This is a critical stretch for coach T

[maddog78]

Not a good year so far. Started with the endorsement/firing of Arians, the hiring of Haley and perceived bristling with Ben, followed by Wallace's holdout and subsequent pouting and even going as far to say he "loses focus", the RB fiasco, Mendy suspension, and most damning, several veteran players saying that the team isn't prepared for games against bad teams.

This thing could turn around with a 3-game streak and some noise in the playoffs, or it could completely unravel if the losing continues. In that case, it could resemble the 1999 team that Cowher appeared to have lost.

[Terminator]

In my opinion, it's already lost, or very close to that point.

Despite our record, and some of the opponents we beat, I think this team looks worse than both the 2006 and 2009 teams.

[steelfury02]

Originally Posted by Terminator

In my opinion, it's already lost, or very close to that point.

Despite our record, and some of the opponents we beat, I think this team looks worse than both the 2006 and 2009 teams.

I'd say better than the 06 team, but just about on par with the 09 team - SB quality talent, simply lack of discipline and desire

[plenewken]

Let's not forget that this team hasn't really shown any kind of steady improvement since the beginning of the season, except on D, where Lebeau straightened things after 3 games.
So that's 13 games of overall lousiness with inexcusable L or lucky W against bottom feeders, poor discipline, poor readiness etc...

[Terminator]

Originally Posted by plenewken

Let's not forget that this team hasn't really shown any kind of steady improvement since the beginning of the season, except on D, where Lebeau straightened things after 3 games.
So that's 13 games of overall lousiness with inexcusable L or lucky W against bottom feeders, poor discipline, poor readiness etc...

Our D shit the bed bad against the Chargers. 34 points and 13 3rd down conversions allowed? That is shit-tier.

[SteelersCanada]

Originally Posted by plenewken

Let's not forget that this team hasn't really shown any kind of steady improvement since the beginning of the season, except on D, where Lebeau straightened things after 3 games.
So that's 13 games of overall lousiness with inexcusable L or lucky W against bottom feeders, poor discipline, poor readiness etc...

It has nothing to do with the fact that the franchise quarterback went down. Or the fact that the second string went down as well. Oh, and before that, our defensive playmaker and best Safety in the NFL went down, as well as rotating in and out our Pro Bowl OLB's.

When this team was 6 - 3, we were absolutely rolling. You're sitting there with a straight face and telling me that the offense hasn't made drastic strides since week 1 playing in Denver? We had the number one offense on third downs until Roethlisberger went down. We had the ball for an average of 35 minutes a game - tied for second in the NFL - when he had Big Ben at the helm. After we beat the Giants, we had one of the best teams in the NFL - no question. Inexcusable losses to Tennessee and Oakland early in the season are beginning to come back and haunt us, but by midseason, we had one of the best teams in the league.

When Ben went down, things went down the tubes. Not having your franchise guy and instead, a third string quarterback, is a good way to derail any teams season. The fact that we're still in the conversation for a playoff spot shows the resilience of this team and the ability to fight through adversity.

This team has made significant strides since early in the season but shockingly, when Ben went down, it went off the rails. How about we keep the doomsday talk to a minimum until we've actually been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Maybe that's asking too much.

[NoFieldFive]

hopefully after this Sunday's game we are not hearing Tomlin's 'playing on the road in the NFL in a hostile environment' speech.

[maddog78]

Originally Posted by steelfury02

I'd say better than the 06 team, but just about on par with the 09 team - SB quality talent, simply lack of discipline and desire

Harrison has only been getting right the past 3-4 weeks. Woodley's missed several games, Troy even more. The next time Harrison-Woodley-Clark-Polamalu take the field together will be the first since 2004 of last year.

Foote for Farrior, Hood for Smith, Keis and Hamp three years older and slower - sorry, I don't see the SB talent.

Forget the rankings. They don't sack QBs or get turnovers and patient teams can run on them.

[SoCalFan]

I think the injury bug has been too overwhealming. Now that players are getting healthy and coming back the chemistry is a bit off! For some reason, the motivation during the charger game was simply not there and that not only falls on the coaching staff but more so the players in my opinion!!!

Come on, these players are grown ass men, professional athletes at that and need to act like it! They Should not need a babysitter! Coming out playing flat like they did one would think they do! Come on kiddies, lets give it all you got!

[maddog78]

Originally Posted by SteelersCanada

It has nothing to do with the fact that the franchise quarterback went down. Or the fact that the second string went down as well. Oh, and before that, our defensive playmaker and best Safety in the NFL went down, as well as rotating in and out our Pro Bowl OLB's.

When this team was 6 - 3, we were absolutely rolling. You're sitting there with a straight face and telling me that the offense hasn't made drastic strides since week 1 playing in Denver? We had the number one offense on third downs until Roethlisberger went down. We had the ball for an average of 35 minutes a game - tied for second in the NFL - when he had Big Ben at the helm. After we beat the Giants, we had one of the best teams in the NFL - no question. Inexcusable losses to Tennessee and Oakland early in the season are beginning to come back and haunt us, but by midseason, we had one of the best teams in the league.

When Ben went down, things went down the tubes. Not having your franchise guy and instead, a third string quarterback, is a good way to derail any teams season. The fact that we're still in the conversation for a playoff spot shows the resilience of this team and the ability to fight through adversity.

This team has made significant strides since early in the season but shockingly, when Ben went down, it went off the rails. How about we keep the doomsday talk to a minimum until we've actually been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Maybe that's asking too much.

You make good points, but you're forgetting perhaps that we lost to Oakland and Tennessee with Ben, were down 10-0 to KC at home with Ben, and lost to Cleveland in the biggest shitstorm since we lost to them last time, and now have lost to a team that couldn't buy points or a win.

When several players say that they team isn't ready to play on a semi-regular basis, that's a huge red flag. A loss in Dallas could be the kill shot.