Madden: Ben’s injury tops long list of Steelers’ problems

Mark Madden: Ben Roethlisberger’s injury tops long list of Steelers’ problems

MARK MADDEN | Monday, September 16, 2019

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger plays against the Patriots Sept. 10, 2015 at Gillette Stadium.

It was hoped that the departure of Antonio Brown would make the Steelers a more focused and disciplined team by way of removing distraction.

It hasn’t turned out that way.

Losing Ben Roethlisberger for the rest of the season trumps any other problem. But the Steelers are in a state of perpetual sloppiness that won’t be corrected as long as Mike Tomlin is coach. Lack of accountability has taken firm root. Rome will keep burning as long as it’s the same fiddler playing the same tired tune.

That was evidenced by a host of miscues in Sunday’s 28-26 home loss to Seattle. Eliminating almost any one of them would have meant victory.

Defensive lineman Daniel McCullers stands at the front of the line.

Somebody who barely plays can’t commit a personal foul on a field-goal attempt and allow three points to become seven. (Do the math.) McCullers made contact with the long snapper, which is illegal. If he knew the rule, he’s an idiot. If he didn’t, he’s unprepared. Either way, it’s inexcusable.

Wide receiver Donte Moncrief is public enemy No. 1 in Pittsburgh right now.

Moncrief opened the season with four drops at New England.

But the Steelers still would have lost at Foxboro had Moncrief caught all those balls, then tacked on generous YAC. It was a slaughter.

But Moncrief’s lone drop (and lone target) against Seattle was devastating. Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph was pressed into service when Roethlisberger got hurt. Rudolph’s second pro pass, despite being perfectly thrown, clanged off Moncrief’s hands and into the waiting mitts of Seattle’s Bradley McDougald.

The Seahawks were in the end zone six plays later to go ahead, 14-10. They never lost that lead.

Moncrief didn’t play a snap after that. Even though it’s just two games into his Steelers’ tenure, it’s going to be difficult putting him on the field ever again in a meaningful situation. His failure has been epic, and extremely damaging.

The Steelers missed numerous tackles. It’s become a trademark of their defense.

Linebacker Anthony Chickilo flubbed a chance to tackle Rashaad Penny in the backfield on third-and-2 at the Steelers’ 37. Penny ended up covering all 37 of those yards as Seattle extended its lead to 21-13.

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The biggest being Tomlin

 

Everyone, everywhere knows this except Mr. "3-in-50" Rooney.

 

Yeah because Tomlin missed those tackles, and dropped those passes

 

No, because he never have his players prepared. And, has no eye for a good player. He was a db coach before coming here and has struggled to draft great in that area

 

he hasnt fired butler lol

 

Well duh Tomlin doesn't scout and draft those players on his own

 

This