Every fan base likely overrates their hometown team. We do it with our college teams and we do it with our pro teams.
At the start of this season, I thought this team was a SB contender. Most of you did too. We were loaded on offense. a HOF QB, a HOF WR, a best of his generation RB (allegedly going to play), one of the best O-Lines in the league. And some talent on defense, enough that it should be enough considering that offense.
Instead, this season has been a nightmare. Starting with a constant Diva-Watch that just wouldn't end.
Couple that with a defense that can't seem to stop any passing attack, a defense insistent upon covering opposing WR with our mediocre inside linebackers, or our 250+ pound outside linebackers. Maybe that's our best option because our collection of safeties couldn't cover any 3 of us who post on these Forums. We can throw a little shame at Kevin Colbert too for that stellar 1st Round reach technique in drafting a top CB in Artie Burnt who most teams had as a Round 2-3 raw project, and another one this season with a safety that was another Round 2-3 rating by everyone else. Jury may still be out on Edmunds but Burnt is now established as a bust with little to no trade value.
Coaching? Tomlin is what he is and what he has always been. He's a career B to B- level coach. Underachieved considering the roster talent that he had over the past decade. Keith Butler? Couldn't be more in over his head if he jumped off the Titanic just before impact. Terrible schemes matched only with ignorant arrogance to continue those terrible schemes. Just in case Butler is reading this board, here's a clue: LB CANNOT COVER WR IN THIS LEAGUE!!!! STOP TRYING!!
I've hated the Oakland Raiders since the 1976 season. That's not an overstatement, hated them. Yesterday, I did the unthinkable - I skipped a Steelers-Raider game. Didn't watch. Didn't care. Last week did me in and I just knew we would lose this game, and several more this season, because this team is nothing more than average.
An average GM. An average Coach. A below average Def Coordinator. A below average secondary. Below average Linebackers (especially inside). A far above-average offensive roster that still seems to play down to an average output by modern standards.
This team, and Tomlin, have been propped up by one person who is not without his flaws - but where would this team be without Ben? How may games has he simply carried this team to a win? Quite a few. And if he retires at the end of this season (which, who could blame him?) then this team is in real trouble next year. We can't expect Ben to hang on to an underachieving organization forever, and worse is we can't expect anyone else there to actually make a difference.
This is not the Pittsburgh Steelers organization that I have LOVED since early childhood. This organization is now nothing but average, and by Steelers standards, it's a mess.
At the start of this season, I thought this team was a SB contender. Most of you did too. We were loaded on offense. a HOF QB, a HOF WR, a best of his generation RB (allegedly going to play), one of the best O-Lines in the league. And some talent on defense, enough that it should be enough considering that offense.
Instead, this season has been a nightmare. Starting with a constant Diva-Watch that just wouldn't end.
Couple that with a defense that can't seem to stop any passing attack, a defense insistent upon covering opposing WR with our mediocre inside linebackers, or our 250+ pound outside linebackers. Maybe that's our best option because our collection of safeties couldn't cover any 3 of us who post on these Forums. We can throw a little shame at Kevin Colbert too for that stellar 1st Round reach technique in drafting a top CB in Artie Burnt who most teams had as a Round 2-3 raw project, and another one this season with a safety that was another Round 2-3 rating by everyone else. Jury may still be out on Edmunds but Burnt is now established as a bust with little to no trade value.
Coaching? Tomlin is what he is and what he has always been. He's a career B to B- level coach. Underachieved considering the roster talent that he had over the past decade. Keith Butler? Couldn't be more in over his head if he jumped off the Titanic just before impact. Terrible schemes matched only with ignorant arrogance to continue those terrible schemes. Just in case Butler is reading this board, here's a clue: LB CANNOT COVER WR IN THIS LEAGUE!!!! STOP TRYING!!
I've hated the Oakland Raiders since the 1976 season. That's not an overstatement, hated them. Yesterday, I did the unthinkable - I skipped a Steelers-Raider game. Didn't watch. Didn't care. Last week did me in and I just knew we would lose this game, and several more this season, because this team is nothing more than average.
An average GM. An average Coach. A below average Def Coordinator. A below average secondary. Below average Linebackers (especially inside). A far above-average offensive roster that still seems to play down to an average output by modern standards.
This team, and Tomlin, have been propped up by one person who is not without his flaws - but where would this team be without Ben? How may games has he simply carried this team to a win? Quite a few. And if he retires at the end of this season (which, who could blame him?) then this team is in real trouble next year. We can't expect Ben to hang on to an underachieving organization forever, and worse is we can't expect anyone else there to actually make a difference.
This is not the Pittsburgh Steelers organization that I have LOVED since early childhood. This organization is now nothing but average, and by Steelers standards, it's a mess.
