Pissburgh media ripping on Tasker

[billsburgh]

listening to the afternoon sports talk radion on my way home from work today and Mark Madden the radio host has Ed Bouchette the local beat writer for the steelers and a hall of fame voter on his show every friday to talk about this weeks game. when he came on the show today, Mark says before we get to the steeler game, I have a question for you Ed. How in the hell is Steve Tasker a semi-finalist for the HOF. Bouchette then says if your not good enough to start for your own team, then you dont deserve to be in the HOF and that he would never vote for him. I called in and got on the air to defend Tasker. I cited his multiple pro bowl appearances as the special teams representative and his being the best special teams player of all time and special teams being an important part of the game. the host basically talked over me every time I tried to say something and wouldnt let me get a word in.

[YardRat]

Tasker revolutionized part of the game...That in itself makes his induction deserving.

What do you expect from Pittsburgh, though? They root for QB's that cry on the bench and aren't smart enough to wear helmets.

[billsburgh]

Tasker revolutionized part of the game...That in itself makes his induction deserving.

What do you expect from Pittsburgh, though? They root for QB's that cry on the bench and aren't smart enough to wear helmets.
that's what I was trying to explain and all I heard was "if you're not good enough to start.......blah blah blah."

[THATHURMANATOR]

listening to the afternoon sports talk radion on my way home from work today and Mark Madden the radio host has Ed Bouchette the local beat writer for the steelers and a hall of fame voter on his show every friday to talk about this weeks game. when he came on the show today, Mark says before we get to the steeler game, I have a question for you Ed. How in the hell is Steve Tasker a semi-finalist for the HOF. Bouchette then says if your not good enough to start for your own team, then you dont deserve to be in the HOF and that he would never vote for him. I called in and got on the air to defend Tasker. I cited his multiple pro bowl appearances as the special teams representative and his being the best special teams player of all time and special teams being an important part of the game. the host basically talked over me every time I tried to say something and wouldnt let me get a word in.
While I don't care if Tasker gets into the Hall of fame Mark Madden is one of the biggest douchebag *******s of all time. He really is just a loudmouth Fatso. **** HIM.

Why doesn't he take a look a Swan and Stallworth. Their numbers suck balls yet somehow they are in the Hall.

[billsburgh]

While I don't care if Tasker gets into the Hall of fame Mark Madden is one of the biggest douchebag *******s of all time. He really is just a loudmouth Fatso. **** HIM.

Why doesn't he take a look a Swan and Stallworth. Their numbers suck balls yet somehow they are in the Hall.
you're right about Madden Thurm. how do you know about him?

[hurls]

That fat turd Madden wouldn't know talent if it kicked him in the gonads. You guys know who he is right? He used to be a WRESTLING Announcer for cryin' out loud! He's a G.D. joke, and if he ever took his head out of Mario Lemieux's ass, he could get a breath of fresh air.

Ok, I'm done.

[billsburgh]

That fat turd Madden wouldn't know talent if it kicked him in the gonads. You guys know who he is right? He used to be a WRESTLING Announcer for cryin' out loud! He's a G.D. joke, and if he ever took his head out of Mario Lemieux's ass, he could get a breath of fresh air.

Ok, I'm done.
yeah I know Madden from his wrestling announcing days and he still brings up his time in wrestling all t he time. now his head is up Roethlisbergers ass, because he's always saying how great he is.

[hurls]

Unbelievingly, ESPNRadio used to give him a show on Sunday mornings I was forced to listen to before the WGR guys took over.

[Dont drink the water]

It must be a requirement to be a loudmouth idiot in media if your last name is Madden.

[BillsSabresB.C.T. Fan]

listening to the afternoon sports talk radion on my way home from work today and Mark Madden the radio host has Ed Bouchette the local beat writer for the steelers and a hall of fame voter on his show every friday to talk about this weeks game. when he came on the show today, Mark says before we get to the steeler game, I have a question for you Ed. How in the hell is Steve Tasker a semi-finalist for the HOF. Bouchette then says if your not good enough to start for your own team, then you dont deserve to be in the HOF and that he would never vote for him. I called in and got on the air to defend Tasker. I cited his multiple pro bowl appearances as the special teams representative and his being the best special teams player of all time and special teams being an important part of the game. the host basically talked over me every time I tried to say something and wouldnt let me get a word in.

WOW sounds more ignorant than Schoop on WGR55 at least Schoop lets you get your comments in and then he hangs up on you.

[Ickybaluky]

The HOF voters have consistently ignored ST contributors when induction time comes around. There is only 1 Kicker (Jan Stenarud) and no punters. How Ray Guy is not in there is beyond comprehension, the guy was one of the greatest field position weapons in the history of the game.

The NFL really should re-think how they induct HOF'ers, as certain positions are heavily over-represented compared to others. Football is a team game and the greatest players at various positions should be represented equally, including specialists.

[billsburgh]

coaches always say that special teams are 1/3 of the game and Tasker was the best at what he did.

[G. Host]

Coaches game planned for Tasker - that was unheard of for a non-kicker or returner. Ask the coaches who coached against Buffalo when Tasker was on special teams - they had two and three players matchup against him and STILL he tackled returners for negative yards.

[mybills]

It must be a requirement to be a loudmouth idiot in media if your last name is Madden.
:rofl: :up:

[MikeInRoch]

I'm really on the fence on this one. I loved Tasker as a player, but I'm just not sure it's enough to make the hall...

For example, take a look at Hester - if he continues his current pace, and is in the league another 6 years or so, should he go to the hall? He'd probably belong there before Tasker.

[Jan Reimers]

I lost what little respect I had left for the HOF voting process when Michael Irvin went in ahead of Andre Reed, who is still on the outside looking in.

I therefore hold out no hope for Tasker.

[YardRat]

I'm really on the fence on this one. I loved Tasker as a player, but I'm just not sure it's enough to make the hall...

For example, take a look at Hester - if he continues his current pace, and is in the league another 6 years or so, should he go to the hall? He'd probably belong there before Tasker.

Different positions, but I would argue that Hester is putting together a nice resume' that should conclude with induction as a returner.

Special teams are part of the game, and they deserve more consideration for the honor than they get. Guy should've been in long ago. Vinieteri should go when he retires, maybe even first ballot.

It's a shame that players keep getting snubbed year after year, yet a commisioner such as Tags will probably be a shoo-in.

[VooDoo80]

Mark Madden was a failed WCW color announcer. He sucked. He was a fat piece of ****. Very annoying too.

[DraftBoy]

Outside of Buffalo, Steve Tasker will get little respect for his play other then NFL purists. I doubt he'll get in to the Hall this year if ever and with as many good players who are far more deserving (Art Monk is #1 imo) his legacy will be lost with time. Also if he gets in before Guy then thats also a shame. Congrats to Tasker on making it to the semis, and I wish him the best of luck but by no means do I think he's a lock or that I would even vote for him at this point.

[trapezeus]

i agree with draft boy. if tasker didn't play for the bills, most of us wouldn't know him. however, the guy has kept a "high" profile by being a media guy now. hopefully a class guy can get in.

[YardRat]

Anybody who was a football fan in the late 80's-early 90's knows who Tasker is.

[Ickybaluky]

Special teams are part of the game, and they deserve more consideration for the honor than they get. Guy should've been in long ago. Vinieteri should go when he retires, maybe even first ballot.

I think the arguement against ST'ers (I'm not sure I agree with it, but there is some validity) is a lot of great ST players don't play there because they are needed on other downs. For instance, how great a ST coverguy would Ronnie Lott or Lawrence Taylor have been? Thus, it isn't a level field competition-wise.

However, I would disagree on one point: This is an age of specialization. In the old days with small rosters the regulars all played ST. The league has evolved where you have guys with unique roles who play great at those roles. Shouldn't those guys be acknowledged if they are among the best of their era at their roles? There are guys like Tasker, or returners like Hester or Brian Mitchell (one of the great specialists of all time). Those guys all were great at what they did and effected field position in games, ultimately leading to wins. That isn't even including K or P.

It seems to me that there should be categories to HOF induction. There hasn't been a full-time 2-way player since Chuck Bednarik, and he retired in the early 1960's. The HOF should change because the game has changed, and they should nominate guys at offensive, defensive or specialists, allowing up to a certain amount on each side.

The way they do it now seems unfair.

[DraftBoy]

Anybody who was a football fan in the late 80's-early 90's knows who Tasker is.

Knowing who somebody is very different then deserving a bid into the HOF. There are few players in the NFL who I dont know but they dont deserve HOF bids.

[G. Host]

Anybody who was a football fan in the late 80's-early 90's knows who Tasker is.

Exactly. Young immature fans are those who are saying he was only known in Buffalo. Tasker was planned against by every opposing team and due to his performance the league added a position in Pro Bowl.

[don137]

Anyone who knows anything about football knows what Tasker did for football on special teams. The casual fans don't understand the importance of special teams and how Tasker revolutionized the position.
I agree with NE39 that Ray Guy deserves to be in it. He was amazing.

[T-Long]

I worked with Mark Madden when I worked for ESPN Radio 1250 in Pittsburgh. You just can't argue with the guy. He is set in his beliefs and there is no way to waiver him. That's why I never understood why ppl call in to disagree with him sometimes thinking they would change his mind. He is a big slob too.

[chubluv]

Ray Guy should be in so should Tasker. Special teams are a very important part of the game. If Devin Hester continues the roll he is on and ends up with a ton of return TD's do we think he would deserve HOF recognition

[Spiderweb]

Exactly. Young immature fans are those who are saying he was only known in Buffalo. Tasker was planned against by every opposing team and due to his performance the league added a position in Pro Bowl.

Not to disrespect Tasker, but while he was very good at ST and maybe one of the best ever, it was still only for 5-6 plays a game. Hard to make a case when there are others who are 30 plus plays a game contributors.

Besides, we had another great ST guy, who didn't get the recognition that he deserved, let alone that of which Tasker received. His name was Mark Pike who was often referred to as the best big man ST player of his day. If Tasker deserves it, so does Pike.

[Mitchy moo]

Ray Guy should be in so should Tasker. Special teams are a very important part of the game. If Devin Hester continues the roll he is on and ends up with a ton of return TD's do we think he would deserve HOF recognition

GO Steve!!

[Mr. Pink]

Outside of Buffalo, Steve Tasker will get little respect for his play other then NFL purists. I doubt he'll get in to the Hall this year if ever and with as many good players who are far more deserving (Art Monk is #1 imo) his legacy will be lost with time. Also if he gets in before Guy then thats also a shame. Congrats to Tasker on making it to the semis, and I wish him the best of luck but by no means do I think he's a lock or that I would even vote for him at this point.

Best post in the thread.

Tasker was a very one dimensional guy who was great at what he did...but for only 5-7 plays per game. Being great for what equals to about 8% of a football game does not a HOFer make. Notice kickers and punters don't get in either? They're simply not on the field enough.

On top of the fact you have the Art Monks of the world who still aren't in. I would rate Art Monk more of a HOFer than Steve Tasker.

Objectively, I wouldn't vote Tasker in either.

Bennie Thompson was also a good ST player and had league wide acclaim for it...it wouldn't surprise me if half of the people on this board had NO clue who he was.

Point is this, outside of Buffalo, love for Steve Tasker is gonna be very minimal at best. Hence, he has literally zero chance of ever getting in.

[DraftBoy]

Best post in the thread.

Tasker was a very one dimensional guy who was great at what he did...but for only 5-7 plays per game. Being great for what equals to about 8% of a football game does not a HOFer make. Notice kickers and punters don't get in either? They're simply not on the field enough.

On top of the fact you have the Art Monks of the world who still aren't in. I would rate Art Monk more of a HOFer than Steve Tasker.

Objectively, I wouldn't vote Tasker in either.

Bennie Thompson was also a good ST player and had league wide acclaim for it...it wouldn't surprise me if half of the people on this board had NO clue who he was.

Point is this, outside of Buffalo, love for Steve Tasker is gonna be very minimal at best. Hence, he has literally zero chance of ever getting in.

That cant be true, you know the young immature fans like me, have no idea what we are talking about....:rolleyes: