Poll: What's your definition of a successful season
by Mechem on Oct 18, 2011 12:40 AM EDT
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As Stiller fans we have the great benefit of having the best team in history since the real NFL has existed. More championships, more division titles, more AFC championships, basically more everything in history. Yes, we're awesome. We know it.
And it kinda affects your judgment when it comes to looking at a season. Obviously we hope for Super Bowls every year. Some teams can't even HOPE for that. We want them and can get them, it's realistic. For teams like Detroit, before this season they only hoped to go 8-8. Hoped, to go 8-8. That was their dream.
However hopes and dreams aren't reality. And what I find to be an acceptable season is different from what I hope for. Obviously you can't win the SB every year. So what has to happen for you to be satisfied with the year? So I have decided to poll the nation. What's your definition of a successful season? Not necessarily what you WANT every year, but what you'll take and accept and be happy about.
For me, it's winning one playoff game. That's my mark. We have to do that or I'm not happy with the year. The division crown is a close second, but I would still prefer a playoff game win over a division title. For me playoff wins are the most important thing. They're the most exciting. Division champs are great and usually go hand in hand with playoff wins, but I need that one win. A division championship followed by a one and done would be terrible to me. A wasted opportunity. Whereas a wild card winning a playoff game is a pleasant surprise and it is an achievement.
So that's my take on it. I've been a Steeler Disciple since 2004 and I can honestly say that 2006 2007 and 2009 were the only seasons I was disappointed with. Even though we lost in the playoffs in 2004 and 2010, I was still really happy with the playoff performance to that point and the run.
Speak up, I wanna know what you guys think.
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Super Bowl Win
Anything less is a disappointment
by Steel34D on Oct 18, 2011 2:27 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Super Bowl win here as well
However, Super bowl loser, playoff team, or at least winning record avoids total embarrassment.
We are the Steelers.
Win the Super Bowl or we’re failures. That attitude is why everyone hates us, but it’s also why we have more rings than they do.
"You might as well appeal against the thunderstorm."
-William T. Sherman, the Battle of Atlanta
In 2010, we didn’t win the Super Bowl. We lost the Super Bowl, actually, but that isn’t my point. I measure success in sports by memorable moments – and the seventh championship will certainly be one of those. However 2010 gave us an iconic defensive performance in Tennessee, DPotY performances out of Troy and Harrison, and a breakout season by Mike Wallace. The team overcame offseason scandals and the QB’s 4 game suspension to win the AFC championship. I got to go see that game with my dad. Would have been great if they won the big one, but that season was good enough.
It is relative, and with the current team you hope for a Super Bowl win. If you’re the Raiders, you also have a memorable 2010. After years of futility, the team finished a mere 8-8 and still missed the playoffs… but Raiders fans had to be pleased on some level, especially their team’s performances in their six divisional wins, each one dramatic in its own way.
The Seahawks enjoyed little success in 2010’s regular season, finishing an ugly 7-9. They earned their playoff berth by being the best NFC West team, which was a complete joke. Then they upset the defending champs in their own stadium, clinched by Marshawn Lynch’s highlight-for-all-time run. The crowd noise registered on the Richter scale… and the season was a success. That playoff win didn’t count when the team headed home from Chicago one week later, but that moment is Seahawk lore forever.
Iconic moments, definitely
A bit of an obvious example: Given what it did for the franchise both on the field and in “lore,” does anyone want to argue that 1972 was not a successful year?
by TheSpatulaMessiah on Oct 19, 2011 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
The Standard is the Standard
Absolutely a Super Bowl win~ however since that is simply not possible every single year, getting into the post-season is the “success mark” for me. Rarely do the Steelers assemble a team that is not considered a contender.
HERE WE GO STEELERS!
"Our Father, who art in Pittsburgh, Football be thy game. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, at Heinz Field as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, a stellar D and forgive us our bogus fines, as we (sorta) forgive Goodell who trespasses against us. And lead us not into defeat, but deliver us a Victory. For thine is The Steelers, the power and glory of climbing the STAIRWAY TO 7."
A Super Bowl win
We are fans of a team who has supreme talent and the players who have won it all before. The Steelers are not in a rebuilding phase whatsoever so anything short of a SB win is an incomplete season for me.
"He had no teeth, and he was slobbering all over himself. I'm thinking, 'You can have your money back, just get me out of here. Let me go be an accountant." I can't tell you how badly I wanted out of there."
- Denver rookie QB John Elway, on Jack Lambert, after Lambert and the Steelers knocked Elway out of his first game as a pro (1983).
Call me a realist,
or maybe a lousy Steelers fan. . .
But I am happy with a good story and a team that played up to their potential.
You simply can’t win the Super Bowl every year, and realistically competing for it every year shouldn’t happen. The Steelers build teams to be consistently good and within shooting distance of a SB contender, and if we get lucky with some picks, or catch fire we can win one. It is a great strategy and our skill at the cap and drafting are the reason we win so many games. I was happy even Tomlin’s first year where he asserted himself and pushed everyone hard in camp. We came out strong and faded at the end, but it was the cost we paid for the teams that followed.
Last year was an amazing run, this team with its aging talent and makeshift line can dominate and fall apart in the same game, and we frequently do. That we could pull off a Suber Bowl appearance with that team was awesome. I never got the feeling last year that we were a team of destiny like 05&08, it was in my mind a great last shot for a great generation of Steelers. This year I don’t expect us to get that far, but with this team, who knows.
by Phantaskippy on Oct 18, 2011 8:36 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Very well said.
I approve this statement : )
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 18, 2011 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions
It is tough to put an exact label on this, but
I would have to agree with you. One playoff win and we had a successful season. Getting to the playoffs alone is tough, but winning the first playoff game adds some icing to the cake, shows that the team was not necessarily a fluke during the regular season.
As fans, calling the season a disappointment if we don’t win the superbowl is unrealistic. Only one team can win the superbowl every year. The steelers have 6 wins and 8 appearances so far, which is a win percentage of 13.3%, and appearance % of 17.8%. Those are quite low percentages for us fans to feel we had a successful season.
With all the injuries
I’d be pleased with a playoff appearance. Once we are in…all bets are off.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
for me it depends on the year as to the expectations I have
Coming into this year, it would be SB, but I wasn’t expecting to be there last year – pleasant surprise followed by major let down. At this point this year, I am really unsure with my expectations – we have been all over the map, and although I know we are capable of winning it all, it sure doesn’t feel that way… I think we will peak late and make a push, but not sure what to expect as an outcome.
All N all my expectations vary from year to year based on what I see – this year has been a tough nut to crack…
"My mentality is singular in that I want to be world champs each and every year, so that's what we work toward. I have a tough time acknowledging levels of success short of that. That's just how I'm wired." - Mike Tomlin
This is true
I agree your feelings depend a lot on the team you had and their issues, which is probably why 2010 felt so good after Bens suspension and all that. I don’t think anybody REALLY believed we’d get to the final game prior to the start of the season.
So yeah annually it varies. And yeah this year its hard to say. One side sees the potential of this team and you know if they played their A game for 60 minutes they could beat anybody. The other side sees the wretched inconsistancy and would be happy with just a win over Baltimore at this point.
You summed up my thoughts quite nicely
"My mentality is singular in that I want to be world champs each and every year, so that's what we work toward. I have a tough time acknowledging levels of success short of that. That's just how I'm wired." - Mike Tomlin
by MDSTEELERSFAN on Oct 18, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
To me if you make the playoffs its a successful season
because once you get your foot in the door, all bets are off as too what will happen.
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
CM PUNK IS MY HERO
Canal Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
agreed
Making the playoffs is a sign you’re doing the right thing. Not making it means you got some work to do. Coughpiratescough.
Product Manager - SB Nation
by Mark_Hanna on Oct 18, 2011 2:05 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions
For me it's and AFC Championship win. Last year was great even though I still haven't watched that SB loss after attending live
This year, a 1st round playoff win will be considered successful. I thought that we were set up for a run this year but a) our oline decisions/injuries/problems continued b) the age thing came a year a quicker than I thought.
Where's the hate?
To me, it’s a successful season when the Patsies, Purple Browns, Dolts, Chargers, Cowgirls, and Uggles don’t win the Super Bowl.
by TorchM on Oct 18, 2011 12:48 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Going undefeated winning every game by 30 points
Boom.
Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...
My minimum definition is that they are competitive throughout the year and are in the running for playoffs up to the very end.
best response
I’ve seen, been a fan for too many years to expect playoffs every year. I just want a competative team that gives its all. If they are in the running for the playoffs at the end of season I am happy.
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Oct 19, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
I like your definition worldtrip
But to me it’s frustrating when a team could be better. Like our 2009 season, we were in contention at the end and we were certainly competitive, but we blew a bunch of late leads and games we really should have won.
That season was pretty disgusting to me, the team had no excuse for that.
I really have two benchmarks
For a season to be successful, we must win the SB.
For a season to not be a failure, we must
a) make the playoffs
b) do that while looking respectable and not getting blown out more than once
Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever
-Napoleon Bonaparte
There’s a lot of stuff we wouldn’t have to clean up if the city provided basic human rights, like a Port-A-Potty.
-OWS Protester
Cornell University Class of 2014
by LV Steelers Fan on Oct 18, 2011 2:57 PM EDT reply actions
Isaac redman
Scoring the game winning td in the superbowl. That’s my dream
by blitzzburgh on Oct 18, 2011 3:52 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
With time running out.
MVP also.
If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made product that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.
carrying two defensive tackles on his back while plowing over a linebacker into the endzone
by blitzzburgh on Oct 18, 2011 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions
while running on two broken legs
the day after he found out his beloved goldfish died, which made him decide to play on two broken legs, he had to honor his best friends passing, no matter what any of the coaches said.
Except
You can’t break Redman’s legs. He breaks yours.
no
he broke his own legs just to show people what the f__ was up
ok
I guess that wouldn’t fall in line with deciding to play with the legs because his goldfish died….but whatever, this is a legend, you can tell it any way you like.
We’ll just say the goldfish never happened, and he broke own legs.
He did it by putting his feet in vice grips, which were attached to the bottom of an upside-down table that had reinforced titanium legs. He then had one of those engine picker upper thingies that have a big hook, that hang from the ceiling get shot at him at extreme force from hydraulics or whatever you can find in an auto shop that will do that sort of thing.
The impact snapped his tibia’s (if that’s the thigh bone) in half.
Then he came back for the Super Bowl, after 1 days rest from the injury, and won it all.
And after the game, he turned a horse into a giraffe
It’s like people thinking Babe Ruth called his shot, or that MIckey Mantle hit a ball 600 feet. Or even better, people that think Ben Roethlisberger is bad, when Mickey Mantle would have made him look like a sweet, loving man who appreciates women.
Ben probably just watches too much Mad Men
Makes you wanna pinch a secretaries ass. Those days were good.
I have high standards
I expect the best. The standard is the standard. It is our God given right. If you accept loosing that is all you will get. Mediocrity breads mediocrity. Nothing less than a Super Bowl is not acceptable.
What ever is your favorite analogy, it is all the same. Either the Steelers win it all every year, or it is not a successful year. That is why the fans from 31 other teams hate us, but they respect us.
We have 6, how many yinz got?
by Steeler Nation VA on Oct 18, 2011 3:57 PM EDT reply actions
I guess define success
The ultimate goal is the Super Bowl, but do you look back at last year and have much, if any disappointment? Do you look back and view in a very positive, or negative light? The Super Bowl is the standard, and for good reason, but falling short of that isn’t always something to be unhappy about imo.
Needs moar Dukes
Sean Lee is the only tolerable thing about the Cowboys
by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Oct 18, 2011 7:30 PM EDT reply actions
Perfect example was last year
Of course I wanted a Steelers win and I believe this team could have gotten it, minus a few key mistakes…. but not for one second was I anything but proud of the team and ever so glad to be a fan of them.
HERE WE GO STEELERS!
"Our Father, who art in Pittsburgh, Football be thy game. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, at Heinz Field as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, a stellar D and forgive us our bogus fines, as we (sorta) forgive Goodell who trespasses against us. And lead us not into defeat, but deliver us a Victory. For thine is The Steelers, the power and glory of climbing the STAIRWAY TO 7."
A great man (John Clayton) once said that any season that includes a playoff win is a successful season.
There is nothing like the excitement of a playoff game, and when your team not only makes the playoffs but manages to win a game and build even more excitement and anticipation, well, that’s awesome.
I love this team
I’ve loved this team for a long time and I love them more now—the old timers people keep writing off before watching them turn into heroes for a single game, the young money who have a few rookie-silly moments but who are learning as we watch. I love having a coach who sometimes acts like the only adult on the field and who isn’t afraid to admit someone else actually won the game because they played better that day. And I love the fact that they rarely whine or complain but most often cover each other’s backs and just claim to want to get better. That’s rare these days in our age of superstars but these guys do it and I think that too often gets forgotten.
For this season, for this team, I would love to see them beat the Ravens and the Patriots. And if they do that, all bets are off. As Mechem pointed out, they have their moments of greatness when we believe they can beat anyone and everyone. And as he also pointed out, they have their moments of badness when we wonder who the hell is on the field. But I want them to leave the field at the end of the season as an amazing bunch of players who tried and who never out of contention—and never quit on themselves and never went sour on themselves as some of their fans have— if they didn’t quite make it.
I guess I’m not a normal fan. I want to see this group of players prove themselves as competitors. I don’t think that always turns into conference champs or byes or Super Bowl contenders or winners. I love the drama, looking at every week’s game as a challenge and every paid commentator’s opinion as just one more set of words to be eaten. I love the week before each game when I’m bracing myself for heartbreak but hoping for that moment when I stand up and shout with real joy at the little laptop screen of my bad illegal stream because they’ve just proven that no one writes off the Pittsburgh Steelers and gets away with underestimating them.
That’s what I hope for the rest of this season—that they show us the drama of near heartbreak and come back with heart attack responses. And that we never give up on them because they never give up on themselves. And that’s entertainment. And a little more than that I’m actually embarrassed to articulate how I feel when I watch this team play.
GO STEELERS!
by dogthebus on Oct 19, 2011 4:10 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs
beautifully stated
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Oct 19, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I like the way you think
If someone forced me to pick a standard, I might go with playoff wins too. But I don’t know if I can be that absolute. The team has to do something of some kind to make me proud to be a fan. Does that make sense? I’d be proud if they went 16-0 or 15-1 again, regardless of what happened next.
Last year was absolutely a success. 2009… well, I went back and forth; there were times when I was quite proud of the way they rebounded to finish with a winning year, and with individual moments (Wallace’s TD vs. GB, the decisive picks of Favre in the only Steelers home game I’ve ever attended). All in all, though, based on how I felt at the end of the year, I can’t call it a success. Other people are right that you can’t totally divorce it from expectations going into the year.
I firmyl believe that there are successful Steelers teams that should thrill fans despite not winning the Super Bowl (a few examples: 1972, 1976, 1989, 1995, 2002). That being said, a successful season isn’t necessarily satisfying, unless you win it all. It’s fine to not be satisfied with mere “success,” because that’s part of the game too.
And of course, also gotta consider the rules of the sport and the state of the franchise. So for other teams, my benchmark for success:
Pirates – Winning season
Pens – Must make playoffs, or the year’s a bust
by TheSpatulaMessiah on Oct 19, 2011 10:16 AM EDT reply actions
And not just expectations
But potential. A team that really should win a playoff game that doesn’t make the playoffs is bad.
Consider this Colts season. Surely its a disappointment from what they are used to. The expectations were very high.
But considering the teams current potential, it’s not as sad. Because Curtis Painter or whoever they use at QB sucks, most fans will realize that and adjust their expectations accordingly.
So I’d actually say potential determines expectations, so potential is even more important.
This is a successful season
Just go to to vote for Redman in a poll.
"They timed it perfectly, they just went too soon." - Darrell Waltrip commenting on an illegal restart.
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