How will Rooney's loss affect things?

[mesaSteeler]

NFL from the sidelines
http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/
After hobnobbing around the NFL in the press boxes and sidelines, sports reporter Dale Lolley will let you know the insider scoop.

How will Rooney's loss affect things

Many have wondered how the naming of Dan Rooney as ambassador to Ireland by the Obama administration would affect the Steelers.

The answer has different levels.

In terms of the football product, not having Rooney around on a daily basis won't affect things.

Dan's son, Art, has been running the team for several years now and has done a good job of it - as the results would show.

He's taken on the role Dan Rooney had when his father, The Chief, was still around. Dan made the daily decisions and consulted his father on anything major. Art will still have that luxury, as Dan will still just be a phone call away.

But the players like seeing the boss around.

To this day, he still visits the locker room on a regular basis and speaks with them – privately – congratulating them for a big win or helping to console them after a loss. But he doesn't do so in a Jerry Jones, in-your-face kind of matter. Rooney leaves the coaching to the coaches. There are no rah-rah speeches coming from Dan Rooney.

And they would see him around, watching practice or in the hallway or cafeteria.

The players respect that a great deal.

Perhaps some day Art will get that same kind of reverence. But it likely only comes with age.

The players respect Dan because, well, he's Dan. And that's what will be missing.

[SteelKid212]

great post mesa.

unfortunatelly as time passes... we come to the realization that our most beloved steelers leaders will not be around for ever... including first and foremost good ol' Dan Rooney. Sure hes not leaving anywhere.. just wont be around as much as he used to.

it was bound to happen wasnt it? he has been around for ever... im sure the Steelers Organization will keep being a first class organization... Of course the Rooneys have raised it to be that way... but the foundation is set. And Art Rooney does a tremendous job day in and day out.

Wish the best of luck to Dan in everything he does. Steeler Nation Supports YOU!

[Galax Steeler]

I hate to see him go but I think we will be ok. Nice read Mesa.

[stillers4me]

I'm sure the players, especially the vets are going to miss having him around the complex. I don't think much else will change in Pittsburgh, Art's been running things for awhile, I understand and I don't think Dan would leave if he thought for a moment that his son couldn't handle things.

I think the league will miss his voice and wisdom more, especially the next few years with so much at stake.

God Luck, Dan! You've more than earned your own special dream come true!

[scsteeler]

Originally Posted by stillers4me

I'm sure the players, especially the vets are going to miss having him around the complex. I don't think much else will change in Pittsburgh, Art's been running things for awhile, I understand and I don't think Dan would leave if he thought for a moment that his son couldn't handle things.

I think the league will miss his voice and wisdom more, especially the next few years with so much at stake.

God Luck, Dan! You've more than earned your own special dream come true!

Like yourself I think Dan realized that it was now time to allow his son to take even more control. The reason we have Tomlin as head coach and not Russ Grim is Dan gave the final say so to his son and look at what that decision produced. Art has been groomed to eventually take on this roll and after winning the Superbowl Dan understands knows the Rooney Legacy will stay in tact and this team will continue the tradition that has been Steelers have had for a long time to come.

[SteelKid212]

Originally Posted by scsteeler

Like yourself I think Dan realized that it was now time to allow his son to take even more control. The reason we have Tomlin as head coach and not Russ Grim is Dan gave the final say so to his son and look at what that decision produced. Art has been groomed to eventually take on this roll and after winning the Superbowl Dan understands knows the Rooney Legacy will stay in tact and this team will continue the tradition that has been Steelers have had for a long time to come.

damm good point my friend

[mesaSteeler]

Dan has left the team in the best of all possible worlds. I can't recall a similar circumstance in which an owner has set things up so well.

We have brilliant young and hungry head coach. a franchise QB coming into his prime and the best defense in the NFL.

Most importantly the players are happy cohesive team who want to be in Pittsburgh and want to win another Super Bowl.

For all of you have bashed the Rooney's over the years contrast our situation with that of such teams like the Dallas Cowboys, the Cincinnati Bengals and most especially the Oakland Raiders.

We have truly been blessed.