Somebody Still Believes

[Orangesteel]

You see, there needs to be a balance. The overly optimistic folks are pains in the ass as well. Why, there are not realistic. Counter that, I left a web-site that was uber negative because they weren't realistic either.

I've been following this team for a half a century and like a few others here recall when we were the laughing stock of the NFL. I remember bar fights (pre message boards) when someone would say that the great Franco Harris is washed up and needs to go (they were right) and the same fights to bring him back.

I submit that Steelers fans have always been hard on this team, message boards or not. But they are still fans. The other thing to realize is folks like us on message boards are the hardcore fans. Most fans read Steelers news but don't actively contribute to on-line communities. I think praise, glory, bitching and moaning by message boards fans shows more devotion than normal fans. I like to think that even those that are negative or down on the team have at least thought something out before they post. They are still fans though.

Last year started off shitty and some were called bedwetters (a term I hate). Those bedwetters were correct because some of those games that we dropped to go 0-4 and then lost to the Raiders sealed the season's fate more than hoping the officials make a correct call on the last game of the year. The optimistic folks think the Steelers missed the playoffs because of the botched call in KC last December, the "bedwetters" blame missing the playoffs for starting 2-6. Losing a game or two throughout a 16 game season is normal and often understandable or perhaps bad luck. Dropping 6 out of your first 8 is a trend, a negative trend and there is more to losing those games than bad luck.

Bravo, sir.

[Jobu]

You see, there needs to be a balance. The overly optimistic folks are pains in the ass as well. Why, there are not realistic. Counter that, I left a web-site that was uber negative because they weren't realistic either.

I've been following this team for a half a century and like a few others here recall when we were the laughing stock of the NFL. I remember bar fights (pre message boards) when someone would say that the great Franco Harris is washed up and needs to go (they were right) and the same fights to bring him back.

I submit that Steelers fans have always been hard on this team, message boards or not. But they are still fans. The other thing to realize is folks like us on message boards are the hardcore fans. Most fans read Steelers news but don't actively contribute to on-line communities. I think praise, glory, bitching and moaning by message boards fans shows more devotion than normal fans. I like to think that even those that are negative or down on the team have at least thought something out before they post. They are still fans though.

Last year started off shitty and some were called bedwetters (a term I hate). Those bedwetters were correct because some of those games that we dropped to go 0-4 and then lost to the Raiders sealed the season's fate more than hoping the officials make a correct call on the last game of the year. The optimistic folks think the Steelers missed the playoffs because of the botched call in KC last December, the "bedwetters" blame missing the playoffs for starting 2-6. Losing a game or two throughout a 16 game season is normal and often understandable or perhaps bad luck. Dropping 6 out of your first 8 is a trend, a negative trend and there is more to losing those games than bad luck.

So then can we say that winning 6 out of the last 8 is a positive trend?
Balance, right?

[Fury]

You see, there needs to be a balance. The overly optimistic folks are pains in the ass as well. Why, there are not realistic. Counter that, I left a web-site that was uber negative because they weren't realistic either.

I've been following this team for a half a century and like a few others here recall when we were the laughing stock of the NFL. I remember bar fights (pre message boards) when someone would say that the great Franco Harris is washed up and needs to go (they were right) and the same fights to bring him back.

I submit that Steelers fans have always been hard on this team, message boards or not. But they are still fans. The other thing to realize is folks like us on message boards are the hardcore fans. Most fans read Steelers news but don't actively contribute to on-line communities. I think praise, glory, bitching and moaning by message boards fans shows more devotion than normal fans. I like to think that even those that are negative or down on the team have at least thought something out before they post. They are still fans though.

Last year started off shitty and some were called bedwetters (a term I hate). Those bedwetters were correct because some of those games that we dropped to go 0-4 and then lost to the Raiders sealed the season's fate more than hoping the officials make a correct call on the last game of the year. The optimistic folks think the Steelers missed the playoffs because of the botched call in KC last December, the "bedwetters" blame missing the playoffs for starting 2-6. Losing a game or two throughout a 16 game season is normal and often understandable or perhaps bad luck. Dropping 6 out of your first 8 is a trend, a negative trend and there is more to losing those games than bad luck.

So then can we say that winning 6 out of the last 8 is a positive trend?
Balance, right?

Sure. Just too late in last years case and we had to hope for everything to fall in the right direction, which it did not. However, our fate was sealed in the first 8 and there was good cause for negativity with a 2-6 start.

Like I said, people are going to bitch and people are going to be cheerleaders. I don't care for pure negative sites or pure rah-rah sites. Just something in the middle, which has been a goal of this site since it was created. Perhaps the founding balance vision needs more emphasis.

[Legacy User]

I think we need to have some realism. Not wearing B&G glasses, not pure antagonist. Don't have to drink the look aid, but for chrissakes we need to have at least a little faith they're trying to right the ship.

[Legacy User]

I think we need to have some realism. Not wearing B&G glasses, not pure antagonist. Don't have to drink the look aid, but for chrissakes we need to have at least a little faith they're trying to right the ship.

My understanding, based on what ive read here, is that the cocksucker Rooneys are purposely trying to destroy the team.

[Legacy User]

I think we need to have some realism. Not wearing B&G glasses, not pure antagonist. Don't have to drink the look aid, but for chrissakes we need to have at least a little faith they're trying to right the ship.

My understanding, based on what ive read here, is that the cocksucker Rooneys are purposely trying to destroy the team.

and thats a load of shit too. They made changes, some unpopular ones, especially around here. They had their reasons, I wasn't a fan of the changes. But its time to move on. Roethlisberger was getting hit a lot. They made a business decision to try to extend his career. I get the big picture. I was a fan of win now. But I don't get to make those decisions

[Legacy User]

I think we need to have some realism. Not wearing B&G glasses, not pure antagonist. Don't have to drink the look aid, but for chrissakes we need to have at least a little faith they're trying to right the ship.

My understanding, based on what ive read here, is that the cocksucker Rooneys are purposely trying to destroy the team.

and thats a load of shit too. They made changes, some unpopular ones, especially around here. They had their reasons, I wasn't a fan of the changes. But its time to move on. Roethlisberger was getting hit a lot. They made a business decision to try to extend his career. I get the big picture. I was a fan of win now. But I don't get to make those decisions

For the record, I don't believe an NFL owner would purposely try and destroy their billion dollar business. But that's just me.

I think most if not all team owners attempt to make decisions, in good faith, that they think will help improve their team. The Rooney's are trying. I honestly believe that. I just wish they'd realize sooner than later that their head coach is counter productive to us improving. That's not fact....merely my opinion.

[Legacy User]

Yeah, I'm going to wait until after the Ravens game to form a judgment, especially after being dismantled by Kelly's vanilla O and D first and second teamers.

IMO, the weed bust was a huge distraction for everyone in the organization. Before that I projected a string of wins into the bye after the first three games and I'll stick with it.

[Legacy User]

I think we need to have some realism. Not wearing B&G glasses, not pure antagonist. Don't have to drink the look aid, but for chrissakes we need to have at least a little faith they're trying to right the ship.

"Faith" is a word that came to my mind as well. People have so little faith in a franchise that has been so successful over the years.

[jeemie]

I think we need to have some realism. Not wearing B&G glasses, not pure antagonist. Don't have to drink the look aid, but for chrissakes we need to have at least a little faith they're trying to right the ship.

"Faith" is a word that came to my mind as well. People have so little faith in a franchise that has been so successful over the years.

Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

I don't have faith this CURRENT regime can rebuild because in 8 years they've not been real successful at it.

Regardless of record, this team has been on a slow decline for the six years since they won the Super Bowl.

I just don't see this current regime as being able to reverse it.

I'll believe it when they show they can.

[Steelafan77]

I don't know about everyone else but I expected the Steelers to fall from grace a bit. With the turn over of personnel, turn over of position coaches, some drafts not panning out to boot. Has taken a toll of this franchise.

The Steelers are still very relevant in my eyes. We as fans have to bite down hard on something and wait it out. 8-8 while not preferred is better than 7-9, 6-10, 5-11, 4-12, 3-13, 2-14, 1-15 and 0-16. Where they lead us this year is yet to be. That's all part of the excitement with the new season about to start in about a week. Patience folks.

[Havoc]

I'm not writing off this season after that game.

We ran into an offensive buzzsaw and we were not prepared for it.

I need to see more.

A lot of young players on this team. Some might improve as the season goes along.

[Legacy User]

Why fuck it up before it starts?

I'm very critical of the organization as a whole as of late...but that's off season talk for me.

Things looked pretty shitty this week and there is plenty of reason for doubt. On the other hand...imo that is one of the best offenses in the NFL...and ultimately it was deception that broke the game open. The big plays have come because of mistakes from new starters...it really wasn't any worse then when Philly mauled us regular season a few years back...and we won a SB that season.

Way to high of expectations off that second half of the season feel good bullshit. Way to high of expectations for the rookie/young starters. Not nearly enough of recognizing the real problems and assuming they would be fixed...when healthy...based on the past...miracle coaching.

I down graded from 9-7 to 8-8 in the immediate aftermath...but I'm back to thinking 9-7 division crown.

Hell, I'm fairly pumped just thinking of that T-AM vs SC in a couple of days....

[Legacy User]

I don't know about everyone else but I expected the Steelers to fall from grace a bit.

Me too, which is why I'm not running around with my hair on fire like some others.

[Legacy User]

I think we need to have some realism. Not wearing B&G glasses, not pure antagonist. Don't have to drink the look aid, but for chrissakes we need to have at least a little faith they're trying to right the ship.

"Faith" is a word that came to my mind as well. People have so little faith in a franchise that has been so successful over the years.

Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

I don't have faith this CURRENT regime can rebuild because in 8 years they've not been real successful at it.

Regardless of record, this team has been on a slow decline for the six years since they won the Super Bowl.

I just don't see this current regime as being able to reverse it.

I'll believe it when they show they can.

So you're never going to be in a position to predict good things for the Steelers because you're always going to have to see them first.

[jeemie]

So you're never going to be in a position to predict good things for the Steelers because you're always going to have to see them first.

Not true.

Once Tomlin shows he can build his own team, he'll get the benefit of the doubt from me if he has to do so again in the future.