TE James - explanation for poor game

[Ghost]

The high level gist of the story:

Two days before the game, James’ best friend from high school died suddenly. The Steelers were leaving the next day for the bus ride to Canton, and James was distraught, wondering if he would even be able to attend the funeral.
“It’s tough to hear and get over when you’re that close with somebody,” James said Wednesday after a light morning practice.

That’s why the Steelers aren’t overly concerned about the dropped passes against the Vikings. Nobody was using it as an excuse — not even James — but several coaches said they can understand why the situation would have been a distraction for the young tight end.

Here's the whole article if interested:

[URL]http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/08/13/Death-of-friend-rattled-Steelers-TE-Jesse-James-before-Hall-of-Fame-Game/stories/201508130075[/URL]

[Discipline of Steel]

You are only as good as your last game. Luckily he will have plenty of opportunity to change that perception.

[Eich]

He gets a full pass from me. I've been through what he went through. You're not right in the head for a while after something like that.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Whatever, it was only one game. Regardless of the situation, you either learn and grow from it or you let it define you. One game doesn't bother me either way. If he has a bunch more like that then he will be gone. If he plays better moving forward then nobody but him will remember that game.

[bostonsteeler]

The high level gist of the story:

Two days before the game, James’ best friend from high school died suddenly. The Steelers were leaving the next day for the bus ride to Canton, and James was distraught, wondering if he would even be able to attend the funeral.
“It’s tough to hear and get over when you’re that close with somebody,” James said Wednesday after a light morning practice.

That’s why the Steelers aren’t overly concerned about the dropped passes against the Vikings. Nobody was using it as an excuse — not even James — but several coaches said they can understand why the situation would have been a distraction for the young tight end.

Here's the whole article if interested:

[URL]http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/08/13/Death-of-friend-rattled-Steelers-TE-Jesse-James-before-Hall-of-Fame-Game/stories/201508130075[/URL]

That's tough. It can be very distracting. Lets see how he performs in the next game.

[Shawn]

I think any reasonable human being will be willing to give the guy a free pass under those circumstances. He does have an intriguing size/speed combo...hopefully he was merely distracted and doesn't have hands of stone.

[Starlifter]

I don't want to sound cruel or harsh - but I think this is a ridiculous argument. Is he suggesting that as the ball was bouncing off his hands he was thinking about his friend? Could it have led to less sleep, maybe a less than 100% prepared scenario that contributed to the performance? I'm sure it did. But football is a results business.

In my line of work I've buried more friends than I care to think about. I buried one last month, heart attack at 51. I went to work two days later.

As I type this I'm sure it's making me look like a douche - but as I head out today to fly my jet and hopefully land safely with passengers on board, I have to wonder just how messed up this kid was in the head to not be able to accomplish catching a ball that hit him in both hands. Something he's been doing since he was likely 5 years old and shouldn't require any conscious thought at all.

how many other contributors to this board are doctors, operate heavy equipment, or other fields that require not only high skill but carry the risk of injuring others - yet are likely still able to perform after a few days?

just catch the damn ball.

sorry for the rant. I'm having a crappy day and I seem to be constantly surrounded by people with excuses instead of results.

[Sword]

I don't want to sound cruel or harsh - but I think this is a ridiculous argument. Is he suggesting that as the ball was bouncing off his hands he was thinking about his friend? Could it have led to less sleep, maybe a less than 100% prepared scenario that contributed to the performance? I'm sure it did. But football is a results business.

In my line of work I've buried more friends than I care to think about. I buried one last month, heart attack at 51. I went to work two days later.

As I type this I'm sure it's making me look like a douche - but as I head out today to fly my jet and hopefully land safely with passengers on board, I have to wonder just how messed up this kid was in the head to not be able to accomplish catching a ball that hit him in both hands. Something he's been doing since he was likely 5 years old and shouldn't require any conscious thought at all.

how many other contributors to this board are doctors, operate heavy equipment, or other fields that require not only high skill but carry the risk of injuring others - yet are likely still able to perform after a few days?

just catch the damn ball.

sorry for the rant. I'm having a crappy day and I seem to be constantly surrounded by people with excuses instead of results.

We all handle emotions differently..not all the same even if the job was the same....so, it is a reasonable argument....

[Slapstick]

He's also all of, what, 22? Playing in his first NFL game? You never made mistakes when you were that young?

[Shawn]

We all handle emotions differently..not all the same even if the job was the same....so, it is a reasonable argument....

Yeah, I don't think Starlifter is a "douche" for having that opinion. I'm also a results guy and hold people accountable for such. IMO, he gets a one game pass from me. But, he is right...there are many who have to continue performing at a high level shortly after horrific loss. I do my best to mix compassion with accountability. In this case, it's just a game and maybe he just had a bad one. I guess we will know more soon enough.

[Starlifter]

He's also all of, what, 22? Playing in his first NFL game? You never made mistakes when you were that young?

Of course I did.

and perhaps the fact he is simply 22 and playing in his first NFL game is all the reason necessary. In fact, if he hadn't mentioned the death of his friend - isn't that what all of us (including me) would be saying?

Look, there's no way to win a debate on this subject. I just prefer my receivers to catch the ball when they're in the game - no matter what.

otherwise it's just the next sweed.

[Starlifter]

Yeah, I don't think Starlifter is a "douche" for having that opinion. I'm also a results guy and hold people accountable for such. IMO, he gets a one game pass from me. But, he is right...there are many who have to continue performing at a high level shortly after horrific loss. I do my best to mix compassion with accountability. In this case, it's just a game and maybe he just had a bad one. I guess we will know more soon enough.

thanks. and well said.

[Shoe]

I don't want to sound cruel or harsh - but I think this is a ridiculous argument. Is he suggesting that as the ball was bouncing off his hands he was thinking about his friend? Could it have led to less sleep, maybe a less than 100% prepared scenario that contributed to the performance? I'm sure it did. But football is a results business.

In my line of work I've buried more friends than I care to think about. I buried one last month, heart attack at 51. I went to work two days later.

As I type this I'm sure it's making me look like a douche - but as I head out today to fly my jet and hopefully land safely with passengers on board, I have to wonder just how messed up this kid was in the head to not be able to accomplish catching a ball that hit him in both hands. Something he's been doing since he was likely 5 years old and shouldn't require any conscious thought at all.

how many other contributors to this board are doctors, operate heavy equipment, or other fields that require not only high skill but carry the risk of injuring others - yet are likely still able to perform after a few days?

just catch the damn ball.

sorry for the rant. I'm having a crappy day and I seem to be constantly surrounded by people with excuses instead of results.

I'm in 100% agreement with you. The article says, "no one is using it as an excuse", but that is precisely what is being used as! I totally give the kid a pass--not because his friend died (with respects to that friend), but because everyone has a bad game.

[Slapstick]

It's funny, but I didn't hear James or the Steelers use it as an excuse...but, I did see a media story about it.

[birtikidis]

22 first game in the NFL. day after the death of your best friend. I think I'd have some nerve issues too.