The Steelers play scared

[steelfury02]

Originally Posted by teegre

Actually, I think that mentioning Cowher actually points to two huge factors (that are currently missing):

1) No running game. Cowher had The Bus. The Steelers could close out games better than anyone... via killing the clock.

I remember a game against the Browns, where Bam Morris ran the ball like 13 straight times, taking 6 minutes off of the clock... and the Steelers knelt down on the 6 yard line in victory formation.

Likewise, I rememebr a game agains the Titans, where FWP ran the ball 22 straight times in the fourth quarter, to kill the clock.

This O-line was far too injured to accomlish such feats.

2) No pressure. I remember being up 10 points, and when the prevent defense was put into affect, LeBeau would also unleash Greg Lloyd (or Joey Porter)... and the OLB would always (ALWAYS) get a crucial sack (making it third and looong) or get the strip-sack.

Alas, Harrison was not "Harrison" for the first half of the season (i.e. in the Tennessee & Oakland games). And, Woodley is nearly 320 pounds. In turn, no pressure.

The only pressure Woodley is creating is on his belt buckle.
Woodley: Mmmmm, Belt buuucckle

[FrancoLambert]

Originally Posted by steelfury02

The only pressure Woodley is creating is on his belt buckle.
Woodley: Mmmmm, Belt buuucckle

Recently saw tape of him on NFL network about 2008 season.
He easily looks 25 pounds heavier now if not more.
He had quickness for a big man...no more.

[NSMaster56]

Not sure that 'playing scared' is the right term.

More objectively, the Steelers play 'conservative' football for sure and said style does bite them in the arse more often than not.

On one hand, this 'keeps them in' every game and usually avoids blowout losses. However, on the other it keeps them from definitively beating their opponents, too.

Overall, it is frustrating and appears to be a fixable 'problem'.

EDIT: That was a horribly dyslexic attempt at spelling 'definitively'.

[GoFor7]

Originally Posted by NSMaster56

Not sure that 'playing scared' is the right term.

More objectively, the Steelers play 'conservative' football for sure and said style does bite them in the arse more often than not.

On one hand, this 'keeps them in' every game and usually avoids blowout losses. However, on the other it keeps them from definintely beating their opponents, too.

Overall, it is frustrating and appears to be a fixable 'problem'.

It's mostly about their fixation with time of possession. They fear if the offense scores too quickly the defense will suck and they'll be suckered into a shootout. In reality, this close to the vest football has just put more pressure on the defense to keep the team in the game.

Lets look at where the playoff teams rank in TOP:

Houston: 1
Seattle: 4
Denver: 6
San Francisco: 8
Indianapolis: 9 (BOOOO! AIR-HEAD! BOOOOOOO!)
Atlanta: 10
Washington: 11
New England: 12
Green Bay: 13
Cincinnati: 17
Minnesota: 28
Baltimore: 30
Source: http://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat...sion-net-of-ot

Only 2 of the 12 playoff teams ranked top 5 in time of possession. Obviously, Baltimore and Minnesota are outliers in the opposite direction and most teams that rank that low aren't in the playoffs. But what this would suggest is that if you trade some possession time for some points, being anywhere from 6th to 15th in time of possession isn't the end of the world.

[Twentyvalve]

Yeap, For this team, a simple sack, an interception, or even a recovery from their own fumble is a monumental achievement. Other teams, even lower tier teams, do those things on a regular basis. Last year I thought it was bad luck. This year I don't think it is luck at all. At any rate, we all just watched Baltimore make their own luck and quite possibly be one of the poorest teams to make the playoffs.

Originally Posted by maddog78

It was refreshing watching the playoffs last week and seeing DBs break on balls and get INTs, DBs crash the pocket and knock passes down or sack the QB. Been a long time since we've seen either.

[Steelers5895]

i dont think its a mindset or plan, i just think the talent isnt there to blow teams out and because of that, games are close.

if you were able to objectively evaluate the steelers position by position, the only place we may be better than 25 other teams are:

QB
C
S

again, i said objectively. there are probably 25 teams with a better 1 & 2 rb, 20 teams with better 1 & 2 wrs, 10-12 better TE, 20+ better tackles, 20+ better Guards, on and on and on

[Killer]

The defense has always played soft when trying to cover up for CB weakness for the last decade, that's nothing new.

Ben's aorta spooked the team and him, for sure. You could tell he played different after he got hurt.

The wife was probably changing his insurance policy, I could see how that would affect his game.

[teegre]

Originally Posted by Killer

The wife was probably changing his insurance policy, I could see how that would affect his game.

Dude, I have no idea what you're talking about. My life has not changed one bit since I got married. Oh crap... the "honey-do" alarm sounded... gotta go.

[NSMaster56]

Originally Posted by GoFor7

It's mostly about their fixation with time of possession. They fear if the offense scores too quickly the defense will suck and they'll be suckered into a shootout. In reality, this close to the vest football has just put more pressure on the defense to keep the team in the game.
...

Only 2 of the 12 playoff teams ranked top 5 in time of possession. Obviously, Baltimore and Minnesota are outliers in the opposite direction and most teams that rank that low aren't in the playoffs. But what this would suggest is that if you trade some possession time for some points, being anywhere from 6th to 15th in time of possession isn't the end of the world.

Very true and well said.

The T.O.P. fetish is preventing them from maturing as an offense.

[BowCatShot]

Keep in mind another factor to consider. The NFL and the tv networks love close games. That's what keeps the viewers glued to the tv watching those commercials that pay for the whole shebang. Regardless of what some other teams do, the Steelers are playing ball [sic] with the powers that be.