Will We Finish Below .500

[Eddie Spaghetti]

I think the ceiling for this team is 8-7-1

better hope at least 4 of those 8 come in the division

[feltdizz]

Felt,

let me ask you something...Cam Heyward said after the game "We didn't kick enough butt." I mentioned this in the draft...I don't see swagger, I don't see intimdation, I don't see statements. I think Mahomes is the real deal, but often they say the NFL windows are so small for young QB's. From what I saw today, the windows were huge for KC QB.

Something is missing from the D...and it's been missing for a while now.

brothervad

I guess I should actually ask you a question...

Am I missing something or is there something there to my observation about our D not having that swagger that we used to see no too long ago?

Yeah, our D doesn’t have that nasty edge we used to have.

I honestly think it’s time to go to the 4-3.

We are drafting D early but we aren’t getting DB’s with a nasty streak.

[Buzz]

Yeah, our D doesn’t have that nasty edge we used to have.

Time for coach Tomlin to unleash heck?

[papillon]

Felt,

let me ask you something...Cam Heyward said after the game "We didn't kick enough butt." I mentioned this in the draft...I don't see swagger, I don't see intimdation, I don't see statements. I think Mahomes is the real deal, but often they say the NFL windows are so small for young QB's. From what I saw today, the windows were huge for KC QB.

Something is missing from the D...and it's been missing for a while now.

brothervad

I guess I should actually ask you a question...

Am I missing something or is there something there to my observation about our D not having that swagger that we used to see no too long ago?

Brothervad, what appears to be happening with this defense, imo, is that they have talented players but they can't be the lead dog, in other words, they are good players but they need someone else to be the alpha male on defense. If this defense had someone like Harrison in his prime, or Casey Hampton in his prime, or Gregg Lloyd in his prime, then Heywrd, Tuitt, Watt, et al would be great. I just don't see a lead dog on this defense anywhere, talented players but not capable of leading the defense.

Pappy

[pittpete]

Butlers defense has given up
45
17
42
points in the last 3 games..

Leaves a bad taste in your mouth..

On the other hand today's type of game leaves you scratching your head.
Reminds me of when we chose to play so much zone vs. Brady in the playoff game.
I don't know if they could can Butler now because we don't have anyone in house to promote do we?

[Terrapin]

Tomlin should have been fired years ago. 3-5 in his last 8 playoff games. Those wins were against Cincy (when Burfect and Pacman giftwrapped it for us), Miami (with their backup QB), and KC (a perennial playoff choker).

I know Tomlin has lot of cool quips, he looks the part, etc, but this team has tuned him out. I know the fanboys on here will defend him to their deaths, but even the national talking heads are talking about it now.

[Buzz]

Tomlin's job security is nearly like that of a U.S. Supreme Court justice. He could have a winless season and the Steelers won't fire him.

If we finish - .500, they might ax the OC, though.

[Ernie]

In the last 12 quarters of football (including 4 against CLE) our Defense has given up well over 100 points.. I don't think the OC is the problem.

[Buzz]

In the last 12 quarters of football (including 4 against CLE) our Defense has given up well over 100 points.. I don't think the OC is the problem.

I don't either. But that was who they made to be the scapegoat last time.

[Ernie]

This is true.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

I don't either. But that was who they made to be the scapegoat last time.

Scapegoat, or deserved? I think I kind of remember he made some horrible calls in our loss against the **s (or maybe Jags?) last year.

[feltdizz]

Butlers defense has given up
45
17
42
points in the last 3 games..

Leaves a bad taste in your mouth..

On the other hand today's type of game leaves you scratching your head.
Reminds me of when we chose to play so much zone vs. Brady in the playoff game.
I don't know if they could can Butler now because we don't have anyone in house to promote do we?

whats really pitiful is the last 2 home games we gave up 40+

I’m not really mad at the Cleveland game. We gave up the ball 6 times and held them to 17 points. Rather impressive. LOL

[pittpete]

Seems like the good OC's have found a weakness in our already weak D..
Notice Haley couldn't take advantage of knowing our defense...LOL

[Starlifter]

I think tomlin is a good coach - and he's not going anywhere.

but the truth of the matter is we haven't had a dominating defense since superbowl 43 - and that was their last gasp. Tomlin is supposed to be a defensive coach - but whether it's scheme or players, we aren't pushing anyone around. This is not an old defense - but they aren't playing with any sort of youthful edge or abandon. And as far as the 3-4 goes - we don't have the LB's to get the sacks anymore. And even a guy making his second start seems to have figured out the soft spots in our zones. We don't intimidate, we don't impose our will, we don't innovate and thus we are getting hammered.

I said in another thread, take bell's money and get some better players now. but that won't happen. too many holes to fix. I think butler is/should be on the hot seat. far easier to replace a DC than your entire secondary.

call me crazy - but if I were tomlin I'd be calling rex ryan right about now......

[NorthCoast]

I think tomlin is a good coach - and he's not going anywhere.

but the truth of the matter is we haven't had a dominating defense since superbowl 43 - and that was their last gasp. Tomlin is supposed to be a defensive coach - but whether it's scheme or players, we aren't pushing anyone around. This is not an old defense - but they aren't playing with any sort of youthful edge or abandon. And as far as the 3-4 goes - we don't have the LB's to get the sacks anymore. And even a guy making his second start seems to have figured out the soft spots in our zones. We don't intimidate, we don't impose our will, we don't innovate and thus we are getting hammered.

I said in another thread, take bell's money and get some better players now. but that won't happen. too many holes to fix. I think butler is/should be on the hot seat. far easier to replace a DC than your entire secondary.

call me crazy - but if I were tomlin I'd be calling rex ryan right about now......

Who are these 'better players' you are expecting the Steelers to sign?
There continues to be too many breakdowns on defense. Guys running free in their routes. Nothing being contested. These 11 guys are playing like 11 guys, not like a team. Not sure who to blame but suspect it can be spread around pretty fairly.