I'm Back! Thoughts on the season.

Nobody probably remembers me but I use to get into heated arguments over the offense last year. I had issues with my email and just now was able to recover my password sicne the site migration.

Oh have there been so many things that I felt compelled to say. I have been watch and reading the forums, I just couldn't post.....until now.

1) Everyone hated BA and a lot of people are beginning to dislike Haley. People have always hated Ben. What if the reason for the offensive woes, outside of the offensive line and injuries to it, are not the coordinators or Ben, but rather Tomlin and/or the Front Office giving directives as top how they want the offense run. Rooney has said many times that he wants to see more of a ground and pund attack, and well, they clearly tried that with their fat running backs running up the middle. I thought the offense was doing well for that small stretch of games in which they were actually, well, good, but these past 5 games have had to have been some of the worst offensive play that has been executed in the past several decades. It was obvious what the calls were going to be.

2) The only thing I will say about the BA/Haley debate, is that if you want to fire your offensive coordinator, fine...all the power to you. But god, why don't you hire someone that is CLEARLY going to be an upgrade, or bring something new to the table. I don't consider Haley an upgrade nor has he brought anything new to the table...except for running the fat running backs up the middle on every first down. (I would almost rather see a deep bomb on every first down than a run up the middle with a fat running back)

3) I gotta get this kick in. Hines Ward would have been more of a factor down this late season stretch than what we got out of our young money guys. One does not simply replace his leadership and experience with a flick of the wrists. I think, very truly, that Steelers Nation was spoiled to have him on our team for as long as we did. He clearly carried our passing game. MY NEXT COMMENT IS GROUNDBREAKING: People say that if Ward was on a passing team he would have had better numbers. He ended up with 1000 catches still though, and a bunch of yards and TDs. With the offense that we just saw this season, I cannot even fathom one of our current or potential future wide receivers even coming close to breaking his records, and the league is more pass heavy now than when Ward was in his prime. Hines Ward carried our passing game, and we currently don't have the people on the roster to replace him.

4) That being said, why wasn't Burress playing? He brings a completely different and very valuable skill-set to the offense, and he was inactive for the two most important games for the Steelers this season. The small playing time that he saw, he produced and looked very viable. One does not have to always outrun the defender when one can jump over him.

5) I saw a comment somewhere that we need to draft a running back. I agree. I would keep Redman as the third down and goal line guy, as I think he has the heart and drive to get the yard to pick up the first down or TD (I see some Bettis in him). Clip Dwyer and Mendenhal. I note however that I think it was a huge coaching mistake to deactivate Mendenhal for those 2 games. He brings more than Dwyer, and I do like Dwyer. The key here guys, is that we don't have a starting running back. We need someone closer to AP or Rice that we know is the best player on the field. I would pay what it takes to find that player.

6) The offensive line was battered. Fine players that can stay healthy or look at the training programs of the team. Our line always gets crippled. We have never had a good one since the 05 Super Bowl line. That being said, if our current offensive lineman could stay healthy, I really what I see. Colon was a massive upgrade at left guard. Starks is consistent. Pouncey is god. Romon Foster deserves a lot of credit. He is pretty awesome and can play any position. We are lucky to have him. And Adams was great when he played (after the first game where he entered for the injury to Gillbert). DeCastro needs to get much better before he is viable to start. He was one of the worst players on the field today. And I will say that the idea that he will develop over time seems to be becoming moot in today's league where you have rookies stepping in right away and playing at a Pro Bowl level. Look at the Vikings rookie left tackle...Kalil?

7) It is clear that the Defense is good because of LaBaeu's schemes, not the players. Why do I say this? Because our defense does not get sacks or turnovers but they are still good. Thank god for LaBaeu.

8) I like our secondary, but we need massive help with our pass rush. Those fat defensive lineman that we drafted round 1 are useless. Might as well throw some more DBs out there instead of having them attempt to rush the QB or create holes for the linebackers.

9) I am running out of steam. I will post more points as I think of them, but what are your thoughts on these current points?

 

Ben sucks, Tomlin sucks, the seson is over and it sucks!!!

 

People have always hated BEN? Cmon man

 

Some people have always hated him, yes. Not everyone. I personally think he is an asset to the team and has carried the offense for the past few years. The overlooked issue is that when he has an off game, nobody else steps up. We win because of Ben and lose because of Ben because the other players on offense are decent but never exceptional in a game. We don't have an AP of Calvin Johnson to carry the QB when they are struggling. Hines Ward was this for us for so many years, but he is gone and none of our other receivers even come close to bringing what he brough to the table.