Steelers observations.....

[PSU Michigan]

Although disappointed in the outcome, I was pleasantly surprised at how well Mike Tomlin had the Steelers prepared to play yesterday. Yeah, he may be more of a cheerleader than you could ever imagine Noll or Cowher being, but so what? It's his style. Some of you here on this board don't think he is a good head coach, but that is a bunch of hogwash, and not much other than Steelers envy manifesting itself. Maybe you would rather have Marvin Lewis instead? Good grief.....how pathetic! No thanks.

The mounting injuries this season (and to key players, no less) should likely have resulted in no better than a .500 season. They really had no business almost landing in the AFC Championship game, let alone making the playoffs. What a shame their six games with Cincinnati, Baltimore, and Cleveland in particular have become so treacherous in terms of star players getting through unscathed.

James Harrison sure can still play some great defense! He is still a valued part of the Steelers line backing corp. I swear wearing the Steelers uniform propels him like none other would. Nothing more to expand on......it's quite plain and simple! Damn Roger Goodell for targeting this guy as he definitely has, and even trying to mess with Harrison's drive & passion for the game.

The Steelers are very much still the blue-collar team. Is it still the dominant trait that was established by none other than owner Art Rooney (and now fostered under his various family off-springs)? They sure seem to work hard right from the start, and all the harder when things are stacked against them. More often than not, they do rise above the challenges. It is still the primary differentiating factor from their aforementioned divisional rivals. I'll go one step further.....their player and coaching choices seem to very much fit the work ethics usually embraced. Not sure exactly where the discernment comes from, but their choices seem to be a step above most of the time. This alone is going to continue positioning them as the elite team of the AFC Central......even if they don't always come out on top.

Feel fortunate Steelers fans, for there is still much to feel good about and be proud of! Here is one strong example. Did you pay attention to the away games this year?!? The Black & Gold presence was absolutely visible and apparent! Steeler Nation is stronger than ever!

 

[irncty]

Steelers are in good shape. The offense has tons of weapons and the line is solid. The only negative is Rothlisberger's years are getting up there, but he still has a few good years ahead.

Defensively, they transitioned from old to young. They were much improved as the year progressed. They still could use a few more pieces on defense, but the future is bright.

Injuries are always a factor, but on paper, the Steelers are very well positioned to go deep in the playoffs again next year. I believe they are next year's favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

 

[JoeLion]

It was good to watch a game that was played hard and without the excessive border line aggression than the Cincy game. I enjoyed the game even though the Steelers lost. They are positioned well for next year. I believe they still need help in the secondary, additional O-line personal and though I hate to say it, the eventual replacement for Heath Miller. (Perhaps J. James).

 

[LemonEars]

I think Tomlin is a superb coach. With all the injuries, the Steelers had no business being in the game yesterday. I believe if Brown was able to play they likely would have won.

The thing I really like about Tomlin is how he holds his players accountable for results. He doesn't pussyfoot around with poor performance. Look at how he handled the placekickers earlier this season. When the first replacement didn't perform he canned him immediately and now he has a fine placekicker. Same thing with Jacoby Jones. He didn't perform so he was cut. I think Tomlin is one of the best coaches in the NFL.

 

[royboy]

The secondary is an obvious area for upgrade, and hope they are successful in addressing through the draft. The Steelers will also have the 2nd round draft choice Golson at CB, after missing his rookie year with shoulder surgery. Overall, should be a playoff team next year, maybe better.

 

[BBrown]

The secondary is an obvious area for upgrade, and hope they are successful in addressing through the draft. The Steelers will also have the 2nd round draft choice Golson at CB, after missing his rookie year with shoulder surgery. Overall, should be a playoff team next year, maybe better.

JMO but I think they need a DT and DE as well.
I wonder what they do with Shaun Suisham? If it was me I'd keep the new kid.

 

[MrDibbs]

Just my opinion here ... I think that Tomlin gets it with the players. They like him and they play their guts out for him.

Roethlisberger gets a lot of credit for these guys making it to a competitive effort with Denver. He and Haley have certainly gelled together and that bodes well for the immediate future. Got to remember that Ben is 32 or 33 years old now and he may only have a couple of productive years remaining.

Lots of props go to Mike Munchak and his OL. lost a couple of cogs in the machinery early and still proved to be a quality unit. Also consider that the running back slot was severely depleted ... Steelers' offense looks solid for the immediate future.

Defensively, the development of the DL and linebacker corpsis a positive. Maybe use the entire draft on getting DBs and somebody who can catch and return a punt/kickoff.

Fun season ...

 

[francofan]

Steelers are in good shape. The offense has tons of weapons and the line is solid. The only negative is Rothlisberger's years are getting up there, but he still has a few good years ahead.

Defensively, they transitioned from old to young. They were much improved as the year progressed. They still could use a few more pieces on defense, but the future is bright.

Injuries are always a factor, but on paper, the Steelers are very well positioned to go deep in the playoffs again next year. I believe they are next year's favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

I don't think Roethlisberger is a negative in the least. In fact, I think he is one of the main reasons that the Steelers will be contenders to be in the playoffs and to make runs in the playoffs for several more years.

 

[Thorndike2012]

I saw this Tweeted on Saturday night: "I was at James Harrison's house today. He has a bear rug: it's not dead, it's just afraid to move!"

Had to LOL at that one...

 

[rjg82]

While I don't think Tomlin is an elite coach I do think the players like him.
My big beef with him is losing to inferior teams. They lost to a 5-11 Baltimore team twice. Inexcusable

 

[irncty]

I don't think Roethlisberger is a negative in the least. In fact, I think he is one of the main reasons that the Steelers will be contenders to be in the playoffs and to make runs in the playoffs for several more years.

My choice of words were poor. I believe Rothlisberger is playing his best football right now. The entire offense is exceptional and relatively young except for Ben and Heath Miller. The near term future is very bright Unfortunately, because of Ben's age, there is probably only 2-3 more good years with him.

 

[GregInPitt]

I believe Ben can play 5 or 6 more years if he can cut down on the injuries. But he seems to bounce back from each one just as strong.

Yea, if Tomlin could have gotten wins vs Baltimore yesterday's game would have been played at Heinz field, and been a win.

I hope they keep targeting CB and S until they get it right. Hopefully their 2nd round CB pick from last year is ready to go next year. But he's pretty small. We need a draft with a number of 1st round worthy talented players so we can get one.

The OL is very good, but could not give Ben the time he needed in the 2nd half to put the game away. Hopefully they can continue to improve as they are mostly young.

Nice to see the young LB's play better. Even the injury prone one from oh-high-ya.

My sons and I watched the game, and it's hard to be disappointed when your team is missing big weopons, is the #6 seed, and still almost gets to the AFC championship game.

 

[Cletus11]

Anybody else think Harrison used a ton of HGH to get himself back into that type of player. He was washed up and done and then he comes back and looks like he did when he was 25 years old.

I thought Pittsburgh almost played the perfect game. No Brown, a bad 3rd string RB, and an injured Ben and if Toussant doesn't fumble, they win the game.

I also think Denver gets killed next week versus the Patriots. Manning cannot throw the ball more than about 20 yards and Bellicheck knows that and is a master at devising defenses that beat teams with flaws.

 

[JoeLion]

JMO but I think Suisham is gone,for cap reasons plus the Bos appears to be a find as a kicker that never seems to feel any pressure. I believe an upgrade in punter should be considered as well.

 

[dbsteel]

I think Ben is going to be one of those guys who has 2-3 more years and then just falls off a cliff. He takes a beating. The guy should think about dropping a few.

The thing with the Steelers...... is if they are healthy, they are really dangerous. But they never seem super healthy. They are a better team than Denver if they have all their weapons. A break here and there and they definitely win yesterday.

And as much as I liked Suisham they better keep the young kicker. He was about as automatic as I've seen with them.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Tomlin is a fine coach that has handled in season injuries and transition very well. He and his staff did a bang up job yesterday. They had a few bricks by trade or draft this offseason and they have reloaded. There were some complimentary comments yesterday regarding the Steelers play by Mr Manning. Picking up a real backup QB in the offseason might be wise.

 

[Still in State College]

Anybody else think Harrison used a ton of HGH to get himself back into that type of player. He was washed up and done and then he comes back and looks like he did when he was 25 years old.

I don't know if I think that. One thing I know is that players need to be in a scheme that makes them successful. You have a guy like Demarco Murray that is an I-formation back and put him in a system where he runs from the pistol/shotgun all the time and he can't. Asomugha was the same type of player. In Oakland they just let him play press all day. Philly gets him and tries to have him play zone concepts and he can't. Granted his time with the Eagles was late in his career and he played a speed position. I just see guys flame out with new teams all the time compared to a season earlier or later with another team.

 

[Cletus11]

Steelers were really unlucky. Losing Bell, Williams, Brown in relatively short order and having Ben be banged up from the previous playoff game is just bad luck. If Ben does not have the shoulder issue and Brown doesn't get cheap shotted, I think the Steelers win that game. Steelers defense was actually really healthy all things considered.

 

[UNCPSUFAN]

The Steelers need to beat those bad team during the regular season that they have a knack of losing to the last few years. If they take care of business during the regular season they should be able to make the playoffs and this time get a first round bye.

 

[fairfaxlion2]

The Steelers are actually in good shape, surprisingly. They played without their best RB or WR yesterday, and with a banged up QB. I have to think that a healthy team would have appeared in in the AFC Championship. Roethlisberger probably plays until 2019 or 2020 before retiring. The one position they should fix is backup QB. That is a disaster.