A Historian's Perspective

I've been a Steelers fan for 40 years, from living in New Jersey to Vermont to Leningrad, USSR, to Washington DC to and finally back to Vermont again. (All that is a story in itself).

I am a history teacher and thus history is my profession, and nothing interests me more than Steelers history. It's been an odd year for the Steelers, and an odd year for the NFL, and I've been pondering whether we've ever seen anything quite like it.

So, after some thought, I am going to offer the year 1984 as a pretty good historical analogy. If you don't recall that season, or even if you do, I recommend taking a look back:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_Pittsburgh_Steelers_season

In a nutshell, it was an odd, 9-7 playoff season, in which the Steelers started multiple quarterbacks & multiple running backs, and had a flawed but valiant defense held together by some aging stars. The team lost a string of agonizing games to mediocre teams. Sound familar? They also inflicted the only loss to a 18-1 49ers team that won the Super Bowl- on the road, and made the playoffs only by upsetting the defending champion Raiders on the road. They then beat the 13-3 Broncos on the road, despite the worst game by Gary Anderson in his career, to reach the AFC championship game.

I'm not sure making this analogy makes me feel any better, then alone any of you- but here it is for your amusement. In some ways the 2012 Steelers are better than the 1984 team, in some ways worse. I can tell you that, even looking back through the mists of 28 years passed, that both teams are leaving me feeling the same way week to week.

P.S.
In one of those life can't be even stranger moments-at least for me-
The Chargers' special team coach, who made that call on the fake punt, is a guy named Rich Biasaccia.
He is the brother of a local chiropractor here in Vermont whose sons are in my classes in school
Biasaccia got the Chargers job, because he was fired in Tampa, by a guy who was one of my closest childhood friends when I lived in New Jersey- Bucs head coach Greg Schiano.

Sheesh.

Onward and upward, my friends.

 

In recent memory this reminds me of 2006 where we could not string a lot of wins together in a row, and had some baffling losses....

 

I remember that 84 season. Talk about a roller coaster. We lost to a Dan Marino lead Dolphin team in the AFCCG correct?

Interesting stuff, Jimmy. Thanks for sharing.

 

Yes, I thought about 2006, and 2009 too, but those were more of a big killer losing streak type of season. Yes, 1984 was when they lost to Marino 45-28, although that was a game where they played better than the score indicated. It was indeed a roller coaster ride that year, and now.

 

Thanks, another interesting comparison with 1984 was that the Steelers had numerous chances to take care of business for the playoffs, but kept botching them, until facing a must win in the final week.

 

Big difference we have a franchise QB. Good thread though, History's always been my favorite subject

 

Yes, the QB situation was different- and Woodley started the season, plus Scott Campbell- who would later play more in 1985- got some time too I think.
Malone was actually a decent Qb- looking at his career stats- up through and including the opening game in 1985, when I think he threw 5 TD passes. Then he broke his foot- and for whatever reason, was absolutely horrid the rest of his career.

I guess my point here is that I'm trying to look for perspective. This team has a rich history, and yes, we've been where we are right now before.

 

An Historian's Perspective is key, I agree and thanks. I'm into American history. Fascinates me.

I bet you pronounce the strong H, in Historian, aye teach?

 

I find it interesting that after last weeks win @ Baltimore I felt this was the year 2008 all over again, then this week the disgusting loss to SD and Im feeling 2009 all over again. Funny how things change so fast.

 

The thing I remember most about Malone was his tendency to stare at his intended receiver. Seemed like he watched him from the time they left the huddle.

 

I also remember the 1984 season well. The analogy doesn't work completely for me, because the 1983 team was mediocre, finished 10-6, I believe, and not a whole lot was expected of the team in 84. Well, not sure how much was expected of the 2012 team, either. But that said, I think the best analogy is the 1993 team, Cowher's second season. In 1992, the Steelers finished 11-5, and were the AFC #1 seed, via tie breaker. They got beat in the first round. Then they lost badly in the first two weeks of 1993, one of them a horrible loss at L.A. Slowly, they fought their way back, with a big, dismantling of Buffalo on MNF, which put them at 6-3. But Foster got hurt in that game and missed the remainder of the season. The team limped to a 9-7 record and barely got the #6 seed.

 

Yes, 12, 1993, that is a good one too. The whole 93 team revolved around that Foster injury. Somehow they lucked out into the 6 seed, if I recall correctly, by winning the last game at home vs. Cleveland when several other things had to happen. Hmm... The thing is, they should have beaten the Chiefs in the playoffs that year too. Had them down to a 4th and goal play, that tied the game, all set up by a blocked punt. This team is better than that one though- the 93 team lost 6 games by 9 or more points. They also had a couple of gut wrenching close wins that year, including a one point win over a good Miami team on MNF, and a 3 point win against a bad NE team that ended with a goal line stand, IIRC. Yes, a real gut wrencher.