View topic - Maybe everybody's a little too comfortable

[Pommah Profile]

I've brought up before how I don't think there's enough substitution when there are hungry players on the sideline not getting enough P.T. We are wearing out in the 4Q, maybe if we got fresh legs in there midway there would be enough gas in the tank at the end.

And, it seems to me some of our starters have become a bit complacent. Why not? Where's the threat? Key Fox works his tail off on spec teams, then has a good game filling in, and then doesn't get to replace the aging slow-footed veteran some more, why should that slow-foot hustle, when he doesn't have to? He showed he can when he had something to fear. Even our rabid Defensive MVP didn't seem to have anything going yesterday, maybe he's too worried about how his book is doing at Border's.

I live in New England and I know everybody hates the Pats and Brady is gay, and maybe Belichick blew the call last night. But let's take a look at what he does. Their stud high draft pick high-$ DE develops a tendency to loaf a bit. His butt is out of there to pro football purgatory. Trust me, no one is bitchin' around here about how they miss Richard Seymour. You can bench anybody, not just a 2nd-year RB who has yet to earn a starting position. You can replace a special teams coach mid-season. Carries risks, yes. Sends a message? Yes.

[kurtostill Profile]

I fully agree. In some ways the Stillers got lucky last year. And certainly every SB run, even those by the hallowed patriots, happens because of a little luck. Hustle is also a key ingredient.
The fact is that the Stillers are lucking hustle right now. Whether this is the result of age (ala James Farrior), seeming complacency (ala LaMarr Woodley), or possibly coaching (the offense and special teams), it is missing. The coaching staff absolutely needs to shake things up. I don’t give a crap how many years any player has played; he should have to earn his keep and right to continue as a starter. Hines Ward taping his name on his helmet like a rookie, in every training camp that I can remember, always strikes me as a bold statement. He is essentially saying that he is going to earn his starting spot, bottom line. Hines, of course, is a badass that any coach would be foolish to deny a spot in the starting lineup. Arians might be making that move next week though...
And honestly, I think Belichick is a boorish dick and I’m glad he doesn’t coach in the ‘burgh. But you are correct that he’s not worried about anyone’s feelings and he’s not afraid to get rid of dead weight. And it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been there. If you’re not valuable to the team and someone else can do your job better, see ya. Belichick is concerned about winning and does what he needs to do to make that happen (even if that involves cheating... but that’s a different discussion).
What it comes down to is that Tomlin needs to step up and bench players (not just 1st or 2nd year rookies, e.g. Sweed and Mendy) that aren’t playing well. The first example that comes to mind is James Farrior. But there are others and this includes coaches. Arians is the obvious one here as is Ligashesky. If Tomlin doesn’t grow some cojones and make some tough decisions, the Stillers will continue to play half-assed football and lose to average opponents.