Why Tomlin can't win playoff games

[TheRealTazz864]

NO ONE gives a rat's @ss who questions what fandom, just so you are aware.

Good... Then you won't care that your negativity calls your fandom towards the Steelers, specifically, into question...

Let's look at some positive reasons for being optimistic:
Let's look at the other side of the Steelers low-scoring offense...

team allowed average

Bungles 20 26
TB 18 18.2
NO 10 19.4
Ind 17 17
Atl 16 21.5
Car 16 20.4
Vegas 10 23.2
Bal 13 20.4
Cle 14 21.2


EVERY win, REPEAT, EVERY win; the Steelers held their opponents at (once) or below (every other victory...) their season average... Great job Coach Austin...

[flippy]

Or maybe they were shell shocked after Pouncey made the biggest mistake of his life? Probably something he never screwed up so bad even in peewee?

I don't think that we can say they weren't "mentally prepared to play". DTDs shake teams. I'd imagine that it's worse when it's the first play of the game. And when the horrendous mistake is a guy who is a big leader on the team.

They did come back strong in the second half...which some might credit to the coach (because Tomlin's teams have generally not given up on games or seasons). But I think we could argue that Ben played a huge part in that too. Because he always had the heart of a lion and that part didn't decline with age.

It was nice to see that the team didn't fold this year despite the putrid start.

Re: Pouncey, I remember his snaps being all over the place for a while. Maybe I’m exaggerating but it felt like he had an awful snap or 2 every game that year.

The playoff one was the worst, but he was like the Brett Maher of Cs. Completely off for some reason.

[flippy]

You aren't fully grasping what we are saying; we aren't pinning the losses on "coaching errors" as in game time mistakes, etc. (although there are those). We are pinning it on the head man in control of everything, not getting it done. It doesn't mean just on game day. That includes lack of team discipline (as we have heard do many players mention), lack of team focus, lack of attention to details, lack of quality, modern play calling, all of it. It all accumulates and adds up to a team not truly contending, and hasn't for more than the 6 years sans a playoff win.

We are not on a path to contending, not as we sit right now. Those 8 teams still alive in the playoffs? They can all argue they are on the path to contention, even the Jags. We are not, because our HC is not competent. The Jags, KC, Bills, Cinci, Dallas, Philly, NYG, 9ers - all can feel they are contending, or realistically on their way. Why can't we? Cool Shades and an ownership that accepts .500 football as the new standard. As long as the team value and revenues keep pointing up, Art II is content.

I hear your complaints but think you are taking them a little far in some of the criticisms which get you a little out of sync with others.

Things like the lack of attention to details and lack of team focus are just off if you pay attention to enough players.

Tomlin is into every detail and calls guys out to an almost passive aggressive level if you listen to former players.

And the team never gives up after getting blown out in a first half of a game or having an insurmountable bad start to the season.

Tomlin’s focus / enthusiasm is second to none by all accounts.

If you want to question his gut, his talent evaluation, his clock management, etc. that’s all fair and I don’t think you’ll get that much push back from folks. No one is arguing Tomlin is a savaant of Xs and Os.

I’d also say he’s fine with keeping guys accountable. WTF does any do with a guy like AB? I think Tomlin has the EQ to understand he’s gotta treat everyone different to get the max out of every guy. Dealing with million dollar divas can’t be easy and the majority of guys respect Tomlin league wide and I think he’s aright there too.

[T.Ferguson]

"Things like the lack of attention to details and lack of team focus are just off if you pay attention to enough players."

I judge what I see on the field and the team in numerous games shows a definite lack of attention to detail and focus. I would suggest folks go back and check out that Browns playoff game. I've never seen a team look so bad in a playoff game, it was like everyone was on drugs, it was so bizarre. Or check out the first play the Steelers ran against the Chiefs, it looked like the offense hadn't even practiced. The list goes on.

[NJ-STEELER]

I didn't know it was Ben who allowed Mayfield to just hit that 40 yard TD pass. Ben played defense too? Wow. Mayfield looked like a stud that day. And Chubbs and Hunt too. Guess Ben is responsible for that too. It was a total team loss. All phases of the game were ill prepared to play.

Iirc. 28-7 with 1 turnover from Ben at the time.

[Captain Lemming]

NO ONE gives a rat's @ss who questions what fandom, just so you are aware.

You are incorrect sir. I was not talking to you.

You really need to read the QUESTION I was REPLYING to before you go embarrassing yourself.

I was addressing HIS question. HE seems upset that people question his fandom. I told HIM why.

[Steel Maniac]

Iirc. 28-7 with 1 turnover from Ben at the time.

Exactly as I said. It was the entire team that was unprepared to play.

[feltdizz]

Iirc. 28-7 with 1 turnover from Ben at the time.

WATCH THE GAMES!!!

Ben had 3 INT’s before we scored a TD

Bad snap: 7-0
7 play INT: 14-0
3 and out: 21-0
3 plays INT returned to our 15: 28-0
11 plays punt: 28-0

2nd Qtr.. lol.

3 plays INT: 28-0

Does that change your view of Ben in that game?

When you recall things this way it tells us all we need to know. You have a alternate reality when it comes to Ben’s play later in his career.

3 INT’s in the first 18 minutes of the game.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/playbyplay/_/gameId/401220394

[feltdizz]

Exactly as I said. It was the entire team that was unprepared to play.

exactly wrong.

The offense committed 4 turnovers before we scored a TD in that game.

How in the world do you guys not remember this since its all you seem to talk about?

[Northern_Blitz]

Re: Pouncey, I remember his snaps being all over the place for a while. Maybe I’m exaggerating but it felt like he had an awful snap or 2 every game that year.

The playoff one was the worst, but he was like the Brett Maher of Cs. Completely off for some reason.

I agree that it had been simmering for a while.

I think PFF had downgraded him for that (and probably other reasons) for a while.