What is success from here forward in 2022?

[SteelerOfDeVille]

We're starting a rookie QB, we know that. He's growing, we know that.

But, if I had come to you 3 weeks ago and said, "From 2-6, what is successful?"
Apart from the obvious "progress by KP and the offense as a whole", I'm guessing that most would have said "there are 8 games left, I'd like to see ~4 more wins". That would be 6-11.

Three weeks later, the team sits at 4-7. I'm guessing that 6-11 is no longer acceptable as showing progress. That point leads to both an observation (as a question) then the actual question.

Observation: Is this team growing / progressing right before our eyes and changing our expectations?

Now the actual Question: Apart from the obvious (progress by KP, etc), how many more games does the team have to win for your personal comfort that this ship is headed in the right direction?

[LAMBERT72]

As a fan of a winning team and with the history of our Steelers anything short of winning the Superbowl is a flop.

The season, taking for granted that we will not enter the play-offs, is disappointing. Period.

I don't have a lot of faith that the team is going in the right direction, especially because for next year I expect, we need, a lot of changes: a new OC, maybe a new DC, 2/5 of the OL, a stud iLB, a rejuvenated DL, CBs...

It's the first year of one, I hope I'm wrong, long transition and, of course, the more victories the better (I can't stand defeat)... but we still have a journey of 2-3 years to be contenders... no matter what games we win this year.

With all of my respect. Just my two cents.

[flippy]

We're starting a rookie QB, we know that. He's growing, we know that.

But, if I had come to you 3 weeks ago and said, "From 2-6, what is successful?"
Apart from the obvious "progress by KP and the offense as a whole", I'm guessing that most would have said "there are 8 games left, I'd like to see ~4 more wins". That would be 6-11.

Three weeks later, the team sits at 4-7. I'm guessing that 6-11 is no longer acceptable as showing progress. That point leads to both an observation (as a question) then the actual question.

Observation: Is this team growing / progressing right before our eyes and changing our expectations?

Now the actual Question: Apart from the obvious (progress by KP, etc), how many more games does the team have to win for your personal comfort that this ship is headed in the right direction?

SuperBowl or Bust baby!!!!!

9 more wins to go

[NorthCoast]

success = playing good enough to get the win but poorly enough for Canada to be fired.

The talk now is that Canada might stick if the offense continues to thrive.

There was a very telling comment made by Pickett after the game; he was asked about the playcall on the Snell TD. Pickett said he, Sullivan, and Tomlin discussed it as an option based on the look the defense gave them. hmmm...why was Canada's name not mentioned by Pickett???

[SteelerOfDeVille]

As a fan of a winning team and with the history of our Steelers anything short of winning the Superbowl is a flop.

The season, taking for granted that we will not enter the play-offs, is disappointing. Period.

I don't have a lot of faith that the team is going in the right direction, especially because for next year I expect, we need, a lot of changes: a new OC, maybe a new DC, 2/5 of the OL, a stud iLB, a rejuvenated DL, CBs...

It's the first year of one, I hope I'm wrong, long transition and, of course, the more victories the better (I can't stand defeat)... but we still have a journey of 2-3 years to be contenders... no matter what games we win this year.

With all of my respect. Just my two cents.

I agree with most of this. Our expectations are high because we always believe we are a contender, even in years where we know better.

A tiny part of me is secretly wondering, "what would happen if they went 5-1 in these last 6 games?" It's unrealistic, but is it? Falcons, Panthers, Raiders, Browns are all beatable by this Steelers team.
Could they split with the Ravens?
Would 9-8 make the playoffs?

All that seems crazy to say, but it's just what we think of our team and how we set our expectations. Do you realize how legendary this season would be if they could pull that off?

OK, "flippy mode off".... If they have a record of 3-3, with 2 losses to the Ravens, I'd be good. It would mean they went 3-1 against the others and are ascending to where they should be.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

success = playing good enough to get the win but poorly enough for Canada to be fired.

The talk now is that Canada might stick if the offense continues to thrive.

There was a very telling comment made by Pickett after the game; he was asked about the playcall on the Snell TD. Pickett said he, Sullivan, and Tomlin discussed it as an option based on the look the defense gave them. hmmm...why was Canada's name not mentioned by Pickett???

that reminds me - did y'all see that Josh Dobbs was cut to make room for Deshaun Watson? I have a feeling he'd be a good addition to help Pickett - he's a super smart guy and Ben used him A LOT. He'd be a good pick up during the offseason

[TheRealTazz864]

We're starting a rookie QB, we know that. He's growing, we know that.

But, if I had come to you 3 weeks ago and said, "From 2-6, what is successful?"
Apart from the obvious "progress by KP and the offense as a whole", I'm guessing that most would have said "there are 8 games left, I'd like to see ~4 more wins". That would be 6-11.

Three weeks later, the team sits at 4-7. I'm guessing that 6-11 is no longer acceptable as showing progress. That point leads to both an observation (as a question) then the actual question.

Observation: Is this team growing / progressing right before our eyes and changing our expectations?

Now the actual Question: Apart from the obvious (progress by KP, etc), how many more games does the team have to win for your personal comfort that this ship is headed in the right direction?

Success for me would be listers understanding that, while they may be part of the organization, they are not part of the team, and are not allowed between the white lines during the game... Whatever Youth team you're a part of can start whatever rookie you want... It has no impact on Piittsburgh's success...
To judge success, you don't have to be results oriented... "Progressing" is not necessarily a destination... Progress, with another descriptor (IE, "Progress in completion percentage..." can be quantified, so the arrow can be pointing up or down...) Success is the same way... Success needs a descriptor....
A closer-to-home example might be the feud, here... A certain party thinks they are making "baby steps" by backhandedly complimenting another... that isn't trying, it's just putting your $h|t in a prettier bag...

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Success for me would be listers understanding that, while they may be part of the organization, they are not part of the team, and are not allowed between the white lines during the game... Whatever Youth team you're a part of can start whatever rookie you want... It has no impact on Piittsburgh's success...

good luck with that

[Steel Maniac]

success = playing good enough to get the win but poorly enough for Canada to be fired.

The talk now is that Canada might stick if the offense continues to thrive.

There was a very telling comment made by Pickett after the game; he was asked about the playcall on the Snell TD. Pickett said he, Sullivan, and Tomlin discussed it as an option based on the look the defense gave them. hmmm...why was Canada's name not mentioned by Pickett???

My God, I hope Canada possibly staying is not true.

Success would be being able to make a definitive decision on Pickett's future with us..one way or the other. We already know Pickens is going to be our lead WR for the near future.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

what is successful?

Going into the off season knowing what your primary needs are and having fewer than we think now. There are 25 starting positions on a team plus needed depth across the board.

As an example, take the D backfield:

If we find a CB1, are we comfortable/set with Wallace, Spoon, Maulet?
Sutton & Pierre are FA, do we want either back?
WJ3 has a cap hit almost $13M next year. Obviously he is not in the picture since he still hasn't stepped on the field.
Have we seen enough to want to keep Edmunds?

The answers don't always have to be yes, but we do need answers. Yes is better than no, but knowing you are ready to part ways with a player gives you focus on the next steps.

[WindyCitySteel]

Win and get in with many young/current players on an upward arc, most importantly Kenny. What if we got in averaging 24-26 PPG these last 8 games?

[TheRealTazz864]

success = playing good enough to get the win but poorly enough for Canada to be fired.

The talk now is that Canada might stick if the offense continues to thrive.

There was a very telling comment made by Pickett after the game; he was asked about the playcall on the Snell TD. Pickett said he, Sullivan, and Tomlin discussed it as an option based on the look the defense gave them. hmmm...why was Canada's name not mentioned by Pickett???

Maybe his input was assumed, the others mentioned were not expected to have usable input... Just like when you multiply fractions you don't write 3/2 x 2/1, you write 3/2 x 2....

[NorthCoast]

that reminds me - did y'all see that Josh Dobbs was cut to make room for Deshaun Watson? I have a feeling he'd be a good addition to help Pickett - he's a super smart guy and Ben used him A LOT. He'd be a good pick up during the offseason

He might make a good (young) QB coach. Sullivan can find work elsewhere. Or let Rudolph walk after this season and bring Dobbs back as QB#3.

[NorthCoast]

Maybe his input was assumed, the others mentioned were not expected to have usable input... Just like when you multiply fractions you don't write 3/2 x 2/1, you write 3/2 x 2....

Maybe his opinion wasn't wanted or needed. Why go to your line manager when you got dept. head approval?

[Northern_Blitz]

We're starting a rookie QB, we know that. He's growing, we know that.

But, if I had come to you 3 weeks ago and said, "From 2-6, what is successful?"
Apart from the obvious "progress by KP and the offense as a whole", I'm guessing that most would have said "there are 8 games left, I'd like to see ~4 more wins". That would be 6-11.

Three weeks later, the team sits at 4-7. I'm guessing that 6-11 is no longer acceptable as showing progress. That point leads to both an observation (as a question) then the actual question.

Observation: Is this team growing / progressing right before our eyes and changing our expectations?

Now the actual Question: Apart from the obvious (progress by KP, etc), how many more games does the team have to win for your personal comfort that this ship is headed in the right direction?

I don't think wins really matter this season (unless we run the table or lose 1 game).

We're almost certainly going to miss the playoffs.

Developing Kenny is obviously the most important thing.

But I'd also like to play other guys who's roles might expand next season. Leal, Pierre, Kazee (if resigned...is one of Kazee / Edmunds coming back), too bad Austin isn't available to get snaps, etc.

It's not trying to lose, but it's more about optimizing for competitiveness next season over the rest of this season.