Despite loss, playoffs still possible

Please Bob...I think all remember Jim Mora's famous quote, and it fits here perfectly.

Daquido,

I disagree.  We should win out (though what we "should" do, and will do, aren't necessarily the same). Green Bay is the only question mark. With Ben back, we're better than the Ravens, Miami, and of course Oakland and Cleveland. Jax has a harder schedule and will fall by he wayside. We control our own destiny, if not on paper, in realistic terms.

You know....a bootleg or QB draw or rollout or anything to get the kid on the move would have been nice to see ... esp in the OT .... you know .... it would have been NICE TO SEE

As for the game, the anti-Arians cultists and the phony fans were out in force, over on the Blog n Gold game thread. The anti-Arians garbage was as predictable as it was mindless. But the reality is that the offense did better than could be expected. It was the defense which could not hold the lead, yet again, that cost us the game.  I notice the Madden NFL players video game know-it-alls (thanks SteelBlitz56, for the perfect description for these folks) were repeating their dopey mantra about not handing off the ball more. And just like stink on you-know-what, they'll be sure to show up on this thread on the morn, as well.  Especially at the end of the game, the video game experts didn't want any pass plays. But runs alone wasn't going to get it done. Dixon showed us enough that is would have been unwarranted for the team to give up on him throwing, and with it, any realistic chance to win the game. True, he had more difficultly dealing with the zone coverage in the second half. But he also put the ball RIGHT INTO MIKE WALLACE'S HAND in the rear of the end zone. If Wallace doesn't let that one slip through, we win. The lone pick by the Raven's Kruger came on a highly sophisticated defensive play, and still took a terrific individual effort to snag the ball. You can't help that a spanking new rookie finally got burned on a play like that. Because you don't throw in the towel before it even happens. You play to win.

In the two overtime drives, we ran the ball four straight times. Then on second and 6, we tried a pass. When that failed, well of course we had to pass on 3rd and six. Next drive, we ran, ran again, then tried to pass on 3rd and five. To just run the ball on EVERY one of those plays would have been to wave the white flag and would have been stupid. The phony fans are putting their own desire to chest-beat, and to demonize Bruce Arians, ahead of the best interests of the team. And that play-call for the second touchdown was brilliant. It anticipated the blitz, it pulled the pursuit in the opposite direction with the fake reverse to Wallace, and perfectly utilized Dixon's prized speed. Will the same gang that finds fault with everything Arians does, acknowledge this play???

Bob,

"Arians otherwise chose not to use his quarterback's well-known running skills. That might have been a mistake."

Well, without knowing what instructions Arians may have been under from Tomlin, OR, what Arians' own sensibilities may have been, I'm merely speculating, but I'd think that they just didn't want to run Dixon too much. If he were to have gone down injured, Palko would have been the proverbial deer caught in the headlights. Ben, of course, could not be put in a position to be exposed to being hit, so soon after having his headaches. Having Dixon get hurt in this game was not an option. However, if this was NOT a consideration in the play-calling (though I personally think it should have been), I would then say that, yes, Dixon should have had a few more designed runs. Maybe more on this will come out, during the coming week.

Last thought:

Some will make hay with Hines Ward's remarks about Big Ben. Hines was wrong in his judgement here. But I'd like to believe that the cohesion in the lockerroom is not fragile, and that the player's will not make as much out of this as we all will. About two years ago, didn't Ben have to telephone Hines to apologize for some off-the-cuff remark that Ben made, which was perceived as a slight by outside observers, only to be laughed off by Hines? Somebody please refresh my memory about the specifics.

Yes JL,

You're right I'm waiting for SteelerMark and all the other Arians bashers to show up.  I have not even looked on the official message board yet. No matter what he does he can't win. Now I'm in no way, shape or form saying he's perfect some of the calls were iffy IMOP. The Bashers complained his offense is pass happy and does not utilize the run. OK tonight they ran the ball  like the bashers wanted but they still won't be happy will they? Oh he should have called pass plays on first down they will retort. Then they will complain about the interception we should have run the 32 power left works on Madden! When will they start calling out Lebeau? I just want them to hold him to the same high standard as they hold Arians. Once again the Arians led offence with the third string QB gives (with 1 full day of reps) them the lead with just over six minutes left. Without #7 this game should not have been close. That's right on 3rd and 21 they give up 17 and 4th and five they give up what 44.

This is not a typo Stiller fans # 1 rated defense lost the lead again! Even Dungy said it the offense did enough to win and defense lost it by not stopping them. That game tying drive started on what the 10-15 yard line? What will the defense apologist say about that and how will they turn it around and make it MT or BA fault. Oh I can hear them now defense dominated had 5 sacks, forced fumbles bunch of impressive stats, but what does it mean when you can't finish the job. Does any of the DB's besides Troy even look for the ball? Gay needs to be benched! Even Collier is calling them out. Also for those who said drafting DD was a wasted 5th round pick what do you think now he will be #2 next year C Batch is gone! Now do I think the offense got a little too conservative yes. I also thought DD should have scrambled on a few plays during the last couple of drives. Now for the record I'm not anti Lebeau. He must be made of Teflon though because he never gets held accountable for his unit's failures like Arians is. Players make plays or misses them Steelers defense missed one too many. Steelers have no room for error they have to win out and I think they can!    

Yep,

I remember ithat.  Ben said something about needing a tall wide receiver for inside the 20. It got blown way out of proportion too! Now should Ward have kept it in house yes, but it's not his decision to make anyway! They did the right thing in not playing him. Shoot I would sit him next week against the Raiders too give Ben more time to recover. That should be a winnable game if DD plays like he did most of this game mistake free. One other note see the difference when you have a QB who does not hold the ball too long. How many sacks did the O line give up 0 right?  

Blitz56,

Thanks for the info. about the previous BB/Hines non-flap. Also, I wasn't going to rub salt into BlitzburghDude's wounds, but since you broached the subject -what the heck! Yes, as much as I love Big Ben and would not trade him in for anybody, about half of the sacks he takes are of his own doing. True, he can make miracles happen when he shakes off would-be tacklers, runs around, and does his thing. But he also gets hit a lot and goes down to sacks a lot. TV coverage guys and Steeler coaches have commented on this, forever. It's just the double-edged sword of Ben's uniqueness, and it is was it is. But Dude chooses to claim that the Steeler O-line "CANNOT BLOCK." Well zero sacks against an often blitzing Ravens team destroys that claim. And DD didn't even scramble very much. He just set up in the pocket and threw the ball. The Steeler O-line, did themselves pround, last night.

First off, let me just say that I am not one of the people who think that we should have run more. I happened to think that the playcalling (while perhaps somewhat necessary under the circumstances) was far too conservative in reference to the number of handoffs. Let's face it, Mendenhall was asked to do way too much work between the tackles with Kimoeatu out tonight. It was too predictable for having a QB like Dixon with arguably the best legs in the league. That being said, the secondary was downright terrible Sunday night and is the culprit in this debacle. Taylor and Gay were burned repeatedly by the likes of Derrick Mason?!?! Doesn't Mason have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel by now? He didn't look it when matched up with Taylor. The other big factor was, once again, poor kick coverage. Even with Harrison and Ivy and Boison (sp?), this group severly underperformed. At this point, I'm not sure who the hell the special teams coach is but I sure hope that he's got his resume out there 'cause that cat has got to be toast. I'm not sure why Tomlin has kept him loafing around considering kick coverage has been a liability three out of the last four years. I generally like Tomlin, but as time goes on he sure seems real slow to react to changing circumstances, and it's starting to show in spades.    

Oh...and about this article...if the Steelers don't start getting some of these guys back out onto the field, they're going to start getting beat by St. Mary's School for Blind Girls. I'm not saying that Ben should have played, but you can't sit the likes of Polamalu, Roethlisberger, and Kimoeatu and expect to beat teams as a matter of course. Yeah, Dixon was OK (better in the first half than the second), but he's not going to create opportunities like the aforementioned players with only one game under his belt or even four or five for that matter.

Jabsosteel,

I agree with you 100% Ike and call me burnt toast Gay were getting killed. I thought they were playing against Rice, Moss, Swann and Stallworth. Mason is garbage bottom line he wanted to quit about 4 months ago. Farrior gets owned on those RB crossing plays out of the backfield. That was the same play that Cinci got 11 yards on 4th and 10. Was that Ray Rice or Payton running like that? Did the D forget fundamentals on how to tackle? Yeah I think they should have run DD more but once again you have to tempura that with him maybe getting injured. Overall BA called a conservative but, good game. Of course the bashers are saying it was too conservative you heard it. Now if he would have opened it up and DD would have had 3-4 interceptions he's getting criticized as a pass happy freak! Yep visited Steelers official message board and only a couple of post called out DL defensive collapse. Guess who fault it was Arians because he called a conservative game with a QB that had thrown 1 pass in the NFL. What does he have to do to get a fair shake I got it win a Super Bowl. Oh he did that right?

I'm not drinking Arians kool-aide he does make iffy / bad calls in IMOP, but what coach does not? He answers to MT and I guess he likes what going on if not BA would be gone. Maybe he's seen enough any will make a change after the season, but don't hold your breath. That being said I think as I stated before his good calls far outweigh his bad ones. Like JL said Ben is an Elite player period. I think he's the best QB in the NFL. That being said he holds on to the ball to long trying to make plays. That's what makes him great and that's what causes allot of his sacks. Another thing is Ben is not as reckless as he used to be and that's a good thing used to run more. Critics of the line put it all on them all of the time.

The fact is last night proved a point because if they so bad don't you think DD would have gotten sacked? No line can block all the time for more than 3-5 seconds! Special teams need to improve period I hold MT responsible. If they don't improve markedly by the EOS Larguarski(sp??) and Jones should be fired! I'm not making excuses for this team including the coaching staff. They get paid very good money to do what they do. Injuries are part of the game and good teams overcome them. My brother said after the 3rd game this is not a championship team I didn't believe him. Well looks like he got it right. There is to much flaunting and chest pounding after routine plays. I'm not jumping off the band wagon though they have 5 playoff games they have to win period. Loose and they will be sitting home come January.

Wrote Smizik:  "Arians otherwise chose not to use his quarterback's well-known running skills. That might have been a mistake."

Ding ding ding ding ding !!     100% correct.  Not "might have".....but "definitely was" a mistake.  

Last nite, Dixon, a HIGHLY athletic QB with great SPEED and ATHLETICISM, ran ONE rollout and ONE designed run (not counting sneaks, of course) the ENTIRE evening.   ONE EACH.  

Let me re-phrase this FACT.   Dixon, a young QB making his 1st NFL start, possesses RIGHT NOW his BEST strength being his ATHLETIC running ability.   He is, RIGHT NOW, a far better runner than a polished pocket passer.   So what does his off. coordinator do FOR him?   Arians calls ONE rollout and ONE designed run.  That's it.   ONE each.   The rollout scored a TOUCHDOWN, and the designed run scored a TOUCHDOWN.    Arians rationed out these rollouts/runs as though each of those playcalls required a $200,000 cash deposit.    Arians treated Dixon as though he were a 40-year old Dan Fouts, totally decrepit and immobile.   Utterly incredible, and utterly stupid.  

Of course, there is the other side of the ball, with a defensive coord. who has choked away FIVE 4th quarter leads/ties (4 leads, 1 tie), ALL of which have resulted in losses.    LeBeau of course will receive ZERO scrutiny, ZERO criticism, and ZERO questioning, because, of course, he's a deity with Papal infallibility in Pittsburgh.  

 (Steelva:  Your refusal to acknowledge player culpability astonishes me. What proof do you have that LeBeau had the Steelers in the wrong defense? If they tackle Rice like they should have on that long pass and run, they win the game. --- Bob Smizik)

Hines Ward and Ben have to have a talk. I think Ward was frustrated as we all were by Ben's predicament. The defense especially the pass coverage is awful. Ike Taylor has no excuse. Gay is learning the position so I can give him the benefit of the doubt. The defense once again allowed a very mediocre offense to win the game. Yes they can make the playoffs but I don't see them stopping the likes of Manning, Brady or even Palmer. If they somehow get by those guys they would have to face Favre or Brees. I don't see the Steelers coming close. Just one of those seasons where the team under performs and the injuries make it darn near impossible to overcome

I'm not an Arians fan, I don't particularly like his philosophy and haven't going back to his Cleveland days, but this loss is in no way on him.  Given what he had to work with I thought he called a fairly decent game actually.  I would like to have seen him get Dixon out on the edge more instead of trying to turn him into a straight drop back passer, but there's only so much you can do in 1 week's time to change an offense to suit a new QB.  

The run game worked pretty well last night especially when you factor in that Kemo was out and the Ravens had to know that we were going to have to run.  With the success that they did have running, I would have thought that BA would have called more play action and play action boots, and I'm not sure why he did not, but again, all things considered, the O was quite acceptable last night.  Zero sacks and few hits on DD.  

The "D" on the other hand once again was given the chance to win the game last night in the 4h quarter, and once again, failed to do so.  Now Bob, you might say that the other team has players too, and that is all true.  But if all things can be explained away simply by stating that the other team has players too, then why allow any posts at all?  Fact is it was aother failure in the 4th Q by this defense.

My observations about this defense: 1)  How did Ryan Clark transform into an inept safety so quickly?   2)  Why is Farrior trying to cover Ray Rice instead of the younger faster Timmons?  3) If Hines Ward showed his true character in that pre game interview in which he called out Ben, then Hines just lost a house full of fans at my home.  4)  Why is it that a Raven defensive linemen has better hands than any of our defensive backs?  5) In the choice between Bryant McFadden and Willie Gay, the Steelers guessed wrong.  Unless Gay has some secret injury that is affecting both his mind and his cover skills, he has proven this season that he is overmatched as an NFL starter.

To close, to all of the gloating Raven fan (s) out there, congratulations, you just beat our 3rd string QB with one career pass attempt on his resume on your home field by a FG in OT.  

I agree with your play calling criticism; I understand the team's unwillingness to have Dixon run around early in the game, but continuing with this strategy at the end was crippling to the Steeler's chances of winning. As Steelva said, 2 plays were called to utilize Dixon's mobility resulting in 2 TDs. Add to that the one time he scrambled for about 25 only to have it brought back and I think he showed very well how using this weapon could have changed the outcome. Ben will be back next week, so why not give the kid a chance to win the game?

Loved the retro Pirate cap his dad was sporting-still the best cap in the history of baseball.  

Totally forgot to mention the fact that I've lost a bit of respect for Hines Ward after his calling out the coaching last week and his QB this week. He had always impressed me as the consummate team player, but team players don't do this in public. If he has a bone to pick with the coaches or Ben he should have had the guts and discretion to discuss it face to face.

I think "Super Bowl hangover" can also be defined as playing without a sense of urgency ...something I thought they have done in many games this year.  Now they are forced to do so with little, if any, margin of error.  They played with a sense of urgency last night and performed well, but unfortunately thought the absence of Troy and Aaron was every bit a factor (haven't seen any team run of them like that in recent times) as was Ben's absence.

I have no doubt that the reason they risked it on 4th and 5 was that they knew they could exploit Farrior's one-on-one coverage ... Flacco knew exactly where he was going to throw.

A few observations from last nights game:

1. FWP is done in Pittsburgh... He may flourish with a change of scenery, but he is done as a Steeler.  The Steelers need to let him go, and get another decent back in the middle of the draft to back up Mendenhall.

2. William Gay is not an NFL caliber corner.  He may become a great one, but right now, he is a liability.

3. James Farrior has been a model Pittsburgh Steleler, but he has clearly lost a step.  He has been missing tackles and been beaten for big plays(see last night or the game winning TD for Cincy) all season.

4. The coaching has been somewhat baffling at times. If you are afraid to use Dixon on scrambles because he is small and a little fragile, why is he on your roster?  He isnt used in any special packages when Ben or Charlie are healthy, and his throwing skills are average.  

5. Tomlin is losing the locker room.  (Primarily the offensive side).  Say what you want about Arians, but it seems like their is a rift with the players on the decisions being made when the offense is on the field.

One thing that I think needs to be addressed is how Ryan Clark has lost his edge ... amazingly since the Denver game  in which he did not play.  In the past 3 losses, he has played a major role in not making plays in pass defense as well as missing several tackles, something he usually is good at .. I thought he played his worst game as a Steeler last night.

If I'm LeBeau, Clark is sitting when Tory returns.

Isn't if funny that this is the same Hines Ward that advocated Ryan Clark sitting out in Denver?  He got an audience with Bob Costas last night and decided to run his mouth.  Not surprising. However, it does seem like the coaching staff mishandled the communication situation with the team.  That falls at the feet of Tomlin.

By the way, yinz can get as optimistic as yinz want, but if you're banking on the Steelers suddenly turning this mess around you sure have the black and gold glasses on. This team is a wreck right now.  The defense is chronically terrible in the second half of games and it shows no signs of being fixed.  There is no guarantee that Roethlisberger is going to be back this weekend and Polamalu health remains a question mark (even if he does play).  If somehow they pull it off and they do make the playoffs, how far do you think they'll go?  They've got too many issues to be suddenly resolved.  

William Gay is simply terrible.  Great personnel decision there (letting McFadden go).  The special teams players still can't tackle, even though they didn't get scored on last night. Seems like that lack of tackling ability has spread over to the defense. And Farrior needs to be looking for his life's work after the season is over.  How well is this defense going to play against playoff caliber competition?  The answer is "not well".  It's reality folks, not black and gold dope smoke.

"Playoffs? Are you kidding me?"

I'll say this about Ariens, he does not make adjustments well. I would have liked to see Dixon run a little more but I do believe with the only other option being Palko, DD couldn't be exposed.  First round pick: cornerback. William Gay is awful.

(Smizik responded to my post --  "Steelva:  Your refusal to acknowledge player culpability astonishes me. What proof do you have that LeBeau had the Steelers in the wrong defense? If they tackle Rice like they should have on that long pass and run, they win the game. --- Bob Smizik)

Thanks, Bob, for WALKING right into this one.  

Loss # 1 to Cinci -- Farrior ISOLATED in coverage on Leonard, on 4th and TEN late in the game.    Farrior is too slow, then WHIFFS on the tackle and Leonard gains 11.    The game should have been over.  

Loss #2 to Cinci:   In the 4Q, on a key 3d & 5, the Bengals once again used Leonard out of the backfield to exploit the slowfooted Farrior.   Running the EXACT SAME route that got 11 yards on the fateful 4th & 10 in week 3, Leonard ran a basic out, and Farrior was once again far too slow and clodhopping.  This time, Farrior couldn’t even cut Leonard off at the pass, and the Bengal 3rd-string RB sauntered down the sideline for 17 yards.

Last week, vs. KC --  On KC’s 1st offensive play of the game, Farrior was too slow to get over on the slow-footed FB on an out pass, and the result was a 19-yard gain.

Fact is, LeBeau, with the LUXURY of a Raven timeout before that fateful 4th & 5, INSISTED on putting Farrior on Rice.   Farrior got tooled badly.   Opposing coordinators DO watch film, Bob.   all season long, Farrior has been completely unable to cover HIS man, a RB, in simple 1 on 1 coverage.  The OBVIOUS question is -- WHY does LeBeau INSIST on keeping Farrior in the game in these situations, when it is obvious  to anyone with a brain that Farrior is at a complete mismatch disadvantage??   Timmons, or even Fox, would be a much, much better solution.  

That goes on COACHING, Bob.   and in this case, awful coaching that led to defeat......the FIFTH time this season that this talented, EXPERIENCED defense has given uup a lead/tie late in the 4th quarter.

(So what do they do? Bench Farrior?  I still say it rests with the players and nothing you wrote above makes me think otherwise, not even your smug attitude.  If Clark and Taylor make the tackle yesterday, we're singing the praises of the defense. You way, way overreact to everything coachingwise. --- Bob Smizik)

It is a bad feeling to watch this once proud defense miss sooooooooooo many tackles.  They use to pride themselves on being one of the best tackling teams in the NFL.  Well my friends after the last 2 OT losses that is not true anymore.

Is it just me or has Farrior lost a step or two this year, he can't cover the back on any type of short passing play and ends up throwing his body to try to stop the runner, except his body throw is a yard short of target.  And Gay has been playing very poorly all year, wow do we miss McFadden.  Clark has had sub par games since the Broncos game.  And Timmons did have several big plays, but he also had several missed tackles in crucial situations.  I personally feel that Fox played better overall during his absence.  But remember that he is Tomlins #1 draft choice, and I do feel he could develop into a force, but I would like to see it sooner than later.  Please remember the Chiefs big pass play when he seems to have given up way to soon.

And finally locker room tension, well Coach Tomlin you have your work cut out for you, but they should make the playoffs, but it maybe a short run.

Couple things -

1. The Defense let another 4th qtr. lead slip away.  It is has been a theme all season

2. I thought the same thing Bob..... where were the designed runs for Dixon?

3. Our DB's not only can't catch the ball, but can locate the ball in the air either.  Gay is terrible.  IKE, Clark, Townsand and co. are getting hit in the head with the ball while it's in the air.  With the exception of Gay, they are typically in position to make the play, but can not locate the ball.

4. Wards pregame comments about Ben were  ridiculous. Questioning Bens toughness is crazy.  He looked like a fool on national tv.

5. The fat lady is warming up......

Steelva,

I understand where you are coming from and agree with most of it. Yes a stated DD should have been used a little bit more out of the pocket i.e. runs and rollouts. On the other hand what if he gets injured on one of those designed runs it would go from bad to worse! Palko running the show after being signed only 2 days ago. In the military we call that risk management. BA called a conservative game and they were up by 3 with 6.24 left. It seems to me that Arians is polarizing and no matter what he calls he's going to get attacked. Air it out a fool, conservative game plan a fool. It seemed to me on a few plays during the last couple drives DD could have scrambled for big yardage! But of course I can say that sitting at home watching the game on TV.

Retire#21,

You hit the nail on the head. What happened to Clark does Troy make him that much better? Did he even look for the ball? There were two occasions if he just looked up instead trying to lay down the hammer maybe an INT same with Townsen. Besides Troy and Carter they (DB's) could not catch a cold butt naked in Alaska! As the OT progressed and they did not score on the 1st possession I turned to a guy and said it's over. Hey I understand that most teams don't repeat after a SB win. But to lose games you should win is crazy. I guess that's why you play the games. Hines/Ben blown out of proportion don't think he was calling him out. I will look at it again though opinion might change after that. Yep like I posted yesterday if they run the ball DD throws some passes to keep them honest, limits his mistakes and the defense had a signature game they had a great chance of winning. They got 3 out of 4 right! I'm going to re-watch the game tonight (even though it will be painful) when I get off. AFN always has tape delay replays of Monday and Sunday nights games.    

It is a bad feeling to watch this once proud defense miss sooooooooooo many tackles.  They use to pride themselves on being one of the best tackling teams in the NFL.  Well my friends after the last 2 OT losses that is not true anymore.

Is it just me or has Farrior lost a step or two this year, he can't cover the back on any type of short passing play and ends up throwing his body to try to stop the runner, except his body throw is a yard short of target.  And Gay has been playing very poorly all year, wow do we miss McFadden.  Clark has had sub par games since the Broncos game.  And Timmons did have several big plays, but he also had several missed tackles in crucial situations.  I personally feel that Fox played better overall during his absence.  But remember that he is Tomlins #1 draft choice, and I do feel he could develop into a force, but I would like to see it sooner than later.  Please remember the Chiefs big pass play when he seems to have given up way to soon.

And finally locker room tension, well Coach Tomlin you have your work cut out for you, but they should make the playoffs, but it maybe a short run.

Playoffs Possible:  So What Bob. Our guys have serious problems that get more evident every game. Farrior is now a pass defense liability.  William Gay is rarely in the same zip code as a receiver and getting run through by Ray Rice was very unsteelerlike. Ryan Clark would need to improve to become mediocre. Ike Taylor is looking very average.  

A lot of focus has been on special teams and rightfully so but our pass defense plays awful at the most critical times. Our defense can't be blamed on coaching can it?  I mean can there be a better cooordinator than Dick LaBeau?

Perhaps they would all be playing much worse with the same talent under a different coordinator. Mike Tomlin is going to have to make some tough decisions this off season if this continues.

This may be the first time he has to look hard at some players who have really done a great deal for the Steelers in the past.

But I hope he sticks to his thought process of  "the tape doesn't lie." Making changes to guys who have been stars has to be the hardest thing for a head coach to address.

But the tape doesn't lie.

We desperately need secondary help. That has to be the most glaring weakness right now. I would not be surprised if Dulac gave them another grade "F" this week.

At least the notspecial teams did not allow a touchdown.

I know it's considered mindless to bash Arians but count me among those who wanted to see Dixon gallop more. He is fast and elusive... dah!

Finally I hope Ben learned a little from Dixon last night.  Namely its OK to throw an outlet pass to Mendenhall. He along with Holmes is our best weapon. I don't think you can get him the ball often enough. Use him and we should win enough to keep the glimmer flickering for the rest of this season.

I am watching the Titans right now who at 5-6 are looking like a team who believes they are going to the playoffs and can do some damage.  Then I look at us and its a whole different vibe.

If our whole season depends on the Polamalu knee then we really need to develop some players soon.

"On the other hand what if he gets injured on one of those designed runs it would go from bad to worse! "

Uh, plesae spare me this kind of excuse-making and thinking.  

For one, QB injuries almost always occur IN THE POCKET, not while running wide.   Either a defender rolls into the QB's knees (Kemo hitting Palmer in the AFC playoffs 4 years ago, anyone??) in the POCKET, or a big blind side shot in the POCKET, or the huge DE slamming the QB into the turf as the QB releases the pass in the POCKET.   Dixon ran the ball 200 times in his 2 years as an Oregon starter; he can handle a few DESIGNED bootlegs, rollouts, and runs.  

secondly, you cannot play a game at the PRO level being all worried and terrified about "what is so and so gets hurt?"   If a coach does that, then he has no business coaching.    Harrison played last nite in KO coverage.   What if he had gotten hurt??    Ward and Holmes went over the middle for passes.   What if they had gotten hurt??   Foster, a backup guard pressed into starting,  tangled with Ngata and Ray Lewis all nite.  What if he had gotten hurt?     You can caterwaul all day long about "what if he gets hurt?"   You play to WIN TODAY's game, period.   Otherwise, you as a coach have no business coaching.  

In case no one realizes, there are only FIVE games left, and if this team loses just 1 more, any remaining games in week 15 or 16 will be totally meaningless.   This team needs to start playing for TODAY, not saving for tomorrow.  

Bob,

I got to call them like I see them and Steelva is right on about Farrior. He is a liability in coverage and can't cover RB out of the backfield period. The heck with worrying about hurting his feelings he should sit or switch on those types of situations. Do you think Cowher worried about hurting K Stewart feelings don't think so. And he's signed for how many more years? Hey Foote bashers wish he was on the team now don't you. He could play in Farrior spot. I do believe if and I mean if they make the playoffs it will be a relatively healthy team. As the past has shown it's not always the best team that wins but the one that gets hot at the right time. Playoffs are a new season Steelers have the talent to compete with any team if they bring their A game.      

(Let's see: Gay can't cover, Farrior can't cover and they're the No. 1 defense in the NFL. Something seems wrong here.

The other team is going to catch passes. Always.  -- Bob Smizik)

Bob,

I agree with you, not only does this loss not remove the Steelers from the playoff picture, but I actually like their chances.  Their remaining schedule is not very tough, and I thought they showed some toughness and resiliency, on the offensive side of the ball at least, in the way they played in Baltimore last night.

With that said, I will throw my opinion out there on a few of the other big topics here:

Lamarr Woodley is exactly right - they had enough points to win the game.  3rd and 22 to win the game, and you can't hold them?  Disgraceful.  The pass defense is atrocious, no one in the secondary can seem to make a play on anything.  I agree with the numerous posters criticizing William Gay - he is not an NFL-level CB at the moment.  But also Ryan Clark and Deshea Townsend (one of my favorite guys so it pains me to say that) are playing poorly, and Ike Taylor did not have much of a game either.  

On the rest of the defense, I thought they got after Flacco as much as could be expected, Keisel is playing really really well, and I thought Woodley had a good game, as did Kirshke in his return.  Timmons made some big mistakes but also had some really big plays - at least he plays flat-out all the time.  Harrison also gave his usuall all-out effort.

I have a problem to some extent with the criticism of James Farrior for the Ray Rice pass route.  I am sure he takes full responsibility, but there is no way that James Farrior is covering Ray Rice on this play - the scheme is just not right.  Collinsworth said on TV that you could see that as soon as Farrior went in motion with Rice, Falcco knew where he was going with the ball.  There are few if any LBs in this league who could cover Rice on that play.  To this extent, I blame the coaching, because the defense that was called is going to fail most if not all of the time in this situation with a player liek Rice coming out of the backfield.  He had been making plays all night, where did they think the Ravens would go with the ball?  There was also a timeout before this play so the D had plenty of time to get organized.  But let's also not forget that this whole situation was set up by allowing a 17-yd completion on 3rd and 22.....

Lastly, I am very disappointed in Hines Ward and his comments during the interview with Bob Costas.  He sounded foolish and inarticulate, and he has no business ever calling out a teammate like that on national TV.  What was he trying to say, that Ben should have lied about his headaches so he could play and get hit by Ray Lewis and end up brain-damaged like Mike Webster, Andre Waters or countless others? If I were Mike Tomlin, Hines and I would be having a very uncomfortable meeting (for Hines) at some point today.  There is no place for this kind of thing in a winning and professional organization like the Steelers.  Go play for Rex Ryan and the Jets if you want to run your mouth any time you want....Otherwise, keep your mouth shut and show your teammates that you always have their backs.

Arians basher checking in here.

Nothing was done last night that would change my mind.

We need a new Offensive Coordinator.

Dixon was terrible, his passes were way off target most of the night, I've seen enough to realize he's not an NFL quarterback, (very few QBs with his style make it in the NFL)

Why are we only figuing out now that he can't throw? We need new coaches...a lot of them.

(Yep, JL, make wholesale changes in the coaching staff of the Super Bowl champs! --- Bob Smizik)

Levon Kirkland was one of my favorite Steelers to watch during his peak.  I remember watching a game in 2000, the Steelers were 7-6 and playing at the Giants in a game they needed to win to get into the playoffs.  Captain Kirk got repeatedly torched on crossing routes by the Giants that day and all he could do was whiff in space time after time.  The next week I watched the Giants try the same plays and gain nothing against a younger MLB.  That was Kirk's last season as a Steeler.

As MT (and Steelva) says, the tape does not lie.  Farrior has been a great Steeler, but the tape does not lie.  At a minimum he needs to come off the field on 3rd downs at this point in his career.

Also, Deshea Townsend...the plays he was able to make last year (INT to clinch Cowboys win) are no longer within his capabilities.  Too often this season I have seen him stumbling around out there like Willie Mays with the Mets.  His legs have betrayed him and he no longer appears able to make a tackle in space.

This team reminds me a lot of the 1980 and 1981 teams which were loaded with aging veterans with multiple Super Bowl rings.  They were good enough in spurts to string together winning streaks, but in the end could no longer win when they needed to or, in the case of the 1981 (8-8) team which lost 5 games by a combined total of 14 points, put teams away to win the close games.   And in the NFL where the average game is decided by one score, winning the close games is the difference between being 6-5, and 11-0.

"Uh, plesae spare me this kind of excuse-making and thinking"

No excuse making here my friend. Let me explain if Harrison gets hurt there's a replacement that has been on the team more the 48 hours. Of course a step down or two but knows the defense. Are you saying 1 of 4 LB's is more important than 1 of 1 QB's. Here is an example for you. Let's say in a unit we have so many combat medics OK. Sometimes because of illness, injury mission requirements we have 1 CM and a combat lifesaver. In cases like that we never expose them (medic) to unnecessary risk or danger. Why if they get hit who's going to stabilize us until we get evacuated out? The CL knows some stuff but he's not as trained as the CM! No I'm not comparing football to war but with Ben and CB out they could not afford unnecessary risk to DD. I don't think he's fragile (note CB is) or made out of glass but plan B was Palko and C was Ward for goodness sakes!  If he (DD) would have gotten injured on a 2 yard run fans like you would have ripped then for such a stupid play call. These are the same ones who blame Ben's injury on Arians because he was running out of the pocket trying to make a play. I also did not know that QB's get injured exclusively in the pocket yeah that's where Ben, Aikman and Young got hurt right? Football is a violent game and you can get hurt anywhere but sometimes you have to limit someone's exposure. We like to call it looking at the big picture!  

Regarding Arians and the conservative play calling:

When you play not to lose, you usually do.

The blame doesn't stop at Arians.  The HC has responsibility for the team and that includes Tomlin overseeing the work of Arians. Also, some people claim that the coaches were worried about the chances of Dixon getting hurt with designed runs.  I don't think this was the case.  I think Arians was just lost in play calling, as he usually is.  They were being overly conservative.

You have to love them running the clock out at the end of the first half instead of trying to get into field goal range.  Wasn't that enjoyable?

And the defense?  They needed a stellar game to get a win last night, and they proved that wasn't possible.  Second half failure once again.

This team has many questions involving players and coaching.   Sure they just won a Super Bowl last year, but they've sure proved to be far from that caliber this season.  Too much Super Bowl hangover maybe?  I think it's partly that, but it's also so many other things that came together at the wrong time.  Bad coaching decisions and personnel moves, key injuries, poor strategy, etc.  It all adds up.  It just shows that the margin between winning and losing is very small in the NFL.  It doesn't take much to fall to the other side.  Right now, the Steelers are rding on the edge of that margin.  Seems to me that they have much to overcome to right the ship this season.  I hope they prove me wrong, but I'm not going to get blindly optimistic for a season changing swing to occur now.

Bob, Yes Superbowl champs, with talented players from the previous coaching regime.  What has the current group of coaches done to prove they're good at evaluating players? Would it have been better to replace Farrior with Timmons instead of the younger Foote?

Lebeau's  Zone Blitz has been figured out and have we seen any new Ideas?  Has our former Def Coord head coach improved the Ds play since he's been here?

Arains Play call at best has been questionable. As stated by yourself and others, Dixons a running QB we didn't see him game plan around that ability.

Special teams are a mess, we rely on yellow laundry on the field every punt and kick.

Tomlin Played not to lose last night, and he says all the right things, but can he right the ship???

I think were looking at some rough years ahead in the organization, remember the 80s?  

Oops, one more thing.....

On some people's favorite topic - Bruce Arians:  I thought he did well managing the game for Dixon and putting him in situations where he could be successful.  DD showed temendous heart but was clearly not ready for certain things, like running a two-minute offense against a tough and sophisticated defense.   I thought Arians did pretty well with the whole thing (although I admit a few more planned runs would have helped).  I also liked the commitment to the power running game, where Rashard I thoght once again showed some realy toughness.  Unless you are just some kind of blind Arians basher, you would have to say that the whole approach almost worked, or you could say (honestly) that it did work, but the Steelers defense couldn't hold up once again, just like last week against the mighty Chiefs offense, and before that against the vaunted aerial attack of the Chicago Bears, and twice now against the dazzling Cincinnatti Bengals.....

Waaa Waaaa, sound like my local 40winers to me. Waaa Waaa. Steelers play this good against KC and we are fine. Ok, back against the wall. Been there done that. Me I saw a team with heart, desire. I saw a young QB, first time starter ALMOST not lose the game, in his first game vs a heck of a 5-5 team, that is better than most of the NFC teams that is for sure. Ok, backs against the wall, been there done that. Its going to be tough without your starting QB and best in the NFL R.Palamolu. So wipe your eyes and noses. Suck it up and lets move on. Easy to point fingers, suit up or coach up if can do better I say and always say. OH AND LET ME SAY, given the situation, our coaching and play selection as doomsday as it was, probably was a perfectly called game. Hell we lost in OT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pirates fan, so what's the point of this blog then?  To simply type "Great effort team, let's try again next week!"

Would you really read a blog that read like a high school pep rally bulletin board?

Great efforts are wonderful and are to be appreciated, but crediting that...well...that's for youth sports.  I assume that people who earn a multi million dollar salary are going to give a great effort, unless they play for the Pirates of couse.  These guys are pros.  A great effort should be a given.  

Bob,

Maybe you see something that I don't? I understand that players, coaches and even mascots have bad games! My point is Farrior is getting killed on those RB crossing plays not just once but numerous times. If I am wrong tell me I have NFL field pass and will go back and watch every defensive snap if necessary. I'm not saying cut him just take him out on third downs or switch his responsibilities. Age takes its toll and skills start to deteriorate no matter how you try to prevent it especially in a violent sport like football. Ali was the best until age caught up. Yes they are the number one ranked defense on paper, but games are played on the field. Right now I'd take the 20th or 30th ranked defense if they don't give up 17 on third and 21 or 44 on 4th & 5. Any stop there game over and momentum changes! This is nothing new Cowher's teams had trouble getting off the field on 3rd downs too! Unlike others I'm not putting all the blame on the coaches or calling for mass dismissals. Players make plays or they don't and the Steelers defense has not been up to snuff on the field in crucial situations! Like I stated in earlier post if they get to the playoffs they can be dangerous. The caveat is only if they bring their A game!  

Bob -

This is not a Number 1 d-fense..... stat wise maybe.... but a #1 defense doesn't blow 4 games.

-----------

This Defense (except for Troy) misses tackles and the ball when it is in the aire...... I don't think coaching has anything to do with that!

(It is or was the No. 1 defense in yards allowed.  My question was:  If there are so many weak links, how could it be No. 1?  Is it possible we are overscrutinizing these guys?  Not every player can be an all-pro. All teams have lesser players on their defense.  Gay was a part-time starter on a Super Bowl team. How can he be as bad as people are saying? -- Bob Smizik)

I completely agree with Roethlisberger being out of this game--the last time he played the week after a concussion, he had a terrible game.  Plus, who wants to see his career end after this season?  And what good does a Super Bowl ring do if he has to have someone help him get dressed and go to the bathroom when he's 40?  So, at this point, the playoffs are possible.  It is even remotely possible to win the division, if the Steelers win all of their games and Cincinnati loses all of theirs.  At this point, though, it is best to look at reality.  The Steelers should bench Roethlisberger and Polamalu for the rest of the year and let them get healthy.  That way, perhaps they can have great seasons next year.  Plus, that will give second and third teamers some playing time, so that the Steelers don't once again find themselves in the position of starting a quarterback in a big game, who has only taken about 4 snaps in only one (meaningless) regular season game.  To his credit, Dixon played well most of the time--unlike Big Ben, he didn't get sacked and threw only one interception, although it did cost them the game.  Ultimately, this will be remembered as the game that made up Dick LeBeau's mind to retire.  The offenses seem to have his number.  How else can a team with an average offense go for it on 4th and five, and not just make the first down, but gain fifty yards?  I think that when your team loses 5 games by 6 points or less, there is a coaching problem.  

To Piratesfanfrom1960,

Steelers fans are unaccustomed to losing  I'd like to keep it that way.

It would have been interesting to see how the game would have turned out, if Arains would have called more plays based on his QBs strenghts, instead of Arains own percieved intelligence.  I think he overthinks way to many of his play calls.

Any Ideas for helping our defense and special teams, learn how to tackle?  

Bob, You keep hanging your hat on the Super Bowl.  As Tomlin has pointed out, that’s history.  That was then, this is now.  This team is not playing like a Super Bowl champion and the coaching hasn’t figured out how to make them play like Super Bowl Champions.  Just because they won the Super Bowl last year doesn’t give them a free pass from criticism this year.  The mark of a true championship team is the ability to continue to improve.  This team appears to be going in the opposite direction.  

(Sometimes coaches just can't figure out how to make players play like Super Bowl champions. If it were so easy, as you seem to think it is, I guess every team would win the Super Bowl every year. Sometimes the players have to play like Super Bowl champions. The Steelers are not. That is not the fault of the coaching staff. It is the fault of the players.

To use an analogy I've often used in the past, if you are unhappy with this blog, it is my fault or the fault of my boss? If you are poor at your job, is it your fault or the fault of your boss?

There is such a thing as personal accountability. -- Bob Smizik

JL58,

I am just a rabid a fan as you are trust me. If you were not proud of the Steelers yesterday, that is your poor-rog-ga-tive as a USA citizen and Steeler fan. Me I was very proud given we were missing 2 of the best players at their position in the NFL. I was proud how a kid QB performed against a very very tough Baltimore team in their stadium, in his essentially first ever NFL game. If you could out coach our coaches, bless you and please send your resume. Maybe the play calling looked poor to you. Your having not been at practice the past week  and the coaching staff meetings makes me suspect of your opinions and tirade.

I am with you and love the steelers to win. I am just not going to cry and whine over this game. The recent KC game, and this season opposing kick off returns, Lordy, I will whine with the best of us LOL...

If I were to point to any one thing thing to whine about,  it has been the kick off returns. Not the coaching, not the heart of the 2009-10 steelers, not the tackling 95% of each game. But alas, to each his own.

Now suck it up, and I hope that is not you in that outfit in your avatar! LOL!!! Beat the raiders!!

Go steelers.

You misinterpreted my comment and my point.  I fully agree that the players have some accountability.  Both coaches and players do, that is where we disagree. This is a group effort.  For you to bluntly say that this is completely the players fault is unfathomable.  There’s plenty of blame on both sides.

I’m just saying that you keep pointing back to the Super Bowl in defending coaches (and players in some instances).  It’s time to look at the product as it sits here today.  That was the past.  One of the easiest traps is for a team to sit back on its laurels and get fat, dumb and happy after winning a championship.  That applies to players AND coaches.  I’m not saying it’s easy or simple.  Regarding you analogy of work, isn’t it also the responsibility of management to make sure that the workers have good direction and leadership, just as much as it’s up to the workers to do their jobs?  Isn’t it up to management to deal with personnel issues and problems?  It all works together.  It’s shared responsibility.  

If you are interpreting my comments as a dislike for your blog, then you’re way off base.  If you can’t take a bit of criticism, then you’re in the wrong business.

(I take a ton of criticism and as long as it's fair and not personal I can handle it. Since I've been in this business for 40 years, I think I'm in the right one.

Your point -- ``coaching hasn’t figured out how to make them play like Super Bowl Champions'' -- suggested to me that you think it is easy to ``coach up'' players and put them in situations to win. It's not. Of course, the coaches deserve some of the fault when things go wrong and credit when they go right. But not close to half. It's a player's game.  As I stated to someone earlier, if they make the tackle on Rice, we're basking in victory here and Arians would be hailed as brilliant for keeping the pressure of the young QB. It's all about the players as much as some people on this site would like to blame everything on Arians and/or LeBeau. -- Bob Smizik)

I was with some local boys at a pretty cool sports bar in ole Nor California watching the game last night. Yes our wifes gave us a pass to go out on a Sunday evening since you ask LOL!!

Several were Oakland Raider fans (hate the raiders) and they were whining about their Raiders, the past 7 years. I listened, then briefly explained about losing one pitch at a time, slow inning by slow inning, 162 games played per year, 17 years in a row, spending god knows what $$ on my baseball channel year in year out. I explained in the detail as only a Pittsburgh Pirates fan with experience could explain. They stopped whining pretty quick!! LOL!! Come back Roy Palamolu! To be honest I had no idea he was that important to this team. Lordy! Cheers BFD, love your new avatar, aimed at Pirates management I suppose! :-----)

Overall, I would say mostly positive comments on here today, expecially considering it is after a loss.  

Good to see...

Don't know about the rest of you, but I had a great time watching the game last night.... most fun I've had with the steelers since the SB.  

Tough loss - only a play or two that goes in the steelers direction and they could have won.

I really like their chances of getting inthe post-season and from there - who knows - anything can happen, just hope they are healthy if they get in the tournament.

Bob wrote.."To use an analogy I've often used in the past, if you are unhappy with this blog, it is my fault or the fault of my boss? If you are poor at your job, is it your fault or the fault of your boss?"

If the performance of the Blog doesn't improve,  yes your boss then becomes accountable.

(I asked whose fault it was? --- Bob Smizik)

(I take a ton of criticism and as long as it's fair and not personal I can handle it. Since I've been in this business for 40 years, I think I'm in the right one.

Your point -- ``coaching hasn’t figured out how to make them play like Super Bowl Champions'' -- suggested to me that you think it is easy to ``coach up'' players and put them in situations to win. It's not. Of course, the coaches deserve some of the fault when things go wrong and credit when they go right. But not close to half. It's a player's game.  As I stated to someone earlier, if they make the tackle on Rice, we're basking in victory here and Arians would be hailed as brilliant for keeping the pressure of the young QB. It's all about the players as much as some people on this site would like to blame everything on Arians and/or LeBeau. -- Bob Smizik)

_____________________

Bob, your points are well taken.  I agree that it is a players game.  I guess most of my frustration comes from having higher expectations of this team.  I thought there was a huge effort by the coaching staff to avoid falling into the trap they did in the season following the 5th SB win.  They've also had terribly bad luck with key injuries this year.  So many things have to fall into place for a successful season and especially a SB run.  I just can't help having serious doubts for this team considering all that's transpired.  Maybe they'll turn it around the last 5 games.  As fans, we can only hope that it happens.

Bob Wrote..."(I asked whose fault it was?)"

I answered Both.

You seem to always want to give the coaches a pass. Great players with Lousy Coaches, is just as bad as lousy players with great coaches.

I have a few observations, and I apologize in advance if I am re-hashing earlier comments.

1) My hats off to Dennis Dixon.  What a solid performance in the face of serious odds in Baltimore.

2) This was a poorly managed game for us.  On both sides of the ball.  Tomlin is accountable too.  But, I have no doubt in him.  He can right the ship.

3) Arians... this offense looks like it has no plan.  It just throws stuff at the wall to see what sticks.  We ran plenty-  I have no argument there.  BUT, there is no reason that Dixon should have had a 3-and out series in the 3rd quarter.  All throwing?  C'mon.  And no roll-outs?  I can have a field day on this guy, but why bother?  He's in Ben's corner.  I think he is inconsistent, and sometimes reckless in his play calling.  I've never been irked by a OC this much since Ray Sherman.

4) William Gay.  This guy is not handling adversity well.  He's being exposed as slow, small, and afraid.

5) LeBeau.  D.L., I think your resume speaks for itself.  But this "stand up 7" blitz/coverage package you are deploying?  Its not working.  A great effort last night, but something is missing.

(Baltimore scored 17 points in regulation. Somehow, I don't see that as a sign that the defense is ``not working'' and I don't see how anyone else can.  If they tackle Rice, they win the game and no one says a word about LeBeau's defense.

William Gay is ``afraid.'' And what do you base that on?  You have to be kidding.

Dixon completed four of 16 passes in the second half. He deserves no pat on the back. --- Bob Smizik)

Bob,

It's wishful thinking to think that the Steelers will make the playoffs this year. As someone else basically wrote, the Steelers climbed the mountain and they don"t have any sense of urgency now. I totally agree with that assessment!! And I also agree with another statement of his. In the end, Heads will need to roll!!!

(If they fail to make the playoffs, I'm sure there will be coaching changes. --- Bob Smizik)

Dixon completed four of 16 passes in the second half. He deserves no pat on the back. --- Bob Smizik)

-----

Agreed here Bob.  Dixon played above my expectation in the 1st half, and below in the 2nd.  I am suprised that most are absolving him of any criticism.  Remember, Ben played as a rookie and won....... why is 4 of 16 in the 2nd half with a killer pick ok with this guy.

I still place most of the blame on the D, but he was not as good as some are suggesting.

If they fail to make the playoffs, I'm sure there will be coaching changes. --- Bob Smizik

_______________________________

They will also have some significant personnel issues to deal with.  Obviously, the defensive backfield needs addressed and improved.  At LB, they have to start dealing with Farrior's decreasing skill level and that his contract goes to 2012.  They've got to deal with the Hampton's spot if he leaves. Obviously, the offensive line needs addressed, as it has for the last few years.  They also need to look at the right personnel fits for special teams and probably find a replacement for Reed because the Steelers will probably let him walk as a FA.   The skill positions are all in pretty decent shape, especially with the development of Wallace to help them get ready for the eventual retirement of Ward.  They've got to come to grips with the failure of Sweed. Mendenhall looks like the real deal and Willie will most likely be gone.  They’ll need some backup talent at RB.  No matter how the season turns out, it should be an interesting off season.

I think calling their chances at making the playoffs as "wishful thinkful"  off base.  

They are tied for the final spot with 5 games to go...alot of football left.  

If they get healthy I see them making the playoffs

While it is true that Dixon Played poorly in the second half, I would have to lay alot of the blame on the offensive coaches. They showed no imagination at all. How many times did they move the pocket or even throw on first Down. When you run twice and only throw in obvios passing downs of course the kid is going to play poorly. Dixon has a very different set of skills than Ben and he should have been put in more situatuions where he could show them off. The one play where they showed a little imagination, he scored. Dixon did not fail... Ariens did.

(The guy goes four for 16, throws the game-winning int and it's the fault of the coaches.  Priceless! -- Bob Smizik)

Bob,

One last note most Stiller fans understand it's hard to win back to back SB. We are spoiled that's true. Most don't expect miracles just sound fundamentals and 100% effort! Last year it seems all the breaks went the Steelers way i.e. relatively injury free. As MT stated at the beginning of the year this is a new campaign and team. Players make plays bottom line, but coaches put them in the right position to excel. I know that young players need to be broken down a built up again but not vets. Gay was part time last year so I can give him some slack but not Ike, Clark and the rest of the crew. Hopefully this organization feels the urgency of the situation and gets this ship righted again.  

If they fail to make the playoffs, I'm sure there will be coaching changes. --- Bob Smizik

If thats what it takes to get rid of Arians...

Its not like they're going to go far in the playoffs anyway.

I for one thought that the play calling by Arians was suspect.  They should have ran the ball a bit more, and most importantly they should have had more short to medium passes for Dixon than longer routes and with those over the middle.  It was asking too much of Dixon in his first game, with the pressure rising for him to make Roethlisberger type completions.  Why not more screens, passes to tight ends, short throws out of the bunch formation.  The bombs are just asking for tougher 3rd down conversions or interceptions.  I think they could have done more to put Dixon in position for success, that is the coaches job.

The defense has repeatedly become weak late in games, and why that is seems to be a mystery.  There is something off on the scheme and something off on the fundamentals of executing that scheme.  The zone seems too soft, especially on Gay's side.  It's no mystery that teams continually throw in his direction as he seems overmatched and is an average tackler.  I am not sure where all of the Ryan Clark bashing is coming in, even though last night was not his best game.  For whatever reason this team and at times, this defense is a cast of underachievers.  For a team to be sitting at 6-5 and of the 5 losses not one of them was a case of the other team beating the Steelers, they have all pretty much come down to the Black and Gold losing them.  

I am absolutley perplexed by the Arians haters and their logic.  

This team has lost five games by a combined 18 points.  A whopping 3.6 points per loss.  It proves that winning and losing is a very fine line in the NFL.  

It is silly to blame an OC or a DC or a head coach for that matter.  

In any of those losses, if the offense gets one more score, one more first down, a TD instead of a field goal they could have won all five of those games.  

If the defense gets a 3rd or 4th down stop and gets off the field, same thing any of those five losses could have been wins.  

If special teams doesn't give up TDs.....etc,etc

Its a team game - no need for blaming the O, the D, or any of the coaches.  

This is a championship winning team that has dealt with alot of inuries this season and is right in the pack of playoff teams.  

ABSOLUTELY no need to overhaul the coaching staff now or in the off season.    

Bob,

Just a few random thoughts based on your post and some of the previous comments:

I think the coaches did a good job in preparing the team considering they had to play their 3rd string QB who had never started before.  I think it pretty much worked to perfection until a few minutes left in the 4th quarter.  If the Steelers don't give up 17 yards on 3rd and 22, I'm pretty confident that the Ravens would have punted with 3 minutes to go, and possibly one first down would have been enough to run out the clock.  Instead, the Ravens made a few good plays to tie the game.

People seem to be criticizing the defense, but they only gave up those 3 points the entire second half, and then the 3 points in OT which were a direct result of the turnover.  It would have been nice to hold them to less points, but as you always say, there is another team out there trying to make plays as well.

The only criticism of the coaches' game plan I will make is that I think they could have put Dixon in some better passing situations.  In other words, they often had him pass in situations where the entire stadium knew he would...on 3rd and longs.  I would have liked to see them mix it up a little more on 1st and 2nd down.

I think Dixon played well when considering it was his first start.  I feel that he did a good job of managing the game against a defense that has made many QBs look a lot worse.  Bob - you seem reluctant to give him any credit - what were you expectations of him before the game in comparison to how he did?  I think most people on here are pretty realistic that it would be a drop off from Roethlisberger and that was the case, but he played well enough for them to win, which is all they asked.

(My expectations, after he completed 8 of 10 passes in the first half were that he would do better than four of 16 in the second and that they wouldn't be afraid to have him throw, as was the case. -- Bob Smizik)

Mr. C

How many running play did you want?  they ran 12 more rushing plays to passing plays  (38 -26), and the running game was not very effective for alot of the second half - especially early in the second half (at least it seemed that way to me)  

As far as running Dixon more - while I do not attend the steelers meetings or practices, i can only speculate the protecting him from injury was  a high priority last night, since they really didn't have another QB.

I agree that the steelers have not been beaten yet, but rather they themselves have lost all 5 games.  FOr the most part, but don't forget the other team is trying to win the game too.

The guy goes four for 16, throws the game-winning int and it's the fault of the coaches.  Priceless! -- Bob Smizik)

Well, no, you can't blame the coaches for that specifically, but there has been a pattern of inconsistency on all 3 sides of the ball (offense, defense and special teams).  To me, that looks like a coaching, motivation and focus problem.  And it speaks volumes that a 2-7 team can return the opening kick off for a touchdown, force overtime, knock out the first and second string quarterbacks in a span of 3 plays and win the game.  If a team wants to be a playoff team, it can't blow its season by getting beaten by a 2-7 team.  But the Ravens game was great fun to watch, in spite of the outcome.

This team does not deserve to be in the playoffs.  The defense has been solely responsible for not being able to make a stop in four of the five losses.  And, James Farrior simply cannot cover any longer and William Gay is just flat out a weak cornerback.

Any team that loses to that Kansas City bunch does not deserve a quick exit from the playoffs.

This team did NOT play up to their calibre and it is the fault of players and coaches, and this includes LaBeau and Tomlin and not just Arians.  And, the special teams were still horrible on Sunday night.

Why oh why is Logan on the kickoff team??? And, our return team has horrible blocking schemes--and that is COACHING!!!!!

Since Smizik has claimed the following at least 3 times, I'm going to address it.  He has asserted, "If they tackle Rice, they win the game and no one says a word about LeBeau's defense."

Uh, no they do not OUTRIGHT win the game.   Rice CLEANLY beat Farrior on the4th & 5, and had PLENTY of yardage for the required 1st down.   Even if he is crisply tackled by the 1st defender after Farrior waved goodbye, this is still, at WORST, a 12 yard gain.   With the scrimmage being the Balt. 46 on this play, the Ravens would have, at WORST, had a 1st down at the Steeler 42.    

They needed only a FIELD GOAL to tie the game,  and there would have been roughly 3:15 remaining in the game, which would have been plenty of time for the Ravens to continue their drive.    Indeed, they could have fumbled or thrown an INT.  Given the way this defense has played in the 4th quarter ALL Season (gave up a 4Q lead to Tennesee, and except for a cheezy tripping call and a dropped pass that landed in the lap of Keyaron Fox, the defense was terribly shoddy in the 4th qtr against the Vikings), it's highly likely the Ravens gain another 8 yards, at the very least, and boot the tying FG.    Or, continued their march, unfettered, for a more chip-shot FG.  

It goes back to COACHING, at any rate.   Farrior getting ABUSED by RBs in key 3rd & 4th down plays is no aberration; it's a TREND that has happened time and time and time again.   I checked the NFL rulebook, and there is no rule that requires LeBeau to keep Farrior on the field in those situations.    And, it's not like LeBeau has no other options; he does, by the name of TIMMONS, who is, oh, about 4/10 of a second faster than Farrior right now in the Forty.  

You know, late in their careers, LBs like Russell and Ham werer NOT EVERY down players.   As I recall, Ham didn't even start in Super Bowl 14.    It's up to the COACHES to get the CORRECT 11 men on the field for each situation.  Maybe Tomlin will make some adjustment before, oh, April.  

It is incorrect to say this team does not deserve to make the playoffs.  

The playoffs have a clearly defined rules for entry.  All division winners, plus the two best records among remaining teams.  If they have that after week 17, the deserve to be in the playoffs......

and i seem to remember a season that the steelers made the playoffs as a wild card and won three road playoff games, then the SB - Did that team deserve to make the playoffs?    That team lost 5 games as well.

Perhaps PittDad should recognize that Tomlin, Arians and LeBeau took a fairly mediocre team with no O line, poor DB's and assembled them into a Super Bowl team. Not all teams have Tom Brady, some have Brad Johnson.Not all have Orlando Pace or Anthony Munoz, some have Max "Holding, No. 78" Starks, \but they did not have magic caught in a bottle so far this year! Polamalu's absence hurt but the fact that, as in 2005, we can still make the playoffs, should brighten everyone's disposition a bit. Hey, we could be Cleveland. And, at worse, there should be a nice cover corner available at the 15th pick, if not.

Bob Smizik Said: (...and thanks for responding to my post).

(Baltimore scored 17 points in regulation. Somehow, I don't see that as a sign that the defense is ``not working'' and I don't see how anyone else can.  If they tackle Rice, they win the game and no one says a word about LeBeau's defense.

*I think the defense did well.  My comment regards this "standup" or "floating" package we seem to now employ on 3rd down.  I can see it's intent is to disguise who's rushing vs. who's covering.  The package was used on the 4th & 5.  Though I feel Farrior simply got beat.  

William Gay is ``afraid.'' And what do you base that on?  You have to be kidding.

* No, I feel that Wm Gay is playing tentatively, and he is giving a cushion.  He's had a rough few weeks, since being mauled over in the Viking game.  He missed a few tackles last night, and is being exposed as a target.  

Dixon completed four of 16 passes in the second half. He deserves no pat on the back. --- Bob Smizik)

*Here, I totally disagree.  Dixon was done no favors in the 2nd half.  They didn't roll him out once, and the INT in overtime was a prime example.  You are playing for the first down and his running skills should have been figured into any play there.  With the exception of the option play where Dixon scored running, it seemed as though we simply didn't give him plays to help him succeed.

Hines Ward is wrong on several accounts.  If a player lies to the doctor and goes out and has a second concussion, Hines needs to realize that another concussion sustained before the brain recovers from the first is much worse, and could be season or career-ending.  How will that serve the team?  Next, if he gives other players the impression that he and other team members expect them to lie to the doctors, then they are going to be more likely to do so, and could injure themselves further and delay their return to action.  Joe Maroon is there to help the players return to action when it is safe to do so, and they need to trust his judgment and not let their emotions cloud their own judgment. Other parts of the body injured during football are not as vital to the quality of life as is the brain, so it is doubly important to be cautious here.

Steelva, Ham was injured and did not dress for XIV.  Broken ankle if memory serves.

Mr C, Ryan Clark is not playing well.  Since the Denver game, the man does not look like the same player.  Huge whiff last week against KC in OT.  He manned up and took responsibility for it, but it was a play he used to make.  Dropped interceptions which've allowed drives to continue, though he is not along on the dropped picks.  Plus the long pass just before the half last night was horrid.  His technique was bad and he never looked at the ball.  In fact, he overran the play.  If he looks for the ball it is either a pick or a PBU.  Keep in mind that this was a play which was 55 yards down the field.  If you are the safety at the end of a half, your primary job is to make sure you don't get beat deep.  The ball was in the air for 55 yards, at some point he needs to turn and look for it.

The guy did not play well.  I'm not looking to make him retire and I don't pin the loss on him or any individual in particular, but he needs to play much better than he has been, especially considering that this is a contract year for him.  If you are the safety, you're pretty much judged on your ability to keep plays in front of you.  I seem to remember the Rams cutting their safety about 10 seconds after Super Bowl XIV ended because Stallworth torched the guy twice in the 4th quarter.

thanx for clarifying Ham's injury, 21.

The point still remains -- LATE in their careers, LBs like Ham Russell, Kirkland, and others were not EVERY down LBs.     Not at all.    They were SITUATIONALLY platooned and SITUATIONALLY utilized.    And, ergo, is is high time that Tomlin (and Smizik, for that matter) realizes that Farrior is not a 65-snaps per game kind of LB anymore.    

"With the exception of the option play where Dixon scored running, it seemed as though we simply didn't give him plays to help him succeed."

I strongly disagree. First of all, though some claim to believe that it's okay to recklessly expose your only standing quarterback (and Palko doesn't count -he was still getting fitted for his jockstrap) to the same kind of injuries that knocked out your starter just the week before, and IR'ed Charlie Batch for all of '08, the Steelers were wise to keep the game simple for Dixon by having him simply drop back and get rid of the ball quickly. The growing pains he experienced in the second half are simply unavoidable, and frankly, DD showed us a lot more than I think anyone could have expected. PLUS, Chris Collingsworth reported that Bruce Arians sat down with DD and asked him "what 15 plays are YOU most comfortable with?," and then designed a game plan sticking to those 15 plays. And so that's what we got, last night. A drastically simplified offense that DD himself would be comfortable with. Those of you calling for more bells and whistles -after they actually did manage to slip in a few- are just know-nothings.

Separately, on the big 4th and 5 conversion that the Ravens made, the key is Ray Rice making a cut to the inside at the Ravens' 47. This is where Farrior gets burned. Farrior falls flat on his face, and Rice is able to blow right by him and make the catch. BUT, if Farrior keeps his feet and keeps Rice in front of him, two scenarios remain likely. One, Farrior breaks up the pass. Two, even if Flacco throws under to Rice -and Rice can make the reception, Farrior is right there and can bring him down. Rice made his cut at the 47; he still had to get the ball to the Steeler 49 for a first down. So I stand with Bob, because yes, "if they tackle Rice (especially including Farrior), they win the game."

"What’s not a positive is three straight losses."

What's not a positive is losing a 4th quarter lead 4 times this season.

What's not a positive is a defense that doesn't hold a lead when it needs to.

What's not a positive is a defense that gives up 20 points when they know the offense is struggling this game.

What's not a positive is the plays called for Dixon as discussed ad nauseum above.

What's not a positive is a team starting the year with no experienced OL backup, playing this game with an undrafted rookie signed off somebody's practice squad. Not to mention a guard drafted in the second round who doesn't even dres for the games.

Steelva, i gave up trying to convince Smizik years ago that the coaches have responsibility for losses. (or else he takes that position just to provoke response from fans)

Apparently Bob thinks the players are a bunch of friends who get together in the park to play, and sort of vote who plays what position, and who plays.

If the coaches are so unimportant to the results, why did the Steelers go through such a long process of interview, hiring and not hiring Grimm, etc., before grabbing Tomlin the minute the Vikings fell out of the playoffs that year?  

If the head coach is not important, why not just promote one of the assistant coaches, and not have to pay moving expenses?

If the coaches are not important to winning, why do they have so many coaches, and pay them well?  Why not just one or two volunteers, and rely on individual performances?

Why does the PG have paid editors?

(Show me where I said coaches are not important.

Nice job of twisting facts. I have repeatedly said players should be held accountable and are more important in determining the outcome of the game than coaches.  But I have no recollection of ever saying coaches are not important.  I wait word from you on when I said that.  -- Bob Smizik)

Max,

You are over-stating Bob's position on coaches. What he does say is "of course, the coaches deserve some of the fault when things go wrong." But he puts his primary emphasis on players executing their assignments. And I'd have to agree. If the players themselves don't catch, run, block, and tackle, it makes no difference what the coaches call.

Maybe the Steelers would be interested in Charlie Weis as O coordinator...I hear he's available.

Charlie Weis loves the passing game..... alot of steeler fans couldn't take a successful offense that didn't run the ball 75% of the plays.  

Maybe fans would be happy if Tomlin brought back Noll to be OC.

Sorry to be so late today. I missed this earlier some how. Just thought I'd say that I loved the game plan last night. Imagine the Steeers with that game plan and Big Ben at QB! We couldn't be stopped (or stop ourselves as we have been doing). Troy returns, BA get's muzzled, Seven Will Be Heaven!!!!!!!

WB SteelerMark....wondering if you'd be around today...

Great game last night, outside the final score that is.  

I thought they had a good mix of running/passing last night, but Dixon seemed off in the second half

Oops, nearly forgot!

Did you see that Ben has a perfect QB rating when throwing off play action???? 95% completions.

Run to set up the pass, play defense, control the clock, minimize turnovers, and get a special teams coach.

Seven Will Be Heaven!

And BTW I do NOT agree with Mr. Smizik (surprise!). We can very realistically win a Super Bowl this year. Just give the players an offensive game plan that doesn't jeopardize their hard work every week.

That run call by BA was vintage! LOL LOL

I did see that stat last night...very impressive..

I don't have much of a problem with the stees current run/pass ratio, but i would like to see less formations using an empty backfield set....it all but tells the offense we are passing.  Way too many plays from the empty set

I too HATE the empty set. And where o where have our gadget plays gone?

Gadget plays....  I remember whisenhunt having lot of them...has BA used them?  really drawing a blank if they used many last season.  

Dixon's bootleg for a TD was a bit of a gadget play

"Run to set up the pass." Yeah, right. Abandon our strength, try and run first, and we WILL be "setting up" a lot of necessary pass plays. Last night, of the 38 run plays, NINETEEN of them went for 2 yards or less (and another six went for just 3 yards). Just because Mendenhall broke off a few 14 yarders, and Dixon ran 24 for the TD, doesn't mean our O-line is opening up running lanes with any dependability yet. Take away a few big gashes, and the ground game still isn't getting it done. It may be coming -and if it does, GREAT. But SteelerMark, right now your prescription is for losing football.

Bob,

What I said was "i gave up trying to convince Smizik years ago that the coaches have responsibility for losses".

I may have missed it, but I didn't see anything in this post that mentions the coaches' part in how well this team was prepared for this game.

I have a trail of your email replies that downplay the the importance/responsibility of the coaches:

Your December 28, 2005 email reply to my email asserting that Cowher bears a lot of responsibility for losses -

If the coach is so important, perhaps you can explain this to me.

Chuck Noll won four Super Bowls in six years in the 1970s.

In his final seven seasons he won no Super Bowls and made the playoffs only once.

Do you think it was because he had great players in the 70s and less great players in the 80s and 90s?

Football is a game of execution, not strategy. --  Bob Smizik

(I replied Who drafted and coached those players in the 80s and 90s?  )

Max, what you said was: "the coaches are not important to winning," as if THAT were what Bob had said. But he did not say any such thing. And your oldie but moldy email you have so preciously clung to since 2005, still does not make your false insinuation any truer.

By the way, this time last week, Bob squarely placed responsibility for the KC loss at the feet of Mike Tomlin.

A buddy of mine works in maintenance at M&T Stadium in Baltimore.  He sent me a text a short while ago.   It seems he and his crew, during their routine stadium cleanup this afternoon, found a pair of shackles sitting on the Steeler sideline.  Arians apparently left them there, after the game, when Dixon was presumably allowed to remove them.  

He's wondering where they should ship the shackles to??    

JL  True dat.  Smizik did call out the coaches last week.  See my post at 11-23-2009 5:20 PM to see my reaction.

I don't need you to tell me (incorrectly) what I said.  Everyone can scroll up and see that I said.  But just in case, at 11-30-2009 10:32 PM I said:

. . . . I didn't see anything in this post that mentions the coaches' part in how well this team was prepared for this game.

I still don't see anything in Bob's post that mentions that.  Do people think this team was well prepared for this important game?

Isn't email great, how you can go back and see what was said/done?  

(Max: Just want to let you know I am touched that you keep my old e-mails.  Feel free to use them. As I like to say, I stand by what I wrote.

In case you've forgotten, excution is far more important than strategy in the winning of a football game.  --- Bob Smizik)

Max,

"I don't need you to tell me (incorrectly) what I said."

Apparently you do. And there was nothing incorrectly cited by me about your quote, or what you were trying to say. You accuse Bob of believing that "coaches are not important to winning." The burden to prove that lies solely with you, and you have failed to do so. Meanwhile, as I already pointed out, he DID clearly state "of course, the coaches deserve some of the fault when things go wrong."

Furthermore, you claim "I didn't see anything in this post that mentions the coaches' part in how well this team was prepared for this game." Like I said, he just finished addressing this very issue last week. Just because this week he instead chooses to emphasize Hines Ward's indiscretion, or the fact that the Steelers are still in the playoff hunt, still doesn't give you diddly squat. Your charges are demonstrably false, and you owe Bob an apology for repeatedly making them.

JL- You seem like a nice guy, so let me try to make some points. Perhaps you'll see some validity in these remarks.

First- You act as though I don't want to pass. I've already said pass 40% of the time through three quarters (after that do what the game dictates).

Second- Which is better, a two yard run or an incomplete pass? Two two yard runs is third and six. Two incompletions is.... worse.

Third- Would you rather have a short run and a punt last night in OT, or an interception that sealed the loss? INT's don't occur on run plays. The point is passing is a high risk play.

Fourth- From Dick LeBeau who knows more about it than ANYONE in this blog:

"You just have to be able to contain the ball-carrier and not let him control the game," LeBeau explained. "If all they have to do is hand the ball to the running back and they continue to move the ball consistently, there's not a whole lot of things they can mess up. You may get a holding call every now and then, but they don't have to pass protect you, they don't have to throw it, they don't have to catch it, all they have to do is turn around and hand it to somebody, and their percentage of execution is going to be pretty high on that.

"So, you have to force them into something else other than that or you're going to have a tough time"

"A lot of good things can happen for the defense when they're passing," LeBeau noted.

Now I just don't think anyone can argue with that, and certainlyly not BA, who cannot wear LeBeaus jock strap.

JL- I only want my favorite team, the team I bleed black and gold for, to right the ship and win the SB they are very capable of winning. Honest! I just know, from many public comments that BA doesn't get it.

Here is a good example- BA says he NEVER takes the foot off the peddle. Now that is just plain foolish. Last season in Cincinatti, when all we had to do was run the clock out deep in Cincy territory, BA passes. The only hope Cincy has is a pick six and an onside kick recovery, and BA gives it to them.

Stupid. Arrogant. Egotistical. I wish it wasn't true, believe me.

Bingo !!      Mark hits the nail on the head !!    "Stupid. Arrogant. Egotistical. I wish it wasn't true, believe me."     Dead on, 100% correct.   Arians is the epitome of EVERYTHING you wrote.   I certainly couldn't have said it better.  

Yer wasting yer breath, however.  Jl here will defend his hero, Arians, until the bitter end.   JL has an incredible predilection to ignore any and all facts and instead resort to rationalizing and excuse making.  Given just a few minutes of time, this guy could come up with a diatribe 2 miles long defending Adolf Hitler and Osama Bin Laden.    Just above, JL claimed several times, "I strongly disagree" on the concept of "With the exception of the option play where Dixon scored running, it seemed as though we simply didn't give him plays to help him succeed."

This, from a HIGHLY ATHLETIC QB, whose BEST talent is his LEGS, having run ONE rollout and ONE designed run the entire evening.   Each play produced a TOUCHDOWN, but according to the supreme football master himself (JL), Arians practically over-worked Dixon's legs and feet last evening.  

Continue the superb postings, Mark.  

Steeler Mark,

Well thanks for disarming me with the "nice guy" stuff! Respectfully, I return the courtesy. But I still back BA and his approach to the game, given the crew we have.Sure, if we still had a solid rushing attack, BA would either have to adapt his philosophy or deservedly be criticized. But such is not the case. As I have repeatedly opined over the weeks, our ground game cannot carry this team. If we actually did formulaically go to 60% runs, 40% passes, our success running the ball would be even poorer. (Once again, take away a few of the big gashes we had, and we're left with a load of runs that went no where.) You're point about facing 3rd and 6 vs. 3rd and 10 would be a fair one, if those were the only possibilities. But the reality is that  Ben completes his passes more often than not. And pass plays go farther than rushing plays. YES, there is more risk involved, but not to the degree you imply. And YES, the situations Dick LeBeau describes are not ideal to be in.  But the reality is that our offensive personnel don't offer us a choice. If the Steelers had dogmatically run the ball 60% of the time this year, I truly believe we would have lost most of our games. Our 6-5 record is not so hot. But meltdowns by the special teams and our defense have had a lot to do with that.

As for the Cincinnati game from last year, I don't remember details from that game anymore. But I do know that we were still in a dogfight with the Ravens for first place in the division. And points scored against division rivals is a tie-breaker. So "go for it" is what I say.

Now, Mendenhall does appear to be the real deal. And next year, Kemoeatu, Darnell Stapleton, and everyone else should be back healthy and a year wiser. I DO think the return of a powerful Steeler ground game is on the horizon. And I do agree that having such will make us much more formidable. But we're not quite there yet. Ben throwing to Hines, Santonio and Heath, with a little Mewelde, M. Wallace, and even Rashard mixed in, is still the way to go, in 2009.

As grating as it may sound to your ears, SteelerMark, I've got to sing "Viva Las Arians!" (at least for the rest of this season).

"According to the supreme football master himself (JL), Arians practically over-worked Dixon's legs and feet last evening."

Nope. Never said that, implied that, or wanted that to be true. What I DID say, is that we only had one quarterback standing, last night. Palko was no option. Big Ben was no option. So if the team doesn't want to see their only viable quarterback go down the exact same way Ben went down last week, and Batch went down for all of '08, then it's best to not run him around and have him unduly exposed. But nice try in bending over backwards to find something to moan about regarding Arians.  

Bob, enough already about the number one rated defense in stats. Stats are for lossers. The only measure is wins and losses. Remember there are stats, lies and damm lies.

Bottom line is Dixon ( a third string QB ) hung in there and gave his team a lead with six minutes left.

This so called number one defense has blown 4 leads late in games this year that directly resulted in losses. Not one, not two, not three, but FOUR!!!! That is a trend not a bad game. And if 43 is so vital in making one play to win a game, they are not the number one defense. There are 11 guys playing defense not 1.

Watching Gay and Taylor trying to cover or tackle is laughable. I didn't see Ike waving his hand (he looks like a fool) in front of his face to much last night.

It is time for Tomlin to step up and lead. He is great with the coach speak verbage. With that said I love Tomlin.

JL - Let me try this one more time.  Just above you quote me as saying

Max, what you said was: "the coaches are not important to winning,"

Scroll up if you must, but you can't deny that is what you typed and attributed to me.  I am saying just the opposite.  The coaches bear a lot of responsibility for wins and losses, or in other words "the coaches ARE IMPORTANT to winning."

Smizik, blames the players for losses without mentioning the responsibility of coaches in losses, with the one exception of the KC blog post last week.  Well, let me say again, who picked those players?  Who drew up the plays?  Who picks the plays?

In one of your replies to another post, you mention our offensive personnell don't offer us a choice.  And whose is responsible for that?  Did the wrong guys just happen to show up?  Or did somebody get paid to painstakingly assemble this team?

Meantime, the Rooneys are laughing all the way to the bank, and we are just fans.  Football is like the circus.  It comes to town every year, people pay to see you, and they'll come back again next year.

(You make it sound like the Rooneys are bilking the public. You make it sound like you've be deprived of good teams. You gotta be kidding. They Rooney family has  given this town a great franchise to rally around. Sure, they've made a lot of money and they've returned it the fan base with great teams.  Give it a rest, Max. ---- Bob Smizik)

JL- Just one problem with your thinking about the run game this year, next year, last year or any other year that BA is involved- He doesn't believe it now, last year, ever before, and never will.

I mean JL you have to laugh when BA says he's lost too many games 17-14 when he ran the ball, as though he hasn't lost a multitude of games by interceptions and sacks. (Again Ben was 14-0, (15-1) as a ROOKIE with a play action approach).

Anyway, I guess we agree to disagree. But I have Coach LeBeau on my side! And Steelva baby! LOL

Mark,

About '04, we had the Bus, Faneca, Hartings, and Whitman(?) back then. BUT, you'll have ME on your side too, when the team is ready! I don't like being one-dimensional any more than the next guy. And we ARE actually beginning to run better than we did last year, or even earlier this year. Viva La Arians for this year, and then we'll all convert him into Smashmouth Arians for 2010.

Max,

I understand what you are saying (that "the coaches bear a lot of responsibility for wins and losses"). And I apologize if I awkwardly laid down my words, a few posts above (though I attached to your quote the verbiage "as if THAT were what Bob had said.") But what I intended to attribute to you is your charge that Bob Smizik does not -at all- believe that coaches have any responsibility for wins and losses. And that's just not what Bob has said. Yes, he puts more of the onus on the players and their executiion. But he never (to my knowledge) said coaches bear no responsibility; in fact, he has stated the opposite, both last week, and today.

Anyway, Bob doesn't need me to defend him. Just like the budget deficit, he's big enough to take care of himself. ;-)

Pingback from  Dennis Dixon John Harbaugh Ben Rothlisberger

Some suspect that it is the Nuttings that are bilking the public.

Bob probably knows this, but others may not.

The item about Football being like the Circus is a saying of the Rooneys', passed on by a PG sports writer.  

The point I'm trying to make is football is first a business to the Rooneys, one they are apparently very passionate about, but none the less a business first.

To most rabid fans, it's winning at any co$t first, then it's a business, as long as it doesn't get in the way of winning.

I knew I kept those old email for some reason.

"We weren't going to play scared by any stretch."

Direct quote from the HC of the Pittsburgh Steeler's...yet that's EXACTLY how they played after they got a 3 pt. lead early in the 4th...dude talks the talk...

"I'm sure they will continue to do so & he better not blink"

Another MT quote when asked if teams are attacking William Gay in the passing game...NEWSFLASH Mike:  HE ALREADY HAS!!!

The Ravens are not what they once were on defense and the coming of age of quarterback Joe Flacco definitely is on hold. He was hugely unimpressive last night.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not so sure Bob...

- 8.3 yds/att.

- 100+ passer rtg.

- the most important one...the W!

While being sacked 5 times & hurried another 8

JL-

Q: Which of the following is above average per NFL standards & which is below?

4.0 yds./att. RUSHING

5.5 yds./att. PASSING

(hint the listing above is appropriate, as one that is above, is above the one that is below)

JL wrote-

"Take away a few big gashes, and the ground game still isn't getting it done."

With the exception of the option play where Dixon scored running, it seemed as though we simply didn't give him plays to help him succeed.

"I strongly disagree. First of all, though some claim to believe that it's okay to recklessly expose your only standing quarterback (and Palko doesn't count -he was still getting fitted for his jockstrap) to the same kind of injuries that knocked out your starter just the week before, and IR'ed Charlie Batch for all of '08, the Steelers were wise to keep the game simple for Dixon by having him simply drop back and get rid of the ball quickly."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Ben's the greatest...

- Ben holds the ball too long, the O-line is not at fault...

- now the above comment from (SPIN) Dr. JL???

Only a FOOL would base their argument of the inferiority of one phase of a unit by discounting the big plays gained in that particular phase...as you chose to do JL!

SteelBlitz56,

"We weren't going to play scared by any stretch."

- A direct , albeit laughable, quote from the HC (MT) which pretty much discounts your theory, that the play calling was justified in light of Palko being the backup QB...

- Foote is even more of a liability than Farrior in pass coverage, as evidenced by his being lifted for Timmons in those situations last year...

- I too was quite voiciferous in wanting McFadden resigned, but am grateful that the Steelers did NOT give him what 'Zona did...  

FACT:  

- The Steelers have LOST back to back OT games...

- The Steelers have WON the coin toss in each...

- 80% of NFL teams winning the OT coin toss also win the game!

Of the last 8 Raven possessions,  after halftime & prior to the OT game winning FG drive, which was set up via turnover by the offense:

ONLY 1 ended with points allowed...a FG (3 pts.)

4 - Raven drives ended with punts, 2 were 3 & out!

2 - Raven drives ended with takeaways by the Steeler D!!!

*** Of note: One drive of the eight started in Steeler territory & 3 times the defense put the Steeler offense within 5 yds. of mid-field to start drives after halftime.

Here is another opinion on the responsibility of coaches re losing from Dec 1 chat:

black_gold: My experience is that coach's take the blame when their teams are not that good or on the verge of cracking. Is that what's happened the past 2 weeks?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, and coaches should take the blame for losing. They certainly get the credit when they win.

Read more: www.post-gazette.com/.../1017629-66.stm

Saturday, 1 a.m. Q: After another frustrating loss, I cannot believe the negative impact Bruce Arians