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Reversal Of Fortune Continues For Steelers

Friday, December 11, 2009 1:52 PM
Written By: Jim Reich

When the Steeler schedule for the 2008 season came out, Steeler fans were stunned at its enormity. They cried foul when they saw the likes of Indianapolis, San Diego, Dallas, New York Giants and Jacksonville. Media pundits conceded that the Steelers would face the toughest schedule of any team in memory in 2008. Almost everyone agreed and that an 8-8 season was about all one could possibly hope for. So, what happened? The Steelers strapped on their helmets and went 12-4.

When the 2009 NFL schedule came out, everyone noticed the obvious softies on it and ordered playoff tickets. How could they lose to the likes of Kansas City, Oakland and Cleveland in the second half of the season? In their division it was conceded that Baltimore would be tough, but they would easily knock off Cincinnati and Cleveland twice. A yawner of a season was in the offing.

Well, so much for punditry. After 13 games the Steelers are 6-7 and playoff hopes vanished in the Cleveland freeze Thursday night. The puzzlement continues. To say the Steelers looked lousy Thursday night is a gross understatement. Cleveland's defense ranked 32nd out of 32 teams. Yet the Steelers couldn't muster a touchdown. Ben was sacked eight times. Eight times! And the running game was absent. Cleveland was signing people off the street to make up the balance of its team, and these sandlotters handled the reigning Super Bowl champs like they were a junior high second string.

There's not much to do now but ponder what will happen in the offseason and correct what went wrong. You might recall that after the Denver win (that was a long time ago), the Steelers were 6-2. Did Tomlin lose this team? After all those statements that he would be playing Burnett and Lewis at corner in Cleveland, Burnett played sparingly and Lewis didn't even dress. Is he inconsistent? Are Tomlin's assistant coaches letting him down? The special teams didn't allow a runback of a punt or kickoff for a touchdown. But Cribbs did run a punt back 55 yards, and but for a last-second tackle, would have scored.

Where's the vaunted defense? What about an offense that allows eight sacks? Is the problem more attitudinal than physical or the other way around? I can't evaluate these questions ... it's way above my pay grade. But Messrs. Tomlin and Colbert (Head of Football Operations) will have to concern themselves with them starting immediately.

Tags: colbert roethlisberger tomlin
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David

Something stinks in Pittsburgh. This is not just about a team that is not playing well, or the post super bowl blues. There is a reason behind the scenes that the steelers have tanked the lst five games and to be honest I am very suspicious. There is too much money involved in the NFL....

John#21

Tomlin has definitely lost this team. This is a major meltdown that reeks of dissension in the locker room. It came to the surface with Ward's comments about Ben then again with Ben's comments about Ward before the Cleveland game ("Hines will do what's best for Hines, I'm sure.") First things first - get the team back and have them start practicing, acting, walking and talking like a team. That takes leadership from the top down.

Buckeye

You got your best palyers from the great state of OHIO HOLMES and Roth not to mention Harrison,so shut up you sqeeler crybabies.

John C

Thank you Steelers for six Super Bowls. You have been sucessful more than any NFL team. Some have not even enjoyed one trophy, we are fortunate to have experienced that glorious high 6 times! I am fine with another team getting a shot, all good fans deserve at least one !

Mike SICLARI

Well as a steeler fan for 38 seasons I' ve endured many heartbreaks but this has been the most baffling of all. At the midway point of this season the Steelers were 6-2 and tied atop the afc north with Cincinatti. Things were looking good, then the bottom dropped out from the Steelers as well as my stomach. What in God's name is happening here? A big obvious factor is the absence of Troy Polomalu. But since when has the loss of one key player ever doomed this team so much? Big Ben isn't the problem here., in fact he is on his way to one of the best seasons of his six year career ( 503 passing yards against the Packers the most by any Steeler QB in the teams 76 year history!) I think I know what the problem is...... cut the last minute of each game out and the Steeler's are 11-3 !

Mike SICLARI

On a happier note 6 SUPER BOWL TITLES are the Steeler's to keep forever. No one can take that away from them. And its evident that record will be the Steelers for a long time to come.( The 49ers are years away from their sixth and as far as the Cowboys are concerned take the month of December off the calendar and maybe T ony Romo might GET THEM THERE! They are no longer Americas team as far as I'm concerned. The Steelers have earned that title fair and square!