The Pittsburgh Steelers are trying to shed a bad public image that they definitely have developed over the past few seasons. Questions about their leadership has filled a locker room full of big egos matched with historical success. Even more so, the Steelers's precious public image isn't what it should be.
Rookie nose-tackle Alameda Ta'amu's recent situation is not helping their image nor are the Steelers helping themselves. Ta'amu recently pled guilty to reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and drunken driving stemming from a police chase last fall. (Tribune-Review) Ta'amu has to do some DUI classes, pay $10,000 worth of fines, while serving two months of probation.
Ta'amu got drunk, drove, and tried to run over police officers. That's what basically happened. Now, I know what it's like to be in trouble but I've never done anything like this. I know Ta'amu is young and dumb but this is a little extreme. Ta'amu should be cut by the Steelers. Especially if they're going to continue to try and shed this bad public image.
Ta'amu has never even played in a game for the Steelers. He was a 4th round pick last year and never saw the field. With Casey Hampton finally gone, it was expected that Al'amu would backup Steve McLendon, who the Steeelers signed a lower-tender contract on. That already puts the Steelers in a bad situation at nose tackle. No depth to speak of, even with Ta'amu. He's unproven and was considered a raw talent to begin with.
I'm all for second chances, lord knows I've received plenty of chances, but the Steelers cutting Ta'amu just makes sense for too many reasons to not cut him. Drunk driving is one thing but based on the reports and evidence, Ta'amu was trying to hurt someone while driving intoxicated. That's sick.
The Steelers have parted ways with almost everyone that has caused trouble off the field over the years. They cut Chris Rainey, who had already been in trouble with the law before they drafted him, after he was charged with battery. Rainey has had domestic violence issues before and the perception is that driving drunk isn't that serious, especially compared to domestic violence. I think driving drunk is just as bad, considering you put yourself and others in a life threatening situation.
The Steelers also got rid of Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes after the 2009 season, when he was getting himself into all sorts of trouble. Holmes failed a drug test and was suspended for the the first four games of 2010. During the same three-month span, Holmes gave the Twitter world this awesome tweet.
I have nothing against smoking pot but when you fail a drug test and tweet this you're a moron. Holmes was also suspended by the Steelers in 2008 for being charged with marijuana possession. Holmes has been getting in and out of trouble since his Ohio State days and the Steelers ended up shipping him for a 5th-round draft pick.
The Steelers just lost Rashard Mendenhall and Mike Wallace who never got into any legal trouble, but obviously both had attitude problems and said a bunch of dumb shit on Twitter. Mendenhall criticized people that celebrated Osama Bin Laden's death and also compared the NFL to modern-day slavery. Wallace said last year that he doesn't always focus during live games. Both guys are immature but the Steelers didn't seem to want to put up with any of their shit.
Hines Ward was arrested and charged with a DUI in the summer of 2011. Although the Steelers kept Ward around after his arrest, even though I thought they shouldn't have, they went on to cut Ward of the 2011 season. Ward even begged the Steelers to bring him back for one more year and they still said no. Not worth the trouble.
James Harrison was charged with domestic violence in 2008 and was also arrested. The charges were eventually dropped but the Steelers nor the NFL suspended Harrison for his actions. Actually, Dan Rooney came out and defended Harrison. Harrison was also repeatedly fine by the NFL for on the field penalties and even said extreme vulgar things about NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Again, one guy was expendable the other (Harrison) wasn't. But eventually this all caught up with Harrison as he was recently cut by the team with two years left on his contract.
Now, only Ben Roethlisberger, the team's star quarterback, who was accused of sexual assault (twice), and Ta'amu are the only players left on the roster that have faced any type of legal trouble. Roethlisberger was never charged or even arrested for his accusations. Ta'amu's charges are real, he did that shit. Ta'amu should be cut by the Steelers.
The Steelers can keep McLendon, sign a cheap free-agent, and draft another nose tackle in the 2013 draft. They don't need Ta'amu. We don't even know if Ta'amu is going to be any good. I hope that he stays out of trouble and gets another chance to play in the NFL if he behaves, but I just don't think the Steelers should be the team to give it to him. Not if they want their public image to get any better.
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