SB Nation Pittsburgh - Steelers rookie Alameda Ta'amu returns after suspension for drunk-driving incidenthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2012-11-14T10:56:56-05:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/32656072012-11-14T10:56:56-05:002012-11-14T10:56:56-05:00Steelers re-sign Alameda Ta'amu
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<p>The Pittsburgh <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/gerrydulac/status/268725529719500801"> re-signed rookie defensive tackle</a> <span>Alameda Ta'amu</span>, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac.</p>
<p>On Monday, the Steelers released Ta'amau, who was arrested in October on drunk driving charges. Ta'amu cleared waivers, allowing Pittsburgh to put him on the practice squad Wednesday.</p>
<p>Wide receiver David Gilbreath replaced Ta'amau on the Steelers roster on Monday.</p>
<p>The 348-pound lineman was a fourth-round draft pick by the Steelers in the 2012 NFL Draft. Ta'amu played four years at Washington, racking up 57 tackles, 16 1/2 tackles for loss and 7 1/2 sacks.</p>
<p>The October incident wasn't Ta'amu's first DUI. He also had a history while at Washington, which caused his stock to drop in the NFL Draft.</p>
<p>The Steelers are 6-3 after edging the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Chiefs</a>, 16-13, in overtime on Monday night. Pittsburgh, which lost quarterback <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> to a sprained throwing shoulder, will host the division-leading <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Ravens</a> on <i>Sunday Night Football </i>this week.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2012/11/14/3644886/steelers-alameda-taamuRandy Booth2012-11-13T10:09:34-05:002012-11-13T10:09:34-05:00Steelers released troubled NT Ta'amu
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<p>The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> cut ties Monday with troubled rookie defensive lineman <span>Alameda Ta'amu</span>, <a href="http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/2935893-85/steelers-amu-game-chiefs-kansas-quarter-receiver-sanders-lineman-alan#axzz2C3kvyWwS">Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported</a>. Ta'amu was arrested Oct. 14 on numerous charges, including DUI, after fleeing police and crashing into a parked vehicle.</p>
<p>The 22-year-old Ta'amu was replaced on the roster by wide receiver David Gilbreath, who returned two punts for a total of eight yards in the Steelers' 16-13 victory over the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Chiefs</a> Monday night.</p>
<p>Ta'amu was Pittsburgh's fourth-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft. The Steelers took a chance on Ta'amu, who had a history of DUI when he was a lineman for the Washington Huskies.</p>
<p>The risk didn't pay off as Ta'amu struggled in training camp and was suspended after the Oct. 14 incident.</p>
<p>The Steelers, who play the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Ravens</a> next Sunday night (8:20 p.m. on NBC), were hoping Ta'amu was going to be a possible replacement for <span>Casey Hampton</span>.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2012/11/13/3640022/alameda-taamu-steelers-releaseJared E. Smith2012-11-08T13:20:25-05:002012-11-08T13:20:25-05:00Steelers' Ta'amu appears in court, apologizes
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> rookie nose tackle <span>Alameda Ta'amu</span> waived his right to a hearing on Thursday on charges that he led Pittsburgh police on a chase while intoxicated. Ta'amu also crashed into several parked cars while under the influence, causing thousands of dollars in damage.</p>
<p>Ta'amu apologized after his appearance in court, <a href="http://www.wtae.com/sports/steelers/Steelers-rookie-Alameda-Ta-amu-in-court-on-DUI-chase-charges/-/11793880/16984838/-/item/0/-/13dfwgv/-/index.html" target="_blank">stating</a>:</p>
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<p>"Just wanted to say that I'm sorry -- a big mistake that I made on my part, and I'm doing everything possible to make this right. I don't think there's any other word I would say but 'sorry' is the only word I can say right now."</p>
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<p>The nose tackle has returned to the team after serving a two-week unpaid suspension following his arrest. </p>
<p>The official report states that police saw a sport utility vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road at 2:30 am on Oct. 21. Several police officers ordered the driver to stop, but Ta'amu refused, forcing the officers to dive out of the way to avoid the oncoming car. </p>
<p>The SUV crashed into multiple parked cars, injuring one person who was still inside their car. The SUV eventually disabled, which caused Ta'amu to flee on foot. After the police caught up with him, Ta'amu resisted being handcuffed, so one officer punched him twice before arresting him and sending him off in a police wagon.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2012/11/8/3618600/alameda-taamu-court-dui-steelersConnor Moylan2012-11-01T11:03:19-04:002012-11-01T11:03:19-04:00Alameda Ta'amu apologizes for incident
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> nose tackle <span>Alameda Ta'amu</span> <a href="http://www.timesonline.com/sports/steelers/news-notes-apologetic-ta-amu-returns/article_ad6e8630-319d-5ea6-823f-145b9670a5e7.html#.UJJy8a5XCuc.twitter">spoke to the media </a>for the first time since his drunk driving incident on Oct. 14. Ta'amu apologized for the incident that led to him being suspended two games without pay:</p>
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<p>"It was just a big mistake," said the Steelers rookie nose tackle. "It was the biggest mistake I've ever made in my life. It won't happen again. It was a bad night. I let a lot of people down, my family, fans and especially my teammates. I have to keep moving forward and keep getting better."</p>
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<p>Ta'amu still faces felony charges of fleeing the police, aggravated assault while driving drunk and three counts of aggravated assault when he nearly ran down three police officers with his SUV. In addition, he was charged with 10 misdemeanors including resisting arrest, attempting escape, drunken driving and failure to obey traffic laws.</p>
<p>To make room for Ta'amu on the roster, the Steelers released safety Damon Cromartie-Smith. He had been on the practice squad the first seven weeks of the season before playing in last Sunday's 27-12 victory against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>. The Steelers are scheduled to play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 4:25 p.m. The game will be broadcast on CBS.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2012/11/1/3585468/alameda-taamu-steelers-drunk-driving-duiTim Blank2012-10-31T19:43:19-04:002012-10-31T19:43:19-04:00Steelers cut Cromartie-Smith, Ta'amu rejoins team
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> released safety Damon Cromartie-Smith on Wednesday to make room for rookie nose tackle <span>Alameda Ta'amu</span> on the roster.</p>
<p>Ta'amu rejoined the team on Monday after a two-game suspension for a dangerous drunk driving incident. Ta'amu was arrested on Oct. 14 for multiple felony charges, including nearly running over police officers with his vehicle while drunk. Pittsburgh selected Ta'amu in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft; his preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 8 at which point he could face more discipline. After rejoining the team the Steelers had a 48-hour roster exemption before having to cut someone.</p>
<p>Cromartie-Smith joined the 53-man roster on Saturday to play special teams in Pittsburgh's 27-12 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>. Prior to last week he had been a member of the Steelers' practice squad. If Cromartie-Smith clears waivers, it's expected that Pittsburgh will resign him to the practice squad.</p>
<p>The Steelers take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> on Sunday.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2012/10/31/3583280/steelers-damon-cromartie-smith-alameda-taamuJeff Briggs2012-10-31T12:03:08-04:002012-10-31T12:03:08-04:00Ta'amu finds out his fate on Wednesday
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<p>The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> have until 4 p.m. on Wednesday to decide on their plans with rookie nose tackle <span>Alameda Ta'amu</span>, <a href="http://www.timesonline.com/sports/steelers/news-notes-ta-amu-on-the-chopping-block/article_6b5ace8f-2823-51d6-bd94-90bd3fb3c4b7.html#.UJEk03eP7-I.twitter">according to timesonline.com</a>.</p>
<p>At that time, Ta'amu's roster exemption expires, meaning someone will be getting cut to keep the roster at 53 players.</p>
<p>Ta'amu has been a source of consternation within the organization since Oct. 14, when he was arrested on multiple felony charges that include fleeing police, three counts of nearly running over three police officers with his vehicle and aggravated assault while driving drunk.</p>
<p>The defensive lineman also faces 10 misdemeanors which include drunken driving, failure to obey traffic laws, resisting arrest and attempting to escape.</p>
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<p>"Obviously, we’re going to do what’s best for us professionally here in an effort to win this game this weekend," coach Mike Tomlin said. "Obviously, he’s still in play. ... We’ve got a decision to make and we’ll make it at the appropriate time."</p>
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https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2012/10/31/3581160/steelers-alameda-taamu-cutMatt Verderame2012-10-30T07:56:22-04:002012-10-30T07:56:22-04:00Alameda Ta'amu returns to Steelers
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<p>Rookie nose tackle <span>Alameda Ta'amu</span> has <a href="http://triblive.com/sports/2855737-85/steelers-games-season-sunday-didn-game-fourth-roethlisberger-roster-amu#axzz2AgyvBFLK">returned</a> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> after a two-week suspension following an extremely dangerous drunk driving rampage in mid-October.</p>
<p>We'll see what the Steelers had in mind for Ta'amu. Given the seriousness of the accusations against him, it was a little surprising that he wasn't simply cut. Ta'amu <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/10/14/3501590/alameda-taamu-dui-arrest-steelers/in/3265607">almost</a> ran over a police officer, hit at least five cars, and avoided being shot only because of the number of people around. It also <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/10/16/3510694/alameda-taamu-steelers-drunk-driving/in/3265607">wasn't his first</a> drunk-driving arrest.</p>
<p>Ta'amu didn't make much of an impact this preseason, and he's behind <span>Casey Hampton</span> and <span>Steve McLendon</span> on the depth chart. The Steelers are looking for a long-term replacement for Hampton. They traded up to get Ta'amu in the fourth round of last year's draft, but even before this incident, it wasn't clear that he was their man.</p>
<p>The Steelers received a temporary exemption for Ta'amu, so they did not have to make any other roster moves as they placed him back on the roster.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2012/10/30/3575392/alameda-taamu-steelers-duiCharlie Wilmoth2012-10-18T07:52:58-04:002012-10-18T07:52:58-04:00Ta'amu's DUI case shows Steelers' hypocrisy
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<p>The Steelers abandoned their once revered principles in the handling of the Alameda Ta'amu DUI case. But was there even a "Steeler Way" to begin with, or is it just a myth? </p> <p>We have heard about the "Steelers Way" for years. Fans have this myth ingrained into their minds that the Steelers are somehow different than all those other heathen NFL franchises. The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> supposedly have some manifest culture that makes the organization better than every other NFL team. The Steelers aren't the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bengals</a>. They aren't the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Ravens</a>. The Rooneys and the Men of Steel are a different breed. They handle things differently in Pittsburgh, right?</p>
<p>In the words of Joe Biden, that's a bunch of malarkey.</p>
<p>I hate to break it to you, Steelers Nation, but your franchise is not different. It never has been. The only difference is that the Steelers produce winners. That should be the real meaning of the "Steelers Way." The proverbial <a target="_blank" href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/10/16/alameda-taamu-suspension.ap/index.html">slap on the wrist</a> given to rookie defensive tackle <span>Alameda Ta'amu</span> only strengthens the argument that the Steelers are no different. If the organization practiced what they preached and what the fans believe, if the Steelers truly placed honor and dignity above all else, Alameda Ta'amu would be searching for a job right now. However, sometimes the whole honor thing doesn't work out. Ask Penn State. I'm fine with it actually, but just don't pretend you're somehow doing things differently than the 31 other teams.</p>
<p>The laundry list of incidents probably isn't necessary, but for emphasis, let's take a trip down memories (we'd like to forget) lane: <span>Jeff Reed</span>, <span>Najeh Davenport</span>, <span>James Harrison</span>, <span>Santonio Holmes</span>, <span>Barrett Brooks</span>, Cedric Wilson, <span>Hines Ward</span>, and the <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> saga.</p>
<p>In Ta'amu's case, what more could he have done, short of killing a person, to warrant a pink slip? I mean honestly, what Ta'amu allegedly put police and innocent bystanders through early Sunday morning is not only wrong, but something you would likely see in a movie. He could have easily killed someone. He could have easily been killed, either by his reckless driving, or by the police who drew their guns on him but decided not to fire. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/steelers-players-acknowledge-taamus-mistake-657709/">And this isn't even his first DUI</a>. The Steelers knew he had a history. They picked him anyway knowing his previous issues. He drove drunk again and the team responded with a two-game suspension, a stern talking-to, and a slap on the wrist. So much for honor. So much for being different.</p>
<p>I wish my workplace ran things the "Steelers Way."</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/10/18/3519848/steelers-alameda-taamu-duiPat O'Mahony