Lots of people will agree with Florio because lots of people hate the Steelers, or they didn’t watch the game, or they do not understand football, etc.

but with an injury, and with the pattern of fines for anything involving the QB in the last few years, I suspect (not know) that it would have been close enough to label it (retroactively) as spearing, just so that the commish could send his message. Fortunately,“no harm, no foul”, and best for all concerned.
As for the comments above stating that they would blame Orton……yeah, it was a “bonehead” thing to do. However, my point is that if the roles were reversed, I suspect you would have some feelings about the opposing player. Ben is a pretty big guy, and Dixon is a second string guy trying to make a play enhance his position on the team, so the setting would likely be different than Sunday’s. …Let’s say, as an approximation, that Mendenhall tried to make a tackle after an INT in a preseason game…but was the recipient of an overly aggressive hit by an established player (not fighting for a spot) that occured just as the play ended. It would be easy for an opposing fanbase to say that Mendenhall should have stayed out of trouble in a preseason game, and applaud their players hit as evidence of team toughness. However, I really believe that if it actually happened (especially if it resulted in an injury), that Steeler fans would have some strong feelings about the opposing player taking advantage of the situation….especially, as stated earlier, in a preseason game.

It’s a violent sport, but it is still a sport …(and the best fan sport out there). It is also a means to make a living for every player on that field. I really do not believe the players would approve of gratuitous violence which has no effect on the play except to raise the risk of injury. Since it is a preseason game, I am discounting the effect on the game…needless to say, in a regular season contest it is obviously an advantage to have the opposing QB sitting. By the act of Harrison lowering his shoulder.. (some are saying head, I don’t think so, and he is too smart to risk the penaly and fine)..and doing it at that particular time, Harrison’s hit could be viewed (by some) as gratuitous.. These guys put their body on the line every day…..they don’t need to raise the risk any more than it already is.
Having made my case as best I know how, I am going to not sign back in unless specificaly asked, though I will be returning just to follow the comments. You guys have been gracious, and I don’t want to be a bad guest. But let me make one last clarification… I am NOT indicting anybody as dirty, evil, etc. I am discussing the emotions of fans (and possibly players), and I hope by doing so that I can promote a more even response from both fanbases. Look at it this way…without my pre-emptive strike for my team, you may well have had a much more aggressive interaction with a Denver fan. (I know, some would relish that!.. :D) There certainly is the emotion in Denver for that to occur.
So, bye guys, and thanks for letting me have my say. Have a good season, and I think you will. BTW, I think a few of the comments made on threads on other posts are a little too pessimistic regarding the Steelers this year. My guess is that you won’t see a repeat of the problems that led to last year’s disappointment. The reasoning for that is fairly simplistic….your coach is pretty good, and so are the players… therefore I simply anticipate everybody learns from last year and corrects the problems. Thanks for the game and for the banter before…and I’m glad neither team had any significant injuries.