Tampa Bay and New York Jets....

[FordFairLane]

The two of the three worst teams in the NFL we lost to and the third is Jax and we barely managed a win there. Now I am not saying the BS non-fumble call that didn't get overturned and the BS offsides on the onside kick we recovered aren't two big reasons we lost but the facts are the Jets and Bucs are god effing awful and we play down to our competition. There's no reason Tomlin doesn't get this team to win by 3-4 touchdowns when we get the Jets and Bucs on our schedule! So when a few bad calls do happen we end up only winning by 1-2 touchdowns. Looking at the schedule even though this stretch is the hard stretch I don't see why we can't win 10 games this year and finish 4-2 so I think it is 100% up to Tomlin to get this teams head on right and get them ready to "unleash hell" and get us into the playoffs. I feel 8-8 football should be Tomlin gets a pink slip this offseason so you better coach like your job depends on it!

 

[Punxsutawney]

From my perspective, if a team loses multiple games to the likes of the Jets and Buccaneers, it should automatically be disqualified from the playoffs.

 

[AggieSteel]

If this only happened this season, I may be able to forgive it. But it's every single year we lose to the Tampas and Jets of the world, and eek out W against the Jags of the world.

EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR.

 

[steelhurt]

We are what we thought we were. We're Captain Cool Shades' Team.

Something that Tomlin said before the Colt game that has stuck in my head for a couple weeks now. He was asked by a sideline reporter about the Colts and Andrew Luck and he said, "We always get up for a good team when they come to Heinz Field". To me that says it all. That's Tomlin in a nutshell. Now what kind of message do you think he sends his players?

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

We are what we thought we were. We're Captain Cool Shades' Team.

Something that Tomlin said before the Colt game that has stuck in my head for a couple weeks now. He was asked by a sideline reporter about the Colts and Andrew Luck and he said, "We always get up for a good team when they come to Heinz Field". To me that says it all. That's Tomlin in a nutshell. Now what kind of message do you think he sends his players?

Clearly his message last week was for Ben to throw the ball away twice . For AB to put the ball on the ground twice. Also, he must have allowed Suisham the week off, which would explain his missed chipped shot.

Everyone wants a scapegoat- but yest' loss was a result of EVERYONE's lack of performance. Coaches and players.

 

[Litos]

We are what we thought we were. We're Captain Cool Shades' Team.

Something that Tomlin said before the Colt game that has stuck in my head for a couple weeks now. He was asked by a sideline reporter about the Colts and Andrew Luck and he said, "We always get up for a good team when they come to Heinz Field". To me that says it all. That's Tomlin in a nutshell. Now what kind of message do you think he sends his players?

that sucks. I said I was saving my judgement on him until the end of the season but I was actually expecting the team to loss one of the games before the Bye, that's how we roll. So really I think my best expectations at the end of the season we'll be one and done in the playoffs. That should be enough to kick him to the curb, but I doubt it will happen

 

[wig]

Just thank the Football Gods we don't have the Raiders on the schedule this year.

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

that sucks. I said I was saving my judgement on him until the end of the season but I was actually expecting the team to loss one of the games before the Bye, that's how we roll. So really I think my best expectations at the end of the season we'll be one and done in the playoffs. That should be enough to kick him to the curb, but I doubt it will happen

Is this serious?

So if we made it to the playoff's but failed to win a game, THAT would be enough to kick him to the curb? What team do you guys watch on Sunday?

We are not the Pat's or the Bronco's. We are still very much the same team going through a slight transition. So lets temper our expectations....

 

[Litos]

Is this serious?

So if we made it to the playoff's but failed to win a game, THAT would be enough to kick him to the curb? What team do you guys watch on Sunday?

We are not the Pat's or the Bronco's. We are still very much the same team going through a slight transition. So lets temper our expectations....

read what I said, MY biggest expectation would be a one and done on the playoffs. My real expectations? We don't make it to the damn playoffs.

Anyone that tells me the team doesn't have the talent to be a contender then I'll recommend him to go watch the colts and the ravens game. The talent is there, if he can't make them play good enough to beat the ****** schedule we have then maybe he is not the adequate head coach to lead this team

 

[Vader]

Is this serious?

So if we made it to the playoff's but failed to win a game, THAT would be enough to kick him to the curb? What team do you guys watch on Sunday?

We are not the Pat's or the Bronco's. We are still very much the same team going through a slight transition. So lets temper our expectations....

What were your expectations after the 12-4 season and loss to the Tim Tebows? Then what was your expectation the year after the 8-8 season? Then after the next 8-8 season? Then this year. Then next year. Even if you don't think they are the pats* or broncos that means you think they are the 3rd best team in the AFC right? Shouldn't the 3rd best team win their division and win their home field playoff game? You think that is going to happen with this team?

 

[blitzburghv5]

From my perspective, if a team loses multiple games to the likes of the Jets and Buccaneers, it should automatically be disqualified from the playoffs.

Injuries and weather withstanding ?

 

[steelhurt]

Sorry Litos, they will not fire Tomlin if this team makes the playoffs. No way they do that. I think if they lose the rest of their games they still wouldn't fire him but I'd say he definitely be on a seat with some heat. Now he's do an extension if memory serves correct so that could be interesting. Lets say we end up 8-8, does Rooney extend him or make him wait another year since he's signed through 2016? That could be interesting.

 

[xjx]

Do not extend his contract under any circumstances.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Holy cow, wait another year to sign him. Then see what he does............. (sarcasm of coarse)!!!!!!




Salute the nation

 

[Litos]

Sorry Litos, they will not fire Tomlin if this team makes the playoffs. No way they do that. I think if they lose the rest of their games they still wouldn't fire him but I'd say he definitely be on a seat with some heat. Now he's do an extension if memory serves correct so that could be interesting. Lets say we end up 8-8, does Rooney extend him or make him wait another year since he's signed through 2016? That could be interesting.

three consecutive seasons without playoffs should be enough to not extend him at the least and as you point out wait how next season unfolds. But let's be honest, does anyone have any hope this team can suddenly improve with Tomlin after three consecutive seasons of complete mediocrity? He should get fired if we don't get to the playoffs

 

[oicu8ad]

Do not extend his contract under any circumstances.

I say we retire him.

 

[Troglodyte]

I think we are .500 from here on out, finish 9-7 and miss the playoffs again thanks to losses to the worst the league has to offer. Tomlin keeps his job and with our middle of the first round pick we select another LB - Worilds replacement.
It just makes too much sense!

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

What were your expectations after the 12-4 season and loss to the Tim Tebows? Then what was your expectation the year after the 8-8 season? Then after the next 8-8 season? Then this year. Then next year. Even if you don't think they are the pats* or broncos that means you think they are the 3rd best team in the AFC right? Shouldn't the 3rd best team win their division and win their home field playoff game? You think that is going to happen with this team?

You really think that we are the 3rd best team in the conference? Honestly?

Some thought that we were at best a 10-6 team. Most thought somewhere in the 8-8 range.

We've started to turn the corner, and we are starting to put together some talent (esp on the offensive side of things)- but we are still transitioning. Like it or not...

 

[SteelfanLBC]

Someone stated it earlier, we are who we thought we are. This team cannot be trusted to go out and win games that they should. One loss here or there would be probably be acceptable to most. We wouldn't like it, but the pattern of losing to these lesser teams is beyond frustrating. Those 3 home wins against the Texans, Colts, and Ravens saved Tomlin's job. If we won 2 out of those 3, his job was safe. Anything less and I think his job would have been in serious jeopardy.

 

[Drink IRON City]

At the beginning of the season, I picked 11-5, now I'm seeing how true our transition is. True, we do have some talent, but why wait until our franchise HOF QB is ending his career, to start with talent acquisition? How bad has our drafting been? This year has got to be the best draft under our current leadership. Starts at the top and our top is only half full.



Salute the nation

 

[FordFairLane]

Clearly his message last week was for Ben to throw the ball away twice . For AB to put the ball on the ground twice. Also, he must have allowed Suisham the week off, which would explain his missed chipped shot.

Everyone wants a scapegoat- but yest' loss was a result of EVERYONE's lack of performance. Coaches and players.

I am not saying it's all Tomlin but he is the headcoach and the facts are he is 1-8 against teams .200 and less and that is not a bad game or two but a trend. The two picks from Ben to me are not as bad as they look on paper. The one was a catchable ball but the defender wanted it more knocked it in the air for a hard pick before it hit the ground. The pass was spot on the defender just got his hands inside to knock it up and a great play from the other DB making a play and catching the ball. The second was Ben trying to force it but also Wheaton is the worst route runner on the team. Ben saw an open hole for Wheaton to run to and literally has to point it out to Wheaton whom does a craptastic job of getting there. Now Ben should have thrown it away instead of trying to force it so that is on him but a better WR would have ran to the opening and allowed Ben to throw to the hole in the coverage. Ben almost threw a third because Wheaton cut in instead of going out. At this point Wheaton should be behind Brown, Bryant, and Moore.

AB's fumble on the bubble screen I can forgive he was trying to run to make a play since you can't really stand around on a bubble screen even if you haven't secured the ball. The punt muff he needs to wave off the team and get the heck away from a punt like that.

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

I am not saying it's all Tomlin but he is the headcoach and the facts are he is 1-8 against teams .200 and less and that is not a bad game or two but a trend. The two picks from Ben to me are not as bad as they look on paper. The one was a catchable ball but the defender wanted it more knocked it in the air for a hard pick before it hit the ground. The pass was spot on the defender just got his hands inside to knock it up and a great play from the other DB making a play and catching the ball. The second was Ben trying to force it but also Wheaton is the worst route runner on the team. Ben saw an open hole for Wheaton to run to and literally has to point it out to Wheaton whom does a craptastic job of getting there. Now Ben should have thrown it away instead of trying to force it so that is on him but a better WR would have ran to the opening and allowed Ben to throw to the hole in the coverage. Ben almost threw a third because Wheaton cut in instead of going out. At this point Wheaton should be behind Brown, Bryant, and Moore.

AB's fumble on the bubble screen I can forgive he was trying to run to make a play since you can't really stand around on a bubble screen even if you haven't secured the ball. The punt muff he needs to wave off the team and get the heck away from a punt like that.

I agree with you. I am saying everyone had a hand in this mess.

The coaches and the game planning.

Big Ben looking lost.

AB and the other WR's with some bonehead moments.

The defense, while not terrible, had a disastrous 1st quarter.

I just think if you reduce the 4 uncharacteristic turnovers to maybe 2 or 3- the game takes an entirely different direction.

I just cant see both BB and AB having a Sunday like this (in the near future), so all of this 'sky is falling' talk is unnecessary.

 

[AggieSteel]

I just have a hard time pointing the finger at Ben when he is inexplicably asked to throw a bunch of screens and short passes right into crowds of defensive linemen and linebackers

It obviously wasn't every single play, but it was enough plays to throw a guy off his rhythm

 

[Vader]

You really think that we are the 3rd best team in the conference? Honestly?

Some thought that we were at best a 10-6 team. Most thought somewhere in the 8-8 range.

We've started to turn the corner, and we are starting to put together some talent (esp on the offensive side of things)- but we are still transitioning. Like it or not...

You made the statement that the Steelers aren't the pats* or Broncos. So who are they? You think they are rebuilding. Ok.. they've been rebuilding for 3 years now. If your honest and I asked you what their record would be starting the 2012 season your response would be? Same question for the 2013 season. Go read the predictions thread and you'll see many on here thought they were ready to break out this year.

You think they are transitioning but just because they are losing games doesn't mean they are going to be better next year. Next year when Keisel, Harrison, Troy and Ike are all gone is this team better? Look realistically at what they have. Heyward who has been silent for most of the year, no true NG, and maybe McCullers works out. At LB they have Worilds who will probably leave, Shazier who is hurt a lot, Timmons who is out of position and struggling big time this year, and Jones who is hurt and hasn't played great even when healthy. At CB you have Gay... I guess.. and a bunch of nobodies.

So where is all the rebuilding? Tell me who the next Porter, Smith, Hampton, ETC... are, because by their 3rd year they were rolling. Next year is Jones' 3rd, Timmons 9th, Heyward's 5th, McLendon's 6th, Spence's 4th, Allen's 5th ETC.. These guys aren't young anymore. Who are your building blocks? How long before they are ready?

 

[wig]

As I said in an earlier post.

As the Jets got up, Haley went into panic mode and whatever "Gameplan" there might have been probably went out the window and he most likely reverted to what he knows best. Screen passes and short stuff. I expect he started calling plays that he is most comfortable with regardless of the Jets defense and coverage.

Meanwhile, with the score and situation the players feel like they need to press so they're doing dumb **** as well trying too hard to make plays. Ben is throwing passes he shouldn't trying to make a superman play, AB is trying to make plays he shouldn't as well.

It comes down to the "quicksand" line from The Replacements. One thing goes wrong, then another and another and before you know it you feel as though you're in quicksand. Meanwhile Tomlin stands on the sideline like a deer in the headlights and Haley continues to slam the ball right into the teeth of the defense. Lebeau at least managed to stop the bleeding after the abysmal first quarter. But by then the artery had been gashed and the blood let.