what are we doing differently the past 2 weeks?

You know, when the Ravens started to get going after their first score and the Steelers not getting a first down, I thought oh no, here we go again. Then Moats got his turnover, the offense scored, and both units kind of fed off each other.

 

I stopped playing the weekly pic'em. I am absolutely convinced this is the answer and will not play the rest of the season all the way to the Superbowl!

 

PASS RUSH! Keep on attacking and
watch the wins grow.

 

This right here. Offense and Defense both looking on form. As I said in another thread, what's going on here is that things are just falling into place. The potential has been there for a while, and now we're getting people on the same page.

And when that happens... the ball starts to bounce your way a little more. The chance events start to roll in your favour. Botched extra points become 2-point conversions.

Something else I'd add: for a while there was a lot of talk about how the team seemed to lack conviction and the hunger to win. I've just be re-watching the fight on the last extra point of the game and the bit I loved about that was Wing and Suisham taking on one of the Ravens DBs. You look at that, and you say: that's conviction.

 

I think DL finally changed his attitude on defense, he knows big pass plays are going to happen, the secondary is just bad and there isn't any way to sugar coat it. With that said, rather than playing in nickel and letting teams gash us with the run and pass he has decided to just attack the front and stop the run and rush the passer and let whatever happens in the secondary happen. We are winning but even the losing QBs are putting up big numbers and that is the other change I noticed. We are still throwing the ball even with a lead, I know a lot of guys get mad at that fact but TOP means nothing if we don't score and face it, our defense can't hold 7 point leads or even a 14 point lead unless we continue to match score for score. That is a huge difference as we all know, when we would get a lead we would try running the ball up the middle, even when 9 guys were stacked in the box we would still try forcing the run and we would move the chains a bit but eventually we would get in a 3rd and long and end up punting the ball away only to see the other team score or flip field position. I think as long as Haley opens the offense up and LeBeau just brings the heat every play we will be ok, sort of like the Rams were with Warner, they could put up points but they had to as their defense couldn't stop anyone, the exception is we have talent of defense that is beginning to show up and that will get better as well.

 

And I will, as I said I would, tell you you were right about it just taking some time

 

There were multiple issues and they're all being corrected, simultaneously.

Coaching, play calling and player execution. It's all been kicked up a notch.

I agree with most of what others have to say, along these lines.

 

The offensive line play has been much improved.

 

when did we release Munchak's Johnson?

 

The team now is nothing like it was last year and at the start of this season. They have focus .. Where before we would try not to lose instead of trying to win we are attempting to put alot of points on the board. The one play that sticks in my mind most recently is Tomlins decision to go for 7 instead of 3 to put the Ravens away. This is the very types of ballsy moves we need more of. Do not decelerate during games. Stack points and wins.

We are finally playing like an inspired bunch.. GO STEELERS

 

He also went for 7 to put the colts away too. I like it but what's gonna happen when it doesn't work and we wind up losing? It's probably not gonna be pleasant around here. LOL.

 

Not me.. I like the sensibility of coaching as well.. Don't get me wrong. I just think when you go for the throat as a coach it demonstrates to your players you have confidence in what they are doing

 

I bought a case of Keystone with the camo cans for Hunting season. Worked well enough against Houston, had to buy more.

As far as anything the Steelers have done, I say the biggest change is putting Bryant into the lineup. Obviously, the loss to the Browns caused a shake up, obviously. So it may not just be one "thing," except for my beer. Another factor, was in each of the games, the Steelers took a lead in the 2nd quarter and never gave it up. With Bryant stepping up his game, Wheaton has stepped up his game too. This makes it so opposing teams can't just try and shut down AB and the run and totally shut our offense down. With multiple weapons, defenses have to play honest.

As to the earlier comment that Ben did more film study...link? I just find it hard to believe that he suddenly did more. We moan and complain that Ben doesn't get his due with the national media, but yet, many of the Steeler faithful seem to buy into this myth as well. As if keeping Ben clean, or any qb for that matter, doesn't make a huge difference. If anything, Ben has had some time since his hand injury earlier this year, with a healed hand, he is more accurate on the longer throws.

 

they understood that can rely on the defense and now they go fullmode on offense .

 

Honestly, I like that we seem to be playing aggressive the entire game and not for one half. I used to want to scream when we would get a lead and go into prevent mode. It is a wonder I still have any hair after pulling most of it out!

 

true story, taking the air out of the ball hasn't worked since Bettis retired

 

Keep the peddle to the metal. Score as many points as you can. This is what Belencheat does and it works. How many games in the last 15 years that we were up big at halftime only to come out in the second half, play conservatively, score 3 or 7 points, barely win or lose.

 

Prevent only prevents you from winning. I've always hated prevent defense. When a gameplan has worked the whole game I can not, for the life of me, understand why coaches think it is a good thing to change the scheme and give guys all the time in the world to make plays and hit guys in the open field. With this defense we pretty much need to take every point that we can get and I think that's the reason we've been basically playing 4 down territory football in the red zone. As long as it's working I'm fine with it but I don't even wanna think how mad I'm gonna be when we go for it all and turn it over and wind up losing. LOL.

 

This. At least the aggressiveness part. I already don't have enough hair...

 

And it won't. This is the new NFL where if you sit back with a lead, your opp shoves 21 pts. down your throat in a hurry.

 

Tomlin finally learned how to coach, LeBeau found the fountain of youth and the players are now staying at Holiday Inn Express.

Cajun

 

Adding to this...since our secondary is so "suspect" why not play aggressive. Chances are we are going to get burnt once or twice a game. Might as well come with everything you got anyway. I should give Tomlin my number I'm sure he wants my coaching tips!

 

I will tell him to hit you up the next time we are texting.