Let's not blow this out of proportion...

Anyone with any intellect knew going in that the Steelers were not a good football team, thus nobody should be surprised that they lost. But let's look at a few facts to refresh our "who is to blame segment", before automatically associating Ben with turnovers and the loss.

-The Steelers went into Halftime down 20-10. They didn't turn the ball over in the first half, so essentially the defense allowed 20 first half points.

-Like every game, we had to play catchup in the second half because we were down big already. So when you are forced to throw every down, along with how bad the Steelers offensive line is, turnovers will happen. We only had 2 today. Flacco threw 5 picks today and the Ravens only lost by 3. Why? Their defense created turnovers...

-...where as our Defense literally cannot create turnovers. Zero through four games. DL can't force them or catch passes, only players can. Ike dropped 2 and the linebackers were clueless when that fumble was on the ground.

-Bottom line, our defense as a whole and the play of Adams, especially in the first half which prevented many opportunities to move the football downfield, are to blame for this one. It is plain and simple as that and it is a continuing trend.

The team will not suddenly turn it around and start winning games this season unless they are able to replace players on their defense, as well as offensive line.

Finally, I have said this many many times over the past 2 years and have been blasted for it (if not ehre, then elsewhere), but players like Woodley don't deserve $13 million, Timmons doesn't deserve $10 million, Ike doesn't deserve $10 million. They do not provide the impact on the field that they contract has on our cap room. And there is nothing we can do about it. For all the praise that Colbert and Kahn get, they really messed up this team, and should be fired.

 

I agree overall with your statements. This team was going to struggle from the get go just based on the injuries, inexperience, questionable coaching moves, you name it. Not being surprised though doesn't make you feel much better seeing them constantly shooting themselves in the foot.

The lack of blocking by the OL is ridiculous and it's not just because Pouncey went out. Our OL has stunk since 2005 and even before that. Once we got to the latter years of the Cowher era they stopped paying attention to the OL. Now Colbert dumps a bunch of draft picks into the group and, young or not, they stink.

Ben shoulders a lot of this blame too, the turnovers are terrible. He has too, but never will, adjust his game to compensate for the lack of blocking and new starting WR's, and previous lack of Heath Miller. The interceptions and fumbles are as much on him as they are on the OL.

The defense makes you want to bang your head into a wall too. If you can't come up with a turnover in 4 games, you're just not doing your job. I'm so done with Ike Taylor and this "he's the best shut down corner on the team" talk. That dude has hands of stone. A complete DB makes the pick when it's in your hands.

 

Woodley and Timmons may not be worth what they are being paid, but if you think we're bad now let's get rid of them and see how bad we are.

 

If I had their salaries to sign linemen who could actually block, I'd argue that the Steelers would have a better chance of winning. What do Timmons and Woodley do to increase our chance of winning? Prevent big plays? Limit running backs to under 100 yards? Did you watch today's game?

 

I'm ok with the money Timmons is getting, relatively speaking, because he has been solid and done all he's asked in his career. Woodley on the other hand has not earned his paycheck one bit.

Like JackAttack eluded too, Worilds is terrible so the only positive left is Jarvis Jones.

 

Unfortunately, yes.

 

What makes a solid linebacker group in a three-four is three solid dlinemen.

Hood is average at best and McClendon is not big enough to keep the linemen off the linebackers. I think McClendon would be better served as a DE.

Good observation though from TTH.

 

I will also go on the record and say that I would rather have Harrison at $6 million doing nothing on the field but perhaps bringing leadership to the locker-room, than Woodley at $13 million doing nothing at all. And I know one of you will point out "Well gosh Woodley has had 3 sacks in 4 games"!, but that doesn't mean anything. Did those three sacks help us win those games? No.

 

Al Wood played pretty well in preseason, and McClendon can play both DE spots and NT. If they don't start generating consistent pressure I would hope we see some of that creative rotation by Lebeau...not holding my breath though.

 

Creative? Uh, you do realize this is the Steelers coaching staff, right?

 

Harrison at 6 million yeah maybe when he was in his prime not now.

 

Great post. Spot on. Even as bad as the O-line is, Steelers put up 27 points. They should win with that. Defense had 1 sack, no turnovers, gave up 124 yds to one wr and 140 yds to a running back. Let's not forget about poor tackling.

 

Might think about asking LeBau to retire after this season since the Defense can't do there jobs anymore.

 

DL doesn't catch interceptions or fall on fumbles or sack the QB.

 

You are absolutely correct but DL hasn't come up with a Blitz scheme in at least two years. The last game this team actually played well in on defense was the Patriots game. Where are the blitzes? Where are the disguises? I have seen absolutely no creativity to DL scheme in years. Only thing i've seen is the Cross-dog blitz and that hasn't worked since Kirkland played.

What happen to sending a corner and dropping a lineman? What happen to sending linebackers in a double A gap blitz and dropping two lineman? What happen to overloading one side and dropping the other? This is what DL can bring to table and he has not.

 

I mean this reinforces my point. They don't have the talent or personnel to run exotic packages. That makes more sense than to just say DL isn't calling them just to not call them.

 

Then let's just eliminate the ENTIRE coaching staff. We can take that money and apply it to some stud offensive linemen!

 

Don't need $10 million studs....just need a roster of Velasco's.

 

He's been the only bright spot.

 

I know this has been a tough year so far and may not get much better as the season progresses. I have been one on the board being critical of all aspects of the organization. After today's game I resigned myself to we have issues that need to be addressed but we also have some bright spots and hope for the future. This team needs to retool, but on a bright note not a Cleveland Browns 14 year rebuilding process. . The Steeler have been arguably the 2nd best team in the NFL over the past 20 years and below are the stats.

Last 20 Years

Overall Regular Season Record: 204-116Super Bowl Record: 2-2
Playoff Appearances: 14
Playoff Record: 17-12
Seasons At Or Above .500: 18

It has been tough to watch this year but from past performance I believe the Steeler organization will turn it around quickly. I am used to a different Steeler team which I should be grateful for over the past 20 years.

 

And they gave up 248 yards passing to Matt Cassel, who had a rating today of 123.4.

 

Not with Tomlin as the head coach. That is what I believe. They will need to find a new coach before it gets better.

 

I would like to see them before we say we don't have the talent to execute. I didn't think we could play man-to-man defense but we played it against the Pats and did pretty well.

 

You make valid points in your post. I agree. Sad but true.

 

This.