Steelers showed Black and Gold heart and backbone to finish the season.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Yeah, we don't have any right to complain that Suckup missed that kick, we have no one but ourselves to blame for needing help to get in.

But the way we finished this season said something, IMO. Our players didn't lie down, they kept fighting, and they just about made it in. No style points in the NFL, I know, but still ... I feel good about how they finished out.

And ... I don't care if it's petty ... I feel really good that we came out ahead in some small fashion of the Ravens, and the Wall-ass Fins.

Thanks for a great season, fellow Planet brothers and sisters -

Next Year!

[buccoray61]

This season sure went by quick.

[SidSmythe]

I'm just bummed b/c the Steelers actually have a chance of going on the road and beating Cincy. San Diego can't barely beat backups at home. Can you say 1 and done??

[Ernie]

they showed some guts, and I give them credit.

in reality though... we've got a real uphill battle, with some serious rebuilding to be done if we are going to be contenders year in and year out..

[SteelBucks]

I hate moral victories.

[tiproast]

Nice turnaround by you guys after the bad start - every team in the league is probably glad the Steelers are out of the playoffs.

[SteelBuckeye]

Nice turnaround by you guys after the bad start - every team in the league is probably glad the Steelers are out of the playoffs.

Classy post

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Nah, not a moral victory, I don't like those either.
I'm not sure how far we would have gotten against a decent QB in the playoffs anyway.

Just acknowledgement that these guys played some good football at the end (6-2), when other teams might easily have laid down.

One thing ... I can't figure out how our sucky sucky O-line all of a sudden turned pretty decent. I mean, did someone steal their souls and replace them with real players? Or was it just as simple all this time as having Ben get rid of the ball quicker? Geesh!

[SteelBuckeye]

Nah, not a moral victory, I don't like those either.
I'm not sure how far we would have gotten against a decent QB in the playoffs anyway.

Just acknowledgement that these guys played some good football at the end (6-2), when other teams might easily have laid down.

One thing ... I can't figure out how our sucky sucky O-line all of a sudden turned pretty decent. I mean, did someone steal their souls and replace them with real players? Or was it just as simple all this time as having Ben get rid of the ball quicker? Geesh!

I truly believe it was as simple as having Ben buy into getting rid of the ball quicker. After that, Bell is as patient a runner as I have ever seen and finds holes ... not quickly ... but decisively.

[SteelBucks]

Nah, not a moral victory, I don't like those either.
I'm not sure how far we would have gotten against a decent QB in the playoffs anyway.

Just acknowledgement that these guys played some good football at the end (6-2), when other teams might easily have laid down.

One thing ... I can't figure out how our sucky sucky O-line all of a sudden turned pretty decent. I mean, did someone steal their souls and replace them with real players? Or was it just as simple all this time as having Ben get rid of the ball quicker? Geesh!

The 6-2 finish probably saved Haley's job. I'm OK with it....

[Ernie]

the question is...did it buy tomlin a few more years? How many does he have to lose next year to be on the hot seat?

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

The 6-2 finish probably saved Haley's job. I'm OK with it....

And Ben had one of his best seasons ever. With an injured, barely pro-level O-line like that!

Somebody's got to take the blame for the amazingly good turnaround of the Offense this season ... may as well be the O-coordinator, why not, right!

BTW - I just did a genealogy check - Ryan Succop is Scott Norwood's (aka, the original "Mr. Wide Right"!) 2nd cousin!!!

OK, I'm just kidding about that, but I swear this is from his Wikipedia entry at the current time (it may be edited later, right?):

"He became the 2009 [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Irrelevant"]Mr. Irrelevant[/URL] by virtue of being selected by the Chiefs with the final pick of the [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NFL_Draft"]2009 NFL Draft[/URL]. "

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!

[proudsteelerfamily]

I agree. Could have packed it in after 0-4 start. Finished out the season nicely.
I had no hope at the start of this day but now I am PISSED. All of the missed opportunities. Ugh.

[Steeler Shades]

the question is...did it buy tomlin a few more years? How many does he have to lose next year to be on the hot seat?

12. The only way Tomlin needs to worry about his job is if the Steelers lose 12+ games next year. Even then he only needs to worry about being on the hot seat.....unless they go 0-16 it's unlikely the Rooneys will do anything about him.

[SteelBucks]

And Ben had one of his best seasons ever. With an injured, barely pro-level O-line like that!

Somebody's got to take the blame for the amazingly good turnaround of the Offense this season ... may as well be the O-coordinator, why not, right!

BTW - I just did a genealogy check - Ryan Succop is Scott Norwood's (aka, the original "Mr. Wide Right"!) 2nd cousin!!!

OK, I'm just kidding about that, but I swear this is from his Wikipedia entry at the current time (it may be edited later, right?):

"He became the 2009 [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Irrelevant"]Mr. Irrelevant[/URL] by virtue of being selected by the Chiefs with the final pick of the [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NFL_Draft"]2009 NFL Draft[/URL]. "

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!

I still give them a C- grade. Someone also has to take the blame for the 2-6 start. 8-8 is so unfulfilling.