2012 Steelers will have first losing season since 2003

[BigRob]

Why post something as F-ing STUPID as this, is beyond me???

JD

What is beyond me, is why you think it is stupid to post an opinion on a message board. That makes you a f*cktard and you have a small penis to go with your small brain.

[AngryAsian]

Why post something as F-ing STUPID as this, is beyond me???

JD

Psssssttttt.....because its a message board and everyone is entitled to an opinion.

[AngryAsian]

What is beyond me, is why you think it is stupid to post an opinion on a message board. That makes you a f*cktard and you have a small penis to go with your small brain.

Easy Rob.... proliferation of the same ignorance via personal attacks not a good idea.

[hawaiiansteel]

Is it really required to have a gushing and glowing opinion to be welcome here? Is it really not okay to look at the team and be concerned?

What is more likely? We go 19-0 this year or the team has to struggle through:
1. DD injury
2. Mendy injury with IRed showing early nicks.
3. Wallace Drama
4. New Offense
5. Question about Foote in the middle
6. Clark aging and unable to play in Denver; Troy P. in his 30's
7. JH and Worilds not yet at full tilt
8. Gilbert struggling early
9. Questions at CB across for Ike

to name but a few


It is far more realistic to look at this team's barnacles and think there are choppy seas ahead rather than insisting everything is fine and predict a 19-0 record. Saying so doesn't make me a pessimist or chicken little, it makes me a realist with my eyes open. Telling someone their post is ****ing stupid because one doesn't agree with the OP is childish.

I do think the team is talented and I do think the team will be okay in the long run. There are few teams in the league that could overcome such early adversity; the Steelers are one of those teams. However, it is quite possible that this team is primed for a sluggish start and a couple more injuries could easily send the season into the tank. Pointing to the possibility doesn't make me a hater and it certainly doesn't mean I am rooting or hoping for a bad outcome. But some fans won't like to hear it so the response will be to attack the poster instead of looking at the source of the concerns and shedding positive light on how the team might overcome those concerns. Typical.

I guess with that, I won't be really welcome among these parts. Oh well.

great post $$$$
you're welcome in my neck of the woods anytime Pops...

[feltdizz]

"As long as Ben stays healthy" we have a chance to win a SB every year.... but if the D doesn't show up or plays like we are in Denver and it's 2009 we could have a long season.

The D is still the key to our success. We aren't winning any shoot outs anytime soon IMO.

[Sugar]

"As long as Ben stays healthy" we have a chance to win a SB every year.... but if the D doesn't show up or plays like we are in Denver and it's 2009 we could have a long season.

The D is still the key to our success. We aren't winning any shoot outs anytime soon IMO.

You've got an "AMEN" from me on that front. Ben is a big part of things, but there is a lot that has to go right in order to have a championship season.

[BigRob]

Easy Rob.... proliferation of the same ignorance via personal attacks not a good idea.

You are of course right. I apologize.

[pittpete]

Im cancelling DirectTV then if we havn't got a chance......
Of course this is a message board, but you have to be prepared to take it no matter what you post w/o overreacting.
You start a thread w/o backing it up.
You are entitled to an opinion but put some reasoning behind your post.
My 2 cents

[Slapstick]

I agree. Anyone can post an opinion on a message board, but that opens you up to merciless ridicule...

BTW, you can ridicule mercilessly and still be civil....

[flippy]

Is it really required to have a gushing and glowing opinion to be welcome here? Is it really not okay to look at the team and be concerned?

What is more likely? We go 19-0 this year or the team has to struggle through:
1. DD injury
2. Mendy injury with IRed showing early nicks.
3. Wallace Drama
4. New Offense
5. Question about Foote in the middle
6. Clark aging and unable to play in Denver; Troy P. in his 30's
7. JH and Worilds not yet at full tilt
8. Gilbert struggling early
9. Questions at CB across for Ike

to name but a few


It is far more realistic to look at this team's barnacles and think there are choppy seas ahead rather than insisting everything is fine and predict a 19-0 record. Saying so doesn't make me a pessimist or chicken little, it makes me a realist with my eyes open. Telling someone their post is ****ing stupid because one doesn't agree with the OP is childish.

I do think the team is talented and I do think the team will be okay in the long run. There are few teams in the league that could overcome such early adversity; the Steelers are one of those teams. However, it is quite possible that this team is primed for a sluggish start and a couple more injuries could easily send the season into the tank. Pointing to the possibility doesn't make me a hater and it certainly doesn't mean I am rooting or hoping for a bad outcome. But some fans won't like to hear it so the response will be to attack the poster instead of looking at the source of the concerns and shedding positive light on how the team might overcome those concerns. Typical.

I guess with that, I won't be really welcome among these parts. Oh well.

I gotta call you out on that #5 and #9 BS :P

Re: #5 - Larry Foote is an awesome football player. Way underrated. He's small and slow, but makes up for it with instincts. He's always been a steady eddy. He's one of the guys I have supreme confidence we can count on to perform well. He's never gonna be great, but a very solid player that will do what needs to be done play in and play out.

Re: #9 - I think Lewis and Allen have really stepped up in this preseason and our CBs are gonna be the strength of our defense. We've now got 3 big corners that can press. And Lebeau started to show it a little this preseason. Cortez is looking like he has the potential to be the best player in our secondary since the Woodsen and Lake days. This trio being big and able to press is gonna help us get pressure.

From what I've seen so far, I think the questions are still the same. Can the Steelers control the LOS? Get to the QB and protect the QB. That's why we couldn't get turnovers and why we can't keep Ben healthy for the playoffs.

Same questions as last year really.

Cause at the end of the day, Ben + Defense = Championships.

[Steelgal]

I also dont' feel as optomistic about this season as I normally do, but still ready for it to get here. If they can keep Ben upright and uninjured, anything is possible. The loss of Decastro though is big, as well as Adams not playing well in the preseason. I have faith in Starks, but he's coming off an injury as well. For the first time in recent years, I was excited about the oline, now it's as big of a concern as ever.

We've been thinner than usual at the running back position too because of injuries. And with Wallace holding out as long as he did, not sure how long it will take him and Ben to get onto the same page and get their timing down. I also hope Sanders can stay healthy. I didn't get to see the Bills game because I was at a soccer tourney, but in the prior 2 games our red zone production didn't look much better than last year.

The main concern on defense is our linebackers/depth. Who knows how Harrison will hold up. It seems like Worilds and Sylvestor can't stay healthy either. I don't remember a time when our LB depth was this spotty.

I know all teams sustain injuries and have to deal with that, but I just hope we can get some guys healthy and keep them that way. Ben's not getting any younger and can not continue to take the hits he has in the past.

I don't think it will be under .500 or feel doom and gloom, as long as we have a healthy Ben. But I'm a bit more reserved about how I think they do.

[Pops8]

I gotta call you out on that #5 and #9 BS :P

I'm fine with that and you backed yourself up with a thought process instead of resorting to ad hominem argument. That is how it should be done.

I don't want to derail the thread, but the CB's are new. They may be exciting, but until we see them in games it is still a potential question. Foote is also aging just like James Farrior did so the question is can he remain steady the entire year. I tend to believe he will be fine, but its one I've seen people throw out. I'd be happy to discuss the ups/downs/concerns on D if you want to do another thread.

[skyhawk]

This Offense knows it MUST score points and not depend on the D to be "#1" year and year out. A healthy slimmed down BB and a nice receiving corps makes me excited more than previous seasons, ESPECIALLY IF they can get to scoring in the red zone.

If our D can produce more TO's (and not just fewest yards and TD's etc) the O will have a much shorter field to work with. Getting the ball inside the 10 more than any other team in the league just hurts (after our D makes stops - but not turnovers) this teams ability to score. The D was just utterly PATHETIC in creating turnovers last year.

[hawaiiansteel]

Will Todd Haley's offense pay dividends?

NFL.com
Aug. 28, 2012


Pittsburgh Steelers

2011 record: 12-4 (Second in AFC North)
2011 statistics | 2012 Preseason Statistics | Roster | Tickets

Fearless Forecast

Bucky Brooks

Mike Tomlin wants the Steelers to return to their running roots, but the lack of a franchise running back will force Ben Roethlisberger to shoulder the offensive load again in 2012.

Prediction: 9-7, third in AFC North

Daniel Jeremiah

The Steelers will be legitimate contenders as long as Ben Roethlisberger is healthy and Dick LeBeau is running the defense. However, a lot of moving parts need to come together on offense, and the older defensive stars must avoid injury.
Prediction: 8-8, third in AFC North

Adam Schein

I'm very concerned about the offensive line, the health of Rashard Mendenhall, the happiness of Mike Wallace, whether or not Wallace will learn the new playbook and the dynamic between Ben Roethlisberger and Todd Haley.

Prediction: 8-8, third in AFC North

Steve Wyche

The Todd Haley-Ben Roethlisberger union will bear huge fruit. The Steelers' offense will ring up a lot of points and let the defense tee off.

Prediction: 11-5, second in AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers 2012 Schedule

Wk Date Matchup TV Time

1 Sun, Sept. 9 at Denver Broncos NBC 8:20 p.m.
2 Sun, Sept. 16 vs. New York Jets CBS 4:25 p.m.
3 Sun, Sept. 23 at Oakland Raiders CBS 4:25 p.m.
4 Bye
5 Sun, Oct. 7 vs. Philadelphia Eagles FOX 1 p.m.
6 Thu, Oct. 11 at Tennessee Titans NFLN 8:20 p.m.
7 Sun, Oct. 21 at Cincinnati Bengals NBC 8:20 p.m.
8 Sun, Oct. 28 vs. Washington Redskins FOX 1 p.m.
9 Sun, Nov. 4 at New York Giants CBS 4:25 p.m.
10 Mon, Nov. 12 vs. Kansas City Chiefs ESPN 8:30 p.m.
11 Sun, Nov. 18 vs. Baltimore Ravens NBC 8:20 p.m.
12 Sun, Nov. 25 at Cleveland Browns CBS 1 p.m.
13 Sun, Dec. 2 at Baltimore Ravens CBS 4:25 p.m.
14 Sun, Dec. 9 vs. San Diego Chargers CBS 1 p.m.
15 Sun, Dec. 16 at Dallas Cowboys CBS 4:25 p.m.
16 Sun, Dec. 23 vs. Cincinnati Bengals CBS 1 p.m.
17 Sun, Dec. 30 vs. Cleveland Browns CBS 1 p.m.

[URL]http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000054822/article/will-todd-haleys-offense-pay-dividends[/URL]

[aggiebones]

7-9 is absolutely the worst case scenario.