What happened to the confidence of the Steelers faithful?

After the 2016-2017 season ended with the Patriots smacking down the Steelers, again, fans had a general confidence about the entire situation heading into the off-season. Players had been injured or suspended, and the thought was the team would bounce back and get the job done the following season.

Fast forward to the completion of the 2017-2018 season, and boy does this have a different vibe from the global Steelers fan base.

I understand the year ended with a gigantic thud, losing to Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars, but what’s the difference between the two seasons with regard to confidence in the team’s ability the following season?

Some—well, most—will point to Mike Tomlin, but Tomlin was getting ripped to shreds after Tom Brady had his way with the Pittsburgh secondary in 2017. Some will suggest other coaches are to blame, but this is the same song and dance.

When you look at the projected roster for next year, there should still be confidence from the fan base, especially in the offense. The defense certainly has its issues, but these issues were the same as 2016, yet the fan base was brimming with confidence heading into 2017.

There are times when it’s much easier for me to express my thoughts in verbal language than in writing, and this is one of those times. Check out the podcast above for the latest episode of the Steelers Connection where I detail why Steelers fans should still be confident about the team heading into 2018-2019.

Now it’s time for the news outside the realm of BTSC:

• Former NFL doc encouraged by Ryan Shazier’s recovery

A “walking routine” does not mean Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier can move around on his own, but it’s encouraging news for his recovery, a former NFL team doctor said Monday.

”This is certainly very positive news,” said Dr. David Chao, an orthopedic surgeon who worked 17 years as team doctor for the former San Diego Chargers. “Does this mean he is going to walk independently and run? We’re not there yet.”

Chao spoke to the Tribune-Review on Monday as he boarded a San Diego-bound flight from Minneapolis, the host city of Super Bowl LII. He writes columns from a medical expert’s perspective for the San Diego Union-Tribune’s ProFootballDoc.com

• Per ratings, Pittsburgh almost as enthralled by Super Bowl as Philly

The majority of Philadelphia was glued to its televisions Sunday night to watch the Eagles win their first Super Bowl.

But almost as much of Pittsburgh was watching as its cross-state brethren won, too.

Roughly 55 percent of households in the Pittsburgh market tuned in for the broadcast of Super Bowl LII, just a tick below the 56.2 percent that were watching in Philadelphia, according to overnight ratings released Monday by The Nielsen company.

The Boston market received a 55.9 rating.

An estimated 103.4 million people watched the Eagles’ 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots, the event’s smallest television audience since 2009.

• Steelers fans mock ex-linebacker James Harrison after Patriots Super Bowl loss

It didn’t take long for Steelers fans to take to social media after the team’s former linebacker lost the Super Bowl as a member of the New England Patriots.

The Steelers released Harrison in late December and three days later on Dec. 26, he signed to a one-year deal with the Patriots . The 39-year-old veteran linebacker started Sunday’s game with the Patriots, but by the game’s end, his team wound up on the wrong side, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 41-33. Steelers fans used Harrison’s defeat to mock his decision to sign with the Patriots.