Steelers at Falcons Game 1 Comments & Complaints

[Ice]

I'm never going to root for a loss, but I agree that a game like this certainly doesn't make me think we've learned any lessons, or that anybody on the staff's seat is even lukewarm. As Brick pointed out, the lack of straight up three and outs was definitely an improvement from the wreck of the KP era. So that's, well, something, I guess, but it doesn't look like the overall approach is going to change, and that means exactly what most folks here have pointed out: the defense will tire, the offense still won't be able to score with the big boys, we'll be outcoached versus the big boys, and we'll be somewhere between 7 and 10 wins when the music stops.

[jebrick]

They do not trust Fields. That much is clear. I think Fields is going to be way better than Wilson but they are trying not to have turnovers again. Perhaps when Wilson is in they open up more but I doubt it.

[Deebo]

I was at a bar without sound so forgive me if I confused some details.

Another game that aligns with Tomlin’s philosophy: drag the other team into the back alley for a down and dirty fight. Hope that you land the last punch, but you still go home staggered and hurting for a few days. You can do that once in awhile, but to do it every weekend gets exhausting for everyone.

Offense/Art Smith – Hey, a modern NFL offense with bootlegs, QB draws, and plays that build on top of each other! Very novel. I haven’t seen an offense with a purpose since the Whisenhunt/Arians days. While they did not score a TD and sputtered frequently, the foundation is there and you can see the foundation being built instead of the grab bag offense of Canada, Haley, etc. You have to allow some grace for a backup QB taking snaps instead of the presumed starter. Art Smith was as advertised and I liked the concepts he’s implementing. He even got Washington involved catching a pass! On the downside he had Van Jefferson catch a backfield pass and the play required Austin making a block. Those roles should have been reversed.

Fields – This was not the Fields I saw play in Chicago: a wild stallion capable of big plays and big mistakes. He’s certainly received instruction to take the safe play. For instance, he had Washington wide open over the middle for a good 15-20 yard gain but instead selected Muth on his rollout to the left for a 8 yard gain. I saw Fields be methodical in going through his progressions too. Something that Fields either barely had time to do or he was merely a 1 side of the field read guy. He had some missfires in terms of leading the receiver and making his receivers be awkward in catching it, but overall fairly accurate.

RBs- Harris was his typical self: lots of carries with meager yards to show for it. Granted, there weren’t many holes to run through as Jarrett caused a ton of issues. Warren played sparingly and curious if it was injury related or game plan related. This bears watching.

WR- George Pickens has been my fav Steeler since they drafted him. The dude just wants to win and will kill anyone standing in his way. Notice what he did in that scrum when Harris got his helmet ripped off? He gave the defender a shoulder to the back. I love that shit when teammates stick up for each other. Tell me GP doesn’t care about catching every damn ball. That OPI was BS, I’ve seen way way worse not get called every Sunday. I bet GP could play CB and be damn good at it.

TE – I think the scouting report for the Falcons was: take away the running game. Once you do that, focus on Pickens and Muth. If you do that, you’ll win. Muth and others were just ok for my liking in an A Smith type offense.

Oline – mixed bag for sure. Jarrett is a stud and he’s hard to contain. Having Semu would have been a big boon for this line.

Defense- aligning with Tomlin’s philosophy is the star of the meal. How often does a team that gets a plus 3 turnover differential have to scratch and claw their way to victory? This is why I repeatedly say this approach isn’t sustainable and when you dance on the margins so often, you come out on the right side of it ~50% of the time.

Run Defense- maybe I could’nt see from the bar, but Benton was a bit quiet for my liking. Cam played well too. Occasionally leaky, but Robinson is a stud and he’s always going to get his yards

Pass Rush- For those of you who weren’t aware of guys like Lawrence Taylor/Reggie White/Charles Haley in the late 80’s/early 90’s that is what you are witnessing with Watt. He is a transcendent player and a game changer. OC’s piss their pants every night wondering how to slow him down. I can’t say enough about this dude.

Pass Defense – you pick off Cousins a couple of times and you’re doing something right. They had Cousins frazzled. CB’s made plays when they had to. Nice effort from this group. Note I’m very annoyed by Wilson’s blocking on the Jackson INT. Jackson scores if Wilson doesn’t just watch the ball. He only has to get in the Olineman’s way and it’s a much needed TD.

[bradshaw2ben]

That's a fair assessment. Jury's out on Arthur Smith, though, if he has WRs blocking LBs and never attacks the middle of the field.

Just keep Watt in bubble wrap, because they might have lost by double-digits without him yesterday.

[Deebo]

Fields played way above Caleb Williams today with worse weapons. Fields day today was better than anything in lil Ken’s career. Imagine if he was actually entrenched as the starter and they game planned for him. My major concern with Fields is ball security and reading defenses. If they’re smart and use his mobility to limit his reads, they’re on to something. Look at the Ravens with Lamar. He has the same issues as Fields.

I'd say Lamar HAD accuracy issues.

The Lamar we saw up until last season didn't scare me. Well he's gotten better at throwing and anticipating and that worries me as a Steelers fan. Lamar is improving. Unsure if it's the OC or his QB coach, but someone is the Lamar whisperer.

[Deebo]

If it is unwatchable don’t watch. The incessant negativity and rooting against the team your supposedly a fan of boggles my mind.

Do I want the team to win by 30 every week? Sure. But I don’t whine cry and doom and gloom when they don’t win they way I want them to. A win is a win.

This is B2B's site, so I think it's a stretch to question his fandom. I agree with B2B- I find it hard to get excited about these type of wins these days, know that all they do is prop up a dead-end philosophy. It's been hard to watch the Steelers slowly turn into the Pirates.

This kind of win further cements the asinine philosophy of this coach and organization and makes it less likely we'll ever escape the purgatory of mediocrity. I'm rooting for Super Bowls and, at minimum contending for winning a Super Bowl. Anything that is working against that is my enemy.

Yup yup yup
Tomlin goes to this well because going to it got him a lifetime contract with little in the way of blame. Wouldn't you sign up for that gig all the while being paid at the top 3 of your profession and get lauded publicly?

Why risk that going up in flames if you diverge from the path you've walked thousands of times before? Getting to .500 is the goal. It's never the SB

[anpsteel]

This is B2B's site, so I think it's a stretch to question his fandom. I agree with B2B- I find it hard to get excited about these type of wins these days, know that all they do is prop up a dead-end philosophy. It's been hard to watch the Steelers slowly turn into the Pirates.

This kind of win further cements the asinine philosophy of this coach and organization and makes it less likely we'll ever escape the purgatory of mediocrity. I'm rooting for Super Bowls and, at minimum contending for winning a Super Bowl. Anything that is working against that is my enemy.

Yup yup yup
Tomlin goes to this well because going to it got him a lifetime contract with little in the way of blame. Wouldn't you sign up for that gig all the while being paid at the top 3 of your profession and get lauded publicly?

Why risk that going up in flames if you diverge from the path you've walked thousands of times before? Getting to .500 is the goal. It's never the SB

All of this


When I go out to watch the games, I will invariably run into younger fans who do not understand my position and question why I am a fan of the team

I have been rooting for the Steelers for about 50 years


In my heart, I always want them to win


But in my mind, I know that as long as Tomlin is the head coach, there is next to zero chance they will win another Super Bowl. He consistently makes the same mistakes today that he’s been making since he was hired

And so, at least some degree I want them to lose and lose badly; because that is the only way we are getting rid of Tomlin anytime soon

On to Denver

[stillthere]

Besides, they had a playoff win against the Steelers. I think they' 1-2 in the playoffs over the past 5 seasons, which is better than the Steelers have been during that stretch.

This makes my stomach turn.

[steelclan]

That's a fair assessment. Jury's out on Arthur Smith, though, if he has WRs blocking LBs and never attacks the middle of the field.

Just keep Watt in bubble wrap, because they might have lost by double-digits without him yesterday.

Bates and Simmons in the middle of the field. I understand working around that but yes at some point have to attack middle of the field.

[steelclan]

That's a fair assessment. Jury's out on Arthur Smith, though, if he has WRs blocking LBs and never attacks the middle of the field.

Just keep Watt in bubble wrap, because they might have lost by double-digits without him yesterday.

Mmm 99's pressure led to both Ints. Plus the missed call on Najee (Bates took his helmet off) and terrible OPI on Pickens (next drive Falcons scored) kept game closer than it should've been.

Not to mention on Falcons TD "drive" a lucky AF deflected pass to McCloud was the biggest play of that drive.

Yes, Steeler have deep concerns but you're overselling the Falcons. Drake London for example, "great young WR!" Porter kept in a box and locked it.

Even Pitts, he had one big play because Steelers blew a coverage.

I bet Herbig would've given that RT fits. Yes, Watt helped Steelers win but even without him I don't see Falcons winning by double digits.

[bradshaw2ben]

That's a fair assessment. Jury's out on Arthur Smith, though, if he has WRs blocking LBs and never attacks the middle of the field.

Just keep Watt in bubble wrap, because they might have lost by double-digits without him yesterday.

Bates and Simmons in the middle of the field. I understand working around that but yes at some point have to attack middle of the field.

ATL has good LBs, also.

[gpclay]

But in my mind, I know that as long as Tomlin is the head coach, there is next to zero chance they will win another Super Bowl. He consistently makes the same mistakes today that he’s been making since he was hired

Another 50+ year fan here. Adding to the clear lack of plan or capability of winning it all, I would also point out that Tomlin’s style of football makes for MISERABLE regular season wins. Every game is a one-score affair and you are biting your nails at the end hoping for a late Stillers score or praying for a stop. I really thought they were going to lose 17-15 after the decision not to kick on 4th and one. I’m not expecting blowouts every week, but even the wins are agonizing nailbiters.

[jebrick]

I did not mind the decision to go for it on 4th down but the execution was awful. No one knew what they were doing.

[Orangesteel]

I did not mind the decision to go for it on 4th down but the execution was awful. No one knew what they were doing.

This and Smith is responsible for that execution.

[Jobu]

I did not mind the decision to go for it on 4th down but the execution was awful. No one knew what they were doing.

This and Smith is responsible for that execution.

I ever there was a time to use a timeout…

[tbsteel]

This kind of win further cements the asinine philosophy of this coach and organization and makes it less likely we'll ever escape the purgatory of mediocrity. I'm rooting for Super Bowls and, at minimum contending for winning a Super Bowl. Anything that is working against that is my enemy.

B2B, you are my spirit animal on this subject.

This is arguably the most important part of this whole argument.

Look, it's a message board and I admittedly enjoy poking the bear a bit and laying it on thick at times, but all window dressing aside, at the core I am completely on board with going through a season from hell where this team bottoms out as much as possible under Tomlin so as to facilitate necessary changes... which mainly is the man at the top, and maybe just as importantly, the failed philosophy that permeates throughout this organization. And if that takes more than one year of doing that, so be it. But this team won't be a legitimate contender for another Lombardi until that happens.

I've long been a Tomlin defender. He will be in the HOF some day, it's a lock. I love a lot of aspects of his style. But watching another Steelers re-run today where they make throwing the football look like some caveman discovering fire and trying to figure out WTF to do with it, fail to crack 300 yards of offense which looks like will continue to be the theme this year, the U-shaped abortive offense where the majority of passes are at or near the LOS and the middle of the field is avoided like the plague while they try the occasional deep sideline shots to Pickens... I just can't take it anymore. It's driving me insane. And Tomlin and his crew smugly think that this is the course we need to be on. And why shouldn't they? As long as the fans keep backing and supporting them like most do on here, and as along as they can keep grinding out these 8-9 win seasons and sneak in with their Make a Wish playoff appearances that give the mindless masses a week of illogical hope before the Steelers are embarrassed yet again, it's not going to change. The only hope for the big changes needed to help pull us out of the purgatory of mediocrity is for this year to get bad, and ugly, in a hurry. I won't enjoy it (well, maybe a lit bit), but it's what is needed.

Here’s the thing tho

Tomlin is NEVER going to bottom out the way you want him to. Never.

Why ? His approach to football centers around not bottoming out. That’s his goal. Don’t bottom out and maybe just maybe you’ll catch lightning in a bottle at the end of the season. That’s it. That’s the Steelers.

Maybe 10-7 if things go well. Maybe 7-10 if they don’t.

Hello drafting around 15-20

Get used to it

I know, but GD I need some real hope for a season from hell.

Maybe Boz will tear his ACL next week, we miss a bunch of Tomlin TDs this year and lose a bunch of games 20-14. We're so due for a year where we get unlucky in one score games.

But yeah, 7-10 is probably the realistic floor.

But the Falcons, Bears, Vikings and Jets finished 7-10 last year and were picking 8-11 in the draft. Our high SOS will I'm sure fuck us for a draft pick tiebreaker standpoint, but it's possible we could land top 10 at 7-10.

[SteelerDayTrader]

Tomlin has won games with QBs that couldn’t grab a backup spot on many college teams. Lol.

Enjoy the games. Root for the Steelers. And hope for 4 miracle postseason games. Lol.

Time is fleeting and it’s later than you think

As long as Deuce is calling the shots it’s the Tomlin ground and pound show.

He’s not getting fired

He’s not retiring anytime soon

Enjoy it as best you can

[Ice]

Yup.

[Professor Half Wit]

Tomlin has won games with QBs that couldn’t grab a backup spot on many college teams. Lol.

Enjoy the games. Root for the Steelers. And hope for 4 miracle postseason games. Lol.

Time is fleeting and it’s later than you think

As long as Deuce is calling the shots it’s the Tomlin ground and pound show.

He’s not getting fired

He’s not retiring anytime soon

Enjoy it as best you can

You don't think desperately desiring something that is not going to happen so that you're continually frustrated is a good way to live and be a fan?

[jebrick]

And until they have a real franchise QB, ground and pound is a safe bet to win regular season games.

[Havoc]

Tomlin has won games with QBs that couldn’t grab a backup spot on many college teams. Lol.

Enjoy the games. Root for the Steelers. And hope for 4 miracle postseason games. Lol.

Time is fleeting and it’s later than you think

As long as Deuce is calling the shots it’s the Tomlin ground and pound show.

He’s not getting fired

He’s not retiring anytime soon

Enjoy it as best you can

The defense has been too good for us to lose.

We were on our way to a losing season in 2019 but then Colbert traded for Minkah which changed the trajectory of the season.

See Tomlin's record without TJ Watt.

[W&M_Steeler]

Tomlin has won games with QBs that couldn’t grab a backup spot on many college teams. Lol.

Enjoy the games. Root for the Steelers. And hope for 4 miracle postseason games. Lol.

Time is fleeting and it’s later than you think

As long as Deuce is calling the shots it’s the Tomlin ground and pound show.

He’s not getting fired

He’s not retiring anytime soon

Enjoy it as best you can

The defense has been too good for us to lose.

We were on our way to a losing season in 2019 but then Colbert traded for Minkah which changed the trajectory of the season.

You ignore Tomlin's record without TJ Watt.

I'm convinced that the 2019 season most closely reflected Tomlin's ideal philosophy. I bet he thinks that if he had a QB who was just a little better than Duck or Mason, he could have taken that team to the Super Bowl.

Tomlin underperformed with an offensive lead team with HOF-quality QB and WR. The Killer Bs teams didn't mesh with his philosophy and conflicted with his gut-level understanding of football. He'd rather have his own Trent Dilfer so he can replicate the 2000 Ravens and win with an all-time defense and a clock-killing offense.

[SteelerDayTrader]

Tomlin has won games with QBs that couldn’t grab a backup spot on many college teams. Lol.

Enjoy the games. Root for the Steelers. And hope for 4 miracle postseason games. Lol.

Time is fleeting and it’s later than you think

As long as Deuce is calling the shots it’s the Tomlin ground and pound show.

He’s not getting fired

He’s not retiring anytime soon

Enjoy it as best you can

The defense has been too good for us to lose.

We were on our way to a losing season in 2019 but then Colbert traded for Minkah which changed the trajectory of the season.

See Tomlin's record without TJ Watt.

[bradshaw2ben]

That's a fair assessment. Jury's out on Arthur Smith, though, if he has WRs blocking LBs and never attacks the middle of the field.

Just keep Watt in bubble wrap, because they might have lost by double-digits without him yesterday.

Bates and Simmons in the middle of the field. I understand working around that but yes at some point have to attack middle of the field.

[SteelerDayTrader]

Tomlin has won games with QBs that couldn’t grab a backup spot on many college teams. Lol.

Enjoy the games. Root for the Steelers. And hope for 4 miracle postseason games. Lol.

Time is fleeting and it’s later than you think

As long as Deuce is calling the shots it’s the Tomlin ground and pound show.

He’s not getting fired

He’s not retiring anytime soon

Enjoy it as best you can

You don't think desperately desiring something that is not going to happen so that you're continually frustrated is a good way to live and be a fan?

We all want Lombardis

Deuce isn’t leaving
Tomlin isn’t leaving
The Steelers last few QB ideas have been Landry Haskins Devlin Oladkon Trubisky Rudolph Pickett Wilson Fields. Lolololz

Truthfully the little bit we’ve seen Kyle Allen looks better than all those ^^^^ guys

Do the math

Honestly if the Steelers go 9-8 and could sign Fields or Wilson to a contract I could totally see the Steelers not drafting a QB til day 3. Lolololz

That’s how fucked up and ambivalent about the QB position they are. Lolololz

I’m not gonna continually mope around for the next decade or so. I like rooting for the Steelers. I’m happy when they win and sad when they lose.

I’m not sure it’s not appreciably worse mentally to convince yourself to actively root against a team you want to see win ???? Lolololz

Go Steelers

[Professor Half Wit]

Tomlin has won games with QBs that couldn’t grab a backup spot on many college teams. Lol.

Enjoy the games. Root for the Steelers. And hope for 4 miracle postseason games. Lol.

Time is fleeting and it’s later than you think

As long as Deuce is calling the shots it’s the Tomlin ground and pound show.

He’s not getting fired

He’s not retiring anytime soon

Enjoy it as best you can

You don't think desperately desiring something that is not going to happen so that you're continually frustrated is a good way to live and be a fan?

We all want Lombardis

Deuce isn’t leaving
Tomlin isn’t leaving
The Steelers last few QB ideas have been Landry Haskins Devlin Oladkon Trubisky Rudolph Pickett Wilson Fields. Lolololz

Truthfully the little bit we’ve seen Kyle Allen looks better than all those ^^^^ guys

Do the math

Honestly if the Steelers go 9-8 and could sign Fields or Wilson to a contract I could totally see the Steelers not drafting a QB til day 3. Lolololz

That’s how fucked up and ambivalent about the QB position they are. Lolololz

I’m not gonna continually mope around for the next decade or so. I like rooting for the Steelers. I’m happy when they win and sad when they lose.

I’m not sure it’s not appreciably worse mentally to convince yourself to actively root against a team you want to see win ???? Lolololz

Go Steelers

Yup

The bolded is reality.

Rooting for losses affects and changes nothing. Rooting for wins does nothing and changes nothing. The only thing in a fan's control is his perspective. Seems like one should be adopting whatever perspective gives you the most joy. For me, that's not rooting for losses.

[blu]

I'm never going to root for a loss, but I agree that a game like this certainly doesn't make me think we've learned any lessons, or that anybody on the staff's seat is even lukewarm. As Brick pointed out, the lack of straight up three and outs was definitely an improvement from the wreck of the KP era. So that's, well, something, I guess, but it doesn't look like the overall approach is going to change, and that means exactly what most folks here have pointed out: the defense will tire, the offense still won't be able to score with the big boys, we'll be outcoached versus the big boys, and we'll be somewhere between 7 and 10 wins when the music stops.

Ice, you are so right. But with the limitations of Tomlin & not having a franchise qb - being a Steeler devotee regardless, it was so refreshing not watching 3 & out after 3 & out. I was at the Jacquar game last year & was ready to puke watching the 3 & out repeat playing out live along with the cheering celebrating the Steelers just getting a first down.

[Ice]

I can understand that, for sure, and even though I can hope for the major changes we all do, I also agree with what Lit posted earlier. If this sort of win is the best possible outcome, I'll root for the best possible outcome. Silly to frustrate myself unnecessarily otherwise.

[Orangesteel]

Now that Aaron Donald is retired there is an even more legitimate argument that Watt is the best defensive player in the league.

I am concerned that the Steelers have surrounded him with such mediocrity that the poor bastard will never have a real shot at pro football glory. He’s just trying to win a single playoff game. He’s rich, he has the accolades, a baby on the way, etc. but the dude is a megastar on a just very average football team. And it doesn’t look promising.