Stop! Before we all go crazy about a few unnecessary and probably ill-advised comments that a professional athlete has made publically and, likely, after provocation from a member of the media, let us first consider whether or not anyone really cares what Emmanuel Sanders has to say.
Seriously! The number two wide receiver on last year’s 8-8 Steelers squad, by default I might add, was probably the fourth most talented target quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had to throw to behind the magnificent Antonio Brown, the consummate professional and Pro Bowl tight end Heath Miller, and the surprisingly productive veteran Jerricho Cotchery. Sanders caught 67 passes for 740 yards and six touchdowns on 112 targets last season, having a career year and earning himself a modest three-year deal in March with the AFC powerhouse Denver Broncos. Denver added another target for superhero QB Peyton Manning as they aim to bounce back from a very disappointing and embarrassing Super Bowl loss to Seattle.
If you have yet to hear, Sanders told a Denver radio station Monday that he is of the opinion Ben Roethlisberger is not nearly the same type of quality leader that Manning is, and the same holds true for basically every Steeler he played with during his four seasons in black and gold. Bold words from a player who was known all too well for dropping a lot of passes, sometimes at crucial junctures in games. Sure, Sanders’ production was good at times, especially in an offense that was inconsistent and often struggled in 2013 under offensive coordinator Todd Haley.
Specifically, Sanders said, “I feel like Peyton is a far better leader, in terms of staying after practice, catching balls, wanting guys to get on the same page with him, things of that sort.” He further gushed about Manning’s well-documented credentials, accomplishments and reputation as a role model quarterback in today’s NFL.
Comparing Manning to Roethlisberger, he went on to say, “I’ve got so much love for Ben. At the same time, I’m not going to lie…I’m happy to be part of this organization and happy that Peyton is my quarterback.”
You can scream and criticize and turn blue in the face about the stupidity of these comments or you can send Sanders and Manning notes of congratulations in the mail celebrating their new-found friendship, but one thing is clear here: This. Does. Not. Matter! At all!
For one thing, Pittsburgh does not even play Denver this year. If it comes to a playoff match with Denver in January, you had best believe Mike Tomlin, Roethlisberger and the Steelers will be much more concerned trying to determine how best to beat Manning and the Broncos than worrying about something Sanders said at training camp in July.
If Hines Ward had left the Steelers for another team prior to retiring and said this about Roethlisberger or Jerome Bettis, that would have stung. It would have been questioned and critiqued and would have warranted seething backlash. This is not that type of situation. Roethlisberger has time and time again displayed his leadership on the field by playing through pain, picking himself up off the turf after the offensive line crumbled in front of him, and – lest we not forget – winning two Super Bowls.
His character and some life decisions have definitely been up for some criticism, but most of that is way in the past and the Roethlisberger of recent years has been a responsible and respectful new father and veteran quarterback. In the spring of 2013, when Sanders was a restricted free agent and nearly signed away by the New England Patriots, it was Roethlisberger who vocalized his desire for management to match the offer and bring back the receiver for another year. Sanders surely has not forgotten that, but has chosen to brush it aside and focus on where he is now. That’s fine and he is certainly entitled to an opinion, even if speaking ill of his former team was not the most appropriate or timely thing to do.
If, come November or so, Sanders is sixth in receptions on his new team behind the slew of other quality receivers and tight ends Manning can select from each week, we will all see just how thrilled he is to be there. Until then, good luck to number 10 – he’s not number 88 anymore, that would belong to Demaryius Thomas – and here’s to hoping Big Ben can laugh at this and brush it aside.
