THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED

[Diamond Dave]

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ lack of recent success can be attributed to a disconnect between their ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl and the system they have in place to achieve it. While they consistently aim for championships, their approach has not consistently supported that objective.

1. Sticking to an Outdated System

Mike Tomlin and the Steelers’ front office have relied on the philosophy of “never having a losing season,” but this isn’t the same as building a championship-caliber team. Their system values consistency over innovation, which leads to:

• Stubborn loyalty to underperforming coordinators (e.g., Matt Canada)

• Failure to adapt offensively in a modern, high-scoring NFL

• Reluctance to make bold moves in free agency or the draft (compared to aggressive teams like the Chiefs or 49ers)

2. Talent Development Issues

• The Steelers draft well on defense but struggle to develop offensive stars, especially at quarterback and offensive line.

• Other teams (e.g., Bengals, Eagles, Dolphins) have offensive systems that maximize young QB talent, while the Steelers’ system stifled Kenny Pickett’s growth.

3. Culture of “Just Enough”

• The Steelers’ goal is often framed as making the playoffs, not necessarily dominating the league.

• A system focused on not losing (rather than aggressive winning) leads to mediocre results in the postseason.

• Tomlin’s streak of never having a losing season is impressive, but it doesn’t translate to championships.

4. Stagnation in Coaching & Strategy

• The best teams in the league are constantly evolving. Andy Reid redesigned the Chiefs’ offense around Mahomes. The 49ers built a dominant run-and-play-action system under Shanahan.

• The Steelers, on the other hand, stick to familiar schemes and conservative play-calling.

Until the system is changed, nothing will change.

 

[BLITZ]

Well said. We need the Pittsburgh Steelers culture back. Not what we have seen in years

 

[SteelerSask2]

I think all of that and not sure if this is just a rehash but.......no long game. Whatever it takes to be ok to good. Probably the best example was developmemt of KP. Im not saying he had the capability to be good or great. But they totally butchered that trying to win in the momemt. They had NFL quality talent ahead of him and they forced it. Then the next season when he had struggles they threw him under bus to try to crank out enough to get their ***** handed to them. What they really needed to do was let him do what it takes to be good.....throw to all areas and live with mistakes.

 

[WindyCitySteel]

Mike Tomlin has acquired too much power and it’s an anchor around the team’s neck. He’s been part of two Super Bowl champions, 2002 Tampa and 2008 Pittsburgh, both featuring pedestrian offenses carried by great defense.

He not only thinks this is the formula, but he also thinks that it doesn’t require the scheming provided by outstanding coordinators like Monte Kiffin and Dick LeBeau. Julian Edelman blew his cover earlier this offseason and Big Ben corroborated — he literally thinks you can run the same vanilla schemes and just out-execute the other guys, that the totality of coaching guys up is firing them up to play hard.

It’s staggering how misguided this is and no surprise that when they play X’s andO’s tacticians they get humiliated. It’s also why they play down to bad opponents so often, they can’t get fired up to play a 2-10 team.

Worse yet, Rooney is 100% behind him, this isn’t ending anytime soon. I hate to say it, but I feel that in 8-10 years we’ll still be talking about the playoff win drought and non-losing season streak.

 

[Litos]

So whats new?

 

[steelhurt]

Art II has zero business having controlling interest in this franchise. His blind loyalty to this head coach and his archaic approach and ways of conducting business has set this franchise back.
Like his grandfather he’s not the type of owner you need to be successful in this league. I’m sure both great guys, true gentlemen but no business running a franchise. Dan growing up in the business knew what it took to build championship teams and surrounded himself with great football minds.
Art is strictly a lawyer is extremely political and not someone who shared the same passion as his father. As his brother said, as long as we’re above the league mean life is good on Water Street.
All this is about is winning that one elusive playoff game for Tomlin. Doesn’t matter if we get destroyed in the following round, hay we won a playoff game. See how misguided this whole thing is. Most owners if not all the other 31 would never have stayed the course this long without realizing that they needed to blow things up here.
I think we’re screwed here boys unless the son has a different approach. We better hope so!

 

[Hypocycloids]

The day the Pittsburgh Steelers stopped being the Pittsburgh Steelers was Dec 4, 2017.
Thats the day Ryan Shazier was seriously injured never to play again.

It just feels like that to me.
The Steeler D up to that point was a perennial force to be reckoned with, never being the same again .

 

[Confluence]

So DD has been reading the back side of these webpages for the past few years.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

indeed he has. Miss his input.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

The day the Pittsburgh Steelers stopped being the Pittsburgh Steelers was Dec 4, 2017.
Thats the day Ryan Shazier was seriously injured never to play again.

It just feels like that to me.
The Steeler D up to that point was a perennial force to be reckoned with, never being the same again .

nah happend before that.

 

[Badcat]

The day the Pittsburgh Steelers stopped being the Pittsburgh Steelers was Dec 4, 2017.
Thats the day Ryan Shazier was seriously injured never to play again.

It just feels like that to me.
The Steeler D up to that point was a perennial force to be reckoned with, never being the same again .

April 13th, 2017, the passing of Mr. Dan Rooney is when the Steelers stopped being the "STEELERS".

 

[xjx]

This is the new steelers. 9 wins is all that is needed. That is chest thumping territory. I think we've even seen Tomlin do that.

It's a business. Just so money flows. It's not a football team where winning would matter. Just enough.

 

[Coryea]

Are you new here, that sounds like a negative Tomlin post, that's one to many posts about that, you'll hear about it.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Mike Tomlin has acquired too much power and it’s an anchor around the team’s neck. He’s been part of two Super Bowl champions, 2002 Tampa and 2008 Pittsburgh, both featuring pedestrian offenses carried by great defense.

He not only thinks this is the formula, but he also thinks that it doesn’t require the scheming provided by outstanding coordinators like Monte Kiffin and Dick LeBeau. Julian Edelman blew his cover earlier this offseason and Big Ben corroborated — he literally thinks you can run the same vanilla schemes and just out-execute the other guys, that the totality of coaching guys up is firing them up to play hard.

It’s staggering how misguided this is and no surprise that when they play X’s andO’s tacticians they get humiliated. It’s also why they play down to bad opponents so often, they can’t get fired up to play a 2-10 team.

Worse yet, Rooney is 100% behind him, this isn’t ending anytime soon. I hate to say it, but I feel that in 8-10 years we’ll still be talking about the playoff win drought and non-losing season streak.

If in 8-10 years Art Nutting is still at the helm and still married to Tomlin, you sir are correct

Our only hope is Art Nutting steps down and Dan brings in a breath of fresh air

Or it’s all simply rinse and repeat, clock the cash and make a dash

Happy Groundhog’s Day

 

[madinsomniac]

Art 2 simply is trying to have the team replicate how it won in the 70's without understanding why it worked then and what is needed now... he is making all the mistakes ART 1 made when he ran things... we abandoned Dan and Nolls philosophy of draft abd develop and only retain superstars until they are overpriced and on the downswing and not taking on other teams leftovers as key players unless real value was there...

In the 90's with cowher and FA, we mostly had a young guy waiting in the wings when we were gonna lose someone... now we scramble to replace huge holes that we jad nonplans to deal with... then by the time tgey are patched, another pops up

 

[stillwright]

Are you new here, that sounds like a negative Tomlin post, that's one to many posts about that, you'll hear about it.

SteveA is looking over DiamondDave's post as I type this I am sure. I can't wait for him to lay the "find another team to follow" hammer on DiamondDave.

 

[stillwright]

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ lack of recent success can be attributed to a disconnect between their ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl and the system they have in place to achieve it. While they consistently aim for championships, their approach has not consistently supported that objective.

1. Sticking to an Outdated System

Mike Tomlin and the Steelers’ front office have relied on the philosophy of “never having a losing season,” but this isn’t the same as building a championship-caliber team. Their system values consistency over innovation, which leads to:

• Stubborn loyalty to underperforming coordinators (e.g., Matt Canada)

• Failure to adapt offensively in a modern, high-scoring NFL

• Reluctance to make bold moves in free agency or the draft (compared to aggressive teams like the Chiefs or 49ers)

2. Talent Development Issues

• The Steelers draft well on defense but struggle to develop offensive stars, especially at quarterback and offensive line.

• Other teams (e.g., Bengals, Eagles, Dolphins) have offensive systems that maximize young QB talent, while the Steelers’ system stifled Kenny Pickett’s growth.

3. Culture of “Just Enough”

• The Steelers’ goal is often framed as making the playoffs, not necessarily dominating the league.

• A system focused on not losing (rather than aggressive winning) leads to mediocre results in the postseason.

• Tomlin’s streak of never having a losing season is impressive, but it doesn’t translate to championships.

4. Stagnation in Coaching & Strategy

• The best teams in the league are constantly evolving. Andy Reid redesigned the Chiefs’ offense around Mahomes. The 49ers built a dominant run-and-play-action system under Shanahan.

• The Steelers, on the other hand, stick to familiar schemes and conservative play-calling.

Until the system is changed, nothing will change.

Simply the "POST" of the year!!!!!

 

[Drink IRON City]

Art 2 simply is trying to have the team replicate how it won in the 70's without understanding why it worked then and what is needed now... he is making all the mistakes ART 1 made when he ran things... we abandoned Dan and Nolls philosophy of draft abd develop and only retain superstars until they are overpriced and on the downswing and not taking on other teams leftovers as key players unless real value was there...

In the 90's with cowher and FA, we mostly had a young guy waiting in the wings when we were gonna lose someone... now we scramble to replace huge holes that we jad nonplans to deal with... then by the time tgey are patched, another pops up

Similar to “Whack-a-Mole”. I can’t understand why that arcade game isn’t represented at the Steelers facility?

RE-action vs PRO-action



Salute the nation

 

[Hypocycloids]

Art 2 simply is trying to have the team replicate how it won in the 70's without understanding why it worked then and what is needed now... he is making all the mistakes ART 1 made when he ran things... we abandoned Dan and Nolls philosophy of draft abd develop and only retain superstars until they are overpriced and on the downswing and not taking on other teams leftovers as key players unless real value was there...

In the 90's with cowher and FA, we mostly had a young guy waiting in the wings when we were gonna lose someone... now we scramble to replace huge holes that we jad nonplans to deal with... then by the time tgey are patched, another pops up

I don’t quite get the mistakes Art 1 made? He hired Noll and the rest was history.
Are you talking pre Noll?

 

[BLITZ]

The Steelers need a crash and burn season or 2. Right now. 2 bad years. Tomlin retires or leaves.
2 years of high end draft picks. And a new coach

 

[madinsomniac]

I don’t quite get the mistakes Art 1 made? He hired Noll and the rest was history.
Are you talking pre Noll?

Noll was after Dan Rooney was running things.
The culture of the Steelers started to change when Dan Rooney stood up to Buddy Parker.

While art didnt officially retire as team president until 1975, Dan started to take control at 28 in 1960, but in 65 he was the director of personnel who told Parker he couldnt trade the next years 1st rounder for whatever Vet bum Parker was jonesing for after a winless preseason... Parker preceded to quit before week one and was replaced by an assistant. After the Season Art and Dan, on the advice of Lombardi himself, Hired Bill Austin as head coach... three years later, when Austin failed miserably, Art named Dan GM and let him hite the next HC...

Thus Noll, who believed in draft and internal development like Dan, was hired...

Art 1 was just a good guy who let coaches do whatever they wanted. Most traded picks for washed up vets regularly, or wouldnt play drafted guys...the steelers regularly recycled coaches and players back then.

it wasnt until Dan, who was brought up around football and understood scouting, got power that we won anything... art could have retired in the sixties sbd it would not have made a difference

 

[steelhurt]

Noll was after Dan Rooney was running things.
The culture of the Steelers started to change when Dan Rooney stood up to Buddy Parker.

While art didnt officially retire as team president until 1975, Dan started to take control at 28 in 1960, but in 65 he was the director of personnel who told Parker he couldnt trade the next years 1st rounder for whatever Vet bum Parker was jonesing for after a winless preseason... Parker preceded to quit before week one and was replaced by an assistant. After the Season Art and Dan, on the advice of Lombardi himself, Hired Bill Austin as head coach... three years later, when Austin failed miserably, Art named Dan GM and let him hite the next HC...

Thus Noll, who believed in draft and internal development like Dan, was hired...

Art 1 was just a good guy who let coaches do whatever they wanted. Most traded picks for washed up vets regularly, or wouldnt play drafted guys...the steelers regularly recycled coaches and players back then.

it wasnt until Dan, who was brought up around football and understood scouting, got power that we won anything... art could have retired in the sixties sbd it would not have made a difference

That’s a pretty accurate description of how it was around here.
Art the old man, was a a gentleman and a great guy but as an owner he was a stumbling, bumbling fool. From 1933 until Dan hired Chuck it was bad, real bad. Had a few decent seasons here and there with old time HC’s like Buddy Parker and QB Bobby Layne who was past his prime but played ok with Steelers.
It was just bad every year with either top draft picks being traded for washed up players or just picking very bad players in the draft.
Gary Glick anyone or how about Dick Leftridge or Bob Ferguson? These were some of the turkeys drafted number one in those days.

 

[Diamond Dave]

I don’t quite get the mistakes Art 1 made? He hired Noll and the rest was history.
Are you talking pre Noll?

Dan hired Noll. By that time, Dan pretty much took over the day to day off the team. Art was the owner and face of the Steelers, but it was Dan that had enough of the SOS

 

[Badcat]

That’s a pretty accurate description of how it was around here.
Art the old man, was a a gentleman and a great guy but as an owner he was a stumbling, bumbling fool. From 1933 until Dan hired Chuck it was bad, real bad. Had a few decent seasons here and there with old time HC’s like Buddy Parker and QB Bobby Layne who was past his prime but played ok with Steelers.
It was just bad every year with either top draft picks being traded for washed up players or just picking very bad players in the draft.
Gary Glick anyone or how about Dick Leftridge or Bob Ferguson? These were some of the turkeys drafted number one in those days.

Not to mention hiring Bill Nunn who scouted black colleges which most other teams overlooked netting us Joe Greene, John Stallworth, Mel Blount, Donnie SHell, LC Greenwood, etc. Dan built a football operation and hired the greatest minds. Now, we hire the leftovers from failed teams like Austin as a DC.

 

[steelhurt]

Not to mention hiring Bill Nunn who scouted black colleges which most other teams overlooked netting us Joe Greene, John Stallworth, Mel Blount, Donnie SHell, LC Greenwood, etc. Dan built a football operation and hired the greatest minds. Now, we hire the leftovers from failed teams like Austin as a DC.

Yep! Bill Nunn was very,very special. Thank you Bill for Stallworth, Greenwood just to name a couple guys.
Dan certainly knew to hire the best and surround himself with great football minds.
Today it’s just like it was to a degree when Arts grandfather was running things. Art like his grandfather is allowing the HC to call most of the shots and we’re stuck in mediocrity.
I have a feeling this thing is going to blow up in their faces this season. It needs to!