Home Steelers 2016 Season Steelers’ Misfortune Has Been Brewing for Some Time

Steelers’ Misfortune Has Been Brewing for Some Time

by Steeldad

The old saying about waiting for water to heat up on the stove is “a watched pot never boils.” The Pittsburgh Steelers are hard to avoid watching but it’s obvious to me that the team’s current problems have been brewing for some time and now things seem to be ready to boil over. 

Even prior to the team’s 35-30 loss on Sunday, the news came out that Ben Roethlisberger had met with Mike Tomlin to discuss his concerns over what he perceived was a “lack of discipline, urgency and accountability” especially from younger players. 

Then, following the loss, “We are undisciplined and not accountable,” Roethlisberger told reporters after the game, according to ESPN. “That’s why (the Cowboys) are one of the best in the business and we’re not right now.” Asked about the source of the Steelers’ problems, Roethlisberger said reflection was necessary for the entire team. “I don’t know,” Roethlisberger said. “Is it players? Is it coaches? I don’t know, but we need to get there quick.

This is what we call “the pot boiling over.” Roethlisberger must also look in the mirror himself because he’s had some poor performances this season too, but his overall point is that guys on this team are not living up to the “standard.” 

Look no further than Sammie Coates who saw TWO offensive snaps against the Cowboys. I’m told Roethlisberger and Todd Haley have lost confidence in Coates’ ability to run the correct routes. When you have a guy as explosive as he is, that’s troubling to know he can’t be depended upon. 

The brewing of this water started some time ago when Troy Polamalu made it clear he was unhappy with how Tomlin was treating the younger players and free agents. He wasn’t the only one feeling those guys were not being held accountable and he didn’t like the “buddy-buddy” relationship Tomlin had with them. 

Whether or not Tomlin has changed his approach with newer players over the last couple of years I can’t say, but when you look at overall accountability, especially on defense, no one seems to be getting the message, especially Tomlin. Blown assignments appear to be the flavor of the day from the defensive line to the secondary which unfortunately gives credence to Roethlisberger’s comments. 

Whatever is wrong with this team- a lack of talent, a lack of urgency, take a guess- it comes back to old behaviors. And that comes back to Mike Tomlin who needs to get his team boiling but in a much different way and fast.

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8 comments

Vittorio November 15, 2016 - 12:00 am

Well after this loss I’m reminded of the Seinfeld episode where George’s Dads talks about Airing of Grievances and was quoted saying “I got a lot of problems with you people and now your gonna hear them”. Well for me it’s time I aired my grievances about this team and it’s fanbase.
Let’s start with OL and DL: 1 can’t create holes to run through and the other has nothing but holes in them, Martavis Bryant failing another drug test shows he cares more about Weed than Football.
Keith Butler a man who would rather protect Artie Burns and Sean Davis then attack the QB with blitzes. Message to Keith Butler and the Steeler fanbase the secondary is never going to be fixed. If guys like Sean Davis and Arite get burned all the time so be it, and I know you guys here on this site will try and say otherwise but let’s be real here you could have 4 pro bowl caliber CB’s and it wouldn’t make a difference.
Now we comes to you the Steeler fans who have heard me before take shots at you guys and it’s going to happen again and for those who haven’t pay real close attention to what I’m going to say cause I feel it has to be spoken. Most of you fans were jumping for joy the day the Steelers drafted a CB in round 1 and I must say what is it that “you people” see in that pick that I didn’t? I kept saying for days and weeks leading up to the draft it was more important to take a DL in round 1 than a CB but all I got in return for my saying that is nothing but grief and when the time came and the Steelers did take a DL they took someone who looks like more of a back up DE and I’m being generous in saying that about Hargrave and I’m so sick and tired of you fans defending both of those guys.
When was the last time anybody here on this site decided to blast either Hargrave or Burns?
The 2016 draft had a plethora of DL especially in the first 2 rounds but form some reason Steeler fans think trying to fix a unfixable secondary is the more pressing matter. So this will end my Airing of Grievances and to those Steeler fans who will read this and lambaste me I say go ahead you can take all the shots you want at me for this response but guess what everything I said in this response it had to be spoken.

Ben Anderson November 15, 2016 - 12:32 am

Vic, the fact that you think the answer to the defense’s woes was taking two D linemen to replace two of Heyward, Hargarve or Tuitt is laughable. Two of them are bonafide stars. You don’t replace guys like that and you don’t get a consistent pass rush in this scheme from your D line anyway. That seems to be your biggest gripe, right?
Also, no one ever said that the D backfield needed more attention than the front 7. In point of fact, all of us have been screaming for improvements at OLB for two years.
But, you don’t pay attention to those complaints because they don’t fit the narrative you’re trying to sell. I don’t understand that.
Anyway, the 3-4 has always been predicated on pressure from an aggressive defensive front.
I’ll give you this. You’re getting warmer but, you still don’t understand football.

Vittorio November 15, 2016 - 1:45 am

I never said that you would get in improved pass rush from the DL far from it the point of taking multiple Dl was to expel both Heyward and Tuitt so that the both of them don’t play an entire game. Yeah sure no one ever said the D backfield needed more attention. For a few years now any one who is anyone whether it be through the radio, articles written about them or any fan who pays attention to the team kept saying they need help in the secondary and even leading up to this years draft or the past couple of drafts wanted the Steelers to take a CB in the 1st round and I ask you fans this Why? Your right in that the OLB position needs help I won’t disagree with you on that Ben Anderson but I wanted the Steelers to focus on the DL in this years draft cause outside of Heyward and Tuitt who else can make a difference on that front? This whole argument I’ve had with Steeler fans is simple if the DB’s get burned so be it and no matter how much coaching you give them or how may times you yell and scream and point out how to play the right way at CB ultimately it falls on the players themselves to fix there issues and since I’m being honest here I seriously doubt those guys can fix it and get better. I do wonder when the time comes to talk about the draft and you guys see a Edge rusher who can help this team but there is a CB who is like the fifth or sixth best guy at his spot what will you guys do?

bob graff November 15, 2016 - 6:05 am

Truth be told it was an awesome game. And it goes to show just how close we are to the best. But it also provided a clear view of our weak areas. Our o-line once thought to be one of the best is playing at a very low level. Our defensive scheme is pitiful and it make it hard to know if there are any good players [Kieth Butler should not be a defensive coordinator in this league]. And weather people like it or not anyone can out-coach Tomlin. All these things are true and with Ben he doesn’t need to look any further than himself for someone he is the leader.

bob graff November 15, 2016 - 6:09 am

BTW, i had a great trip to Pittsburgh. Even though we lost it was one of the best live games i have watched.

Vittorio November 15, 2016 - 7:53 pm

Butler is part of the problem in that he insists on protecting Burns and Davis well I say no more if both of those guys can’t figure out how to defend a WR or a TE on there own then get there sorry buts out of this city. For a few years now just about 90% of Steeler Nation has been asking the Steelers to draft a CB round 1 and now in 2016 they did it even though he wasn’t the best player on the board and that is a fact. now with Heyward gone for the Season with a Pec injury I ask you Steeler fans 7 1/2 months later after the draft do you still think taking a CB was the right decision over a DL or are you guys just to stubborn to admit even that?

bob graff November 15, 2016 - 11:12 pm

Vic you are wrong!!! Burns is in single coverage every snap. I was watching it and i found it hard to believe. Davis is a pure rookie and his snaps should be limited. In my humble opinion it’s the scheme and it’s bad this defense makes no sense , and the biggest need is a nose tackle who has balls.

Vittorio November 16, 2016 - 4:13 am

Oh no you don’t Bob Graff Butler admitted it himself early last week that he is protecting both Burns and Davis by not blitzing as much as last season and if you don’t believe me look up the article and you’ll see what I mean. I never understood why fans and media kept banging down the door for a CB in the 1st round. Why exactly do you think tryin to fix an unfixable secondary should be the primary issue instead of fixing the front 7? Look at the depth on that Front 7 and you guys tell me who is really worth being on the team L.T. Walton, Ricardo Matthews. LJ fort, Arthur Moats. Anthony Chickillo. What exactly are these guys supposed to do on this team? You all saw how this years draft was loaded with DL but you people were content to say “wait until the mid rounds of the draft there will be plenty of talent there just please fix the secondary first. Well low and behold you got your freaking wish. A CB and S in rounds 1 and 2 and a lousy no good overrated, overhyped and overmatched DT who can’t do anything for this team. I ask you this question Steeler Fans if given the chance to redraft the Steelers 2016 picks would you people change anything or would you act stubborn and try to convince me that Burns, Davis and Hargrave were worth the first 3 picks of the draft?

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