his record of three national titles and a 80 percent winning record to convince the people of Jacksonville that he is the man to lead the worst team in the NFL in 2020 to the promised land.  And then he makes one of the strangest moves in recent history when he brings back his former college QB, now at the age of 33, as a tight end.  That angered many of the coaches whom he has selected to work with him in Jacksonville. And it has people wondering if maybe this time, Urban is in over his head. He has always moved into winning programs — but now, he is at the bottom, albeit with the number 1 pick in the draft.  But still … The backstory  Just the fact that Urban Meyer, who retired twice in this cen...

  Dear Antonio, You need help. Mike Tomlin did not give your direction when he saw where you were headed.  Bruce Arians tried and gave you a great opportunity after you burned down a significant number of bridges.  He, too, failed. I admired you when as a sixth round pick, you worked so hard that you became one of the best, if not the best, receivers in the NFL.  You were indeed fabulous -- a potential Hall of Fame career was in your sights.  However, something happened.  Perhaps it was the concussion in Cincinnati.  Perhaps it is CTE.  Perhaps it was just narcissism.  The help that you need right now, though, is professional in nature. Only professionals can give you direction, but you have to have the humility to ask for it.  Prayers go only so far. Action is something that we must take with our God-given free will.  I hope that you are able to turn around your life.  Many others have.  Maybe you can....