Whimper Whimper

[blurjose]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07271/821214-66.stm

[vinman3]

Former center Chukky Okobi said it is "ridiculous" he wasn't included on the Steelers' 53-man roster and that he would have made the team if Bill Cowher were still the head coach.

Okobi also said he didn't think there was a fair competition for the starting center position, saying it was predetermined Sean Mahan would replace retired Jeff Hartings when Mahan was signed in free agency.

 :bawling:  :crying:  :bawling:  

[SCacalaki]

Okobi's outbursts haven't bothered me.  Though it's been easy to pay attention to other things, with a new coaching staff and even now, with a 3-0 record.

I think Okobi is right...everyone knew Mahan was going to start.  It was the team's only FA pick up and unless it was also forecasting Faneca's 2008 departure, Mahan was brought into address the center position.  The only thing that would have gotten Okobi in as a starter was an injury to Mahan (knock on wood).  

Okobi isn't versatile enough to play guard.  What does that mean exactly?  I don't know.  I'm not sure if he isn't athletic enough to pull or if it's something else.  I would think, at a position known to call out the blocking assignments at the line, he's smart enough to know and understand what it takes to be a guard in the NFL.  

I think it also says that he really loved Pittsburgh and the Steelers.  It was his dream to play as the starting center for the Steelers.  It's his opinion that he was led to believe over the years that once Hartings retired, the position was his.  I can understand why he's frustrated and disappointed.  He could have gone elsewhere had he known it was going to end up like this.

At the same time, Okobi has to realize he likely isn't destined to be a NFL starter.  If there was ever a time it was going to happen, it isn't now or never.  I'm sure it's a tough pill to swallow but it's probably more fact than fiction.  W/o the Whiz/Grimm connection, one wonders if he would have a job right now.  

It's a difficult week in AZ, I'm sure.  So many loaded questions from reporters for any of the ex-Steelers.  

[aj_law]

The dude had 6 years...SIX YEARS to prove himself.  Pittsburgh owes him nothing.

[kluisi61]

"To think I wasn't good enough to be on that team is ridiculous," said Okobi, a backup center with the Arizona Cardinals, where he has been reunited with head coach Ken Whisenhunt and offensive line coach Russ Grimm.

He's a backup in AZ too...what's this guy expect. If the previous coaching staff was so for him, then you'd think he'd start when he got reunited.

[vcuram]

It's amazing that we would sing a free agent and then, you know, play him.  It's the NFL.  If popular players, such as Jeremiah Trotter this year, are going to get cut, surely Chukky fucking Okobi is fair game.

[Finnegans Wake]

Why isn't Rodney Bailey bitching?  He got cut by us, and he's a backup for Zona...

[pensodyssey]

I personally refuse to pass judgment until I hear from Oliver Ross.  

[msdmnr2002]

He's right on a few points.  If Cowher was still here, he'd be on the team, and likely be starting.

I really don't feel it was a competition; I feel it was predetermined," Okobi said.

The irony being that if Cowher were still here, it would have been predetermined that Chukki was starting.

"Sean is more than capable. I got nothing against him. It's that he doesn't deserve to be the starter. It just is what it is.

Because he didn't wait his time on the Steelers' bench.  I think this speaks more about what personnel decisions were like under Bill.  He had his plan - don't play as a rookie unless there is absolutely no other option, but once you've served your time and your position opens up, you start and remain the starter until either your contract runs out or you retire.  

Chukki made a lot of money as a second stringer.  Just hope for his sake he hadn't spent that $6 million he thought was coming to him.

[SCacalaki]

The irony being that if Cowher were still here, it would have been predetermined that Chukki was starting.

Very good point.

And I completely missed his comment on Mahan not deserving to be the starter.