As predicted by the Steeler Face, Pittsburgh won its last game of 2012, beating the Cleveland Brownie Elves 24-10 at Heinz Field. Big Ben tossed 3 touchdown passes, Troy Polamalu recorded an interception, the offense ran the no-huddle, and the defense forced turnovers -- all of the things that would have made a difference in the Steelers' previous three straight losses.
The win evens the Steelers' record at 8-8 and concludes the most disappointing season in recent memory for this fan -- as Pittsburgh was not just one game, but one play from making the playoffs. A wide receiver fumble in week three against the Oakland Raiders, a ridiculous field goal attempt against the Tennessee Titans in week six, a fumble on a punt return in week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys, or a late interception against the Cincinnati Bengals in week 16 -- each were game breaking plays -- and just one more win would have put Pittsburgh in the postseason.
There were some bright spots in 2012. Heath Miller had his best season with 71 catches for 816 yards and 8 touchdowns, Lawrence Timmons collected 6 sacks and 3 interceptions, Shaun Suisham made 28 of 31 field goal attempts, Plaxico Burress made a spectacular touchdown catch at Heinz Field on Sunday and may possibly resurrect his career in Pittsburgh. Better still--love him or hate him--the Steelers have a franchise quarterback in the person of Ben Roethlisberger who managed 26 TDs against 8 INTs and over 3,000 yards passing in an "off season".
And if none of that impresses you--please keep in mind that no team has won more Super Bowls or playoff games (or has better uniforms) than the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That said--the standard is the standard in Steeler Nation--and we are ultimately disappointed with outcome of 2012, and we are all fretting over the uncertainty ahead in 2013 . . .
1. Steelers ownership: I'm more than happy that the Rooneys own and manage the Steelers. They're awesome, and their success is unmatched. No one is perfect though, and even the Rooneys made a big mistake in 2012 by not soliciting buy-in from their franchise player on ownership's decision to try and make Pittsburgh a run-first team with a small-ball approach in the passing game. It backfired. Admit it. Big Ben has more than stepped-up and took blame for the poor decisions he made on the field (ahem, by the way, 26 TDs and only 8 INTs in 13 games). He's not perfect either, and he said so. Moreover, if you let him, Ben will take the blame for the whole season, but in fairness (and reality) he shouldn't and isn't. He is the franchise player of this team, and love him or hate him, THIS TEAM WILL NOT WIN WITHOUT HIM.
2. Coaching: Mike Tomlin is a good coach. I'm glad he coaches the Steelers. He took Pittsburgh to two Super Bowls in a three-year time span. In six years as the Steelers coach he hasn't had a loosing record, but still, he's not perfect either. Tomlin's inability to call a timeout is well documented, and this year his inability to call for a 2-point conversion attempt, make in-game adjustments, or take control over situational play calling were especially noticed. The Steelers lost 5 games by exactly 3 points--two of those games to the riff-raff Raiders and Titans and two other games to division rivals, Ravens and Bengals. Is Todd Haley to blame for the uninspired and abysmal play calling throughout the season? Yes. Could Tomlin have ordered a change of approach? Yes. Remember the Ray Sherman disaster in 1998? In his first and only season as Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator -- then Head Coach Bill Cowher took over the play calling duties.
3. Defense: "Say what?!" you say. Sorry, but I've seen this paper champion defense get shredded on too many 3rd-and-long and 4th-and-ridiculous situations this year and last. I love Dick LeBeau, and I hope he is Pittsburgh's DC next year. However, if we're going to stick with the 3-4 we need to get the personnel who can carry it out.
4. Offense: Will Todd Haley adapt the most boring and predictable offense ever? Will he get a head coaching job in Arizona? I'm hopeful for the latter. Mike Wallace will be gone, but Plaxico Burress could make for a nice (and much less expensive) replacement. Rashard Fumblehall is gone too, but Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer are not premier backs. Would the Steelers please go after Steven Jackson of the St. Louis Rams, who will become a free agent? I love Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch, but these guys are unable to stay healthy as backups. Moreover, it is time for the Steelers to start grooming a young number 2 behind Big Ben.
5. Special teams: Can we find a punter who can kick the ball farther than 30 yards?
6. Will Jerome Bettis be elected to the Hall of Fame?
No comments:
Post a Comment