How can Steelers avoid repeat of '06 nightmare?

No Steelers team ever fell as flat as the reigning Super Bowl champion did in 2006, and many from that team hope that disaster offers a lesson as training camp opens in Latrobe.

What do you think the Steelers should do to avoid a repeat of the '06 nightmare?

To post a comment, sign in or register. Keep all comments family-friendly; please read our Guide to Commenting.

 I don't think there's too much to add to Hines Ward's comment about cockiness...and simply because they are talking about it shows an awareness and a commitment not to make the same mistakes.  I lay at LEAST 50% of the freefall after SB XL on Cowher mailing in his last year of coaching.  Where the players might have resting on their laurels so to speak, he did not have the fire or the passion to address the issue and clean it up.  Tomlin is NOT going to mail anything in.  I so like this coach...he's enthusiastic, committed, and passionate about the game.  That goes a longggg way in alleviating problems.  And if problems occur he's going to address them instead of sitting back in his chair watching the hands of the clock revolve while contemplating the scenery in say, oh North Carolina.

The biggest concern is probably Ben Roth's mental stress with the civil case.  And there's really nothing much anyone can do about that except hope the media doesn't hound him too much about it.

I don't think Tomlin will let it happen. he would not even talk in terms of "repeating" afte the Super Bowl last year, he said it's a whole new ball game. He's not moving to North Carolina either and does not have his focus elsewhere. Or his intensity. If anything, the intensity is up. My brother is concerned about Ben and wish we still had Leftwich. Let's just get it on and play some ball.

I agree with the previous posts. The real key is that the players stay reasonably healthy and stay focused on the the information in the article:  "Five times, the Steelers have entered a season as Super Bowl champions. Twice, they did not reach the postseason (1980, 2006) and once they lost in the AFC championship game (1976). Twice, they followed with a second consecutive Super Bowl victory (1975, '79)."

I know I'd like to be remembered as a member of a team that repeated and made history.

Will be fun, since while they seem to be in the proper mindset, other teams are stacking up, looks like fierce competition.

I like when Tomblin says "this is a new season, new team" - In paper the roster looks even better than last year, but this is such a team and mental game than a very special chemistry is needed. See what happens with Ravens, Patriots and Chargers.

I beleive.

 Steelers will be fine because of Tomin. Cohwer was a moron who fumbled many opportunities to greatness.

First order of business win enough to make playoffs, second secure homefield, the yinzers make a difference. Hope to stay healthy.

 Here's an idea: stop talking about it!!! The more the Steelers and the media beat this dead horse, the more likely it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy! Mike Tomlin should have squashed this from the get-go when Ben's lawsuit resulted in the genesis of this discussion. Apples and Oranges / Day and Night. That was then, this is now. Stop focusing on this discussion and get ready to defend the Title.

All that being said, it may not matter. After all, New England, now that they got back the NFL's Golden Boy, has already been anointed Super Bowl XLIV Champions!

 The best thing that the steelers could do is pay a limo driver to pick Big Ben up at his home and drive him to practice while forcing him to wear a helmet even in the back of the limo.

 I know I will catch flak... but don't forget that the 2005 Steelers were not all that great of a team. They just squeaked into the playoffs. Yes, they had an amazing run for the ring. But that squad was sliding downward from the 15-1 season in which they blew it in the playoffs.

How do they stand now? Not sure. They are certainly older. And they seem really disinterested in investing in a first-rate offensive line. Yes, it was enough to get them another ring. But Ben is not going to be young enough and healthy enough to keep up that level of play forever. Or for long. 

On the other side, the Timmons/Harrison/Woodley combo would seem to be enough to take pressure of the aging line and the competent but vulnerable secondary.

I think the steelers will remain focused on the task at hand and not get complacent this year. There is too many veterans returning that probably feel like they do not have too many years left to play on a consistently contending team.I know just by watching Hines Wards hall of fame career he will never be happy with medeocrity or content with half speed. That kind of heart and work ethic trickles down toward the whole team. Guys like Aaron Smith,Troy Polamalu,and James Farrior will make sure between the players that they work hard and play harder. Intimidation and physicallity is how the Steelers make their mark, which in turn makes me proud to be a fan. I can't wait to see that defense this year, with Timmons starting and Gay playing full time. They might be better this year just for the simple fact they want to try to break last years records. So, I do believe a repeat of 2006 is not going to happen. 

 Don't worry, won't happen, 'cause we don't have Cowher here who apparently didn't care about his job after he won "his" Lombardi Trophy.

Let's keep in mind that despite a horrid 2-6 start, the 06 team did finish 6-2 once the players woke up and took control.

I don't think there is any chance of a 2-6 start for the reasons already stated and because, barring injury or sudden collapse of the older guys, they measure up to be better this year than last year. I'd say 5-3 is realistic if they aren't sharp.

Repeating '06 should not be the concern. Repeating as division champions should be the concern, and that's certainly no gimme.

"Repeating '06 should not be the concern. Repeating as division champions should be the concern, and that's certainly no gimme."

Especially when the Ravens will be 2009 AFC North Champions

....well for starters, losing two games in a row, and one of those to a divisional rival is not the way to go about it. Not the start the Steelers had in mind, but alas, it is only three games into the season. As for my Ravens (be nice all), they are on fire and are in sole possession of 1st place. Big test in New England next week for my boys, but I think if they play like they have been playing, they'll carry the day. Then back home for the Bungles, who I'm sure will be more than up for that game at our House of Pain. Good luck to your Steelers. I'm sure they will rebound quickly. They have too much character as well as talent not to.

Ravenous

 I think the Steelers are on their way to a repeat of the 06' team unless they start to run the ball consistently. The running game is just not there. Parker had 95 yards today but his speed is not there and he can't hit the hole with any burst of speed. The Steelers can't make touchdowns when they are in the red zone. Parker had a few nice runs today but he is not consistent game to game. Face it, Fast Willie is not that fast anymore. Why are we wasting time with Limas Sweed? The man can't catch or at least he is not consistent either. His drop in the endzone cost us the game. Jeff Reed is either partying too much the night before gameday or he's not performing since the Steelers arn't doing much for his contract extension. I can't understand why our DB's play off the receivers so dam far? Prevent defense just prevents you from winning as it did today. The defense played a pretty good game but the offense has to put up the points and they are not.