Alan Faneca

by: Brian Stevens

What are the Steelers going to do when Alan Faneca finally leaves to find his big "pay day"?? He is the anchor of the offensive line, a leader on the team, and well know around the league. But did his value drop this season after the Steelers gave up 47 sacks this season and 93 sacks in the last two seasons? Most Pittsburghers bashed Fanea last year after he announced he was going to move on after the '07 season. In my mind the team will be better off. I strongly believe Faneca brought down the chemistry of the O-Line. Many professional players allow money to distract them from playing to their full potential. Alan felt insulted and underappreciated here in Pittsburgh. Which wasn't the case. The Steelers drafted Faneca in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft ahead of Jerome Pathon, Patrick Surtain, and Joe Jurevicius and several rounds ahead of guys like Matt Hasselbeck, Matt Birk, Jeremiah Trotter, and Az-Zahir Hakim to name a few. The bottom line is the Steelers know talent. The draft, the shape it, they release it. Many guys have hit their peak in Pittsburgh and washout in other cities. Its a real shame that money has sculpted the NFL into the business it is today, but that's our world. Money first, toys second, women third and loyalty forth. We have so many past Steelers legends living here in Pittsburgh. They started their careers here and ended their careers here. They are looked at like gods!! People line up for hours to meet them. And then there's guys like Antwaan Randle El who break our hearts. People like Alan Faneca who strongly believes he's worth more than he is. The Steelers need his knowledge, his experience and his leadership and he's going to walk away for a few extra dollars. What happened to pride??

Brian Stevens, Pittsburgh, PA