SB Nation User Blog: dave33

Ben Roethlisberger Sued for Sexual Assault

dave33 — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:19:55 -0000

Ben Roethlisberger Sued for Sexual Assault

A woman claims Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger lured her into a hotel room, then sexually assaulted her, according to a new lawsuit.

Andrea McNulty claims in her civil lawsuit filed in Washoe County, Nevada, this year's Super Bowl winner asked her to come to his hotel room in July, 2008 -- and then forced her to have sex with him.

McNulty -- an employee at the Harrah's Hotel in Lake Tahoe -- is suing for sexual assault and battery, false imprisonment and infliction of emotional distress.

Ben denies all of McNulty's allegations. Roethlisberger's lawyer told ProFootballTalk.com, "The timing of the lawsuit and the absence of a criminal complaint and a criminal investigation are the most compelling evidence of the absence of any criminal conduct."

The Fourth Quarter and Michael Irvin

dave33 — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:16:46 -0000

Two things generally come to my mind when watching Michael Irvin’s Fourth and Long. First, I think it is misnamed and second, I wish the Cowboys had someone with Irvin’s brand of leadership (maybe they do, but we just haven’t seen it yet).

The show should be named the 4th Quarter. Certainly these players are in the 4th quarter of their chances to make an NFL team. This title captures the urgency of the situation just as well as 4th and Long. But more importantly, competing in the Fourth Quarter is the overall theme behind Irvin’s message. Here’s an example:

“Anyone can have a 40-inch vertical jump ... I want to know how high someone can jump in the fourth quarter with the game on the line to catch a football. ... That is the kind of player I will produce.”

When Irvin makes these kinds of statements, it’s almost as if he is sending a message to the current Cowboys team. And for good reason. I think three games last year told the tale of the season: the second Redskins game, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. These games were won and lost in the Fourth Quarter. In the Fourth Quarter of the Redskins game, Marion Barber was the player Irvin envisions. Then came the Pittsburgh and Baltimore games. The Cowboys should have won those games. Period. Had they won the Fourth Quarter, they would have.

Now I know a lot of you point to injuries as the main factor that led to the disappointment last season. And I agree that but for those injuries, this team could have had a better season. However, the Cowboys were talented enough to win despite the injuries. That, to me, is what Irvin’s Fourth Quarter mentality is all about: A team that’s injured and tired but finds a way to get it done (whether its in the fourth quarter of a game or the fourth quarter of the season).

Some thoughts after watching the 9-7 Cards win the NFC championship

dave33 — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:58:29 -0000

It is so sad to see the quick dismantling of the foundation built in the too short Parcells era in Dallas. It has been well noted that perhaps Parcells lost something as a coach. We as fans were tired of ultra conservative style of play. But, there is no question that this organization has taken a giant step backwards in the wake of his departure.

Jerry was stuck. After three straight 5-11 seasons, he did something that surprised a lot of people—he hired a coach with a very strong personality. Parcells became the de facto leader of the organization. Jerry, of course, retained the final say in the personnel department (which seemingly led to Parcells' early departure when Jerry forced TO on him), but for awhile, it seemed like Bill was leading them in the right direction. For a brief moment, it felt like we were once again building a winner. Then came the debacle in Seattle, followed by Parcells’ departure, followed by Jerry’s biggest blunder—hiring Wade Phillips.

Under Wade Phillips:

--the team has become soft

--Jerry seems to have no one to check his excesses

--Our once promising QB has regressed into a celebrity quarterback

--TO has become the leader of the locker room

This all adds up to the incredible disappointment we feel as fans. And it seems as if there is no end in sight. The window of opportunity created by the Parcells era is beginning to close, and the Cowboys have nothing to show for it other than a collection of overpaid, underachieving players. If we knew then what we know now, here’s how it should have happened: Jerry recognizing that Parcells was invaluable to his success, would have given him a prominent position in the front office with a say in all personnel decisions. The Jerry/Bill duo would have hired Sparano as the HC. Todd Bowles would have taken over as DC and Todd Haley would have been OC. TO would have to either buy in or get out. Romo would have stuck to the 10 commandments of quarterbacking and would now be progressing into one of the leagues better quarterbacks. Instead, Jerry happened. It is so hard to change as a person in this life. Often, we think we have left our demons in the past, and then they rear their ugly heads in the present. Jerry repeated the mistake he made with Johnson. In the mid nineties, he failed to realize what Jimmy meant to the organization, more tragically, he took Johnson’s success as his own. He did the same with Parcells—once again, he mistook Parcells’ success as his own and failed to realize how much Parcells meant to the organization. That, it seems, is Jerry’s demon—he has a desperate need to be seen as the guy in Dallas. When we as fans recognize that Jerry wants to win, it should come with a caveat. Jerry wants to win. But more than that, he wants to win his way. He does not want to be in anyone’s shadow. He wants the credit. It’s sad, really. This is why Jerry and TO are soulmates. Both want to win, but they are only happy if they are integral to their team’s success. Neither are happy with being role players. Both have to be the stars. Jerry sees so much of himself in TO. That’s why Jerry can’t quit TO.

How Bad Was Romo Against the Steelers?

dave33 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:36:34 -0000

Opening drive; 3rd and 8; Romo tries to throw a ball to Owens, intercepted by Palamaulo. Pitt starts first drive at own 48 as a result.
2nd and 9; 15:00 to go 2nd Quarter; Choice is wide open in the flat, Romo throws ball low; Choice dives and rolls for 8 yards
As a result of the bad pass to Choice and a miss on 3rd and 2, Cowboys go for it on 4th and 2. Romo throws way over a wide open Owens. Ball to Pitt.
11:36 left in the 2nd Quarter. 2nd and 8; Romo overthrows (I mean not even Close!) Witten. Next play: Romo gets sacked, fumbles ball. Pitt takes over at Cowboy 44.
5:30 left in the 2nd Quarter; First play of a drive starting at the eight yard line. Romo forces a fade to Owens. Its under thrown. Ike Taylor picks it off. Steelers take over at the 23. Dallas defense holds to a FG. I put these 3 points on Romo.
6:33 left in the 4th. 7 point lead. 2nd and 9. Romo back to pass, 4 man rush, Romo lets pocket collapse around him which makes it 3rd and 15 (its looks like he has the checkdown to Choice on this play). Cowboys go three and out on this critical drive.
2nd and 8. Ball on the 17 yardline. Romo throws pick-six to Townsend. I put these 7 points on Romo and Witten.
The final drive 4 and out: what can I say.

I hate to beat a dead horse, but it really is amazing that he could play this bad.