This is a first. I’m not even sure where to start with this, so first I’ll just tell you the deal for those of you who haven’t caught wind of this bizarre story. According to Pro Football Talk, Bob Holtzman of ESPN is reporting that the Steelers have a trick play up their sleeve for their game against the Ravens. Pittsburgh would have to catch Baltimore in the right defense, but the play is said to involve a pass being thrown by someone other than Ben Roethlisberger. The first name that comes to mind is Antwaan Randle El, but Holtzman said he would be involved in the play in some other way — not making the pass.
Who’s more of an idiot in this situation: Holtzman or the two players who supposedly told him about the play? The players obviously didn’t expect Holtzman to go public with the information, so in a way it’s his fault for breaking their trust. Or did they?
We’re talking about a trick play. Trick plays are intended to catch the opponent off guard, obviously. Why would the players tell a member of the media about a play they’ve designed for their most important game of the year if they didn’t want it getting out? What benefit would they get from doing so? Are they just close friends with Holtzman and wanted to let a buddy in on some Xs and Os?
Maybe the Steelers want the Ravens thinking about it and getting paranoid, thus making them slightly less aggressive on defense. I realize that’s a complete reach, but I just don’t understand why you would tell a reporter something like that if you had no motive. Then again, I’m probably giving Player A and Player B too much credit.
