"Dan Rooney Is Hot About All This"

[msp26505]

Re: "Dan Rooney Is Hot About All This"

The fines were too small and probably would have never been levied had the game not been a national game and the announcers not questioned the calls repeatedly.

But the bigger thing is that these hits should be penalties.

Steeler drives should have been extended and field position been improved. We have seen numerous occasions this year where the Steelers lost a considerable amount of potential real estate or had drives stall after non-calls that are more egregious then calls that go against the Steelers...often in the same game.

[ikestops85]

Re: "Dan Rooney Is Hot About All This"

I do visit the forums of other teams and the sentiment is changing about the Steelers. On both the bengals and seahawks boards people have said words to the effect of

"I thought the Steeler fans and players were just whiners but after this game I'm not so sure. There were several blatant infractions that had to be seen by the officials but they weren't called."

I just hope the media keeps the story alive. Goodell hates the bad PR and will have to do something if it continues.

[Ghost]

Re: "Dan Rooney Is Hot About All This"

I read a post on another board where a guy said - you know it's bad when a Pat's fan thinks the Steelers are getting screwed. Real fans are taking notice.

I think it's funny that this week, following a ton of talk (from players on the Steelers and other teams) about them being targeted and then the huge denials from the NFL, that they just flat out disregarded the rules on 2 hits against the Steelers. Makes them look so stupid.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: "Dan Rooney Is Hot About All This"

Steelers President Weighs In On Hits, Fines

December 13, 2010 5:45 PM



Steelers President Art Rooney (Photo: KDKA)

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — With six Super Bowl championship celebrations, Steelers fans have grown used to success and they don’t take too kindly to anything that puts those winning ways in jeopardy.

Fans and players alike have expressed frustration over the NFL’s recent crackdown on hits — particularly with Steelers linebacker James Harrison shelling out $125,000 in fines on four separate occasions this season.

KDKA-TV’s Rick Dayton recently had a chance to sit down with team president, Art Rooney III, to get his thoughts on hard hits, fines and what his grandfather The Chief might think about the state of the game right now.

“I think our fans want to think that the games are being officiated fairly and in a consistent way,” Rooney told KDKA, “and so that’s why you get some of the questions that have come up in some of our games. And it’s been an unusual year — there’s no question about it — for our team.”

Unusual is one way to describe it.

While there are many more wins than losses as another playoff run draws near, the fines have also piled up quickly against Harrison.

“There have been some challenges, no question about it,” continued Rooney, “but I think our guys are doing a good job of trying to make sure we are playing within the rules and are not doing things that can hurt the team when it comes to what might happen with penalties.”

Against the Raiders in November, the Steelers were flagged for a team record 163 yards and Oakland Defensive Lineman Richard Seymour was tossed from the game for a shot to Ben Roethlisberger’s jaw. The league later fined Seymour $25,000.

Rooney says the Steelers simply want consistency in the calls.

“The league has put a new emphasis on discipline on hits that are against the rules,” Rooney continued, “and I think everybody is really trying to understand how the discipline is going to be applied.”

When asked what his grandfather might do or say about all the fines and debates over officiating, Rooney paused for a minute and then said he’s sure of one thing: The Chief would have made his point to the league, but it would have been a private conversation — behind closed doors.

[url="http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2010/12/13/steelers-president-weighs-in-on-hits-fines/"]http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2010/12/ ... its-fines/[/url]

[Sugar]

Re: "Dan Rooney Is Hot About All This"

When people talk about the Steeler way of doing things, I think Art II is right about this. It's better to deal with this in private as opposed to the ownership whining in the press. Sure, you get your fans on your side, but you also run the risk of alienating other owners that you may need in the future.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: "Dan Rooney Is Hot About All This"

Rooney: Roethlisberger’s Headed In Right Direction

By Rick Dayton
December 13, 2010 6:15 PM


PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — From his off-season troubles in Georgia to a broken nose, it’s been quite a year for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger; but team president Art Rooney says he thinks Number 7 is getting his life back on the right track.

“I think Ben has made some changes in his life, has recognized that he needs to do some things to make sure he is the kind of person and kind of leader on this team that he can be,” Rooney told KDKA, “and I think he has done a good job with it.”

The 2010 season started with Big Ben nowhere in sight. The NFL took care of that with a six game suspension that was reduced to four — giving Roethlisberger plenty of time to think.

“He’s got to continue to keep his guard up and number one work hard on the field and obviously be a good person off the field,” Rooney added, “and he’s certainly doing a good job in both regards.”

“I think he’s where we want him to be at this point,” Rooney told KDKA-TV’s Rick Dayton. “He’s working hard as a football player. He’s doing things off the field that I think people are proud of what he’s doing, and I think he certainly has his life headed back in the right direction here and hopefully on the field he’s going to continue to be successful for us.”

But it has been challenging for Roethlisberger on the field this season — with a broken nose and injured foot taking a toll on the Steelers signal caller.

“No question guys are bigger, stronger, faster and those are the kind of challenges the league is trying to deal with in terms of making sure it continues to be a safe game to play,” Rooney added, “and that’s part of what’s been going on this season is kind of adjusting to some of that.”

Through it all, though, Rooney says the Steelers have their sights set on another run deep into the playoffs.

“I think the thing we have in front of us is an opportunity and I think that’s really all you can ask for. We have an opportunity. We put ourselves in the driver’s seat and so now we just need to take care of business. Every week is going to be a challenge.”

[url="http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2010/12/13/rooney-roethlisberger"]http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2010/12/ ... hlisberger[/url]’s-headed-in-right-direction/

[Northern_Blitz]

Re: "Dan Rooney Is Hot About All This"

When asked what his grandfather might do or say about all the fines and debates over officiating, Rooney paused for a minute and then said he’s sure of one thing: The Chief would have made his point to the league, but it would have been a private conversation — behind closed doors.

I think this is his way of telling fans that they're letting the league know how they feel, they're just not doing it in front of the cameras because it would hurt the league.

Maybe the fact that he's now doing an interview is telling the league that if the BS continues they will start to air their laundry for the media.