So, how does this team get back to the Superbowl?

In Pittsburgh the Begnals were not afraid of the Steelers.
They would attempt a long FG knowing that if they missed giving the Steeler O wouldn't matter, they can't move the ball.

My answer, RESPECT!

Teams can now beat the Steelers up.

 

True, but I think Mike became less consistent this season (which is saying something because hes' never been all that consistent). It hurt us a lot when he would just completely disappear in games, and he said himself that he would lose focus if he didn't get involved early on in the game. I'm not the Wallace hater that many are around here, but I just can't justify giving him 10 mil a year.

If he's been humbled by this past season and would take 5-6 mil a year, I'm all for it, but I can't see that happening.

 

That would mean he would play with half the effort he played with this year?

 

This team won't.....there are going to be changes.

 

Let's be fair and add to that all of Ben's mis-throws which add to just about as many, in number.

 

with ben healthy and focused all season long .

 

1. Force LeBeau into retirement
2. Install 4-3 Tampa defense
3. Only do #1 and #2 if Tomlin is prepared to become a leader and put his philosophical stamp on this team; if not, all bets are off and this team will spiral into mid-80s oblivion and nothing else will matter
4. Let Mendenhall walk
5. Let Wallace walk
6. Release Polamalu and Harrison (not sure of the cap hit, though, about $6-8M each?...someone fill me in, as I'm too lazy to look it up)
7. Possibly POSSIBLY trade Ben for draft picks and prepare to tank the 2013 season with sights set on taking Johnny Manziel with the first pick in 2014, when he'll likely come out (This is an "alternate universe" idea, but I thought I'd throw it in)
8. Just just about ANYONE for draft picks

Bottom line is, the team needs to get younger and institute a mentality, a philosophy. Right now, this team is old, lazy, undisciplined, resting on its laurels, uncaring.

 

I can understand this frustration to a point. It'd be nice to cover up receivers and never allow them to catch anything--short passes or otherwise. But two things I think are worth mentioning:

1. Though I'm pleased with Ike and our young players, I don't think we have the corners to do what you suggest down in and down out. And, unfortunately, our safeties had to help too much in run support this year, meaning that playing primarily tight coverage on the outside was dangerous. So unless you have a secondary akin to what the Jets had a couple years back, playing tight coverage can be your downfall--which leads me to the second point.

2. In today's game, limiting the big plays is of most importance. With the rules as they are, good defensive schemes (against talented offenses) will have a "bend but don't break" mentality. And I think that's what Lebeau is doing and has been doing for some time. This year we gave up fewer passing plays over 20 yards (30) and 40 yards (2) than any other team. That's saying something, I think.

Additionally, with one game left in the season, we are leading the league in: yards allowed, passing yards allowed, first downs allowed. We are also ranked second in the league against the run.

Considering that this isn't new territory--the Steelers consistently have had one of the top-rated defenses in recent years--I really like Dick Lebeau.

 

Plain and simple: Keep the Offensive Line healthy




That is all...

 

Stay healthy.
Stop committing stupid penalties.
Pick a running back already!
Receivers, when Ben manages to throw the ball your way, CATCH IT!

 

if ben goes down ?

 

These are initial thoughts and not in any particular order...

#1 - Ben should take what the defense gives him and stop holding the ball; accept the check down

#2 - Consistency with personnel on the O-Line

#3 - Special Teams stop holding and blocking in the back

#4 - Keep Mendenhall and let him loose behind a halfway decent O-Line

#5 - Keep all of Young Money but restructure Brown's contract; none of them are playing like $50M

#6 - Reduce offensive penalties by 50%

#7 - Offense should protect the ball

#8 - WRs catch the ball; Wallace tighten up that sideline catch with your hands

#9 - Use Cotchery more

#10 - Defense should continue business, as usual

#11 - Continue to draft/acquire talent, as usual

 

My knee-jerk reaction is that it's over and time to blow it up but I thought the same thing after the lousy 2009 season and look what happened. We'll see what happens next year if we can kick the injury bug.

 

The Steelers will be a Super Bowl contender again by having a big time RB on the roster- by big time, that means a guy who rushes for 1,200 yards or so. A lot of things will fall into place if they can do that, but it is a very big IF.

 

buy a ticket like everybody else.

 

sounds like you're lobbying for the 1980's

 

Give our line some time to gel.

 

Take the best available RB or CB in round one.....In round 2 take the next best available CB or RB.

 

Mendenhall can do that.

 

Dude I love you Myron! I'm also REALLLLY wanting a corner! I'm talking a shutdown, hit you in the mouth, ballhawk cornerback!

 

I feel the same about the defensive stats. I miss the picks. I miss the forced fumbles. I miss the sacks. I miss the 3 and outs. I miss the qbs getting slammed on their heads.

 

Also I'm with you on the angry part too.

 

YEAH GET RID OF THE #1 D,,, R U KIDDING...LIKE IT WAS THE D FAULT

 

Im with yinz BFT....WE need a shut down CB.....We also need a top notch RB.....I say go after the top notch RB first....Get the next best CB in RD2......We could make due with Allen & Lewis for one more year!!And Ike will be back!!