View topic - BEN quit on the team. Moves that need to be made.

[ballhair Profile]

Indysteel said "However, I for the life of me cannot see how a team with talent enough to win the SB last year is now in need of the drastic changes that are being proposed."
This was what I was thinking. How could a team that just won a superbowl self destruct the next season this way? The defense sucks bad, but they had troy and smith hurt. The offense sucks but they have been relatively injury free. Why the decline all of a sudden? One thing that stands out to me is the fact that Ward called out Ben. This sort of got swept under the carpet but do you realize the implications this had? Your longtime star player with a tough reputation calling your franchise QB a coward. This is not what exactly was said but what was implied. Discontent in the locker room. Maybe jealousy of big ben being on tv every other week? Has the fame gone to ben's head? Has the concussions caught up with ben? I don't know. Have you ever recalled a steeler team looking like they were playing scared (especially ben) against the stains? Something is wrong in that locker room big time!

[rigger Profile]

bruce airhead has to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i thought this two years ago if my spelling is wrong it is because i might be as dumb as our oc does not know how to make adjustments of any kind what ever happen to the running back draw or the running back screen to slow down to defense rush noooo they use that bubble screen to the wide-outs what happen to the muddle huddel probably wrong do'nt care just an pissed off fan in st.marys pa

[Uhh Profile]

One thing that stands out to me is the fact that Ward called out Ben. This sort of got swept under the carpet but do you realize the implications this had? Your longtime star player with a tough reputation calling your franchise QB a coward. This is not what exactly was said but what was implied. Discontent in the locker room. Maybe jealousy of big ben being on tv every other week? Has the fame gone to ben's head? Has the concussions caught up with ben? I don't know. Have you ever recalled a steeler team looking like they were playing scared (especially ben) against the stains? Something is wrong in that locker room big time!

I get the sense that Ward might be talking about Roethlisberger with all the "Next week will show who still wants to play for pride" talk, too.

[mckeesrockstheburg Profile]

Switching out your startes for the reserves to "see what they can do" is flawed logic. Presumably, the reserves were provided a chance to show what they could do from OTAs, to training camp, thru the preseason. The coaches (despite how stupid we believe they are), unlike the fans, get to watch them daily. As an aside, the coaches are professionals who actually get paid to know something about the game and evaluating talent. Based upon their closeness to the players and the fact that they are professionals at the sport of football, they form a depth chart based upon talent

Sorry, Indy. I think the coaches can't see the trees for the forest. I think they are so comfortable with Farrior (a few others) in there when right now they may be focused on "other issues" that they can't see the problem. Farrior is healthy? Ok move on to next "issue". BUT Farrior is the problem. His game is down and the coaches either choose NOT to address it or just plain can't see it, like all us others can. Now more than ever, make the changes and see .. can we stop anyone on 3rd down? Yes? then changes worked. If it does get noticeably worse, than subs aren't the answer and depth is an issue. I'm not sure if staff is just too friendly with players or if sticking with the regulars too long is the problem. They say that is what ended Noll's tenure - he stayed with his favorites too long - the Dwayne Board example, for one.

We have to see if DD is a good enough 2nd option if Ben goes down. We have to get Sweed in the game, we need to know if Lewis and Burnett can cover, can Tank live up to his name? Can we do some things on 3rd down, like move the damn chains once in a while. I am laying it at the feet of the whole staff right now! Can they right this ship they have built?

[Coke Oven Profile]

"We have to get Sweed in the game"

Why?

[mckeesrockstheburg Profile]

Coke, I do think this guy has the talent, a HUGE upside and just needs to have a chance, just maybe not in a "pressure" situation right now. Why not now to try to boost his confidence? Games don't mean anything but experience at this point. See IF he can be salvaged. If not, let him go and look to the draft for another. IF he CAN PLAY, that means saving a draft pick for another position because with Hines, Holmes, wallace, Sweed for next year, we'll be OK there. We have MANY other needs to address and I'd sure hate to waste this 2nd round pick like we've done on so many others lately.

That is why I am all for playing the back-ups as much as possible from here. See who can play, how they can play and what they can play. Hopefully give Colbert some direction heading into free agency and draft. If Sweed can get his head right, he is very athletic for a big guy and from that standpoint, I'd say every bit as good "potentially" as Terrel Owens or even as John Stallworth was. Let's find out once and for all. I am one who says screw the playoffs at this point. What would we gain but lower draft position after getting taken out in 1st game. I see no "heart" in this team right now. This will not be '05 all over again.

[Coke Oven Profile]

I too wish that he had huge talent and upside. But the scientific method so far is telling me that that's just not so. Word is that he's just a great practice player.

I'm wholeheartedly in favor of tanking the rest of the season to get the most favorable draft position that we can. If that's what these guys are doing then I take back all of the bitching I sent their way.

[dadrfishing Profile]

Couple of comments
1) DD showed he was a compentent back up against Baltimore. He did not lose that game for the Steelers
2) Batch is too injury prone and should be released
3) I think as a fan I do not want to play for draft position. I want to see the team fight for every game. I do not like the idea of being bad so we might be good in the future.
4) In the Baltimore game we tried to run more to cover up for the rookie QB, and were fairly sucessful running the ball. We should do the same with Ben as the QB. The number of passes in the Browns game was bullshit.
5) When was the last time you saw Ben pitch out?
6) Defense needs to get younger / quicker.
7) Arians has got to GO!

[Jeemie Profile]

3) I think as a fan I do not want to play for draft position. I want to see the team fight for every game. I do not like the idea of being bad so we might be good in the future.

More I think about this, the more I think this might be true.

If the Steelers end the season with 8 straight losses, Tomlin might never get the team back.

We saw what happened after 1998 when the team quit on Cowher..all the chaos that marked the start of 1999.

Or when Noll had that 5-11 season.

And those were ESTABLISHED coaches.

[mckeesrockstheburg Profile]

Dadrfishing and Jeemie, good thoughts. I need to reconsider my "throwing" away the games. BUT, why not play the extras just the same and see what they can do. Win? - Great!... Lose? - Figure it out and learn.

Good can come from it but I just think it is very important to see what we have in those guys who just might be a big part the future then draft accordingly.

[SteelBeach Profile]

Ben is the best quarterback the Steelers ever had and is a top 5 QB in this league. You fools did not mention once that our receivers (i.e. Hines Ward) cannot beat man-to-man coverage so they just overload blitzed us the entire night.

Stefan Logan is fine on kick returns. He's had about 5 very nice returns this year. True he is shit on PR but he's a hell of a lot better than Mewelde Moore back there on both departments.

The problems come down to:
William Gay
Ike Taylor
Tyrone Carter
James Farrior
Justin Hartwig
Colon or Starks depending on the night
Everyone on STs

What an idiot! Are you watching the games? Hines beats his coverage all the time. You don't know squat.