Steelers and "The Fellowship of the Miserable"

[swissvale72]

I'm happy as fuck the Steelers won last night!!

And yes, the Steelers were lucky as fuck to have done so, their good fortune perhaps partially attributable to Justin Tucker and his penchant for happy endings at Baltimore area message parlors:

And yes; Mike Tomlin remains game day dumbfuck, best exemplified by his handing the ravens three points by going for a 4th down and 2 from his own 40, and signing off on a play designed to pick up 1 yard.

But I'm a Steeler fan, have been for 60 years and I root for my team to win, to extend their season, and will embrace the anticipation of a playoff game at Acrisure next Monday night.

Now....about the asshats that populate this esteemed website. Last week I made reference to Rick Pitino's short tenure as Boston Celtics head coach and his dubbing Boston sports radio hosts and callers "The Fellowship of the Miserable." Well, that's what Steeler Fury has become, particularly the game day thread, which I read completely postgame last night. The site has been dominated by the delusional thinking that a loss last night, or perhaps even next week, would result in Mike Tomlin's exit from the Steelers sideline. Had you asshats listened to me, one who's been promoting Tomlin's exit for a dozen years, you would know that Mike Tomlin ain't going nowhere until Mike Tomlin wants to, enjoying job security on par with Pope Leo.

And...the vitriol with Tomlin blowing victory kisses to the camera. You asshats were losing your "collective" (a Tomlinism) over this. Like what the actual fuck?? Why do yinz care so much about that??

I'll close where I started....happy as fuck that we one such a compelling game, a fuckin classic...acknowledging that Steelers had holes in their secondary on par with the Grand Canyon. Can't wait to see the ESPN shows tomorrow and throughout the week, and wayyyy excited about next monday night when The Fellowship of the Miserable will certainly be demonstrating their angst once again,

[langer]

And...the vitriol with Tomlin blowing victory kisses to the camera. You asshats were losing your "collective" (a Tomlinism) over this. Like what the actual fuck?? Why do yinz care so much about that??

Those are for you. He loves you long time.

[Steeldrama]

Yeah Tomlin blowing kisses to the camera is a bit nauseating.

Guy's been coaching going on 20 years

At least act like you've been there a time or two.

Ohhhh the "collective" WE have been here.

Too many times.

Tomlin didn't win that game, John Harbaugh handed it to him on a silver platter.

Ohhhh Mike's defense TRIED their best to refuse John's offering with some of the worst secondary play I've EVER seen, but nope, Tomlin pulled one out of his ass.

His AUDACITY to pound his chest and blow his kisses as if he had something to do with winning that game is the annoyance here.

The EFF YOU kiss to a fanbase who CORRECTLY wants him gone is what motivates Tomlin, NOT winning January playoff games.

Soooo YAY!

The Steelers WON!

Win in the playoffs would be a refreshing change of pace.

THEN Tomlin can blow all the damn kisses he wants.

Win or lose (lose) the "collective" WE still want him GONE

[DumlinBumlinStumlin]

Gift wrapped 4 times. Ok Tomlin, now your real test begins.

[DumlinBumlinStumlin]

Tomlin: this is the vision we had……..

The Steelers defense gave up a pair of long touchdown catches to Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers in the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s game and that meant quarterback Aaron Rodgers had to come up with a pair of answers for the team to have a shot at winning the AFC North.

Rodgers went 4-of-4 for 43 yards to set up a Kenneth Gainwell touchdown run with just under four minutes to play and then completed four more passes, including a 26-yard touchdown to wide receiver Calvin Austin to put the Steelers back in front with 55 seconds left to play. The Ravens would give themselves a chance to win the game, but the Steelers escaped with a 26-24 win after kicker Tyler Loop missed a field goal at the final whistle.

After the game was over, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that the final minutes illustrated why the Steelers opted to get into the Rodgers business in the first place.

“I’ve admired him from afar for a long time, good to do it with him,” Tomlin said in his press conference. “This was the vision in the spring when we pursued him. That’s why you do business with a 41, 42-year-old guy — a been-there, done-that guy with a resume like his. He’s not only capable; he thrives in it. I think he put that on display tonight.”

There was talk about Sunday night’s game being Rodgers’ final NFL contest if the Steelers lost. He’ll be playing at least one more at home against the Texans next weekend and there wasn’t much in the fourth quarter to suggest that the quarterback’s tank is empty.

[SteelerDayTrader]

There is a point where I become a Swissvale72 type

It SHOULD start AFTER winning a playoff game

In actuality it started a few games ago. Silently

I will leave the jerking off with pizza sauce with one hand posting with the other to Swissvale 72 himself

If they luck out a playoff win I will be rooting for a few more lucky wins

[W&M_Steeler]

https://www.theringer.com/2026/01/05/nf ... ack-record

Tomlin may also be on the hot seat next season, but this win should earn him some grace over the offseason. This Steelers roster was not nearly as talented as it appeared on paper before the season, and he still managed to squeeze another winning season and playoff berth out of it. Games like this are why you keep a coach like Tomlin around for as long as he’s willing to stay.

This is exactly why us "miserables" hated that win. The tide was starting to turn. The heat was building. If Tomlin had crashed out of the playoffs by losing to the Browns and then being overtaken by a Ravens team the media had left for dead after the 1-5 start, there would have been real pressure on Rooney to make a move. That's gone now.

Swiss' "safer than the pope" coping mechanism is bullshit. Tomlin was in a precarious spot. It was palpable. That's why he was blowing kisses after the game. He's not in danger anymore, not even if his team implodes as per usual in the Wild Card round. The media is circling the wagons, and now Tomlin is a miracle worker pulling the best out of a talentless team (no comment on his contribution to building that team though).

The Steelers won't be Super Bowl contenders until he is gone, and it will take him losing games like the one last night to push him out. You can wave pom-poms about it in the immediate aftermath, but it's a terrible result for the long run.

If this team makes the AFCC game, I might change my tune, but I don't think Tomlin is capable of that anymore. I expect another ugly Wild Card loss next Monday.

[CoolShades]

I had no idea this moron tried this move out already this season, against Detroit. The asshole actually thinks about this shit:

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/SU7QQD5xbSk

So after every win now, we are going to get a gorilla-like chest thump followed by a blown kiss?

Imagine Chuck Noll doing this.

I hate this Human Herpes virus.

We are stuck in Dante’s nine circles of hell.

[Havoc]

In the past week or so 1 of the local radio guys here made the statement on the subject of the Dallas Mavericks, "STILL every time we think of the Luka Doncic trade we throw up"...

Sports should be fun.

Yeah I still throw up at the 19 year shoe salesman prior to becoming the Mavericks GM (GM because the most overrated owner in sports history Mark Cuban hired him pushing out a legit basketball GM in the process). I said at the time it was an asinine hire. I was right.

For those who don't know, the most overrated owner in sports history Mark Cuban then sold the team to a Vegas gambling family who had ZERO knowledge of sports.

New in over his head owner with future gambling interests in Texas that's why they bought the team who had ZERO clue what he was doing trusted his 19 year former shoe salesman GM AND with no checks and balances.

It was and is the most shocking trade in NBA history. All things considered it is unprecedented. Cooper Flagg who the Mavs were gifted in the lottery ain't Luka and probably never will be. If the lottery and Cooper didn't fall to the Mavs that whole place would be nothing but smoldering remains (except for a few brain dead enabler fans). The Cooper Flagg Scotty Pippen comps don't move me in this situation. That's not good enough. That's a Robin Player.

I dropped the Dallas Mavericks.

On to the Steelers...

The Pittsburgh Steelers are no longer fun for me.

I no longer believe in the Pittsburgh Steelers as an organization. Don't like who they are. Don't like what they've become. I know too much. And I can discern.

Sports should be fun. I have a busy life with responsibilities and a lot of other interests.

Oh, and Dallas Mavericks fans got Nico Harrison fired and I'm proud of them.

[bradshaw2ben]

There is a point where I become a Swissvale72 type

It SHOULD start AFTER winning a playoff game

In actuality it started a few games ago. Silently

I will leave the jerking off with pizza sauce with one hand posting with the other to Swissvale 72 himself

If they luck out a playoff win I will be rooting for a few more lucky wins

Last night illustrated it perfectly: The 2025-26 Steelers could beat anyone in the field and they could lose to anyone in the field.

I think a large measure of it is that they are winning on almost sheer emotion/adrenaline. I don't think that can last for another 2 games in a row, let alone 4.

They have a smart vet QB and a couple of dudes who are never say die. Maybe that's enough this year to get to the Super Bowl.

[CoolShades]

On to the Steelers...

The Pittsburgh Steelers are no longer fun for me.

I no longer believe in the Pittsburgh Steelers as a franchise. Don't like who they are. Don't like what they've become. I know too much. And I can discern.

Sports should be fun. I have a busy life with responsibilities and a lot of other interests.

Oh, and Dallas Mavericks fans got Nico Harrison fired and I'm proud of them.

This is where a lot of us are. The Tomlin sycophants and enablers love their Mediocre Mike over and above anything else, and will praise NHALS because that’s all they have.

They all know Tomlin’s a fraud. There is no difference between Tomlin and Barry Switzer, except Switzer was smart enough to “resign” as coach after a 6 - 10 season. No one thinks Barry won that Super Bowl with his players, because he didn’t. Just like Tomlin, except Tomlin has an owner that has a rule named after him, and he refuses to resign. He has zero pressure from the owner, and his mediocrity is rewarded with $16+ million a year. He has Rooney and the Steelers by the DEI balls.

Read this on Wikipedia about Switzer: “Switzer's penchant for being a players' coach came to haunt him with disagreements with quarterback Troy Aikman, who felt the team had a lack of discipline along with poor practice habits.“

“A lack of discipline with poor practice habits.” Sounds very familiar.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

Imagine Noll or Landry or Shula or Lombardi blowing kisses. His players are undisciplined smug showboaters because he is.

On the other hand blowing a kiss to local cucks for lapping up his jizz is some small measure of gratitude.

[Steelafan77]

Watch the graph…, Embodies the ‘roller coaster ride’ that was this game. Nailbiter!

https://x.com/Blitz_Burgh/status/2008153215498588463

[Gonzo]

come on guys -- this harkening back to old coaches is ridiculous
who gives a rats ass what some old Masons did and how they did it
I cant stand Tomlin and want him gone but ....
I want him gone because he is mediocre fabricated product and he is mediocre by design and choosing - not because I dont like him personally or his style
I imagine he felt an enormous sense of relief last night and I can forgive any outburst as his legacy and maybe sweet job were on the line

I cant keep up this dual love hate thing -- he is going to be extended win or lose next weekend so I have to stow the hate side, hope for wins and will be happy one day when he is gone. Hopefully something will happen to reinvigorate my hope for ultimate success for this team -- unfortunately, I think last night was Tomlins SB and a SB win that just got us at least 4 more years of mediocrity and veteran retread QBs

[Steelafan77]

I think last night was Tomlins SB and a SB win that just got us at least 4 more years of mediocrity and veteran retread QBs

Malik Willis

[CoolShades]

https://www.theringer.com/2026/01/05/nf ... ack-record

Tomlin may also be on the hot seat next season, but this win should earn him some grace over the offseason. This Steelers roster was not nearly as talented as it appeared on paper before the season, and he still managed to squeeze another winning season and playoff berth out of it. Games like this are why you keep a coach like Tomlin around for as long as he’s willing to stay.

This is exactly why us "miserables" hated that win. The tide was starting to turn. The heat was building. If Tomlin had crashed out of the playoffs by losing to the Browns and then being overtaken by a Ravens team the media had left for dead after the 1-5 start, there would have been real pressure on Rooney to make a move. That's gone now.

Swiss' "safer than the pope" coping mechanism is bullshit. Tomlin was in a precarious spot. It was palpable. That's why he was blowing kisses after the game. He's not in danger anymore, not even if his team implodes as per usual in the Wild Card round. The media is circling the wagons, and now Tomlin is a miracle worker pulling the best out of a talentless team (no comment on his contribution to building that team though).

The Steelers won't be Super Bowl contenders until he is gone, and it will take him losing games like the one last night to push him out. You can wave pom-poms about it in the immediate aftermath, but it's a terrible result for the long run.

If this team makes the AFCC game, I might change my tune, but I don't think Tomlin is capable of that anymore. I expect another ugly Wild Card loss next Monday.

Exactly. People that think Tomlin is safe like the Pope just embolden the Steelers. As long as there is acceptance that he can’t be fired, Rooney doesn’t feel the pressure to fire him. The Canada pressure was unbelievable, and they finally pulled the plug on that idiot mid-season. Tomlin would never get removed during the season, but there has been a lot of momentum building the last 2 years to get him out after the season ends. The “Fire Tomlin” chants were awesome. If Hamilton doesn’t get injured, I don’t think the Steelers score a TD last night. The crowd may have turned ugly in the 4th quarter.

Now it doesn’t matter. A rookie kicker choked and they got in the playoffs. Whoopie. My guess is the entire dumpster fire will run it back next year with zero changes, and that includes QB, all because of a lucky shank.

I just wish that arrogant fuck would step away, go to a network and leave the Steelers alone.

[CoolShades]

I think last night was Tomlins SB and a SB win that just got us at least 4 more years of mediocrity and veteran retread QBs

Malik Willis

Fuck no.

If he is any good, he will be an idiot to come to the Steelers.

[langer]

Read this on Wikipedia about Switzer: “Switzer's penchant for being a players' coach came to haunt him with disagreements with quarterback Troy Aikman, who felt the team had a lack of discipline along with poor practice habits.“

“A lack of discipline with poor practice habits.” Sounds very familiar.

That's also what Najee said about a certain chest-thumping kiss-blowing douchebag.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

"come on guys -- this harkening back to old coaches is ridiculous"

OK then, can you imagine McVay or Shanny or Siriani or Cignetti blowing kisses?

[Dan Smith--BYU]

BTW fellowship of the miserable is always a fan base description unless your team wins it all, which is statistically unlikely.

Check out Maple Leafs fans boards (or Penn State/Nebraska football) if you think we are hardcore.

[swissvale72]

"come on guys -- this harkening back to old coaches is ridiculous"

OK then, can you imagine McVay or Shanny or Siriani or Cignetti blowing kisses?

Can you imagine Noll chanting "Hoo Hoo Hoosiers?" That's why this shit doesn't matter.

[Gonzo]

"come on guys -- this harkening back to old coaches is ridiculous"

OK then, can you imagine McVay or Shanny or Siriani or Cignetti blowing kisses?

sure ... why not and who cares
who sets the protocol for how a "proper" coach acts?
I could see Ben Johnson doing it or Rex Ryan or any number of guys and certainly Siriani
you dont like tomlin -- noted
i remember of a great video of Cowher in the locker room leading taunting bengals cheers

[Gonzo]

"come on guys -- this harkening back to old coaches is ridiculous"

OK then, can you imagine McVay or Shanny or Siriani or Cignetti blowing kisses?

Can you imagine Noll chanting "Hoo Hoo Hoosiers?" That's why this shit doesn't matter.

correct -- who gives a flying fuck what Cignetti would do in a similar situation

[TimmayLake]

I look forward to Swiss's next installment of this series after the Texans beatdown the Steelers 31-0 in a week.

[SteelPro]

"come on guys -- this harkening back to old coaches is ridiculous"

OK then, can you imagine McVay or Shanny or Siriani or Cignetti blowing kisses?

Siriani.. yes. He has a chip on his shoulder. He has gotten into chirping matches with fans before over "Fire him" chants.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

Siriani gets a pass because of recent success that Tomlin does not except in the eyes of Stoogerooney.

[Gonzo]

I am not here to defend Tomlin or pray for his sudden re-birth as a Real Coach
and I expect steady freddy MT to show up next week with the same old Plan
Only here to comment on what I think is a very odd criticism of him and pointless, but perhaps one that shows Why modern players may like him

[langer]

I am not here to defend Tomlin or pray for his sudden re-birth as a Real Coach
and I expect steady freddy MT to show up next week with the same old Plan
Only here to comment on what I think is a very odd criticism of him and pointless, but perhaps one that shows Why modern players may like him

Come on, out with it. Don't beat around the bush.

[swissvale72]

I look forward to Swiss's next installment of this series after the Texans beatdown the Steelers 31-0 in a week.

I'll be here… And regardless of the outcome I'll be calling bullshit on the same delusional beliefs that you haters hold dear.... that somehow the douche bag art II is going to be swayed by fans, booing and chanting and asshats posting on a message b being all bent outta shape and taking it personal that the coach blows a kiss for the camera.

[W&M_Steeler]

I look forward to Swiss's next installment of this series after the Texans beatdown the Steelers 31-0 in a week.

I'll be here… And regardless of the outcome I'll be calling bullshit on the same delusional beliefs that you haters hold dear.... that somehow the douche bag art II is going to be swayed by fans, booing and chanting and asshats posting on a message b being all bent outta shape and taking it personal that the coach blows a kiss for the camera.

Say whatever you need to yourself to pick up the pom-poms, but the Canada situation proves the Rooneys can be swayed by massive, vocal fan discontent. Tomlin was clearly feeling the pressure. If this team doesn't go on a run this post season- and they almost certainly won't- then this win was a catastrophe for Steelers fans.