I honestly think it's a culture issue.

[wig]

I saw something Papillion posted in another thread and I was reminded of something somebody else posted a week or two ago about (I believe), Martavis Bryant. Suddenly, I realized what I believe is going on with this team.

Tomlin has his problems, to be sure and I'm not going to go into those as there are already about a dozen threads on THOSE topics. However THIS thread is about the players and what's wrong with THEM. Not their talent, or their the preparation. It's about their heart and commitment.

Pap commented about a theory he had that the younger players didn't understand the gravity of last week's game. As life-long fans, we find it inconceivable that the in-week preparation wasn't over-the-top getting ready for the Ravens, the fact that a win would cement a playoff berth and a chance to possibly rest up should have gotten the players 28 Days Later rabid. Instead most of them seemed lethargic, as if they expected the game to be handed to them.

In a post a couple weeks ago it was implied or even stated that Bryant didn't know who Chuck Noll was or Jack Ham. We hear that and we're dumbfounded. But as a young, talented and opportunistic young man it's probably not surprising at all that Bryant and other players currently on the team don't have any idea about the rich culture or history of the team, or of the expectations of the fanbase.

That IS where Tomlin, Haley and Butler come in. Those guys NEED to make certain that all their players not only know the absolute importance of those games, but that each of the players feel truly honored to be on one of the 3 or 4 most storied and beloved franchises in NFL history. Not just because of the contracts and the money and the stats.

You consider the "Young Money" group and while it's sort of a cute nickname, in hindsight one wonders if that's not a real indication of the decay of loyalty and dedication to the team that have rotted away. Perhaps it's not Tomlin's inability to coach or gameplan or manage the clock that have destroyed the team from within. Perhaps the Ravens haven't simply picked up better personnel all along. Maybe John Harbaugh simply realizes that one of his most important jobs is to instill a deep and meaningful pride in each of his players for the team and a loyalty to the fanbase. The Ravens have 19 players on IR. They simply cannot compete this year. And yet, they came out and battled the uninspired and listless Steelers to a loss.

Who knows, it could be that half the Steelers team is simply looking forward to offseason. Perhaps they don't like the odds of a playoff run and just can't get themselves motivated to put forth that extra effort. At any rate, Papillion's post got me thinking that it could be that Tomlin needs to start dealing with a good chunk of the team as guys with a legacy to protect or bags to pack.

Anyway, his post got me thinking.

 

[Max Power]

Naw, most of the Ratbird players were alive through that entire teams existence. Hairball doesn't have to dig in to find the beginning. (Just flush the toilet actually)

I think it comes down to Team leadership. Those players tasked with reminding the young-ins where they exactly are and what's expected of them. We're just lacking those personalities.

 

[nitsuj1225]

You'd think Peezy could bridge some of that gap.

 

[nooneuno]

I think you're over analyzing things. This is their job, knowing who Stautner or Butler or anyone else who came before them is shouldn't have any bearing on how they play the game.

You're a professional football player, it's your job to get out on the field and execute plays, just do it.

 

[GILBERT]

This is the culture in sport today. Seems team, dedication, loyalty, and winning is secondary to money, contracts, health, fame,, etc.

 

[wig]

You're a professional football player, it's your job to get out on the field and execute plays, just do it.

That's what I'm suggesting though. Perhaps quite a few of these younger players simply aren't mature enough to understand the "Professional" aspect of their jobs. I have a young fellow working for me and frankly, I have to micromanage every aspect of his job. He's fine as long as I tell him exactly what to do every moment of his shift, but if I expect him to self-motivate, self-start or otherwise excel - ya. Good luck with that.

Maybe a bunch of these players simply don't take adequate pride in their jobs. Could it be as simple as that? If so, coaches need to identify those guys and start making examples of them. Maybe WE could get a conditional trade pick or two.

 

[JMM]

This is the culture in sport today. Seems team, dedication, loyalty, and winning is secondary to money, contracts, health, fame,, etc.

You are correct. That's why I believe you practically need a field general out there to work/motivate these guys until they break. You also need the players that are dedicated to run through that wall for the coach/organization.

I believe where many of us got so worked up over the loss, I bet 75% of the players and maybe a few coaches on that staff could give less than a ****. They get paid either way..

 

[SteelerFan448]

I would agree that there is a cultural issue present and for whatever reason, many of the younger players haven't bought into the system established by the veterans that they replaced. But that comes from the top down and would go as far as to say it needs to start with ARII and then filter down to Tomlin and the players.

 

[JMM]

I would agree that there is a cultural issue present and for whatever reason, many of the younger players haven't bought into the system established by the veterans that they replaced. But that comes from the top down and would go as far as to say it needs to start with ARII and then filter down to Tomlin and the players.

It might need to start with us. When we get tired of watching mediocre / consistently inconsistent football, we'll find other stuff to do and that will start cutting into the bottom line. Maybe then ownership would wise up but after they got accustomed to playoff games at home you'd think the lack of same would have to sting as well. Who the hell knows. Maybe the new Rooneys have so much bankrolled, it doesn't matter to them either. The playoffs probably impede on their plans to go on vacation somewhere warm. (Yeah I'm still pissed off)

 

[wig]

Oops, double post, sorry.

 

[MTC]

This is the culture in sport today. Seems team, dedication, loyalty, and winning is secondary to money, contracts, health, fame,, etc.

If you're making millions. I'm sure you would put money and health first. As I've stated in another thread. Us fans put more emotional thought into a team than the players. Its a players job to play but if another team offers more money for doing the same services. You're gonna leave town for the $$$. This is millions they make. Millions. Thats a lot of money. Factor in the physical toll football takes. I'm sure most guys wouldnt mind a longer vacation. Its just culture now to look out for your best interest. Throw integrity and loyalty away, cause most players smartened up now

 

[slashsteel]

It is the coach's job to put the players in the best position to win.

And these coaches haven't done that obviously.

If it is a youth issue , then the coach's need to find a way to get their message across.

Some coaches do just that, some don't.

 

[nooneuno]

Just finished watching A Football Life Mike Singletary. Part way in to his rookie season he was named starter, first play from scrimmage he was confused, called a time out. Buddy Ryan was the DC, didn't let him back on the field after the time out, sat the whole rest of the game. Told him, you don't know what you're doing you ain't playing. Singletary learned a valuable lesson there, you don't know your job, you aren't playing. A few weeks later Singletary gets named starter again, makes some crucial stops, on the bus after the game Ryan taps him on the leg and says today you showed me something. Singletary says to me that was WOW.....

Unfortunately maybe that is what some of our players need. Drop a ball Bryant, go sit your *** on the bench for a series or two.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Just finished watching A Football Life Mike Singletary. Part way in to his rookie season he was named starter, first play from scrimmage he was confused, called a time out. Buddy Ryan was the DC, didn't let him back on the field after the time out, sat the whole rest of the game. Told him, you don't know what you're doing you ain't playing. Singletary learned a valuable lesson there, you don't know your job, you aren't playing. A few weeks later Singletary gets named starter again, makes some crucial stops, on the bus after the game Ryan taps him on the leg and says today you showed me something. Singletary says to me that was WOW.....

Unfortunately maybe that is what some of our players need. Drop a ball Bryant, go sit your *** on the bench for a series or two.

Good points. Instead they essentially fired a HOF coach and dumbed down the defense with the new coordinator.

 

[suncitysteel]

I would think the coaches/staff are able to gather plenty of info/intel on a player during their pre-draft visits to make a judgment call on whether a player is: 1) mature and 2) hungry. Those 2 qualities go a long way - along with talent, of course - into building the type of team we at SN would be proud of, win or lose. I can take a loss if the team left it all out on the field. Hines Ward, to me, was the epitome of such a player. Ain't too many Hines Wards on this team anymore, it seems.

 

[MTC]

Ward, Polamalu, Porter, Willie Parker, Aaron Smith, James Farrior were all hungry players who played for more than just a pay check. They played to represent the Black & Gold. Currently we have guys like Roethlisberger, Heath Miller, Antonio Brown, Cameron Heyward who all show heart. The rest of the team needs to follow suit

 

[ExUSAF]

Part of the culture has to start at the top. Do you think Jerry Jones or Robert Kraft would put up with this crap season after season? Garrett might get a pass this season because they're down to their third or fourth QB but if Romo were healthy the loss to Buffalo would be unacceptable.

 

[papillon]

Some statements and then some questions. I think everyone or nearly everyone here will agree that the Steelers were a bit apathetic in their play versus the Ravens. I also think that everyone or nearly everyone believes that two of the primary roles of the head coach are to properly prepare the team mentally and to ensure that they are put in the best position to succeed. That is mostly done through practice and repetition during the week leading up to the game. So, in my mind, there's no way anyone can tell me with a straight face that the Steeler practices leading up to the Ravens game were sharp, on point and razor-sharp. With this all being said, here are my questions. If you were the coach what would you be doing during the week when practices went south or became sloppy to properly prepare the team for the game? Is there anything that can be done? Or, do you simply hope that as "professionals" they will prep properly? You'll hate this one, but, what would Belechick do? His teams are rarely unprepared.

Papillon

 

[DBS1970]

This is the culture in sport today. Seems team, dedication, loyalty, and winning is secondary to money, contracts, health, fame,, etc.

This is precisely why you need a coach to prepare and motivate the players and get the TEAM on the same page. Last week they came out flat, they were a collection of talented individuals on the field. Mr Tomlin is hit or miss with getting individuals to be a team week to week.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

This is precisely why you need a coach to prepare and motivate the players and get the TEAM on the same page. Last week they came out flat, they were a collection of talented individuals on the field. Mr Tomlin is hit or miss with getting individuals to be a team week to week.

That's the thing, Shades' teams overall have a losing record against teams with losing records. Yet other times they play like world-beaters, usually against good teams. The inconsistency is on the coaches.
Agree that I think some guys are seeing more money than they've ever dreamed of and they get paid whether they suck or not.

 

[Xc944]

http://triblive.com/mobile/9709345-96/steelers-bad-tomlin

 

[LeXX75]

The inconsistency is on the coaches.
.

I agree 100% . I also agree with the statement players play and coaches coach. But they need to be in sync. I hate Bellycheat , I hate Hairball...but they are always who they are, their teams feed of that consistency ..Our team looks to Tomlin....one week he is running around pointing at cameras getting in players ears totally fired up..another week he gets that deer in the headlights look and his team sees that and feels that...Consistency at the top is what is needed..Tomlin isnt going anywhere we know that because of who the Rooney's are and how they run this team...Tomlin needs to decide who he wants to be and stay true to that...Or maybe he truly is this two face persona and we will continue this rising up against good teams and face planting against not so good teams

 

[Xc944]

Exactly what good teams did they beat ? The cardinals and backups that's all they beat. Just like the article I posted stated.

 

[SteelerSask2]

Well the first thing about culture of this team would be that sometimes you have to add by subtracting. And Mr. Tomlin seems to have to get hit with a shovel in the face before that happens. Consider Jamain Stephens for a moment. Did he languish on that roster for years little lone hold down a starters position (even if that is just in name only). How do you possibly create a winners culture when you trot out a guy who clearly has not substantially improved and was a mid first round pick at the key position on this defense. Same with Blake. These guys aren't stupid. They are sitting there watching this stiff go out there every week and there are at minimum 2 guys behind him that are clearly better players. Think about what that does to your culture. The first thing about leadership is to own your mistakes. Acknowledge them and move on. When Jarvis Jones arrived at camp this season and didn't appreciably improve his game he should have been cut. If anyone thinks that Jarvis Jones would still be playing for Bill Belichek at this point they are high. He would rather coach up a guy like Chickillo or convert someone like Williams. Or virtually anyone who seems to play with a little heart, motor and desire. In my opinion Jarvis Jones really demonstrates what is wrong with the culture of this team.

 

[SteelChip]

That IS where Tomlin, Haley and Butler come in. Those guys NEED to make certain that all their players not only know the absolute importance of those games, but that each of the players feel truly honored to be on one of the 3 or 4 most storied and beloved franchises in NFL history. Not just because of the contracts and the money and the stats.

You consider the "Young Money" group and while it's sort of a cute nickname, in hindsight one wonders if that's not a real indication of the decay of loyalty and dedication to the team that have rotted away. Perhaps it's not Tomlin's inability to coach or gameplan or manage the clock that have destroyed the team from within. Perhaps the Ravens haven't simply picked up better personnel all along. Maybe John Harbaugh simply realizes that one of his most important jobs is to instill a deep and meaningful pride in each of his players for the team and a loyalty to the fanbase. The Ravens have 19 players on IR. They simply cannot compete this year. And yet, they came out and battled the uninspired and listless Steelers to a loss.

Anyway, his post got me thinking.

That is assuming that those coaches have bought into the heritage of the team, which is assuming a lot. Butler, I can see, the other two....not so much.

http://triblive.com/mobile/9709345-96/steelers-bad-tomlin

Love this quote....

The funniest thing I heard all week was conspiracy theorists claiming the Patriots intentionally lost to the Jets to keep the big, bad Steelers out of the playoffs. Somebody should tell those people that Tomlin's best hope of winning in Foxborough would be Bill Belichick and Tom Brady literally dying of laughter as they watched film of the Steelers secondary.

This is the team nobody wants to play, eh?