Pouncey's return buoys Steelers

[RobinCole]

Fans who think he's overrated perhaps were expecting him to equal or improve on his very good rookie year in 2010, which ended with a severe injury in the playoffs. Circumstances have made it difficult to do that. For one thing, it wasn't just a sprained ankle. There was a bone separation in the ankle which wasn't addressed until surgery AFTER the 2011 season. So he played on a bum ankle for the entire 2011 season. And we all know what happened last year.

In any event, he was selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls. Players and coaches account for 2/3rds of the voting weight. Fans account for 1/3rd, so it's not just a popularity contest.

As for leadership, his teammates have voted him a defensive captain. The players know him better than the fans who deem him "unworthy".

By the way, I don't judge a 4th-year player on the basis of a preseason game. A rookie? Yes. Not a 4th-year guy.

[feltdizz]

It's not just me dizz. Lots of folks think he's overrated, and unworthy of the "Leadership" tag he's been given, due to his "Free Hernandez" type of attitude.

Is he Good? Yes.... Very Good? Could be.... If you go back and watch the first half of the Redskins preseason game last year, where a Barry Cofield absolutely owned him.... maybe you'd.... ahh, nevermind.... Love is blind I guess. lol

In all serious, the question is, are the Steelers going to pay him Alex Mack type of money? You stated in a previous thread that you hoped the FO would be "Creative" in making him an offer that would make him a steeler for the next several years. Do you think Pouncey is that type of character?.... one who would accept a lesser deal to stay in Pittsburg? I, for one, do not.... and that's why I think he's out of here after this season.. especially if he has a decent year.

Its not just you.... but outside of this board how many people think he is overrated?

If love is blind then hate is freaking Helen Keller... because you are talking about a preseason half vs the first 3 years of his career where he was considered a top 5 center. The only center in NFL history to make the pro bowl his first 3 years and some fans use a preseason half to define him. Talk about insane...

I have no idea what type of character Pouncey has but looking at his past with Hernandez it looks like Pouncey is loyal to a fault.

[feltdizz]

Fans who think he's overrated perhaps were expecting him to equal or improve on his very good rookie year in 2010, which ended with a severe injury in the playoffs. Circumstances have made it difficult to do that. For one thing, it wasn't just a sprained ankle. There was a bone separation in the ankle which wasn't addressed until surgery AFTER the 2011 season. So he played on a bum ankle for the entire 2011 season. And we all know what happened last year.

In any event, he was selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls. Players and coaches account for 2/3rds of the voting weight. Fans account for 1/3rd, so it's not just a popularity contest.

As for leadership, his teammates have voted him a defensive captain. The players know him better than the fans who deem him "unworthy".

By the way, I don't judge a 4th-year player on the basis of a preseason game. A rookie? Yes. Not a 4th-year guy.

Remember a few years ago when Ben couldn't lead us to a TD in preseason? Its like saying Ben is slightly above average because he threw a few picks in preseason. Smh...

[Ernie]

Its not just you.... but outside of this board how many people think he is overrated?

If love is blind then hate is freaking Helen Keller... because you are talking about a preseason half vs the first 3 years of his career where he was considered a top 5 center. The only center in NFL history to make the pro bowl his first 3 years and some fans use a preseason half to define him. Talk about insane...

I have no idea what type of character Pouncey has but looking at his past with Hernandez it looks like Pouncey is loyal to a fault.

How many people think he is overrated (outside of this board)??? You ask that question like you think you know the answer...

I don't hate the guy. Don't like his character, and I think he's a bit overrated... and KNOW that we will get along fine without him... just like we did last year.

and you never did answer the question I asked.... if you are the FO dizz, do you pay him "Mack" money to stay?

[Ernie]

Remember a few years ago when Ben couldn't lead us to a TD in preseason? Its like saying Ben is slightly above average because he threw a few picks in preseason. Smh...

I just used the Cofield matchup as one example...

it sounds to me like, from your perspective, this was Pouncey's only poor performance since he was drafted.. If this the case, boy...that's really something to "SMH" at.

[RobinCole]

The Cofield matchup was in a preseason game. A lot of veteran starters don't give a crap about preseason games and, in fact, would rather not participate. That's one reason your example is meaningless.

I'm sure Pouncey has had poor regular season games. As I said above, he played all of 2011 on an ankle that had not healed. That would tend to hinder performance. Nonetheless, still voted to the Pro Bowl BY PLAYERS AND COACHES FROM OTHER TEAMS.

You don't like his character? You don't even know him. Maybe you met him once?

Would I pay him "Mack money"? Depends. What kind of season will he have this year? What cap room will we have? If he has a great year, yes, I'd pay Mack money...if we can.

[RuthlessBurgher]

KNOW that we will get along fine without him... just like we did last year.

News flash: we were 8-8 last year. We need to be a heck of a lot better than we were last year. A lot of that starts with the OL. Our run game improved because Bell is better than Dwyer and Redman, not because the OL blocked any better. Overall, it was still sub par and needs to be improved. Ben took less sacks later in the year but that was primarily due to a more efficient no huddle look where he could get the ball out of his hands earlier, not necessarily more effective blocking. I expect a lot of this to improve under Mike Munchak, but getting a talent like Pouncey back should really help us as well. Velasco and Wallace were better than Mahan and Hartwig, but people are delusional if they think that any coach or scout would consider Velasco or Wallace to be on the same tier as Pouncey.

[Ernie]

The Cofield matchup was in a preseason game. A lot of veteran starters don't give a crap about preseason games and, in fact, would rather not participate. That's one reason your example is meaningless.

I'm sure Pouncey has had poor regular season games. As I said above, he played all of 2011 on an ankle that had not healed. That would tend to hinder performance. Nonetheless, still voted to the Pro Bowl BY PLAYERS AND COACHES FROM OTHER TEAMS.

You don't like his character? You don't even know him. Maybe you met him once?

Would I pay him "Mack money"? Depends. What kind of season will he have this year? What cap room will we have? If he has a great year, yes, I'd pay Mack money...if we can.

Wow. I can't believe you are going to start off with "Pouncey likely blew off the preseason game..." and then ask me why I question his character.

[Ernie]

News flash: we were 8-8 last year. We need to be a heck of a lot better than we were last year. A lot of that starts with the OL. Our run game improved because Bell is better than Dwyer and Redman, not because the OL blocked any better. Overall, it was still sub par and needs to be improved. Ben took less sacks later in the year but that was primarily due to a more efficient no huddle look where he could get the ball out of his hands earlier, not necessarily more effective blocking. I expect a lot of this to improve under Mike Munchak, but getting a talent like Pouncey back should really help us as well. Velasco and Wallace were better than Mahan and Hartwig, but people are delusional if they think that any coach or scout would consider Velasco or Wallace to be on the same tier as Pouncey.

and we were 8-8 with Pouncey the year before.

[RobinCole]

Next I expect Ernie to question the "character" of everyone who actually plays in the Pro Bowl game. I mean, they don't exactly go ballsout in the game, do they? In fact, the game came close to folding because it's such a farce.

Yes, I'm saying that Pouncey and many other veterans "blow off" EXHIBITION games, because who the hell wants to risk getting hurt in a farghing EXHIBITION game except rookies and journeymen fighting for a roster spot.

When I think of character, I think about, oh, maybe...what CRIMES has the guy committed, do his teammates respect him, you know, silly stuff like that.

[Ernie]

Next I expect Ernie to question the "character" of everyone who actually plays in the Pro Bowl game. I mean, they don't exactly go ballsout in the game, do they? In fact, the game came close to folding because it's such a farce.

Yes, I'm saying that Pouncey and many other veterans "blow off" EXHIBITION games, because who the hell wants to get hurt in a farghing EXHIBITION game except rookies and journeymen fighting for a roster spot.

Geezus, you are an idiot.

The pro bowl and a pre season game are two completely different scenarios. In the pre season, you are getting meaningful reps with your teammates...working within the scheme... in preparation for the season. The pro bowl is after the season, not with your teammates... pretty much meaningless..yea..

I can't believe you equate the two... and you can stop with the insults. I'm not insulting you. Don't make an ass out of yourself.

[Ernie]

Next I expect Ernie to question the "character" of everyone who actually plays in the Pro Bowl game. I mean, they don't exactly go ballsout in the game, do they? In fact, the game came close to folding because it's such a farce.

Yes, I'm saying that Pouncey and many other veterans "blow off" EXHIBITION games, because who the hell wants to risk getting hurt in a farghing EXHIBITION game except rookies and journeymen fighting for a roster spot.

When I think of character, I think about, oh, maybe...what CRIMES has the guy committed, do his teammates respect him, you know, silly stuff like that.

and I'm glad to see you edited the last part of your post.

[RuthlessBurgher]

and we were 8-8 with Pouncey the year before.

That was without DeCastro. We need to get better than we were that year also. I really look forward to seeing what it is like with two Pro Bowl level interior linemen lining up next to each other.

Hopefully we don't see Pouncey take out Foster's knee this preseason and Foster take out Beachum's knee next preseason, in a continuation of the "destroy the ACL of the olineman to your left" pattern from the last two preseasons.

[RobinCole]

C'mon Ernie. You're reaching to absurd extremes. Preseason records, with starters playing two or three series except in the 3rd week, have very little correlation with regular season outcomes. That's because there's no adrenalin flowing, no intensity, nothing riding on the outcome. They're just putting in their reps. Over decades of watching, In most preseason games the first units look like crap. Last year a poor preseason carried over into the season for the Steelers. It does happen sometimes. Can't say that was Pouncey's fault. He played eight snaps.

So his teammates still elected him a captain. Tell me again what other objections you have to his character. You haven't shown me much yet.

[feltdizz]

Munchak on Pouncey:
“That’s what I was so excited about coming here. I knew most of these guys, I’ve studied them, watched them. I remember when Pouncey got drafted, I said, ‘Man, they got a great one there.’ He’s doing well, I think right on target to what they thought he would be. He’s very excited about playing again. He’s been to all the meetings. He’s been on the field running around. We pretty much are just going to have to control him from not being too excited as we get into (training) camp, because it’s a long way to go yet before that opener. But he looks good, everything’s optimistic there. He’s the leader, there’s no doubt about that. He’s the guy they all look to.

Wow... maybe Munchak is also blinded by love.