Believe it or not, the Steelers can actually still go to the playoffs. After two inexcusable losses in a row, the first time in three years for Big Ben, our boys are still in it. I know it's hard to believe, but it's true. All they have to do is win out. If they can beat the Bengals and the Browns in the last two games, at home mind you, they will be in the playoffs. I can't believe I actually started that last sentence with an "If". That's how sad the situation has gotten. You know, with the Penguins not playing, you would think the Steelers would give us more to cheer about. But after the last two weeks, I think they should change their name back to what it originally was, The Pittsburgh Pirates.
In my humble opinion, the entire problem boils down to leadership. It's a coaching problem, nothing more, nothing less. If Big Ben has a problem with Todd Haley, then Tomlin needs to step in and fix it. Maybe Ben needs to grow up, maybe Haley doesn't have the best people skills. I am not sure which it is, and I really don't care. Tomlin needs to fix it, that's his job. And I also think that is where the problem lies. Tomlin can not get his team up for the lesser opponents. I am not sure he has their heads in the right place. Look at some of the Steelers losses; Oakland, Tennessee, Cleveland, San Diego. I wont throw Dallas in there. They have actually stepped up as a team, they were at home, our secondary was banged up, and Ben threw a stupid, worthless pass for an interception in overtime. But the other four are inexcusable. It's just like any other business, if you can't get your people to take the little things seriously, you will not succeed. The Steelers should be 11-3 right now, not 7-7. They should be sitting on top of the AFC, not struggling for a 6th seed Wild Card spot. And it all falls on one man, Tomlin. He's not coaching Cowher's team anymore, this is his team, and he needs to step up and get these guys on the same page. A game against San Diego is just as important and just as dangerous as a game against Baltimore. And while he is doing it, he needs to fire Special Teams Coach Amos Jones. The fumbles and poor play are killing the Steelers.
So let's hope for two more wins folks. But to be honest, they way things have gone, I would be more optimistic if we were playing Denver and New England, instead of Cincinnati and Cleveland. Man, that's a weird, sad statement.
