Seriously, does it get any more comical from the national media about the Steelers

[Steel Vanguard]

Sorry -- with a franchise quarterback in his prime for five seasons, mustering only two playoff games which both resulted in losses and having a trip to the 2015 postseason gifted from Rex Ryan might be "damn ******* impressive" to your candy ***, but not to me..

I keep hearing this "franchise quarterback in his prime" bit. But Sean Peyton, Tony Dungy, Mike McCarthy, John Harbaugh and Pete Carroll have managed the same number of Super Bowl wins with their "franchise quarterbacks" as Tomlin: Exactly ONE.

Mike Smith, Marvin Lewis, Chuck Pagano, Ron Rivera, and Joe Philbin have managed ZERO. Mike and Joe even managed to get themselves fired.

Only Belicheat and Caughlin have managed multiple Super Bowl wins with their "franchise quarterbacks". It's a short list. So how about we bring expectations back down to Earth, shall we? Tomlin is the youngest head coach ever to win the Big Game, and he's doing just fine. He's kept us contending even as he rebuilds and has never delivered a losing season. I have no idea what it is you people expect, but whatever it is, it's TOTALLY UNREALISTIC.

 

[SteelerAl]

Tom Coughlin (who many of the Tomlin critics would love to swap for Tomlin) and Eli have missed the playoffs in 7 of the past 8 seasons. How many big games has Phillip Rivers won lately? It's way too simple to say "if you have an elite or close-to elite QB, you need to be winning playoff games or you should be run out of town". Tom Brady lost the Super Bowl in 2007, was injured in 2008 and then went one-and-done in 2009 and 2010. That's 0-3 over a 4-year period! That's the other thing, it's great to have an elite or close-to elite QB but he has to stay healthy. Tom Brady wasn't healthy in 2008 just like Ben was not healthy in 2012 (remember the broken rib "almost punctured his aorta" thing"...we were 6-3 at that point in the season but Ben missed games and then clearly was "off" when he came back).

The truth is the Steelers were in ****** shape at the beginning of the 2011 season. Our defense was old, slow and (just about) done. The front office decided to bring back the entire 2010 team in 2011, thinking that continuity would be crucial given that the 2010-2011 offseason never happened thanks to the lockout. The rebuilding of the offensive line still had a long way to go. The 2008 and 2009 drafts were basically busts in terms of helping the team during the period everyone is complaining about (2011-2015). Our salary cap situation was terrible (the 2011 lockout basically froze the cap for a couple seasons), we kept re-signing the old guys (and restructuring their contracts which kicked the can down the road) because there was no young blood waiting in the wings.

Yes, Tomlin had a hand in many of the decisions which put us in that mess in 2011, but I think he (with much credit to Ben of course) has done an admirable job of keeping us reasonably competitive while re-building the roster. Frankly, I think we should be on the short list of favorites to win the Super Bowl next year when we bring back the entire offense healthy and our defensive secondary can't help but be faster and more athletic next season.

 

[nitsuj1225]

Tom Coughlin (who many of the Tomlin critics would love to swap for Tomlin) and Eli have missed the playoffs in 7 of the past 8 seasons. How many big games has Phillip Rivers won lately? It's way too simple to say "if you have an elite or close-to elite QB, you need to be winning playoff games or you should be run out of town". Tom Brady lost the Super Bowl in 2007, was injured in 2008 and then went one-and-done in 2009 and 2010. That's 0-3 over a 4-year period! That's the other thing, it's great to have an elite or close-to elite QB but he has to stay healthy. Tom Brady wasn't healthy in 2008 just like Ben was not healthy in 2012 (remember the broken rib "almost punctured his aorta" thing"...we were 6-3 at that point in the season but Ben missed games and then clearly was "off" when he came back).

The truth is the Steelers were in ****** shape at the beginning of the 2011 season. Our defense was old, slow and (just about) done. The front office decided to bring back the entire 2010 team in 2011, thinking that continuity would be crucial given that the 2010-2011 offseason never happened thanks to the lockout. The rebuilding of the offensive line still had a long way to go. The 2008 and 2009 drafts were basically busts in terms of helping the team during the period everyone is complaining about (2011-2015). Our salary cap situation was terrible (the 2011 lockout basically froze the cap for a couple seasons), we kept re-signing the old guys (and restructuring their contracts which kicked the can down the road) because there was no young blood waiting in the wings.

Yes, Tomlin had a hand in many of the decisions which put us in that mess in 2011, but I think he (with much credit to Ben of course) has done an admirable job of keeping us reasonably competitive while re-building the roster. Frankly, I think we should be on the short list of favorites to win the Super Bowl next year when we bring back the entire offense healthy and our defensive secondary can't help but be faster and more athletic next season.

This assumes Blake will no longer be a starter which based on this season, I wouldn't put it past the front office to retain him and keep starting him. He's done everything imaginable to be benched at any point this season yet still starts week in week out. He gives up at least a couple of big plays or long PI's each game and this is typically only in the first half!

This also assumes we find an upgrade for Will Allen because he is also a liability in the secondary.

I agree with your assessment on Coughlin and Ben's fellow draft QBs. I think everyone here followed the Cower years where we would win in spite of the QB and now that we have an elite QB, we expect to go to the Super Bowl every year and it's not that simple. Football is more than just a franchise QB...ask the Saints, Chargers, Giants, and Colts. It's a big piece but far from the entire piece. After all, defense wins championships as they say.

 

[SteelerAl]

This assumes Blake will no longer be a starter which based on this season, I wouldn't put it past the front office to retain him and keep starting him. He's done everything imaginable to be benched at any point this season yet still starts week in week out. He gives up at least a couple of big plays or long PI's each game and this is typically only in the first half!

This also assumes we find an upgrade for Will Allen because he is also a liability in the secondary.

Blake started this season as the #4 CB. And Shamarko was starting over Will Allen. It was certainly not "The Plan" to have these guys as starters and I don't believe we will go into next season with that in mind either. We should be able to upgrade those positions by throwing darts at the draft board / free agent lists. Although to be fair, Will Allen had a really nice game on Sunday.

 

[GTDome]

We run a 3-4. Losing 2 of your 3 starting DLs in the first half is the reason why we couldn't get pressure on Tebow in the second half.

In fairness, Tebow's arguably the worst passer in recent NFL memory. Much worse defenses than ours embarrassed him that year, but he absolutely shattered records against us.

To me that loss was and is inexcusable. The method by which we lost was bizarre.

 

[nitsuj1225]

Blake started this season as the #4 CB. And Shamarko was starting over Will Allen. It was certainly not "The Plan" to have these guys as starters and I don't believe we will go into next season with that in mind either. We should be able to upgrade those positions by throwing darts at the draft board / free agent lists. Although to be fair, Will Allen had a really nice game on Sunday.

We upgrade our secondary every second half when Blake is benched for Cockrell yet Blake trots back out there to start every game. I'm not convinced the coaching staff will make a change. We certainly won't bring in a top or even mid level free agent. It will have to be through the draft which I would love to see us address in the first 2 rounds but again, not sure the FO will do it since we've had the same exact issues ever since Ike turned 30 and went downhill.

Allen had success on a couple situational blitzes, not exactly promising considering our pass D is what needs improved.

 

[SteelerAl]

We upgrade our secondary every second half when Blake is benched for Cockrell yet Blake trots back out there to start every game. I'm not convinced the coaching staff will make a change. We certainly won't bring in a top or even mid level free agent. It will have to be through the draft which I would love to see us address in the first 2 rounds but again, not sure the FO will do it since we've had the same exact issues ever since Ike turned 30 and went downhill.

Allen had success on a couple situational blitzes, not exactly promising considering our pass D is what needs improved.

OK, you clearly just want to piss in everyone's Corn Flakes so I'll leave you alone. Will Allen had a nice game on Sunday --- that's the extent of what I said. Do you care to argue that? As far as the future goes, there's a good chance Will Allen will retire after this season. Regarding Blake, it's absolutely insane that he continues to start, but he's had very few snaps lately in Q3 or Q4 so they obviously have some understanding that he's a liability in coverage. Again, he was viewed more as a special teams player / #4 CB going into the season, I doubt he's elevated himself in their eyes based on his play this year.

They will not spend big in free agency at CB, but they can certainly add numbers and depth (Brice McCain type signing).

 

[nitsuj1225]

OK, you clearly just want to piss in everyone's Corn Flakes so I'll leave you alone. Will Allen had a nice game on Sunday --- that's the extent of what I said. Do you care to argue that? As far as the future goes, there's a good chance Will Allen will retire after this season. Regarding Blake, it's absolutely insane that he continues to start, but he's had very few snaps lately in Q3 or Q4 so they obviously have some understanding that he's a liability in coverage. Again, he was viewed more as a special teams player / #4 CB going into the season, I doubt he's elevated himself in their eyes based on his play this year.

They will not spend big in free agency at CB, but they can certainly add numbers and depth (Brice McCain type signing).

I'm simply being realistic based on our recent history. I had no problem with Allen's play on Sunday, he had a solid game, I'm not arguing that. However, we were discussing the future of the position so I was saying just because he had a good game Sunday putting pressure on the QB, doesn't take away from the fact he's always been a liability in coverage (his #1 priority at Safety) and that the SS and CB2 positions are in need of an upgrade next year.

My point in all of this back and forth was refuting your assertion that we can automatically assume the secondary is going to be improved next year. I'm not confident Tombert will buck the trend of the last 3+ drafts and free agency periods to make the secondary a priority when it's been apparent that has been the weakest link for 3-4 years now. Starting Blake for the first 2 quarters every single week is not giving me hope so I'm sorry for my negativity, like I said, just trying to be realistic with expectations.

 

[SteelerAl]

I'm simply being realistic based on our recent history. I had no problem with Allen's play on Sunday, he had a solid game, I'm not arguing that. However, we were discussing the future of the position so I was saying just because he had a good game Sunday putting pressure on the QB, doesn't take away from the fact he's always been a liability in coverage (his #1 priority at Safety) and that the SS and CB2 positions are in need of an upgrade next year.

My point in all of this back and forth was refuting your assertion that we can automatically assume the secondary is going to be improved next year. I'm not confident Tombert will buck the trend of the last 3+ drafts and free agency periods to make the secondary a priority when it's been apparent that has been the weakest link for 3-4 years now. Starting Blake for the first 2 quarters every single week is not giving me hope so I'm sorry for my negativity, like I said, just trying to be realistic with expectations.

Hey, no worries. Most of my optimism comes from the belief that it just can't get any worse. We are fine with Gay and Mitchell and I have a hard time believing we could get worse production out of the other 2 spots. Hell, even if Blake starts at least he will have functional use of his arms (which he hasn't had for some time now).

 

[Xc944]

I'm just saying --
•they lost a Super Bowl to an unconscious Aaron Rodgers.
•They lost a playoff game with Ben playing on one leg, their nearly 3 time in a row 1000 rusher (Mendenhall) out with torn ACL going into it and lost Hampton and Starks to ACL tears in that game with Keisel hurt too.
•They lost their best player last year in Bell with a knee injury right before the game - If he were healthy do you really think Manning and his bum leg could stop us?
•And they were a bunch of bullshit calls in the KC vs. SD game from being a playoff team 2 years ago as the Steelers were on an 8-4 run to end the year.


5 years = is actually 2 games at this point. Wow, they haven't won in 5 years, they had two ******* games..... and it's totally dismissing the fact the team hasn't had the chance to play their game this week.

The team has nearly rivaled their rebuilding on the fly of 1998-2000/2001 by going from 12-4 in 2011, a pair of 8-8 seasons to a division championship in 2014 and another playoff season in 2015. Lord forgive me but Jesus Christ, going a few years without a playoff win while overhauling your roster is damn ******* impressive.

And if anyone has a problem with that, they can kiss my rudy poo candy ***.

yeah and that doesn't change the fact its been 5 yrs

 

[FSF]

1) Nobody is griping about the loss in the Super Bowl against Green Bay, because obviously, it was two weeks after their last playoff win. Not really relevant for the other 4 years and 333 days.

2) You're actually going to defend a loss to an 8-8 Denver team who had dropped its last three games of the regular season (including losing by 26 to a 6-10 Bills team and scoring 3 points at home to 7-9 Kansas City) led by Tim Tebow, who was 6-22 for 60 yards the week before? Unreal.

3) Not really sure what Manning has to do with losing a home playoff game to the Ravens.

4) Right, those pesky refs from some other game (which had the 8-8 Steelers' playoff hopes pinned to a bunch of the Chiefs' second-stringers) were the main reason there was no playoff win in 2013. Sure.

What you fail to acknowledge is: Had the favored Jets simply been able to win last Sunday, the Steelers wouldn't even have had the chance to play at all this week.

Sorry -- with a franchise quarterback in his prime for five seasons, mustering only two playoff games which both resulted in losses and having a trip to the 2015 postseason gifted from Rex Ryan might be "damn ******* impressive" to your candy ***, but not to me.

Hopefully, Tomlin will have his second "successful season," if you will, and quiet his doubters. I'll be the first one to shut up.

I'll just use simple logic to help you follow --

1. You were the one referring back to the last win on that date.
2. I'm going to defend a team that went into the playoffs with major injuries to their starting QB and starting RB. Ben was not close to the performance he was playing prior to the high ankle sprain and Mendenhall was playing at the highest level of his career before tearing an ACL. That, combined with the other injuries -- removed them from being the 12-4 team that they were during the season, and in case you didn't realize that losing 2 DL on the rotation playing in Denver effected the team, you don't know much about importance of depth.
3. Do you really think the Steelers lose that playoff game without the best player in the NFL last year (Bell) to Baltimore? That injury ruined that game and the Steelers easily would have made it through to the AFC Championship with a healthy Bell.
4. Those pesky refs from another game simply did screw up on a team that was 8-8; but why not just throw out the fact they were maybe the hottest team in the NFL going 8-4 after that 0-4 start sans Bell.

Its called thinking outside the box, and I expected Vader and his continued pile of monkey crap to like your post.

Dude should be renamed (Darth) Tyrannus, simply because his name is an insult to the original Star Wars movies ruining the good name of Darth Vader, he should be thrown in with the prequels.

 

[topseed]

I keep hearing this "franchise quarterback in his prime" bit. But Sean Peyton, Tony Dungy, Mike McCarthy, John Harbaugh and Pete Carroll have managed the same number of Super Bowl wins with their "franchise quarterbacks" as Tomlin: Exactly ONE.

And which of these coaches have gone 4+ seasons without a playoff win?

Mike Smith, Marvin Lewis, Chuck Pagano, Ron Rivera, and Joe Philbin have managed ZERO. Mike and Joe even managed to get themselves fired.

You're really going to compare guys like Matt Ryan, Andy Dalton, Cam Newton, and Ryan Tannehill to Ben Roethlisberger? LOL.

Only Belicheat and Caughlin have managed multiple Super Bowl wins with their "franchise quarterbacks". It's a short list. So how about we bring expectations back down to Earth, shall we? Tomlin is the youngest head coach ever to win the Big Game, and he's doing just fine. He's kept us contending even as he rebuilds and has never delivered a losing season. I have no idea what it is you people expect, but whatever it is, it's TOTALLY UNREALISTIC.

Coughlin just completed his fourth season without a playoff win, following his second Super Bowl trophy in February of 2012. And guess what...he's no longer the Giants head coach.


Your arguments are "TOTALLY UNREALISTIC."

 

[topseed]

Tom Coughlin (who many of the Tomlin critics would love to swap for Tomlin) and Eli have missed the playoffs in 7 of the past 8 seasons. How many big games has Phillip Rivers won lately? It's way too simple to say "if you have an elite or close-to elite QB, you need to be winning playoff games or you should be run out of town". Tom Brady lost the Super Bowl in 2007, was injured in 2008 and then went one-and-done in 2009 and 2010. That's 0-3 over a 4-year period! That's the other thing, it's great to have an elite or close-to elite QB but he has to stay healthy. Tom Brady wasn't healthy in 2008 just like Ben was not healthy in 2012 (remember the broken rib "almost punctured his aorta" thing"...we were 6-3 at that point in the season but Ben missed games and then clearly was "off" when he came back).

The truth is the Steelers were in ****** shape at the beginning of the 2011 season. Our defense was old, slow and (just about) done. The front office decided to bring back the entire 2010 team in 2011, thinking that continuity would be crucial given that the 2010-2011 offseason never happened thanks to the lockout. The rebuilding of the offensive line still had a long way to go. The 2008 and 2009 drafts were basically busts in terms of helping the team during the period everyone is complaining about (2011-2015). Our salary cap situation was terrible (the 2011 lockout basically froze the cap for a couple seasons), we kept re-signing the old guys (and restructuring their contracts which kicked the can down the road) because there was no young blood waiting in the wings.

Yes, Tomlin had a hand in many of the decisions which put us in that mess in 2011, but I think he (with much credit to Ben of course) has done an admirable job of keeping us reasonably competitive while re-building the roster. Frankly, I think we should be on the short list of favorites to win the Super Bowl next year when we bring back the entire offense healthy and our defensive secondary can't help but be faster and more athletic next season.

Tom Coughlin also has 2 Super Bowl rings in the last 9 seasons, and he's currently out of work.

 

[topseed]

We run a 3-4. Losing 2 of your 3 starting DLs in the first half is the reason why we couldn't get pressure on Tebow in the second half.

******* excuses.

You're right man. Tebow and the Broncos were awesome that season. They only lost by 35 to New England the week after embarrassing the Steelers.

 

[MTC]

The media are slobbering over Peyton Manning and the second coming of the Golden Boy wins it all story. In 2 weeks the Broncs will have to play a Defense other than the Chargers.
If JJ Watt were to drop Manning 2-3 Times or get sandwiched by Timmons and Heyward, Osweiler is back at the controls.
WE, as they say, shall see.

Cause Nation wide is on his side

 

[MTC]

******* excuses.

You're right man. Tebow and the Broncos were awesome that season. They only lost by 35 to New England the week after embarrassing the Steelers.

I'd have to agree^^^

How in Gods name does the Steelers D make Tebow look like an actual QB? That was one game that stung. Tebow just isnt that good, yet made a historically great defense look lost

 

[topseed]

I'll just use simple logic to help you follow --

1. You were the one referring back to the last win on that date.
2. I'm going to defend a team that went into the playoffs with major injuries to their starting QB and starting RB. Ben was not close to the performance he was playing prior to the high ankle sprain and Mendenhall was playing at the highest level of his career before tearing an ACL. That, combined with the other injuries -- removed them from being the 12-4 team that they were during the season, and in case you didn't realize that losing 2 DL on the rotation playing in Denver effected the team, you don't know much about importance of depth.
3. Do you really think the Steelers lose that playoff game without the best player in the NFL last year (Bell) to Baltimore? That injury ruined that game and the Steelers easily would have made it through to the AFC Championship with a healthy Bell.
4. Those pesky refs from another game simply did screw up on a team that was 8-8; but why not just throw out the fact they were maybe the hottest team in the NFL going 8-4 after that 0-4 start sans Bell.

Its called thinking outside the box, and I expected Vader and his continued pile of monkey crap to like your post.

Dude should be renamed (Darth) Tyrannus, simply because his name is an insult to the original Star Wars movies ruining the good name of Darth Vader, he should be thrown in with the prequels.

1) Actually, YOU were the one bitching about the media stating that it's been 5 years since the Steelers won a playoff game. I just clarified.
2) The 2011 Denver Broncos were one of the worst playoff teams in the history of the NFL, and despite the injuries, losing to them was a complete embarrassment.
3) The Ravens were able to hold "the best player in the NFL last year" to 59 and 20 yards rushing in two earlier 2014 games, so yes, I think it's completely plausible that the Steelers still lose that game with him.
4) 8-8 shouldn't be good enough to make the playoffs; see the 2011 Denver Broncos.

Whatever you're attempting isn't thinking outside the box, it's trying to come up with bullshit excuses for a team that hasn't done **** in half a decade.

 

[Stryker]

I'd have to agree^^^

How in Gods name does the Steelers D make Tebow look like an actual QB? That was one game that stung. Tebow just isnt that good, yet made a historically great defense look lost

We were banged up going into the game without Mendenhall, Pouncey, and Clark. Also we never adjusted after losing Keisel AND Hampton in the first 20 minutes. Starks also got hurt early. This team wasn't going to win a superbowl.

 

[Coach]

Tom Coughlin also has 2 Super Bowl rings in the last 9 seasons, and he's currently out of work.

And look at who he beat in the super bowl. Tom took over a very new Jacksonville team that went 4-12 then had 4 playoff appearances in a row. That is team building and coaching. He did not inherit a loaded team as Tomlin did.

 

[Steel Vanguard]

And look at who he beat in the super bowl. Tom took over a very new Jacksonville team that went 4-12 then had 4 playoff appearances in a row. That is team building and coaching. He did not inherit a loaded team as Tomlin did.

Excuse me, WHAT? Tom took over a Giants team that was less than 4 years removed from the Super Bowl.

 

[SteelerAl]

We were banged up going into the game without Mendenhall, Pouncey, and Clark. Also we never adjusted after losing Keisel AND Hampton in the first 20 minutes. Starks also got hurt early. This team wasn't going to win a superbowl.

Tim Tebow and the Broncos saved us from losing 49-13 at New England the following week. We had only a shell of a team remaining after that game.

 

[Coach]

Excuse me, WHAT? Tom took over a Giants team that was less than 4 years removed from the Super Bowl.

Vanguard,

4 years is a lot in the NFL. About the average career of a player. The team he took over a team that was 4-12! That is a bad NLF team.

Coughlin improved that record in year one. Then he made the playoffs 4 years in a row picking up a super bowl win. A few years after that he won another super bowl. I'd say the Giants hired the right guy.

Coughlin is 12-7 in the playoffs. Very impressive.

 

[SteelerAl]

Vanguard,

4 years is a lot in the NFL. About the average career of a player. The team he took over a team that was 4-12! That is a bad NLF team.

Coughlin improved that record in year one. Then he made the playoffs 4 years in a row picking up a super bowl win. A few years after that he won another super bowl. I'd say the Giants hired the right guy.

Coughlin is 12-7 in the playoffs. Very impressive.

Giants have missed the playoffs in seven of the last 8 seasons. 7 out of 8. Fun with numbers!!!

 

[Coach]

Giants have missed the playoffs in seven of the last 8 seasons. 7 out of 8. Fun with numbers!!!

Al,

You should check your math before you have fun with numbers. In the past 8 seasons, the Giants made the playoffs twice. In addition, they had a 10-6 year where they did not make the playoffs. That is what the data shows Mi Amigo.

 

[SteelerAl]

Al,

You should check your math before you have fun with numbers. In the past 8 seasons, the Giants made the playoffs twice. In addition, they had a 10-6 year where they did not make the playoffs. That is what the data shows Mi Amigo.

I apologize. It's 6 out of 7 seasons. 6 out of 7! What epic failure!!!!

They made it in 2011. Missed in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015.