While I don't disagree with #2 below, I also wonder if a new strength
and conditioning coach would help. This team has been snake bitten by
injuries for a number of years now. They're overdue for a season where
they all stay relatively healthy. The "conditioning" part of strength
and conditioning does have something to do with some of that.
Phil
On 01/12/2021 4:36 AM, Steve Rhoton wrote:
I think we are entering a long winter, akin to the Tomczak and Maddox teams just before Ben got here. Solid (sometimes great) defense, a mediocre to good QB, and a very average offense.
1) I hope Ben retires, for his sake. I can see a season next year where he is just terrible and they bench him mid-year, which would be far worse to go out on than what just happened, imo.
2) I'm going to plant my flag and say that the *most* important coaching position they need to replace this off season is oline. My kingdom for Grimm or Munchak and a bunch of young linemen.
3) I think, and continue to believe, that Tomlin is way, way underappreciated as a coach. I mean, we were playing our 3rd string OLB most of the time in that game. They had a ton of key injuries, a QB who is well on the downside of his career, absolutely no running game at all, two coordinators who are just terrible, and he still got this team to 12-4. He owns the 4th and 1 call, and who he keeps on this staff after this year, but honestly as far as I'm concerned if you gave Cowher all those years without a ring, Tomlin should get the same. We'll see what kind of coach he really is with Ben gone.
Anyways, I think we are entering a long winter where we are competitive for the playoffs, but not the Super Bowl for a few years.
Thanks,
Steve
On Mon, Jan 11, 2021 at 5:53 PM Scott H <blitzum@xxxxxxx <mailto:blitzum@xxxxxxx>> wrote:
I largely agree with your whole post. All 3 teams in the division
have up an coming QBs with solid or improving teams. We have an
aging QB with an aging line. Lots of talent elsewhere, but that
combo is not good.
No one wants to say it but 3 playoff wins in 10 years with the
talent we have had is ridiculously embarrassing. Bill Cowher, Andy
Reid, Mike McCarthy.... I think there comes a time when the team
needs to move on from
a coach. Instances like the 4th and 1 and enough for me. Tomlin
has a hell of a regular season win percentage. That greats and all
but that is worthy of a participation trophy not a Lombardi.
Ben is the big question since I see nothing happening on the
Tomlin front. I don't think he wants to go out with that kind of
loss, but I honestly don't see next year being better. Ben and the
line will be a year older. I like Dotson at LG, but we need a LT
and we are still looking at an over rated center and a declining
RG. Juju likely gone and while his number didn't show it I thought
he had a solid year. Ebron can't catch a cold and I now see why he
was available.
There will be changes on D, but still plenty of talent. A young CB
would be nice. Hopefully we can keep important depth role players
like Hilton and Sutton.
I am very curious what the next few months brings. Will Ben
retire? Can the team keep any FA's? Could the team make a move for
a QB like Trubisky or Darnold or take one in the draft ?
Lots of questions and SADLY lots of time to think about it
Scott in Jersey
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<mailto:steelers_pb-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<steelers_pb-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:steelers_pb-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> on behalf of Eric
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*Sent:* Monday, January 11, 2021 9:20 AM
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<steelers_pb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:steelers_pb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>>
*Subject:* [steelers_pb] Postmortem
After having a sleepless night to torture myself over last night's
disaster, I've come up with a few things.
1 - Despite the fact that we spotted the Browns 7 points, they
deserve credit for all they overcame to win that game. I can't
stand losing to that team but I give credit where it's due.
Something about all that damn 'good sportsmanship' I used to try
to teach my players when I coached baseball.
2 - Tomlin's decision to not go for 4th and 1 on their own 46,
down 12, was awful. The Browns were reeling. Here were the
Steelers 4 drives leading up to that point: Touchdown, Field Goal,
Touchdown, Touchdown. Tomlin let the Browns catch their breath
and they went right down the field for a score that effectively
ended the game.
3 - In the Steelers' last 3 playoff losses, they have given up 36,
45, and 48 points.
4 - I recall Dave saying a few years ago something like "Offensive
line is a sneaky need for this team," and sonofabitch if that dude
wasn't spot on once again.
5 - It's gonna be a long time before the Steelers can
realistically compete for a Super Bowl. Every other team in the
AFCN is ascending, and this was our last best shot. Reminds me of
when the Aikman-Irvin-Smith Cowboys lost in the 1996 playoffs -
you just knew it was over. Only that group had 3 Lombardis to cry
on....
Not looking forward to this offseason. The team is going to be
decimated by age and the salary cap and will look very different
next year. That's not all bad, mind you, because change is VERY
necessary at this point. The problem is that Ben has a doll house
sized window remaining and he won't be around long enough to
endure the re-tooling. There IS talent on this team on both sides
of the ball, but the supporting cast is just not good enough.
Eric in NJ