Steelers Allow Another Late Lead To Slip Away, Drop Fourth Straight To Fall To 6-6
by Michael Bean on Dec 6, 2009 7:51 PM EST
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PrintA more comprehensive recap and thoughts from me soon enough, but a few preliminary notes from the Pittsburgh Steelers fourth straight loss on Sunday - a 27-24 stunning defeat at the hands of the lowly Oakland Raiders. Congratulations to Pittsburgh native Bruce Gradkowski and the Raiders for pulling off the stunner at Heinz Field. Once again though, the Steelers did everything in their power to hand away the game late in the contest.
* The Oakland Raiders had yet to score 21 points in any game this year. They scored 21 points in the 4th quarter alone to come from behind and beat the Steelers. Oh my.
* 229 yards of total offense for Oakland on their last three drives - all touchdowns.
* Redzone inefficiency kept this game closer than it should have been. Pittsburgh mustered just three points on their first three trips inside the Oakland 20. Even getting two more field goals there puts the Steelers in healthy position. Instead, the Steelers failed on a 4th and 1 attempt from the 5 yard line and Big Ben threw a costly interception late in the 1st half.
* There's a whole lot to be disappointed and frustrated with in this most recent late-game meltdown, but remember that if Joe Burnett makes the most elementary and simple of interceptions on that final drive, the Steelers win. There was nobody near the rookie cornerback. And it's not like he doesn't have a solid history of snagging the ball when given the chance - at least in college. But on the big stage of the National Football League with his team needing a play, Burnett totally whiffed on an interception that hit him between the 2 and the 7.
* Probably time for this team - players and coaches - to keep their mouth shut and just play this next four games. They're still not down for the count just yet, but they're awfully close. And by now, they've proven that they're just not as formidable as they and we all thought they were heading in to the season.
* More from me soon. Groan away here for now.
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Anyone remember a fourth quarter meltdown like this before?
I’ve been a fam since ‘73 or so and I’m having a hard time remembering anything quite like this. Sure I remember games where the defense has been torched, but never for over two hundred yards and three touchdowns in such a short period of time with the game on the line. Where is Swissvale when we need him to tell us when, if ever this has occured in the last forty years?
Close....but so far?
The Post Gazette had this story today.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09340/1018793-66.stm
Which makes me think that they still have a slim chance. Maybe the absolute desperation will kick in and drive them over the hump from being a team on the wrong end of bad breaks, to being a team that finally brings it together. Although with Troy still out and Aaron Smith done for the year…I’m thinking the D may not be good enough to stop these teams from charging ahead in the 4th.
I really think the absence of those two players being out have been the difference in stopping drives and keeping the steelers ahead by 7 more points and if they are ahead by 7 more points at the end of games they are in MUCH MUCH better shape. I’d go so far to say with those two guys in there…..the steelers win by as much as 10-14 more points a game.
5 games lost by 3 points!!! Win those games and they are 11-1!!! That’s how important Troy and Smith are!
great stat, but how many games did the Steelers win last year in the 4th by 3 points?
cant win them all guys….just be happy with the 6th ring and move on….
That’s why that article was interesting….to see how fine the line can be between winning and losing…….
Season isn’t over yet!
But, but, but...
That stat is irrelevant. They lost not because they were close games with quality teams, but because they made bonehead mistakes and played uninspired football.
For a team .....
…with a top five defense the past two seasons and into this w/end, we’ve been in way too many close games.
by Marvin, The Paranoid Android on Dec 7, 2009 12:36 AM EST up reply actions
cant win them all guys
But we can lose them all? You would think we’d grab one or two of these close ones. Last year we didn’t “win them all”, but this year we are damn sure losing them all.
Wall of Shame
-"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Brownie's Year
-"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
-PIT 24 KC 27
-Mike Tomlin's idea of "Unleashing Hell"
by John Stephens on Dec 7, 2009 9:46 AM EST up reply actions
for those who think Polamalu's presence wouldnt cchange things
I’d say realize that two of the biggest two plays of the final drive were massive mistakes by Ryan Mundy. The late hit was simply ridiculous and dumb, and then allowing his guy to break free like that in the endzone is just…well, not something P would have done. We’re a young team. Too many mistakes by the youngsters.
Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)
I think troy has covering for mistakes made by the others
by steeler_in_maryland on Dec 6, 2009 8:16 PM EST up reply actions
Kinda the point....
… with safeties.
by Marvin, The Paranoid Android on Dec 7, 2009 12:37 AM EST up reply actions
That shows that we aren't as bad as we think we are
And that we aren’t as good as we think we are.
by StoneColdSteel on Dec 6, 2009 8:16 PM EST up reply actions
I havent had the time to go back and take another look at all of the other fourth quarter drives that led to losses,
but I’m almost 100% certain as well that Chicago’s last touch down went to a receiver being covered by Tyrone Carter, in a simple play that Troy would have jumped much sooner. I don’t think its outside the realm of possibility that Troy stops the Bengals last touchdown in their first win against us as well, as I think it was to Andre Caldwell right in the middle of the endzone.
Polamalu's presence wont change a damn thing???
Who thinks such a terrible idea. The statistics plainly show that the Steelers are a much better team with him. They are 4-1 with him, and 2-5 without. They are among the top NFL defenses with him and not so much without him. In the play calling, LeBeau can call much more complex schemes with him on the field than without him…all evidence points towards his presence being a good thing for the steelers.
yeah he would
Polamalu leader in INT’S. He’s not even playing.
Doug Fowler
by steelerfan19650511 on Dec 6, 2009 10:59 PM EST up reply actions
every game
Polamau been in they . his leadership also.
Doug Fowler
by steelerfan19650511 on Dec 6, 2009 11:03 PM EST up reply actions
Sure Polamalu would make a difference
But point is, everybody has injuries and is missing key players. And despite Polamalu being out, if Steelers don’t have anybody else on the defense who can catch the ball or bat away a fluttering pass, or make a single crunch time play of any kind… then what the hell.
Is Troy daddy? When daddy’s away, the kids all cry. C’mon. It is time to quit using the Polamalu excuse. Sure he’d make a difference. But grow up. Welcome to the real world.
"More than 70 percent of putts left short do not go in."
prime example Championship game last YEAR
QB FLACCO. TD. AaRON SMITH. HURT. KEOMATU INJURED.
Doug Fowler
by steelerfan19650511 on Dec 6, 2009 11:06 PM EST up reply actions
Didn't mean that to be as harsh as it sounds
I just hate the Polamalu mantra, almost as much as the Arians mantra. You just got to play with what you got and the guys on the field are good enough to win these games.
"More than 70 percent of putts left short do not go in."
Mundy was in for Carter....
…after Carter left Ike adrift and took the paddle on the long Murphy TD. Carter is in the team solely because he knows the scheme so well he won’t make assignment errors but….
by Marvin, The Paranoid Android on Dec 7, 2009 12:46 AM EST up reply actions
Groan. It’s all I can muster.
You sure Ike isn’t reacquainting himself with his fingers, he certainly doesn’t use them for catching. - Brian (DaBolts) on "Face Me Ike"
Reading the fanpost titles is good for a laugh though.
You sure Ike isn’t reacquainting himself with his fingers, he certainly doesn’t use them for catching. - Brian (DaBolts) on "Face Me Ike"
You should read the entire posts
Proper grammer is apparently optional now.
by StoneColdSteel on Dec 6, 2009 8:32 PM EST up reply actions
I thought the same thing
Logged on here after the game and saw “BTSC 1 new story, 17 new fanposts”. Hahaha, I was like oh brother, this should be good. I will definitely need to grab my surfboard today because the waves should be good.
Wall of Shame
-"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Brownie's Year
-"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
-PIT 24 KC 27
-Mike Tomlin's idea of "Unleashing Hell"
by John Stephens on Dec 7, 2009 9:49 AM EST up reply actions
Too much like 2006
Win the SuperBowl, then don’t make the playoffs. Its weird. 21 points allowed in the 4th quarter is not acceptable for any team in the league, especially to a team like the Raiders who haven’t scored that many points in a GAME all season. Obviously, we’re better than 6-6, but we are because the defense cannot stop the most basic of plays – the pitch and catch across the middle. If we defense that specifically, then the dink and dunk stuff for 4 and 5 yards is always available. It is amazing what Troy does for the defense. Pray he’s back Thursday or we’re gonna lose to the lowly Browns (to complete the theme started by the Chiefs and Raiders).
I don't understand....
…… how a #1 defense over the last two seasons that has won so many close games for us in that time frame is getting blamed for losing close games because they’re now just a #5 defense.
If the team falls from a .750 to .500 because you’re just a #5 defense then there is a another problem.
by Marvin, The Paranoid Android on Dec 7, 2009 1:01 AM EST up reply actions
'06 ring a bell?
We were 5burgh in 06, coming off of a superbowl victory to put us among the elite (as if we already werent elite, right?). The Steelers were also projected to easily make the playoffs and possibly go deep that year, but they went 2-5, including a loss to Oakland (and believe me, i had to listen about that for months, as i live about an hour away from there) effectively ruined those hopes. Now in 09, we are no longer 5burgh and coming off an impressive 6th superbowl victory. The same thing seems to be happening again, with a hyped Steeler team poised to miss the playoffs and crumbling under the inablility to close 4th quarter leads. The only thing different from this season and that of 06 is that we started 6-2 instead of 2-5. The team really needs to address issues with their secondary and its inability to do well without Troy Polamalu…Im hoping that i dont have to come back with more frustration next week because a loss to the Browns ends it all.
hehe
Yeah, loss to Cleveland would be too much to handle.
Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)
Grab some better handles, because it might happen.
Wall of Shame
-"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Brownie's Year
-"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
-PIT 24 KC 27
-Mike Tomlin's idea of "Unleashing Hell"
by John Stephens on Dec 7, 2009 9:49 AM EST up reply actions
Might happen?
I’d say there is a pretty good chance! Browns by 3 on a come from behind victory late in the forth!
The very existence of flamethrowers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, "You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."
-George Carlin
Calling Brady Quinn
A game against the Steeler secondary could be just the tonic that your shabby career needs.
It’s not either. Both teams on the same rest. If Troy is not playing, expect it to be close.
Wall of Shame
-"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Brownie's Year
-"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
-PIT 24 KC 27
-Mike Tomlin's idea of "Unleashing Hell"
by John Stephens on Dec 7, 2009 9:50 AM EST up reply actions
Today, I just hate football.
Tomorrow, I’ll think about it and give it another shot by oh, say Thursday. Damn Steelers.
When the tailgate drops, the BS stops. Shut up and play!
The short break will be nice for us. The bad taste will be short in our mouths..that is, unless Cleveland beats us…vomiting may ensue.
Wall of Shame
-"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Brownie's Year
-"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
-PIT 24 KC 27
-Mike Tomlin's idea of "Unleashing Hell"
by John Stephens on Dec 7, 2009 9:52 AM EST up reply actions
Even the guy in the picture..
Is pissed that polamalu didnt play
maybe
they should rest troy the first three quarters of every game and only have him play during the fourth
Maybe
they should find a secret lab somewhere that can clone Troy, and make a bunch of him. That would at least give “we need to go back to the lab” a whole new meaning…
It seems as if Troy is just a better player than anyone else on the face of the planet. It makes me wonder if we would actually be better off with a set of uniformly good players back in the secondary, rather than a superstar that is susceptible to getting hurt? I don’t know – I couldn’t bear to give up Troy, myself. Despite the minor miracles that the front office seems to work within the salary cap, you can only do so much, and maybe having a mediocre secondary without Troy is just the price we pay for having him.
by Rebecca Rollett on Dec 6, 2009 9:03 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I take back all of my words defending the defense earlier this season. Giving up 21 points in the 4th is unacceptable! This team is just finding ways to screw themselves over every game. The closest thing I’ve ever seen is the 2005 (I believe) NC State football team. They were the first college football team ever to finish the season ranked 1st in the nation in total defense and have a losing record. There were games where the opponent’s were held under 150 yards of offense, but the QB threw 5 INTs (more than one game). There were games where the defense held the opponents, only to commit the stupidest of penalties to keep drives alive. That is how this team seems to be right now, except in all phases. If it’s not STs giving up TDs, it’s Ben throwing a pick-6, or the defense giving up two (Cincy) or three (Oakland) 4th quarter TDs. Just disgusting.
For ideas on statistical analyses, email me at wolfpacksteelersfan@gmail.com.
by WolfpackSteelersFan on Dec 6, 2009 9:01 PM EST reply actions
Symptoms of not-very-good teams
1) Every week you find new and exotic ways to lose.
2) Fans can’t decide whether it’s the fault of the offense or defense.
3) Fans argue about which coach to fire.
4) Everything goes to Hell in a hurry.
The entire Steeler organization should be on Red Alert. This is not a drill.
I think the play calling on offense are the same plays every game there is nothing new
as for the Defense I think it a lot of guys making really dumb mistakes
by steeler_in_maryland on Dec 6, 2009 9:39 PM EST up reply actions
Or a lot of guys showing that they lack the skills to cover without Troy to protect them
by BluegrassSteeler on Dec 6, 2009 9:45 PM EST up reply actions
Those offensive plays suck....
….we’ve been unreasonably dependent on defense to win and our defense at the moment cannot meet these unreasonable expectations.
When was the last time our defense played badly and the offense stepped up and returned a favor.
by Marvin, The Paranoid Android on Dec 7, 2009 1:08 AM EST up reply actions
again..
WHY DOESNT aRIANS HAVE bb THROW TO MENDY?? ESPECIALLY IN THE REDZONE?
by nycsteelerfan on Dec 7, 2009 8:38 AM EST up reply actions
Why pass...
just hand it off to him. he is averaging about 5 YPC. the 7 points would be nice, but when the defense knows you are going to pass they will intercept. even if he does not get it, you can come away with 3 instead of nothing. at least they should mix it up a little more and not be so predictable.
What?
If McFadden was so good how is it he couldn’t regain his job completely after returning from injury? ….and why did the pass defense improve after he got injured?
by Marvin, The Paranoid Android on Dec 7, 2009 1:44 AM EST up reply actions
Steelers don't get by on thursday
i’m done watching them the rest of the year. This is ridiculous. Pathetic. And there’s no excuse. Quit talking Tomlin because talk doesn’t win games. Players who make plays do. If you’re one of the optimist who still isn’t counting us out of the playoffs, today should have showed you that even if we squeak in we won’t make it past the first game. Ready for next year? I say lose the rest and trade some pics for berry. We need depth at safety and should start looking towards a shut down corner
Bring a towel to the game. Black or gold or yellow. If you don't have one buy one, If you can't buy one, dye one!!!
by SoCalSteelerFan on Dec 6, 2009 10:03 PM EST reply actions
I disagree
Its about the missing Polamalu. If somehow this team made it into the playoffs and he was healthy I think we’d do great. You’ve seen the numbers, we allow almost 10 more points a game without him. And weve not lost by more than 6. So right there, with him, we’d likely be undefeated.
About those DB's...
Ryan Mundy is an undrafted free agent. Tyrone Carter is 33 and in his 10th year. Willie Gay is a 5th round pick. Ryan Clark, as good as he’s been in the past, is 30, in his 8th year, and also was an undrafted player out of college. He is much, much better as a compiment to Troy and not as a primary defender. Even Ike taylor, probably our best cover guy, was a 4th rounder from a no-name school. I guess my point is this: there’s a reason those guys weren’t high draft picks, and now we’re seeing why. When you lose difference-makers like Polamalu and Aaron Smith and have to rely on your lesser players to win games, bad shit happens. And this has been some bad shit…
P.S. — we still have 6 rings, y’all. Don’t forget how fortunate that makes us…
by cliff harris is still a punk! on Dec 6, 2009 10:12 PM EST reply actions
Mundys not an UDFA
5th or 6th rounder I believe. Not that that means he should be great, but he was in fact a draft pick iirc
Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)
by Michael Bean on Dec 6, 2009 10:56 PM EST up reply actions
You're right, Blitz. Mundy was a 6th round pick in '08
Still, when your secondary rotation consists of three 4th round picks (Taylor, Townsend and Carter), a 5th (Gay), a 6th (Mundy) and a UFA (Clark), that spells trouble.
by cliff harris is still a punk! on Dec 6, 2009 11:22 PM EST up reply actions
Plus Joe Burnett, a rookie 5th rounder who dropped an INT on the Raiders game-winning drive. Needless to say, it’s time to invest some top picks in the secondary…
by cliff harris is still a punk! on Dec 6, 2009 11:29 PM EST up reply actions
Hey as a pats fan, I like to say that we are...
not the most frustrated team in the NFL right now. You guys are
Our defensive backs suck! This is beyond ridiculous!
There is no way, and I mean no way this team should lose to the lowly Raiders. Ike Taylor and Ryan Mundy should spend extra time at practice defending against Heinz and Santonio. And somebody needs to crack the whip on our offensive line. There is no excuse not punching the ball in the end-zone on 4th and 1. This team should be embarrassed to it’s very core and take a long, hard, realistic look at themselves. Right now they aren’t winners. They don’t deserve to be in the playoffs. And stop blaming things on Troy not being there. This isn’t college, this is the pros. Every player on the Steelers roster gets paid to play this game and do their job. If Troys replacement can’t cut, get somebody who can.
All negatives considered....
THIS is still a team that won the super bowl! This is still a team with many players from the 2005 team too.
They are going through time times missing key players and it hurts big time. But you don’t go from being GREAT to SUCKING just like that.
While we have no idea IF they can turn it around in time….I think they COULD do it. There’s enough parity in this league that what is happening to the steelers can happen to any team. Who knows what key player goes down on another team, then they lose a couple, steelers go on a roll, and all is good in the world.
Gonna happen? With no Troy…..probably not…with him……70% chance.
Agreed
Look contray to media and dumb ass fans of other teams the Steelers need several years of skids to be a sucky team. We have talent on offense in one the best QBs in the league and we have some talent on defense.
What makes losses like this hard is that because the Steelers have such a rich history of good football fans other teams that have lesser talent just want to taunt and make fun us. I am not saying we are a good team right now but it could be worse.
I have said this a thousand times before and I will say it alot again in the coming weeks. I will always be proud to be apart of steeler nation. When I went the Redskin game last year by myself alot of other steeler fans helped me out and stood up for me when a bunch of redskin fans started harssing me. I felt like I was really apart of a family. I will never forget that moment.
Just to let you know my family is from pittsburgh and I am not a bandwagon fan.
by steeler_in_maryland on Dec 6, 2009 11:02 PM EST up reply actions
Actually,
this is not a team that won a Super Bowl. That would be the ’08 Steelers. This is the ’09 Steelers, a team that is a year older, missing key players (Smith, Polamalu, McFadden, Foote, Mitch Berger), and is much unluckier than last year.
There are many similarities between the two teams: close games that include fourth quarter lead changes, Ben’s stellar play, terrible run blocking, and a solid front seven. The difference is the secondary took a huge step backwards, the defense is not creating as many TO (especially in critical points of the game), injuries, and a matter of luck (you could actually put the past two reasons into this category as well).
But you are right in saying that the Steelers could turn it around and possibly make the playoffs, and once you get there, anything can happen.
Also, I was completely kidding about MB, although Sepulveda could learn how to pooch punt so it hits the helmet of the other teams gunners.
LOL, Sorry didn't read your complete post before I replied.
by Han on Dec 7, 2009 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
Sucker...
…..I almost fell for it earlier but I paused so as to finish reading. LOL
by Marvin, The Paranoid Android on Dec 7, 2009 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
Loosing the close ones
This is no excuse. When you leave even the worst teams in the game you give them hope. They play like they can win and sure enough they do. We play like we can loose and sure enough we do. The fact is the Steelers should have been so far ahead in most of these games that the other team should have been demoralized and changed their game plan into a desperation attempt that we feast on with the blitz. Thank the run and gun play calling mixed with ultra conservative play calling and you have the opposite of what always has made us successful. Ball control, game control, victory control. It is Arians, Tomlin and the goofy offensive game plan that has exposed our defense. This along with key injuries has turned the Steel Defense into mush. Coaching is the key. Be assured!
Agreed
We’ve given up a few big plays because of injuries in our secondary(Troy) and we’re .500.
Indy and NO have both given up big plays on defense because of injuries to the secondary and they’re both undefeated because their offenses stepped up and covered.
Our Offense however, same old,same old…….
by Marvin, The Paranoid Android on Dec 7, 2009 1:54 AM EST up reply actions
Cancel my previous support of Gay
I tried to be on this guy’s side. I jumped on the “Big Play” Willie Gay bandwagon and downplayed his misses. Sorry, Willie, but no more. He was on his knees or his back for three critical plays. The few big plays he makes do not offset all the horrible reads that pull him out of position.
Not sure Mr. Mundy will be a Steeler for too much longer. Two critical plays, late in the 4th where he led with his helmet. The first injured Gay and the second geve the Raiders the ball on the 11. Not to mention the blown coverage in the end zone. Not a good day for Ryan.
Mundy will be around.....
…..you don’t sink a guy in his first year on a NFL roster for penalties, that is absurd.
by Marvin, The Paranoid Android on Dec 7, 2009 1:20 AM EST up reply actions
If you say so.
Take each of the three horrible plays by itself and Mundy did not look bad. Spearing his own teammate was stupid but maybe he knew how pissed we were with Gay. Spearing a receiver was stupid, especially when you are trying to put away a close game, but it happens. Crappy coverage was the rule of the day. This one was ugly but, again, it happens. My point was that, if you put these three plays in a row (like they will be in the film), they either show a kid who displays consistently bad judgement or a young player who is having a seriously lousy day. When guys are fighting for roster spots, I am not sure I would push so hard to keep Mundy.
That secondary is bad
wow….totally lost out there…I think they get spoiled when Troy is there because he covers so much ground and masks their blown coverages…
by BlackandGoldSSgt on Dec 6, 2009 11:15 PM EST reply actions
It's not bad ....
The Titans’ secondary was bad, ours is just struggling in spots.
by Marvin, The Paranoid Android on Dec 7, 2009 1:58 AM EST up reply actions
The knuckle-ball pass...
That wobbly pass Gradkowski threw, with a bunch of black and gold stairing on… SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUGHT! Come on, even the friggin Brown’s D woulda swatted that one away!
How many Baltimore Ravens does it take to win a Super Bowl? Nobody knows and we may never find out
IT SPECIAL TEAMS NOW ITS TJHE DEFENSE.
WOW.
Doug Fowler
by steelerfan19650511 on Dec 6, 2009 11:24 PM EST reply actions
ahhhhh....what?
The very existence of flamethrowers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, "You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."
-George Carlin
I will always be a Steelerfan.
From Super Bowl IX 34 years ago when I saw Fran Tarkenton sacked in the end for a safety. Brookline. I grew up in Pittsburgh.
Doug Fowler
by steelerfan19650511 on Dec 6, 2009 11:29 PM EST reply actions
endzone
forgot end zone.
Doug Fowler
by steelerfan19650511 on Dec 6, 2009 11:31 PM EST reply actions
Believe me now? Its troy
I remember that piece I wrote showing how we give up a lot more last minutes of half points when Troy is gone. Some questioned the small data pool.
Well every game we’ve lost has been late fourth quarter or OT drives, and every loss has Samoan Jesus on the sidelines. If he was just healthy these last few weeks I dont doubt we win out. Instead now its probably too late.
If we get in the playoffs we could win with Troy, but we need him to get there, and it looks like he wont make it.
Troy is covering up for mistakes by the other players.
This could be a good thing in the long run because we now know are weak points and will have to adjust during the draft
by steeler_in_maryland on Dec 6, 2009 11:43 PM EST up reply actions
I feel like I've been lied to by Mike T.
Maybe it’s that english is only my second language, but I thought that by “we will unleash hell” Mike Tomlin meant on the opposing teams, and not their own fanbase. That is how I feel right now afterwatching that: in hell (deep inside the dark, gloom and stench filled portion of it).
It all starts in the trenches.
by The_Nation_in_Mexico on Dec 6, 2009 11:50 PM EST reply actions
Well, you know
with the pressure pretty much off us to reach the playoffs, I bet we play lighter and happier and win like mad from this point. Ok, may be offensively anyway. The secondary is atrochouse. Easily Ike’s worst year. Willie G is prone to give up first downs but Ike gives up touchdowns. Game after game.
It’s sad that such a potentially amazing offense is squandered on such a mediocre offensive coordinator. That was some terrible play calling. Especially in the first half. Arians is just not very creative in his designs. I hope for the future we get a good oc while we still have these players.
I was at the raider game in 2006. I hate the raiders.
well he wanted the top job but Mike T. got it
just because we are having one bad year does not mean Mike T. should go. How many years under cohwer did we come close but not close enough. One thing though it is BA last year.
by steeler_in_maryland on Dec 7, 2009 12:19 AM EST up reply actions
What have the Cardinals done that we haven't?
by StoneColdSteel on Dec 7, 2009 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
nothing except
they are going to the playoffs, are a contender to be in the SB and we just lost two in a row to two of the worst teams in the AFC.
This happens every time we struggle
Fans wish that we had kept this guy and this coach. Well we’re not the Cardinals, Texans, or even the Saints. We don’t look flashy when we win, but we win. Does one bad season make you dislike your own team? Does this year make the Steelers into the old Bungles in your eyes?
by StoneColdSteel on Dec 7, 2009 12:30 AM EST up reply actions
fair point
but you are assuming we wouldn’t have won it under Whiz. What I am saying is these past three years our personnel decisions have been bland at best (I think they actually have been terrible and it’s why we are sliding as badly as we are). Meanwhile Whiz is putting together a nicely balanced team that looks like it will be competitive for years, and this is the Cardinals organization we are talking about.
Couldn't Agree More!
This team with Wisenhunt, and Russ Grimm, would have been awesome. I though t there was no way they would let him go.
by Jeffrey19608 on Dec 7, 2009 12:26 AM EST up reply actions
You know why there are so many Steelers fans at away games?
Because everybody who grows up in Pittsburgh has to leave to get a job!
And lacking Roethlisberger was REALLY the reason the Ravens beat the Steelers last week, wasn’t it!? Maybe Dixon could have beaten the Raiders!
You're
an idiot. Please come up with any sort of facts to support your belief that “everybody who grows up in Pittsburgh has to leave to get a job!” Otherwise, it’s an outlandish statement.
And Ben was not the reason the Steelers lost today, twice he drove the Steelers down the field while trailing in the fourth quarter. If you are going to start a DD movement, try doing it on a day Ben has a QB rating under 123.3.
dude
it’s called a joke. ever heard of one? no, I don’t have any facts.
I am a Bengals fan and I have mixed emotions
I have hoped for years that we would come out on top and be able to stick it to to Steeler fans who have rubbed it in so much to us over the years. I should be overjoyed but I have a strange sadness seeing the Steelers struggle. I think it has something to do with respect. I don’t feel nearly as good about it as I felt that I would.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
You should be overjoyed
You guys are finally playing like a real football TEAM. We probably won’t make the dance this year and we deserve it. But don’t get used to seeing us struggle because history is on our side.
by StoneColdSteel on Dec 7, 2009 12:26 AM EST up reply actions
After sleeping on it........
I guess the reason that I do feel good about the Bengals, and I do (I did say my emotions are mixed), is that I have great respect for 2 teams that have sustained for years the level of play the Bengals have shown so far this year. A win is only meaningful if you defeat a worthy opponent. The Raven and Steelers are definitely worthy opponents. The season is not over yet. We are not division champions yet. We have a lot of work to do this year and will have to continue to do it for a few years in a row for me to consider us on the same level. It is continuing excellence that marks a good team.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
You shouldn't be so happy...
…considering the Ravens haven’t played the Raiders yet and they’re 2-0 against the AFC north.
by Marvin, The Paranoid Android on Dec 7, 2009 1:27 AM EST up reply actions
Marvin, HUH?
It seems to me that I remember the Bengals beating them twice. I think they are 3 and 2 in the division.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
Referring to Mr Malor...
….he’s been trolling around with glee.
by Marvin, The Paranoid Android on Dec 7, 2009 11:41 AM EST up reply actions
Yea, He does tend to do that. But, it's OK.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
I went to get my Christmas tree today and flipped on the radio to hear the Steelers lost. The smell of a Frazier Fur, the snow on the ground, colorful Christmas lights dotting homes as we drove. It was a wonderful day.
With the Steelers checked off my Christmas list that leaves only Cincy for the grinch to trip up. The Raiders?
Hell is a pussy cat I guess.
Tomlin confused us in the PC
Because what he menat by unleah hell was to us not to opponents, he has unleashed hell to the whole fanbase …
I wonder what is Anthony Smith thinking of Mike T right now .. hehe
Don't
you have better things to do with your time than come on to Steelers blogs and spin bad puns?
2 > 1, and that’s just this decade.
dude
you really take everything seriously, don’t you? lighten up!
I don't
take Mitch Berger all that seriously. But I do get offended when people take pot shots at the city of Pittsburgh (if that was sarcasm in your earlier post, I apologize, although sentiment doesn’t usually carry over well on discussion boards), and also when Ravens fans come on Steelers blogs to rub in losses.
What a difference a year makes
A coach not long ago in training camp said that the difference between winning and loosing in the NFL is "situational football", and that was his focus, that was what he stress to his players, the most important ingredient of champion football, they invested a great deal of time in training camp in "situational football", That was his philosophy.
Well the PS are a great team, a may dare say a top 5 team; powerful defense, loaded offense, the most balance team in the league, except for "situational football", where they are a bottom 5 team.
This is not luck or random plays; this team just sucks at "situational football".
The offense can move the ball at will from 20 to 20, but in the RZ, wow; penalties, sacks, ints, fumbles, bad play calling you name the flavor of the day.
And on the 2 minutes drills (remember the Cinci game), and on fourth down or third and short. They are just bad.
And the defense; great even impressive for 3 quarters (yes with no Polamalu and with Gay), but they can`t stop anybody on 4 down, or two minutes drills, on third and long or when a stop has to be made to protect a lead.
They may get plenty sacks a game, but none when it counts, the drop ints, the miss tackles, the bad plat calling or scheme, again you name the flavor of the day.
Sorry but the problem with this team is that they don’t have the mental toughness to be successful more times than not during this critical moments in the game. For most of the season, when a played has to be made at critical moments of the game, nobody steps up; none, not Ben, not Harrison, not Arians, not Dick and certainly no Tomlin.
What a difference a year makes!!!!!!!
A lack of mental toughness...
…or burnt out from too many close games?
by Marvin, The Paranoid Android on Dec 7, 2009 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
to borrow from 72steeler's fanpost
Please don’t blame the game on the rookie Burnett… How many INT’s has Ike dropped to seal the game. He actually tried to intercept the ball instead of knocking it down when Gradowski thru the Billy Kilmer duck
if you have to depend on a 5th rd rookie CB who’s in because the starting CB got injured to make the game winning play then we’re already in big trouble.
WTf?
steeler fan to steele fans. we should stfu cause we are really begining to sound like other organizations who cry and moan like a baby. If we are ready and willing to fire our cannons when we are atop the mountain then we should be able to take all incoming just the same. SteelerNation dont talk your shet only when we are winning and then whine when we are not. today i was watching the game and was pissed at all steeler fans who attended the game n played poorly more than the team we always say we love no matter what happens. The boos when we lost the lead, Then the cheers when lead is regained. Seeing alot of so called steeler fans leave the stadium when we could have boosted noise level to give the raiders a hard time in hearing. U faqing fake steelers fan should b more aware of what we as fans are doing to help the team versus thinking about the wayl our team is playing. Hey u stupid steeler fan I have a ? for u. what the hell were u doiing. stfu u pantsy asses
Didn't understand most of what you wrote
but chill out, bud. Our guys lost and we’re pissed about it. Let us grouse for a day then we’ll be over it and back to our normal selves. Were you at the game? Don’t tear down the people who went to the game if you didn’t drag your butt to the stadium.
Joe Burnett to make first NFL start in place of W. Gay; Ike might be benched for K. Lewis, Tomlin says
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09341/1019081-100.stm
Listened to his press conference and Tomlin says the Steelers are an “average football team” right now and that average might be generous.
Says that Hines might be out Thursday (M. Wallace would make his first start) and that Charlie Batch will be fitted with a soft cast to see if he can be the 3rd QB on Thursday. Tomlin didn’t say this, but if Batch can be the 3rd QB, look for them to cut Palko and then resign Sean McDonald since there would only be 3 healthy WR’s on the roster if Ward can’t go.
Personally, I doubt if Tomlin would bench Ike and go with two rookies at CB. I do question the speed of Joe Burnett, considering the 12-yard cushions he regularly give WR’s when he lines up. Lewis is a better bump and run corner than Burnett, but we’ll see how this plays out. He never mentioned Deshea’s name during the press conference, so that does that say about him?
Hines strained his hamstring on next to last play of the game, Tomlin said
And a hamstring strain for a 33-year-old WR is not a good thing. This is the type of injury that could linger more than just this week or the next, though the season is almost at an end.
Definitely
need a shutdown CB in the first round of the draft..but then again Bruce Arians probably desires 4 more TE’s
by BlackandGoldSSgt on Dec 7, 2009 6:20 PM EST reply actions
Why doesn’t the organization see the drop in talent at Strong safety if Troy is out? Last years draft they could have got a great backup for Troy to mold not 7th round pick Mundy who is banging his own players with his helmet, or Tyrone “can’t cover” Carter! This was evident to me a couple years ago against Jaguars in playoffs! Remember that one!
I think it is also not having the leadership role in the secondary, they made terrible mental erors Sunday which lead to the winning touchdown, Taylor chasing a receiver down the field with no over the top protection he thought would be there!
I guess that is why we will see all Rookie corner’s against the lowly Browns, Maybe they can intercept the ball?
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