blitzburghv5
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The thing is, we are rebuilding right now. (on the defensive side of the ball).......the process started when we decided to move on past Aaron Smith...when we opted out from Big Snack. We had to move on past those greybeards...... We didnt sign Keenan Allen and theres a slew or reasons, which we dont know, for certain, why. Over the past couple 8-8 seasons we've dealt with injuries....matter of fact many thought the team was cursed because we had so many....we lost Silverback, Troy, IKE, Woodley, Foote and the Oline (Pouncey, Velasco, DeCastro, Gilbert, Foster --god knows we struggled to keep a unit consistenly healthy in 2012-2013). The offensive line is the key to any teams success, running OR passing.
So, its remarkable that a team with that many injuries and roster changes thats rebuilding can sustain 8-8. Theres other franchises that sink to much lower depths with records like 4-12, or 6-10 (Mike Smith and his Falcons or Coughlin and his Giants)
I have my share of critcism for the coaching staff, but what fanbase doesnt. Fans are fickle.....emotional....give you an example....8 weeks ago Pats fans were callin for change w Belichek....the team lost its second game and was struggling..theyd traded Mankins and the Oline looked like ****...Brady struggled....fan base said the team stopped responding to the coach..coach was stubborn etc....then **** changed abruptly...Gronk came back into his own...the offense started clicking and now look at em.........
Thing id like to see from this coaching staff is the ability to exploit teams weakness more consistently. Do to them what they do to us.......we shift away from Miller often for full games (perhaps thats on Ben and his tunnel-vision..i dont know) and when we incorporate Heath effectively, we often win. When we focus on Brown (hes our playmaker) and the defense takes him away, work the ****** field...make the defense cover more real estate.
A lot of our limitations on offense stem from the same guy we benefit most from...BEN.....he cant throw/sell a screenplay to save his life (he stares the back down the hold time) and proceeds to "aim", not throw but aim the pass. We've had one or two successful screens to the RB. Hes more effective at the WR bubble....simply because its less congested and Ben doesnt like his passing lanes congested...if it aint wide open
But in summary, im patient...........i know it can pay dividends to be patient and allow time for a coach to rebuild. We're not Oakland, the Browns, Miami, Washington. The Steeler way is the patient way. 3 coaches in 40 yrs. If 8 losses is as bad as we get in down years then i can live with that because i believe 12-13 wins aint that far off...Tomlins done it before and i believe he will do it again. We arent gettin blown out of games......we are one first down and and couple of boneheaded turnovers from being a 9-2 team. Do you agree with that analysis ? This team is close.........it was close last year and the year prior (to qualifying for the PO). I think with the new additions on both sides and gettin players FINALLY healthy we can hit our stride and do some damage. Pieces are finally there esp on Offense.
If we miss the playoffs this year, again, then i believe Tomlin should be given one more season to get things right.
But, if we move too swiftly as YOU suggest and make change because we THINK we need change and we go thru say a 5-11 season, and follow up with a 7-9 season and ultimately at 9-7 season and missing the playoffs under a different coach, then what ? Fire him too.........? Hire, watch... wait three years...can em.............rinse and repeat. That sounds like the aforementioned teams. But perhaps YOU'll be happy because you pulled the trigger and brought in a new face.
