Steelers UDFA Signings

[steelmann58]

Thanks for the info. Could be a MM type of guy

[Legacy User]

Dismuskes is a Jesus Freak..As bad if not worse than Tebow...That along with an inability to pass block killed his draft stock

You are a sad person to think his faith had anything to do with him not being drafted. His inability to block large NT types and poor showing in the post season events had everything to do with it.

[bradshaw2ben]

yes, but it also factors into: does this guy fit in here? Is his practice of religion so involved that it's a distraction?

I firmly believe the NFL teams consider all kinds of stuff like that

[Ice]

yes, but it also factors into: does this guy fit in here? Is his practice of religion so involved that it's a distraction?

I firmly believe the NFL teams consider all kinds of stuff like that

Of course they do. It's crazy naive to think otherwise.

[Obviously]

Dismuskes is a Jesus Freak..As bad if not worse than Tebow...That along with an inability to pass block killed his draft stock

What in the hell does someone's faith have to do with his draft stock? Seriously, NFL teams penalize someone because of their faith? It's small wonder why this country is going down the fucking toilet.

[Obviously]

yes, but it also factors into: does this guy fit in here? Is his practice of religion so involved that it's a distraction?

I firmly believe the NFL teams consider all kinds of stuff like that

But an atheist is just fine, right? What a bunch of horseshit.

[Obviously]

yes, but it also factors into: does this guy fit in here? Is his practice of religion so involved that it's a distraction?

I firmly believe the NFL teams consider all kinds of stuff like that

Of course they do. It's crazy naive to think otherwise.

When's the last time someone's faith was a distraction on an NFL team? I'll wait.

[bradshaw2ben]

yes, but it also factors into: does this guy fit in here? Is his practice of religion so involved that it's a distraction?

I firmly believe the NFL teams consider all kinds of stuff like that

But an atheist is just fine, right? What a bunch of horseshit.

Well, consider it this way: Would you rather have a guy of some persuasion who thought it was his obligation to proselytize to the point of pushing teammates away or a guy who was all football with his teammates? I mean, ideally you'd love to have a guy who both loves football and has some substance and context to his life and can relate well to others but I would flag a guy, religious or nonreligious who is as pushy in the locker room and on the field as Tebow is supposedly about his beliefs.

If the atheist is a good football player and not a locker room distraction vs a good football player who is a locker room distraction, I'd much rather have the first guy.

[bradshaw2ben]

yes, but it also factors into: does this guy fit in here? Is his practice of religion so involved that it's a distraction?

I firmly believe the NFL teams consider all kinds of stuff like that

Of course they do. It's crazy naive to think otherwise.

When's the last time someone's faith was a distraction on an NFL team? I'll wait.

Tebow, for sure. mentioned many times.

[Ice]

The important thing to remember here is it isn't an attack on religion, or homosexuality, drug use, or whatever. These guys (coaches and GMs) are trying to manage a difficult and multimillion dollar chemistry experiment. Charles Haley was documented batshit crazy, but was added to several locker rooms because his massive talent outweighed the fact that he, among many other things, took shits in teammates' helmets if he felt like it. Dismukes doesn't have talent to outweigh much of anything. Thus, his current situation.

[Obviously]

When's the last time someone's faith was a distraction on an NFL team? I'll wait.

Tebow, for sure. mentioned many times.

How so? Name the players who thought he was. Naming left-wing media types doesn't count.

[Ice]

Believe me, they have nothing against religious enthusiasm.

[FortyThree]

There are great people who are religious, and great people who are atheists.

The more extreme and devout you get to either "cause" the more annoying you tend to be. Annoyances are bad in locker rooms.

I personally don't care what anyone's religious views are but if I have to constantly hear about it I'm gonna be pissed.

Getting offended because FC and B2B are pointing out that religion can be a distraction is pretty dumb.

[jewelsongs]

I think it is kind of sad that a person with religious beliefs would be perceived as a problem in a locker room. Troy is very religious, and I have not heard any negative stories about him. As much as the press made Tebow an issue, you have not heard of teammates saying that he was a problem. If a kid has talent, they find a way to manage him. We certainly have a lot of drug users and women beaters in locker rooms around the sport. I wouldn't worry about being too religious. Tomlin commands the locker room.

I am not offended about the comments, just curious about why they have a concern. It is pretty common to see teammates kneel and pray if someone gets hurt. I think a lot of athletes are religious.

[Ice]

Troy is probably relatively humble and soft-spoken about his faith, as he seems to be in almost all things (Forty might be a better source to ask, though).

Usually, when people apply the term "Jesus freak," that isn't what they're talking about. Again, though, if Dismukes was talented enough to be worth it, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Pretty much a mad libs version of the pre-draft Michael Sam debate, if you ask me.

[Legacy User]

I think it is kind of sad that a person with religious beliefs would be perceived as a problem in a locker room. Troy is very religious, and I have not heard any negative stories about him. As much as the press made Tebow an issue, you have not heard of teammates saying that he was a problem. If a kid has talent, they find a way to manage him. We certainly have a lot of drug users and women beaters in locker rooms around the sport. I wouldn't worry about being too religious. Tomlin commands the locker room.

I am not offended about the comments, just curious about why they have a concern. It is pretty common to see teammates kneel and pray if someone gets hurt. I think a lot of athletes are religious.

It's not about religion per se, it's about being annoying in the locker room whatever the reason.

[FC]

GM's have no problems with religion.

GM's have a problem with preachy players.

Anything that can divide a locker room is a problem.

Religion can quickly divide a locker room.

Some people feel they know the right answer
Some people feel god is a make believe friend for adults

This board is not the proper place for said discussion.

[Jobu]

"OK Harris, let's not start a holy war here!"

[Legacy User]

GM's have no problems with religion.

GM's have a problem with preachy players.

Anything that can divide a locker room is a problem.

Religion can quickly divide a locker room.

Some people feel they know the right answer
Some people feel god is a make believe friend for adults

This board is not the proper place for said discussion.

Yes, FC that is well said and I can agree with that. I think Troy is very devout in his beliefs but I never heard that he was a distraction. Maybe he was... I have no insider knowledge. Any belief taken to an extreme can be very distracting. While I appreciate your football IQ and your usually well thought out posts, the term you used to describe Dismuskes and the assertion that his faith led to his UDFA was not appropriate for this board and started the said discussion. Sticking to football is a very good idea for this board.

[RemoAZ]

I think things like faith, political affiliation (oh no, he didn't go see the president after the SB!), vegan/vegetarian, straight edge lifestyle or anything that is more of just a personal preference are things we talk about on message boards. I don't think they have anything to do with talent evaluation. They are spending so much time having to look at drugs, criminal activity, domestic violence and other law breaking choices, I doubt they care much about what God, if any a player prays too.

I do however think there are still prejudices against race at certain positions that bug me but that's another topic.

[FortyThree]

Troy is probably relatively humble and soft-spoken about his faith, as he seems to be in almost all things (Forty might be a better source to ask, though).

Yes, Troy is soft spoken. He has religious items in his locker but he doesn't preach about it. He'll talk about it if asked but he's not pushy or preachy.

[Legacy User]

I do however think there are still prejudices against race at certain positions that bug me but that's another topic.

I'm curious about that if that topic is allowed on the board.

[Legacy User]

Dismuskes is a Jesus Freak..As bad if not worse than Tebow...That along with an inability to pass block killed his draft stock

Poor post. Hate being judgmental but you are better than this. As Jeemie pointed out; hate of one's faith as ginned up for ratings on BSPN.

[Legacy User]

There are great people who are religious, and great people who are atheists.

The more extreme and devout you get to either "cause" the more annoying you tend to be. Annoyances are bad in locker rooms.

I personally don't care what anyone's religious views are but if I have to constantly hear about it I'm gonna be pissed.

Getting offended because FC and B2B are pointing out that religion can be a distraction is pretty dumb.

They are calling out a specific what you call religion which actually a faith. I mean both are that faith about someone which may not be mentioned, WOW! That's coming from a science and poker guy. No matter what I'm not into being a bigot or sure that I'm right.

Right now that kind of bigotry seems like piling on. This board is too good for that, stop it.

Back on point I don't think anyone minds these kinds of guys. They know they will go to the wall like anyone else. Talent wise he's a long shot.

[FortyThree]

They are calling out a specific what you call religion which actually a faith. I mean both are that faith about someone which may not be mentioned, WOW! That's coming from a science and poker guy. No matter what I'm not into being a bigot or sure that I'm right.

What the fuck are you talking about?

Right now that kind of bigotry seems like piling on. This board is too good for that, stop it.

"Bigotry." Fucking .

Back on point I don't think anyone minds these kinds of guys. They know they will go to the wall like anyone else. Talent wise he's a long shot.

They don't mind them if they're good and useful. If they suck then it's just another annoyance to have to deal with.

[Legacy User]

They are calling out a specific what you call religion which actually a faith. I mean both are that faith about someone which may not be mentioned, WOW! That's coming from a science and poker guy. No matter what I'm not into being a bigot or sure that I'm right.

What the fuck are you talking about?

Right now that kind of bigotry seems like piling on. This board is too good for that, stop it.

"Bigotry." Fucking .

Back on point I don't think anyone minds these kinds of guys. They know they will go to the wall like anyone else. Talent wise he's a long shot.

They don't mind them if they're good and useful. If they suck then it's just another annoyance to have to deal with.

Sorry that I pissed on your joyous hate orgy.
Enjoy your hate.

Oh BTW the guy in my sig was one of those annoying douchebags. Wasnt he some kind of a fucked up distraction.

[cop1211]

Where did Xavier Williams from Northern Iowa go? Could not find him signing anywhere.

[FortyThree]

Sorry that I pissed on your joyous hate orgy.
Enjoy your hate.

You either have a problem with reading comprehension or a persecution complex. Probably both.

Oh BTW the guy in my sig was one of those annoying douchebags. Wasnt he some kind of a fucked up distraction.

I don't recall Troy ever speaking about religion unless asked.

[FortyThree]

Where did Xavier Williams from Northern Iowa go? Could not find him signing anywhere.

I can't find anything either.

[Legacy User]

Sorry that I pissed on your joyous hate orgy.
Enjoy your hate.

You either have a problem with reading comprehension or a persecution complex. Probably both.

Oh BTW the guy in my sig was one of those annoying douchebags. Wasnt he some kind of a fucked up distraction.

I don't recall Troy ever speaking about religion unless asked.

I would say numerous NFL players "Thank God" during interviews.

Not only that, but this whole "distraction" thing - I'd say you'd find far more team distractions (and in cases of suspension - far more team damaging situations) from guys getting pulled over while driving under the influence of pot, rape allegations in women's bathrooms in Georgia, or domestic violence disputes with a wife.

"Jesus Freaks" being an example of a distraction that should be avoided at all costs is laughable given today's NFL and I just don't agree with it. I mean you watch draft day and today it's constant discussion about character in terms of drugs, domestic stuff... I don't know if it's that way with the scouts talk about potential picks or UDFA or anything like that - "Hmm we have to pick between this guy that has numerous red flags for domestic violence - or this jesus freak and they are both even in terms of ability. Let's go with the domestic violence guy because that jesus freak will just be annoying."