Jack Handy has deep thoughts. I just tell it like it is.
Devlin “Duck” Hodges has become the latest beloved athlete that plays in Pittsburgh, a place that embraces those who come out of nowhere to lead their teams to unlikely victories.
The Pirates in the early ’90s had Tim Wakefield and his knuckleball almost lead the Buccos to the 1992 World Series. Penguins fans had Johan Hedberg, nicknamed “Moose” after starting a game in Pittsburgh on late notice and was still wearing his customized Manitoba Moose helmet. Moose calls and Moose antlers became a staple at Mellon Arena.
Duckmania has overtaken Steeler Nation, but not everyone has hopped on board for him or the 7-5 Steelers.
One well-known radio shock jock called Hodges a “jabroni” and that Hodges had “zero talent, no pedigree and a rag arm”.
Other writers and radio hosts continue to give Hodges barely any credit for what he has been able to accomplish during his rookie season with the Steelers. Only a few have given him any praise at all.
The same goes for the Steelers, who even though are currently the #6 seed for the AFC playoffs.
Once Ben Roethlisberger went down for the season with his elbow injury, that same host on the afternoon shift, reiterated week by week, “No Ben, no chance”.
Many in the local media continue to doubt how it’s possible the Steelers can possibly make the playoffs, despite, you know, winning seven out of their last eight games.
I know it’s hard to look past the QB position after watching a future Hall of Famer in Roethlisberger man the spot since 2004, and that this team is only scoring 19.7 points per game, but what the hell is scoring 28.3 PPG doing for Tampa Bay so far this season?
How does this team keep winning despite the injuries? How on earth are they in a position to make the playoffs??
I don’t know… maybe it’s because this team has one of the best defenses in the NFL. It has one of the best offensive lines in the game. Have any of these simpletons actually looked at the standings and the teams contending for a playoff spot along with the Steelers, and the schedules they all have?
Pretty much, the offense is asked to score about 20 points per game, protect the ball, and the defense will take care of the rest.
It’s working so far.
Now, no one is confusing this Steelers team with the Super Steelers of the ’70s, or the ’84 San Francisco 49ers, but they are nowhere near as bad as many are making them out to be, especially when mentioning making the playoffs and having zero chance to win a game in them.
Last I checked, this is the same team, minus Big Ben, that should have beaten three of the best teams in the NFL, that being the Seattle Seahawks, 49ers, and the Baltimore Ravens.
An interception off the hands of Donte Moncrief and a terrible call by the officials killed the Steelers vs the Seahawks. A late fumble by James Conner cost the team a victory vs San Francisco. A fumble by Juju Smith-Schuster in OT cost the Steelers a win against the Ravens.
Other than being blown away by New England in the opener, and Mason Rudolph having a meltdown in Cleveland, this squad has been in every game.
But by all means, keep counting them out.
Remember, defense wins championships.
And as for Duck and his naysayers?
All this kid has done is come off the bench dead cold against those same Ravens and had them in position to win. Then he goes out West vs Phillip Rivers and outplays him to get the victory. Against Cincinnati, he comes off the bench and sparks a comeback vs the Bengals. Last week he starts again and sends the Browns to planning for draft picks instead of travel plans for the playoffs.
He isn’t the 2nd coming of Tom Brady, nor is he Drew Brees, but right now, I’ll settle for him just being Duck Hodges, and that is good enough for me, as I can see that this kid has the tools to make it in this league, and will keep defying the odds, no matter what the “experts” keep saying.
Both Hodges and this year’s Steelers team are inspirations and reasons to be proud to root for the black and gold, no matter how they finish.
Especially from this area of the country.
To me, people from Western Pennsylvania are well known for their toughness and blue-collar work ethic.
You are schooled even more in the small town where I grew up.
Where I live, you inherited what was called a “Midland Mentality”. That was shaped by the great older people who lived here, as well as your fellow friends and family. Even though we were a tiny little steel town, the people here had a unique ability to adapt to any environment, had a kind, calm demeanor, embraced adversity, and had a never say die, never surrender attitude.
That is why I believe in this team, despite the odds and the injuries. I see the fight in them and the “us against the world” attitude they carry game after game. That’s why I think they can win and will make the playoffs.
From there, it’s all playing with house money.
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