Steelers fans frustrated with “excuses”

It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Pittsburgh Steelers are in transition. They’ve spent the past two NFL seasons (2012-2013) in a position that has not lived up to the traditional winning ways of the franchise. After going 1-3 in the preseason, the Steelers managed their first game against the Cleveland Browns and played miserably against the Baltimore Ravens. With week three coming up against the Carolina Panthers, Steelers fans are looking for more of an explanation as to what is “wrong” with the team rather than the sound bites they feel the team and coaches have been offering.

Hearing from the fans

There has been a definite shift from the die-hard, ride until you die spirit that typically permeates ‘Steelers Nation’. The once loud and proud fanbase has turned bitterly disappointed and runs to the extreme of negativity thus far in the 2014 NFL season.

One has only to go to social media sites Twitter and Facebook, or to the Steelers’ official website (steelers.com) to see that frustration over performance has boiled over into heated debates. It’s typical for an NFL team to receive negative responses from fans when performance is down. What isn’t typical for Steelers fans is what they perceive to be unaddressed issues.

Head coach Mike Tomlin uses the word “obvious” – a lot. Fans are starting to find the usage annoying and passive.

“If things are obvious,” Greg Daniels, a fan from near Nashville, Tennessee, wrote, “why can’t coach T be specific about how the team will address what is wrong? I love the Steelers, but the organization is heading in the wrong direction.”

“I don’t want to hear the word ‘obvious’ one more time from Tomlin or any of the coaches,” wrote Ted Hamilton. “Let’s start hearing what is going to be done, period.”

Frustration running over among teammates

Brett Keisel and Mike Mitchell, both veterans on the Steelers defense in 2014, were vocal on Monday about the necessity for the entire team to play at a professional level. Their comments, although not directed at any particular player, appear to be aimed mainly at the youthful members of their squad.
Unfortunately for those young teammates, time may have run out for them to get a sympathetic ear about personal struggles to get into the next gear – the NFL gear.

Football is a team sport, and the blame for wins and losses should fall squarely and evenly on everyone’s shoulders. Unfortunately, the slow pace of how rookies and younger players have progressed, especially on defense, will continue to be a topic of scrutiny. Other NFL teams have young players as well, and they don’t appear to be having the concentration, assignment and fundamental difficulties that the Steelers are. The Steelers picked up some very talented players in the last two offseasons in rookie free agents and draft picks. They’ll be expected to grow up fast and get on board with the program or risk becoming the scapegoats to fans.
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