Around the 'Shoe

I don't know why you get mad about it....everyone hates some team...I recall getting mad last season when my Steelers were playing the 49ers and Larry Grant was tearing it up....what bothered me was that he never played at that level when he was here. I also remember seeing AJ Hawk make some plays against the Steelers in the super bowl and I was angry, but happy for him.

What makes me laugh is that if you live in the state of Ohio and don't root for one of their looser NFL teams you are automatically a bandwagon jumper. These loser fan bases don't care if your family brought you up that way, or if you made that decision as a young kid. They want you to get behind their cause....that cause is misery. These are the same idiots that divorce their wives at the drop of a hat, but are loyal to franchises who continually break their hearts.

I say screw you, it's a free country and I root for the teams I grew up loving (Buckeyes and Steelers)....and I am GLAD it pisses you off. I don't care if it doesn't make sense to you, and I don't care what you call me. I am bringing my kids up to root for the teams that I was brought up to root for. My kids have seen 2 super bowl victories, and a third appearance. Most of you haven't seen even seen your team get near a championship.

I am also glad to see my Steelers taking Buckeyes, because the Steelers don't have a track record of ruining the careers of their draft picks (like the Browns do) or getting them all arrested (like the Bengals do). They also not staph infection central. Think of how much better Robiskie could have been in a real organization that develops it's players correctly. If you really like a college player, you wouldn't wish the Browns or Bengals on them. Just ask Lecharles Bently.

For all the deficiencies of the Browns and Bengals, I guess the logical conclusion could be to get mad at the Steelers....I suppose the Steelers should just give up and let the Bengals and Browns win...maybe that would give you a reason to pound your chest and talk crap on a message board. Alas, the Steelers won't do that, so most of you will just have to deal with it.

I completely agree with your post except for one minor thing: the minor part about Larry Grant.

I think what may have allowed him to let loose in SF is the fact that it's his hometown.

And while here I think he was our hardest hitting and most physical LB'er in particularly during the '07 season. In addition to having Gholston that season, having Grant as the third backer helped lead our defense to being the top ranked in college football that year.
It was after he left for the NFL when our LBing corps effectiveness became diminished with Laurinaitis doing the bulk of the work and Freeman getting burned on just about every other play.

But to the point I always root for individual Buckeye players to excel and do well even if they're on teams that I despise such as the Redskins and Packers.

And you're completely correct in assessing the mindset of Browns and Bengals fans here. Personally I want both to do well because they're long overdue. And if you have a healthy and competitive rivalry between not just the Steelers and Ravens but these other two as well, then there's no doubt that the AFC Central will clearly be the #1 division in all the NFL. But if these teams suck, as they have for the better part of the past twenty years, then their hardcore fans need to keep their mouths shut. You can still be a fan but you have no room to roar and snap at fans of those teams that win.

As Buckeye fans we can always brag and hold our heads high for the most part because even in spite of our 7-game losing season in 2011, we hadn't had one in over 100 years: the longest streak in all of D-I collegiate football. And it was our first general losing season in 23 years. Oddly it's been 23 years since the Bengals Iggy Shuffled their way to a Super Bowl and when the Browns were still an AFC contender with Bernie Kosar and Schottenheimer at the helm.

So are you actually attempting to say the Steelers, (as a franchise), are NOT a better organization than the Bungles & Clowns? No, no bandwagon here. Just simple facts. The Steelers have won 6 Superbowls and been to 8. The Bungles have been to 2 (in the 1980s) and lost them both. The Clowns....well that is a whole different story of another color now isn't it? So until Ohio's 2 professional football teams' ownership decide that winning is an absolute priority, (and not their individual wallet), they will continue to be 2nd & 3rd tier teams at best. Again, no bandwagon fan here....just telling the sad truth, no matter who they draft, or bring in to coach.

I am a strong Steeler and Buckeye fan. I have been exremely proud of the bucks that have gone the Steeler route whether they produce or not. I did not like it when Holmes was traded because he had an opportunity to be a legitimate receiver in their system and provided an deep threat for the Steelers. People forget that until the 1970's they may have been the worst franchaise in the NFL with only a handful of winning seasons. Other than Ernie Stautner I would find it hard to name any pro Bowlers(Jack Butler was recently named. I hope Adams keeps his nose clean and does well. I forgave him as a Buckeye but now if he relapses I would feel sorry for him but it would be hard to forgive. Hopefully he hangs around the right guys and loses his bad influences.

I love the fact the Steelers are drafting Bucks. Steelers are a great franchise and always a championship contender. Mike Adams immediately becomes one of the best OT's on the roster and a possible starter this season. Hopefully Tomlin gives him the death stare with those bug eyes and can help keep Adams out of trouble.

I'm a Bengals fan, but still would prefer to see Ohio State players go other places. I'm not saying PIttsburgh hasn't been more successful than the Bengals, doesn't mean I have to like them. There are also other team sin the NFL more successful than Pittsburgh, it's not like not being drafted by Pittsburgh means a Buckeye can't be successful.