BleacherCoaches.com

[quote="deliverance";p="128982"]I thought that might finally shut you up.[/quote]

You don't know me very well. :lol:

I don't know if its my blind faith in the Steelers or I'm just that much of an optimist, but I think this team is still going to make a strong run for the playoffs and possibly win their division. They have a vital 2 game home stand versus the Broncos and Saints in the next 2 weeks. If they can win those 2 games and then follow that up with a win in Cleveland, they will be 5 and 5 going into their first game against the Ravens. It could be a huge momentum boost if they win the next 3 games and have that carry over into the Ravens game. Obviously, they have some problems to fix, they have to almost win out, and they need some help from other teams. Ben has to fix his head and stop making mistakes, the O-line and Special Teams have to play better, and the defense has to play as stingy as they ever have during the last 2 years.

It also helps that both Baltimore and Cincinnati have tough schedules ahead of them. Baltimore plays Bengals (2x), Steelers (2x), Falcons, and Chiefs at Arrowhead. Cincinnati plays Ravens (2x), Chargers, at Saints, at Colts, at Broncos, and Steelers one more time. They can definitely make up ground.

If there is a team that can pull it together and make a run like this it is the Steelers. We saw them do it at the end of the year and throughout the playoffs last year. Their problems are fixable and there has been glimmers of greatness all year. Only time will tell.

Nice post. I agree with about everything you said, but if they lose next week, they can pack in the season. They more than likely can already, but at least you're an actual Steeler fan. I'm impressed.

You know it's easy to kick somone when they are down...just like half baked fans who jump on bandwagons!

As Weapon X says, it (getting back in playoff hunt) will certainly not be easy...but they could do it....and all the national media naysayers - I heard a prominent host Wed. eve say Steelers were extremely lucky last yr.!

This won what, 6/7 straight games to end the season & all playoff victories on road....and the prior yr. went 15 - 1 and they are lucky!
Being a life long Steeler fan I'll keep the faith & pull like he!! that they pull the difficult/near impossible & make a legit run, if not indeed garnering a playoff spot just to kinda put it in the critics face!

The going is tough & Cowher says he's going to lean on/surround himself with those not intimidated or making excuses....knowing him & his teams m.o. I'll guarantee you one thing....the game this week vs Denver is going to be an olde fashioned, ugly, physical, war of a fb contest! Despite all the criticism and speculation that BC has suddenly lost the ability to coach (which is preposterous) his team will rally & give max effort!!

You know it's easy to kick somone when they are down...just like half baked fans who jump on bandwagons!

That comment made absolutely no sense at all.

Also being a lifelong Steelers fan, I too hope they can somehow pull this off.

However, I'm a realist too, and realistically, they aren't going to do it. To do that, they would have to fix a number of areas in a very short amount of time. But win or lose, I will always be a Steelers fan and won't jump to another TEAM, regardless of who plays for them or coaches them.

1. Offensive line - usually a strength of the Steelers, has been one of their most glaring weakness this year. They just can't seem to keep defenses from penetrating behind the line or protect their QB.

2. Special Teams - for some reason, this area of the game has often been a weakness for the Steelers under Cowher. They are especially pitiful this year, oftentimes giving opposing offenses short fields and giving their own offense the length of the field to go. Would someone please tell Holmes to quit catching punts inside the 10.

3. QB play - Ben has not been the same this year no doubt. But I believe if the 1st 2 units in my list were playing better, Ben would be doing better also.

4. Finally, play calling. Many of you will disagree with me here. Most recent example, 1st and goal at the 1. Should we run the ball to the left, where our best lineman are, or run it to the right where the guys were getting blown up the whole game? Parker to the right. 2nd and goal from the 3. Should we run the ball to the left, where our best lineman are, or run it to the right where the guys were getting blown up the whole game? Najeh to the right. 3rd and goal from the 6. Obvious pass play, Najeh in game, commits a false start. 3rd and goal from the 11. Agreed with the call to not force it in the EZ because it was 2 down territory. 4th and goal from the 3 - run the dang ball in Ben, it was wide open.

If you are first and goal from the 1, I believe you have 2 options here. First is to run a QB sneak 3 straight times if needed OR, on first down when everyone is expecting you to run, play action, roll Ben out to either find Miller in the EZ or run it in - both of which probably would have been wide open.

I just think this is too much to overcome to go on a tear and win out, but I sure hope they can. One thing is for sure though, I'll still be hoping and watching for that win every week.

As for Bill Cowher, I have not been a huge fan of him, but gave him credit for winning it all last season. But it's hard to argue the fact that he does not appear to have the same fire this season as he has had in the past. I don't know if that is the cause of their problems this season or not, but he certainly doesn't get as fired up as he used to.

And if anyone wants to sell their tickets to the Steelers / Tampa Bay game, please PM me.

My point is that actions at different ends of the spectrum can be similiar.

It seems to be sporty or the 'in thing to do', presently, knocking Bill Cowher...... and alot of the critics were waving terrible towels 8 months ago! Again, easy to criticize someone during tough times.

Likewise it is easy to support winners (jumping on bandwagons)...how hard was it to be a Bulls fan when they had MJ or a 49er fan when they were led by Joe M.?

In both instances...mainly shallow actions by mainly shallow people.

I believe what Weapon X & I were tying to say is that actual fans remain supportive ; esp. of proven winners!

You can (expletive) in one hand and wish in the other and see which one fills up first, if you think this team is making the playoffs.