Big Ben asks: Why did the Steelers draft Rudolph on the 3rd round?
Big Ben jabs Steelers front office: ‘Did they screw up with that pick’ of Josh Dobbs?
Ben Roethlisberger is a rare diva quarterback. He uses his Friday radio show on 93.7 The Fan to speak freely about whatever Pittsburgh Steelers issues that concern him. One thing he doesn’t like is the team stockpiling QBs, ready to swoop in like vultures: Landry Jones, Joshua Dobbs and, most recently, Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph, on the third round of the NFL Draft in Arlington. “I thought in the third round you can get some really good football players who can help this team now,” Roethlisberger said. “If they feel like he can help the team so be it, but I was a little surprised. I assume Landry is still the two, but I don’t really know. And Josh, last year taken in the fourth. Does that mean the Steelers screwed up with that pick? Has he not developed the way they thought? Why else would you take a quarterback in the third round the next year?”
Dear Ben: You speak as if one foot is out the door, ponder retiring after every season, refer to the Steelers as “they” and not “we.” And you complain of “them” seeking a better backup for a quarterback who’s 34. Rudolph was projected as early second-round on most draft boards. Yes he’s better than Josh, who appreciates your pointing that out.
Brady says he doesn’t follow football ‘like I used to’
Tom Brady, All-Pro QB of the New England Patriots, finds no mystery to the declining television ratings in the NFL, and it has nothing to do with kneeling or concussed players. It’s a matter of increasing competition for the entertainment dollar and minute. “There’s so much to consume, so much happening,” he said during his recent appearance at the Milken Institute Global Conference. “I hate to say it, I don’t follow it like I used to, so many other things to follow.”
Zolak says Super Bowl bitterness lingers: Brady, Gronk feel defense shoulda done more
Scott Zolak, former player for the New England Patriots and now their radio analyst, says Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski are not happy with coach Bill Belichick’s behavior before, during and after the Super Bowl, but that it won’t detract from their performance in the upcoming season. On Pro Football Talk (NBCSports Network), Zolak said: “One of the big adages around here is ‘Do your job.’ I don’t know if they felt the defense did their job, didn’t do enough to stop Philadelphia just one time in that second half.” Belichick shares responsibility for the defensive meltdown, Zolak said, because “they never got an answer on Malcolm Butler.” Belichick has not explained why his starting right cornerback and former Super Bowl hero did not play a single down of defense against Philadelphia. But as Zolak sees it, this bit of off-season drama will have no impact on the 2018 season: “I just think that Tom and Gronk are so good at what they do that they’re going to be ready to go, regardless.”
Between the Lines: Brady and Gronkowski will play in 2018, but 2019 is doubtful. Brady, 41, hasn’t denied feelings of being unappreciated by Belichick, and his future success could be limited without the aging Gronk and Julius Edelman catching his passes.
Chris Paul’s brother ejected, temporarily, in case of mistaken identity
C.J. Paul, the brother and business manager of Houston Rockets point guard Chris Paul, was ejected from the Game 4 playoff game in Utah in the third quarter. But after Chris and coach Mike D’Antoni intervened, the ejection was quickly rescinded, and C.J. was escorted back to his seat near the Rockets’ bench. Apparently a fan next to C.J. called James Williams an obscene name. It was a case of mistaken identity. “The thing is, I know James,” C.J. told USA Today. “He reffed me in college.” When a security guard approached him and said, “We need to talk to you in back,” C.J. said he “told them what happened. I don’t talk like that.”
Between the Lines: This NBA postseason has featured strange incidents with fans. Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook was taunted by Utah senatorial candidate Mitt Romney, and Rockets MVP candidate James Harden slapped away the cell phone of a fan at Toyota Center who insulted him. Harden didn’t hit much else in that Game 2 loss but rallied to lead the Rockets to wins in Games 3 and 4 and to the brink of the Western Conference finals.