Home Steelers 2016 Season Like It or Not, It Starts With Tomlin

Like It or Not, It Starts With Tomlin

by Steeldad

The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost more games in a row under Mike Tomlin before. They once lost five straight games back in 2009 before righting the ship to finish 9-7 but out of the playoffs. Tomlin’s current version of the Steelers have now lost three straight games and while it isn’t five, it feels like it is . 

If ever a score didn’t indicate how a game played out it was today. The history books will show a 21-14 loss that came to end on the worst onside kick in team history, but those who watched know better. This was a performance that left much to be desired especially by the offense. 

The defense actually was respectable for most of the game. On the first drive they were gashed several times on the run but settled in and limited the Ravens’ ability to do much of anything. Unfortunately, an old problem renewed itself when both Artie Burns and Mike Mitchell missed tackles on Mike Wallace’s 95-yard touchdown catch. Along with two field goals, those were the only points they surrendered all day.

The real story however was the lifeless and mystifying performance by the offense. If Todd Haley is trying to sabotage Mike Tomlin in order take his job then he’s doing an excellent job. At one point near halftime the Steelers had more penalty yards than they did total yards of offense. Ben Roethlisberger looks disinterested most of the time and shows less and less emotion which makes me wonder if more isn’t going on behind the scenes than any of us know. 

The ‘festival of flags’ today was disgraceful. This was a team coming off its bye week. Focus and discipline should not have been an issue but they were. Special teams was a joke with penalties, a blocked punt for a touchdown and of course the real capper, the onside kick which failed worse than most of the re-makes in Hollywood. 

When you add all of this up it comes back to Mike Tomlin. 

The head coach is the captain of the ship and right now Tomlin’s is taking on water. This is not a call for him to be fired because you and I know that isn’t happening. I do believe however, with all of the expectations placed on this team, that feeling some heat right now is warranted. 

This team lacks fire. It lacks urgency. It lacks any sense of cohesiveness. The Steelers were beaten for the ninth time in their last 12 games against the Ravens. It was also the fourth consecutive loss to Baltimore and what makes it so hard to fathom is that the Steelers have more talent. This is where Tomlin comes in again.

He and Todd Haley were badly outcoached again by John Harbaugh and Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees and that’s become a theme in recent years. 

Mike Tomlin and the Steelers are at a crossroads. They have eight games left and it starts with a Dallas team that has won seven straight. If Tomlin is the coach I believe him to be, things will turn around regardless of injuries or any other excuses. If things don’t then any criticism whatsoever is warranted.

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2 comments

Vittorio November 7, 2016 - 3:34 am

So this is what I expected from you Marc a scathing review of Ben’s first game back from injury. For me I expected them to lose this game cause it was mean to happen. Ben never plays well in his 1st game back from injury but here is the good news that you seemingly forgot when he plays a 2nd game he bounces back and you can look no further than last year vs Oakland. The offense has no definitive No.2 WR cause Coates isn’t there yet, Rogers is a slot man just like Wheaton and DHB is a good No.4 option and had Bryant not been an idiot then the Offense would be fine. You were like the other sports personalities who said the Steelers need to run Le’Von Bell not realizing that is exactly what the Ravens wanted the Steelers to do. My point is that no matter what offensive game plan was put together it just wasn’t going to go the Steelers way today. Just you remember I said that the Steelers will bounce back in top fashion next week vs Dallas.

bob graff November 7, 2016 - 11:52 am

The truth the Steelers were punked. they lost on both sides of the line and got there butts pushed around.You know it’s pretty simple if a play doesn’t work go to something else. Haley tried to imposed his limited set of plays on the ravens defense and they said bring it.I hate to do this but, are the Steelers SAWFT??? It’s something i thought i would never say about a Steeler team.

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