Cannot deny the negative impact Ben Roethlisberger had on team chemistry in 2018

[wig]

basically, it felt like a team of mercenaries.

My God. That's it. That's it exactly. We used to have Bettis, who would physically beat himself into pulp to get 1 more yard on a 1st and 10 so he could get a 2nd and 6 opportunity. We had Heath Miller who was never respected as the receiver he was, but who just worked and worked and did whatever was needed. And then he turned around and handed the ball to the referee. We had Troy Polomalu, who would destroy his body to make a hit, who used every bit of his God-given talent NOT to make a highlight reel, but to get a turnover or a stop on 3rd and short. Hines Ward, who was probably not much faster than me at my best, but who just worked and worked and took every hit over the middle that was given and then went out and delivered a few of his own. Willie Parker who had ONE frickin' gear. But he burned that gear over and over and over for Tomlin so the Steelers still had a running game as Bettis began to finally wear down. Aaron Smith, who looked like he got his helmet off the discount kiddie rack at a Wal-Mart, but how went out every single game, ate up blockers and sealed the edge.

So many GREAT role players just in the last incarnation of the team, and now - lots and lots of guys who look for highlights and accolades. Winning? Sure, it's nice but winning games doesn't get you the rushing or receiving title, does it?

 

[SteelerFan448]

Absolutely, that was undeniable (the 2017 drafting of high character guys). So at least they saw the problem and were attempting to change it. I think 2018 was no different, it's just these guys have been much quieter. But Edmunds, Washington, Chuks, Rudolph etc. I think are all high character guys.

Yep and that's what I meant by high level. The 2017 guys are emerging leaders and their production has certainly helped. Definitely some good guys in this past draft and hopefully they continue this trend.

 

[topseed]

i have noticed that people who support Tomlin tend to bash Ben. It seems to stem from a need to overcome the narrative that Ben is the main reason the steelers are a winning team. As such, they don't think Tomlin gets enough credit. Instead of pointing to the great things Tomlin has done, they instead tear down Ben.

Just curious, what do you personally consider as "great things" Tomlin has done?

I mean, other than compiling his stellar regular season record, of course, which is brought up by his supporters all the time. I really can't come up with much else, myself.

 

[Death Steel Eater]

Yeah, but Ben still led the league in picks -- that's why the Steelers missed the playoffs.

Just ask antdrew.

One player, no matter who they are, is responsible for The Steelers missing the playoffs. Part of the reason Ben threw so many picks is because he had to air it out to make up for the defenses shortcomings. And for that matter I'm not saying its the D's fault Pitts missed the playoffs either. This is a team sport. No single factor is the reason for a teams success or failure.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Just curious, what do you personally consider as "great things" Tomlin has done?

I mean, other than compiling his stellar regular season record, of course, which is brought up by his supporters all the time. I really can't come up with much else, myself.

That was the point I was making, that Tomlin supporters take the easier road of tearing down Ben because they have a hard time building up Tomlin.

I don't hate Tomlin. I wouldn't say he's a BAD coach, but he's not great either. I happen to think the coaching in general in the NFL is **** right now. Why? Because teams are looking for quick fix "young genius" and the old school coaches who can actually teach fundamentals are being pushed out in favor of guys who can draw up fancy plays and sound good in an interview.

Kliff Kinsgbury was just given a head coaching gig. Are you ******* serious? If he was any kind of coach, he would have won a national championship or come damn close with Pat Mahomes.

The Patriots success is also proof of the decline in coaching. People think they are doing all this high level super clever stuff and they're not. Their success is built on having guys who do their job. That's pretty much it. Just a bunch of guys who actually play with good fundamentals and follow the coaches and they win a shitload of games.

That's because all these "geniuses" look to trick people. Some of them actually do a good bit of the time and they win games, but what happens when the opponent doesn't fall for the smoke and mirrors? They lose. That's all the pats do. They look at what you are trying to do and they say, we're not going to let you do that.

That's why I say Tomlin isn't a bad coach, because while he may get a C grade as a coach, when you apply the Bell Curve of today's coaches, he's more like a B.

 

[oneforthebus]

Ben has said he needs to play better after almost every loss. A “leader” demands the same from those around him. Brady is in a snit every time he gets sacked or doesn’t complete a pass and he’s supposedly a great leader. So tired of grown men whining about warranted critiques of their performance.

AB wouldn’t have the stats he does and we wouldn’t have ever sniffed a Super Bowl without Ben. Anyone who thinks he’s not a leader is delusional.

 

[slashsteel]

**** if we want to use belicheat as the gold standard of coaching, then one could debate from the decent amount of teams that beat them when it mattered that there is a fair amount of competent coaches. Plus even if there was a lack of quality that wouldn't prevent me from looking for a upgrade. I think you handcuff yourself from improvement with excuse driven comments like that. That is if a team lived by that theory.

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