Steelers Gloom and Doom Open Thread

Thanks blitz. I’m giving up on fanposts for the next little bit until cooler heads prevail. Hopefully the main threads will stay relatively clean.

Odd, because I don’t see that many teams out there besides the giants and titans that are happy about their prospects. Most teams are seriously flawed or otherwise suspect.

But since this is a doom and gloom thread, I wonder if Arians is the wrong guy for Ben. The plays, I can only assume, when Byron came in, looked like brilliant calls (excepted for the one drive of three plays all for negative yards). Byron is a different qb than Ben, and perhaps at the time he was making better reads/progressions.
It’s possible that the mental clock of the qb that tells him to release now, or the pocket will collapse any moment, is messed up for Ben. Not in a David Carr sense of no longer functioning, but enough to impact reading defenses. Byron, even if less talented than Ben, because he didn’t spend time behind a porous line, his mental clock is running fine. Could also be why Ben performs better in a no huddle. A greater chance for the muscle memory to be running the show rather than the mental part.
Being hurt certainly affects accuracy and arm strength, but it shouldn’t affect reading the defenses or the decision making process in general.

Give Ben Roethlisberger credit. “You never hear me say I anything ever, but I lost this game.” quipped Big Ben in the locker room in the aftermath of a distasteful give away game by the Steelers. That is about the only credit I will give Ben in this rant. Credit for stepping up and saying “I stunk.” I agree. He did stink. I rarely say one person cost the Steelers a game. It is usually a team effort when they win and a team effort when they lose. Yesterday you can pin that L squarely on the sore right shoulder of the Steelers ailing QB. I said at weeks beginning to beat this team the Steelers needed to run the ball, score TD’s and hold the Colts to FG while not turning it over. They did none of that and earned an L thanks to their valedictorian QB Ben Roethlisberger.
 
So what is wrong with Big Ben? Is it the separated shoulder suffered the first week? Is it the sore thumb punished several weeks later. Is he gun shy and rattled from being sacked as many times through 9 games as Peyton Manning in 9 years? Don’t know the answer fans but Ben does look hurt, gun shy and rattled. It’s a real shame that all the Steelers battled so hard yesterday in the first half to eliminate the bone headed play of Ike Taylor in the secondary. Taylor in perfect position for an early game changing INT simply played volleyball tipping it ahead to Reggie Wayne for a 65 yard Colt TD. (perhaps an Olympic gold medal in Taylor’s future?) But here were the Steelers with a 10 point lead and under a minute in the half. Why not run on 3rd and 2 and force the Colts to use their last time out if you don’t make the two? Watching the Steelers get stoned at the goal line on 3 straight plays in the second half was probably the reason. Since Bettis departure it seems that Arians has no confidence his offense can pick up a yard in short yardage situations. Ben threw. Colts intercepted and scored a TD at the end of the half. Since they got the ball again to start the 3rd quarter it was a HUGE mistake and a HUGE swing in game momentum. Roethlisberger cost the Steelers big there. Then the Steelers fought hard all half and got to the goal line where they failed to get 6 and settled for a 20-17 lead. With 4 minutes to go it was time for their leader and QB to shoot them in the other foot. Roethlisberger threw another pick deep in Steelers territory, the Colts scored a TD and the rest is history. It’s a shame. This was a game the Steelers needed and had in the bag. Ben opened the bag and threw away the W. It’s on him.
 
 This Steelers team has formed it’s personality in my opinion. They are a tough defensive bunch with the moxie and skill to reach the playoffs. Special teams is improved but mediocre except for the FG kicker who is All Pro. The offense in an inept group and the team’s weak spot. The OC has no rhyme or reason or game plan. Once his script fails it’s up to the QB to improvise because there are absolutely no adjustments coming. The QB is rattled and injured and looks like the Roethlisberger of 06 instead of 07. The OL doesn’t protect the QB or open holes for the RB. This OL squad will be their undoing. Maybe we can draft some more RB and LB in next year’s draft?
 
I am happy they got lucky against Baltimore (Woodley TD) and Washington (Frazier blocked punt) to get wins. That’s what good teams do. The Steelers could easily be 4-5. Baltimore looks better. Their QB is healthy and makes no mistakes. Their D catches the INT and keeps teams out of the end zone. They look better and stronger than our boys. You’re never as good as you look after a W and never as bad as you look after a L. But this Steelers team looks to be in trouble against SD, Baltimore, NE, Ten and any other strong team they play down the stretch. Like last year when the Steelers were figured out down the stretch and lost 4 of 5 I fear a similar path in the final 2 months of this NFL season. Unless they get Marvel, McFadden and Parker back healthy and Roethlisberger quits making stupid inane throws into double coverage the Steelers will miss the playoffs in 08. Sad turn of events unless Tomlin rights the ship.

Too funny:

http://tinyurl.com/6o7l5k

It’s been a while since I’ve said anything here, so I apologize if i get a bit long-winded. A couple of comments about where we stand:
1. The Steelers need to do a better job establishing the run. MMoore has done a great job stepping in at RB, but the goaline stuffs are proof that he isn’t the guy who can carry the load in Pittsburgh’s type of running game. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve really started to miss #36 and his 3-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust running attack. That’s how you milk victories out of 4th quarter leads, and its evident that the Steelers can’t do that right now. Remember the “Cowher’s record with a second half lead” stat of his tenure? N/A to this team right now.
2. How to fix Ben, see #1. We all know by now that the Steelers are in trouble if Ben is attempting 42 passes. Ben’s always thrived in the play-action passing game. It’s where he’s in rhythm, its where he’s comfortable, it’s where he’s accurate, it’s where he’s successful. Can’t have PA without some sort of sustained running attack. Get healthy now FWP, Ben needs you.
3. WIN THE NEXT TWO GAMES. Two very winnable home games before hitting the road for 3 of 4. We are still looking good heading to NE at 8-3. If this team is going to do some damage in January, it needs to be able to win these next two, period.

Definitely not time to jump off the deep end. Gather yourself Steeler Nation, and get ready for a playoff push.. . . It starts right now.

not quite a rant, but…

1. It’s my fault. I wasn’t able to watch 3 games this year, so taped them for later viewing. All 3 were losses. Screw that, I’m not going to do THAT again.

2. Injuries. Man, are we depleted. Woodley and FWP were really missed yesterday. When is McFadden coming back?

3. Ben looks rattled. I remember reading about him coming out of a meeting early last week and promised that he would do more, better (or something like that); then he was contrite and shouldered the blame for yesterday’s loss. Good that he manned up, but just feel that he looks rattled. I wouldn’t argue to replace him, just scratching my head on what he is going to do to get back on track.

4. The Post-Gazette had an article (maybe it was the weekly chat) saying that the Steelers should shoot for a 4-4 record for the second half, and if we can do it, we’ll be in the playoffs… So I’m not going to panic over this one loss.

5. BUT, I am worried that baltimore is getting better and right on our heels record-wise.

—burning the tape tonight, and promise not to jinx us again :-)

Deshea townsend will likely be out next week with a hamstring problem.

Spaeth deserves criticism for his lack of YAC, but did everyone realize he was playing with what is likely a broken hand?

Reading some of the posts above and wanted to comment on something and ask a question. To 50, Ben is unquestionably the best QB on the roster and when healthy one of the top QB in the game. As stated above I am disappointed in Ben’s play and think he shoulders much if not all of the blame for yesterday. He has won many games in his past and I am a huge 7 fan.

Ben is not healthy. Ben is not practicing all week. This has been going on all year. He continues to take a pounding even being forced out of the game against Washington after a sneak. The Steelers are 1-2 in their last 3 games. The one game they won was when 7 was injured on the sneak and Lefty brought it home. NYG and Indy losses featured poor QB play.

I certainly don’t think they should “bench” Ben for Leftwich who IMO is a journeyman at best. What I am wondering; “is it such a bad idea to "sit” Ben until he gets healthy?" Wouldn’t the healthy player be better than the hurt player? Don’t most players have to practice during the week to play? Thoughts?

A good number of positives from the game yesterday:

Steelers were 10-18 on 3rd Down Conversions (a healthy 56 percent).
Steelers had 326 Total Net Yards to the Colts 290.
Roethlisberger completed 30 of 42 pass attempts (a healthy 71 percent).
Manning (the “best” in the league) completed 21 of 40 (for a mere 53 percent).
Ward had 9 receptions for 116 yards. Good production out him.
Reggie Wayne was held to 5 receptions for 49 yards (if you take out his fluke 65 yard catch off of Ike Taylor’s perfect coverage/positioning that resulted in an unlucky tip).
Gary Russell average 25.8 yards on Kickoff Returns.
Roethlisberger averaged 6.2 yards per receptions, while Manning averaged 5.4.
We maintain our discipline with only 3 penalties for 20 yards (two penalties coming on questionable holding calls on Deshea Townsend).
Steelers time of possession was 8:10 longer than Colts.
The only quarter, even, where the Colts held the ball longer was the 3rd quarter.
Roethlisberger was “only” sacked twice, both from Pro-Bowler Dwight Freeney, and was hit only 3 times.
Manning was sacked twice, and was hit 5 times.

Other things of note:
It is great having a healthy Troy Polamalu. There is no other player like him. Let’s not forget that he is a once-in-a-generation type of talent and just how much we all missed him during his past two seasons at 80% or so capabilities.

With Ben’s injured shoulder, it seems like he cannot rocket off passes when he does not have proper footwork. In the past, he could be falling backwards and still toss the ball 50 yards down the field. I see this as the biggest issue of his injury (not including any possible brain injuries that may or may not be affecting his decision-making). With an offensive line that does not specialize in pass-blocking, it makes it more difficult for him to have the room and time to be sure and step into his throws. He has been underthrowing many deep passes and I think a few of his interceptions have been a result of too little “mustard” on the ball. I do also appreciate that (in an era of big egos) Roethlisberger will stand up and take the blame, whether sometimes appropriate or not (our defense did give up a late touchdown on four straight plays to Dominique Rhodes). He did make some mistakes, and he’s not too big of an ego to try to find someone or something else to blame (ala Peyton Manning during his string of playoff losses). Finally, give the man some credit for making the tackle after throwing a pick to Jennings. He got down and took out Jennings’ legs very nicely (even throwing his injured shoulder into it). You can argue that he shouldn’t have thrown the pick in the first place, but it’s way better than most other quarterbacks in the league who stand around and pout rather than get after the guy who just picked one.

Timmons is emerging as a nasty player. He was all over the field last night making tackles (including 4 straight tackles during the Colts second drive which eventually resulted in a punt). He also had great, tight coverage on Pro-Bowler Ryan Clark on several occasions.

Also, I think we are seeing our future at CB in William Gay. This is assuming we are going to lose Bryant McFadden to free angency and the inevitable aging of the Deshea Townsend. He covered Marvin Harrison and Anthony Gonzalez very effectively, even stopping several deep attempts by Manning with tight coverage and good positioning. The young player also always seems to know exactly when and where his over-the-top coverage help is coming and positions himself based upon that. He also seems more than willing to make the tackle and be right in the mix regularly on special teams plays.

I am just a depressed and forlorn as the next guy, but I just wanted to point out a few bright spots on a cold, grey, lonely day…

How about the fact that our defense (as great as they might – or could – be) has given up two touchdowns in the last 5 minutes to both the Giants and Colts? We DID lose by 7 points to the Giants (not 2 – thanks to that muffed snap). Had we stopped the late touchdown to Kevin Boss, we could have driven for a fieldgoal or even taken it to overtime. And had the defense held the Colts scoreless (or even a fieldgoal) on their last drive, we would have run out the clock for the win. I know they were give a short field and down by four, but letting them score a four straight Dominique Rhodes plays shouldn’t have happened quite so easily. My only point is that despite the common consensus, the loss can’t be blamed on just one guy. The best (and I mean the very BEST) defenses come up big when they need to.

when Ben was woefully ineffective, I wanted to blame the line, then the receivers for not getting open. When Byron came in and started throwing darts to our receivers, I began to realize that the problem lies with Ben. I think that over last year and so far this year, with all the times Ben has been hit, he is a little gun shy. And now that he is dealing with injuries he simply gets panicky before completing all of his reads. Add to that the fact that he can’t put velocity on his passes and he is not nearly as effective as he needs to be. Given that, I think we should sit Ben under the guise of his injuries and let him rest and build up that anticipation and desire to play. If he needs to come in in relief of Byron in 3 or 4 games he may be fresh, effective and just what we need to take us down the stretch and into the playoffs. I don’t know how long of a contract Byron signed, but he certainly is not going to stick around the Steelers as a back up so we might as well get as much play out of him as we can while he is here. If Byron is only here for this year and he continues to produce he will be in great demand as a starter and we could consider trading him for a top tackle.

Allen Rossum, who we let go after last season just ran a kickoff back for a TD against the AZ Cardinals. It tied for the second longest kickoff return in history. Our best kickoff returner has been Davenport and he’s gone again. Unbelievable!

Of all our problems right now, kick returns aren’t that important. Our offense has no identity. We are getting no consistency out of our run game (maybe we should see more of Russell), and Ben is all over the place. Everyone just needs to get healthy, and maybe we will have a long run in January. The late-season schedule is a lot easier than it looked back in August, with teams like Dallas and New England not being as strong as previously thought. Also, the week 16 game against Tennessee might be worthless, as they might have home field wrapped up by then. Our other games are against SD, and then the 3 division games. When you put all that together, the schedule just doesn’t look that tough anymore. The Steelers could easily finish 5-2 or 6-1. And depending on the way things break, we may just be looking at a first round bye. So, just chill out everyone, ok?

I’m just not sure we’re going to do more in the playoffs this year than last. We’re simply to inconsistent on offense to win a Superbowl. Hopefully you’re right and a few healthy players will add some consistency…hopefully.