2015, Is This Where It All Begins?
As the dust settles on the Steelers 2015 season; it’s time to look back and process what transpired over the last 5 months and take it all in.
It’s time to appreciate the fact that this team managed 10 wins in the regular season, clinched a playoff berth on the last day of the season and even won their first playoff game, in miracle fashion, since 2011.
While there were certainly some moments of doubt and less than stellar play, some highly questionable decisions made by Mike Tomlin and two terrible losses to the bitter rival Ravens, this team made a nearly improbable run.
From the very beginning they were without all pro Maurkice Pouncey, arguably the best center in the game. Who knows what kind of impact he would have had on the rushing attack or pass protection this year, had he played?
Ben Roethlisberger, one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, was hurt on three separate occasions, missing 4 games in the regular season and playing in the playoffs against the Broncos with an injured shoulder. Had he been fully healthy this past Sunday, the narrative could be completely different.
LeVeon Bell, the best running back in the league, was hurt in the 6th game of the year and was lost for the season. There is no doubt that missing one of the most versatile players in football greatly hindered this offense. While they still managed to put up lots of yards and score points in droves, there were times when the offense stalled and sputtered and the presence of Bell would have provided a spark. Had he been available for the playoffs, the black and gold would still be playing and would have more than a punchers chance against the defending champion Patriots.
Let’s not forget that Bell’s backup, DeAngelo Williams, who put up a remarkable season after taking over the running back job when Bell went down was also injured and unavailable for both playoff games. Had he played on Sunday, this team would still be alive.
Of course, the loss of Antonio Brown due to his concussion in the first round of the playoffs was highly detrimental to the team against the Broncos. Anytime you lose the best play maker in the league, you’re going to have an uphill fight and once again, had he played, this team would still be moving on.
The 2015 season may be looked upon now as the ‘what if’ season, what if none of these guys got injured? What if Fitz Touissant doesn’t fumble against the Broncos as the team is driving, in the fourth quarter, with the lead? What if Mike Tomlin had elected to go for the field goal down 3-0 instead trying for the first down? However, in a year or two, this season may very well be looked back upon as the season that started the dynasty. This could be the season that begins to lead the Steelers back to greatness, back to the big stage and back to their spot at the top of the NFL, hoisting their seventh Lobardi Trophy.
Think about it, they are loaded on offense with young talent, most of which went down with injuries during the season or post season. They should all be back next season and we can only assume and hope they will be fully healthy. A fully healthy Steeler offense, in the playoffs, would be very daunting for any team in the league to stop.
The defense certainly has their issues, particularly in the secondary, but unlike the past few seasons, the team actually has cap space now. They have money they can spend and while this team is traditionally frugal, it may be time they address their dire need in the defensive backfield via free agency. Additionally, they can fill that need via the draft and they will also get Senquez Golston back (their 2nd round pick from last season, who is a corner, who was on IR all this year).
The linebackers are young and Jarvis Jones and Ryan Shzazier made some big leaps this year. Shazier will need to be a bit healthier but the trajectory looks good for both of these young men. Couple that with perennial work horse Lawrence Timmons and up and coming rookie Bud Dupree and this could be the making of the next Steel curtain.
You have to love the defensive line as well. You’ve got Cam Heyward on one side and Stephon Tuitt on the other. Both men were big time playmakers this season and with another year under their belts, they are going to be that much better.
Championship teams build on these types of shortcomings, they use the pain from these early exits and disappointments and they build upon them. The black and gold feel like they still had a lot of football left to play this season and they came up a few plays short. They can pout about it or they can use it to fuel the fire for next season.
Time will certainly tell just how we look back on this ride we call the 2015 Steeler season, will it be one of ‘what ifs’ or will it be one where we can say, “that’s when it all started?” I’m leaning towards the latter and I bet the men in that locker room are too.
Stay Classy Cincinnati
Hey, Cincinnati, here’s a message you should listen to, it’s important, so get ready, are you ready? Are you sure? Ok, here it is; If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten! Yep, think about that one for a second.
In other words, if you always act like punks, you’ll always get eliminated early in the playoffs because it will bite you in the rear end, as it did Saturday night. You’re a classless organization and a classless city, all proven again on Saturday night.
It’s said that the Steelers represent the city they play for, hardworking, blue collar yet tough, get the job done the right way. It seems it’s true that the Bengals represent the city of Cincinnati too with their dirty play, trashy attitude and overall lack of respect and utter disregard for anyone’s safety. Don’t think so? Were the players the ones throwing bottles and trash out of the stands at the Steelers? Were the players the ones cheering when Big Ben got hurt? Nope, they were just being led by you idiots. Vontaze Burfict and Pac Man Jones are your shadows, they are representing you, they are classless, dirty and awful humans and they represent you Cincinnati. Oh, another thing they have in common with you, you’re all losers!
The narrative of the game could have and should have been how the Steelers blew a 15 point fourth quarter lead; it even could have been one where Vontaze Burfict was the hero but it isn’t and he wasn’t. Instead it’s one where the Bengals blew a sure win due to a moron acting like a fool. Burftic couldn’t hide his true nature and neither could you Cincinnati. He acted like a menace, a thug and a loser, a true representation of the city he plays for. The cherry on top was Pac Man Jones getting the additional 15 yard penalty to easily hand the Steelers the win.
The city of Pittsburgh thanks you all. Thank you for doing what you’ve always done and getting where you’ve always gotten. Pittsburgh will continue to do what they’ve always done and will continue to get what they’ve always gotten. Care to guess what that may be? Think about it.
Stay Classy Cincinnati.
Ten Years Later, Steelers Try To Repeat Super Bowl Run In A Completely Different Way
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Ten years after the Steelers entered the 2005 playoffs as the 6th seed and went on a miracle run to win the Super Bowl, they’ll try to repeat that feat.
They enter the 2015 playoffs as the 6th seed and just like in 2005; they open up on the road at Cincinnati. That however is really where the comparisons end.
Many people want to liken this team to the 2005 team but they are so different. That team was led and carried by a number one rated defense. A defense filled with superstars like Troy Polamalu, Joey Porter, James Farrior, Casey Hampton, Aaron Smith and Ike Taylor, to name just a few. That defense was tenacious and one that could be trusted on any given down. This year the defense is by far the weakest link, the secondary is very bad and even though the team has gotten more sacks and turnovers this season vs. the last couple, they can’t be trusted on any down to make the necessary plays to get off the field.
The 2005 offense was led by Big Ben but he was more of a game manager back then. The offense was more centered around the run and Fast Willie Parker. They did have Hines Ward and Heath Miller but the air attack wasn’t nearly as scary as it is today. Now, Big Ben is a true elite quarterback, the running attack is not nearly as prevalent (and may not exist at all if DeAngelo Williams doesn’t play) and the team has wide receiver weapons all over the field including the best in the business in Antonio Brown.
The black and gold are now a throw first offense who need to put up 30 points a game, or more, in order to win shootouts while back in 2005 the offense could score 14 and win because the defense could and often would, hold the opponent down.
While the 2005 team made a run and won the Super Bowl based on running the ball and playing a high level of defense, we’ll need to wait and see how the 2015 version of throw the ball first does.
Both campaigns started off in Cincinnati, one ended in Lombardi Trophy number 5, will the other end with Trophy number 7?
It all starts Saturday night, get your popcorn ready.
