Steelers Have “Zero Tolerance,” Bridge To Sell

On the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ first day of Organized Team Activities (OTAs), it appears the law was laid down by…   Somebody.

In this article, Willie Colon, the guy who “saw nothing” while partying with Ben Roethlisberger down in Georgia, says the team was informed of a “zero tolerance” policy from this point forward.  When asked about it, head coach Mike Tomlin said that he had never uttered those words.  So who did?  Ambassador Rooney?  Art Rooney II?   Kevin Colbert?  Dr. Phil?

If Tomlin didn’t address his team, who did?  And shouldn’t your head coach be showing at least a smidge of leadership?

Even though Bill Cowher wasn’t the hard-ass that people thought he was (Players almost universally say Tomlin’s first training camp was much harsher than anything Cowher put them through), Cowher was a control freak.  He had his hands on every aspect of the team.  In fact, some think his departure was due to the fact his voice was being drowned out in personnel decisions by Colbert and Art II.  So if Tomlin isn’t establishing rules of conduct for his team, what exactly IS he doing?

As for the zero tolerance, I’m sure somebody issued that ultimatum.  Of course, I find it pretty stupid on a couple different levels.  First, they’ve been ignoring terrible behavior by their players for years now.  I mean, what do you say?  “Well, two rapes is understandable but one more rape and WE’VE HAD ENOUGH?!?”   Secondly, shouldn’t these boneheads know smacking your wife around or attacking college girls in bathrooms is a no-no?   Do they really need to be told?

Finally, I’ll believe this policy when I see it in action.  Color me skeptical but I don’t think they’re going to cut ties with their douchebag quarterback unless somebody has crystal clear cellphone camera footage of him molesting a sixteen-year-old girl.  And even then they might find a reason to look the other way.  I think they’re just trying to scare their players into walking a straight and narrow even though they plan on doing what they’ve been doing all along.  Namely, if you can help them win, you can do whatever you want.   But if you’re on the practice squad or special teams, you better behave yourself mister!

Thanks a lot, Steelers.  Now I’m starting to sound as cynical and jaded as a Bengals fan.