Steelers Optimism Thread (1 Viewer)

[timschochet]

I am tired of hearing from the naysayers.

They're overrated. They can't stop a pass rush; guys are always in Big Ben's face. Their running game is weak, and now with FWP gone, it may be non-existent. Suddenly they can't stop the run. The loss of Aaron Smith is catastrophic. Troy Polamalu is hurt, and trying to do too much, and gets caught out of position. The secondary is prone to being fooled. Special teams are awful. They'll probably lose in the first round of the playoffs to Jacksonville or Cleveland. And if they do manage to squeak a victory in the first game, then they'll get hammered by either Indy or New England...

Yadda yadda yadda!

Anything can happen in the playoffs, especially when you have a franchise QB. Despite everything, the Pittsburgh Steelers will enter the post-season with a potent offense and a pretty good defense. I remember back to 2005, and I think we're going to surprise some people. I hope they're willing to lay it all on the field, and I think they will. If so, watch out because we will be a hard out.

GO STEELERS!!

 

[baldbird]

This is not 05 . And the steelers only beat 2 teams above 500 all year ... Browns and Seahawks . So Steeler fans can hope . But this wont be a year like 05 . They really have been a VERY overated team ..

 

[timschochet]

This is not 05 . And the steelers only beat 2 teams above 500 all year ... Browns and Seahawks . So Steeler fans can hope . But this wont be a year like 05 . They really have been a VERY overated team ..

But in 05, how many teams over 500 did they beat? How many teams with good records beat over 500 teams anyway? Most of the NFL sucks; that's just the way it is.You've got to go out and beat whoever is in front of you. You say this is not 005, but who in week 16 of 2005 was picking the Steelers to do anything? Not any natonal experts; that 's for sure. The general thought that year was that a surging New England team would challenge a dominant Indy in the AFC Championship game; neither of those teams would face any real opposition until then. It was generally assumed that Pittsburgh would lose the wildcard game to the Bengals, and if they did squeak by, they'd get crushed.So tell me, other than the role reversal between Indy and New England, how is the prevaling opinion any different between now and two years ago? Those two are still considered the cream, and the Steelers (and everyone else) are considered afterthoughts. That turned out to be wrong then; I'm hoping it's wrong again. Why the heck not?

 

[eom]

But in 05, how many teams over 500 did they beat? How many teams with good records beat over 500 teams anyway? Most of the NFL sucks; that's just the way it is.You've got to go out and beat whoever is in front of you. You say this is not 005, but who in week 16 of 2005 was picking the Steelers to do anything?

I was.but I'm not this year.

 

[timschochet]

But in 05, how many teams over 500 did they beat? How many teams with good records beat over 500 teams anyway? Most of the NFL sucks; that's just the way it is.You've got to go out and beat whoever is in front of you. You say this is not 005, but who in week 16 of 2005 was picking the Steelers to do anything?

I was.but I'm not this year.

Well, you're not an national expert. But I am curious. Did you pick the Steelers to bear Cincy? Indy? Would you have even favored them (in week 16) to beat your beloved Patriots? I'll be very impressed if the answer is yes.P.S. I might have been slighty off in my 51-3 prediction that you keep quoting. But what the hey, I can always hope, can't I?

 

[eom]

of course I'm not going to pick against the pats.

but I picked them to beat indy.

 

[timschochet]

of course I'm not going to pick against the pats.but I picked them to beat indy.

Well that may have more to do with you wanting to dismiss the Colts as overrated than any love you had for the Black and Gold.

 

[baldbird]

I hope i am wrong i hate the pats . But you have to say what they are doing this year is very impressive . I know in the game of football any team can beat anyteam on any giving Sunday . so i cant say pitt cant do it . But highly unlikely . Just like my wife geting me my jag for chritsmas . Its a long shot . BUT HEY ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN

 

[timschochet]

I hope i am wrong i hate the pats . But you have to say what they are doing this year is very impressive . I know in the game of football any team can beat anyteam on any giving Sunday . so i cant say pitt cant do it . But highly unlikely . Just like my wife geting me my jag for chritsmas . Its a long shot . BUT HEY ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN

She might be at the dealership right now, buddy!GO STEELERS

 

[BigSteelThrill]

timmy = patriots fan

carry on

 

[SteelerMurf]

This is not 05 . And the steelers only beat 2 teams above 500 all year ... Browns and Seahawks . So Steeler fans can hope . But this wont be a year like 05 . They really have been a VERY overated team ..

If it were not for the injuries the Steelers do have a better team than 05.

 

[CrossEyed]

This is not 05 . And the steelers only beat 2 teams above 500 all year ... Browns and Seahawks . So Steeler fans can hope . But this wont be a year like 05 . They really have been a VERY overated team ..

If it were not for the injuries the Steelers do have a better team than 05.

Seriously? This o-line is terrible.

 

[SteelerMurf]

This is not 05 . And the steelers only beat 2 teams above 500 all year ... Browns and Seahawks . So Steeler fans can hope . But this wont be a year like 05 . They really have been a VERY overated team ..

If it were not for the injuries the Steelers do have a better team than 05.

Seriously? This o-line is terrible.

The oline was not very good that year either. The sacks were not as high, but don't you remember how hard it was for the Steelers to run in the playoffs?

 

[eom]

of course I'm not going to pick against the pats.but I picked them to beat indy.

Well that may have more to do with you wanting to dismiss the Colts as overrated than any love you had for the Black and Gold.

not really.I may not be remembering this right, but my vague recollection is that they were pretty much kicking ### until ben got knocked out and they tanked a few games near the end, barely making the playoffs.I don't know why so many people jumped off the wagon -- it'd be like if brady missed a few games this year but made it back for the playoffs.w/ben back in, a solid defense, run game, and excellent coaching, I thought they would be the pats' chief competition --- they were just a really good all around team.I thought of them as pats jr that year, and was rooting for them to win the superbowl once the pats were out.to me, that was a football team.this year, not so much.I don't look at the standings and try to project who plays who, but if they meet jax in the playoffs, they probably get punched in da mouf.indy and pats for sure.hmmmm....it'd be jax or sd, right?

 

[nashua55]

This is not 05 . And the steelers only beat 2 teams above 500 all year ... Browns and Seahawks . So Steeler fans can hope . But this wont be a year like 05 . They really have been a VERY overated team ..

If it were not for the injuries the Steelers do have a better team than 05.

I dont really agree. Though the 2007 team offense might be a little more explosive , the 2005 team was solid on offense, defense and special teams and had a toughness about them. The 2005 team defense could be intimidating and create turnovers. The 2007 defense though solid at times , has seemed to lack the same kind of fire and has been pushed around by some lousy teams. In other words, the 2007 def. gets pushed around , while the 2005 defense did the pushing.

 

[Bill Lust]

What they accomplished in 2005 was special, but does anyone honestly think that they can beat the Jags, Pats and Colts in three consecutive weeks?

 

[east2west]

Any given sunday is right. I'm a homer but I must say that you cant deny the Steelers ARE a good football team.

In my opinion the recent losess came from not having A Smith on the D line. HE is the run stopper, he pushes o linemen around, Kirske cannot. Without Smith on the line our defensive scheme doesnt work. = stop the run, force the pass, rush the QB and get the offense off the feild.

True smith was in the game against the pats, but thats a different situation alltogether. If I remember correctly the pats had a time when they threw 33 consecutive passes. In this situation stopping run is not important, thus throwing us off our game plan. In order for the Steelers to beat the pats we will have to adopt a new philosiphy for that game (if we were to meet in the playoffs)

 

[fred_1_15301]

What they accomplished in 2005 was special, but does anyone honestly think that they can beat the Jags, Pats and Colts in three consecutive weeks?

The Steelers are weaker than the other AFC teams in so many areas but they have a qb who's a gamer. Ben has proven that he can carry the team on his back when needed. They're not a very good team and in all honesty probably not even playoff caliber. However, they do have one of maybe 5 qbs in the league who can literally win a game single-handedly.

 

[eom]

Without Smith on the line our defensive scheme doesnt work. = stop the run, force the pass, rush the QB and get the offense off the feild.

the pats had a time when they threw 33 consecutive passes. In this situation stopping run is not important, thus throwing us off our game plan.

..........

 

[fred_1_15301]

Any given sunday is right. I'm a homer but I must say that you cant deny the Steelers ARE a good football team. In my opinion the recent losess came from not having A Smith on the D line. HE is the run stopper, he pushes o linemen around, Kirske cannot. Without Smith on the line our defensive scheme doesnt work. = stop the run, force the pass, rush the QB and get the offense off the feild. True smith was in the game against the pats, but thats a different situation alltogether. If I remember correctly the pats had a time when they threw 33 consecutive passes. In this situation stopping run is not important, thus throwing us off our game plan. In order for the Steelers to beat the pats we will have to adopt a new philosiphy for that game (if we were to meet in the playoffs)

You're right but the Steelers won't have smith for the playoffs so maybe they're not a good football team anymore. That is a ridiculously huge loss for the team and takes away their trademark ability of stopping the run. Sorry this team just isn't that good anymore but you're right about the any given sunday thing.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

I may not be remembering this right, but my vague recollection is that they were pretty much kicking ### until ben got knocked out and they tanked a few games near the end, barely making the playoffs.

They went 7-5 and then won their last 4 games to squeak in as the 6 seed.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Also, how are the Steelers on a roll? They lost 2 in a row and just beat a crap Rams team.

 

[east2west]

Any given sunday is right. I'm a homer but I must say that you cant deny the Steelers ARE a good football team. In my opinion the recent losess came from not having A Smith on the D line. HE is the run stopper, he pushes o linemen around, Kirske cannot. Without Smith on the line our defensive scheme doesnt work. = stop the run, force the pass, rush the QB and get the offense off the feild. True smith was in the game against the pats, but thats a different situation alltogether. If I remember correctly the pats had a time when they threw 33 consecutive passes. In this situation stopping run is not important, thus throwing us off our game plan. In order for the Steelers to beat the pats we will have to adopt a new philosiphy for that game (if we were to meet in the playoffs)

You're right but the Steelers won't have smith for the playoffs so maybe they're not a good football team anymore. That is a ridiculously huge loss for the team and takes away their trademark ability of stopping the run. Sorry this team just isn't that good anymore but you're right about the any given sunday thing.

We still have many more play makers, I believe Tomlin is a good coach and will make some changes on the defensive side of the ball to account for the loss of Smith. Afterall he is a defensive specialist. But no doubt from here on out it will be an uphill battle.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Any given sunday is right. I'm a homer but I must say that you cant deny the Steelers ARE a good football team. In my opinion the recent losess came from not having A Smith on the D line. HE is the run stopper, he pushes o linemen around, Kirske cannot. Without Smith on the line our defensive scheme doesnt work. = stop the run, force the pass, rush the QB and get the offense off the feild. True smith was in the game against the pats, but thats a different situation alltogether. If I remember correctly the pats had a time when they threw 33 consecutive passes. In this situation stopping run is not important, thus throwing us off our game plan. In order for the Steelers to beat the pats we will have to adopt a new philosiphy for that game (if we were to meet in the playoffs)

You're right but the Steelers won't have smith for the playoffs so maybe they're not a good football team anymore. That is a ridiculously huge loss for the team and takes away their trademark ability of stopping the run. Sorry this team just isn't that good anymore but you're right about the any given sunday thing.

We still have many more play makers, I believe Tomlin is a good coach and will make some changes on the defensive side of the ball to account for the loss of Smith. Afterall he is a defensive specialist. But no doubt from here on out it will be an uphill battle.

2 years ago was an uphill battle as well . Just like then, my expectations are very low for this team. However, thats not necessarily a bad thing. Historically this is not a team that does well as the favorite. They're not as talented as the other playoff teams but they can play the "no respect" card. As I said earlier, Ben is one of maybe 3 or 4 qbs who can single-handedly carry a team on his back for a playoff run.

 

[Godsbrother]

In the playoffs you need a good defense, especially against the run, and unfortunately the Steelers don't have it this season. The loss of Aaron Smith is huge but I also think Hampton has had an off year and of course Polamalu hasn't played anywhere near like he did in 2005. On top of that you have a shakey o-line and one of the worst special teams in the NFL.

That said if LeBeau can come up with a way to stop the run and if the special teams don't kill us, the Steelers offense can put up enough points to beat Jacksonville. Two major "IFs" but it is possible.

I am not even going to think of anything beyond that...

 

[timschochet]

I remain optimistic. All that's gotta happen is:

1. The Steelers find a way to beat Jacksonville, a team that ran over us the last time. I don't think Pittsburgh allows themselves to be beat up twice at home by the same team. Big Ben finds a way to a win. 20-17 Steelers.

2. This is followed by the greatest upset in football history. All Pittsburgh has to do is play perfectly, with no mistakes, and several players have to play at a level they normally don't. Moss drops a few balls he really should catch, and hopefully he becomes the goat blamed by fans and media. Pittsburgh 28-24.

3.Next, the Steelers travel to Indy. Been there, done that. Steelers 31, Colts 28. Big Ben by this time is touted as one of the elite three QBs in the game.

4. The Superbowl is anticlimatic. Steelers beat Dallas by 14. This concludes the most memorable playoff run in football history, even including 2005.

Sure, I'm dreaming. But now is the time to do so. They're in the playoffs, any given Sunday, you know the rest....

GO STEELERS!!

 

[fred_1_15301]

I remain optimistic. All that's gotta happen is:1. The Steelers find a way to beat Jacksonville, a team that ran over us the last time. I don't think Pittsburgh allows themselves to be beat up twice at home by the same team. Big Ben finds a way to a win. 20-17 Steelers.2. This is followed by the greatest upset in football history. All Pittsburgh has to do is play perfectly, with no mistakes, and several players have to play at a level they normally don't. Moss drops a few balls he really should catch, and hopefully he becomes the goat blamed by fans and media. Pittsburgh 28-24.3.Next, the Steelers travel to Indy. Been there, done that. Steelers 31, Colts 28. Big Ben by this time is touted as one of the elite three QBs in the game.4. The Superbowl is anticlimatic. Steelers beat Dallas by 14. This concludes the most memorable playoff run in football history, even including 2005.Sure, I'm dreaming. But now is the time to do so. They're in the playoffs, any given Sunday, you know the rest....GO STEELERS!!

When you put it like this, I really am optimistic about their chances

 

[Ghost Rider]

Being optimistic is one thing, but to say they are on a roll? 1-2 in their last three games, with that only win being over the 3-12 Rams, is being on a roll? Interesting.

 

[Footballg]

Generally speaking, things roll downhill more often than uphill.

 

[TxBuckeye]

Also, how are the Steelers on a roll? They lost 2 in a row and just beat a crap Rams team.

This was my first thought as well. Two losses then lose their RB in a game against a horrible team, and they are on a roll?

 

[timschochet]

Also, how are the Steelers on a roll? They lost 2 in a row and just beat a crap Rams team.

This was my first thought as well. Two losses then lose their RB in a game against a horrible team, and they are on a roll?

Hey, this is the Steelers Optimism Thread. And optimism means one win= a roll. Why are you negative people trying to bring me down?After this week, only 4 more wins for the Championship. All we gotta do is beat Jacksonville, New England, Indy, and probably Dallas. No worries!

 

[TxBuckeye]

Also, how are the Steelers on a roll? They lost 2 in a row and just beat a crap Rams team.

This was my first thought as well. Two losses then lose their RB in a game against a horrible team, and they are on a roll?

Hey, this is the Steelers Optimism Thread. And optimism means one win= a roll. Why are you negative people trying to bring me down?After this week, only 4 more wins for the Championship. All we gotta do is beat Jacksonville, New England, Indy, and probably Dallas. No worries!

Ooooh, ok, sorry. Go Steelers! (Or something)...