Pouncey's return buoys Steelers

[feltdizz]

yeah, they usually hit me 4th in the lineup and felt 5th because we're both such amazing home run hitters with our Nostradamus like predictions that almost always come true...

bash brothers

[RuthlessBurgher]

bash brothers

[Captain Lemming]

AKA, "Roid boys"

[RuthlessBurgher]

AKA, "Roid boys"

It's 106 miles to Oakland. We've got a full tank of gas, half a packet of cigarettes, two syringes of full of Androstenedione, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it.

[hawaiiansteel]

Maurkice Pouncey escaped the doghouse

By Ivan Cole on Jun 27 2014



Before he signed this big deal, it looked like the Steelers center was being set up to be 'that guy' in the eyes of some fans.

Sometimes being a part of Steelers Nation is like being back in middle school.

In that adolescent hot house people will love or hate for the right reasons, but also for all the wrong reasons. We all like to think that we're all grown up and have left that phase of our life behind us, but you know what? Maybe not.

You started hearing it about Pouncey several weeks ago. 'Yeah, Mack just got this new deal, Maurkice's extension is going to be coming up. He may want a lot of money and may be difficult to sign. And he's been hurt. He's been hurt a lot. Why don't we trade him?'

What?

So let me break this down a bit. First understand that there exist a Steelers Nation doghouse. This is not to be mistaken for Mike Tomlin's doghouse which is a separate building with different rules. I'll break that down further in a moment.

Some will point out, correctly, that it may have only been a minority who were considering exchanging Pouncey for the always overvalued 'draft choices', free passes to Kennywood Park, whatever. But you also have to understand the magic of groupthink. Think Jedi mind trick. Someone says something crazy like 'Maurkice gets hurt a lot, let's trade him', or 'Ben's in his 30s. let's trade him, get some mid round quarterback and coach him up to replace him'. At first you don't pay attention because its obviously ridiculous. But there are always the weak minded, and pretty soon there is this whole chorus of 'Yeah, let's trade Maurkice! Surely we can get a couple of third round picks...' It was heading in that direction for awhile.

I don't understand all the dynamics of the Tomin doghouse since it undoubtedly consists of some elements of things that as a fan looking from the outside in I would not be privy to. But I'm confident that it is a more meritocratic exercise; that is most of its occupants have earned their place there. Its on this point that the Steelers Nation doghouse more resembles middle school. While there are those who clearly earn their place there like, for instance a Limas Sweed, but you can also end up there because a critical mass of fans simply don't like you. Oh, to be sure a 'reason' will be conjured to justify it all. Incompetent/fumbles (Mendenhall), incompetent/dropped a pass (Sanders), has not developed fast enough for my taste (Jarvis Jones, previously Cam Heyward, Keenan Lewis), old, slow, done (Troy, Ike), not Aaron Smith (Ziggy Hood), not Superman (Isaac Redman), injured too much (they are legion), 8-8 (Colbert, Tomlin).

My feel for the overarching real reason that a doghouse exists and who occupies it is that someone has to pay for the disappointments we experience as fans. Someone has to be exiled or crucified for this and though anyone from the ghost of Art Rooney Sr. to the ball boy can qualify, we do develop our favorites, and on the other hand, there exists a tiny minority that are virtually untouchable. Some players may pass through for a weekend or two. For example, as unbelievable as it may seem, some were coming down on Heath Miller of all people as he struggled early last season, even though he was ahead of schedule in his recovery from a knee injury. Others have yearly leases or are going month to month. Though they have received some flea powder and have been allowed to run around a bit, until there are playoff games Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin will still be calling the doghouse home in the minds of many fans. And then there are those who have a mortgage.

Take William Gay.

He had a pretty good year in 2013 which was enough to get him out of the doghouse. He can play in the yard for now, but he's not joining the rest of the family inside. You can feel people glancing at him out of the corner of their eyes, waiting, a newspaper always within reach. He will remain outside, in the cold, the snow, the dark. Occasionally, someone will toss him a scrap of a pork chop. They are waiting for that one misstep, that one blown coverage, and then they're going to roll up that newspaper and BEAT THE SH*T OUT OF HIM, and toss his whimpering carcass head first into that doghouse, all the time muttering "I knew it, I knew it." He won't be the first, he won't be the last. Willie Colon, Charlie Batch, Deshea Townsend, Manny Sanders, there will always be one or two who will never measure up. You do know that Guy Whimper is doomed don't you?

So what qualifies you for the Steelers Nation doghouse specifically? Here are some of the factors.

Injuries

We all know, intellectually at least, that injury is a constant specter of the professional game. I once read somewhere that the injury rate for the NFL is 100 percent. In this sense we are realistic. No one expects any player to get through their career unscathed, but there is a point in the minds of many fans (the actual parameters of which I can't precisely define) where a player faces condemnation for being injured too often or for too long. This why precisely why LaMarr Woodley is no longer here. And in this particular instance I am inclined to agree with the overall assessment. However, as often as not folks want to pull that particular trigger too soon. Remember what people were saying about Troy Polamalu a little more than a year ago? If a player is unlucky enough to have a couple of injuries in rapid succession, or can't recover quickly enough than the process of writing them off commences. Of course, the Catch 22 here often is that injuries either linger or get worse precisely because players feel the pressure to play hurt. I can provide personal testimony in that regard. Certainly some of the disaffection with Emmanuel Sanders came because he had a series of injuries and suffered in comparison to the more durable Antonio Brown.

Injury (and other factors) will also be cited as the rationale for placing a player in the doghouse, or advocating for their removal from the team because other, more honest reasons are harder to defend. Take a comparison of Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch. During his time with the Steelers Leftwich was incredibly fragile. At times it seemed that to look at him crosswise would cause something to break. But he was well liked, or at least better liked than Batch, who was in the minds of some fans a stepchild who had overstayed his welcome years earlier. Why? We're talking middle school here. How should I know? So guess who had the reputation as being the 'China doll'?

Part of the emerging narrative of those who were assembling the case against Pouncey was that he was injured too much. A number of commentators felt it necessary to rebut these accusations in the wake of the announcement his extension. And even now it is a specter that hovers over the situation in the minds of many.
"Disloyalty"

If you were making what would be considered below the market rate for you field of work and when approaching your employer for a fair adjustment and the response was an offer to take a 'hometown discount', with btw, no guarantees that this agreement will be fully honored, and then if you balk just a little, or explore other options you are tarred as being 'disloyal' or 'selfish', what to make of that? I mean, really? Don't get me wrong. Taking a few less dollars for the sake of other positive benefits of a good situation is often a very smart play. On the other hand some were suggesting that we trade Pouncey because he might actually have the temerity to insist that he be paid what he was worth (not more mind you) on the market. Others have found themselves in the doghouse for wanting the same. How many reading this would find themselves in the disloyal category because you insisted that you be compensated in line with the market and your peers? Funny how loyalty can become a one way street at times.

Stepchildren

Willie Colon became a stepchild for me when I watched him in the early years function as a swinging door at his right offensive tackle spot. For quite some time Willie Colon could do nothing right for me other than to go away or die. I got over it eventually and became one of his biggest fans. Some fans never get over it. In fact, I doubt that many even remember what led to their disaffection in the first place, and because of that real redemption is impossible. A player like Gay may be tolerated, but never really ever embraced. They make it out of the doghouse into the yard, but never in the house with the family. Colon was like that with a lot of fans, as was Charlie Batch and Deshea Townsend. Rashard Mendenhall and Ziggy Hood of course, and the recently departed David Johnson. This is not to say that the player never did anything to earn the ire of the fan. I wasn't exaggerating what I was seeing with Colon. Its just that somehow it gets carved in stone. Nothing can fully wash away the stain. The full range of options are 1.) doghouse, and 2.) hanging around the doghouse.

And for some being a stepchild and being the doghouse is strictly a function of their position. Mike Tomlin, as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers will always be a stepchild/doghouse dweller to some because he is viewed as the prime cause why the Steelers don't go undefeated, win their 60th Lombardi (I know there haven't been that many, that's the point), and look flawless in doing so. And, sadly, that is the only thing that would satisfy them. The good news for Tomlin is that (and I think Bill Cowher would attest to this) it gets better after you leave.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/pittsburgh-steelers-nfl-features-news-blog/2014/6/27/5807652/steelers-maurkice-pouncey-contract-2014[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

Pounceys sued by three people after alleged incident at nightclub

Posted by Mike Florio on July 25, 2014



Somehow, the Pouncey twins’ birthday party featuring the “Free Hernandez” hats ended up being less eventful than this year’s self-celebration of survival for another 365 days.

Andy Slater of 940 WINZ in Miami has obtained a copy of the civil complaint filed by Riquan James, Brantley Williams, and Niya Pickett against Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey and Dolphins center Mike Pouncey over an incident that allegedly occurred at their 2014 birthday party at the Cameo nightclub in Miami.

James alleges in the lawsuit filed Friday in the Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County Florida that the Pounceys and their security detail addressed him with “derogatory and homophobic remarks and anti-gay slurs,” and that the Pounceys “began to push and shove” James. When James asked them to stop, Maurkice allegedly “struck James in the face several times” before the Pounceys and their security detail began “to punch, hit and kick James while he was laying in a fetal position.”

Pickett allegedly tried to intervene, but Maurkice “punched her in the face and knocked her unconscious.” (Two-game suspension, anyone?) Williams was a bystander into whom James and/or Pickett were thrown.

The alleged injuries to James and Pickett include “blunt force trauma to the head, neck, chest and back” and “multiple contusions and bruises over a great extent of their bodies.” Pickett allegedly suffered an eye injury, and James allegedly suffered broken teeth. Williams allegedly suffered “contusions and bruises over the great extent of her body and a laceration to her right leg, which required several stitches.”

The Pounceys have been sued for their own alleged conduct and for the alleged misconduct of their security personnel. The nightclub has been added to the suit, based on the claim that management failed to protect patrons from foreseeable criminal activity.

The Pounceys’ lawyer previously has claimed that there was no altercation with James on the evening in question, and that “[i]f the accuser continues to perpetuate these lies, we will bring an action against him.”

Presumably, surveillance video will go a long way toward confirming or debunking the allegations. Regardless, the presence of two additional plaintiffs means that there will be testimony corroborating James’ version of the events.

[URL]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/25/pounceys-sued-by-three-people-after-alleged-incident-at-nightclub/[/URL]

[RobinCole]

I've browsed a number of articles published yesterday about the suit. As of yesterday, none of the three plaintiffs has gone to the police. According to the articles, the three claim total damages of "more than $15,000 dollars", an amount that seems ridiculously low in light of their allegations of brutal beatings and that the woman was knocked unconscious. Until they file criminal charges I am putting this in the same category as the Nevada suit against Ben; i. e., a farce.

[hawaiiansteel]

by Dale Lolley
Saturday, July 26, 2014

Pouncey talks about lawsuit and other Day 1 notes

Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey and his brother, Mike, were sued Friday in a Florida court over their alleged involvement in an assault earlier this month.

Here's what Pouncey had to say about the incident and lawsuit on Saturday.

"I'm a man about everything. Y'all know that any time I've made a mistake, I admit to it. For something like this to happen when I had no involvement, it's upsetting. It hurts me. It's on my mind like crazy. Hopefully, it blows over. Our lawyer put out a statement."

Pouncey doesn't expect to be disciplined in regard to the alleged incident.

"No fear at all," said Pouncey. "The only thing that sucks about it is that I tried to keep a clean nose throughout the process this year. Having to deal with this, sucks, it truly does.

"Even for the birthday party, we hired our own retired police officer to go out with us. For something like to this to happen is truly unbelievable. I just want to take the time to apologize to the the fans who take this the wrong way. You guys all know me and know the person I am. For people to say bad things about me, that sucks. But sometimes you've got to deal with bad things in life and move on."

The lawsuit in question now charges that it was Maurkice Pouncey who not only taunted one of the men in the alleged altercation, but that he also punched both him and a woman he was with.

This is a different story than was told when the incident was first alleged to occur. The suit doesn't say how much the alleged victims are seeking from the Pouncey brothers, only that it is in excess of $15,000.

@ Lawrence Timmons, who is listed at 234 pounds, is actually at 242 this season after playing last year at 250.

This is why I have to chuckle every time I see Ryan Shazier talked about as undersized. Anybody who thinks these guys are the actual weights they are listed at is being a little silly.

Take Steve McLendon, for example. I have answered countless questions about his weight, which was listed for a long time at 285 pounds.

That was what McLendon weighed when he first signed with the Steelers and nobody bothered to change it - until last year, when it was adjusted to 320 pounds, which is pretty much what he has weighed the past three years.

Now, I see people saying that McLendon suddenly put on 35 pounds. That is most certainly not the case. He's been carrying 320 for the past three years.

Same thing goes for James Farrior. Farrior played inside linebacker for the Steelers at the 215-220-pound range in his last few seasons. Same thing goes for Larry Foote.

That's at least 15 pounds lighter than Shazier.

But yeah, Shazier is undersized.

Timmons, by the way, did weigh 234 in his first season with the Steelers. Shazier is listed at 237.

@ The Steelers probably won't say so publicly for a while, but privately, they expect Johnny Manziel to be Cleveland's starting quarterback for the opener Sept. 7.

@ Dri Archer worked as the No. 1 punt return guy today. The Steelers feel he can handle that job and lighten Antonio Brown's workload.

@ Ben Roethlisberger wore Brett Keisel's former number 99 for the position drill portion of practice today before switching over to his more familiar No. 7.

@ There seems to be a feeling that rookie Stephon Tuitt is bright enough and talented enough to win a starting defensive end position.

He drew some praise during position drills today from John Mitchell, which is pretty hard to come by for the young guys.

@ With Ramon Foster dealing with a death in his family, Cody Wallace got first-team snaps with the offense at left guard.

[URL]http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/2014/07/pouncey-talks-about-lawsuit.html[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers' Pouncey to file countersuit against nightclub accusers

By Mark Kaboly
Saturday, July 26, 2014

Maurkice Pouncey denied any wrongdoing at a nightclub earlier in the month where he was named in a civil lawsuit filed with the Miami-Dade Circuit Court on Friday for allegedly punching a 32-year old woman in the head and knocking her unconscious.

Now, the Steelers All-Pro center is indeed fighting back.

Maurkice and his twin brother Mike Pouncey will file a counterclaim for malicious prosecution and defamation, according to their lawyer Jeffrey Ostrow.

“The allegations in the complaint about my clients are completely false,” Ostrow said. “As I previously stated, Mike and Maurkice Pouncey had absolutely no involvement whatsoever in the alleged incident that evening and did nothing wrong. This claim is a complete sham. The plaintiffs and their lawyer are perpetuating these lies in a bid for notoriety and financial gain. We intend to defend this case through trial if necessary …”

Ricquan James, Niya Pickett and Brentley Williams are seeking damages in excess of $15,000, according to the civil lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, the Pounceys harassed James with homophobic remarks and physically attacked him July 12 during a birthday party for the twins at the Cameo nightclub in South Beach.

The lawsuit says Pickett attempted to intervene when Maurkice Pouncey grabbed Pickett, spun her toward him, punched her in the face and knocked her unconscious.

No charges have been filed to the Miami Beach Police Department.

Pouncey addressed the allegations before the start of the Steelers first training camp practice on Saturday.

“For something like this to happen, it's truly unbelievable,” Pouncey said. “I just want to apologize for any fans that take this the wrong way. You guys all know me and know the person I am. If people say bad things it (stinks), but sometimes you got to deal with that in life and move on.”

It was the second consecutive year that the Pouncey's birthday party resulted in controversy. Last year, the Pounceys were photographed wearing a ‘Free Hernandez” hat in apparent support of former Florida teammate Aaron Hernandez, who was arrested for murder charges.

“I'm a man about everything,” he continued. “You know that every time I ever made a mistake any time in my NFL career I admitted to it. For something like this to happen and have no total involvement in it is upsetting and hurtful to me. You know it's on my mind like crazy. Hopefully, it blows over.”

Pouncey, who signed a $48 million extension last month, said that he had no fear that he will be exonerated of the chargers.

“The only thing that (stinks) about it is I tried to keep a clean nose throughout this whole process this year. Having to deal with this, man, it (stinks), it truly does.”

[URL]http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/6511374-74/pouncey-lawsuit-maurkice#ixzz38cNt4V4j[/URL]