Ben never watched the "What to say to the media" scene in Bull Durham



http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2017/10/ ... -that-way/

Ugh. Making a bigger deal of this than it needed to be.

As I said in the game thread, it looks like the bromance shared on national tv before the vikes game is on ice.

Maybe that means JuJu or James or MB get more targets. And Bell gets his 35 touches per game.

Couldn’t through the article without my phone getting taken over by ads.

Just a guess but maybe he was upset they missed a easy chance for a TD in a game that in recent years has come down to a field goal.

I predict AB will be gone after 2019 and Ben will still be here.

Odd he decided to reference Heath Miller in that moment?

This team has some fucking problems. Your star receiver blows a gasket, and then your star QB calls him out for it?

The problem is plainly obvious, and that it's this offense is just not good. Haley needs to go.

AB will have a big game on Sunday.
All will be fine between the two of them.

FYI

Ju Ju had 51 snaps on Sunday
MB had 49.

Can't wait to see this rookie continue to develop.

Ben said a few weeks back that you do not have to tell this kid twice or have to explain a play twice.
Smart. and looking to absorb information.
I think he mentioned he JuJu locker close to Ben so they can chat easier.

Ya know....think about this...

Bell franchised for 2018. Rd 1 RB in 19 draft. Bell walks. Bryant proves this year and next hes grown up a little and done with drugs. Signs for good money in 19. JuJu becomes solid Ward/Keyshawn possession chain mover. AB is let go after 2019 RD 1 WR in 2020 draft.

Not guaranteeing just pointing out the Steelers have alot options. Good viable options

Brown will also be 31 years old after the 2019 season. Seriously doubt the Steelers give him a big contract after that season. Someone will give him big money, but I doubt it's us.

Good solid teammate.

Ive long been 95% sure Ben long ago adopted a good soldier stance he doesnt really believe in at all.

Im not sure everyone else is that resolute

AB is signed through 2021. According to spotract he could be let go after 2019 without much damage

That quote is an odd coincidence. Charlie Batch was on DVE this morning and told a story about Ben asking Heath if he was open and Heath telling him "No". Batch told it almost verbatim from the way Ben mentioned it in that quote.

Wonder if Ben heard that interview and repeated it for all to hear.

Ben and Heath roomed on the road for many years.

Ah. In that case, I doubt they cut him before his contract is up unless we see a significant production drop.

All these years with Ben, and still most don't even try to understand him.

The guy is 100% about teamwork and building the team. He's in it to win it, and has few, if any, other interests in the game other than the camaraderie and the winning that comes with it. He doesn't care who gets the ball, unless it affects that player getting hot or cold or being happy in a way that increases the chances of winning. He's been making statements to that effect and acting to that effect for years now.

AB was totally in the fucking wrong, by the way. Even if you were wide open from the snap and even if your QB never looked at you and even if the QB had all day to look around and throw it-- you never, never, never, ever make a giant deal about it. Hell, WRs think they are open on every play. EVERY play. They do not care about what the QB sees, or his progressions, or protection schemes, or free blitzers. Do. Not. Care.

If you're a great teammate, you go to your QB and say-- what do you need me to do? How can I help? What are you seeing? What did you see on that play? How can I help get another guy open?

This diva shit is offensive, even if the guy is otherworldly in his talents. He also had two costly drops in this game, neither of which was particularly heinous but both are plays that we expect AB to complete. Look for AB to apologize before the week is through.

Yes, Ben doesn't seem to care much for confrontation, and doesn't like yelling. So when I see him screaming at Haley on the sidelines, or sniping at AB or the coaches in the press....there's a big fucking problem.

I would add: gesturing in frustration with receivers

He's done that his whole career. Function of a revolving door of young guys and boneheads he's throwing the ball to.

Ben is also dramatic. Always has been. I'm not sure why "We deal with these things internally. ___ is a great competitor. We're all focused on winning and doing what we can to help the team." isn't his go to for anything related to his teammates in talking to the media.

That was his tune most of his career. It changed the past 2-3 years, probably seeing his window closing and being frustrated it was falling on deaf ears behind closed doors.

I fire Haley and tell Ben to stop worrying about being the OC.

What does “dramatic” mean?

The way I use it here is that he likes to inject himself into the, or create a, conversation/story when it's not necessary.

I think AB sees himself rightly so as a brand, not just a player. He's got the smile charisma thing working and he's the top wr in the game. But he needs those stats to back it up.

Secondly I think AB is probably more than a tad frustrated being double and triple teamed. Coverage is almost always shaded his way at least. So when he breaks open like that he's probably saying to himself Christ I'll never be that open again all year.

Doesn't excuse the tantrum but at least he threw Gatorade and not the water boy

If you watch the replay from the broadcast - Haley throws his hands in some not happy emotion when Ben checks it down. I can't speak to the progression philosophy since I'm not in the room, but based on how Haley/AB respond I have to think Ben's answer doesn't hold a ton of water. I just don't think you run an odd route concept like that as a throw away - I have to imagine it was the center point of that play call.