After a 2-6 start, the Pittsburgh Steelers showed pride in 2006 when they finished 6-2 in their final eight games that included a overtime victory of the Cincinnati Bengals in their regular season finale.
In the midst of a five game losing streak, that's the big question surrounding this years team. Do they have it in them to finish on a high note? Mentally it doesn't look like it
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark went on a tirade following practice on Wednesday, criticizing the fans and media for what Clark claims to be is harsh coverage of the players.
Clark went as far as calling the media turds as frustrations are brewing in the Steelers locker room.
"You watch the Eagles, you watch the big plays given up, and I started checking other media outlets and you don't hear the things about them in their media that you hear about us," Ryan Clark said.
"So either we're held to higher standards, or the people that write about us are turds."
"Do we deserve to be talked about as disappointing? Yes we do, because we are disappointed in ourselves. But I think sometimes the coverage of it, especially, locally, has been, I'm not going to say it's unfair, but it's just been wrong."
Clark added, "I think it's gotten to the point where guys are getting attacked personally, names are being called and things like that when sometimes it's not those people. But that is your job. I got a job to do. Maybe if I can get a blog or start tweeting, I can learn all y'all guys' names and talk about all y'all."
The worst part of the 8-9 minute tirade was when Clark posted a piece of hate mail from fans in the locker room. Steelers representatives quickly removed the hate mail before the media could get their eyes on it.
Ryan Clark has been one of the most media friendly players since 2007. However, Clark's tirade is not a good sign that this team has it in them to turn things around. Ike Taylor was also very critical of the recent coverage of the team.
Yesterday was a clear sign that the players heads aren't where they should be. The vibe around the team is that since they won the Super Bowl last year, they should be cleared of any criticism.
There has even been talk from players that the expectations are too high in this town.
The worst part of the matter is that this kind of stuff is getting in the heads of the players.
As Mike Tomlin often notes, the Pittsburgh Steelers hold a high standard and losing is unacceptable. The Steelers are not the Cleveland Browns and they strive year in and year out to be a great team. It's not always going to happen but that's the standard when you wear a Steelers jersey.
Ryan Clark's comments have irked a number of beat writers covering the team. His comments don't bother me one bit other than the fact that it was a very immature act, especially bringing out the hate mail.
Meanwhile, If Ryan Clark wants to be free of criticism and receive a pat on the back for below average play, he should go play right field for the Pirates.
Bengals receiver Chris Henry dies
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry has died, one day after falling out of the back of a pickup truck in what authorities described as a domestic dispute with his fiancee.
According to the Associated Press, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said Henry died at 6:36 a.m. Thursday morning. Henry was 26 years old.
According to the police report, Henry was rushed to the hospital Wednesday after being found on a residential road "apparently suffering life-threatening injuries,". Police said a dispute began at a home about a half-mile away, and Henry jumped into the bed of the pickup truck as his fiancee was driving away from the residence.
Henry was on life support last night.
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