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State of the Steelers Franchise...long article on NFL.com

Edited for accuracy -
For 2019 to be a successful season, the Steelers MUST ...
-- Be in the headlines for the right reasons, like finding a new head coach.

-- Get back to the playoffs. Like I said earlier, the Steelers missed the playoffs in 2018 for the first time since 2013. I thought about saying this team needs to win the Super Bowl for its 2019 season to be a success, and I understand why fans really want to get another Super Bowl. You basically are in a race with the Patriots to see who is going to be the first to get to seven Super Bowl titles. But just getting back to the playoffs would have to be considered a success.
Click to expand...
 
SojournerSteel said:
From the article:

"The competitive urgency index is: HIGH. It's the Steelers. The expectation will forever be a Super Bowl title. There is no avoiding it. And after missing the playoffs last season, Tomlin needs to win this year."

I would re-frame that to "the 'competitive urgency index' should be HIGH EVERY WEEK..."

Even in years with the most promise, Tomlin's teams have somehow found a way to lose games they shouldn't and self-eliminate themselves from the race for HFA. They now know they can beat the Pats at home (so how did they lose to the Raiders again?).

I get that Tomlin is a dead horse as slash noted. However, he's also the elephant in the room who now clearly runs the defense. He has been a horribly weak link with game management and challenges. Rooney had to step in and assign him some help this year. He really is the headline this year, and the eyes are squarely on him with the most to prove in a contract year.
Click to expand...

Tomlin is one of the more underachieving coaches in league history.

I know people will look at his overall winning percentage and ask how someone can say that, but how many times since the last Superbowl appearance has one looked at the Steelers and said, "Tomlin really got the absolute most out of his players this year." Has it even happened once since 2011?

Beyond the money, I'm not really sure why Roethlisberger wanted to sign up for three more years of this ****. He's made enough.
 
Punxsutawney said:
Tomlin is one of the more underachieving coaches in league history.

I know people will look at his overall winning percentage and ask how someone can say that, but how many times since the last Superbowl appearance has one looked at the Steelers and said, "Tomlin really got the absolute most out of his players this year." Has it even happened once since 2011?

Beyond the money, I'm not really sure why Roethlisberger wanted to sign up for three more years of this ****. He's made enough.
Click to expand...

Ben, like most HOF QBs, believes he can get them to the SB regardless of the coach. He maybe right. Hell Aikman won the SB that way. Ben by himself gets you 8 wins. He just needs a defense that can pull out a win or two and a HC that stays out of the way. That's what Tomlin has done for the most part with the offense. You never hear stories of Tomlin tinkering with the offense. You don't see him calling plays on the sidelines. That's Ben's job and why Haley was not re-signed.
 
Punxsutawney said:
Tomlin is one of the more underachieving coaches in league history.

I know people will look at his overall winning percentage and ask how someone can say that, but how many times since the last Superbowl appearance has one looked at the Steelers and said, "Tomlin really got the absolute most out of his players this year." Has it even happened once since 2011?

Beyond the money, I'm not really sure why Roethlisberger wanted to sign up for three more years of this ****. He's made enough.
Click to expand...

Because we as fans make it seem so simple and easy to beat out 31 other teams each year. Maybe just maybe the players recognize something we as fans don't, winning it all aint easy it is why after all this time we still are tied for the most wins and would be number one still if certain teams didn't cheat. Random chance, injury and bad referee calls have probably hurt us as much if not more than bad coaching moves. Winning would not mean as much if happened every year, we are still spoiled rotten to have seen the consistent winning we have, over such a long time and yes maybe we should one or two more but the ones we have are special and should not be downplayed.
 
Punxsutawney said:
Beyond the money, I'm not really sure why Roethlisberger wanted to sign up for three more years of this ****. He's made enough.
Click to expand...
When it’s $30M/yr. you don’t need to look for a reason in addition to money.
 
Vader said:
Ben, like most HOF QBs, believes he can get them to the SB regardless of the coach. He maybe right. Hell Aikman won the SB that way. Ben by himself gets you 8 wins. He just needs a defense that can pull out a win or two and a HC that stays out of the way. That's what Tomlin has done for the most part with the offense. You never hear stories of Tomlin tinkering with the offense. You don't see him calling plays on the sidelines. That's Ben's job and why Haley was not re-signed.
Click to expand...

2006, 2013, & 2015 would disagree with the 8 win stat. Though I'd be with you if he played a full season those years. 15, 13, and 12 games those seasons.
 
SteelerInLebanon said:
Because we as fans make it seem so simple and easy to beat out 31 other teams each year. Maybe just maybe the players recognize something we as fans don't, winning it all aint easy it is why after all this time we still are tied for the most wins and would be number one still if certain teams didn't cheat. Random chance, injury and bad referee calls have probably hurt us as much if not more than bad coaching moves. Winning would not mean as much if happened every year, we are still spoiled rotten to have seen the consistent winning we have, over such a long time and yes maybe we should one or two more but the ones we have are special and should not be downplayed.
Click to expand...

IMHO coaching is more important than injuries and bad calls. Everyone talks about the horrible call in the Saints game. But no one talks about the OT clowns game which had a huge non-call on the Steelers for PI that would have won the game for the clowns. Nobody remembers those. Those things offset.

Also we don't have to beat out 31 other teams. We just have to win the ones on the schedule and really only have to win 10 games out of 16 to get to the playoffs. Let's be honest about it... there are a handful of teams every year that even have a chance. The clowns and bungles aren't winning any SBs this year. We know the Raiders, Buffalo, Miami and the Jets aren't winning it this year. No one wins without a QB. So you're always down to handful of teams that have a chance. The Steelers have had a HOF and pro-bowlers all over the field for the past 8 years. Not even a SB appearance. And it isn't the pats**** that are knocking them out. Hell they can't get past Jax or Den.

Also I don't think Steeler fans are spoiled rotten at all. We haven't won a SB in 10 seasons and have only won 6 in 50 years. It isn't like we're winning trophies left and right and are upset because we didn't win one a couple of years. I didn't expect a SB with Kordell, Brister, and Tomczak. But with a HOF that has 2 under his belt I expect more than 3 playoff wins against backup Qbs in 8 years. That's not spoiled.
 
Vader said:
IMHO coaching is more important than injuries and bad calls. Everyone talks about the horrible call in the Saints game. But no one talks about the OT clowns game which had a huge non-call on the Steelers for PI that would have won the game for the clowns. Nobody remembers those. Those things offset.

Also we don't have to beat out 31 other teams. We just have to win the ones on the schedule and really only have to win 10 games out of 16 to get to the playoffs. Let's be honest about it... there are a handful of teams every year that even have a chance. The clowns and bungles aren't winning any SBs this year. We know the Raiders, Buffalo, Miami and the Jets aren't winning it this year. No one wins without a QB. So you're always down to handful of teams that have a chance. The Steelers have had a HOF and pro-bowlers all over the field for the past 8 years. Not even a SB appearance. And it isn't the pats**** that are knocking them out. Hell they can't get past Jax or Den.

Also I don't think Steeler fans are spoiled rotten at all. We haven't won a SB in 10 seasons and have only won 6 in 50 years. It isn't like we're winning trophies left and right and are upset because we didn't win one a couple of years. I didn't expect a SB with Kordell, Brister, and Tomczak. But with a HOF that has 2 under his belt I expect more than 3 playoff wins against backup Qbs in 8 years. That's not spoiled.
Click to expand...

I get it. But really we are spoiled whether you want to admit or not. How many other teams have had the kind of success we have had? 1, with a few right behind. I “want” more than 3 playoffs wins but in this world I have learned not expect anything and to find enjoyment in what I can rather being constantly miserable chasing something I can’t control myself.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
Cope said:
2006, 2013, & 2015 would disagree with the 8 win stat. Though I'd be with you if he played a full season those years. 15, 13, and 12 games those seasons.
Click to expand...

2006 he was coming off a motorcycle wreck, appendectomy and a concussion. Like you said he didn't play 16 in the other years. But during a full season Ben will get you 8 games.
 
SteelerInLebanon said:
I get it. But really we are spoiled whether you want to admit or not. How many other teams have had the kind of success we have had? 1, with a few right behind. I “want” more than 3 playoffs wins but in this world I have learned not expect anything and to find enjoyment in what I can rather being constantly miserable chasing something I can’t control myself.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
Click to expand...

That's my point. There are only a few teams you're dealing with any given year. Without any expectations then there is nothing to talking about. But let's be honest. You have expectations as well even if you don't say them.
 
Vader said:
That's my point. There are only a few teams you're dealing with any given year. Without any expectations then there is nothing to talking about. But let's be honest. You have expectations as well even if you don't say them.
Click to expand...

I do but I don’t live in them like some do ruining my enjoyment of the ride we get each year regardless of the outcome. I have not always been so zen about it but am trying to find my happy place


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
SteelerInLebanon said:
I do but I don’t live in them like some do ruining my enjoyment of the ride we get each year regardless of the outcome. I have not always been so zen about it but am trying to find my happy place


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
Click to expand...

Yeah I went looking for that happy place in the 80s too.
 
Punxsutawney said:
Tomlin is one of the more underachieving coaches in league history.

I know people will look at his overall winning percentage and ask how someone can say that, but how many times since the last Superbowl appearance has one looked at the Steelers and said, "Tomlin really got the absolute most out of his players this year." Has it even happened once since 2011?

Beyond the money, I'm not really sure why Roethlisberger wanted to sign up for three more years of this ****. He's made enough.
Click to expand...

Steelers thus far from '10-'18 have the 14th best winning percentage of any team in any decade since the merger. 5 of those seasons had Triplets 2.0, and the last 7 first round picks were on the defensive side of the ball that we now know that Tomlin runs.

3 playoff wins since the SB loss is historic underachieving with what was on the table for him.
 
SojournerSteel said:
Steelers thus far from '10-'18 have the 14th best winning percentage of any team in any decade since the merger. 5 of those seasons had Triplets 2.0, and the last 7 first round picks were on the defensive side of the ball that we now know that Tomlin runs.

3 playoff wins since the SB loss is historic underachieving with what was on the table for him.
Click to expand...

:deadhorse:
 
SteelerInLebanon said:
Because we as fans make it seem so simple and easy to beat out 31 other teams each year. Maybe just maybe the players recognize something we as fans don't, winning it all aint easy it is why after all this time we still are tied for the most wins and would be number one still if certain teams didn't cheat. Random chance, injury and bad referee calls have probably hurt us as much if not more than bad coaching moves. Winning would not mean as much if happened every year, we are still spoiled rotten to have seen the consistent winning we have, over such a long time and yes maybe we should one or two more but the ones we have are special and should not be downplayed.
Click to expand...

Looks like you've joined me in the "Big Picture" boat...

Welcome aboard!!!
 
Vader said:
IMHO coaching is more important than injuries and bad calls. Everyone talks about the horrible call in the Saints game. But no one talks about the OT clowns game which had a huge non-call on the Steelers for PI that would have won the game for the clowns. Nobody remembers those. Those things offset.

Also we don't have to beat out 31 other teams. We just have to win the ones on the schedule and really only have to win 10 games out of 16 to get to the playoffs. Let's be honest about it... there are a handful of teams every year that even have a chance. The clowns and bungles aren't winning any SBs this year. We know the Raiders, Buffalo, Miami and the Jets aren't winning it this year. No one wins without a QB. So you're always down to handful of teams that have a chance. The Steelers have had a HOF and pro-bowlers all over the field for the past 8 years. Not even a SB appearance. And it isn't the pats**** that are knocking them out. Hell they can't get past Jax or Den.

Also I don't think Steeler fans are spoiled rotten at all. We haven't won a SB in 10 seasons and have only won 6 in 50 years. It isn't like we're winning trophies left and right and are upset because we didn't win one a couple of years. I didn't expect a SB with Kordell, Brister, and Tomczak. But with a HOF that has 2 under his belt I expect more than 3 playoff wins against backup Qbs in 8 years. That's not spoiled.
Click to expand...

This is a fair assessment, Vader.

You're correct - most of the time, we, Steeler fans, fail to 'remember or see' the transgressions that Steelers commit during a game. I'll counter, or add to Lebanon's comment---we KNOW that the league has looked the other way for the team that has suddenly tied our beloved Steelers w/ 6 Superbowl titles. We also KNOW that major game suspensions and fines have been levied against the Steelers under Coach Tomlin's watch. Yes, he's not an X and O genius. Yes, he's a player's coach and has an eloquent vocabulary. No one expects Coach Tomlin to coach the team forever---now that the bad apples/drama queens have left the team; I'd like to see the results of a "team" under his guidance (whether he has the full reign or not)---this year should be positively different...
 
bermudasteel said:
This is a fair assessment, Vader.

You're correct - most of the time, we, Steeler fans, fail to 'remember or see' the transgressions that Steelers commit during a game. I'll counter, or add to Lebanon's comment---we KNOW that the league has looked the other way for the team that has suddenly tied our beloved Steelers w/ 6 Superbowl titles. We also KNOW that major game suspensions and fines have been levied against the Steelers under Coach Tomlin's watch. Yes, he's not an X and O genius. Yes, he's a player's coach and has an eloquent vocabulary. No one expects Coach Tomlin to coach the team forever---now that the bad apples/drama queens have left the team; I'd like to see the results of a "team" under his guidance (whether he has the full reign or not)---this year should be positively different...
Click to expand...

I'm in no way defending the league. IMHO Goodall should be fired. The refs are horrible at times. This is the league's fault for not demanding excellence and using 80 year old lawyers to try to keep up with 20 year old world class athletes. It's a joke. I'm actually shocked when they get a call right. The way they handled the spy gate fiasco was criminal in my opinion.

My issue with Tomlin is that he's had some of the most talented teams in the NFL. There is nothing else to give him. He's had a top OL, great RB, great WRs and a HOF QB. He's had a defense loaded with 1st and 2nd rounders. At some point you've got to look and say.. well it ain't the players.. so who's left?

I understand he isn't going anywhere and I'll root for him to win #7 just like I do every year. Maybe with AB and Bell gone it will lighten to the mood and the players can just play. I hope it works.
 
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