SCB Steelers Quick Hitters: The ‘I’m Still Ranting’ Edition

Good… No, it’s not “good.” So let’s just say “Hello Steelers Fans.”

After putting out my weekly “rapid-fire thoughts” after the game and then going on an 800-word tangent about this team I find myself still ranting about the Pittsburgh Steelers this morning. Maybe I should get a life. Why do I get so wrapped up in this? It’s a game after all isn’t it? Perhaps I just shouldn’t care anymore and maybe that will suddenly turn the tide of the Steelers’ season. We all know these things aren’t going to happen and before you say “It could always be worse,” you need to understand that’s not how I live. Sure the Bengals are 1-3 and the Bears are 0-4 after blowing a three-touchdown lead, but the Steelers being 2-2 does little for me. I see through the mirage of those two wins and while I’m grateful they were in fact “wins,” they came in unique ways that don’t happen every week. So let me just summarize here… The Pittsburgh Steelers are not a good football team right now. It’s that simple.

There’s ALWAYS Someone Else

While I’m not advocating for the firing of Mike Tomlin, yet… There’s seems to be a real misunderstanding of how the National Football League works. I constantly hear fans ask “Who else are you going to get to coach this team?” or “If Mike Tomlin were fired he’d be scooped up in a minute!” First of all, there is always someone else. In fact, Mike Tomlin WAS that someone else back in 2007. Very few Steelers’ fans knew who he was when he was preferred over Russ Grimm for the job of replacing Bill Cowher. So that argument doesn’t hold water. Secondly, I don’t disagree that Mike Tomlin would have a job quickly were he available but that doesn’t mean things are going swimmingly here. Sometimes a guy just over-stays his welcome. Tomlin wouldn’t be the first coach to have been in the same place too long. But… He isn’t going anywhere.

There’s No Quick Fix

So let’s say we get exactly what we want and Matt Canada is fired. Do you really believe this offense will suddenly turn into the Kansas City Chiefs? It may play better, there’s no question about it but there is A LOT of work to be done in the offseason and that’s a long way off.

Let’s Not Forget About Austin

With all of our vitriol aimed at Matt Canada, let’s not forget that Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin isn’t exactly setting the world on fire. His defense is giving up over 400 yards per game in offense and it’s giving up more than 150 yards on the ground. The Steelers screwed up big time by not keeping Brian Flores. I’ll leave it at that.

Winging It

Brad Wing, who had not punted in a game since 2017, did an excellent job yesterday. His average was over 47 yards per punt on five kicks and had one inside the 20. Had Miles Boykin been able to find the ball it would have been two.

Najee

It was easily the best day running the football for Najee Harris yet there was still much to be desired. He averaged over five yards per carry while gaining 71 yards on 14 carries. What’s the problem? The problem is that he should have had more carries. Every time he started ramping it up, Canada went back to the pass. It’s a shame Najee didn’t get more carries. Apparently passing is more important than actually winning.

The Training Room

In case you lost track yesterday, the Steelers lost Dan Moore to a knee injury, Pat Freiermuth to a hamstring problem and Kenny Pickett to a knee injury. It’s possible we will learn more today but if we don’t, I expect to be fully briefed by Mike Tomlin at his presser on Tuesday.  Broderick Jones was solid if not spectacular in Moore’s stead but I guarantee the Steelers wish Zach Gentry were still available.