A Bug�s Eye View�����������������������������������
Same Old Problem, No
Real Leadership��� By Steel Termite
When Jerome Bettis was signed this past off season, the Stillers set their future on an old running back who clearly has his most productive days behind him.� Yet, due to a dream of nostalgia or lack of being able to cut the old guy, the Rooney�s re-signed the Bus for yet another run for the trophy.� (Click here to read my article on the Bettis signing�)
Knowing their main back (Duce Staley) was susceptible to injury and their back-up is a few years past his prime, the FO spent their first round pick on�. a tight end.� We all know how valuable a TE is in the Stiller offense.
The Stillers new franchise QB lobbies very publicly for the FO to make a serious effort to resign his favorite WR.� Yet, Plex moves off and the Steelers believe a 5� 10� guy will replace him and the passing offense will continue as if nothing happened.
Now, the team approaches the beginning of the season with:�
A group of less-than-stellar WRs who seemingly cannot run any routes longer than 10 yards;
�������� Duce goes down for the second time in as many years;
�������� The Bus will stay parked for some time;
And the offense will not throw to the tight end, the skilled position that other NFL teams truly realize is an eligible receiver.
What does this all mean?� Simple -- once again, the Steeler FO, led by Billy Cowher, is as predictable as the Weather Channel claiming a hurricane will hit the US mainland sometime this year.� EVERYONE on the planet knows Bill Cowher will not, or cannot, use a tight end in the passing game.� Rather than developing an unpredictable offensive game plan, Cowher had to keep his pacifier, Jerome Bettis, for yet another year.�
Duce goes down.� No problem.� The franchise savior, Bettis will start.� Bettis is hurt?!?� Oh NO!� Now what do we do?!?�
This should be expected.� We�ve relied on an aged set of wheels.� Now he�s hurt.� Our passing offense looks pathetic.� Cedric (remember the fawning over him) is not Plex.� He might not be too bad, but he isn�t 6�5�.�
It�s all about leadership.� Thinking ahead, developing contingency plans and planning -- all traits of wise leaders.
It�s also not Bill Cowher.�
The biggest weakness of the Steelers is not an injury prone running back or a vertically challenged group of WR�s.� It�s leadership or lack thereof.� More than leadership on the field, this team suffers from a dearth of leadership from its head coach.�