I'm a big fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and I was wondering what's going on with them? They got blown out last Sunday. I was so mad that I almost went crazy. Can someone please tell me what's going on? I would really like to know. Thanks.
2006-11-27 06:29:17 · 20 answers · asked by Marvino J 1 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
It's a down year, plain and simple. They're throwing the ball way more than they have before, and they've abandoned their running game. I'm a fan too, it's tough to watch this.
I don't care who wins the super bowl, as long as it's not the Ravens.
2006-11-27 06:31:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Maybe now the Bills can get a little love for doing 4 consecutive years? Playing all those games is hard, and you guys had a bad off-season. Bettis was a locker-room leader, and it seems as though no one stepped into that void. Maybe Big Ben will, in time, but he's just been playing badly of late and I'd be shocked if there weren't murmurs in support of Batch in the locker room.
At this point, his poor play cannot be put off as a function of being hurt. It's just the rude awakening that...no, Big Ben ISN'T special. His growing pains were simply post-poned by a combination of a dominating running game and a true "steel curtain", both of which have since waned, leaving Big Ben in an unfamiliar role....instead of playing to not lose, he has to play to win, and he just isn't there yet because he's never been asked to grab the team by the scruff of the neck and drag it across the end line.
It's also possible that Cowher simply isn't in it anymore...he's said to be mulling retirement, and his one goal always seemed to be to win the Big One, which he has already accomplished. He's probably worn down and might find himself wondering what he's doing there anymore. A man like that just cannot provide the same fire and leadership Cowher has brought to the table for so long.
Perhaps most importantly....your defense just ain't getting it done anymore. The Ravens are much better, but their offense still is far from explosive, and it's not like this is a one-time thing for your D to cough up so much. Injuries are part of the puzzle, but some egos have probably gotten too big and perhaps some guys just lost some fire or even a step...
2006-11-27 14:45:00 · answer #2 · answered by Elminster 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problems run deeper than Ben. Yes, he has thrown too many picks this year, but if you were to go back and review each one, you'd see that not all of them were his fault. Some were tipped by his receivers, some were from desperation Hail Mary's at the end of the half or game...and the offensive line hasnt given him nearly the time he had the past 2 seasons. The receiving corps is young and unestablished, outside of Hines Ward. Cedrick Wilson hasnt fully developed the way the Steelers probably thought he would when they picked him up to replace Plax. Heath Miller is solid, but dreadfully underutilized. Nate Washington and Santonio Holmes are both unproven, but both have shown signs of coming on.
This is one thing I have seen overlooked in the answers given, but the Special teams have been ABYSMAL. The loss of last years captain Chidi Iwuoma has been huge. One of their top coverage men last year, Brett Keisel is now a starter on D, regulars on the coverage team last year like Ricardo Colclough and James Harrison have been injured. Willie Reid, who was drafted to help in the punt return game, has only gotten into one game before being injured, and no one has stepped up in the punt or kickoff return game. They continually lose the field position battle due to their lack of any return game and the turnovers. In the NFL, its tough to overcome no matter what talent you have.
The game yesterday was terribly frustrating, but I for one dont think the blame falls squarely on Ben's shoulders. There's some work to do in the offseason in Pittsburgh to get back some of the depth that made the Steelers so successful over the past couple of seasons....
2006-11-27 15:49:25 · answer #3 · answered by Xax Haus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not an easy question. I believe there is lots wrong with them. The offensive line is not bringing it like they usually do. The defense is failing. Rothlisberger is a headcase right now. Holmes cant keep a ball in his hands to save his life. Davenport and Parker cant do it without their line working well. You put the ball anywhere near Ward or Miller and they will catch it, but RB cant get it to them consistently. Palamalu cant do it by himself. It has been a very frustrating season for Steeler fans. All we can do is watch hold each other and try to keep our tears on the inside.
2006-11-27 14:36:50 · answer #4 · answered by coldradium23 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They lost too many players to free agency. Big Ben has come back to reality. Jerome Bettis is gone. They miss Randal-El more than they ever thought they would. Finally, they were a "team of destiny" last year. Winning three games in the playoffs away from home just doesn't happen. Other than Willie Parker, Joey Porter, and Troy Palamalu, the cupboards kinda bare.
2006-11-27 14:41:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They say winning a back-to-back Super Bowl is one of the hardest things in sports.
Pittsburgh is finally suffering some of the problems of free-agent defections. Bettis, Randel-El...
You mix that in with injuries, Big Ben's offseason woes, and uncertainty in coaching for next year...
It's a Super Bowl hangover. Lots of teams had them the next year after a win. It's hard to stay hungry.
2006-11-27 14:44:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i wish there was a simple answer for this...but there isnt...first off..yes big bens injuries have played a big part in his performances...they hardly ran the ball yesterday....the offensive line was TERRIBLE..freaking 9 sacks in the game..c'mon that is ridiculous!...the defense isnt top notch this year..polamalu is doing his best for the secondary but we GOT to get cornerbacks...deshea is getting older and he is a lil shorter than what you want a cb to be...taylor..is crap this year...mcfadden i think needs more starting time..you cant judge him for just 1 games worth of playing...cowher needs some life in him..he just stands at the sideline and does nothing..he doesnt get fired up anymore...losing bettis was a blow..but nothing that we cant recover from...and the only reason to miss randle el is for the punt returns..really he wasnt that great of a wr....yes the gadget plays went well..but you need a top notch receiver like ward...
so yeah no playoffs this season..but really thats ok...you cant be great all the time...and besides with us losing some..it makes the browns fans feel a lil hopeful that their team is getting good....
2006-11-27 15:45:14 · answer #7 · answered by Kelly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well they were going up against one of the toughest d-fenese's in the NFL. The Raven Blitz more than any team, and when they play an offense whose line is struggling, Big Ben is going to get pressure and he sure did. Ben has had a problem with trying to force throws to. Altogether, they arent showing up on gameday, also everyteam wants to beat them since they are returning superbowl champs
2006-11-27 14:54:17 · answer #8 · answered by poorboy7788 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i can telll you that the steelers lost main players like bettis and i thin roethlesburger only had a lucky walk in season so yeah. But im a ravens fan and i know its a rival but i think the ravens had the edge on the competition. We have one of the best defenses. Last game you guys couldnt stop the run on defense or force turnovers in ravens stadium. Oh you also lost plaxico buress. I dunno you guys have great plyers like polamalu but i dont know why you cant get anything goin.
2006-11-27 14:40:20 · answer #9 · answered by Matt 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a down year I am a huge Steeler fan and we aren't living up to our standards. So this year we can spoil so playoff hopes for some other guys but right now. We suck. Since we won the superbowl everyone hates us. I don't care they are still my boys.
2006-11-27 14:36:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋