The Delusional Optimists Post Game Break Down

[Shawn]

The Good

1) Defense once again looked pretty good. I was a bit disappointed that running looked easier than it should against a Steeler D. I was also disappointed in Clark's mis-read leaving Eifert wide open.

2) Heyward was playing very well last night. He is a guy who is starting to flash. Shoot, even Ziggy was playing with a little attitude last night.

3) Our special teams look special.

4) Our new center is probably the second best OLman on this team...not that is saying much.

The Bad

1) Almost too much bad to name. But, let me start with Ben. I am a huge Ben fan but he hasn't looked himself since getting married. He doesn't have that fire, throwing bad balls in crucial situations...looked almost defeated during several quarters of that game. His throwing last night was sad.

2) The OLine...while better this week against a pretty good Bengal front 7...they were not good enough especially in creating holes for the running game.

3) Paulson...while able to get open and catch, that fumble and him getting blocked on his back several times last night left a bad taste in my mouth.

4) Brown and Sanders are no #1 and #2. I didn't think we lost much when we lost Wallace. I was wrong.

The Ugly

1) The coaching. I have been a Tomlin fan, and a Haley fan...but no longer. I watched Haley split out Redman in 5 wide instead of Wheaton. Wha? The fact that Tomlin allows this nonsense to go on...unbelieveable. I could go through a list of poor calls, but what use would that serve?

2) Why is Redman on this team? Our running game is pathetic.

3) The refs...I mean come on...the Steelers

[papillon]

The Good

1) Defense once again looked pretty good. I was a bit disappointed that running looked easier than it should against a Steeler D. I was also disappointed in Clark's mis-read leaving Eifert wide open.
The defense was stellar IMO, they were on the field for nearly 30 more plays than the offense. Yes, they gave up points, but it was grudgingly and had the Steelers had any offense to speak of they could have won that game rather easily.

2) Heyward was playing very well last night. He is a guy who is starting to flash. Shoot, even Ziggy was playing with a little attitude last night.

3) Our special teams look special.

4) Our new center is probably the second best OLman on this team...not that is saying much.
Right now he's the best lineman, Ben had very little pressure in his face, it typically came from the outside, there were a few pushes in the middle, but by and large the center did very well considering he's been on the team for 6 days.

The Bad

1) Almost too much bad to name. But, let me start with Ben. I am a huge Ben fan but he hasn't looked himself since getting married. He doesn't have that fire, throwing bad balls in crucial situations...looked almost defeated during several quarters of that game. His throwing last night was sad.

2) The OLine...while better this week against a pretty good Bengal front 7...they were not good enough especially in creating holes for the running game.
You're right they couldn't open holes in the running game, but Haley and bag of tricks really fooled the Bengals opening the game with three consecutive running plays. I looked at my wife and said, "this game is over, they aren't handing the ball to Ben and asking him to win the game."

3) Paulson...while able to get open and catch, that fumble and him getting blocked on his back several times last night left a bad taste in my mouth.

4) Brown and Sanders are no #1 and #2. I didn't think we lost much when we lost Wallace. I was wrong.
This is 200% truth, these two guys need Wallace and I misjudged Wallace's worth as well.

The Ugly

1) The coaching. I have been a Tomlin fan, and a Haley fan...but no longer. I watched Haley split out Redman in 5 wide instead of Wheaton. Wha? The fact that Tomlin allows this nonsense to go on...unbelieveable. I could go through a list of poor calls, but what use would that serve?
The coaching is mind boggling at this point, Tomlin should have taken Haley's headset after the first series and asked him to leave.

2) Why is Redman on this team? Our running game is pathetic.
That's a darn good question. I can only surmise that he is actually the 5th WR in the Steeler spread offense and Wheaton is a tailback in disguise.

3) The refs...I mean come on...the Steelers

I hope the Steelers can get this turned around somehow.

Pappy

[Sword]

I agree, but we have to use use our strengths to win....
They need to come out with a passing attack like no other...I mean just forget the dam run
until we have room to run...Because, we cannot run....

[SidSmythe]

Smythe's Optimism: We have a good CORE of players and we still have our QB. this isn't rebuilding mode, this is fix it mode. How long will it take though is the question??

[RussBII]

I think we all undervalued Mike Wallace. I still don't think the Steelers EVER give him 13m a year though. So it's kind of moot.

Also, with this line, would Wallace ever have time to get deep? I say we move Wheaton to #3 and use him to stretch.

[Oviedo]

I think we all undervalued Mike Wallace. I still don't think the Steelers EVER give him 13m a year though. So it's kind of moot.

Also, with this line, would Wallace ever have time to get deep? I say we move Wheaton to #3 and use him to stretch.

Signing Wallace would had been a waste because the OL doesn't provide enough time fo him to get open deep. Letting Wallace go was the right decision given that our cap is so totally screwed up it will take 2-3 years to fix it.

[Dee Dub]

Signing Wallace would had been a waste because the OL doesn't provide enough time fo him to get open deep. Letting Wallace go was the right decision given that our cap is so totally screwed up it will take 2-3 years to fix it.

They had enough time to throw it deep to Brown and Sanders a few times last night. But those two can't get separation.

I think many Steelers fans forget how many slants and bubble screens Wallace caught and turned into big plays.

[feltdizz]

I think we all undervalued Mike Wallace. I still don't think the Steelers EVER give him 13m a year though. So it's kind of moot.

Also, with this line, would Wallace ever have time to get deep? I say we move Wheaton to #3 and use him to stretch.

yes Wallace would have time to go deep.. and so would Wheaton if we gave him a shot. No reason to pay 13 mill for a WR to run go routes...

[papillon]

I think we all undervalued Mike Wallace. I still don't think the Steelers EVER give him 13m a year though. So it's kind of moot.

Also, with this line, would Wallace ever have time to get deep? I say we move Wheaton to #3 and use him to stretch.

I thought for the most part that a quarterback of Ben's caliber had enough time last night to make plays. The problem was Ben's accuracy was off for most of the night. Ben missed some easy throws for him, IMO.

Pappy

[Slapstick]

I thought for the most part that a quarterback of Ben's caliber had enough time last night to make plays. The problem was Ben's accuracy was off for most of the night. Ben missed some easy throws for him, IMO.

Pappy

This is, unfortunately, very true...