Wow. That's the only word I can summon when I think about this season. It's been a long long time since I've witnessed such a complete and total collapse of a football team. There's really no single player to blame either. This team is just playing downright ugly in almost EVERY aspect of the game. Special teams looks like a JV High School squad, the O-line getting detroyed by teams like the Cleveland freakin' Browns pass rush, Defense giving up big plays to pathetic offenses in CLUTCH situations, losing battles at the line of scrimmage everywhere, Offense is totally out of sync. It's just really ugly, and VERY difficult to watch as a die-hard fan. While Polamalu IS missed, he's definitely not the problem here. He may have single-handedly kept them in a few of these close games, but he shouldn't have had to. These losses are to teams that the Steelers SHOULD have man-handled with or without their defensive star.
These last two losses hurt the most, and not just because they were to horrible football teams. Realistically, BOTH of these games were MUST WINS, with the Steelers fighting for their playoff lives. I never am happy with a loss, but I can live with it when I feel my team did their best. That just wasn't the case, especially last week. These guys are playing with absolutely NO passion or intensity. They're just out there going through the motions as if they could give two ****s whether they're on the field or not. It's unreal! I seriously wish Tomlin would have just started assigning seats on the bench and throwing some of the young guys out there. At least THEY might have some motivation to prove something, and maybe THEY would be fired up. What do they have to lose?? How much worse could they possibly perform?? The starters certainly were'nt in it to win it (with the exception of a few).
Oh well....it is what it is. Season in ashes. I forsee (and sincerely HOPE for) some serious changes this offseason. Bob Ligashesky (ST's coach) and Bruce Ariens (Off. Coordinator)....I hope you have your bags packed and a police escort outta town! I'll be standing by the Parkway waving a one finger salute as you leave. And that's just the beginning.... ;-)