So, is Ben’s knee all better?

[Sarge]

The Steelers were plenty capable earlier in the season; in fact, they were averaging nearly 30 points over their first 10 games.

I wasn't talking about scoring points, I was talking about throwing the ball down the field. They haven't been consistent with it all year. Yesterday was the best it has looked all season.

 

[Coach]

I am rarely critical of Ben or Tomlin. Randy Fichtner on the other hand......he needs to go.

Who hired Fichtner? You want the same guy who hired Fichtner and Haley to stay? Where are Tomlin's disciples?

It's all Ben folks. His comebacks and play masks Tomlin's folly.

 

[topseed]

I wasn't talking about scoring points, I was talking about throwing the ball down the field. They haven't been consistent with it all year. Yesterday was the best it has looked all season.

"They haven't been consistent with it all year" is definitely a more accurate statement. Earlier, you said it magically happened for the first time in the second half of the 15th game, and they had been incapable of throwing down the field all season long. That's simply not true.

Did you watch the Eagles game? The first Bengals game? How about the second half of the first Ravens game? They didn't throw the ball down the field? They weren't completing any deep balls or drawing long defensive pass interference penalties?

Yes, for some inexplicable reason it had been missing for the past month, but the Steelers have shown for most of the season that they are capable of mixing in the deep ball successfully in conjunction with the short passing game. Why they abandoned that philosophy for the better part of four games is a mystery.

 

[Steeler Pride]

"They haven't been consistent with it all year" is definitely a more accurate statement. Earlier, you said it magically happened for the first time in the second half of the 15th game, and they had been incapable of throwing down the field all season long. That's simply not true.

Did you watch the Eagles game? The first Bengals game? How about the second half of the first Ravens game? They didn't throw the ball down the field? They weren't completing any deep balls or drawing long defensive pass interference penalties?

Yes, for some inexplicable reason it had been missing for the past month, but the Steelers have shown for most of the season that they are capable of mixing in the deep ball successfully in conjunction with the short passing game. Why they abandoned that philosophy for the better part of four games is a mystery.

Did you listen to Ben's post game yesterday? 3 times he made the comment about the coaches calling the last 3 weeks the "Pre-Season for the Post-Season." Any wonder why this team has been playing like it is a pre-season game?

 

[Coryea]

Did you listen to Ben's post game yesterday? 3 times he made the comment about the coaches calling the last 3 weeks the "Pre-Season for the Post-Season." Any wonder why this team has been playing like it is a pre-season game?

Hmmmm, you mean like going on national TV talking about a rematch with New England in the AFCCG, then laying an egg vs Jax?

 

[topseed]

Did you listen to Ben's post game yesterday? 3 times he made the comment about the coaches calling the last 3 weeks the "Pre-Season for the Post-Season." Any wonder why this team has been playing like it is a pre-season game?

I didn't. But that philosophy from the coaching staff would make absolutely no sense, because three weeks ago the Steelers were in the pole position for the one and only playoff bye.

 

[Coach]

Throwing down the field was the difference in the second half. It was amazing to see. My question is, what took so damn long? In the second half of the 15th game of the season, this offense looked good. Really good. So it makes me wonder......why now, all of a sudden? What changed? Personally, I find it hard to believe this Steelers team has been incapable of this all season long. The win is great, but now you start thinking of what might have been. It makes no sense. None of it.

Yeah, what might have been, We have really bad coaching. Ben needs to push aside the coaches input and play winning football, which he did in the second half. His play, not good coaching will define us in the playoffs, Play like you're behind and let the defense do its part. And please get well Chris Boswell.

Sometimes we look like a 13-3 team, Other times like a 9-7 team. Ben's play in the 2nd half gives me hope for the playoffs. He needs to play like he's capable off, not being hand cuffed for 5 yard passes with the defense calling out our plays.