Lack of Key Skilled Players

Hey SteelDeal.

Yes, many games do come down to a few plays. Sometimes they work in our favor, this year not so much. Yes, we should probably be sitting with only one definitive loss (the Cheats) at this point. Very frustrating. You can add in the Seattle game as well. If Moncrief does not let that ball ricochet off of his hands for a pick, which eventually lead to a Seattle TD, we probably win that one as well. STEELWINDS

 

They often do but they shouldn’t so often. We scored 6 points off of 5 SF TOs you can easily say that’s where they lost the game and not just because of the Conner fumble. My point is if the players and coaches both do their jobs during the course of a game, one play doesn’t and shouldn’t be the reason you lose a game.

How about getting off to a fast start. Making your opponent more one dimensional and through proper preparation and execution the games don’t always have to come down to a mistake late in the game. I’m not saying it’s easy and should be expected every week but there have been plenty of games where we should of outclassed our opponents and lost on a late mistake because we let them hang around. I’m not a believer in ifs and buts. Hell if LA kicks off instead of onsides maybe we lose that game. I believe you are what your record says you are.

 

Hey Mac.

Yeah, we have been hit pretty hard with the injury bug this year. Given that, the coaching staff and players still have a job to do. So, get it done Pittsburgh! We are in a mediocre division which does lend itself for us to still turn things around. However, every game is so critical. Going down memory lane here, if we had won one more freaking game last year we win the division. That includes going back to the tie with the Browns in Week#1. 16 games is not a lot as we all know and the margin for error is oh so slim.These things come back to haunt a team. I am still pissed off about last years meltdown. To further add to my anger, was the comment by Owner Rooney (help me out here) about something to the effect that we almost made the playoffs or almost won the division. I can't pinpoint his comment it but it was totally asinine. He should be embarrassed by such a remark. STEELWINDS

 

Our seasons the past 10 years typically came down to missing the playoffs because of our lackluster starts. It has also affected seedings as well which didn’t help the cause. That’s one of my biggest gripes in the Tomlin/Ben era. Not being better prepared to start the season. You play 16 games once a week. There is no time to be anything but ultra prepared. I don’t care if it’s week 1 or 17

 

Hey Cajun.

Yes, you are right we could easily be 5-1 right now. However, we are not. Just like last year, we are giving games away. Whereas, the year before Boswell and the crew were winning those close games for us. Some people would rather see us get blown out than lose a close one. They all hurt. They all suck. Sometimes, out of respect for other members in the house, I will not watch the game and just tune in for the outcome.

Deviating a bit here: True fandom gets no easier as you get older. At least for me. My fiancé does not understand about my passion for the Steelers. She states that: "Do you think they care if you have a bad day at your job?" My reply is "No". Given that, the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins are an outlet for me in life, as for most others here I would bet. There really is not too much to cheer about when a lesson plan goes great except the internal satisfaction that I do get when my students "Get It". For the most part though, most onlookers could care less. Then again, I don't know. Maybe I should broadcast live one of my lessons on cable TV and put that theory to the test (smile). Really though I do take great pride in my teaching and it does feel rewarding to teach.

Given that, the Steelers (as well as the Pirates and Penguins) are a concept in many ways. Something to cheer about in this world for me. I get pumped when they win. It makes me feel good. I think everyone needs something to cheer about in this world, something to feel passionate about. That is me. STEELWINDS

 

Yes, I am definitely sick and tired hearing about our "slow starts" every year. We can not afford that as you stated. It often does mean the difference between making the playoffs, being a wild card, or achieving the #1 seed. There is no time for "slow starts". There just seems to be no sense of urgency. Often we do make the playoffs even with the slow starts. However, this becomes costly. To me, in a way, the wild card is not really even the playoffs.

While we are playing in a WC game, the #1 and #2 are siting home nice and cozy by the fire not risking injury because they have one less game to play. Remember when AB was hurt in the WC game against the Bengals by Burfict? I would have to go back and look at our record but if we were not a WC team we would not have been playing and thus no injury. Every game in the regular season should be palyed with a sense of urgency. The coaches have to drive this message home. Not every season is going to be like that spectacular run we went on to win Super Bowl XL as a Wild card team. Man that was special. Storybook I tell you! STEELWINDS

 

Having skill players is overrated. Give Bill Belichick our exact roster and he would find a way to win. Let's face it guys, our coaching staff (and 99% of coaching staffs out there) are simply not thinking at the level that Bill is :/

 

You would think the HC that’s been here for this long would understand that. Don’t remember his exact comment after the NE game but I do remember it wasn’t very inspiring. Something about not being prepared. Ugh....It’s not new, there’s a history of it.

 

Finishing 6-10? You lost me with this quote.

 

Yes, this is totally unacceptable. Once again, given the facts that you knew who was on your schedule for months and even so, it is a regular season game, Game #1. Unprepared? Really! As I say: "Unbelievable but Typical". Man I am getting fired up this morning. This is such BS as to where we are right now. I do not care about the excuses: Ben, Brown, Bell. Get the freakin' job done Pittsburgh! It just wants me to go into the locker room and give a speech of my own. I am pretty sure most players and coaches care about the team's performance. Yet, there will always be the me first types (i.e., Brown or Bell) who I do think care about winning but it is not at the top of the Totem Pole. STEELWINDS

 

When my wife and I got married she understood her last name was going to be ********* and she was going to have to cheer for the Steelers........ she now own more Steeler stuff than I do........ she even fussed at me during the last game because I hadn’t gotten out the terrible towels yet......

Cajun

 

My prediction was based on losing AB and LB but I can see with Ben in there I would have been wrong.

 

Your last name’s a curse word and she was cool with that. You got a helluva catch there.

 

I wish my last name was a curse................

 

It is when I’m talking about you

 

My day is complete. Lol

 

You Know it! Look, I know Belicheat gets a lot of respect around here and rightfully so. It is not an "obsession" as some would say with him it is more of a respect; at least when he follows the rules. He understands the "Sum of the Parts" concept and knows how to make it work. As many say football is the ultimate "Team Sport". To get 11 players working in unison is no easy task. Once again this is a leadership issue. I want a tactician a strategist, Someone who burns the Midnight Oil and is obsessed with winning.

I was like that as a coach. I am not boasting but I was fairly successful as a high school coach. I was obsessed with winning. Not at all costs, definitely within the parameter of the rules, but definitely wanted to win. I am not down with that "Trophy for All" BS. Sure, I wanted to pass on my knowledge of the game to my players (In my case runners). I wanted for them to understand and respect the sports that I coached. I wanted them to also understand the cross-over of the many life's lessons that were engrained in playing a sport. However, in the end I wanted to win, to destroy my opponents I wanted that to become infectious with my team. For the most part I can say that it did during my tenure. STEELWINDS

 

Ditto

I imported my wife from out of state and had 3 requirements: she had to move to Pittsburgh, she had to root for the Steelers, she had to drink Iron City Beer. After a bad night, I let her off the last one. She has excelled at number 2.