If I were Kellen Winslow II, and I saw a person coming towards me with a microphone or a camera, or an audio recorder, I would swaller my tongue.  I suppose he could bite it (his tongue) but that might not be enough to suppress a response to the inevitable question:  "Kellen Winslow Lite,  would you like to respond to Mr. James Farrior's quasi-threat that you should 'have your head on a swivel' ?"  My guess is that he'll have plenty of opportunities this week to respond to that statement.  I would suggest that he plan a few comment avoidance techniques or evasive manuevers so that he'll be prepared for the onslaught of desperate reporters clamoring for his "official" reply.   Because let's be real,  he can't answer Mr. Farrior on the field.  He's tried.  Dirty blocks, cheap shots, running his mouth;  yeah he's done all of those.  But on field accomplishments against the Steelers?  Let me know if you find any.  He hasn't played in a game where they've beaten Pittsburgh.  He hasn't scored a TD against them either.  He padded his yardage numbers a little during the second half in week one, but this was after the Steelers were already up 24-0. 

What do you mean I'm not a soldier?

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  Kellen Winslow Lite is not a game changer.  Ever read the Wikipedia article about him?  I was not surprised that the awards/accomplishments box plainly reads "No notable accomplisments."  That's a mouthful there.  Winslow Lite is definitely a contributor, but he is just not on par with his image of himself.  The guy can play, but linebackers don't have nightmares about him.  Defensive coordinators don't spend whole days trying to figure out how to stop him.  Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, Jason Witten are big time, big name, big game tight ends.  Their play on the field speaks for itself.  No locker room comments are necessary.  Before you go berserk check the stats.  They're all within 50 yards of him this year, and all three have more TDs and less fumbles than he does.  Kellen Winlow Lite is better known for his mouth after the game, than for his numbers in the game. 

So until that changes Winslow Lite, I'd suggest you store up your comments until you can back them up on the field.

As a rabid sports fan, I can relate to the feelings of the boo-birds.  There are not many things more disappointing than watching your beloved team stink up the joint in person.  It's also emotionally distressing to watch the coach of your beloved team make a terrible call with the game (or the season) on the line.  It's been enough to make me throw my officially liscensed hat with enough force to leave marks on the wall.  Just watching the inconsistent play of Anthony Morelli this year has been mentally taxing.  But how does that justify booing your own team?  I think that's where I draw the line. 

I'll admit, I haven't been to near as many games as some more privileged or even more devoted fans but I have never booed a team that I root for.  Never.  Booing crosses over a line of disrespect that I just can't seem to bring myself to cross.  I love the Steelers.  I remember being sick after the loss to the Pats in the AFC championship game after going 15-1.  Would I have cried?  Maybe.  Puked?  Possibly, but not from the game.  But booed?  No.  And call me crazy, but I don't think many Steeler fans would have.  But this shouldn't digress into a pro-Steeler fan post. 

The Philadelphia Eagles fans and the Carolina Panthers fans come to mind immediately. 

Philly fans are notoriously harsh to non-performing players.  But why the boos people?  Is it because of the poor performance?  Do you feel like you deserve more for your money?  Are you convinced your team is not trying to win?  I don't feel out of line making this statement:

When (insert booing fan team city name here) fans cross the line from being disappointed or angry to being overly vocal and confrontational with the team they claim to love it is because of their own over-inflated expectations of their team's actual capabilities. 

It's really that simple.  These guys are professionals people.  Guys who have millions of dollars, pay other guys millions of dollars, to pay these guys millions of dollars to play a game that happens to be highly entertaining  and a spectacle to behold whether on your TV or in the yard.  If anyone has a right to boo, it's the first of those millionaire guys.  But they don't.  They are involved with these coaches and teams on a personal basis and understand that they are people, playing a game. 

Carolina fans are particularly amusing because of the extreme highs and lows.  When they are hot and exciting, the fans are nuts.  When they are down, well the fans are nuts then too but in a sad, pitiful way.  And I'm not generalizing here people.  I'm sure there are realistic fans in both Philly and Charlotte who are biting their fists right now and googling my user name. 

But as a Steeler fan who lives in Chlt, I am amazed at the pendulum swing of emotions of Panther nation.  They are almost bi-polar.  There is virtually no optimism when the team is struggling, and there's an obnoxious over-enthusaism when the team is striding.  Alot of the hot and cold seems to center around Jake Delhomme.  Funny thing though, he's by far the best QB the team has ever had.  Without him, Steve Smith is almost a non-factor.  Yet every time they lose a game, you'll hear WFNZ  610AM flooded with calls to bench Jake and put in Chris Weinke, or David Carr, or your neighbor, or the mailman, or Uncle Rico.

Boo yourselves people!  Be rabid, be emotional, be critical yes.  Be informed, understand the game.  Know what to expect from your team.  Understand matchups and use them to form your expectations.  By all means, clamor for change if it's necessary.  But if your team knows it is underperforming, trust me it's not because you told them so.