Jaguar CB’s comments provide Big Ben with extra motivation
receivers go get it … I played him twice last year, and he really disappointed me.”
Where is Ed Hochuli when you need him to call a piling-on penalty?
I know Hochuli retired in March, but how about one more flag for the sake of fairness?
I’m not quite sure why this has turned into open season on Roethlisberger. The Steelers averaged 32.6 points in their final eight games last season and scored 31 or more five times. They put up 42 on Ramsey’s Jacksonville defense in the playoff loss. That hardly seems like a quarterback who is losing his fastball at 36. Everybody from Kevin Colbert to Mike Tomlin to Randy Fichtner said Roethlisberger is having his best training camp. All of Pittsburgh breathed a little easier Thursday when word came down that he was out of concussion protocol after a practice mishap Tuesday.
Consider the sources of the opinions.
Woody’s point has some validity because Bell is a terrific player. But Carr’s? He lost all credibility when he had his brother, Derek, rated No. 4 and didn’t have Carson Wentz in the top 10. And Ramsey’s? Who knows why and for what gain he agreed to evaluate just about every NFL quarterback and disparage so many? He called 2016 NFL MVP Matt Ryan “overrated,” said Joe Flacco “[stinks],” said Eli Manning is a product of Odell Beckham Jr. and said of Andrew Luck, “I don’t really think he’s that good.” Buffalo rookie Josh Allen took the worst from Ramsey. “He’s trash.”
When is the last time an athlete in a team sport has ripped so many of his peers? It’s really low-class. Ramsey is a great player. He was first-team All-Pro last season, his second in the NFL. His play gets plenty of deserved attention. Of course, so did his guarantee in January that the Jaguars would beat New England in the AFC championship game. That didn’t quite work out. Ramsey’s oneweek team suspension this week also was highly publicized. He threatened a Jacksonville journalist with “war” over something the man reported.
If I’m one of Ramsey’s teammates, I’m furious with him. Why go out of your way to insult your opponents or potential opponents for absolutely no reason? The Jaguars play the New York Football Giants, Buffalo and the Indianapolis Colts (twice) this season. They also play the Steelers on Nov. 18 in Jacksonville.
I can’t wait for that Steelers game.
I’m guessing Roethlisberger can’t wait, as well.
All of this could turn out for the Steelers’ benefit. Roethlisberger is as competitive as any athlete I’ve been around. He’s driven to excel for three to five more years before he moves on to the Hall of Fame. I’m sure he would love another chance to line up against Ramsey and that stout defense.
Roethlisberger certainly doesn’t need motivation beyond a chance to win a third Super Bowl, but a little extra never hurts.