Jaron Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I just thought that I would clue everyone in on the feelings around the Burgh on Randel El no longer being a Steeler. The Steeler fans all feel that we paid WAY too much for him. Many are quoting the "$1 million dollars per catch" line that one of the mediots (Pastabelly I believe) wrote after we signed him. Most of the fans are sorry to see him go though. He was really liked in this city. The local media that I've seen/heard is pulling the usual 'tearing down of former Pittsburgh athletes that leave' routine that they always do. According to them, Randel El is an average special teams player, and nothing more than a mediocre receiver. None of them seem to grasp the fact that there weren't many passing stats to go around in the run first, second and third offense of the Steelers. Now I don't believe that Randel El is going to be the next Jerry Rice in our offense, but I do think that he will blossom a la Santana last year. It's refreshing to see how popular Randel El was, not only as a player but also as a person, in this city; I definately think that he is going to become a fan favorite in Washington. Hail! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba9497 Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 typical losing a FA response Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OVCChairman Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Didnt the Jets fans say the same thing about Moss? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgun88 Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Man, I hope this guy isn't a bust. Like he breaks his leg or something :knocks on wood: But I have to agree about the money situation. Way too much, way too much. He better not complain...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianbien83 Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I'll be making my first trip to Training Camp this year. Can't wait to meet all the new guys...should be a fun experience if they're all good guys like Randel El is supposed to be! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarhog Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I just thought that I would clue everyone in on the feelings around the Burgh on Randel El no longer being a Steeler.The Steeler fans all feel that we paid WAY too much for him. Many are quoting the "$1 million dollars per catch" line that one of the mediots (Pastabelly I believe) wrote after we signed him. Most of the fans are sorry to see him go though. He was really liked in this city. The local media that I've seen/heard is pulling the usual 'tearing down of former Pittsburgh athletes that leave' routine that they always do. According to them, Randel El is an average special teams player, and nothing more than a mediocre receiver. None of them seem to grasp the fact that there weren't many passing stats to go around in the run first, second and third offense of the Steelers. Now I don't believe that Randel El is going to be the next Jerry Rice in our offense, but I do think that he will blossom a la Santana last year. It's refreshing to see how popular Randel El was, not only as a player but also as a person, in this city; I definately think that he is going to become a fan favorite in Washington. Hail! Thanks for sharing man - interesting to hear how his former city is reacting to his departure. Lets face it - thats classic NFL-fandom at its best. All you have to do is look at how we responded to Bailey, Smoot, Pierce, and Arrington leaving. Its always bitter sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinklein Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 We weren't that better at Arrington leaving. I think our level of bitterness is improving with each star player we lose! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terpfan Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 He was definately well liked. But they are definately bitter over how much we paid him. I really cant blame them to be honest. Its seems a little crazy to me too. But Im not complaining! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebornempowered Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 A good friend of mine is a Steelers fan (youth pastor at Roethlisbergers church in Findlay. OH as a matter of fact) and he emailed me today ticked off that the Skins got him. He is upset because he doesn't know where they will replace the talent the Steelers have lost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Om Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Thanks for sharing man - interesting to hear how his former city is reacting to his departure. Lets face it - thats classic NFL-fandom at its best. All you have to do is look at how we responded to Bailey, Smoot, Pierce, and Arrington leaving. Its always bitter sweet. Yeah, but those guys really DID suck. And Randle El is the bomb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead Money Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 A good friend of mine is a Steelers fan (youth pastor at Roethlisbergers church in Findlay. OH as a matter of fact) and he emailed me today ticked off that the Skins got him. He is upset because he doesn't know where they will replace the talent the Steelers have lost. Dude... Your sig absolutely rocks. I think we should all chip in and put it as a full page ad in Sports Illustrated next year!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkabong82 Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I like how none of the other teams' fans (and our own) seem to realize we have a HOF Head Coach who would have never allowed El that much money had he not felt he was worth it. We know Clark could produce, but we refused to overpay him, same probably goes for Royal. I'll put my faith in Gibbs. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunellSuperbowl Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 lol Jets fans when they traded Coles to the Redskins were saying Moss has more potential and is more of a game breaker. When he left they said the exact opposite. But that is how suppose to be. If everyone was realistic a lot of suicides would happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaron Posted March 14, 2006 Author Share Posted March 14, 2006 Thanks for sharing man - interesting to hear how his former city is reacting to his departure. Lets face it - thats classic NFL-fandom at its best. All you have to do is look at how we responded to Bailey, Smoot, Pierce, and Arrington leaving. Its always bitter sweet. The thing is, none of the fans that I have heard have been criticizing Randel El, like many of us on this site do when a Redskin moves on. They have nothing but praise for him. It's the media in this city thats guilty of tearing the players down. Obviously, I'm not around the D.C area, so I don't get to hear the sports talk shows or local news broadcasts when a Redskins leaves. Do those media outlets act the same way in Washington?? The Pittsburgh media ALWAYS does it though. Like when Jagr left the Penguins, according to the media, he was terrible. He rode Lemieux's coattails his entire career in Pittsburgh, etc. They won't admit that he was a good player while he was in the city of Pittsburgh. Is it the same way in Washington? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoEd Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I personally think we paid too much $$ for him also but I bet Gibbs and Saunders will find way's for him to more than earn his money. Versatile is the key word here. How many players in the league can catch, run, return kicks and punts and in a pinch be our 4th QB? I believe our offense will blow up this year. Looks like Gibbs is ready for another trophy in the case, or two. Look at the age of these guys were signing, none of them are old or almost washed up. All of them are young and on the upside's of their careers. Look out NFL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newera Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Here's the deal, the Steelers opened of the offense the last quarter of the season and a lot during the playoffs. I mean they passed like seven straight plays during the Colts game. They realized that run first mentality was not going to beat teams like the Colts and Denver -- and they went to the Super Bowl. El played significant roles in two of their playoff games throwing passes both against the Bengals and in the Super Bowl. Here was a guy on a run first team. It will be a bit different in this setting. My point, it was until the Steelers opened up their offense did they do big things. Well, you know our offense will be opened up this upcoming year. Randel never felt he has truly been used right. He could be a considerable weapon. A true slash -- only better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryanyoung Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Didnt the Jets fans say the same thing about Moss? Bingo!!!! Man I just love this message board. :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy :allhail: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander PK Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Today, while at work. I busted on my friend who is a HUGE Pittsburgh fan. I hit him up on his work phone, when I knew there was plenty of people standing around, and said "Hey Man, on behalf of the fans of the Washington Redskins, I would like to thank you very much for Randel El! Thank you very much indeed!" The response I got was something to the effect of " **** YOU!! " and then a disgruntled incoherent mumble. :laugh: He is not a happy camper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussieskin Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 The skins pay the players what they will be worth to the team in the future not what they were worth in the past....with the coaching staff we have I can see all three WR we have just signed going to the PB over the next three years, this team is going to be very hard to beat, we now have the weapons to score often. Hail all things redskins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSchoolSteeler Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 As a long term Steelers fan (since the late 60's) all I can say is losing "EL" is typical of the way the Steelers do business. They are committed to paying only so much for a position and will very rarely go after or retain a player wanting big money. They figure they have a proven team system and to start throwing money at player demands ends up disrupting the "team" mentality. EL is a good player, no doubt and a certified playmaker, but the Steelers are willing to let him walk and hope to bring up younger players or recoup the loss in the draft. The Steelers tend to be more focused on bringing in young moldable players from the draft and paying only average prices for the retention of current players. The thought may be, "listen do you want more money or want to play on a proven championship team and top flight organization?" As far as replacing EL....well, we had a QB/Receiver in Kordell Stewart and many were concerned when he left. The deal is the Steelers will probably recruit another fast, mobile QB in hopes he develops into a special teams/gadget player. Don't be surprised if they recruit that QB Reggie McNeal out of Texas A&M who seems to fit the bill. As far as Randel El's nick name, many Steeler fans called him "El" or "Randel El" and only yelled out "ARE" (Arrrrgghh) when he reversed field on punt or kickoff returns and then ran backwards to be tackled for a loss. He did that a lot early in his pro career, but seems to have been straighten out about which way to run for yards...namely forward. Good luck "Skins" you have a definite playmaker in "El." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warrentonboy Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Didnt the Jets fans say the same thing about Moss? You got that right! But hey, they have Lavuerneus Coles! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FootballGuy2677 Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 An Average special teams player? He can return punts and kick off returns and hes ran back 4 kick returns for touchdowns in his 4 year career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9_to_42_td Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 What about Myron Cope yelling "OH EL YEAH" everytime he touched the ball. He was one of their best players behind Hines Ward Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDane Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Does anyone know what the Steelers' primary message board URL is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lombardi's_kid_brother Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 He's a good player. And most Steeler fans really liked him. But I don't think there is a single Steeler fan who thinks he is worth more money than Hines Ward, which is what the Redskins paid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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