Are The Steelers Turning The Corner

[flippy]

In general, I feel pretty good after that game last night.

At least better than I've felt about this team after other games so far this season.


Our D is starting to become serviceable without Watt which is a big step forward and is going to be something to build upon when he returns.

KP looks relaxed, mostly comfortable, and mostly accurate. While it wasn't perfect, I think he only threw 4 bad balls on 44 passes for the night and I'm not calling the INT when Chase fell a bad ball. He's really only had a very small number of bad throws all season and each one is either a lesson he can take away or an opportunity to ensure that he and his WRs are on the same page. I'm honestly not going to be surprised when he goes 44 for 44 in passing some game in the future.

But most of all, this team just hangs in there. After the first series, pretty much everyone thought this would be a repeat of the Bills game or worse. But it wasn't. We kept grinding. And we stayed close until the end. And quite honestly, that's probably going to be good enough to get us over the hump and respectable once everything starts clicking for KP.

We're only 2 games back in our division with plenty of games in front of us to get everything on the right path. I'm starting to believe we're closer than most realize.

[Eich]

Possibly.

I was definitely losing my $hit last night after Miami's first 2 drives but the D adjusted incredibly well (outside of missing a million ints).

Sadly, we now have to play the best team in the league next week. Nearly 0% chance of an upset there. And the Rats play the Bucs. We will most likely be 3 games back after that.

Starting the season at 2-6 is not a recipe for winning the division.

I'm just trying to enjoy watching Kenny progress without having high hopes for the season.

[Mick'sTeam]

I understand the point of the initial post, but when they're 2-7 and averaging 15 points a game with little to instill any confidence or noted improvement, it's really difficult for me to feel like we've turned the page in any positive way.

[NorthCoast]

Just checked it; one third of the league is averaging less than 20 pts/gm. Shockingly, that includes GB, last year's SB winner (LAR), a TB-led offense, and a team with a $40M/yr QB (DAL).

I don't think the Steelers have turned any corner. They looked to be wading around the bottom of the league (at least offensively). I watched a bunch of the DEN game. This team looks a lot like that one. Decent enough defense to keep things interesting but just a woeful offense.

[feltdizz]

Not yet.. if Kenny led us to a game winner we turned the corner.

We are close but have more work to do on offense.

[Oviedo]

In general, I feel pretty good after that game last night.

At least better than I've felt about this team after other games so far this season.


Our D is starting to become serviceable without Watt which is a big step forward and is going to be something to build upon when he returns.

KP looks relaxed, mostly comfortable, and mostly accurate. While it wasn't perfect, I think he only threw 4 bad balls on 44 passes for the night and I'm not calling the INT when Chase fell a bad ball. He's really only had a very small number of bad throws all season and each one is either a lesson he can take away or an opportunity to ensure that he and his WRs are on the same page. I'm honestly not going to be surprised when he goes 44 for 44 in passing some game in the future.

But most of all, this team just hangs in there. After the first series, pretty much everyone thought this would be a repeat of the Bills game or worse. But it wasn't. We kept grinding. And we stayed close until the end. And quite honestly, that's probably going to be good enough to get us over the hump and respectable once everything starts clicking for KP.

We're only 2 games back in our division with plenty of games in front of us to get everything on the right path. I'm starting to believe we're closer than most realize.

Some highs and lows last night. I'm always optimistic, but right now I'm more optimistic about a Top 10 draft pick than making the play offs. I didn't see anything from KP and the offense last night that would suggest we could score the points we need to win more than maybe 3-4 more games. I just don't see the "zip" on KP's throws that is see from the other elite young QBs, but Brady never had zip either. It is what it is and we have avoided a down season for a very long time. Perhaps with a rookie QB now is the time to have that season and get a strong draft position. Then it becomes getting the right pieces to take a step back into the play off picture next season.

[Starlifter]

Such a fine line between winning and losing in the nfl. Catch one of those interceptions and who knows? That’s what makes the nfl so great IMO. but to your point, I agree the Steelers are closer than many give them credit for. If they can fix the little things and get the offense more productive the season is still wide open. If not, could be a high draft pick next year.

But there are too many games left to declare this season lost. I’m still optimistic.

[Chucktownsteeler]

We are getting better, must be patient. Lowdermilk has helped the run defense as well.

Need a solid draft and things will get better. That and a new OC. Mark Whipple anyone?

[Northern_Blitz]

I hope that we can start putting some points on the board.

When Miami went for it on 4th instead of kicking the FG, I was kind of hopeful that we'd be able to turn that around.

But they were probably just thinking..."we only need 13 - 17 points to beat the Steelers, so it doesn't really matter if we don't score here."

Hopefully we seem some positive development of Pickett and the offense in the rest of the season.

[SidSmythe]

Defensively the Steelers have a few holes (assuming TJ is in the Lineup)
They adjusted well last night but they need a true NT and a Stud ILB who plays sideline to sideline.

This OFFENSE however just sucks and the personnel isn't the issue.
It's an OC who belongs in the NCAA & the whole league knows it.

[Chucktownsteeler]

Sutton's dropped int. led to 3 points for the 'Fins. He makes the int. the score is 13-10 at half. Who knows what happens then. You can't drop an int. that is gifted to you.

[Iron City Inc.]

In general, I feel pretty good after that game last night.

At least better than I've felt about this team after other games so far this season.


Our D is starting to become serviceable without Watt which is a big step forward and is going to be something to build upon when he returns.

KP looks relaxed, mostly comfortable, and mostly accurate. While it wasn't perfect, I think he only threw 4 bad balls on 44 passes for the night and I'm not calling the INT when Chase fell a bad ball. He's really only had a very small number of bad throws all season and each one is either a lesson he can take away or an opportunity to ensure that he and his WRs are on the same page. I'm honestly not going to be surprised when he goes 44 for 44 in passing some game in the future.

But most of all, this team just hangs in there. After the first series, pretty much everyone thought this would be a repeat of the Bills game or worse. But it wasn't. We kept grinding. And we stayed close until the end. And quite honestly, that's probably going to be good enough to get us over the hump and respectable once everything starts clicking for KP.

We're only 2 games back in our division with plenty of games in front of us to get everything on the right path. I'm starting to believe we're closer than most realize.

This is a good question. I would rather answer this at the end of the season as phase 1. After an off season where we'll have some $$$$ and a new draft class will be phase II. We have some talent but not enough at this time to be a contender. If KP8 is the real deal that is the big question.
OK is a bit of a wildcard at this time. Lots on his shoulders. I'm optimistic but we're venturing into a new era. I need to have more patience with these changes.

[Northern_Blitz]

Sutton's dropped int. led to 3 points for the 'Fins. He makes the int. the score is 13-10 at half. Who knows what happens then. You can't drop an int. that is gifted to you.

If he doesn't score on the pick, I think we get the same outcome.

[WindyCitySteel]

The offense is light years away from being competitive in the playoffs. I expect we'll get thumped badly by Philly next week, and again in a few weeks vs. Cincy, who has rounded into form. Buffalo and KC are so far ahead of the Steelers it's not funny.

Nothing changes until the organizational approach to offense changes. They're doing the bare minimum on offense and trying to win almost solely with defense.

[Chucktownsteeler]

If he doesn't score on the pick, I think we get the same outcome.

Naw, if we are down 13-10, we would have kicked a FG and went into OT.