Home 2014 Season Are Steelers Fans Headed for a Worst-Case Scenario?

Are Steelers Fans Headed for a Worst-Case Scenario?

by Steeldad

There’s no question that this current version of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been as polarizing as any in recent memory. They are up and done more than a child in a bounce house and that type of inconsistency breeds really strong feelings about the overall direction of the franchise.

Since Tim Tebow hit Demaryius Thomas with that throw in overtime of the AFC Playoffs, the team has suffered through two straight 8-8 seasons. Both of course resulted in no playoff appearances.

The Steelers now sit at 8-5 with three games remaining, two of which are at home against AFC opponents. The question I’ve received a lot in the last few days has sounded something like this;

Will the Steelers make any significant changes even if they stumble into the playoffs?

First of all, should they win their final three games, that’s a final record of 11-5. Should they win two of three that means 10-6. Assuming they make the playoffs in those two scenarios, it will be hard for fans to claim there needs to be big-time changes.

Should they finish 9-7 and in the playoffs, the same situation may be present but it will carry much less weight with it. An 8-8 record, which is the worst this team can finish and would take a three-game losing streak to achieve, would be open season on Art Rooney II to make compelling moves in the offseason.

At 11-5, the Steelers would host at least one playoff game and would need loses from New England and Denver to host another. At 10-6, we are looking at hosting a playoff game or possibly heading out on the road should should we lose a tie-breaker for the division but right now we are in good shape there.

In either of those scenarios, pushing for a change at either coordinator position becomes difficult. Not impossible, but difficult.

That brings me to what the fan base is really mindful of as we head into the final games. Although unlikely, a 9-7 or 8-8 record could potentially still garner a playoff spot. If you have been on the bandwagon demanding Dick LeBeau or Todd Haley or Kevin Colbert gets kicked to the curb, that likely won’t happen with a postseason berth no matter the record.

Even a playoff-free postseason at 9-7 would probably be met with “patience” by AR II which in turn would be met by screams from the Steeler Nation. But we haven’t even touched on our worst-case scenario yet.

What happens if this team finishes 8-8 and out of the playoffs? What will your demands be as fans? Whatever they are it’s likely they won’t be met.

For the record, I don’t care what the final season numbers end up at, change is needed in two specific areas. Dick LeBeau needs to move on to retirement. It isn’t that he’s forgotten how to coach at 76 years old, it’s that the system is broken and has no parts to replace the aging and broken pieces.

That leads me to the second area which is the front office. Whether you want to start with Kevin Colbert or not is debatable but there must be an overhaul of the scouting department which has had a hand in these poor drafts of the last five to seven years.

We can blame Colbert and Mike Tomlin all we want for failed draft picks but the scouting department isn’t getting it done. That won’t necessarily mean a move from BLESTO, but perhaps some changes in the inner workings.

If you’re wondering about Todd Haley, you likely already know I’m not a big supporter. I cannot however look away from the numbers being put up by the offense. While I still think he mishandles personnel and is a below-average play-caller, the prolific numbers may save him.

Obviously as a fan, I want to see three more wins and tons of momentum heading into the playoffs but I also need to be realistic about the next three weeks as well. They will go a long towards the changes that will or won’t happen.

Marc Uhlmann writes for and co-owns www.steelcityblitz.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteelDad and the website @SCBlitz. Check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/steelcityblitz and on Fancred.com. You can hear him weekly during the season on game day on the Trib-Live Radio Steelers Pre-Game

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18 comments

steelbydesign December 8, 2014 - 7:22 pm

What I want has nothing to do w/ the last 3 games.

I personally want to see Dick Leabeau out like you do, and that has nothing to do with any 1 game. The decline on defense started early on in the “Tebow’d” season despite making the playoffs. The problem is DL’s scheme just doesn’t work in today’s NFL.

The scheme hasn’t change, the NFL landscape has. DL’s defense has never worked against good QB’s that drop back and throw it a ton (and even not so good QB’s like Andy Dalton and Mike Vick). The difference is now there’s WAY more team willing to throw it 40 times.

Vittorio Di Stazio December 8, 2014 - 8:00 pm

It has to do more with the Scheme than beating good QB’s. Everybody thinks it’s so easy to say replace LeBeau and things will get better, that is not true and here is why: To beat a Manning or a Brady you need to get physical with there WR’s, RB’s and TE’s that is not easy and don’t give the argument of “Well Seattle did it” that was different those CB’s could press with ease against Manning very few others can do such a thing. Parts are missing form the team and 1 draft ain’t going to fix it. The Steelers must change how they approach attacking good QB’s. Plus I’m sick and tired of people saying draft a CB in the 1st round, how exactly is that going to change anything. You can show that Verrett and other top CB’s do well but what is your excuse for guys like Kirkpatrick, Claiborne and Wilson. All 3 were early round picks and yet how have they done? Look at LeBeau’s understudy or apprentice if you will, Keith Butler. He runs the same style of D LeBeau ran so take that for what’s it worth. I ask you if LeBeau leaves who takes over: Rex Ryan-you want that dude on this team? What about Jim Haslett-oh wait he is getting called out by London Fletcher for saying his gameplan and playcalling stinks. So since most of you think your so smart tell me who should run the D?

Sean Lander December 8, 2014 - 11:31 pm

Dick has been amazing for this organization and for all the years he has been here coaching but there comes a time when the teacher cant teach the same way to a new set of kids. Haley is not the problem in my opinion but I do agree his packages and player handling needs improvement at times. Scouting is a huge cluster under Colbert and that needs drastic improvement and though Pittsburgh will never do it, I would love to see Tomlin dismissed. I think his coaching 101 basics is awful and have the time he spits out the same old tired statements about getting in order and necessary preparations’ week after week. Some one has to be held accountable for the lack of focus and lack of discipline this great organization has and that man is the head coach. Yes Cowher had 3 week seasons in a row but he worked hard, took responsibility and fixed the issues, Tomlin not so much. I would Like to see LeBeau retire with dignity and bring in someone from outside the Steelers to rebuild the defense. I would love to see Tomlin fired but it wont happen and if you need to look at was has come and gone just look at what Ray Horton has done in Arizona and hell Ariens for that fact….More than we have for nearly 3 years.

steeldad December 8, 2014 - 11:59 pm

Love the first line of your comment Sean. I couldn’t agree more…

I have no grand delusions that anyone who replaces LeBeau will be necessarily better. My point is that we need a defense that doesn’t take two-three years to learn and hasn’t gotten predictable. The predictability comes in especially when you are using new players or less than stellar ones.

Vittorio Di Stazio December 9, 2014 - 2:15 am

If you guys can’t name a successor to LeBeau then why even have a discussion about LeBeau leaving? Tomlin is far the problem. Most coaches speak literally the same way Tomlin they just phrase it differently. IF you fire Tomlin then the whole coaching staff is gone and I ask you this: Does Ben have time to learn a whole new system at his age? Look at Rob Ryan’s Defense the last 2 years in 2013 and this year. It is literally the same personnel and players that he has had since he got there and look at his D. Everybody harps on Lebeau’s D and rightfully so but Rob Ryan’s D stinks worse than ours D but nobody here wants to say that so I’m the only guy and fan who will say it. Unless you the fans can give a name(s) as a replacement for LeBeau, why in the name of the Black and Gold are we continuing this discussion? I’m not trying to step on anybody’s toes but you fans are all the same you harp for Lebeau’s departure but do any of you name a replacement: No. You all answer that question the same way over and over again “I don’t know”. If you don’t know then why bother repeating the same question?

steelbydesign December 9, 2014 - 1:41 pm

That’s a conversation for the off-season.

And let’s be real, you’re obviously not going to hear an opinion that’s not in line with your own, so it doesn’t really matter who we throw out there.

Vittorio Di Stazio December 9, 2014 - 8:45 pm

No I was stating fact. You people keep badgering for LeBeau to go the whole year not just the offseason. Yet you never name a replacement. If the Steelers asked you the fans to name LeBeau’s replacement what are you going to tell them? You all want LeBeau to go but go around and ask major sports personalities what is wrong with the D. I have heard been said a number of times that it’s not the scheme, it’s that he has very few parts to work with on the Defensive side of the ball. You all want somebody new but here are a few questions that need to be answered: 1.what is his scheme, 2.what is style of play, 3.what kind of players does he need for the D to succeed again? You have this sense that it’s so easy to find another DC it’s not. A HC replacement is easier because every year you have candidates lined up and ready to be interviewed but I get the sense you guys seem to think otherwise. Why is so easy for fans to bash LeBeau but when somebody asks the question “who is his replacement” you clam up very fast. Hey I’m no smarta** when it comes to naming a new DC, I just call it like I see it.

Raymond Thaniel December 10, 2014 - 3:17 am

I believe Tomlin and Dick Lebeau are great coaches, but I believe back in Cowher days the whole coaching staff was much more capable! I think that Tomlin’s staff, especially his recruiting department has let him down! It all started the year we picked Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed! Those two were not pick because of need, because that year we was loaded with talent! On defense we may have kept guys a little longer than others because they were producing! So whomever they drafted on defense was not going to play much because that defense was top notch

April December 10, 2014 - 4:12 am

While I read your article and found your points compelling, it was hard for me to take what your say to heart after the “up and done” in your first paragraph.

bob graff December 10, 2014 - 3:12 pm

I predicted a 10-6 season only because the schedule was so weak. What has happen during this season is playing down to the competition while beating teams that have an overall superior roster. What was unexpected but we were sold a bill of goods when they said this would be young fast new version of the Steelers.The front office has certainly under-preformed. And if you watch the games closely it’s only when we break from Haley’s base offense that this team starts to click on offense.As i have stated in earlier posts a winning season as strange as it might sound may only hinder the future of this team. When the season started this was going to be a true no huddle base offense with Ben in control and a fast young defense.Well we have gotten neither but a winning record may be getting in the way of us putting team on the field for years to come.

bob graff December 10, 2014 - 3:16 pm

What i meant to say was a better team on the field for years to come.

Vittorio Di Stazio December 10, 2014 - 8:14 pm

So let me get this straight: You would rather the Steelers have a losing record with Ben as there QB so that they can get a better spot in the draft? Think about what I said for a minute and let it sink in. It’s not just a matter of picking a “Shutdown CB” it’s a matter of who fits this team the most to help and fix the D. Look at the bad teams in the NFL and how they draft when there in top 5 or 10. Look we all know the D is not going to turn back the clock and become the top notch vicious a** kicking D that we all know and love, but put yourself in the shoes of the coaching staff for a moment. You think it’s easy for them. I mean for crying out loud there just as frustrated as we the fans are but there is not quick fix for this D and there never will be. Look fixing the D is no easy process so I wish the fans could be patient and I know I know that is not as easy as it sounds but deal with it. Here is a quote that I believe Tomlin has told the D a number of times and I think you all would agree with it: “If you’re not getting better, I don’t care what business you’re in you’re a dead man”.

bob graff December 10, 2014 - 8:36 pm

No it’s a matter of having success the way they are currently operating. First they just can’t keep playing these 11 and 12 year veterans the entire game. Second sure it appears the offense is preforming well when in fact it’s been a roller coaster ride. There are ways this current team could be doing better. First open the offense up, by that i mean throw down field as oppose to sideways. Run off tackle and not over center. If Troy is going to play LB then bring in a safety to help in deep pass coverage. If not then we will be playing with 12 and 13 year veterans next year and watching another 150 bubble screens.

Vittorio Di Stazio December 10, 2014 - 11:28 pm

Oh please throwing down field as opposed to screens you sound someone who doesn’t teams run there offense. Everybody uses screens just as much a Pittsburgh. Arians did the same thing and when they won who complained that they were running screens more than down field passes? Teams run the ball to the strength of there OL or rather run behind the guy they call there best linemen. Troy plays LB when they decide to stack the box. It’s easy to say play the young guys but remember we only know what we saw on the tapes, we don’t know how they perform in front of coaches in practice on almost a daily basis. It is going to take time for all these guys to gel as a unit but they don’t have time. Ben is now in his 30’s and who knows how long he will still play or if he his here after this season. This is not an easy fix but why can’t fans accept that or for that matter deal with it. When I watch the D, yes I want forced fumble’s, int’s and all that other stuff just like any fan would but they can’t do cause they are limited in what they can do, so basically I want the D to try there best and right now that’s all any fan can ask for. Replacing guys like Hoke, Hampton, Kiesel is not so easy as many attempt to make it out to be. Everyone thinks “put McCullers in and he will clog the middle just the way Hampton did it will be so easy” How exactly is it that easy? We all want the D to get better but saying oh this guy needs to play and they have to draft this or that guy ain’t going to fix the d any faster. Every CB the Steelers have had over the years is asked to do 1 thing: Cover the WR. The strength always has been and always will be the DL and the LB’s. Go ahead and say well Chicago and San Diego played there rookie CB’s and have done well, I’ll counter by saying well what Mo.Claiborne who lost his job to a guy who failed a drug test or how about Kyle Wilson a high 2nd round pick by the jets and has done nothing in the league. What do you say about those type of guys. Here is fact Pat Peterson who by all accounts is a top CB in the NFL his rookie year can be described by this 1 fact: Punt Returns and that’s it. Nobody knew who Richard Sherman was until about a year ago or 2 depending on how you look at it and look how he is doing. Not every rookie CB does something to catch your eye, in fact they made up playing special teams and doing nothing else for that year.

bob graff December 11, 2014 - 1:23 am

Ok you are right let’s just draft another DL-men and a LB. We can always pick up a cover corner in round 6 put some pressure on the QB and we will be fine. But they will have to wait 3-5 years to play to learn the complex defense??

Vittorio Di Stazio December 11, 2014 - 2:00 am

You miss the point Bob Graff. In your mind sticking 1-3 rookie CB’s out here is all of a sudden going to fix the D it won’t. Pressure is the Key to this Defense. Any person with smarts will tell you that. When have the Steelers ever said “We need shutdown CB’s more than we need to pressure the QB” Let me ask you this say the Steelers do what you want and draft a couple CB’s who’s pressuring the QB, Who is getting the Big Sacks? Answer me those questions Bob Graff since you think that getting CB’s should go above pressuring the QB. Without sacks and pressuring the QB those CB’s will get burned with ease and then what you will have to say to that when it happens?

bob graff December 11, 2014 - 12:27 pm

I agree that getting pressure on the QB is very important. What i’m saying is didn’t we already spent early draft choices on that. And what makes you think drafting more of the same will help. And this crap about it takes several years to learn this defense is also impeding any hope of developing players.Think about it take a player in any sport and take away the actual game competition for a couple of years and you are going to lose something. Nothing can replace game snaps that includes practice and special teams.There are several teams playing very young players on defense and being very successful. The Browns and Seahawks are two that come mind, and yes they spent early round picks on DB’s.

Vittorio Di Stazio December 11, 2014 - 8:33 pm

Yes they have but Jones is till trying to grasp this D. Worilds is a FA in 2015 so that leaves a hole at OLB. They have the ILB all figured out as well as the Safety position. The Hawks best CB is a fifth round pick not a high round pick. The Browns have 1 top notch CB in Haden and lets remember Gilbert wasn’t getting overly good reviews from the experts and now it’s showing on the field as he was moved down on the depth chart a 1st round pick gets moved down on the depth chart and I’m supposed to believe he is good. The D relies on pressure from the DL and LB just like any other D. Seattle’ success is not from having good CB’s but rather from the front seven. If the hawks don’t get pressure from the front 7 the secondary’s job becomes tougher. This team needs a fat NT who clogs the middle, is that guy McCullers I don’t know. Right now that is what is missing from the DL. How exactly is taking a CB(s) in the early rounds of the draft going to help when they can’t get pressure on the QB? Look at the Ravens secondary it’s as bad the Steelers but they stay in every game because of the front seven and that is no lie. True other teams are playing young guys on D and succeeded but those teams play to those guys strengths or in other words what works best for them. The Steeler D is not like other Defenses, it’s more of “keep everything in front of you and eventually the opponent makes the big mistake that turns the game around” I’ve seen the Pats succeed on D without top end CB’s and still go far in the playoffs. Seattle’s secondary plays Physical which a lot of teams don’t play now a days. Any DC will tell you while it’s good to have good CB’s they can only focus on the guys there covering, they can’t attack the QB and that’s why we have are front 7 to do that. Make no mistake there is no easy fix for this D. Drafting 1-2 CB’s ain’t going to fix the other problems they have on this D but you guys seem to think adding CB’s is somehow going to fix everything which I can’t understand for the life of me. Every great D is built from the front 7. Look at the Saints D, yes they have Keenan Lewis and Cam Jordan but what else do they have? That D is as bad if not worse than the Steelers D so how can you say drafting CB’s can fix the D when it’s more than that?

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