I read that Tomlin cannot fire Butler

Because the defense is finally what Tomlin envisioned from the beginning. If he fires Butler he is essentially firing the defense he designed himself.

 

ok kevin colbert do your job and fire them both.

 

Sometimes it’s more admirable to admit you were wrong and need help.

 

Well that would be assuming he held himself accountable...

 

Obviously

 

There is no room for opinions on a message board.

 

Doesn't Rooney have final say on coordinator firings? Could've sworn I seen that somewhere.

 

As Pink Floyd said.."Time to Go"..

 

OK Rooney do your job and fire all three of them.....lol

 

I would not fire Butler at this time. That being said....I would fire him in the off season...even if the Steelers win the Super Bowl this year.

The only thing that would keep his job for me is a top 5 in defense. lead the league in sacks again...and maybe top 5 in INTS

HACK

 

As I stated before the season and will continue to state until the conclusion of this season; Keith Butler, for me, receives the benefit of the doubt as it stands.



That being said however, my irritation swells with each inexcusable performance like the one against Kansas City; doubly so if the general conclusive consensus among the players regarding their opposition is that Pat Mahomes was "limited" in his football accumem.



I suppose that, against a quality Los Angeles Charges defense, Pat Mahomes was "limited" then? Did not look that way to me at all; the All 22 tape doubly so.

 

If Mahomes had played against the 3-4 fire zone blitz defense in its prime then perhaps he would have been limited. When they had pressure coming from all over, Troy running up to the line then streaking back into coverage, Casey ripping holes for the cross fire blitz, movement and confusion. However I think they have dumbed every thing down so much that it's simple to say we are going to run a college spread offense and just let him sling it to his first read.

I think Butler needs an intervention to make him understand no offense is confused by what he is doing. They have it scouted, they need to teach technique to beat 1 on 1 match ups and attack the weak points. The smoke and mirrors don't work anymore.

 

Alex Koroza alluded this in one of his articles recently. His thoughts, yours no less, surfaced within my mind shortly after the Jacksonville game.


Which leads me to this question; is it possible that both the talent and coaching are simply too inept overall as opposed to placating blame on one side?

 

I think it is a staff unwilling to admit that their bread and butter isn't working any longer and the talent they have going against everything the were taught coming up. I can not believe that any of these players can not man up and cover guys that are not superstars but average players and yet they just seem frozen when called on.

 

Wether we have the horses to run it or not as has been said since DL was running the ship, the truth of the matter is the scheme or perhaps lack thereof is shot. They don't have a HOF'er in Troy or pro bowlers scattered about to cover **** up anymore in other areas. They do have talent on that side of the ball they really do. The scheme is old I mean how many coaches and players from various opposing teams on and off record saying as much does it take over the years. EVERYTHING CHANGES! The scheme is outdated and the plan B for adjusting that notion is not in place it appears. If the coach(Es) can't turn this unit around the season is toast I know they aren't gonna shower the earth for an answer... They're gonna do the same thing within what they've been preaching and hope for better execution etc... So they are where they are un Il the off season pretty much. But somunabitch gets this unit to communicate and play smart disciplined ball and the O might just be enough to cover up for an outdated D scheme.

 

Well they built this smoke and mirrors premise in the off-season and there were quite a few around here that bought in. Still waiting to see the speed and agility of Fort and the OLB prowess of Thomas and Vince and the superior communication from Burnett and Bostic. Oh did I mention the 4 or 5 safeties look?

 

The smoke and mirrors has been used since DL, the off-season version they tried to install this year was using a lot of DB's around the line of scrimmage on 3rd and long situations. It was similar to what KC did to the Pats in week 1 last year. You put all those guys in a tight window and clog it up. Its a sound theory if everyone plays fundamentally sound football. The Steelers trying this with the "who's coming" technique would work to if they were fundamentally sound(they aren't) and guys played their man.

Again I think the communication issues are because Tomlin won't put anybody in charge, he is waiting for the "natural progression" in the mean time you got nobody telling Sean Davis when he is playing middle third of the field to cover your man unless you see a greater threat on the outside. nobody is telling VW that in a spread formation the greater threat isn't the non existent RB or the QB scrambling, it's letting the TE have a free release on his route and while Haden or a small guy can't tell Heyward what to do its just as absurd to have a guy who doesn't play coverage screaming at the DB's. There needs to be an appointed leadership structure not let the natural progression of football decided who is in charge.

 

I don't know...I guess ......I think I'm more confused than they are right now if that's even possible. All I know is if it was me lined up on the TE and I watched him continually run down the field and catch passes un impeded. I would take it upon myself to give him a shot on the way to the QB....common sense. If it's not being coached you have to be smarter than them....

 

*offseason*
Butler: "we got this new look you see, 5 safety look! we drafted a hybrid and we are gonna kill it"

*during the game*

-everyones open every drive-

 

To me, it seems like we are chasing schemes other teams have put together. We see something work for another team and decide to implement it. By the time we field it, other teams have planned for it. In other words, not very original. Then factor in our inability to execute someone else's scheme, and you see what we have on Sundays. I would rather us develop a scheme that fits our players, and let it run its course...win or lose. Tampa 2, 3-4, 4-3, dime, nickel...who cares, position guys to their strengths and play some defense. You will never convince me that collectively we have less talent than other teams on defense!