It's All About the BENjamins Baby (Steelers)

Before I get started, let's be clear that I LOVE being a woman. I love the make up, the clothes and of course, the men. We're strong, independent, sexy, all that jazz. Sure there's that monthly, leaky disaster but I'll appreciate it the most when I want (and don't want) to have kids.

While I love my womanly splendor, I have wondered what it would be like to be a man. The testosterone, the dingly dangly, - it fascinates me. Not to the point where I want a sex change or anything, but it's enough to make me wanna be a man for a day, or 8. Probably TMI, but hey, we're all friends here right?

I'm only bringing this up because I know there are certain things I can't do - dunk on a regulation NBA basket, hit a homerun outta Yankee Stadium or throw the Super Bowl winning TD pass. While I envision myself one day living in the lap of luxury with champagne wishes and caviar dreams, I wonder if I'll be ever be able to do it big. Like Ben. Ben Roethlisberger signed a monster contract with the Steelers just over a week ago. The specs? 8-years, $102 million contract, $36 million guaranteed.

Roethlisberger is still a young guy at 26, and it's clear that the Steelers don't want him going anywhere during his best years. While it seems like forever ago, Pittsburgh did win Super Bowl XL in '06. Roethlisberger said he wanted to be "like the Dan Marinos, like the John Elways, guys who played with one team their whole career." The Steelers share the same sentiment.

Well, at least until he's 33. Then we'll see if the he's still physically able to play, and if the Steelers would want to sign another contract with the guy. I don't mean to throw salt his game but guy has been messed up quite a bit over the past few seasons, some his own fault others inevitable. There was the appendectomy, several concussions and that horrific motorcycle accident where he broke his jaw and nose, split open his head and lost several teeth due to him being reckless and not wearing a helmet. He recovered really well from that accident after being in critical condition and scaring the bejeesus out of every Steeler's fan and upper management.

I think it's pretty safe to say everyone wants to be rich. For some rich means $60K a year, for others it's $8,50o,000. But when you see monster deals like this one, including ARod's 10 year, $250 million contract, you can't help but wish you could throw a football or swing a bat at the level that these guys can. I mean sure I could start a business or cure cancer, but that shit is mad hard! Athletics aren't the cakewalk that some may think, but people play sports. I wanna PLAY!!

I mean, here I am struggling to pay tuition so I can get this coveted degree when a lot of these guys didn't even finish college! And hey, that's not a knock because I'm not a hater and to each his own. It's like Petey Pablo says in that song, "Shout out to Seagram's Gin, cuz I'm drinkin it and they payin me for it." If the career path you choose is willing to reward you handsomely for your efforts, then by all means, get that guap. For others, income isn't a driving factor. The emotional and intellectual payofff is worth more than any dollar amount.

Kudos to you guys, but I would be a fool to say that. I know myself, and even with the best job in the world I NEED THAT CAKE!! Sure it's not only about the money, but damn if I could make $100 mil!?! Please, you couldn't keep me off the field...

And oh yeah, shout out to Ben Roethlisberger for doing it big willy style. That's monster money. I love it.

Safety First!

Fantasy football fan? Well who are your defenses? Do you have a list of top safeties? Well, if you don't have Troy Polamalu on yours, here’s something that’ll make you think twice about what you got goin there. Yesterday, my favorite safety signed a four-year contact extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth $30.19 million!! That makes him the highest paid player in Steelers history, and also the highest paid safety in the NFL. At 5’10”, 207 pounds, Polamalu is regarded as one of the top defensive players in the league. The long haired Samoan, nicknamed the Tasmanian Devil, is one of the most unique and multitalented players in the NFL.

The Steelers chose USC’s Polamalu in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2003 NFL Draft. He was already scheduled to make $2.81 million in 2007. $1,088,000 of that is his actual salary, and the rest, a whopping $1,722,000, in guaranteed bonuses. This extension goes into effect next season, which means that from 2008-2011, Pittsburgh will pay him $15,375,000 in guaranteed money and roster bonuses. That’s right baby, $15 MILLION!! Polamalu will be in black and gold until he turns 30 in 2011. His age and talent level leave room for him to negotiate another explosive deal before his NFL career ends.

Polamalu is one of the most versatile and extraordinary safeties in the league. He’s speedy and sneaky on the field, and you never know where he’ll be. He’s instinctive and anticipatory; 2 characteristics that make him a killer safety. There’s rarely a defensive play on the field that he isn’t a part of. Whether it’s the interception, the bat down, or the sheer presence of the Flyin Hawaiian, you can always count on Troy to make major stops. He garners respect; he’s made the Pro Bowl the past 3 seasons! He was 2nd team All-Pro in 2004, and made 1st team All-Pro in 2005 when the Steelers won the Super Bowl.

Let me also say his timing couldn’t be any more perfect. The Steelers are in prime financial position to offer the face of their defense as much as they can to keep him. The Steelers released linebacker Joey Porter (He signed a 5-yr, $32 mil deal w/ Miami Dolphins a week later so don’t feel too bad) this off-season in lieu of paying him a $1 million roster bonus. Running back Verron Haynes was released along with Porter, and this double move saved the Steelers more than $6 million in cap room. All-Pro guard Alan Faneca was looking to restructure his own contract with the Steelers, but those talks fell through. Faneca says 2007 will be his final season in Pittsburgh. He is set to make $4.375 million this season, and will be a free agent in 2008. Let’s also keep in mind that Bill Cowher is no longer on the payroll. All these moves make for mo’ money, mo’ money, mo’ money for Troy!!

Another thing I love about him is his demeanor. While I love the personalities of a T.O. and a Chad Johnson, it’s wonderful to see a humble man playing a sport that he loves. He’s very religious, he’s married and loves his wife, and he spends his time with his family. You and I BOTH will be damned if I EVER see him chillin wit Pacman Jones shootin up the club and makin it rain on some strippers! He’s a quiet, Christian man who respects himself and his family, and sees every opportunity to make a play as a blessing. He works hard on the field, and his coaches, teammates and opponents can attest to that. But he also understands that football is not his life, but is part of his life. He deserves all the best.

Now that new head coach Mike Tomlin has some of the bigger money issues out of the way, he can focus all of his attention on a certain QB who had way too many issues last season. Yeah, that would be Ben Roethlisberger. In his 2nd year he became the youngest player in NFL history to win the Super Bowl. The Steelers finished the 2005-2006 season with a 15-1 record. Last season Roethlisberger led the NFL with 23 interceptions, and finished up ’06 at 8-8. With all the things he went through last season, including the motorcycle accident and multiple concussions, the numbers are more than understandable. I’m a Steelers fan so I definitely want to see them do better. The AFC North is looking rough so we’ll see how they fare against teams like Baltimore and Cincinnati. I see them making it to the playoffs this season. Yeah I said it, and what!?!

By the by - Wide receiver Hines Ward was Pittsburgh’s highest paid player prior to Polamalu’s blockbuster deal. In 2005, Ward signed a four-year contract extension with a maximum value of $25.8 million and guarantees him $10 million.