PPG: Steelers Report: A Look Back At Disappointing Season

[GoFor7]

Ed Bouchette and Gerry Dulac discuss reasons why the Steelers had such a disappointing season:

http://www.post-gazette.com/video/?v=2065786405001

Yinz might not like what's said in the second half of the video...

[Riddle_Of_Steel]

Originally Posted by GoFor7

Ed Bouchette and Gerry Dulac discuss reasons why the Steelers had such a disappointing season:

http://www.post-gazette.com/video/?v=2065786405001

Yinz might not like what's said in the second half of the video...

They said exactly what I have been trying to tell you in several other threads-- things were going GREAT, until midseason.

Big Ben was on pace to break most of his prior records, we were rolling at 6-3, the offense was keeping the defense rested, and the defense was starting to wake up.

I also notice how almost nobody in the Pittsburgh press is willing to touch on the fact that Ben is a new father, and how that has affected his game at all.

New parents routinely sleep around 3 hours per night...

They also went on to say that Todd Haley will be back next year, and that we just have to wait and see what direction we go in next season.

[OX1947]

No idea why anyone would want to look back on this season. I want to forget it existed.

[Riddle_Of_Steel]

The real question here, is NOT how did we end up at 8-8.

The question is how did a 6-3 team finish out going 1-5?

Well, what changed around that time?

* Ben started playing more sandlot football, and got squashed by Tamba Hali after holding the ball for 8 seconds on one dropback.

* Haley started listening to Mike Wallace and the fans who wanted more deep plays to Wallace. We started trying to force balls to Wallace, resulting in Ben holding the ball longer, Olinemen getting hurt trying to hold blocks for 9 seconds or more, and more interceptions.

* Ben became a new daddy and his focus shifted from football to his son (understandable, but to be expected).

[pete74]

Originally Posted by Riddle_Of_Steel

The real question here, is NOT how did we end up at 8-8.

The question is how did a 6-3 team finish out going 1-5?

Well, what changed around that time?

* Ben started playing more sandlot football, and got squashed by Tamba Hali after holding the ball for 8 seconds on one dropback.

* Haley started listening to Mike Wallace and the fans who wanted more deep plays to Wallace. We started trying to force balls to Wallace, resulting in Ben holding the ball longer, Olinemen getting hurt trying to hold blocks for 9 seconds or more, and more interceptions.

* Ben became a new daddy and his focus shifted from football to his son (understandable, but to be expected).

I don't buy the '' he's a new dad'' excuse. Most players have kids and he can afford a live in nanny. That's just a dumb excuse in my mind. I gurentee he got a good night sleep before every game

[Riddle_Of_Steel]

Originally Posted by pete74

I don't buy the '' he's a new dad'' excuse. Most players have kids and he can afford a live in nanny. That's just a dumb excuse in my mind. I gurentee he got a good night sleep before every game

You've obviously never been a parent.

You can have a nannie, or wetnurse or whatever, but when that baby so much as "cooos" and makes a sound-- you wake up. That is father's instinct-- been ingrained into our nature far longer than throwing footballs has been.

Whether you have a nannie or not-- being a new father CHANGES EVERYTHING. Mentaly, emotionally, and even hormonally.

Besuides the sleep-- do you honestly think Ben's pmental priority the last month or two has been to make sure he logs extra time in the filmroom everyday, and studying his new Haley-infused playbook? Or could it have changed to "I want to go home to be with my son"?

Pro football is such a competitive sport, that even a slight mental lapse on the part of a crucial position like QB can result in one or two bad throws per game-- and that is the difference between being 8-8 and 10-6.

[Riddle_Of_Steel]

Either way, I do not offer it so much as an excuse, so much as an obvious explanation for those who have been wondering why ben did not win us games in the 4th quarter like he usually does and whatnot.

I predicted this way back in August, if I can dig up the threads, that Ben's play would have a huge dropoff once Little Ben arrived.

[Riddle_Of_Steel]

Almost without a doubt, Ben's injury was probably the biggest factor contributing to his end-of-season implosion. I would think it is kinda hard to establish an effective throwing motion when you have some broken rbs floating around in there near your aorta.

[pete74]

Originally Posted by Riddle_Of_Steel

You've obviously never been a parent.

You can have a nannie, or wetnurse or whatever, but when that baby so much as "cooos" and makes a sound-- you wake up. That is father's instinct-- been ingrained into our nature far longer than throwing footballs has been.

Whether you have a nannie or not-- being a new father CHANGES EVERYTHING. Mentaly, emotionally, and even hormonally.

Besuides the sleep-- do you honestly think Ben's pmental priority the last month or two has been to make sure he logs extra time in the filmroom everyday, and studying his new Haley-infused playbook? Or could it have changed to "I want to go home to be with my son"?

Pro football is such a competitive sport, that even a slight mental lapse on the part of a crucial position like QB can result in one or two bad throws per game-- and that is the difference between being 8-8 and 10-6.

Sorry but I have a one and a 5 year old. I spend every second awY from work with them and my job never suffered foe one second because of them. I'm sure there are a few parents that can't handle parenting and work but I'm not one of them and I wouldn't expect a professional athlete who really only needs to give it his all one day a week to be one either

[GoFor7]

Maybe not all of us are hanging our hats on a three game stretch for one season?

All the Haley apologists looks back to the games against the Bengals, Redskins, and Giants and say "Look! It worked!"

Really? It had nothing to do with the fact that the Bengals and Redskins were playing their worst football of the season (11 drops by WAS receivers in that game). Or the fact that the Giants generally start their mid-to-late season slump in November? Same could be said about the games against the Jets, Eagles, and the Ravens the second time - all teams that were slumping or beginning a skid.

Perhaps some of us aren't just ready to hang our hats on the Haley offense when you already have a QB that is 10-5 in the postseason, 3 SB appearances, 2 SB wins.

"But Haley will make him better!"

All those 3rd and longs early in the season suggest it was Ben making Haley look better actually.