SBI: Week 17...Curtains?

[swissvale72]

SBI: Week 17....Curtains??

The Pittsburgh Steelers went into Baltimore today and laid a freakin' egg. No one should be surprised with this. Mike Tomlin's Steelers do it all the time. And to think that some consumers of this esteemed website were arrogant enough pre-game to post that they would be rooting hard for the New York Jets, so ingrained are they in their unrequited hatred of the New England Patriots. This gang was totally confident that the Black & Gold would go into Baltimore, and then Cleveland and dispose of these two long-time divisional foes with shock and awe, this despite their being no such thing as a gimme in the NFL and having lost in their most frequent visits to each of these venues.

It's oft-asked on this website to critics of Coach Tomlin, which NFL coaches one would rather have in his stead. Let's start with the guy on the opposite sideline today, who has basically owned Tomlin's ass during these past few years. It seems that post-game, Coach T repeatedly laid the blame for today's loss on the turnover battle, thus hanging the loss on a pair of plays rather than the complete stinkfest of Steeler football to which we were treated on Sunday. Hey Coach, what about 3rd downs, where we couldn't stop the Purple Gang, and your guys failed to pick up time and again?

Let's get one other thing straight about a theme on which I've hammered for the past couple of years, at least. When I first hung the moniker of Potted Fuckin' Plant on Mike Tomlin, it was due to his promotors holding everyone but him, the Head Coach, responsible for the poor decision-making that abounds his team. It started with Bruce Arians being blamed fully for the infamous 3rd & Fuckin' 6 call, the bootleg by a gimpy-legged quarterback in the Wild Card Playoff against Jacksonville, when said QB was throwing the ball all over the lot in the second half. This playcall followed a timeout, to which my analysis was that the Head Coach, if he hadn't weighed in on the playcall, damn well should have. Was he the Head Coach, or was he a Potted Fuckin' Plant. Even today, it's been posted that the Steelers first half offense, where Ben threw about 10 passes, was on the OC, not the Head Coach. Now as then, my belief is that this team's decision-making reflects that of the Head Coach. Why? Because he's NOT a Potted Fuckin' Plant!!

Going forward, writing this pre Monday night, where a Broncos loss would provide another avenue to the playoffs for the Steelers should they also lose to a woeful San Diego squad at Mile High next week, the lone certain route requires the Buffalo Bills, under the tutelage of the bombastic Rex Ryan, to vanquish the Jets in Buffalo next Sunday.

Is there a historical antecedent? Well, look back to 1993. The Steelers lost their 15th game of the season to the Houston Oilers. All seemed lost. They entered the final weekend needing to beat, yes,the Browns, while having two of three teams, Dolphins, Raiders, Jets, lose their finale. Steelers won and Dolphins lost to Patriots in the 1:00 window. The Raiders won a close one over the Broncos at 4:00. All came down to the Jets on Sunday night, and they lost 14-0 at Houston, the game where Buddy Ryan landed a few punches on Kevin Gilbride.

So, it's all there....Jets loss, road game, the Ryans. I'm as distraught as any of my colleagues on this esteemed website, but I've not yet given up hope. And hell with this notion of whether the Steelers deserve to make the playoffs. If they're still standing on the weekend of January 9-10, then they deserve to be there. The flame still burns, even though it's just a flicker.

[Legacy User]

Right on Swiss. Short, sweet and to the fucking point(s).

[Orangesteel]

Lost to 7-9 Broncos 2007
Lost to 4-12 Jets 2007
Lost to 5-11 Ravens 2007
Lost to 7-9 Bears 2009
Lost to 4-12 Chiefs 2009
Lost to 5-11 Raiders 2009
Lost to 5-11 Browns 2009
Lost to 4-12 Raiders 2012
Lost to 6-10 Titans 2012
Lost to 5-11 Browns 2012
Lost to 7-9 Chargers 2012
Lost to 7-9 Titans 2013
Lost to 5-10-1 Vikings 2013 (Steelers started this wonderful season 0-4)
Lost to 4-12 Raiders 2013
Lost to 2-14 Buccaneers 2014
Lost to 7-9 Browns 2014
Lost to 4-12 Jets 2014
Lost to 7-9 Saints 2014
Got swept by a 5-10 (so far) Ravens team 2015

But is anyone really that surprised by this outcome anymore? Maybe a little in this situation because the Ravens were essentially starting their practice squad, but Tomlin has made a performance like today a foundation in his coaching tenure.

I'm 100 percent at peace with the fact that the steelers will never win another ring with Mike wearing the headset. Rooneys certainly don't care anymore. Why should we?

[Legacy User]

And right on the heels of 2 really good efforts over top teams, mind boggling. Theres no question that Harbaugh owns Tomlin though.

[Stosh-67]

Lost to 7-9 Broncos 2007
Lost to 4-12 Jets 2007
Lost to 5-11 Ravens 2007
Lost to 7-9 Bears 2009
Lost to 4-12 Chiefs 2009
Lost to 5-11 Raiders 2009
Lost to 5-11 Browns 2009
Lost to 4-12 Raiders 2012
Lost to 6-10 Titans 2012
Lost to 5-11 Browns 2012
Lost to 7-9 Chargers 2012
Lost to 7-9 Titans 2013
Lost to 5-10-1 Vikings 2013 (Steelers started this wonderful season 0-4)
Lost to 4-12 Raiders 2013
Lost to 2-14 Buccaneers 2014
Lost to 7-9 Browns 2014
Lost to 4-12 Jets 2014
Lost to 7-9 Saints 2014
Got swept by a 5-10 (so far) Ravens team 2015

But is anyone really that surprised by this outcome anymore? Maybe a little in this situation because the Ravens were essentially starting their practice squad, but Tomlin has made a performance like today a foundation in his coaching tenure.

I'm 100 percent at peace with the fact that the steelers will never win another ring with Mike wearing the headset. Rooneys certainly don't care anymore. Why should we?

That's about three per year.
Only two this year?

[steelmann58]

yes the fans will still be coming to the stadium . No matter if they make the playoffs or fail again.

[Legacy User]

I'll have a little flicker of hope next week, but I'll hate myself for it. The Bills are faltering (even with today's unremarkable victory) while the Jets have become elite. Bills already got their lucky victory over the Jets this season, it won't happen again. It's just like Pats/Jets; they kept it close in the first game, in the second they'll use what they've learned to prevail.

And what reason is there to believe the Steelers can or will beat the Browns at this point?

I'm just distraught after all the Super Bowl talk and '05 comparisons and Ben gets #3 talk. Realistically, where do we go from here? How good will this team have to be next year before we feel the least bit secure that Tomlin won't blow it? (Probably with another trademark play-down-to-the-opponent shitty loss). THIS was the year with the high-powered offense and the emotional victories and all the adversity to overcome.

It's not that I won't watch next year, but I feel like my optimism for this team, at least this coach, QB and era, has died. They could go 15-1 regular season and I'll still expect nothing other than a one-and-done playoff run.

I hope the Steelers sneak in through the back door and make a run. I want them to make a fool of me. I want to eat my words. But every time I get my hopes up for this team, they're quickly dashed. 5 years without a playoff win. The only streak that matters right now. And it (likely) continues!

[Orangesteel]

I have no idea how we beat Arizona. They look really damn good.

I do remember them committing several boneheaded plays during the game; Palmer threw a pick in the endzone; multiple stupid penalties; big drops, etc.

Going 2-2 while Ben was out was impressive. Still should have won Ravens games and Cincy part 1. Today, however, was a total shitshow. I honestly cannot name 5 guys out there in black, ok, maybe 5. Mallet, Aiken, Smith, Tucker, Mosely. Oh, and Yanda.

[Legacy User]

I have no idea how we beat Arizona. They look really damn good.

I do remember them committing several boneheaded plays during the game; Palmer threw a pick in the endzone; multiple stupid penalties; big drops, etc.

Going 2-2 while Ben was out was impressive. Still should have won Ravens games and Cincy part 1. Today, however, was a total shitshow. I honestly cannot name 5 guys out there in black, ok, maybe 5. Mallet, Aiken, Smith, Tucker, Mosely. Oh, and Yanda.

We have an uncanny ability to play to the level our opposition.

[bradshaw2ben]

If you want to go all the way with SBI and dream, Swiss...

Cincy over Broncos
Steelers over Browns
Mia over NE
Cincy over Ravens
KC over Raiders
Buf over Jets

we get in and Cincy earns the #1 seed

Probably earns the Patriots a tougher draw and might mean avoiding them until someone else has had a chance to knock them out.

[Stillerz Bar]

Lost to 7-9 Broncos 2007
Lost to 4-12 Jets 2007
Lost to 5-11 Ravens 2007
Lost to 7-9 Bears 2009
Lost to 4-12 Chiefs 2009
Lost to 5-11 Raiders 2009
Lost to 5-11 Browns 2009
Lost to 4-12 Raiders 2012
Lost to 6-10 Titans 2012
Lost to 5-11 Browns 2012
Lost to 7-9 Chargers 2012
Lost to 7-9 Titans 2013
Lost to 5-10-1 Vikings 2013 (Steelers started this wonderful season 0-4)
Lost to 4-12 Raiders 2013
Lost to 2-14 Buccaneers 2014
Lost to 7-9 Browns 2014
Lost to 4-12 Jets 2014
Lost to 7-9 Saints 2014
Got swept by a 5-10 (so far) Ravens team 2015

But is anyone really that surprised by this outcome anymore? Maybe a little in this situation because the Ravens were essentially starting their practice squad, but Tomlin has made a performance like today a foundation in his coaching tenure.

I'm 100 percent at peace with the fact that the steelers will never win another ring with Mike wearing the headset. Rooneys certainly don't care anymore. Why should we?

What is truly amazing is that Tomlin has yet to have a losing season despite an average of 3 bad losses per year. Just imagine how good his teams could be if they could just beat sub .500 teams.

[Legacy User]

Tomlin has yet to have a losing season

man, do i not want to hear this stat right now

(no offense to you Stillerz)

[Legacy User]

IF we make the playoffs we get Cinci, Denver or KC

[Stillerz Bar]

Tomlin has yet to have a losing season

man, do i not want to hear this stat right now

(no offense to you Stillerz)

Don't disagree. ..he has also yet to have a season without a mind numbingly terrible loss. I was hoping this would be the first as I was willing to give him a pass on Ravens 1 because he only had 4 days to prepare with Vick under center. However, after what we witnessed today it's obvious to everyone but him that this team simply can't handle success without laying an egg,. I just wish someone could figure out why and fix it.

[Orangesteel]

Tomlin has yet to have a losing season

man, do i not want to hear this stat right now

(no offense to you Stillerz)

Don't disagree. ..he has also yet to have a season without a mind numbingly terrible loss. I was hoping this would be the first as I was willing to give him a pass on Ravens 1 because he only had 4 days to prepare with Vick under center. However, after what we witnessed today it's obvious to everyone but him that this team simply can't handle success without laying an egg,. I just wish someone could figure out why and fix it.

Exactly, and yet, while going 2-2 with Ben out seems pretty damn impressive now, losing today and potentially missing the dance is all I will remember if that's the way it plays out. This is still a poorly coached bunch that always gets in their own way. From top to fucking bottom.

Where I disagree with many on this board is that I think the coach gets paid millions to make it so that doesnt happen. Otherwise, what in the fuck are they paying him for?

[Legacy User]

it's really hard to even spitball any possible solutions without sounding like a member of one of the warring camps (Tomlin apologists vs. Tomlin haters)

i know in my rational moments that we won't fire him, can't fire him...shouldn't fire him. i mean...(same tired arguments impending)

...he has 90 career wins, his team is a perennial playoff contender, he's been to two Super Bowls and won one, the players love him, the owners (probably) love him; most importantly we're the fucking Steelers and we stick with our guy specifically because we don't want to be a coaching carousel team like the Brownies. We weather the storm and we have 6 Super Bowl rings to show for it.

...on the other hand, how do you count on Tomlin, at this point, to do anything other than lay an egg at the most inopportune times? and if that's going to be the case, how long is it acceptable? when do you require something more? we can't be satisfied with playoff berths or near-playoff berths; that should be expected at this point, like it is in New England. when does this team with the championship standard need to make another serious run at a championship? are we always a bridesmaid, never a bride?

i think of Marty Schottenheimer with the Tomlinson-era Chargers:

8-8
(4-12)
12-4
9-7
14-2

but the fucker couldn't get over the hump and still got shitcanned. i'm not saying it was necessarily the right move - not everything turned to rainbows for the Chargers after that - but it'd be nice to see a little bit of that tenacity from our owners. at least make him think he's coaching for his job.

i get that "what have you done for me lately?" is a phrase we associate with kneejerk personnel changes, but at a certain point, isn't there some unironic truth to it as well? especially when it's less "what have you done for me lately" and more "can you ever do it for me again?"

[Orangesteel]

Great post Chidi. i don't care about the Cowher comparisons. Cowher had such a rotating carousel of suck at QB that it's pretty remarkable he had the success he had.

Tomlin gets Ben during his best years and we haven't won a playoff game since 2010? As to your points, shouldn't we expect more?

I don't care how it sounds; going 10-6 and missing the playoffs is literally the worst fucking outcome that can happen under Tomlin.

1. Almost make the dance to pad Mike's winning percentage. Check.
2. Knock us down to around 22 in draft order to select another dogshit first rounder that "may" pan out. Check.
3. Tomlin avoids any real criticism by ownership because, after all, it's another "winning" season. Check.
4. Tomlin apologists get more ammo for their "he's never had a losing season" gun. Check.

But players still run through walls for him. 10-6. Tomlin's last middle finger to Steeler Nation before he hits the outlet mall for some fresh aviators.

[Old School Steeler]

We're now making reasonably good clock moves, tells me someone with clock intelligence is now handling that chore. What we need is the rest of Tomlin's responsibilities outsourced, someone else to draft, to prep the team for teams with losing records instead of chillin that week. Just roll out bobble head for media soundbites and sideline gestures.

[Old School Steeler]

If you want to go all the way with SBI and dream, Swiss...

Cincy over Broncos
Steelers over Browns
Mia over NE
Cincy over Ravens
KC over Raiders
Buf over Jets

we get in and Cincy earns the #1 seed

Probably earns the Patriots a tougher draw and might mean avoiding them until someone else has had a chance to knock them out.

SD is not beating Den in Denver, NE will rest guys and still beat Miami in SFL, NY will pound Bills who will eventually cave. We're likely done. Told you betters I know in NY told me Jets were winning out, we blew our chances yesterday. Between the duo of suck, Tomlin & Haley we're likely cooked.

[StillerInCT]

Lost to 7-9 Broncos 2007
Lost to 4-12 Jets 2007
Lost to 5-11 Ravens 2007
Lost to 7-9 Bears 2009
Lost to 4-12 Chiefs 2009
Lost to 5-11 Raiders 2009
Lost to 5-11 Browns 2009
Lost to 4-12 Raiders 2012
Lost to 6-10 Titans 2012
Lost to 5-11 Browns 2012
Lost to 7-9 Chargers 2012
Lost to 7-9 Titans 2013
Lost to 5-10-1 Vikings 2013 (Steelers started this wonderful season 0-4)
Lost to 4-12 Raiders 2013
Lost to 2-14 Buccaneers 2014
Lost to 7-9 Browns 2014
Lost to 4-12 Jets 2014
Lost to 7-9 Saints 2014
Got swept by a 5-10 (so far) Ravens team 2015

But is anyone really that surprised by this outcome anymore? Maybe a little in this situation because the Ravens were essentially starting their practice squad, but Tomlin has made a performance like today a foundation in his coaching tenure.

I'm 100 percent at peace with the fact that the steelers will never win another ring with Mike wearing the headset. Rooneys certainly don't care anymore. Why should we?

That's about three per year.
Only two this year?

Strempf of schedule. Haven't played many bad teams

[BethlehemSteel]

Good short SBI Swiss

Can we all hunt the man down and throw him in some icy water?

Maybe his dumbo inept slow reasoning and gut checks will magically be washed away and replaced by some real smarts through shock therapy that icy water can provide.

[swissvale72]

I wrote this piece in a hurry last night....couple other items of note:

*We've said this many times before but replay was never intended to overturn plays like AB's catch in the end zone. Its intent was to right obvious wrongs, not to analyze for the slightest of ball movements. Looking at that play makes Santonio's SB winning catch all the more special....good fuckin' thing the ball stuck to his hands, no wobble at all.

*In Tomlin's post-game presser where he waxed on endlessly about losing the turnover battle, a couple of other things should have stood out:
-3rd down differential where Ravens converted their first 5, including four on their opening TD drive, ended at 9/18, whereas Steelers sucked on their opportunities.
-Letting the Ravens out of the fuckin' hole!! On their FG drive prior to half, they faced a 2nd & 19 and eventually converted on 3rd down. On their final TD drive, and this was the absolute killer, faced a 2nd & 23 with a 3-point lead and promptly hit a 40 harder.

[jeemie]

We're now making reasonably good clock moves, tells me someone with clock intelligence is now handling that chore. What we need is the rest of Tomlin's responsibilities outsourced, someone else to draft, to prep the team for teams with losing records instead of chillin that week. Just roll out bobble head for media soundbites and sideline gestures.

I don't know.

We took 8 seconds to call a timeout before the Steelers' last drive of the first half.

Can't blame him for the timeout fiasco of the second half...Ben and Haley seemed to have issues getting the play in and set throughout the game (two timeouts burned and one delay of game penalty).

[JackLambert58]

Nice write-up Swiss.

For those Tomlin apologists who keep crying "who would we replace him with", I have to laugh. Did we all know who Mike Tomlin was prior to his 2007 hiring? How about who Bill Cowher was prior to his 1992 hiring or even Chuck Noll prior to his 1969 hiring?

[bradshaw2ben]

We're now making reasonably good clock moves, tells me someone with clock intelligence is now handling that chore. What we need is the rest of Tomlin's responsibilities outsourced, someone else to draft, to prep the team for teams with losing records instead of chillin that week. Just roll out bobble head for media soundbites and sideline gestures.

I don't know.

We took 8 seconds to call a timeout before the Steelers' last drive of the first half.

Can't blame him for the timeout fiasco of the second half...Ben and Haley seemed to have issues getting the play in and set throughout the game (two timeouts burned and one delay of game penalty).

5 seconds but your point stands

[Legacy User]

I have no idea how we beat Arizona. They look really damn good.

I do remember them committing several boneheaded plays during the game; Palmer threw a pick in the endzone; multiple stupid penalties; big drops, etc.

Going 2-2 while Ben was out was impressive. Still should have won Ravens games and Cincy part 1. Today, however, was a total shitshow. I honestly cannot name 5 guys out there in black, ok, maybe 5. Mallet, Aiken, Smith, Tucker, Mosely. Oh, and Yanda.

Palmer racked up a lot of yards, but made horrible decisions. If Palmer is not having a train of brain farts, the Steelers do not win that game.

While we're at it: how many back up QBs did this team get to feast on this year down the stretch?
Manziel
Hassellback
AJ Maccarron
Brock Oz

Who knows what the record looks like if these teams have legit starting QBs.

I agree that Tomlin is failing. I'm still fuming over Ben and the receivers, too. Sorry, but every time one of you gets up to bash Tomlin for this loss, I'm going to bash along with you, but will remind you how god awful the all world offense was including the golden boy. Tomlin sucked. Ben sucked. Bryant sucked. Fuck them all.

Yeah, Tomlin got his ass owned. And Ben sucked cock against the only secondary in the league shittier than ours.

[Old School Steeler]

We're now making reasonably good clock moves, tells me someone with clock intelligence is now handling that chore. What we need is the rest of Tomlin's responsibilities outsourced, someone else to draft, to prep the team for teams with losing records instead of chillin that week. Just roll out bobble head for media soundbites and sideline gestures.

I don't know.

We took 8 seconds to call a timeout before the Steelers' last drive of the first half.

Can't blame him for the timeout fiasco of the second half...Ben and Haley seemed to have issues getting the play in and set throughout the game (two timeouts burned and one delay of game penalty).

5 seconds but your point stands

Let me clarify, calling TO's for time preservation has improved. Blowing time outs due to kindergarten management is on Haley and Ben and inexcusable but indicitive of letting the circumstances manage them instead of the managing the circumstances.

[Donnie Brasco]

Let me clarify, calling TO's for time preservation has improved. Blowing time outs due to kindergarten management is on Haley and Ben and inexcusable but indicitive of letting the circumstances manage them instead of the managing the circumstances.

I'm so happy that our HC is beginning to learn the basics of time management after only 8 years of on-the-job training

[Old School Steeler]

If you want to go all the way with SBI and dream, Swiss...

Cincy over Broncos
Steelers over Browns
Mia over NE
Cincy over Ravens
KC over Raiders
Buf over Jets

we get in and Cincy earns the #1 seed

Probably earns the Patriots a tougher draw and might mean avoiding them until someone else has had a chance to knock them out.

SD is not beating Den in Denver, NE will rest guys and still beat Miami in SFL, NY will pound Bills who will eventually cave. We're likely done. Told you betters I know in NY told me Jets were winning out, we blew our chances yesterday. Between the duo of suck, Tomlin & Haley we're likely cooked.

NY wiseguy told me Belichek sat on the ball last 1.5 mins with game tied and he deferred on purpose not accident on OT KO. Guy said Belichek gave game away.

[Legacy User]

Let me clarify, calling TO's for time preservation has improved. Blowing time outs due to kindergarten management is on Haley and Ben and inexcusable but indicitive of letting the circumstances manage them instead of the managing the circumstances.

I'm so happy that our HC is beginning to learn the basics of time management after only 8 years of on-the-job training

If only our QB could learn not to force balls and throw stupid interceptions after only 11 years.