A team in decline, the fall of the Steelers

[buildingmaint]

Last year the Steelers beat a bad Ravens team 20-19 ,and lost to them 13-16.This year the Ravens beat the Steelers 0-27 ,and 7-31.Two team going in opposite direction's .MY point is even when the Ravens were bad they still gave the Steelers a game.This year when the Steelers were the bad team they showed their true colors by not even showing up.These two games showed how far the Steelers have fallen and that they have many issues to address in the off season.

[Roger Clemente]

I think the three main things they need first and foremost are:

1. A 100% healthy Ben Roethlisberger

2. A 100% healthy Hines Ward

3. A 100% healthy Troy Polamalu

Special teams coverage could also use a tweak.

It could be a sign that Baltimore was actually better than their record dictated in their losing seasons. It could just be some strange sign that Baltimore, no matter how good or bad, are always difficult for Pittsburgh, like the Devil Rays against the rest of the AL East.

--Roger "Time?" Clemente.

[NJTank]

Yeah I can see them being strong next year if Roethlisberger stays healthy

[Discrim]

Yeah I can see them being strong next year if Roethlisberger stays healthy

that, and he stays away from Harleys. heh, my Memphis uncle put it real vividly about motorcycles: a cool way to die.

[J.R.]

Yeah I can see them being strong next year if Roethlisberger stays healthy

*LOL*

Roethlisberger is straight-up horrible and don't try to blame that on injuries. I don't think he was injured during Super Bowl Xtra-Large when he recorded the worst ever passer rating in SB history. This year he's that much more exposed, because he can't ride The Bus like he did in previous seasons.

[Braden]

Losing Jerome Bettis was huge too, not only did he create one of the most balanced running attacks with Willie Parker, but they lost a huge team leader too. Losing Antwan Randle-El eliminted their option for a knock-out punch gimmick play.

I think that has created a domino effect towards the ineffective o-line, and Big Ben. But they'll be back next year.

[Tentomushi5150]

I think Big Ben is starting to show more of his true abilities. He's not the heroic QB type, he's a field manager. He's closer to Brad Johnson than John Elway. Last years team was good somehow, I don't think they were overwhelming in any way, but they found a way to win(step one: break Carson Palmers leg). This year, that magic wasn't there. I don't think you can blame a collapse of this level on three players. Big Ben and Hines Ward don't play defense, which has been horrendous at times this year. Troy Polamalu is good, but he isn't a one man wrecking crew out there.

[harperdc]

what I like to think is that the super bowl loser mojo was destined for the Steelers - because the Seahawks were robbed - and that's the reason they've struggled this year, but the real problem is that they haven't had all their stars at 100%, especially Ben. He never got fully healthy.

[FiddySicks]

Yeah I can see them being strong next year if Roethlisberger stays healthy

*LOL*

Roethlisberger is straight-up horrible and don't try to blame that on injuries. I don't think he was injured during Super Bowl Xtra-Large when he recorded the worst ever passer rating in SB history. This year he's that much more exposed, because he can't ride The Bus like he did in previous seasons.

Dude, I gotta give Rothlesberger credit for being as good this year as he has been. Dude did a steel and glass faceplant, had his appendix (or some useless organ) removed three days before the start of the season, and lost his big back and one of his top recievers. He pretty much had everything you could think of stacked up against him. You can toss the "Hate Salt" all you want, but fact is, Big Ben has an enormous amount of wins under his belt and a Super Bowl ring, and thats with him missing a good chunk of his THIRD season.

[BlueSky]

Whether they'll admit it or not, the questions around Cowher leaving didn't help. It's like the Mora thing in Atlanta, if your leader might be a short timer, it's probably tough for him and the players to get totally motivated.

[Luigi74]

The Steelers replacements for who the Steelers lost via retirement, free agency and injuries never panned out had they had a decent return man they don't lose to Cincy and are still in the playoff hunt and Cowher never should have let Ben R. play against Jacksonville(not 100% after the appendix) and Oakland(not 100% after the concussion) Charlie Batch would have won them one of those games and they would be in the playoffs with a win at home this coming sunday. The Steelers front office should get alot of the blame they didnt get a big back to replace Bettis they thought Duece Staley would be it, they made a huge mistake with Holmes he may end up a decent WR but he is a risk to muff a punt or kick every time he is back there and they needed to get some depth on the O-Line which they didnt and it showed late in the season.