Reality Check...

[cruzer8]

Re: Reality Check...

Actually, there is one thing Chadman hadn't thought of but feltdizz got Chadman's mind working..

Does anyone think that Ben's off field trouble could be effecting the team on the field?

When your franchise QB, all $100 million of him, is involved in legal trouble that simply won't go away, does it play negatively on the minds of your teammates?

Could it be partially to blame for the total lack of desire that we see before us?

No.

[DHSF]

Re: Reality Check...

Actually, there is one thing Chadman hadn't thought of but feltdizz got Chadman's mind working..

Does anyone think that Ben's off field trouble could be effecting the team on the field?

When your franchise QB, all $100 million of him, is involved in legal trouble that simply won't go away, does it play negatively on the minds of your teammates?

Could it be partially to blame for the total lack of desire that we see before us?

no.

[AngryAsian]

Re: Reality Check...

Actually, there is one thing Chadman hadn't thought of but feltdizz got Chadman's mind working..

Does anyone think that Ben's off field trouble could be effecting the team on the field?

When your franchise QB, all $100 million of him, is involved in legal trouble that simply won't go away, does it play negatively on the minds of your teammates?

Could it be partially to blame for the total lack of desire that we see before us?

Though your contention has merit, Chadman, I can't see any real impact on this season... because if you look at the Tiger situation (4th woman to come out and name him cheater) the Ben thing, which has gotten no news as of late, pales in comparison. Nope, I think this is a colossal SB Hangover.

[Chadman]

Re: Reality Check...

So no then?

You guys are talking as if the Steelers have only been bad recently- but really, they've been lethargic all season. For all the close losses, it's not like they've dominated in their wins either.

Chadman won't discount any adverse effect that would come from knowing your QB, the most important guy on the team, the guy that can almost single-handedly dictate the fortunes of your team, might be in serious legal trouble.

[Steel Life]

Re: Reality Check...

The 'reality' of it is this- in Chadman's opinion-

We can't blame injuries for this season. The Steelers have been in a position every week to win, yet they have found ways to lose games. The fact that they are in these games proves that they have the talent to win them. It's not skill that is holding them back, but attitude.

They are not hungry.

It's much like 2006- they've come back from the pinnicle, and have been caught having a nap thinking how great they are.

The Defense is playing soft- both in the playcalling & effort on the field. The offense isn't putting teams away. ST's is horrid.

There are some highlights this season- Mike Wallace's play, improved OL play, Rashard Mendenhall...

But in the end, this season will be known as a wasted season- one where they had the NFL at it's feet, and decided to take the year off.

Chad - I'll agree with the seeming lack of urgency on the team, the ST's & the defense to a point, but I do feel that injuries have had a much bigger effect on the team. Not because any one player is irreplaceable (though Troy comes close), but the injuries to Troy & Aaron continue to haunt us throughout these losses as the players we have simply aren't as good in the scheme & it all adds up to a compounding effect. Granted the team is talented enough to be competitive regardless, but they're still playing with 3rd & 4th string DE's, & a 3rd string QB & free-agent rookie OL & it has an effect.

That said, this is a team in transition & one where both the players & the coaching has been suspect. I didn't had too much to complain about with Tomlin's approach this season, but he needs to hold everyone accountable & make some hard decisions going forward.

[TallyStiller]

Re: Reality Check...

The Steelers DID dominate San Diego. They DID dominate Denver... at least for a half in each case. That is the frustrating thing... this team is capable of absolutely owning anybody who lines up in front of them. How do you go from putting Minnesota's only "L" on the board to losing to freaking OAKLAND at home in a month's time? This team has regressed badly.

I honestly thought that they were capable of greatness, along the lines of '75 Steelers greatness. But the mistakes they are making show us why those teams were great - how do you maintain your focus when the bright light of expectation is on you and everybody is gunning for you? These Steelers are top 1/3 of the league in total offense and total defense, and have lost 6 games by a total of 21 points. Moreover, they've given up 8 non - offensive return touchdowns and left countless points on the field by failing to convert 4th and 1's, throwing picks or fumbling in the red zone. Those were plays that got made last year. Somebody always stepped up. This year's version is satisfied with what they did last year. That's not talent or coaching. It's effort and leadership.

I think leadership is playing a huge role. Ben's legal case, while nothing more really than a nuisance, does indicate a continuing immaturity that last really surfaced in 2006 in the riding without a helmet business. He is who he is... just like with Brett Favre when he threw all those bad picks in Green Bay, you take the good with the bad and thank God that there's not a media horde and millions of people dissecting every minute detail of your life and job performance. But it's not the only thing.

Deshea got old fast this year. I think he played a bigger role on this team than anybody suspected. Gotta wonder if Casey's contract situation is having a negative locker room impact - he's always seemed like a guy with a larger than life personality who could be trouble if he's unhappy... we'll call it the "Faneca effect" ... and it doesn't have to get reported on in the media to be real. Silverback got paid. So did Kemo and Heath. Willie didn't. Some of the leaders on the team inherited from the Cowher era are really beginning to fade, and new ones are being looked to... and it seems as if we might be experiencing some growing pains in the transition.

[NW Steeler]

Re: Reality Check...

I don't believe that this is an average team. And I don't buy into that "you are what your record is".

How about now? Are the Steelers actually the best 6-6 team in the league...

Do good teams allow 3 TD's in the 4th quarter to the Raiders? The F'n Raiders. You know what - you were right this team isn't average. Average would be a step up.

Hmm, what a difference another loss makes! I was absolutely convinced that there was no way in hell that we would lose to the Raiders, AT HOME!!! WTF?!! I was on the road today and didn't even hear about it unitl it was over. You are right, average at this point would be a step up. A lost season. What a dissapointment.

[NW Steeler]

Re: Reality Check...

I agree with you in that no one will want to see the Steelers in the playoffs.

I don't know about you guys, but that is even more frustrating... supposedly have a team "no one" wants to play--and you are sitting home, watching other (lesser) teams play.

Yeah, it doesn't look like any playoff teams will need to worry about that anymore.