News Item: : 2009, a Year to Forget
(Category: Misc)
Posted by Dave Clifford
Mon Dec 28 2009, 12:28PM
Well, the Steelers beat the ravens yesterday to put them at 8-7. Slim hopes for the playoffs are still there, but who cares? I mean get to the playoffs just to have your ass handed to you in Wil Card Weekend? Who the hell wants that?
This whole season has been quite the strange one. Polamalu beginning the season on an unbelievable tear...and because of it getting hurt and gone for the brunt of the season.
Then there's the offense with more emphasis on Mendenhall than Parker...but throwing the ball two and sometimes three times more than running it. What the hell is that? How can there be a balance in the game when throwing the ball 65% or more each game?
And then there are the losses in the 4th quarter. Seemingly the defense giving up scores late. Or the offense isn't scoring enough or holding the ball enough late in games.
This team has had it's share of issues throughout this season. To be sure, no one thing can be shown as the reason for the Super Bowl Champions to have a 5 game losing streak against some ot the worst (if not the worst) teams in the league.
So how about that? Is it possible there is one source to the issues this team has faced throughout this more than forgettable season? One could call out Mike Tomlin. And while I am not a Tomlin hater, I do think there are some serious things to consider here with the head coach.
First off, there is little or no balance in the offensive play calling. Let's not pretend that the games have warranted the extra attempts in the passing game. One can simply look at the plays run in the first half of every single game this season and in each, determine run or pass., There is an abundance of passes, even in the first half, so the argument of working with the defense is not going to hold water. And folks, Arians calls the offensive plays, but Tomplin OK's them. He's on the headset and hears what's happening. And honestly, Arians reports to Tomlin, so Tomlin is still accountable for the play calling. This offense has had some sustained drives with short passing, but it has not in any way utilized the running game....except one game. That game was the first against the Ravens and the one Dennis Dixon started in place of Big Ben. In that game the run was used more. And of course it made sense since Dixon is not Ben. So I'm really not complaining, but what happened yesterday? Same opponent, our home field. No attention to the run. It just seems to me like Ben's abilities mean he can win games in Tomlin's eyes. And that just isn't the case. I am not a stats guy, but I wonder if there is a comparison to last year's championship team. The idea that this year is different can be laid upon many factors, but brushing away all the BS, I just kind of wonder about it.
I can remember the year after the 2005 team where the Steelers won like 2 or 3 straight at the end of the season to go 8-8...and Ward being very happy about it. So this year's team shouldn't be a surprise to us. That year I assumed it was Cowher's drive and lack thereof. That shouldn't be the case with Tomlin.
Speaking of Tomlin, what is it about this guy? I mean what is it that makes anyone think he is a great coach? Is it because in his second year he got a championship? Arguments can be made in all ways with that statement and I'm not about to try. But it is something to consider. When did this team become his and not Cowher's? Yet another point of subjection.
Anyway, hopefully we'll some improvements soon. I think Tomlin can coach, he does handle himself. But to me, the only detriment I see/hear is his way of talking always seems so rehearsed. Except the "releasing of Hell in December" statement. Mainly cuz it never happened. They lost to the Browns for God's sake.
This news item is from Dave Clifford's Unofficial Pittsburgh Steelers Site
( http://www.dcupss.com/news.php?extend.19 )
(Category: Misc)
Posted by Dave Clifford
Mon Dec 28 2009, 12:28PM
Well, the Steelers beat the ravens yesterday to put them at 8-7. Slim hopes for the playoffs are still there, but who cares? I mean get to the playoffs just to have your ass handed to you in Wil Card Weekend? Who the hell wants that?
This whole season has been quite the strange one. Polamalu beginning the season on an unbelievable tear...and because of it getting hurt and gone for the brunt of the season.
Then there's the offense with more emphasis on Mendenhall than Parker...but throwing the ball two and sometimes three times more than running it. What the hell is that? How can there be a balance in the game when throwing the ball 65% or more each game?
And then there are the losses in the 4th quarter. Seemingly the defense giving up scores late. Or the offense isn't scoring enough or holding the ball enough late in games.
This team has had it's share of issues throughout this season. To be sure, no one thing can be shown as the reason for the Super Bowl Champions to have a 5 game losing streak against some ot the worst (if not the worst) teams in the league.
So how about that? Is it possible there is one source to the issues this team has faced throughout this more than forgettable season? One could call out Mike Tomlin. And while I am not a Tomlin hater, I do think there are some serious things to consider here with the head coach.
First off, there is little or no balance in the offensive play calling. Let's not pretend that the games have warranted the extra attempts in the passing game. One can simply look at the plays run in the first half of every single game this season and in each, determine run or pass., There is an abundance of passes, even in the first half, so the argument of working with the defense is not going to hold water. And folks, Arians calls the offensive plays, but Tomplin OK's them. He's on the headset and hears what's happening. And honestly, Arians reports to Tomlin, so Tomlin is still accountable for the play calling. This offense has had some sustained drives with short passing, but it has not in any way utilized the running game....except one game. That game was the first against the Ravens and the one Dennis Dixon started in place of Big Ben. In that game the run was used more. And of course it made sense since Dixon is not Ben. So I'm really not complaining, but what happened yesterday? Same opponent, our home field. No attention to the run. It just seems to me like Ben's abilities mean he can win games in Tomlin's eyes. And that just isn't the case. I am not a stats guy, but I wonder if there is a comparison to last year's championship team. The idea that this year is different can be laid upon many factors, but brushing away all the BS, I just kind of wonder about it.
I can remember the year after the 2005 team where the Steelers won like 2 or 3 straight at the end of the season to go 8-8...and Ward being very happy about it. So this year's team shouldn't be a surprise to us. That year I assumed it was Cowher's drive and lack thereof. That shouldn't be the case with Tomlin.
Speaking of Tomlin, what is it about this guy? I mean what is it that makes anyone think he is a great coach? Is it because in his second year he got a championship? Arguments can be made in all ways with that statement and I'm not about to try. But it is something to consider. When did this team become his and not Cowher's? Yet another point of subjection.
Anyway, hopefully we'll some improvements soon. I think Tomlin can coach, he does handle himself. But to me, the only detriment I see/hear is his way of talking always seems so rehearsed. Except the "releasing of Hell in December" statement. Mainly cuz it never happened. They lost to the Browns for God's sake.
This news item is from Dave Clifford's Unofficial Pittsburgh Steelers Site
( http://www.dcupss.com/news.php?extend.19 )