The Steeler's Problem???

[SidSmythe]

OK, we've sat on this board discussing things like:
- "our defensive system sucks" Despite ranking #1
- "we need more turnovers" - Def. true
- "Ben is a bum and needs to be traded to Canada" - while having an MVP type season prior to injury.
- "Mike Wallace lacks focus" - Def. true but not the problem.

I think one has to look at our OFFENSIVE RUSHING numbers to see our problems
-Just think how much a good RUSHING offense helps the Passing Game & our Defense?? Just a thought

[Oviedo]

OK, we've sat on this board discussing things like:
- "our defensive system sucks" Despite ranking #1
- "we need more turnovers" - Def. true
- "Ben is a bum and needs to be traded to Canada" - while having an MVP type season prior to injury.
- "Mike Wallace lacks focus" - Def. true but not the problem.

I think one has to look at our OFFENSIVE RUSHING numbers to see our problems
-Just think how much a good RUSHING offense helps the Passing Game & our Defense?? Just a thought

Our problem continues to be inconsistent offensive line play which directly effects our rushing ofense and overall offensive efficiency.

Our defensive #1 ranking is meaningless as our 8 losses should prove.

[SidSmythe]

Our problem continues to be inconsistent offensive line play which directly effects our rushing ofense and overall offensive efficiency.

Our defensive #1 ranking is meaningless as our 8 losses should prove.

all rankings are meaningless if you don't make the playoffs. Pats have made it to the Superbowl w/ bad defensive rankings.

BUT why let a good defense go to waste???

O-Line needs to be dominant, not just a few great players and some fill ins!!

[flippy]

- "Ben is a bum and needs to be traded to Canada" - while having an MVP type season prior to injury.


What do you think we could get out of Canada in return?

They'd probably try to give us RIM. But that's a bad deal. They may even try to throw us Pamela Anderson, but she's getting old. I'd try to hold out for Justin Bieber and see if we can get them to throw in some Poutine and Maple Syrup.

[supersteeler]

OK, we've sat on this board discussing things like:
- "our defensive system sucks" Despite ranking #1
- "we need more turnovers" - Def. true
- "Ben is a bum and needs to be traded to Canada" - while having an MVP type season prior to injury.
- "Mike Wallace lacks focus" - Def. true but not the problem.

I think one has to look at our OFFENSIVE RUSHING numbers to see our problems
-Just think how much a good RUSHING offense helps the Passing Game & our Defense?? Just a thought


Yeah, we failed in the rushing department with a 3 back system. A back has a hard time getting into a groove unless he has 20 or more carries, it wouldn't hurt to practice in pads either, but Goodell's rules prevent that physical brand of practicing that carries on to the field on game day.

[SidSmythe]

What do you think we could get out of Canada in return?

They'd probably try to give us RIM. But that's a bad deal. They may even try to throw us Pamela Anderson, but she's getting old. I'd try to hold out for Justin Bieber and see if we can get them to throw in some Poutine and Maple Syrup.

Justin Beiber is Canadian??? cool, there is still hope for America!!

[SidSmythe]

Yeah, we failed in the rushing department with a 3 back system. A back has a hard time getting into a groove unless he has 20 or more carries, it wouldn't hurt to practice in pads either, but Goodell's rules prevent that physical brand of practicing that carries on to the field on game day.

As much as I liked DWYER's abilities at times I just don't think he's an every down back. He makes two 10 yard runs and he checks out of the game???
I think next training camp the Steelers gotta pick the BEST back and go with himas their man.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

The team is mentally & emotionally soft. Tomlin inherited a mentally strong vet group. As the vets have moved on, Tomlin's fingerprint is seen. He needs to get better as a coach to right this ship. Accountability is not the standard it is just talked about. You have to make them work for their goals...Not just set them. Can he do it? I believe he can. He has their respect so pushing them should challenge them not discourage them. Everyone in here has their finger pointed at someone or something but I put most of the 2012 collapse on Tomlin. The players are the extension of the head coach.

[Slapstick]

There is nothing wrong with the "runningback-by-committee" system...you simply need to use the RBs in situations where they can actually succeed...

Haley was able to do that in KC...New England is able to do that now...after a season under his belt, I think Haley will be able to better use our RBs as needed...

I just hope Tomlin gives up his outdated "workhorse RB" mentality until the Steelers get an actual workhorse-capable RB on the roster...

[Slapstick]

Our defensive #1 ranking is meaningless as our 8 losses should prove.

Or, if our defense wasn't a #1 D, we'd have a lot more than 8 losses....

[Sugar]

Or, if our defense wasn't a #1 D, we'd have a lot more than 8 losses....

This is a lot more like it, IMO.

[ikestops85]

Our problem continues to be inconsistent offensive line play which directly effects our rushing ofense and overall offensive efficiency.

Our defensive #1 ranking is meaningless as our 8 losses should prove.

I agree Ovi. Until we get consistent play from our O-line we can never be the offensive powerhouse that steeler fans envision. It seems like every time they get 5 guys playing together for a few games then the injury bug strikes and we have to shuffle. That takes us back to square one and we start all over. I really don't know whether its talent, coaching or just plain bad luck that makes our offense so inconsistent. I just know I keep waiting for them to start ringing up points like a pin ball game and it never happens.

I was very disappointed with the defense at the start of the season. It seemed obvious that we didn't have the talent on the team that we normally do. I guess I didn't take into account all of the injuries we had at the start and how many players were still recovering. Hampton and Keisel were looking horrible. James was certainly not James and Troy was doing his best Duce impersonation.

Then the switch taking out Mundy and starting Will Allen. The defense started to resemble the Steelers defense of old. They were playing lights out defense. So how did this magical transition take place? Did DL suddenly remember how to coach again or was he still the drooling, bumbling, senile idiot that some claim?

[lloydroid]

I think one has to look at our OFFENSIVE RUSHING numbers to see our problems
-Just think how much a good RUSHING offense helps the Passing Game & our Defense?? Just a thought

And they sucked at it. 26th rushing team in the NFL? That is pathetic. Some people need to lose their jobs.

[skyhawk]

Yeah, we failed in the rushing department with a 3 back system. A back has a hard time getting into a groove unless he has 20 or more carries, it wouldn't hurt to practice in pads either, but Goodell's rules prevent that physical brand of practicing that carries on to the field on game day.

This! No back could get in a groove! I have been noticing this ALL season!

[skyhawk]

Being -14 in turnover differential certainly WON'T help the teams rushing stats. Get rid of the free gifts they have been giving all year!

[skyhawk]

Plus, I get the feeling that because the Steelers O was so inept, the other teams protected the ball more, and were less risk-taking, therefore giving an inflated rating of the #1 defense. Reminds me of the inept offenses of the late 1980's that ALSO had topped ranked D's.

[lloydroid]

Yeah, we failed in the rushing department with a 3 back system. A back has a hard time getting into a groove unless he has 20 or more carries, it wouldn't hurt to practice in pads either, but Goodell's rules prevent that physical brand of practicing that carries on to the field on game day.

I'm no fan of Goodell, but claiming it is "his rules" that prevent more practices with pads is probably not accurate. Was it not the players' association that fought to put that provision in during the collective bargaining agreement?

[lloydroid]

This! No back could get in a groove! I have been noticing this ALL season!

How can backs get in a groove when they ask to come off the field every time they have 2 consecutive carries (Dwyer)?

[skyhawk]

How can backs get in a groove when they ask to come off the field every time they have 2 consecutive carries (Dwyer)?

Yup! Pissed me off. WTF?

[SidSmythe]

How can backs get in a groove when they ask to come off the field every time they have 2 consecutive carries (Dwyer)?

Adrian Peterson rips off a 60 yarder and stays in the game.

[Dee Dub]

OK, we've sat on this board discussing things like:
- "our defensive system sucks" Despite ranking #1


Question...when you watched this defense did you really see a #1 ranked defense? Does not the fact that the Steelers played one of the worst opponent win-loss percentages in the league not have something to do with that? If all we do is look at statistics we can be deceived by the actual facts.

Was it number 1 ranked versus the lowly Raiders, Titans, Browns, Chargers, and Cowboys? All sub-par to below average teams.

[lloydroid]

Question...when you watched this defense did you really see a #1 ranked defense? Does not the fact that the Steelers played one of the worst opponent win-loss percentages in the league not have something to do with that? If all we do is look at statistics we can be deceived by the actual facts.

Was it number 1 ranked versus the lowly Raiders, Titans, Browns, Chargers, and Cowboys? All sub-par to below average teams.

It is deceiving. No way is this D truly the best in the NFL. I think points against is a much more meaningful stat to judge a D by, and basing rankings on that, SF, Chic., Seat., Denver and Hous. (by 1 point) are all higher ranking Ds and I would say that pretty much is a dead on ranking for what Ds I believe are better than Pgh. It doesn't matter if you give up some yards if the opponent isn't scoring. There is no way on Earth I'd put Pgh's D in the category of SF and Seat. They hit harder, get to the QB and have DBs who fly all over the place.