Think about this for a moment...

[squidkid]

I was trying to figure out how I could objectively measure 'progressively better'. The problem is the target is always moving. Other teams are also getting progressively better. If you look at point differential per game, which should factor in offense and defensive performance there was actually a big step backward last season. Meanwhile NE has been on an uptrend with no sign of decline. So while I want to be positive, people keep bringing up the dream scenarios that just haven't happened consistently. All teams need to deal with adversity, just seems that Steelers struggle to do it quickly, and especially within game.

exactly. all teams had injuries to key players, all teams will participate in the draft and all teams will be active in FA(some actually acquiring studs), while our young defense should improve and our young wr and rb should improve(if he stays clean and doesnt leave), our qb is in the decline tho and the wait for the defense and young skill guys to step up may be too late for our qb.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

... All teams need to deal with adversity, just seems that Steelers struggle to do it quickly, and especially within game.

+1
I'm truly mystified how bad the Steelers seem to be at that. It doesn't even appear that they're just bad art making in-game adjustments, it looks like they're completely unfamiliar with the concept and therefore didn't even address it.

Since that can't be the case ... how can they possibly be so bad at doing that?

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

exactly. all teams had injuries to key players, all teams will participate in the draft and all teams will be active in FA(some actually acquiring studs), while our young defense should improve and our young wr and rb should improve(if he stays clean and doesnt leave), our qb is in the decline tho and the wait for the defense and young skill guys to step up may be too late for our qb.

Your post and Northcoast's seem really insightful. Summary: we thought we looked pretty hot going into this last season also, at least on offense, and look how many RZ FGs we had to kick, how many games we lost with hardly any points on the board ... With some exceptions, it's hard to predict how any season is going to go, IMO.

[Slapstick]

I was trying to figure out how I could objectively measure 'progressively better'. The problem is the target is always moving. Other teams are also getting progressively better. If you look at point differential per game, which should factor in offense and defensive performance there was actually a big step backward last season. Meanwhile NE has been on an uptrend with no sign of decline. So while I want to be positive, people keep bringing up the dream scenarios that just haven't happened consistently. All teams need to deal with adversity, just seems that Steelers struggle to do it quickly, and especially within game.

How to measure progressively better?

2013 - barely missed playoffs
2014 - made playoffs, but one-and-done
2015 - advanced to divisional round
2016 - advanced to AFC Championship game

The goalposts don't move...

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

How to measure progressively better?

2013 - barely missed playoffs
2014 - made playoffs, but one-and-done
2015 - advanced to divisional round
2016 - advanced to AFC Championship game

The goalposts don't move...

Well put, Mr. Slap!

[feltdizz]

How to measure progressively better?

2013 - barely missed playoffs
2014 - made playoffs, but one-and-done
2015 - advanced to divisional round
2016 - advanced to AFC Championship game

The goalposts don't move...

I know people are still mad about the loss to the Pats but the doom and gloom is amazing. You would think we missed the playoffs reading some critiques of this coaching staff.

How many any games did Brady lose as a starter last year? 1 game?

Losing to the best team in the league in their house isn't the sign of a bad FO or coaching staff. It's just one of those things we may have to accept. Pats may be a team we only beat if we play the perfect game in OUR house.

[SidSmythe]

All good stuff except Sammie Coates.
Eli Rogers has me more excited than him

[Real Deal Steel]

I'm excited about Eli Rodgers future. Not so much Sammie Coates. But if Coates goes out of his way this off-season to get those hands right and puts in his work on the receiving end, I'd be more then willing to give him first dibs on the opposite side of the AB.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

I'm excited about Eli Rodgers future. Not so much Sammie Coates. But if Coates goes out of his way this off-season to get those hands right and puts in his work on the receiving end, I'd be more then willing to give him first dibs on the opposite side of the AB.

If the reports are true that Coates' fingers are "mangled" and that he's missed the window for effective surgical repair, I'm not optimistic about his future with the Steelers. I agree about Eli, I think he could be a star if they utilize him well.

[Shawn]

I'm excited about Eli Rodgers future. Not so much Sammie Coates. But if Coates goes out of his way this off-season to get those hands right and puts in his work on the receiving end, I'd be more then willing to give him first dibs on the opposite side of the AB.

I agree, I think Eli Rodgers is the next great NFL slot.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I agree, I think Eli Rodgers is the next great NFL slot.

Rogers was certainly a solid NFL slot receiver in his first extended playing time with several of our offensive weapons missing large chunks of time. Imagine how open the middle of the field will be for Eli if he had a rededicated Martavis Bryant opposite of AB and a healthy Ladarius Green, plus Le'Veon Bell out of the backfield.

[Shawn]

Rogers was certainly a solid NFL slot receiver in his first extended playing time with several of our offensive weapons missing large chunks of time. Imagine how open the middle of the field will be for Eli if he had a rededicated Martavis Bryant opposite of AB and a healthy Ladarius Green, plus Le'Veon Bell out of the backfield.

It's scary to think about. Eli is so quick in and out of breaks, and really has terrific hands. He reminds me of AB when he first came into the league.

[Real Deal Steel]

I"m hoping like hell Bryant can come back and be as good as he was when he left. That would help a lot. I know we can't count on him but I'm keeping my fingers crossed none the less.

[NorthCoast]

I know people are still mad about the loss to the Pats but the doom and gloom is amazing. You would think we missed the playoffs reading some critiques of this coaching staff.

How many any games did Brady lose as a starter last year? 1 game?

Losing to the best team in the league in their house isn't the sign of a bad FO or coaching staff. It's just one of those things we may have to accept. Pats may be a team we only beat if we play the perfect game in OUR house.

The pain isn't from the loss, it's the way they lost that was most disturbing (for me anyway). HOU gave the Steelers a template to at least make the game competitive and yet we saw no semblance of it in the Steelers game. In fact, the Steelers seemed to 'do what they do' and we all know what the result was. If the game had been competitive and close and still a loss, then it wouldn't be such a disappointment. The manner in which they lost makes it seem like the Steelers have a long way to go to close the gap with NE.

[Starlifter]

the offense is likely the best it will ever be going into next season. The defense needs to step it up another notch. next year COULD be something really special. I'm not trying to be pessimistic - but I believe the weakest area of our team is now the coaching staff. I know, players gotta play - but if I had to pick the one problem area that I think is most impactful, it's coaching. And our coaching ain't being fixed anytime soon. This is not to suggest I want Tomlin gone. Nor Haley. Jury is still out on Butler for me. This is a very good coaching staff. I'm not ready to call it an elite coaching staff (though what munchak has done over the past few years with the O-line qualifies as elite) - and we better be coaching at an elite level come January.

At the end of the day however, the total team is measured in performance. I want an offense that averages 30 a game (their stated goal last year). i want a defense that averages only 15 point a game surrendered. I think we have the offense to do that. I think the defense is really close. If those numbers don't manifest themselves - we will enjoy the luxury of debating if it was the players, or the coaches all next year.