We see what we see; we hear what we hear; we read what we read. We draw our own conclusions.
Yeah, Woodley was terrible and appeared out of shape, and Cook can hide behind his "confidential source" and the recumbent Columbia Journalism Review blather, but Cook's story is weakened by the anonymity of the source.
That's not to say it didn't happen. Usually, where there's smoke there's fire. Sometimes, it's just smoke. We have a feeling there are some smoldering embers here, at the very least, but we don't really know. How could we? Last year, however, it was clear something was wrong on that team. Actually, by all appearances, a lot of things were wrong.
We ask:
Is it fair to wonder whether questions about "lack of leadership" are being asked in part because the quarterback has failed to assert leadership?Ben Roethlisberger's comments speak for themselves, but there's something lacking, as if proclaimed from a partitioned room separate and above the rest of the building.
Bouchette's article raises more questions than answers: Is Ben Roethlisberger out of touch? Is he being unintentionally disingenuous? Whistling past the graveyard? Despite all evidence to the contrary, the quarterback proclaims there are "no issues"?
Seven times -- count 'em -- seven times in the article, Ben says there are "no issues." He doth protest too much?
Read for yourself (emphasis, i.e., bold-faced and italics, added by JPPBs), below:
"I want it to be known there is no locker room issue (5), there is no leadership issue (6)."
"I've been around a lot of the guys, I've seen a lot of the guys, there are no issues (7)."
"That's what I'm hoping to just say: Done."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
After all that's happened, the proclamation has been made. From the ivory tower. Now that's leadership. You just keep telling yourself that, Ben. Uh-huh.
Seriously, is Roethlisberger that out of touch? Or is that his way of making a show of asserting "leadership"?
