It’s November 29, 2013, the Pittsburgh Steelers are playing the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving night. After a dismal start to the season, the Steelers have been fighting each game and are a victory away from seriously being in contention for the playoffs.
After an early game drop by Emmanuel Sanders that derailed a potential scoring drive, the Ravens went ahead 13-0. Finally, the Steelers switched to a no-huddle offense, lead by Ben Roethlisberger, which allowed Sanders and his fellow receivers to get some space. This resulted in Roethlisberger looking off a defender and hitting a wide-open Sanders in the middle of the end zone.
Despite the fact that Roethlisberger did the majority of the work by clearing the defender (which allowed Sanders to make a catch that any average high school receiver should make), Sanders acted as if he had just made the greatest play in the history of football. He ended that celebration by mocking the celebration dance of previous Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.
What Sanders doesn’t realize is that his clear insult to the Ravens changed the complexion of that game. After getting an early lead, the Ravens had become complacent within the game and the Steelers were gaining momentum. Sanders’ actions infuriated the Ravens, rightfully so, and they began to bring the fight to the Steelers. This made the potential comeback trail for the Steelers even harder.
Despite Sanders’ idiotic move, Roethlisberger and the Steelers were able to get the game close. With just seconds to go they scored, only needing a two-point conversion to tie the game and force overtime. The Steelers used a spread formation and Roethlisberger called an audible at the line of scrimmage. The play went perfectly. The line protected great. The intended receiver, Sanders, was wide open in the front corner of the end zone. Roethlisberger threw a perfect ball the hit Sanders right in the palms of his two hands. Any serviceable receiver in the NFL makes this catch. You may know the rest at this point. In case you don’t, he dropped it and the Steelers lost. The Steelers missed out on the playoffs by one game. Had Sanders caught that ball, who knows what would have happened, maybe we are talking about the seven-time Super Bowl champion Steelers? All I can guarantee is that the Steelers needed Sanders to catch that conversion, and he didn’t.
You can see why I was very frustrated to hear Sander’s criticizing Roethlisberger recently. It seems to me that Roethlisberger is the single reason Sanders even received his large free agent contract with the Denver Broncos. If we look at Sanders career as a whole, it is ridden with injuries and lackluster performances. In 2010, Sanders was hurt for most of the season and finished with 28 catches. In 2011, he was hurt for most of the season and finished with 22 catches. In 2012, he battle through a few injuries and had 44 receptions. In 2013, he finally played in the majority of the games and finished with 67 receptions.
I think Emmanuel Sanders is a little too impressed with himself, especially considering his statistics. I hope he understands the future ramifications of him bashing his former quarterback. Peyton Manning won’t be his quarterback forever, and if he thinks other quarterbacks around the league aren’t judging him because of these comments, he is crazy.
As for the Steelers, I say good riddance to Mr. Sanders. He was nothing but an unreliable, injury-prone problem for the Steelers and they will be better off without him. I have a hunch that is you ask Ben Roethlisberger, he might say the same thing as well.
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