In a weird way, I think it’s better that this comes now. It would have been much more embarrassing if the Steelers playoff hopes had been dashed by being swept by the Browns this week. The way this last month and a half has gone, it kinda feels like that was the way this was heading.
But on Sunday, in one of the most oddly coached fourth quarters in NFL history, the Steelers finished digging the grave for one of the most frustrating seasons in franchise history. Instead of capitalizing on a missed (and honestly just a dumb decision) 56 yard field goal by the Bengals with 3:18 to go, the Steelers stalled just outside of Shaun Suisham’s field goal range. Then, inexplicably, Mike Tomlin decided he wanted to play to the level of his competition and called for an equally reckless field goal attempt. Not only would the 53 yarder have been the longest of Suisham’s career, it would have been the longest field goal made in the history of Heinz Field. He shorted it.
But the weird coaching didn’t end there. After the Pittsburgh defense made ANOTHER stop, Tomlin and Offensive Co-Ordinator Todd Haley decided that two timeouts and 44 seconds was enough to get the sputtering offense down the field for another late field goal attempt starting at their own 11. Three plays later, Ben Roethlisberger threw an interception, setting up the Bengals game winning field goal, ending Pittsburgh’s season.
My before too far into this, I think it’s appropriate to let me propose a logo change for my beloved team.
The New Look
They say that defense wins championships. I beg to differ.
If you don’t believe me, consider this. The Steelers defense (without Week 17 in the books) was statistically the best defense in the league this season. Yet, Pittsburgh has a losing record heading into the final week of the regular season.
Just six weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers were considered by some to be the favorite in the AFC. Fresh off a victory over the Giants, the NFC favorite at the time, the Steelers looked poised to make a run.
But the next week, Roethlisberger went down with rib and shoulder injuries, effectively ending anything positive the Steelers could put together on offense for the rest of the season.
Pittsburgh has lost five of it’s last six games. In those five losses, the Steelers gave up 107 total points, which at 21.4 points per game would be tenth in the league. Still pretty darn good. But how many of those points can be pinned squarely on the defense? 40. That’s how many points were scored on the Steeler defense in the five losses that weren’t scored off turnovers or special teams.
I know what you’re thinking. Every team turns the ball over. Yes, yes they do, but I’m gonna bet your team doesn’t turn it over as much as the Steelers did in the last month and a half.
Try 21 turnovers in the last six games. To put that in perspective, 12 teams have less than 21 turnovers ALL YEAR.
WHAT TO DO
So the offense was clearly terrible this season right? Wrong.
It wasn’t pretty, but the Steelers improved in certain areas on offense. Sure they weren’t the offensive juggernaut that most Steeler fans (foolishly) think they should put on the field, but consider this. Pittsburgh was operating with a new offensive coordinator, something that doesn’t always go so smoothly. They improved on things like sacks given up, and time of possession, both things that fans were crying for near the end of last season.
There were some points in the season where I was so frustrated with the offense that I would have called for Todd Haley to be replaced, and I’ve certainly seen the same sentiments from many this afternoon. But I don’t believe this is the answer. Haley is a successful offensive coach, and I believe the problem lies more in Pittsburgh having the personnel to run his schemes.
Putting 26th ranked running game on the field is unacceptable in Pittsburgh. That’s something that will have to change. What the front office has to figure out is who is going to change it. The Steelers have plenty of talent in the backfield with Mendenhall, Redman, Dwyer and Chris Rainey. But none were able to string together any kind success the entire year. Each had his own opportunity to be “the guy” and after 16 weeks there’s no clear top back. A four-back rotation doesn’t make for consistency, the offensive line struggles enough as it is.
If the Steelers determine they don’t have THE guy on the roster now, Pittsburgh might do well to draft a running back in the spring.
Just like last season, Ben Roethlisberger unceremoniously limped to the finish after a roaring start. Roethlisberger was clearly never fully healthy after his injury. The first ten weeks of the season he was an MVP candidate. The each of the last three weeks he threw interceptions in the fourth quarter or overtime, likely a first in his career (if you can find a time he did it, I’d be surprised). Something wasn’t right. But he’s not blaming the play calling after this loss.
It’s not time for the Steelers to draft Ben’s replacement quite yet. But next season will be his tenth in the league. Quarterbacks that take a beating like he does don’t stay in the league much longer than he has already (unless he’s the second coming of Favre, which he’s not). In the next few seasons, the team needs to draft his true understudy, and let him learn under Ben.
Most importantly, the Steelers need a true #1 wide receiver. This is the position I am convinced needs to be filled in April’s draft. Antonio Brown is a solid second receiver with sticky hands. Mike Wallace on the other hand, is not talented enough to be a reliable piece of Todd Haley’s offense. He can’t make a play in traffic like an A.J. Green, Calvin Johnson or a Dez Bryant.
Players like those clearly don’t come around every year, but the Steelers need to make moves to grab one if they think there’s one available this spring. Maybe a Justin Hunter is someone Kevin Colbert and the front office take a shot at.
LOW BLOW
Speaking of the passing game, the Steelers leading receiver this season (until his Week 16 injury) was actually a tight end, Heath Miller. Monday it was revealed that the knee injury he suffered on Sunday was an ACL and MCL tear in his knee. His status for next season’s opener is in doubt.
POLAMALU SHOWS UP LATE
Steeler Safety Troy Polamalu made another one of his signature plays near the end of the third quarter against the Bengals. Playing in just his sixth game of the year, it was the first time this season that his presence was really felt. Unfortunately it was too little too late as the Bengals converted a third and long on the next snap. Still, the play was really impressive, and can give Steeler fans hope that maybe, just maybe, they can get another great season from Troy next year when he comes back fully healthy.
And of course Steelers fans can always take a look at the trophy case and smile (let’s hope that the 49ers or Cowboys don’t bring home the title this season)
The Terrible Texan 