Some optimism for a change

1. I am thrilled with how the defense seems to be coming together. It was just a bit too late. Before the season began, I predicted the D would be very good in the second half of the season. It took a little longer than that. The LBs played very well, and their speed showed in both playoff games.

2. That said, I am still concerned about the lack of a pass rush, and I don't know how to address that.

3. Injuries are now the deciding factor in today's NFL. Of all of the playoff teams this weekend, the Steelers were by far the ones most affected by injury. Three potential All-Pros (Bell, Brown, and Pouncey) were not even in uniform. The back-up RB wasn't either. It's a shame that the offense wasn't at full strength.

4. Despite the loss, I am pleased with how the team hung in against a #1 seed.

5. Tomlin is very good at pulling the team together and grinding out tough wins against good teams when the Steelers aren't at full strength. So why can't he build that intensity against the league's worst teams?

6. I liked what I saw from Coates.

7. One criticism: Defenses seem to get more pressure on Ben when the Steelers are in obvious passing situations--I wish I had stats on this. So why aren't Haley/Ben doing a better job of disguising their plays? The empty sets, especially on 2nd and short plays, need to go, imho.

 

I think we did with Bell in there, because he is also a top notch receiver.

 

We didn't get to Manning as much I was hoping yesterday and I am not really sure why. I didn't think the Broncos had that great of an OL. Heyward was practically invisible yesterday and that never happens. Im not sure if we just were more concerned with a pass coverage and rushing Manning just wasn't in the game plan or what the deal was.

 

The 4th quarter D line ran out of gas and was gouged by the run after the strip. Need an upgrade over Tomato Cam Thomas. Also a new nose tackle and get McClendon playing his right position which is DE. Only so much Tuitt and Heyward can do. The D Line needs some more solid contributors.

 

Just saw that Blake is a free agent. I'm not a betting man but I think I know how the board feels about that.