It started with the holdout

A team full of talent and can't score the football . This falls on Haley/Ben and everyone on Offense . Ben not having any mobility greatly limits the playbook. Ben not being good at PA limits the Offense. I think Ben has checked out mentally . I am afraid he came back for only 1 reason and that reason is the money .

I think it is time to go with Dobbs . He does have mobility and he will use PA . It would allow the playbook to open up and use more spread and zone read concepts.

 

As far as Bell is concerned, yes, the holdout showed the rust. But he is breaking out of that funk. And to not run him and run him some more against the worst run Defense in the league and have your aging QB throw over 50 times bods to stupid game planning. The game plan made no sense.

 

Do you think Bell is running like last year? Do you think he has the same burst? Does he have more negative yards this year verses last year? Do you still think he is the best running back in the league? Yea he had 150 yards against Baltimore with like 47 some touches. To me he is not the same as last year and enough excuses about rust.

Agree the game plans have been stupid and very predictable. Agree we should run more but also would like to see more of our other backs and not sure Bell can carry us like he did some games last year.

Why did we not throw to JuJu or Jesse the whole 1st half. How many times did we target Brown against one of the best corners with safety help, yea he got the stats but where did that get us. Same with Bell, if he got the ball for 25 running plays we would still lose. This team is out of sync right now and it starts at the top.

 

SiriusXM radio NFL Channel said this morning, that it is highly very possible that the holdout has thrown the the entire timing, sync of the Offense out of whack.
They also believe it can get better.
But Ben can't be doubting himself.

 

Question. Has the team ever looked in sync with Ben, Bell, Brown and Bryant all on the field at the same time?

 

Good question, you might be on to something, I dont recall any times they were all in sync.

 

Prior to this season, they had very few games together.... I could be wrong but I think I remember hearing the BBBB combo had only played maybe 3 games together, or something very close.

 

You don't think that Ben spending more time with his family could impact his play? Do you have kids? Not saying that's what's happening, but to me it does make sense to a decline in play, less practice, less drive, thinking retirement, thinking about his wife and kids..... absolutely can be a distraction. Personally, I think it might even explain his horrible road record.

 

It's strange...all three of the events you mentioned above were caused by one guy (according to LaCanfora)

 

Yeah, in times where consistency and a full knowledge of the playbook are needed, it's often best to put in your 3rd string rookie QB.

 

In the NFL, 'Any given Sunday' rings more true than not.

There is far more parity in the league than most think.

Good team chemistry and locker room comraderie is what separates winners from losers. Unless we suddenly start gelling as a team, mediocre results will follow.

Hindsight is 20/20. But if Juice would have gotten his arse into camp, I feel our record would be different. But he's not the only one I'd single out. Big Ben has checked out. He's done mentally. Last year, I'm afraid. Tomlin is one helluva speaker with his quotable quotes and post game propaganda. But a leader he is not. The players are employees and he should treat them as such.

 

Who said it, Ross Tucker? He's a blow hard and I wouldn't listen to much of what he says. Tune in at 3 pm and if Pat Kirwan says the same thing, then I'll buy it.

 

Solomon Wilcox I think.

Later in the day, Brady Quinn agreed that the Offense can still get it together and that Division title and Playoffs are not so far fetched.

 

This is the most immature, self-absorbed, selfish Steelers team I've ever seen. You think back to the unity and focus of some our great teams over the years, and this team just doesn't have it... Not one bit...

 

I agree with this. Sure, one can lump situations like Bell's holdout and the tunnel decision into general distractions and complain about them, especially in light of the team's performance right now. But in the end, it comes down to what they're doing on the field, and what preparations and game plans are being put in place to ensure they get the most out of the talent on the roster.

The performance that's currently lacking - game planning, execution, fundamentals, etc - are likely a combination of both player and coach. I do tend to agree this team has enough talent to be performing better than they currently are, but it's hard to say exactly where that line is. Do I think Tomlin, et al, play a part? Definitely. You just have to be careful how wide a radius of responsibility you throw out on that.

 

Out of interest, what are you basing this on?

Bell's holdout? Plenty of guys have done that in the past, from our great teams.

ABs antics? Hardly new.

Lack of focus I can see, but I've seen it before with plenty of Steelers teams down the years, back to the 80s.

What sets this team apart in particular, for you? Not being a smart arse, it's a genuine question.

 

I think they're very immature.. Bell's holdout isn't necessarily my issue with him, but with his history and the way he acted during the holdout, just screams immaturity and "me first!" The rapping, Dairy Queen antics... A guy one failed test away from a lengthy suspension acting way too entitled and unable to ever play a full 16 games. Just stfu and take care of the business side then. he's come out and looked like garbage the first few games.

I can accept AB's antics because he ALWAYS brings it. Yes, he's a bit of a diva and no question cares about his stats, but I never have to worry about it affecting his ability. Maybe Ben tries forcing the ball to him one too many times because of some of his antics, that might be an issue. And his celebration penalties in the past were selfish and stupid.

Bryant and his drug issues.

Lack of focus, as in, lack of fundamentals and execution. It seems like nobody can make a clean tackle on defense anymore. Everybody's out there trying to make a highlight hit or play, and more times than not, whiff and are caught out of position. They also celebrate every stupid little thing they do. They got dominated by a rookie RB and garbage QB, yet by watching them dancing around and celebrating most of the game yesterday, you'd think they were clobbering the Patriots in the AFC Championship. Watching some of our defenses from the mid 2000s, they were all pretty much in sync with each other and played team defense. Everyone kind of had each others' backs. Now, it's like they're all out there playing individually. That said, I don't think we have a bad defense, we've seen they can put some good games together.. But, it's very inconsistent.

The whole anthem thing was stupid, especially given how poorly they played, but I won't bring that up again.

 

Maybe Ben is worried about CTE?

 

If Bells holdout is the reason that this offense is out of sync, and presumably the reason the run D stinks too, then shame on them!

Players miss camp all the time, they get hurt, they get suspended for steroids or drugs or personal conduct. Players miss big chunks of the regular season too. It's part of the game and you have to deal with it.


To me Bell holdout is an excuse for a lot of other problems, not the explanation for them.

 

Kirwin says he can't pinpoint what's wrong, but there's a problem.
But cryptically hinted that "some" change is needed.

 

No because there's not enough balls to go around. I've seen Bell and Bryant have no issues with being 2nd fiddle. It's the big diva 84 who cannot handle it.

 

Weren't we 4-5 at one point last year? This team tends to put themselves in a hole before they start getting focused. 3-3 would not be a death knell I do not think.

 

PK is the man love the way he thinks and explains everything, I often wonder why he still isn't working for a team making tons of money. PK is by far and away the best in this business and any other, jmo.

 

I'm not saying get rid of Tomlin, but he's got to step up and do his job. He's regressed more than Big Ben has.
I still believe we'll get it together and make some noise in the playoffs.