I consider myself to be a pragmatist when it comes to the Steelers.  I’m a big fan, but I’m far short of “Yinzer Fever”, the common symptoms of which are a deep love for all things Steelers, a mustache, an irrational hatred for anything that isn’t a trap running play, and black & gold Zubaz pants (and possibly a hat).  I like to think I have a pretty good grip on reality, even when dealing with the NFL team that I like so much.

With that in mind, I think it’s ludicrous that so many television talking heads are still slurping Old Man Favre and the Vikings after getting shanked by the Steelers 27-17 on Sunday.  Obviously, it was a wild game, and in fact, wild doesn’t even begin to describe it.  Three fourth quarter defensive and special teams TDs, Mike Wallace flipping into the end zone, Brett Favre’s gray hair and old balls all over the place, Jeff Reed acting like a two-bit matador on what could have been a TD-saving tackle, Adrian Peterson trucking Willie Gay embarrassingly on a dump pass…this game had it all.  And I think after all of the insanity, it’s fair to say that both teams were pretty evenly matched and that the Steelers did a great job of capitalizing on mistakes, which led them to the win.  So, why is Favre still being lauded as this conquering hero even though he lost the game in spectacular fashion?

Let’s look at the “fluke” plays as they’re being called, in terms of Favre’s involvement:

1.) Favre pumps once and then gets stripped by Brett Keisel from the backside.  Lamarr Woodley picks up the fumble and rumbles 77 yards for the score.

You can argue that nothing could have stopped Keisel from making that play, short of the left guard doing a better job of blocking him.  When did we stop holding QBs accountable for ball security?  Especially one that’s been in the league for 71 seasons now?

2.) Favre throws a screen pass that goes through Chester Taylor’s hands and to the waiting Keyaron Fox (who’s name I enjoy misspelling), who finds himself a convoy of Steelers and goes 82 yards for a TD that puts the game out of reach.

On the play, Favre pulls one of the lamest tackle attempts in human history and slides to this knees rather than get blocked or try to make the tackle.  This on a play in what was still a three-point game at that moment.  I know he’s old and I know he’s a QB, but you can’t stand in front of a TV camera, sit in front of your keyboard, or even argue with some goonie at your local bar and tell me that he’s some kind of great competitor.  I can see the justification for him taking a dive if the game was out of a reach (though he’d still be a pussy), but we’re talking about a huge play in a big game here.

After all of that, I’m still seeing national media people lining up to fellate the guy and calling him a courageous competitor?  *GAG*

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Tags: NFL, steelers

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