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The Reality of Our Team

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SteelerSask2

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I'm drunk, but sometimes the best clarity comes from being drunk. I hack on the FO and Tomlin a lot. As do many of you. However, when you look at the overall of this franchise and remember that there are 32 teams in this league consider the fact that on top of the Super Bowl of the 70s , this team has two more and an AFC championship. Now compare that to:
Minnesota who if you take away a couple years in the late 90S early 2000's hasn't been relevant since Fran Tarkenton.
Cincinnati who extended a coach who has went through two complete rosters (retirements ) and hasn't won a playoff game.
Detroit who despite having a top ten pick almost perennially still hasn't won a playoff game.
The Browns, well need I say more.
The Dolphins who haven't won a SB since Shula was young and haven't been a serious contender since Marino.
The Bills except exchange Marino for Kelly.
We are blessed
 
If they can add an edge rusher to pair with Moats at LOLB and add some talent at DB, I'm with Cam Heyward in thinking this D can be pretty good. Having Butler in place will add a sense of urgency to everything they do. Tomlin will be working in his own twists along with Butler, so the D may have some elements to it yet unseen by our opponents. I'm quietly optimistic about our defense, seeing we won 12 games last year while the D was regressing significantly. With Williams on board while Bell is out, I see the Steelers being right in the thick of things. We'll see, all eyes are on the draft at this point.
 
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This time of year, I always feel our beloved STEELERs will go 19-0 all day, everyday!!!!!!!




Salute the nation
 
Always optimistic this time of year.

I try to keep a realistic prospective on the success or failure of the season.

Because the results won't make me any richer or better looking.

This year like every year I look forward opening day.
 
For being drunk, your coherence is excellent. Maybe I'll get drunk tonight and give it a try:chug::chug:
 
I think more people look at that 14 other NFL teams have won playoff games since the Steelers last won one in 2010.
 
Lillian!!! Yes **** it Lil, im drunk. It's beautiful. ......Rules, rules, Lillian can not use the phone. Lillian,....and since your such a smart mother ****** you can't go outside neither.
 
I predict we will generally suck the first half of the season and pull it together again in the second half just enough to ruin our draft position and piss off those of us who would like to see a head coaching change.
 
Ironcitysteelers said:
Lillian!!! Yes **** it Lil, im drunk. It's beautiful. ......Rules, rules, Lillian can not use the phone. Lillian,....and since your such a smart mother ****** you can't go outside neither.
Click to expand...

WTF was that?
 
The reality of our team is we better start making better decisions with draft picks and F/A pick-ups and fast. We should have never been in this position on defense with such little depth and lack of quality starters. Guys like Jones, Shazier, Mitchell and Thomas must stay healthy and start to produce.
 
The reality is that the Steelers from 2004-2011 were just a few plays and injuries shy of a dynasty:
2004: The team was 15-1 -- Roethlisberger being a rookie hurt, the Patriots cheated big time knowing our plays from getting their *** kicked in regular season; could have been considered among best ever
2005: Roethlisberger's bad game in Super Bowl eclipses how incredible he was carrying the team through the playoffs offensively
2006: Cowher's personal situation and lack of focus made it a lost year
2007: Tomlin transitioned team to his style and his mistakes (working them too hard all year) caught up with them, but it was a necessary evil
2008: Seriously incredible team that could compete with anyone
2009: Troy's injuries were biggest thing -- weren't same team without him
2010: 3rd Super Bowl in 6 years -- again injuries to Troy and Pouncey hurt team badly in a Super Bowl that Steelers had a great chance to win on final drive anyway
2011: Final Run: Ben's high ankle sprain, Mendenhall's ACL, Hines decline; before playoff game -- Starks & Hampton torn ACL in playoff game. The end of the run.

Just consider what the main dynasties have done following their years:
1960's Packers -- horrible team until mid 1990s
1970's Steelers -- those of you old enough remember
1980's 49ers -- managed well through 1990s because they were able to go from Montana to Young, then over a decade of disasters and a short run just blew itself up
1990's Cowboys -- finally managed first playoff win since 1996

Okay -- more like 2000 Steelers "mini" dynasty (teams with 2 or more Super Bowls, 3 or more Super Bowl appearances)
1970s-80s Raiders -- been a degrading joke since 1983
1970's Dolphins -- were competitive for decade, never matched Steelers -- then landed gift in Marino and did nothing with it to this day
1990's Bills -- 4 Super Bowls in row; longest playoff drought in NFL (longer than Browns)
1990s Broncos -- Shanahan didn't look so brilliant after Elway retired, Davis got injured and were caught cheating salary cap
1980's Redskins -- After 1991 Super Bowl, they have been comical
1970's Vikings -- 4 times to NFCCG -- where they have absolutely choked badly, especially in 1998 and 2009; otherwise not even on radar

Just a small sampling: the point is that we've gone from legit Super Bowl Champion to transition and I get it's frustrating for all of us to go from watching that unique group and heck, even the Steelers teams since Cowher took over from 1992-2002 that got us so close, the missing piece being a QB. And we were not happy in 1998-2000 (although it was different, we weren't coming down from such a high and had more HOPE; heck we see Joey Porter in 1999 preseason and were dubbing him "baby Lloyd").

But a transition can take a little time: And were a made FG from back to back playoff appearances; a knee injury to Bell from easily advancing to AFC Championship. That sounds like a promising start, doesn't it?

This team does have a lot of needs on defense -- it's hard for all of us to think of the Steelers being carried by the offense because the only times we've really seen that were arguably 1978 & 1979 (and it was STILL the Steel Curtain) and 2002 when Tommy Maddox showed us our first legit passing game since 1982.
We've watched the defense carry us to 4 Super Bowls since 1995, only 1 where it let us down and we've been the best defense in football since the turn of the millennium and now we're supposed to accept that we can compete with a hopefully improving defense and rely heavily on the offense? It's all but impossible to reverse that kind of conditioning.

But if we look at this objectively:
Roethlisberger is only getting better
Bell is the equivalent to Troy on offense -- when he plays the team is just simply better
Brown was the best WR in football last year and with Wheaton and Bryant one can only believe the offense is going to have more weapons
Pouncey has taken over a leadership role in locker room not seen since 2011; and with DeCastro lead the best OL since 2005

The defense:
We're taking leaps of faiths on 4 #1 picks since 2011: Cameron Heyward, Jarvis Jones, Ryan Shazier and the unnamed 2015 (we're going defense, let's be honest) -- where the only one who has shown us that legit next level is Heyward, but the other two have suffered season ending injuries. In a sense, it is possible that we will have 3 #1 picks starting their first full year on defense next year. There are a lot of variables -- so yes, it's hard to get a warm and fuzzy feeling about all the unknowns -- but if they play at all with the talent they showed to make them #1 picks, who knows? A mix of big plays and big mistakes is a very likely possibility.

Still: The Ravens have lost so much over the last few years and the Bengals just are one of those typical one and done teams that lack a franchise QB -- the Browns are a debacle. I really see this team as a 10-6 division winner.
 
steelhurt said:
The reality of our team is we better start making better decisions with draft picks and F/A pick-ups and fast. We should have never been in this position on defense with such little depth and lack of quality starters. Guys like Jones, Shazier, Mitchell and Thomas must stay healthy and start to produce.
Click to expand...

This is spot on.

I know people think the offense is going to put up 40+ a game but that isn't realistic since they are playing against better teams this year. No more Jax, TB and Atlanta this year. Having a better defense is going to be paramount to making the playoffs. If they play like last year then they won't sniff the playoffs. They need Jones, Shazier etc... to step up.

I'm not counting on a rookie to come in and make the defense great. So they need the guys they have recently drafted to show why they were drafted high.
 
FSF said:
The reality is that the Steelers from 2004-2011 were just a few plays and injuries shy of a dynasty:
2004: The team was 15-1 -- Roethlisberger being a rookie hurt, the Patriots cheated big time knowing our plays from getting their *** kicked in regular season; could have been considered among best ever
2005: Roethlisberger's bad game in Super Bowl eclipses how incredible he was carrying the team through the playoffs offensively
2006: Cowher's personal situation and lack of focus made it a lost year
2007: Tomlin transitioned team to his style and his mistakes (working them too hard all year) caught up with them, but it was a necessary evil
2008: Seriously incredible team that could compete with anyone
2009: Troy's injuries were biggest thing -- weren't same team without him
2010: 3rd Super Bowl in 6 years -- again injuries to Troy and Pouncey hurt team badly in a Super Bowl that Steelers had a great chance to win on final drive anyway
2011: Final Run: Ben's high ankle sprain, Mendenhall's ACL, Hines decline; before playoff game -- Starks & Hampton torn ACL in playoff game. The end of the run.

Just consider what the main dynasties have done following their years:
1960's Packers -- horrible team until mid 1990s
1970's Steelers -- those of you old enough remember
1980's 49ers -- managed well through 1990s because they were able to go from Montana to Young, then over a decade of disasters and a short run just blew itself up
1990's Cowboys -- finally managed first playoff win since 1996

Okay -- more like 2000 Steelers "mini" dynasty (teams with 2 or more Super Bowls, 3 or more Super Bowl appearances)
1970s-80s Raiders -- been a degrading joke since 1983
1970's Dolphins -- were competitive for decade, never matched Steelers -- then landed gift in Marino and did nothing with it to this day
1990's Bills -- 4 Super Bowls in row; longest playoff drought in NFL (longer than Browns)
1990s Broncos -- Shanahan didn't look so brilliant after Elway retired, Davis got injured and were caught cheating salary cap
1980's Redskins -- After 1991 Super Bowl, they have been comical
1970's Vikings -- 4 times to NFCCG -- where they have absolutely choked badly, especially in 1998 and 2009; otherwise not even on radar

Just a small sampling: the point is that we've gone from legit Super Bowl Champion to transition and I get it's frustrating for all of us to go from watching that unique group and heck, even the Steelers teams since Cowher took over from 1992-2002 that got us so close, the missing piece being a QB. And we were not happy in 1998-2000 (although it was different, we weren't coming down from such a high and had more HOPE; heck we see Joey Porter in 1999 preseason and were dubbing him "baby Lloyd").

But a transition can take a little time: And were a made FG from back to back playoff appearances; a knee injury to Bell from easily advancing to AFC Championship. That sounds like a promising start, doesn't it?

This team does have a lot of needs on defense -- it's hard for all of us to think of the Steelers being carried by the offense because the only times we've really seen that were arguably 1978 & 1979 (and it was STILL the Steel Curtain) and 2002 when Tommy Maddox showed us our first legit passing game since 1982.
We've watched the defense carry us to 4 Super Bowls since 1995, only 1 where it let us down and we've been the best defense in football since the turn of the millennium and now we're supposed to accept that we can compete with a hopefully improving defense and rely heavily on the offense? It's all but impossible to reverse that kind of conditioning.

But if we look at this objectively:
Roethlisberger is only getting better
Bell is the equivalent to Troy on offense -- when he plays the team is just simply better
Brown was the best WR in football last year and with Wheaton and Bryant one can only believe the offense is going to have more weapons
Pouncey has taken over a leadership role in locker room not seen since 2011; and with DeCastro lead the best OL since 2005

The defense:
We're taking leaps of faiths on 4 #1 picks since 2011: Cameron Heyward, Jarvis Jones, Ryan Shazier and the unnamed 2015 (we're going defense, let's be honest) -- where the only one who has shown us that legit next level is Heyward, but the other two have suffered season ending injuries. In a sense, it is possible that we will have 3 #1 picks starting their first full year on defense next year. There are a lot of variables -- so yes, it's hard to get a warm and fuzzy feeling about all the unknowns -- but if they play at all with the talent they showed to make them #1 picks, who knows? A mix of big plays and big mistakes is a very likely possibility.

Still: The Ravens have lost so much over the last few years and the Bengals just are one of those typical one and done teams that lack a franchise QB -- the Browns are a debacle. I really see this team as a 10-6 division winner.
Click to expand...

These are excellent points and these #1's you mentioned have got to produce. I'm fine so far with Heyward but like most of us very unsure on the Jones and Shazier picks. I can't help but think these two guys are going to be sideline spectators not being able to stay healthy, especially Jones. Jones just does not look strong enough to make the impact we need. Shazier if he can stay healthy I think can be what we hoped he would be.
 
Tibs said:
I'm quietly optimistic about our defense
Click to expand...

have you looked at our secondary lately?

I had high hopes for Shamarko when he was drafted, but he hasn't shown he's even starter material yet, let alone Troy's "replacement".
 
good news everyone



Steelers' Le'Veon Bell says his knee is 'close to 100 percent'

Le'Veon Bell is finally getting back on track.

The hyperextended right knee he suffered in the regular season finale against the Bengals that caused him to miss the wild card loss to the Ravens is getting "close to 100 percent," the Steelers running back said Thursday via Instagram.

(video)

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/sto...e-knee-close-to-100-percent-return-suspension

---------------------------------

relax - you got time
 
We have one of the toughest schedules in the NFL this year. That being said, the Stillers always seem to rise to the occasion against tough teams.
j. Jones is only a 3rd year man and Shazir is coming off his rookie year. They really need to step up with Jason Worilds gone.

I wish the national media would drop the "old" defense BS. Truth is we're real young but I see a big area for improvement.

Mitchell needs to play an impact role this year. I expect Tuitt to be stranger, but remember he's still very young (22 or 23 at most).
 
Spike we very well could be 8-8 with the schedule we have or even worse. HOWEVER, I get a good feeling about this bunch. Young and aggressive with a new Defensive coach who is willing to play more people and adapt quicker to schemes. Butler has been around awhile as the linebacker's coach.

If we could sneek into the playoffs at 9-7 we would be the most dangerous team because so many "young" guys on Defense would have grown up during the season.
 
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SteelerSask said:
I'm drunk, but sometimes the best clarity comes from being drunk. I hack on the FO and Tomlin a lot. As do many of you. However, when you look at the overall of this franchise and remember that there are 32 teams in this league consider the fact that on top of the Super Bowl of the 70s , this team has two more and an AFC championship. Now compare that to:
Minnesota who if you take away a couple years in the late 90S early 2000's hasn't been relevant since Fran Tarkenton.
Cincinnati who extended a coach who has went through two complete rosters (retirements ) and hasn't won a playoff game.
Detroit who despite having a top ten pick almost perennially still hasn't won a playoff game.
The Browns, well need I say more.
The Dolphins who haven't won a SB since Shula was young and haven't been a serious contender since Marino.
The Bills except exchange Marino for Kelly.
We are blessed
Click to expand...

Yes, you're drunk. That's at least a 0.12 post. But I love you, man.

steelhurt said:
The reality of our team is we better start making better decisions with draft picks and F/A pick-ups and fast. We should have never been in this position on defense with such little depth and lack of quality starters. Guys like Jones, Shazier, Mitchell and Thomas must stay healthy and start to produce.
Click to expand...

The O is fine but they'd better gear up to score 40 every week because the D is going to give up at least 30.
 
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To waste even 3 seconds worrying about the schedule is a monumental waste of time. By Sept. this schedule could look totally different, for the Steelers or the teams that play the Steelers, with the inevitable injuries that occur to teams. Not to mention what it could look like by November.

They won't need to score 40. I think the D will be better than people think. Not dominant or anything, but better than folks may think. I just the feel the influx of younger players will pay off. Why? I don't know, but it's April. Be positive.
 
The thing that is most bothersome to me regarding the schedule is the way it is set up. Granted there are likely at this point to be some better teams but last year they did not exactly feast on the bottom feeders that they played.

This team is I suspect prepared to lose to anyone. One way I think they do this by looking past teams as do many college players and get surprised. In other instances they are not all staying focused on the game as they should, a mental breakdown by one of the eleven players can turn a successful play into a loss. When you spread that out to many players it does not mean they all stink but collectively they lose enough plays to kill a drive, then another and so on. On defense the same thing happens, how many third and longs have we seen where we all thought there is no way the other team converts and we see a penalty that has a first down attached to it, or a lapse that turns into a big play.

A good example of the offense going into the bag was the game after Ben's two back to back highlight games, they should have easily attained a record with just a mediocre performance but were below the line and had two great games followed by a WTF game.

Many many years ago while watching the Steelers play prior to their super bowl runs in the 70s the steelers were close to the goal line and one of the folks I was watching the game with made the comment here comes the Pittsburgh special a fumble on the one and loss of the game. Teams have to develop an identity of success and work hard to maintain it. Our present team and recent teams have not done that as they should have, instead they do not seem to embrace the urgency that winning requires. I do not blame any one person for this coach or player but suspect it takes lots of little things by lots of people to continue this just as it takes lots of little things by lots of people to become a dynasty as they did in the past.

I hope they get their act together because until that happens we will continue to have games that end with what the **** was that on our minds.
 
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