For the past 5 or 6 weeks I have seen a team head to the field with no emotion. I watch the Rats and the **** and every other team come out spitting, screaming, yelling, playing like men possessed. Us? For five weeks we seemed to sleep walk through the first half.
For the past decade I have watched numerous 10, 11, 12 win Steelers teams limp into the playoffs after miserable Decembers, only to show up unprepared and embarrassed. It has been wash, rinse, repeat.
There have been three constants: Tomlin and Ben and Colbert.
We have changed everywhere else. OL coach, Defensive and Offensive Coordinators, RBs, WRs, LBs, OLmen, on and on and on.
Look at the decade. A consistency of winning seasons, followed by late season collapses.
Is it the talent? Not really. We have had very talented teams. Give Colbert a pass.
Is it the QB? Many will say yes, I say no. I'm 75% sure we win some more playoff games with Ben given different coaching.
It's leadership. Period. To come out so un-energetic, so un-prepared, and to get so out-coached so many times this year and for the past decade has to, finally, ultimately, point to the leader. He is a great September and October coach. But he has crashed the high-flying Steelers plane into the ground late season too many times now to escape the fingers being ultimately pointed at him.
Final thought...what is it with this team and critical injuries? It is every damned season we lose not one but 3 or 4 marquee players to season ending injuries. Ben, Shazier, Bush, Dupree...on and on. Is it conditioning or just bad luck?
Regardless, wholesale changes are warranted. We need a new coach.
