Initial Thoughts on bengal Game

[Punxsutawney]

The rules FAVOR THE OFFENSE

They do, but the rules aren't the reason Chase and Higgins were running wide open all game.

The Steelers offense is averaging about 27 points over their past three games without a second consistent threat at WR.

It would be nice to have, but it might not make a huge difference when the Steelers are struggling to beat the likes of the Jets and Bengals while scoring 30+ points.

 

[stillwright]

Might be a rough stretch of games coming up if we keep the same scheme and philosophy defensively.

 

[timsim00]

What other teams has Flacco lit up like that in the past 2 years? You honestly think the Bengals will do that to anyone else the rest of year with Flacco? How come they did it to the highest paid defense in the league? Whose fault would that be?

This is THE HiGHEST PAID DEFENSE IN THE NFL, yes the players didn’t play well, but when they stink it up like that and you refuse to point blame on the coaching it shows what you’re all about here, again.

No, the Bengals won't do that again. Flacco is NOT Burrow. Just like CLE last year, which led to our downfall.

 

[steelhurt]

Chase made the comment that they knew exactly what the Steeler defense was going to do, that they were predictable.
How many times have we heard that before.
Nothing changes from season to season.
They’re not going to fire Tomlin but the mistake this past off season was not firing Austin and bringing in a legit DC and telling Tomlin to keep his hands off.
He’s the problem! Always has been! Can’t get out of his own way and it’s destroying the team no matter who the players are.
Rooney should be pissed having the highest paid defense by a lot and turning in that performance against a terrible Bengals offense.
All they have is two excellent receivers and that’s it.
Wash, rinse, repeat until this fool coach is gone.

 

[diver]

He could have made many adjustments that simply weren’t attempted cuz frankly he’s not a tactically average coach

1) Try bracketing him a few times
2) Chase using inside leverage consistently for quick run and catch slants. Take away the inside leverage on some plays by dropping the best coverage LB in the world underneath the route from time to time to take away the quick hit and make an old man hold the ball longer.
3) If pressure is never getting home try batting the ball a few times Cam, Watt and Co
If Highsmith is getting dick for pressure maybe try that guy Herbig a bit (he was on fire lately) move Watt around….just do something!!!! Anything to try to create some pressure and affect the timing.

I could go on with several tactical changes but what’s the point when ya have a brilliant coach like Mike that sees a problem and will do nothing to adjust to the problem anyway? Absolutely pointless.

The only good news is this was 100% to be expected as it’s what a Tomlin team does EVERY year, to buy into his teams is a fan error.

Look, I know the schemes aren't getting it done as well as the lack of adjustments. But every time they lose, or even if they win and don't look good, it's Tomlin!!! Could it be feasible that these players get damn comfortable knowing that regardless of how lousy they played, the main focus will always be on Mike Tomlin? The HOF QB throws a terrible pick that if they just drive the ball down the field and score, maybe the Bengals make it interesting, but the Steelers win for sure. Move around Watt? The best pass rusher this year so far has been Herbig. They moved him around. They tried to keep the edges solid with Watt and Highsmith and moved around Herbig. I think that was sound. No one made a play. Not any of the three. They brought in Slay and Ramsey because they are supposed to be good man guys. They stunk. The line let a team who couldn't run the ball gouge them. When do we also look at these players? Sometimes you can't scheme yourself out of players who don't make plays.

 

[steelcan58]

Look, I know the schemes aren't getting it done as well as the lack of adjustments. But every time they lose, or even if they win and don't look good, it's Tomlin!!! Could it be feasible that these players get damn comfortable knowing that regardless of how lousy they played, the main focus will always be on Mike Tomlin? The HOF QB throws a terrible pick that if they just drive the ball down the field and score, maybe the Bengals make it interesting, but the Steelers win for sure. Move around Watt? The best pass rusher this year so far has been Herbig. They moved him around. They tried to keep the edges solid with Watt and Highsmith and moved around Herbig. I think that was sound. No one made a play. Not any of the three. They brought in Slay and Ramsey because they are supposed to be good man guys. They stunk. The line let a team who couldn't run the ball gouge them. When do we also look at these players? Sometimes you can't scheme yourself out of players who don't make plays.

Tomlin deserves most of what he gets but last night was mostly on the players. The defense won very few one on one battles.

 

[Litos]

Look, I know the schemes aren't getting it done as well as the lack of adjustments. But every time they lose, or even if they win and don't look good, it's Tomlin!!! Could it be feasible that these players get damn comfortable knowing that regardless of how lousy they played, the main focus will always be on Mike Tomlin? The HOF QB throws a terrible pick that if they just drive the ball down the field and score, maybe the Bengals make it interesting, but the Steelers win for sure. Move around Watt? The best pass rusher this year so far has been Herbig. They moved him around. They tried to keep the edges solid with Watt and Highsmith and moved around Herbig. I think that was sound. No one made a play. Not any of the three. They brought in Slay and Ramsey because they are supposed to be good man guys. They stunk. The line let a team who couldn't run the ball gouge them. When do we also look at these players? Sometimes you can't scheme yourself out of players who don't make plays.

the schematics against a top 3 WR in the league was ****. Zero pressure up front too, at least hit the ******* flacco to give him happy feet, at least sell out on rush D and make them one dimensional, they beat every facet of the D, and of course it's in the players too, but we were vanilla-pussied flavor last night

 

[Punxsutawney]

Look, I know the schemes aren't getting it done as well as the lack of adjustments. But every time they lose, or even if they win and don't look good, it's Tomlin!!! Could it be feasible that these players get damn comfortable knowing that regardless of how lousy they played, the main focus will always be on Mike Tomlin? The HOF QB throws a terrible pick that if they just drive the ball down the field and score, maybe the Bengals make it interesting, but the Steelers win for sure. Move around Watt? The best pass rusher this year so far has been Herbig. They moved him around. They tried to keep the edges solid with Watt and Highsmith and moved around Herbig. I think that was sound. No one made a play. Not any of the three. They brought in Slay and Ramsey because they are supposed to be good man guys. They stunk. The line let a team who couldn't run the ball gouge them. When do we also look at these players? Sometimes you can't scheme yourself out of players who don't make plays.

This stuff has been going on for years, though.

Different rosters, different coordinators, same results.

Tomlin is now 0-8 in divisional road games on Thursday night going back to 2009.

I'm sorry, but he's the problem. One can deflect only so much from this.

Yes, we know that players play and coaches coach, but what does it say about the coaching when the same issues persist year after year as the players change?

 

[Punxsutawney]

The defense won very few one on one battles.

So it was basically like every Steelers playoff game over the past decade?

 

[SteelerFan448]

Tomlin deserves most of what he gets but last night was mostly on the players. The defense won very few one on one battles.

That goes back to scheme because this defense relies on the star players playing like Superman to be good.

 

[Steeler Pride]

They’re not going to fire Tomlin but the mistake this past off season was not firing Austin and bringing in a legit DC and telling Tomlin to keep his hands off.

Who within the Steelers do you think has the nut sack to actually do that? If it hasn't happened after Butler was released, it is not going to happen. If the Steelers front office had more than 3 brain cells, they would have promoted Flores to DC and Told Tomlin he has no say over the defense. Head coaches are untouchable in Pittsburgh due to some mythical aura about how few coaches we have had.

 

[SteveA]

Not an FU but to me a mis-calculation: ARTHUR SMITH has done well & dude wants to be a head coach...When we had the ball down 30-24 with 6:52 left & were behind he called running plays on 1st & 2nd down...It just chews up precious time...we had 3 plays for 1:42...I wanted passing plays to save time. I was yelling at the TV why are you running? We sure could've used that minute & change at the end of the game...Passing plays if incomplete will kill the clock...To be a Head Coach SMTTY has to realize time is not on your side at that point...Wish he would manage the clock a little better. As the head of the offense that falls on him...

3 plays, 6 yards, 1:42

2-yd Run
6:52 - 4th
J.Warren left tackle to PIT 41 for 2 yards (M.Murphy).
1st & 10 at PIT 39

4-yd Run
6:12 - 4th
(No Huddle, Shotgun) J.Warren left end to PIT 45 for 4 yards (B.Hill).
2nd & 8 at PIT 41
Incompletion

5:29 - 4th
(Shotgun) A.Rodgers pass incomplete short middle to P.Freiermuth.
3rd & 4 at PIT 45

 

[Steeler Pride]

To be a Head Coach Omar Epps has to realize time is not on your side at that point...Wish he would manage the clock a little better. As the head of the team that falls on him...

Fixed it for you.

 

[Ye Black Knight]

I sincerely believe that if the Steelers hadnt signed Rodgers in the offseason, there's a fairly strong likelihood they would be 0-6 right now

No doubt about it. So the question is, would that have been better? I’m inclined to think so. This team, even with Rodgers, is terrible and honestly I feel bad for the guy. He has a Mickey Mouse coaching staff to work with and limited weapons. And he has Broderick ******* Jones as his LT. Oof. If we would’ve just bitten the bullet this year, we get a likely top 3 pick and maybe get rid of Tomlin as well. Oh and don’t get me started on this “defense”

 

[ZonaBurgh]

Not an FU but to me a mis-calculation: ARTHUR SMITH has done well & dude wants to be a head coach...When we had the ball down 30-24 with 6:52 left & were behind he called running plays on 1st & 2nd down...It just chews up precious time...we had 3 plays for 1:42...I wanted passing plays to save time. I was yelling at the TV why are you running? We sure could've used that minute & change at the end of the game...Passing plays if incomplete will kill the clock...To be a Head Coach SMTTY has to realize time is not on your side at that point...Wish he would manage the clock a little better. As the head of the offense that falls on him...

3 plays, 6 yards, 1:42

2-yd Run
6:52 - 4th
J.Warren left tackle to PIT 41 for 2 yards (M.Murphy).
1st & 10 at PIT 39

4-yd Run
6:12 - 4th
(No Huddle, Shotgun) J.Warren left end to PIT 45 for 4 yards (B.Hill).
2nd & 8 at PIT 41
Incompletion

5:29 - 4th
(Shotgun) A.Rodgers pass incomplete short middle to P.Freiermuth.
3rd & 4 at PIT 45

So, the game was lost because of Arthur Smith?

 

[Steeler Pride]

No doubt about it. So the question is, would that have been better? I’m inclined to think so. This team, even with Rodgers, is terrible and honestly I feel bad for the guy. He has a Mickey Mouse coaching staff to work with and limited weapons. And he has Broderick ******* Jones as his LT. Oof. If we would’ve just bitten the bullet this year, we get a likely top 3 pick and maybe get rid of Tomlin as well.

Signing Rogers, much like over the hill Ramsey and Slay, and the plethora of other over the hill guys we bring in, the whole goal is to get to that illustrious .500 record. There is no way that anyone can believe that these additions, or going into the season with one proven WR, was going to produce a SB.

 

[Steelr4evr]

Tomlin deserves most of what he gets but last night was mostly on the players. The defense won very few one on one battles.

The players don't matter. You could put hof players at every position and if you run the same **** over and over and over for years on end, it will get beat thoroughly.

The bungles play them twice a year. They know them well.Hell, they got beat by a team with no coach on the sideline before.


This stuff isn't going to fix itself.

 

[steelhurt]

Who within the Steelers do you think has the nut sack to actually do that? If it hasn't happened after Butler was released, it is not going to happen. If the Steelers front office had more than 3 brain cells, they would have promoted Flores to DC and Told Tomlin he has no say over the defense. Head coaches are untouchable in Pittsburgh due to some mythical aura about how few coaches we have had.

Well the ******* owner would be the obvious person to demand how he wants his team run.
I do not get this fascination with Tomlin like he’s
un -replaceable.
I’m so checked out on this organization I don’t even want to waste the time following them any longer. I’m just burned out finally!

 

[Steeler Pride]

Well the ******* owner would be the obvious person to demand how he wants his team run.

It is apparent, after all of the years of listening to Rooney at his end of year presser, that he either does not follow thru OR nobody is listening to a word he says. The owner should 100% be the one to demand and make the necessary changes, but after 10 years of seeing the same thing over and over it is obvious that Rooney is not going to do anything.

 

[steelhurt]

It is apparent, after all of the years of listening to Rooney at his end of year presser, that he either does not follow thru OR nobody is listening to a word he says. The owner should 100% be the one to demand and make the necessary changes, but after 10 years of seeing the same thing over and over it is obvious that Rooney is not going to do anything.

He’s making money and in his mind they are above the average in the league. Always non losing seasons and eligible for the playoffs. He’s quite content with that and thinks his head coach is irreplaceable.
Super Bowls are now just an illusion!

 

[Punxsutawney]

Signing Rogers, much like over the hill Ramsey and Slay, and the plethora of other over the hill guys we bring in, the whole goal is to get to that illustrious .500 record. There is no way that anyone can believe that these additions, or going into the season with one proven WR, was going to produce a SB.

Honestly, if Rodgers keeps playing like this, they could potentially overcome the coaching enough to be more of a factor in January than they have been in awhile.

Probably no Superbowl, but they could possibly win a game or two if they get there.

Rodgers would give them a fighter's chance in potential matchups against Mahomes, Allen or Lamar.

At his age, there are legitimate questions about whether he can sustain it through the season, but he looks like he turned the clock back about five years right now.

Ramsey and Slay are definitely not looking good right now, but the thing about Ramsey is that he will probably be able to extend his career well into his 30s moving inside like Rod Woodson and Charles Woodson did.

His days as an outside CB are nearing an end, though. I think the Steelers saw that when they acquired him, but are factoring him into future plans as a nickel/safety hybrid player, which he has already been playing some.

 

[stillwright]

Look, I know the schemes aren't getting it done as well as the lack of adjustments. But every time they lose, or even if they win and don't look good, it's Tomlin!!! Could it be feasible that these players get damn comfortable knowing that regardless of how lousy they played, the main focus will always be on Mike Tomlin? The HOF QB throws a terrible pick that if they just drive the ball down the field and score, maybe the Bengals make it interesting, but the Steelers win for sure. Move around Watt? The best pass rusher this year so far has been Herbig. They moved him around. They tried to keep the edges solid with Watt and Highsmith and moved around Herbig. I think that was sound. No one made a play. Not any of the three. They brought in Slay and Ramsey because they are supposed to be good man guys. They stunk. The line let a team who couldn't run the ball gouge them. When do we also look at these players? Sometimes you can't scheme yourself out of players who don't make plays.

It's Tomlin. 100%. When opposing players are calling out our scheme ......it is on coaching. Our coaching doesn't put out players in the best position to win. And fail to make adjustments or are slow to. His own players have said that. Again. 100% on Tomlin.

 

[Steeltime]

Not an FU but to me a mis-calculation: ARTHUR SMITH has done well & dude wants to be a head coach...When we had the ball down 30-24 with 6:52 left & were behind he called running plays on 1st & 2nd down...It just chews up precious time...we had 3 plays for 1:42...I wanted passing plays to save time. I was yelling at the TV why are you running? We sure could've used that minute & change at the end of the game...Passing plays if incomplete will kill the clock...To be a Head Coach SMTTY has to realize time is not on your side at that point...Wish he would manage the clock a little better. As the head of the offense that falls on him...

3 plays, 6 yards, 1:42

2-yd Run
6:52 - 4th
J.Warren left tackle to PIT 41 for 2 yards (M.Murphy).
1st & 10 at PIT 39

4-yd Run
6:12 - 4th
(No Huddle, Shotgun) J.Warren left end to PIT 45 for 4 yards (B.Hill).
2nd & 8 at PIT 41
Incompletion

5:29 - 4th
(Shotgun) A.Rodgers pass incomplete short middle to P.Freiermuth.
3rd & 4 at PIT 45

Your observation makes no sense, Steve. For crying out loud, there was 6:52 left when they started that drive. Why abandon the very effective running game with almost 7 minutes left??

The offense had a couple hiccups but put up 396 yards and 31 points. The problem was most definitely NOT calling running plays with almost 7 minutes left in the game; the problem was not the offense; the problem was the "historic" defense.

 

[diver]

This stuff has been going on for years, though.

Different rosters, different coordinators, same results.

Tomlin is now 0-8 in divisional road games on Thursday night going back to 2009.

I'm sorry, but he's the problem. One can deflect only so much from this.

Yes, we know that players play and coaches coach, but what does it say about the coaching when the same issues persist year after year as the players change?

I agree, and always have that the coaching isn't great. I think it is more a combination of things than a lot of you do, however. I just don't think schemes are gonna do much when your best, most highly paid players can't beat a 2nd year OT or a new starting OG or C or whatever he was in other cases. Your highly paid corners can't keep Chase around, hell, even 10 catches.

Too draw the "it's mostly on the coaching" to it's natural conclusion, is that in all cases, or only the Tomlin Steelers? Gotta be consistent. Because if everything is mostly on the coaches, in the '70s apparently the Steelers didn't have the best talent, it was the steady, constant genius of Chuck Noll and his staff that drove them to victory. I wonder what some of those players would say about that argument.

 

[steelcan58]

Not an FU but to me a mis-calculation: ARTHUR SMITH has done well & dude wants to be a head coach...When we had the ball down 30-24 with 6:52 left & were behind he called running plays on 1st & 2nd down...It just chews up precious time...we had 3 plays for 1:42...I wanted passing plays to save time. I was yelling at the TV why are you running? We sure could've used that minute & change at the end of the game...Passing plays if incomplete will kill the clock...To be a Head Coach SMTTY has to realize time is not on your side at that point...Wish he would manage the clock a little better. As the head of the offense that falls on him...

3 plays, 6 yards, 1:42

2-yd Run
6:52 - 4th
J.Warren left tackle to PIT 41 for 2 yards (M.Murphy).
1st & 10 at PIT 39

4-yd Run
6:12 - 4th
(No Huddle, Shotgun) J.Warren left end to PIT 45 for 4 yards (B.Hill).
2nd & 8 at PIT 41
Incompletion

5:29 - 4th
(Shotgun) A.Rodgers pass incomplete short middle to P.Freiermuth.
3rd & 4 at PIT 45

I think the thought process was to eat up the clock and leave Cinci no time. Can't say I blame them.