BTSC Steelers Daily Six Pack- Mel Blount Could Be In Trouble Edition
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Sep 1, 2009 12:53 PM EDT
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PrintIX-Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount had a civil action filed against him yesterday for $631,000 in back taxes that he is owes to the Internal Revenue Service from 1994 to 2006. Not sure what to say on this one, but hopefully for Blount he will be able to resolve the situation quickly.
X-The Pittsburgh Post Gazette sheds some more insight into the Brett Keisel signing, Ryan Clark's contract situation, Sean McHugh's injury status. Keisel's contract is worth around 18 million dollars over the next five seasons with 5 million dollars being guaranteed. Keisel is almost certainly the last Steeler to receive a contract before the start of the season, but Ryan Clark who is playing out the last year of their deal is still very adamant that he wants to be in black and gold next season.
XIII- I am definitely a hater of all things that relate to the New England Patriots, but the retirement of Teddy Bruschi yesterday is something that deserves at least a mention on BTSC. Bruschi was a true professional and the way he battled back after a stroke to play in the NFL is a pretty inspirational story. Bruschi was a member of all three Patriots Championship teams and the Patriots will surely miss his veteran leadership this season.
XIV- Detroit news writer Alan Robinson wrote a nice piece on Lamar Woodley and his success in his first two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Robinson also writes:
The Steelers, for example, lost former starting inside linebacker Larry Foote to free agency, yet they have former first-round draft pick Lawrence Timmons ready to replace him.
Not to be too nit-picky but the Steelers didn't actually lose Foote to free agency, they released him after trade talks fell apart with the Detroit Lions.
XL-SBNation continues to improve it's visibility and is always making improvements to help Behind The Steel Curtain and the other SBNation blogs publish better content and help us fans learn about our favorite teams. The newest improvement is a partnership with USA Today that has Behind The Steel Curtain's most recently published content prominently displayed on the USA Today page for the Steelers. Here is a look at how the Steelers page looks at USA Today.
XLIII-Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponnies turned me onto his friend Jim's video's called "Yinz Luv The Steelers". He just published his second part of a preseason interview with the legendary Jack Hamm. Here are both parts:
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Mel better start setting up some signing sessions
and make sure he pays taxes on it as well.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Timmons injury good sign for B. Davis?
With Timmons having a high ankle sprain and being doubtful for the opener, do you think this means that the team will keep an extra LB like B. Davis for depth since Timmons will be out? They usually dress 8 LBs for game day.
I know someone will say that B. Davis isn’t an ILB, but he’s actually looked a little more comfortable playing inside than outside, where he just doesn’t have the strength or burst to beat most tackles one on one. Remember, P. Bailey can’t play in the base defense. He’s strictly a special teamer.
Just another thing to think about when the team gets down to the final 53 on Saturday. And a note for those who don’t live in Pittsburgh like myself, the NFL Network won’t televise Thursday’s Steelers vs. Panthers preseason game until 4 p.m. on Sunday. That sucks. Oh well.
Today is Bruce Davis’ Birthday….so perhaps this is a b-day present for him.
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Sep 1, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Totally Agree On 53
Think Davis makes the team because of Timmons injury. The Steelers depend on LBs on ST and on D. They will need to dress 8 LB. Think Timmons injury spells PS for Burnett.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
Or maybe A. Harrison instead of B. Davis?
A. Harrison has made more plays this preseason than B. Davis, can play ILB & OLB and does play special teams. The best thing B. Davis got going for him at this point is that he is a 3rd round pick from 2008. Will that along with Timmons high ankle sprain to start the season be enough to keep him around for another year?
Well Mel
How’d ya like to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers? I’m thinking a one year deal for 600 grand with a $30,000 dollar signing bonus.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Sep 1, 2009 1:25 PM EDT reply actions
Let's see what Fox does
with a start. Could be very interesting. He appears to be more straight-ahead than Timmons
My heros have always been Steelers...
Bruschi
I, too, have a hearty dislike of the Pats. But I have to agree with DYM on mentioning Bruschi’s retirement. He is a player worthy of respect, regardless of his team associations, and a solid guy all around.
"That's why they play the game."
+1
Love the player, hate the team.
To come back from a stroke, walking around with a cane, man…
I didn’t have the abilities to play professional football WITHOUT a stroke and being totally healthy.
Not to mention Bruschi never seemed to get involved in banal trash talking between opponents.
"If I could start my life all over again, I would be a professional football player and you damn well better believe I would be a Pittsburgh Steeler." -- #58
i hate the player….ever since his tantrum vs. Steelers in ‘02. nerve of those steelers, trying to score at game’s end!! Hey Tedy…..if you’re done playing, get off the field!!
Grudging Respect
I despise the Pats and came to hate Tedy due to the non-stop media handjob he got for several seasons, but I must admit he was tough as hell and a remarkably smart player.
Borderline Hall of Famer who I think will ultimately be on the outside looking in, but he had a whale of a career.
Let’s face it, if he had worn the B&G he’d be one of the most loved Steelers of all time.
by Steelers in XLIV on Sep 2, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
K. Fox brings some Thump to the party
A pretty good all around LB, too.
So, who all do we want to watch that is on the bubble this next game?
In no particular order…
I’d like to see all of our backup OL get work, specifically Legursky as G/C, Shipley at C, Urbik at G, Capizzi/Hills at OT, Foster at G.
Burnett can’t be trusted to return punts this year, regardless of what he does this game. Put him in the nickel back slot and ST and see what the kid can do. Last shot to make the roster, must perform.
Mendenhall – Has the team made, needs to get hit with the ball hard a few more times. His ability to hold on to the rock will determine when he can carry the ball.
Redman – Last chance to make the roster kid, but you’ll look great on our PS.
Franko (i love heresy) – Can you really block? Can you get yardage carrying the ball? Can you injure the magical carey davis?
I don’t think I need to see WRs. It’s up to the steelers whether or not they want Shaun, I think we have a good idea of what we have at this point.
I don’t think I need to see LBs. We don’t want any of the backups starting and most of them can play ST. I don’t know if anyone here is “on the bubble” or can make the steelers change their mind in one game. (Looking at you brucey)
I’m sure I missed a few.
Willie Colon - top 2 RT in the NFL
I will watch Burnett and Redman....
But on ST. Their roster depends on how they play there.
Mel Blount has made it his life's work to help troubled youth....
…on his farm in Washington County. He’s run afoul of local ordinances and NIMBY types before.
What he’s doing is clearly good work…the Lord’s work…and my hunch is that has something to do with his fund raising and whether it’s income or whatever. It won’t be the first time a charity or charitable individual has had trouble with the IRS. The rules are complicated and often contradictory.
If Mel was greedy and wanted to be a millionaire he could be one many times over. But he has chosen to be help others, and spent his energy and fortune to help the young people of Western Pennsylvania.
I hope and pray this is resolved quickly and fairly. He’s a Hall of Famer in more ways than one.
Youth Homes
My line of work is residential treatment settings for children and youth as well, been in the biz for upwards of 30 years, getting my start at Pressley Ridge School on the North Side (Marshall Avenue), formerly Pittsburgh & Alllegheny Home for the Friendless.
I’m going to make two guesses about Mel’s IRS troubles, and I think you’re on the right track, Homer. Mel owns his place, it’s likely proprietary rather than non-profit, which makes it probably very difficult to generate the proper IRS classification; it’s probably not a 501©(3).
Also, I know it’s the case that Mel’s place is very much values-driven, not necessarily grounded in psychological theory, and Mel’s been known to take some liberties that one’s free to take with one’s own kids, but while not abusive, runs afoul of state regulatory standards when one is caring for other people’s kids.
A friend of mine was with the Child Welfare League of America, and did some consultation with Mel’s programs in Georgia. It can be tough running this kind of place when one merely wants to do the right thing by kids, instill them with values of hard work and discipline, but needing to comply with standards as well.
We tried to have Mel join as the keynote speaker for our Annual Meeting a few years back, having contended…successfully….with NIMBY issues ourselves, but it didn’t work out.
Hope things work out for Mel…says alot about him that he made youth work his “life’s work.”
+1
Generally it gets reduced to just following the rules and not caring about the kids, it’s just too hard to do both.
If it is over his non-profit status Mel is in trouble. I hope he can find a way to make it work. I’d hate to see a good man go down like that.
rules/kids
Actually, you can do both, any many providers have a demonstrated ability to do so. It requires though, an understanding of the rationale for the various standards, as well as sensitive application of the standards by public agency people.
staff...
Not so rare in mine, Skippy….with much depending on the culture developed, values instilled by the agency’s administration, and the sense of mission of the organization.
It’s really a matter of keeping one’s eye on the ball, and reminding onself of your purpose.
The IRS
There is no reason to be in that much trouble with the IRS.
Also he won’t pay that much money. What happens is you don’t file a return, eventually the IRs catches up to it and does your taxes for you. The easy way, no deductions nothing at all. You suddenly owe the most taxes you possibly could for that year. Then they figure out the interest and penalties. He won’t pay that, the IRS does it to scare people into actually dealing with them. Otherwise people don’t.
If you can’t pay your taxes fill out the return and send it in, next is the most important thing: Call them. The IRS has a myriad of plans to help you pay. You can do it up until they catch you. You can call and say “hey I didn’t file taxes 10 years ago, how do I do it?” They will help you.
Many times people think they get away with it, only to have their estate get screwed by the IRS. You don’t get away with it anymore, there are too many ways they find out.
I have two relatives involved in the IRS, one does Audits, the other answers phones and helps people with their taxes. There are even places you can go and get your taxes done for free if you are low income. Call them and they can tell you where.
Two more things, first the companies that advertise that they will “Deal” with the IRS for you? They call the same number you can and take the same steps you would take. You can do it yourself, it just takes a phone call and like 2 hours.
Secondly Tax preparation places are getting in trouble for tax crimes. H&R Block had a bunch of places get shut down for giving people returns that violated Tax code. However, that signature you put on the form means you are the one who is liable. Double check your taxes if you go to those places, some are very good, others break the law, and you will be the one who is prosecuted.
As for Mel, best of luck to him, if he’s going to court he’s in trouble. He’s best off settling.
Really pulling for Clark
To me Clark may be the most underrated signing we need to make. His mighty boof of defense, combined with troy, probably makes for the most physical pair of safeties the leagues had in a while.
I mean Clark levels people harder (and legallyer) than Rodney Harrison in his good years.
And to me he just seems to always give his best on all plays. Thats worth having around.
GO STEELERS!!
I just wanted to say hey and wish everyone a great, safe season! GO STEELERS!!
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