Who killed our playoff run?

[COR-TEN]

Can't get around Mike Tomlin and some of his mind boggling decisions.

1. Michael Vick/ J. Scobee. Either way, I think Landry Jones wins the first Raven game had he played.
2 Not playing Boykin
3. Jacoby Jones and Dri Archer wasting roster spots.
4. A Blake.
5. Overall offensive/ defensive strategy. Not sure how much of this falls on Haley or Butler.

- BR for his boneheaded interceptions, and going for bombs on third and short instead of moving the chains. This is part of having a big head. Can't really blame someone for having a bad game, though. It happens. This time it just so happened to be a critical game. BUT. If they'd won the first Raven game, would the 2nd had so much importance? Who knows?
- BR for forcing the issue with AB. He's good. Real good, but he's not a WR god and will fuck up.
- BR, AB, MB, for getting big heads after some success. This goes for the entire team.
- Bell and MB for smoking herb - which is against the rules, regardless of how silly they are. Cost them 6 collective games.

All in all, considering they've been without premier players for long stretches, including what some might consider a HOF QB, it hasn't been that bad. However, what makes fans so irate is the similar history of lack of player focus, strange game planning/ lack of in game adjustments, and playing down to inferior teams - "any given sunday" notwithstanding.

[stinger8]

Tomlin-

The buck stops at the top.

His bizarre personnel decisions probably cost at least one game (considering the quality of Landry Jones' play, there was no reason for Mike Vick to start against the Ravens, for instance. And who knows why Boykin sits while Blake starts?). His clock mismanagement might have cost the first Bengals game. And to the extent that he allowed the defensive to revert back from the press / man coverage shown in the second half of the Broncos game to the soft zone in the Ravens game, Tomlin is responsible for that inexcusable performance.

Honorable Mention:

Colbert-

The defense sucks, and there's little indication that it's going to markedly improve. I put most of that on Colbert. If you spend 3 first round picks in a row on LBs, you better have a damn good LB corps. Now were stuck with a crappy secondary, but little leeway to fix it because we still have to patch the LB corps.

Ben-

Ben had poor showings in Bengals 1 and in Ravens 2. That was enough to make the difference between winning the division and missing the playoffs. Plus, his TD / INT ration is really bad this year. I have always feared that Ben would be on the Steve McNair career track (as Ben has always reminded me of a better version of Steve McNair). McNair fell apart quickly. I hope Ben doesn't do the same. I have to say I'm a little worried.

This is the post of the day. Bingo. We are carving Tomlin up, and I am wielding the electric knife (remember those things ) however lets not also forget to thank Colbert for his contributions. Like Tomlin the apologists will say but he drafted Decastro, Heyward, Leveon. Tru dat but he also drafted Jarvis, Adams, Sweed, Shazier(I think the kids gonna bust), Ziggy, etc etc. I give no one too much credit for first rounders, you have to be bad to screw those up even though Colbert is doing a pretty good job. The 2009 draft 6 short years ago there is not 1 player on the roster. Guys in year 6, in their prime and not 1 is still around. For a team that builds through the draft??

Ben better start taking fitness seriously or he will look like MJD real soon. You can't play QB, effectively at 275

[Havoc]

Ben was not recovered enough from his injuries first game vs Cinci whether health or rust or a combo of the two.

Ben is on the John Elway career track.

If Ben wasn't healthy enough to play, then he should have sat. He played. Saying he's rusty is an explanation for his bad game against the Bengals, but it's not a justification for it. He was a major contributor to that loss (more so than Tomlin's clock mismanagement, IMO).

I think that Ben is somewhere between Elway and McNair. Then again, even McNair was a co-MVP one year, whereas Ben hasn't come close.

Ben's story is still being written.

He has been an absolute beast for stretches both this season and last.

Let's hope this team can put together another Lombardi run before he is done.

I see no reason why Ben can't have a 3 or 4 game ps run at a high enough level to help us win it all again.

This team for this season has lost my confidence though even if we do get a gift from the Bills.

We need a difference maker in the secondary and a difference maker at OLB.

[JJT07]

I think it is a bit harsh on Colbert and rebuilding the defense. He drafted Heyward and Tuitt, I think Shazier is going to be good provided he stays healthy, Dupree has flashed this year, just hitting a rookie wall. Jarvis is average, but can be a solid starter, mike Mitchell has played well this year, I also thought Golden was decent.

We need a playmaker in the secondary. Just one ballhawk type guy. I think that is the missing piece. Can be a CB or S, just someone to make plays.

[Kodiak]

Probably injuries, and specifically Ben missing 4 games and playing like dogshit after the layoff against CIN. Those were really the only two bad games Ben had this year - he pretty much played at an MVP level in the other 10. But he missed 4 games.

Although I'm not convinced healthy this team wins more games. Just as likely to pick up another early win and then coast to a loss against CIN or DEN the way they always do when they have a comfortable margin of error.

I blame Tomlin because this team has too many letdowns, and the offense and defense rarely play a complete game, much less on the same day.

And if anyone needs fired - and they do - start with ST coach. We get NOTHING out of the return game, and on the rare occasions we do it's called back for penalties. We're always losing field position in the punting game.

[jeemie]

Probably injuries, and specifically Ben missing 4 games and playing like dogshit after the layoff against CIN. Those were really the only two bad games Ben had this year - he pretty much played at an MVP level in the other 10. But he missed 4 games.

Although I'm not convinced healthy this team wins more games. Just as likely to pick up another early win and then coast to a loss against CIN or DEN the way they always do when they have a comfortable margin of error.

I blame Tomlin because this team has too many letdowns, and the offense and defense rarely play a complete game, much less on the same day.

And if anyone needs fired - and they do - start with ST coach. We get NOTHING out of the return game, and on the rare occasions we do it's called back for penalties. We're always losing field position in the punting game.

Bad STs point to bad depth.

We have shit for depth- it's not surprising our STs suck.

[Legacy User]

Ben missed 4 games...but how come 3 other teams are making the playoffs with their qb missing time...4 if you include jets but I won't because that dude that broke geno smith's jaw is their team mvp.

Can't blame harbaugh. He swept a team fighting for a playoff spot with a gang of of fucktards comprising the roster.

Tomlin fucked up ravens game 1 and 2. That's the reason for the disappointing season if they don't get in. And whoever's decision it was to trade for scobee and draft possibly 3 straight failure LB's (Jones is a failure, shazier likely, Dupree maybe not we'll see next year) is also at fault.

Tomlin is (possibly) going to lose the last playoff spot to a 1st year head coach with a journeyman QB. Where would Tomlin be with fitzpatrick at qb I wonder. Then again maybe I'm wrong, fitzpatrick lead his team to late game heroics several times. We haven't seen that in some time with our guy. (he who is to never be criticized here). And, no, I don't want Ben gone. Just fed up with him coming up small in recent years.

[Obviously]

A. Mike Tomlin
B. John Harbaugh
C. Ben Roethlisberger
D. Todd Haley
E. Ryan Mallett
F. Ravens scrubs

I vote A, B, E and F

Feel free to add choices

A.

[Legacy User]

Josh Scobee cost us two games.

[Kodiak]

Let's stop making excuses.

Tomlin hasn't won a playoff game in over 5 years. Tomlin hasn't won a single playoff game with his guys, with the team he built despite inheriting a HOF QB.

He needs to be fired. This shouldn't be a debate.

[Legacy User]

I think it is a bit harsh on Colbert and rebuilding the defense. He drafted Heyward and Tuitt, I think Shazier is going to be good provided he stays healthy, Dupree has flashed this year, just hitting a rookie wall. Jarvis is average, but can be a solid starter, mike Mitchell has played well this year, I also thought Golden was decent.

We need a playmaker in the secondary. Just one ballhawk type guy. I think that is the missing piece. Can be a CB or S, just someone to make plays.

Hard to blame anyone on Scobee since he didnt tell anyone that he was injured. D'Jello ™, Boink'n and the kicker have been tremendous trade/ FA acqusitions. It really shows that he can select talent when DraftChiocelin isnt involved in player selection.

In any case I pick item Pee. as a main contributor to our downfall.



Item Pee: On our epic runs to the Lombardis and other tremendous victories, Barney Foster always supplied plenty of bedwetting and chicken littleing. A few threads on why we won't win, like this one, have always been good luck. Of course if Barn was in total terror I would fly out to Vegas and make a HIV sized bet to cover. Of course with fist fights and aZian banging, with all respect.

Don't give up, this is the kind of thread that counters Jinxme's thread that nearly doomed the season.

[Legacy User]

I'm confused because I thought we were still in contention for the playoffs.

It sucks that we didn't beat the fucking Ravens, but I think we are still in it, provided we win and the Jets lose. Hate that, but it's true.

[jeemie]

I'm confused because I thought we were still in contention for the playoffs.

It sucks that we didn't beat the fucking Ravens, but I think we are still in it, provided we win and the Jets lose. Hate that, but it's true.

I think the odds the Jets lose is slim, but you are right, we are in it still.

[swissvale72]

I'm confused because I thought we were still in contention for the playoffs.

It sucks that we didn't beat the fucking Ravens, but I think we are still in it, provided we win and the Jets lose. Hate that, but it's true.

I think the odds the Jets lose is slim, but you are right, we are in it still.

Why slim, Jeems? Jets only favored by 3, game's in Buffalo.

Game I think back to, honestly, is in '05 when we needed both Chefs and Chargers to lose two of final four. Chefs went into Meadowlands to play Jints on a Saturday. Jints had a ton of injuries on defense but ran the ball down the Chefs throats to beat them. I could see Bills doing the same thing. The kid that's replaced McCoy has come up big the last couple of weeks, Taylor's a running threat and can get the ball to Sammy Watkins.

And let's remember, the Jets barely beat the Cowboys in Dallas...they've not exactly been road warriors.

[Legacy User]

I think it is a "Perfect Storm" of events choices and actions made by a wide variety of players:

- Scobee for playing injured.
- Ben getting injured
- Bad coaching on the field, especially Tomlin
- Bad preparation
- Bad calls (not a conspiracy or bias thing, just the timing of some of those calls) it happens to every team
- Tough schedule (but hey, we won the hard ones, right?)
- No pass rush
- Nobody stepping up when Ben R. has a bad game
- The ebb and flow of teams in the playoff current not going our way

With this offense, there is absolutely no way this team should not have been 11-5 or 12-4, especially looking back at a few we could have won easily. This team lacks play makers. What I always say about our division rival the Ravens is that they are the best at playing together as a team. When "some guy" needs to step up and make a play, guess what - BAM! Game changer. That happens consistently. Flacco is average, and they usually find themselves in the playoffs every year. That is called coaching. This team has a habit of making a great play followed up by 2 bad ones. So predictable.

My expectation for finishing out the year is that Buffalo loses and we barely beat the Browns. That would give the Steelers a whopping 3 division wins. As much as I want them to go, they are not deserving.

[swissvale72]

Other thing about Jets-Bills....I've been reading whatever I can about this game, and NOBODY is picking the Bills. That said....been stated over and over again, that although Bills beat Jets at Meadowlands.....
*Since then Jets have won 5 straight
*Bills lost 4 of 5 prior to beating Dallas last week.

Inside those numbers though....
*Jets lose at home to Texans the week after losing at home to Jets
*All four of those Bills losses were on the road. They've actually won their last three home games, including against the Texans just a few weeks ago, which was a big game for the Texans at the time.

[Steelcody7]

Ben, and Landry being a pussy cost us!

God didn't want us to win after Landry allowed him to take the wheel.

[COR-TEN]

Other thing about Jets-Bills....I've been reading whatever I can about this game, and NOBODY is picking the Bills. That said....been stated over and over again, that although Bills beat Jets at Meadowlands.....
*Since then Jets have won 5 straight
*Bills lost 4 of 5 prior to beating Dallas last week.

Inside those numbers though....
*Jets lose at home to Texans the week after losing at home to Jets
*All four of those Bills losses were on the road. They've actually won their last three home games, including against the Texans just a few weeks ago, which was a big game for the Texans at the time.

I appreciate your optimism.

But something tells me the NFL wants the Jets in the playoffs - and not the steelers. I saw a clip of AB's touchdown that got called back. If that catch was made in the middle of the field, it is upheld. The bills will have to blow the jets out for it to not be influenced by the refs. We'll see. I'm almost ready to watch the jets game instead. I can't imagine steeler players not watching the scoreboard periodically through their game. Can you?

[jeemie]

I know about the 20 million NYC area people, but yeah...a Fitzpatrick/McCarron matchup in the playoffs is just SUCH compelling TV.

[Legacy User]

Again with the not deserving to be in the playoffs thing? If the Steelers make it, they deserve to be there. Who would deserve to be there more?

There's also a lot of talk about the NFL influencing games. If I believed that was true, I wouldn't watch anymore. I'm not watching the WWE.

[swissvale72]

Other thing about Jets-Bills....I've been reading whatever I can about this game, and NOBODY is picking the Bills. That said....been stated over and over again, that although Bills beat Jets at Meadowlands.....
*Since then Jets have won 5 straight
*Bills lost 4 of 5 prior to beating Dallas last week.

Inside those numbers though....
*Jets lose at home to Texans the week after losing at home to Jets
*All four of those Bills losses were on the road. They've actually won their last three home games, including against the Texans just a few weeks ago, which was a big game for the Texans at the time.

I appreciate your optimism.

But something tells me the NFL wants the Jets in the playoffs - and not the steelers. I saw a clip of AB's touchdown that got called back. If that catch was made in the middle of the field, it is upheld. The bills will have to blow the jets out for it to not be influenced by the refs. We'll see. I'm almost ready to watch the jets game instead. I can't imagine steeler players not watching the scoreboard periodically through their game. Can you?

I'll be watching both games at once....but with primary attention to Jets-Bills. They get the HD laptop and sound. Steelers-Browns will be relegated to muted 19" standard def.

Height of optimism? Bills are leading Jets by about 20 at the half and I switch.

[COR-TEN]

Again with the not deserving to be in the playoffs thing? If the Steelers make it, they deserve to be there. Who would deserve to be there more?

There's also a lot of talk about the NFL influencing games. If I believed that was true, I wouldn't watch anymore. I'm not watching the WWE.

It's a fuzzy line. WWE is a complete farce. Nothing to do with athletics or sports. The NFL is competitive sports entertainment based on relative fair play. Every play doesn't need to be fixed or scripted - Only a few key situations to alter game outcomes. I do believe though, that 90% of the game isn't affected, and admit that stupidity/ignorance on the part of the officials contributes to the intrigue and allure. It's part of the game, and the NFL is fully aware of this.

It's a fucking business, and "business" manipulates the market to increase profits.

[Legacy User]

Again with the not deserving to be in the playoffs thing? If the Steelers make it, they deserve to be there. Who would deserve to be there more?

There's also a lot of talk about the NFL influencing games. If I believed that was true, I wouldn't watch anymore. I'm not watching the WWE.

Steelers don't really deserve to be in, but if the Jets lose to the Bills with it all on the line this Sunday, they deserve it even less.

[tbsteel]

Anyone who thinks the NFL is trying to put the Jets into the playoffs and keep the Steelers out, let me give you some good life advice:

Disconnect your internet, burn your computer and all its accessories, and go take a nice warm toaster bath. Be sure to make it extra toastery.

[jeemie]

Anyone who thinks the NFL is trying to put the Jets into the playoffs and keep the Steelers out, let me give you some good life advice:

Disconnect your internet, burn your computer and all its accessories, and go take a nice warm toaster bath. Be sure to make it extra toastery.

The problem with those that grasp these types of conspiracy theories...everything is confirming evidence.

There is literally nothing you could do to convince them otherwise.

[COR-TEN]

Anyone who thinks the NFL is trying to put the Jets into the playoffs and keep the Steelers out, let me give you some good life advice:

Disconnect your internet, burn your computer and all its accessories, and go take a nice warm toaster bath. Be sure to make it extra toastery.

The problem with those that grasp these types of conspiracy theories...everything is confirming evidence.

There is literally nothing you could do to convince them otherwise.

Kinda comfy where you sit, eh?

[jeemie]

Anyone who thinks the NFL is trying to put the Jets into the playoffs and keep the Steelers out, let me give you some good life advice:

Disconnect your internet, burn your computer and all its accessories, and go take a nice warm toaster bath. Be sure to make it extra toastery.

The problem with those that grasp these types of conspiracy theories...everything is confirming evidence.

There is literally nothing you could do to convince them otherwise.

Kinda comfy where you sit, eh?

Do you believe in chemtrails and that the moon landings were faked too?

[COR-TEN]

Do you believe in chemtrails and that the moon landings were faked too?

Jesus. Are you fucking serious? No.
Lets just say that there is some middle ground between tinfoilhattery and complacency. Anybody that denies that the NFL is part of big business is naive. It is what it is, and accusing others of being conspiracy theorists because they recognize this is just stupid. Do you actually believe everything NFL is legit? I guess you think life is "fair" then. . .

[jeemie]

Do you believe in chemtrails and that the moon landings were faked too?

Jesus. Are you fucking serious? No.
Lets just say that there is some middle ground between tinfoilhattery and complacency. Anybody that denies that the NFL is part of big business is naive. It is what it is, and accusing others of being conspiracy theorists because they recognize this is just stupid. Do you actually believe everything NFL is legit? I guess you think life is "fair" then. . .

I believe the risk to the he NFL of trying to "fix games", even to the limited degree you espouse, far outweighs the potential benefits of doing it.

I do think all the rules changes that make rules even more vague and difficult to enforce, and also that encourage offense and discourage shutdown defense, are to try and influence the games to be close. These are more compelling games than blowouts.

I do not believe the NFL actively favors some teams at the expense of others, though. Again, the benefit to doing so is marginal.

[BethlehemSteel]

Do you believe in chemtrails and that the moon landings were faked too?

Jesus. Are you fucking serious? No.
Lets just say that there is some middle ground between tinfoilhattery and complacency. Anybody that denies that the NFL is part of big business is naive. It is what it is, and accusing others of being conspiracy theorists because they recognize this is just stupid. Do you actually believe everything NFL is legit? I guess you think life is "fair" then. . .

I believe the risk to the he NFL of trying to "fix games", even to the limited degree you espouse, far outweighs the potential benefits of doing it.

I do think all the rules changes that make rules even more vague and difficult to enforce, and also that encourage offense and discourage shutdown defense, are to try and influence the games to be close. These are more compelling games in than blowouts.

I do not believe the NFL actively favors some teams at the expense of others, though. Again, the benefit to doing so is marginal.

Unfortunately, jeemie boy is part of the big money Conglomerate poised to keep profits coming in lieu of consumer protection, fairness and ethics. He puts down those who speak out against that because he's part of the big swindle. The nfl has mistakenly tipped their hand on this blandino command center business. I called it 2 seasons ago and 2 former members of the officiating committee nfl have basically said there changing calls from the clown booth.

It's a bad light and they tried to speak language out there to refute it. (Goofwell and Blandino).
Too late.....people are def on to it. This whole season can be exhibit A...all teams.

He will call me an idiot on here because he cannot call me a liar to my face.