Tim Benz: As Tom Brady prepares for Super Bowl, it’s time for Steelers fans to reassess



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About an hour ago

I know what Steelers fans will think when reading this article.

“Tim, it’s nothing but a giant ‘I TELL YOU!'”

Let me tell you in advance, yes. Yes that’s exactly it.

No more. Not less. He’s a giant “I told you.”

Because I did. Now I ask you to re-evaluate.

I wrote a lot of columns that drove a lot of people really crazy. Rip out pirates, penguins, and Steelers. Or every time I mention Pitt.

Advance an unpopular opinion about a trade or draft pick. Some risky comments on how our local politicians were handling the coronavirus situation. Dance in sensitive social or political views.

But under these circumstances, for every one or two negative answers, I would usually get one or two positive ones.

Not for today’s example, however. I am referring to an article I wrote about quarterback Tom Brady on January 7, 2020. It was three days after his New England Patriots lost to the Tennessee Titans in the playoffs. ‘AFC, and Brady looked bad in the process.

It was clear at the time that the franchise’s long marriage to its six-time Super Bowl QB champion was tough, and it could hit free agency. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh was floundering through the offseason to see if Ben Roethlisberger’s surgically repaired elbow would heal enough to allow him to return to a Steelers uniform in 2020. If ever again.

So I put forward the idea that – despite nearly 20 years of animosity towards Brady in our beautiful city – Steelers fans would want (and should) welcome him to town if Ben Roethlisberger’s arm made him take his retirement.

Between negative tweets, Facebook replies, and emails, I’m pretty sure I’ve never had a more universal rejection of a story idea from our readership. I expected a flashback for provincial and emotional reasons. No tactical football. But I have both.

Readers have expressed hatred of Brady for his repeated punches against the Steelers, the Patriots’ reign of terror over the AFC, and the allegations about Spygate and Deflategate. But, also, many thought he couldn’t hack him anymore, and he wouldn’t help the Steelers if he came to Heinz Field.

Mason Rudolph would be better. A draft pick would be better. I’m pretty sure if I looked closely enough I might come up with a “they better stick with ‘Duck’ next year” response.

I’ve been accused of everything from the Pittsburgh betrayal to the spread of “clickbait.”

Yeah. How did it all happen?

Roethlisberger has returned. He piloted the Steelers to an 11-0 start. And Brady still had a better year. Now he’s in the Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Do you think the people of Tampa would be happier with Rudolph or Duck? Or even Big Ben?

No, me neither.

The parish “we hate Brady because he was a patriot didn’t cheat,” I expected. If my hypothesis had come to fruition and Roethlisberger had retired in the offseason, I think most Pittsburghers would have forgotten all about it and salivated at the idea of ​​Brady being a bridge for a few years, keeping the offense going. competitive while that strong defense would continue to thrive.

But Brady’s disregard for abilities was just plain stupid. Especially compared to any quarterback, the Steelers would have ended up trotting on Opening Day if Brady hadn’t come to Pittsburgh.

Consider these numbers released by Brady in 2020-2021. At 43, in his 21st season.

• Brady’s 4,633 passing yards is the fourth-highest total of his career.

• Brady’s 40 touchdowns were only eclipsed by the 50 he threw with the 2007 18-1 Pats.

• Its 401 completions were only exceeded once (402 in 2015).

• Brady has already won three playoff games this year. The Steelers have three in the past decade.

• And for all the “Yeah, what about Spygate and Deflategate?” theorists, this will be Brady’s sixth Super Bowl since Spygate. His fourth since Deflategate. His fifth if you count the victory over the Seattle Seahawks the game after the scandal broke.

In the meantime, the Patriots went 7-9 and missed the Super Bowl.

So, yes, clearly signing Brady to replace Roethlisberger would have been a tragic mistake for the Steelers franchise. Happy calling to everyone who has sent, tweeted and posted on Facebook.

Now that we take a look at it, the Steelers should have signed Brady to replace Roethlisberger even though he remained in good health.

Yes, my inbox is open if you would like to respond to this comment as well.

Or if you want to tell me how I’m still a jerk because the Steelers are going to acquire (insert name Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, Sam Darnold, Carson Wentz or Matt Stafford here) this offseason anyway. So I’m still wrong.

It’s funny how things change. “We would never want Tom Brady to replace Big Ben. But give us Sam Darnold!

Just kidding, Steelers fans. Enjoy the Super Bowl. I’m sure Dwayne Haskins will get them there soon enough.

By the way, my inbox is also accepting apologies.

Tim Benz is a writer for Tribune-Review. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication, unless otherwise specified.

Categories:
Sports | Steelers / NFL | Breakfast with Benz



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