Steelers starting to Resemble Jets

[Ghost]

You can stop cursing my name; it's an editorial by Ed Bouchette:

[URL]http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/pro-sports/steelers/119191-ed-steelers-starting-to-resemble-ny-jets[/URL]

Highlights:

- Brett Keisel has stated the Steelers weren't ready to play Sunday - and has repated that thought several times. (Ed said he'd never seen a player say it that way)
- Ryan Clark and Larry Foote both also alluded to the fact they were unprepared as well.
- He thought the suspension of mendy was a bit too much compared to history of players (Brister) being insubbordinate.
- Compare not going for 2 with the Jacksonville game where he went for 2 from the 12 yard line after a holding penbalty and then again later in the game. Odd.

[Oviedo]

What is the definition of "Unprepared?" That is the crux of the argument. Did the coordinators not have good plans in place? Did Tomlin not do quality control on the plans? Were the players not focused?

IMO, we were "unprepared" because we are seeing the second order effects of numerous injuries effecting our OL (and DBs) and players who aren't fully versed on what they need to do being forced to perform. That isn't the team not preparing for a game that is just a depth issue finally hitting us. IMO the whole problem wiith last Sunday's game was our OL got dominated by the San Diego DL. Therefore we never got any rhythm on offense which meant we couldn't convert third downs which meant the defense was on the field for less than desireable amounts of time. Why did that surprise anyone when 40% of the starting OL were not the real starters?

Also, San Diego had a remarkable day pinning us deep with the punting game. Combine that with the poor OL play and it was like we were running uphill all day on a sheet of ice.

Not sure who you blame, which is what people really want to do, unless it is the players who are injured. Tomlin and the coordinators can only do so much with what they have. Many will just really want to blame Tomlin for not being rah rah enough but that is BS. This isn't pee wee football and if the players need that to perform then we have the wrong players.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Of course, 80% of San Diego's starting OL were not the real starters.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I wouldn't lay blame on a particular loss, because losses do happen. The bigger problem is the pattern that has emerged in continually losing to sub-par teams. Four losses to teams that should never beat us is a problem that the coaches must correct.

[Slapstick]

I wouldn't lay blame on a particular loss, because losses do happen. The bigger problem is the pattern that has emerged in continually losing to sub-par teams. Four losses to teams that should never beat us is a problem that the coaches must correct.

The idea that "teams that should never beat us" actually exist is most likely the problem...the

Every team has the talent to compete and win in the NFL...

[flippy]

What does this have to do with the Jets?

[Keyplay1]

What does this have to do with the Jets?

Yeah, when I saw the title I figured it was going to compare the Steelers do nothing offense to the Jets below zero offense. Hey that is always a recipe to lose any game.

What many in Steeler nation are overlooking here in those losses to these so called sub par teams is that in every one of those games a common theme was there. Those teams were at the time the Steelers played them in desperation mode. They gave a super defensive effort and it paid off. Couple that with TS still learning a new system that has not gotten untracked yet and there you have it . [This paragraph is incomplete and under construction]

Meanwhile TS have managed to stay alive and if the D can stay solid and somehow the offense can get started the season is far from over. But that happening is now doubtful. Hey! That's cool. Just like the injury reports. Probable? No! Questionable? No! Doubtful? Yes! Out? Not yet!

[Keyplay1]

Meanwhile TS have managed to stay alive and if the D can stay solid and somehow the offense can get started the season is far from over. But that happening is now doubtful. Hey! That's cool. Just like the injury reports. Probable? No! Questionable? No! Doubtful? Yes! Out? Not yet![URL="http://www.planetsteelers.com/forums/editpost.php?p=537983&do=editpost"]

Steelers outlook upgraded to Questionable leaning toward Probable.

This is based on the very upbeat practice Wednesday and also Thursday. The return of Woodley and several other dinged up players was a boost. The return of DeCastro also was uplifting.

Tomlin said that TS expect Dallas to come very well prepared and TS know how important this game is to them. TS will do likewise he said.

Of course he said that last week too,but only this time the players were listening.[/URL][URL="http://www.planetsteelers.com/forums/editpost.php?p=537983&do=editpost"][/URL]But seriously, the players all said they put last weeks game behind them and now there are no excuses.

[lloydroid]

I wouldn't lay blame on a particular loss, because losses do happen. The bigger problem is the pattern that has emerged in continually losing to sub-par teams. Four losses to teams that should never beat us is a problem that the coaches must correct.

Wow. Clear signs that there are MAJOR problems with this team. Players coming right out admitting they were not prepared for the game? Please explain further. What do you mean? How were they not prepared? Who was at fault? This is a major red flag.

[Ghost]

Can't blame the O-line for the 17 play drive coming out after half. Five 3rd downs converted including a long run on 3rd and 12. That's 100% on the defense. And that was with a San Diego O line that had never played together (see Ruthless post above).

I find it interesting that the 3 players specifially mentioned about questioning the teams readiness to play are all guys who are established vets with 33 years of experience between the three and all on the D.

I happen to catch a little ESPN around 10:30 today and they were mentioning players openly questioning Mike Tomlin as well. Maybe its nothing but could be an issue. Guess we;ll see over the next three weeks starting Sunday at 4:25!