If the Steelers season was fading following their three-point loss to the Ravens last week, today’s loss to the Oakland Raiders officially puts their year on life support. For what seems to have been the theme of the 09 season, the defense again was letdown in the fourth quarter, as they allowed Bruce Gradkowski to carve them up for a touchdown drive with 9 seconds left for a 27-24 loss.
“You know, really not a lot needs to be said in regards to how that game ended,” Mike Tomlin said. “I’m not going to make any excuses for it. We didn’t make a play. We didn’t make a play to win that football game defensively.”
You can say that again. The defense allowed big play after big play, and in the end, they had a chance to easily win it but rookie DB Joe Burnett dropped an easy interception that would have bailed out the Steelers against a team that is simply not that good.
Instead, they now have lost four straight for the first time since the 2003 season. They also have now but themselves totally behind the 8-ball for any shot at the playoffs, as they sit at .500 at 6-6 on the season. They have four games left, but right now the playoffs look like light years away.
Tomlin, who in his second year led the team to the Super Bowl, now has to answer the question about how to keep the team together amid all the issues they are having on the field. “They’re professional, I believe that they will. That’s a uniquely close group,” Tomlin said. “Our performance is below the line, but that’s just our performance, it’s not who we are. I’ll reiterate that point to them as we prepare for a short week to go to Cleveland, but I won’t be surprised that that group is able to stay together. Ultimately our focus and our energy needs to be on winning a football game, finishing a football game.”
The Steelers looked to have the game won when Ben Roethlisberger threw an 11-yard score to Hines Ward with 1:56 left to take a 24-20 lead. It came after Oakland burned Ike Taylor on a long ball to Louis Murphy for 75 yards to put Oakland up 20-17 with 5:28 left.
The defense allowed Oakland three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, this after allowing just two field goals in the first three quarters. “You just can’t keep letting it happen – week in and week out,” Taylor said. “Having leads and having opportunities to close a game. This is the NFL. Regardless of what the records are, teams are still good.”
Roethlisberger was 18-for-24 for 278 yards with two TD’s and another end zone pick. Rashard Mendenhall ran for 103 yards and a score as well. The 6-6 club will be in Cleveland on Thursday.
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Mike
December 6, 2009 at 6:48 pm
No answers and nothing to think this team won’t finish any better that 8-8 if they are extremely lucky. That is their fifth loss by 3 points this year. Not being able to win close games comes down to a few plays a game. Hell, I don’t know. So frustrating. There is not one thing to put your finger and say if they fix that, they will be fine. Obviously, their play on defense in the 4th quarter of games this year has been awful. I was one of those people to think Gay was a good CB. How wrong was I? He is dreadful. I am going to stop typing now becasue I am not sure where to take this post. They go 10-6 i think they will make playoffs.
mark
December 6, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Mike, sorry to disappoint you, but this team is not going to make the playoffs. To not be able to beat the likes of the Chiefs and Raiders makes that official. This is the worse defense I think the Steelers have put on the field since the 1999 season. Seriously, this is bad. I dont care where they are ranked statistically against the rush, pass or points allowed. This defense has not come up with 1 game saving play ALL SEASON! Missed tackles, dropped Interceptions, allowing drives to continue, not getting off the field. The list goes on. The Raider drive today that won the game started at their own 15 with about a minute and 40 seconds. What happened? The more I type, the more disgusted I get. This defense sucks. PERIOD! I dont want the “no Aaron Smith” The “no Troy” excuses. Thats old and doesnt hold water. The culprits that did take the field (Ike Taylor,Ty Carter,Ryan Clark and the ever so terrible Willie Gay) are to blame. Who cant pass on the this secondary? Bruce Gradkowski!! C’mon! Mendenhall goes over 100, Ben has 280 and 2 TD’s, The o-line played well and the Famous Steeler Defense blows, what, 3 4th quarter leads? Its so bad its comical. Watching the Raider WR win a desperation jump ball with seconds left, watching our rookie drop an easy pick that would have won the game, watching a 3rd and 2 or so go for a long t.d against Taylor who looked lost on the play. Watching Willie Gay slip, slide, fall and otherwise get tortured all day? I was actually happy he got hurt because I knew then he would not be on the field for the next play even though it looked like a loss was inevitable at that point. Steeler fans, this is bad. A wasted effort by the few players that actually show up on Sunday. As far as Im concerned, I would not care if next season is a complete change of philosophy as far as the 3-4 going out in favor of a more cover-2, 4-3 scenario. Put Timmons in the middle. Something has to change in Pittsburgh. It really does. I say that because this is not how a champion defends its title. If this is what the Steelers are, then shame on them for playing a whole season without any balls.Ill blog more to responses but right now Im going to go puke after this post brought back the memories of today.
Jack
December 6, 2009 at 9:23 pm
As much gratification this unit has given Steeler Nation last year, there is that much disappointment and frustration this year. Hearing the boos at Heiz Field today sucked but were certainly deserving. Mark, I agree. Yes, Palamalu is a true difference maker in the same form of past greats like Lott and Smith’s loss hurts, but to see these kind of defensive breakdowns is unacceptable. However, as far as the switch in defensive philosophies, I can’t completely agree at this point. Now, I could be wrong and if so some one correct me, but the trend in defensive philophies is actually getting away from the 4-3. I believe more teams are switching to the 3-4 and some version of the zone blitz. I think its not working right now simply because we are outmanned at some positions. Willie Gay is , too put it lightly, having a bad start as an everydown corner. Ike Taylor who has been mentioned as a great shut down corner by some Steeler fans might be exploited as nothing more than a solid if not spectacular corner. Good but not the corner that fans might want. Maybe, when on the field Palamalu is that special that he makes what are solid football players even better. I don’t know. But there is enough playmakers and more importantly champions on the defense to not allow pathetic losses to two of the worst teams in football. Sorry, Ike, your explanation is not cutting it. The average football fan knows that the Raiders and the Chiefs are not supposed to win those games. Yes they are professional football teams but so are the Toronto Argonauts. Not in the same league.
Mike
December 6, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Mark, I don’t think I would change a defensive philosophy that has worked so well for the better part of a couple decades because of a bad year. I think a couple of upgrades at certain positions and they are still a dominant bunch. 43 is not on the field. I am not sure you can discount that. He is without question one of the top 3 defensive players in the game. It makes a difference that he is not out there. Period. Whether or not it is an excuse is irrelevant. Its reality and the Steelers are not handling that reality very well. William Gay is God awful. I can not believe that Townsend or one of the rookies is not a better option at this point. They can’t possibly be worse.
I guess i am an eternal optimist but they can still make the postseason. I have said it before and i will say it again. Teams are not blowing out the Steelers. Our 6 losses are by a combined 21 points. A couple of made field goals here or there and we are…well we are not but you get my point. If they can pull it together on the lake Thursday night, get a long rest before the Packers game and get 43 healthy and on the field (except for FG’s Jay) I think they can do this. Like I said, i am an unapologetic optimist.
John
December 6, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Just devastated after this latest disaster. You can blame the defense, but we really should be up by more than 4 points by the half. We need to start building bigger leads to increase our margn of error.
mark
December 6, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Ok maybe I am a bit hasty in my thoughts about switching defensive philosophies, but C’mon. This was a terrible loss. John states that we should be building bigger leads. Thats fine, but to NEED bigger leads because our defense can no longer hold teams off is unacceptable! We have to start winning in spite of our defense? I am talking about the Steeler defense. A defense that was off the charts just a year ago and should be better with the presence of Timmons playing as a starter. Did Bryant Mcfadden mean that much? I guess it does when Gay is playing like this.We ran well today, we passed well today but our defense blew another one. Yes, we have lost 6 games by a total of 21 points. Yes, our special teams have been bad but it has been the defense that could NOT hold leads in the 4th quarter against: Bears,Bengals,Chiefs, Raiders and Ravens. Championship Defense? Not this year guys.
John
December 6, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Good points Mark. I don’t disagree. I’m all about good defense and running the ball on O. (Whatever happened to that by the way??) In terms of big picture I agree with you. We need to make stops like we always used to … no doubt. But, I would love to have a game where we just got out on top, and never looked back. That way we wouldn’t have to worry about these gut wrenching 4th quarters! There’s never really been an opportunity to enjoy any of these games because it’s been so close (except for maybe San Diego, and even that got dicey at the end). I think I’m just getting frustrated.
Allan
December 7, 2009 at 3:11 am
I live in the Bay Area and had to listen to Greg Papa go nuts on the radio. The same old same old – rehash not needed. Why is Arians on the sideline? Shouldn’t he be up in the box watching the entire field & plays unfold? Can you imagine if they had not waived Anthony Madison earlier this season? Tomlin should be taking heat for this season. He ultimately made the decisions that formed this team and when you win – you get credit – but when you lose, take the heat. No running game, too many sacks on Ben, too many red zone flops, DBs with hands of cement, can’t cover a kickoff or punt, too many missed assignments, 3 points or 3 million points – it’s still a loss. There are lots of holes everywhere.
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mark
December 7, 2009 at 7:13 am
John, I agree! It would be nice to win a game wire-to-wire. Believe me, the talent is there on offense to do this. Its just for some reason this year, the defense is a step behind getting to the ball. Or in front of it. The Steelers do not seem to generate many picks from the secondary. Teams are passing on the Steelers and other then the sack,teams are successful. The secondary without Troy is putrid. With Troy, they are better, but still leave many plays on the field. What happened from last year to now?
mark
December 7, 2009 at 10:03 am
I want to comment to Mike. Mike, you are correct. This defense has been nasty for the better part of the decade and has helped deliver 2 Titles. Believe me, I understand that not having Troy out there is hurting,but I cant seem to understand how the starting defense from last year is playing so poorly. Is this a case of “woe is us for not having Troy”? Its almost like they dont believe they can win anymore. They played 3 quarters of offense yesterday like they were afraid of mistakes and once again played a 4th quarter of defense like they are out manned. I cant believe this team is out manned on defense. We know Gay is in over his head, but to see Taylor exploited. To see Farrior a step behind to see Harrison being held…all the time. Whats going on?
DrGeorge
December 7, 2009 at 10:54 am
Football is still a team sport. In prior weeks, I suggested the deficiencies of the defense were numerous and inter-related: the inability of our defensive line to put pressure on opposing QBs, especially late in the game, has exposed our weakness at CB (especially Wm. Gay); this has forced Dick LeBeau to skew his defensive scheme, forcing our slower ILBs to cover backs and receivers in short zone coverages and our Safeties to over-compensate for our CBs on deeper routes. LeBeau is not to blame. He has done a masterful job of disguising our inadequate talent, trying to win with smoke and mirrors. Aging veterans, injuries, free agency and the salary cap all conspire against a quick fix. Last week, I suggested the Steelers’ 6-5 record (.545) accurately reflected the quality of the team’s play to date and for the foreseeable future. (A number of other contributors have echoed some or all of these sentiments.)
This Sunday, the Steelers lost again, to the lowly Raiders of all teams, and in the same dismal fashion as before, despite improved play on special teams and offense. Once again, the defense could not protect a lead. This time, it was the famed offensive juggernaut of Gradkowski to Murphy that weaved its magic and befuddled our secondary. Now, we are 6-6, and our many defensive flaws are glaringly obvious. Every NFL team and announcer is talking about them now.
True, more robust offensive production would help. The return of Polamolu would help. But those are palliatives, not solutions. For years our stalwart defense compensated for the many problems of our special teams and offense. No more. Now, the tide has gone out, and we can see who on has been swimming naked. The Steelers’ defensive woes are real and extensive. Without better talent, even the genius of LeBeau can’t make those problems disappear any time soon. There is no quick fix in sight. That’s the sad truth.
Some of the bloggers here saw it coming weeks ago. We discussed it, and our views were disparaged by a few as disloyal whining. After the Oakland game, I trust the point is no longer in doubt. As a long time Steelers fan, I find no satisfaction in being right. The facts speak for themselves. And it doesn’t do any good to shoot the messenger.
mark
December 7, 2009 at 11:43 am
DrGeorge, again we agree! Dick Lebeau is not to blame. He has once again tried to compensate for lack of talent. My suggestion from yesterday to see a switch from 3-4 to 4-3 was only to try to remedy what is hurting this team. Because I too do not see this getting better with a year off. Draft picks will help depth, but the aging Farrior and Townsend,the underachieving Gay, the not ready Barnett, the mediocre Carter and the soon to be gone Clark will leave the Steelers with an even bigger problem next season when it comes to the secondary. I have watched Ike Taylor have 2 horrid games in a row now and it is clear that while, good he is NOT great.Teams are not having a problem attacking him or anyone else in that secondary. The pass rush has always helped the secondary and having Troy back there hides a lot of sins, but sometimes you have to man-up and make a play and this team just cannot do it. After 12 games that is clear. Imagine the fallout if they were to lose to the Browns? That would be the most embarrassing of all and to tell you all the truth, I am not so sure this team will win that game. A shaken psyche, a defense that lets BAD teams hang around,and a short week. Coupled with a Browns team that would love to kick the Steelers when they are down and finish them off makes for a very precarious situation for Tomlin and his players. Does anyone actually have confidence that the Browns are a slam-dunk? I doubt the team does either.
jay
December 7, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Who cares at this point about winning? The team is an embarrassment and the product on the field is not worth my time. I sit here and take a study break…I just looked up palliative…Last year, yes worth my time, this year, no…sound disloyal? Like I mentioned in earlier blog, if Chunky’s soup started sucking as a product, I would no longer buy it…Why is this any different…I am pissed the fuck off so excuse me if i fall short of effusive in relation to the black and gold…Dr. George makes salient points (the ones I understood), I’m not sure about a 4-3; not sure if changing defense is the answer, the problem has too much synergy to be solved in one off season…unless we WERE TO FUCKING PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN FREE AGENCY FOR A CHANGE!!!! Yes, I suffer form anger problems and Lewis Black is my favorite comedian….What is it, by the way, about playing a significant role in free agency that makes one shutter and speculate that that will be the new way things are done ALL THE TIME FROM NOW ON!?! It doesn’t mean that, it CAN be done one off season and then gone back to regular penny pinching….We know the Rooney’s can squeeze a dime until it nickel until it shits a dime…But, c’mon, draft classes have been less than spectacular….Ben is in his prime, we have some decent receivers and a good RB, TE…Some good players on Defense (as long as Tomlin’s illiterate ass keeps TROY off the field during field goals)…Yes, Dr. George, This isn’t getting better anytime soon because of the philosophy to draft and develop home grown talent. I too was happy when Gay got hurt, will be happy NOT to bring Clark back because he sucks and look forward to seeing Farrior hit the road because he’s old…Like I said before, I root for games in today, not yesterday…Tomlin would have us believe that repeating is not the operative word because, among other things, it represents the past and we don’t live in the past; a cavalier implication of moving forward past our relatively irrelevant accomplishments…Oh yeah, Mike, why don’t you try winning with some of your own players then!