PITTSBURGH - Why are people so bent out of shape over Ben Roethlisberger's saying he plans to talk to Art Rooney II soon?
Rooney recently said he'd like to see Roethlisberger "tweak" his style and get sacked less often.
What's wrong with finding out what Rooney has in mind, especially now that he seems to have taken over as football czar on the organizational flow chart?
Rooney and his partners own the team. If he wants to make himself the punt returner, he can do that, of course.
But the best interests of the organization may not be served by having non-football people injecting opinions on football matters.
Of course, the best way to avoid sacks is to get offensive linemen who can pass block so the quarterback isn't running for his life on most snaps.
Let's see if that happens.
Fan favorite
If there was ever any doubt about how much the region loves its Steelers, it was proven again by Chris Hoke's retirement press conference.
Hoke was a back-up player throughout his career. He started 18 games in 11 seasons.
Yet his farewell was on the scale of someone who's a lock for the Hall of Fame.
Humility and gratitude play especially well when they're wrapped in black and gold.
Big production
KDKA-TV devoted a significant chunk of its evening news the other night to Shaler High's J.P. Holtz announcing his choice of college.
High school athletes started holding college choice news conferences more than 25 years ago, much to the distaste of the late Myron Cope, who refused to indulge what he called "the kiddos."
Is going live on the news now the next step?
Does anyone really need a torturously uncomfortable interview segment, followed by the cliche of putting on a school's cap to cement the choice?
It scored in the ratings, so next year someone's announcement will probably come with the marching band, cheerleaders and a phone poll to stretch it over multiple segments.
Mehno can be reached at johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com.
