Interesting Perspective

Impossible to know but with all the rule changes favoring the offense and protecting the QB I wonder how that defense of the 70's would have held up.

 

Going to try a kinder, gentler approach because I don't want to ALWAYS be a jerk when I reply.

I agree with you in context on all three statements. But there's a missing element to a couple of them.

First, "No defense is perfect..." Can't argue with that. Won't try.

Second, "With any kind of competent offense the Steelers win that game." Probably. But only the plays that are scripted are guaranteed. And they aren't guaranteed to be successful. Once the scripted plays are run, the rest are based on situation. A competent offense might have changed the situation, but it can't keep the other team from scoring. Sure, it can attempt to control the clock and limit the other team's opportunity, but it can't defend the other offense. In a vacuum, you are correct. But in reality, we could have lost that game a hundred different ways, regardless of offensive competency.

Lastly, "...you give up only 16 points you should win." Glad you put "should" in there. This is a perfect example of what my beef with using statistics as the end all, be all tool for comparison/contrast. Are you saying that the defense only gave up 16 or is that the score on the board at the end of the game? The defense could have only given up 16 and you still lose by 30. There are many factors that go into a statement like that, and even though you aren't crazy for saying it, there's just too many moving parts for it to stand on its own.

 

I've wondered that myself. Honestly, drop our Steel Curtain defense man for man into 2019 and they would be fined so heavily they would have to take out second mortgages just to play the game. And while they were busy on the sidelines writing checks to the commish, the Alvin Kamaras and Tyreek Hills would be running circles around and through them. That is, until they got tackled once or twice.

Can you imagine the damage those defenses back then would do to today's little speedsters? It would have made The Longest Yard look like a ballet recital.

I think I broke his freakin neck.
I think he broke his freakin neck.
I think this guy broke his freakin neck.
I told you I broke his freakin neck.

Love that movie.

 

The Jets got one TD early, the Steelers offense didn't do enough.

 

No the most underrated trait for a CB is a good pass rush, which the Steelers have .

 

Hey Steeler dane.

You are so right about Cowher's situation and you need an "O" with a high quality QB to win today. In a nutshell, If Cowher had Ben for more than three years, I honestly believe that there are several more Super Bowl Championship Trophies in that glass case at Heinz Field. I posted about this in my thread: "Who is to mostly blame for our losses this season"?

Back to Ben’s time with Cowher and more specifically their last year together, this topic does get me steaming at times.



I am also so, so, so, so sick about hearing about Ben's third year with Cowher and the short-comings of that season. I explained all of that down below. For those who do not want to scroll down to read about it, here it is in a nutshell that lead to that 8-8 non-playoff season.... Ben's (drumroll):

1. Near-Death Motorcycle Accident.


2. Emergency Appendicitis Operation.


THAT IS IT. END OF STORY. MYSTERY SOLVED!

Now for more detail regarding this issue and directed at the Tomlin vs. Cowher argument.

Both of the two Ben events listed above, happened prior to the beginning of the regular season. Given that, I would bet my bottom dollar, each took a tremendous toll on Ben's body and mind. We started off at 2-6 yet, Ben given the competitor that he is, marched on and still started the season. It was probably not until the second half of the season that he started feeling any sense of "normalcy" again. Whatever "normalcy" may be for a punishing job as an NFL QB. We went onto finish with a 6-2 record. Unfortunately, not enough to make the playoffs and be given the chance to defend our Title as we missed the playoffs with an 8-8 record.


However, for the Tomlin loyalists an 8-8 record does constitute "a non-losing season" (technically accurate), which would be satisfactory for some of them . Maybe even calling for a Tomlin ticker-tape parade. Pathetic!


If Cowher had his defenses plus all of Tomlin's "O" weapons, I honestly believe we have way more than the one ring that Tomlin has gotten us. Tomlin did what he was suppose to do. Take the baton from Cowher, not drop it (which he did at first to his credit) and run with it to a championship (kudos to him for that). Just as was expected with what Siefert did with Walsh's Forty-Niner's team and Switzer did with Johnson's Cowboy team. As time has gone on, Tomlin has IMO, dropped the baton and has severely underachieved. I do not care about all of "never had a non-losing" hot air.

For this particular argument, you lose IMO Tomlin loyalists. For the record, I was down with Tomlin big time during his first five years or so. However, eventually the curtain was lifted and I saw, and still continue to see, his shortcomings.

STEELWINDS AKA The East Side Kid

 

Jackson has had 5 games where he threw for 170 yards or less, that's what qualifies for mvp now days. I will give the ravens credit though, they have perfected the wildcat offense. The key all along has been to have a running back who can competently throw the ball once in a while.

 

Hey Steeler dane.

I am actually replying twice to your post as the first post was a little lengthy which I know I tend to do many times. Back to Cowher and not winning a championship until Ben came along. I am with you in regards to having a strong QB to bring it all together. I just wanted to list the QBs that Cowher had to work with until Ben came along.

These are who have been our Quarterbacks between Terry Bradshaw and Big Ben. I may have missed some or one. I am not exactly sure where the Cowher era began. My guess is with Neil O'Donnell (?)

• Terry Bradshaw (“The Man”)
• Cliff Stoudt
• Mark Malone
• David Woodley
• Todd Blackledge
• Bubby Brister
• Neil O'Donnell
• Mike Tomczak
• Jim Miller
• Kent Graham
• Kordell Stewart
• Tommy Maddox
• Big Ben (No Introduction Needed.)

And to think, that initially, Cowher did not want Ben. He wanted the guard (Andrews) from Arkansas. Wow! Thankfully, he was overruled on that one by Management. What did suck though, was the Steelers not picking up Dan Marino. I believe it was due to some "supposed" off the field issues. If we had Marino, which would have been the Noll era, I think we may have picked up some rings there too.


STEELWINDS AKA The East Side Kid

 

C’mon, man. 28 attempts per game (league lowest, but hardly “once in a while”); league-leading 36 TDs; only 5 INTs; T-10 yards per attempts (he’s not just dumping off underneath). He’s a legit QB in a system that doesn’t rely heavily on the passing half of the game.

 

So you believe his passing is on a par with his running? C'mon, man. As for his touchdown count, 19 of those have come in four games, that leaves him with 17 in eleven games, not exactly mvp material in my book. Look, I'm sure you will blame my extreme hatred of all thing ravens for my analysis, but I am just not as enamored with this dude as so many of you are. Personally, I'm hoping for a Hines Ward meets Keith Rivers hit on Jackson, in the words of the great Jack Lambert, that will "cool his ass".

 

I share your Ravens hatred.

I don’t think his passing and running are equal. I’m saying (grudgingly) that his passing is better than what you’d expect from a RB who can occasionally throw.

 

I was just exaggerating to make a point, as it stands right now, his legs are by far his biggest weapon. With all of the rules set up to make life easy for qbs and receivers, why would a team allow a qb to run so much if he were considered a great thrower of the ball?