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Tuesday optimism: Anyone remember how difficult our schedule was in 2008?

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AggieSteel

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We had I think the most difficult schedule in the league that year. But we got through it with a good record, and the level of competition had that team absolutely razor sharp headed into the playoffs. Ya know, "iron sharpens iron" and the like.

We need to view these next few weeks as an opportunity for this team to grow and develop into the team I think we know they *can* be. If we can escape the next month+ still on top of the division, and competitive (hopefully W's) against NE and NO, I think the AFC should be on notice. At this point, the only thing stopping the Steelers is the Steelers, and if they can "button up" mistakes while continuing the move the ball at will, I think that's exactly what will happen.
 
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AggieSteel said:
We had I think the most difficult schedule in the league that year. But we got through it with a good record, and the level of competition had that team absolutely razor sharp headed into the playoffs. Ya know, "iron sharpens iron" and the like.

We need to view these next few weeks as an opportunity for this team to grow and develop into the team I think we know they *can* be. If we can escape the next month+ still on top of the division, and competitive (hopefully W's) against NE and NO, I think the AFC should be on notice. At this point, the only thing stopping the Steelers is the Steelers, and if they can "button up" mistakes while continuing the move the ball at will, I think that's exactly what will happen.
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We shall see.

But yes we can see that iron sharpens iron with formidable opponents.

Hopefully they will use what they encounter in route to the playoffs, and be


triumphant !
 
It wasn't just the toughest schedule that year, IT WAS the toughest schedule since the merger. That was when football still allowed the "D" to own and carry NUTS on their person. OUR "D" came to play and were very impressive. Many here think we need to beat the cheater's in the playoffs,.....well the cheats couldn't make it far enough to play us that year (provided my memory isn't in BizZarO world).

The IRON sharpens IRON is absolutely right but we have to wait and see if that's what happens in the remainder of the season.

GO STEELERS and **** the NFL for taking the "NUTS" outA defense.






Salute the nation
 
Its a nice thought, but lets not kid ourselves, the makeup of this roster isnt even CLOSE to thr makeup of the 2008 roster
 
That defense was a great defense that had the lowest yards per play against it of any team since the 1970 merger. It as full of tough smart guys from the Cowher era. This team is far from that and will not beat the Chiefs Pats or Texans on the road.
 
The NO game is the second to last game of the season, hopefully the Saints seeding will be set by then and they'll have little to play for in that game. Pats game in Pittsburgh is winnable, they got beat bad by the Titans and struggled against the Jets. Chargers lost at home to Denver and are over-rated and without their top running back, definitely winnable playing in Pittsburgh. Raiders and Bengals should be wins, both teams are struggling and are now playing for draft position. If we can avoid the klutzy play like we saw last week we can win these games and beat anyone.
 
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We went 12-4 that year and all of our losses were to playoff teams. This year we tried our hardest to lose to the Browns, got *****-slapped by a poor Ravens team, and found a way to lose to the game manager-lead Broncos. I want to believe, but our team's just a little better than last year and I fear we'll get blasted in the playoffs.
 
Omar10213245 said:
Its a nice thought, but lets not kid ourselves, the makeup of this roster isnt even CLOSE to thr makeup of the 2008 roster
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I think you missed the point of the thread it said optimism not your thread to thread pessimistic ****.
 
Ben was lights out that year, running for his life with a weak O-Line. Pump-faking people out of their jock straps. And the D was a shut-down defense.

This year, our D is a sieve, and while our overall offense is better, Ben doesn't seem to have that "IT factor" that he had back then when he was chasing the tail.
 
Omar10213245 said:
Its a nice thought, but lets not kid ourselves, the makeup of this roster isnt even CLOSE to thr makeup of the 2008 roster
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True.

The 2008 team won 7 of its final 8 games. It peaked at the right time.

Honestly I think we hit our peak already for the season, with the absolute high point being the Carolina win at home.

Since then, we've had two bad outings. A loss to San Diego could signal two wins and three losses in our final five games giving us a final record of 9-6-1.
 
oicu8ad said:
Ben was lights out that year, running for his life with a weak O-Line. Pump-faking people out of their jock straps. And the D was a shut-down defense.

This year, our D is a sieve, and while our overall offense is better, Ben doesn't seem to have that "IT factor" that he had back then when he was chasing the tail.
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I think Ben's regular season numbers were 17 tds and 15ints that year. So I wouldn't say Ben was "lights out."
I re-watched some of the WC game vs the chargers from that year. Ben's arm was a lot stronger then but he is a lot better QB now.
We got crushed the second to last game of that season by the Titans but then we got hot at the right time. I see no reason why this team can't do that. Sure, our defense isn't nearly as good as that season but what defense is these days?
 
Coach said:
True.

The 2008 team won 7 of its final 8 games. It peaked at the right time.

Honestly I think we hit our peak already for the season, with the absolute high point being the Carolina win at home.

Since then, we've had two bad outings. A loss to San Diego could signal two wins and three losses in our final five games giving us a final record of 9-6-1.
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Peak hell, we are just getting started !
 
mdk2 said:
I think Ben's regular season numbers were 17 tds and 15ints that year. So I wouldn't say Ben was "lights out."
I re-watched some of the WC game vs the chargers from that year. Ben's arm was a lot stronger then but he is a lot better QB now.
We got crushed the second to last game of that season by the Titans but then we got hot at the right time. I see no reason why this team can't do that. Sure, our defense isn't nearly as good as that season but what defense is these days?
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Memory isn't what it was 10 years ago, but what sticks in my mind from that year was the final drive in SB 43. Ben was running for his life. He pump faked his way to victory. While I love Santonio, there is NO WAY he deserved MVP over Ben. Ben won that game on the final drive. He saved the defense's *** on that one. And at the start of that drive, I knew we would do it. Now, I'm living in my fears with much less confidence.
 
oicu8ad said:
Ben was lights out that year, running for his life with a weak O-Line. Pump-faking people out of their jock straps. And the D was a shut-down defense.

This year, our D is a sieve, and while our overall offense is better, Ben doesn't seem to have that "IT factor" that he had back then when he was chasing the tail.
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What Defense that we are going to see (down the stretch or in playoffs) is not considered a sieve?
 
reduce turnovers and we can beat anyone. 2008 better defense 2018 much much better offensive line and better overall offense
 
Omar10213245 said:
Its a nice thought, but lets not kid ourselves, the makeup of this roster isnt even CLOSE to thr makeup of the 2008 roster
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Agreed.
The offense is a lot better. But that defense is no where near 2008 level
 
Coryea said:
That was the most difficult schedule in NFL history I believe

Sent from my XT1585 using Steeler Nation mobile app
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When they beat the Cowboys that year. That game was intense.
The monday night game at Washington when the defense really showed off that pass rush.

2008 was a fun year as a Steelers fan
 
MTC said:
When they beat the Cowboys that year. That game was intense.
The monday night game at Washington when the defense really showed off that pass rush.

2008 was a fun year as a Steelers fan
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I need to go back and watch the 2008 super bowl dvd, but I remember late in that Dallas game, we called a timeout and Romo made some smart comment or gesture as to what was the point, the Deshea pick sixed his ***!!!

Sent from my XT1585 using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
We lost the Broncos game because we played sloppy and dumb football... we nearly lost the Jags for the same reason.
We crushed Carolina cause we were motivated and took care of the ball...

I think many of our issues are self inflicted... im not worried... I won’t be surprised if we crush The Chargers, pats, and Saints, but lose to the Raiders and Daltonless Bungholes... its who we are... worldbeaters who too often beat ourselves
 
madinsomniac said:
I won’t be surprised if we crush The Chargers, pats, and Saints, but lose to the Raiders and Daltonless Bungholes... its who we are... worldbeaters who too often beat ourselves
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I don't think the bungholes are going to win to many more games. We won't lose to them... bank on it. Raiders maybe a different story.
 
slashsteel said:
I think you missed the point of the thread it said optimism not your thread to thread pessimistic ****.
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Slash my little puppy, why do you follow me from thread to thread if my "pessimistic ****" is so heartbreaking to you? Do us all a favor and **** off, ok?
 
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