Pittsburgh - City of Denial

[duus]

City of Champions Denial

Over the past 3 days, I have heard every excuse in the world. They have been mentioned on this board over and over, everything from Benji's thumb to the design of Heinz Field (my all-time favorite).

All this points to the fact that the Steeler fan-base is in denial that things are changing, and not just for 2005, but for years to come. I'm a believer. They are in denial. Time will prove it true.

One post from the Steelers messageboard is indicative of their situation:

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I agree we beat the bears we will make the playoffs. We make the playoffs we are the team people are scared to face. not Denver, not colts. The steelers are the team people fear.

Our losses:

New england: okay they beat us, but extra time

Jacksonville: maddox

Baltimore: maddox

Indy: They beat us, but coaching errors and one blown play early on. Both correctable errors

cincy: 4 turnovers and they win by 7? Tell me that they are the powerhouse of the north. Please a powerhouse wins by a hell of a lot more than 7 with 4 turnovers.

Okay enough of the apologist. But I think we click and cincy chokes in the last 4 games.

Cincy takes over the north when they win the superbowl or win the north title two years in a row period. One good season does not make the passing of the tourch. Of course if you ask the experts every year it is baltimore who own the north.

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They are in denial of a) they are not 'the team' of the North, and b ) the Bengals are for real. Boy, wouldn't it just be great for the Bengals to get this championship? Hard to stay in the state of denial when reality smacks you in the face like that, huh?

[jjakq27]

He fails to mention the gift win against Green Bay. Polamalu returns an fumble for a TD and Green Bay gives them the ball on their own 20 for a short field TD.

You can't have it both ways guys. You think it's great for your team when it happens and then criticize or minimize your opponent when it happens against you.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20051106_PIT@GB

[NYBengalfan]

Looks like the Steelers breaks and the luck that they used to get are not going their way anymore. To me Pittsburgh has been good but they always got the breaks when they needed them.

This is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HoosierCat]

The clearest indication that things are changing can be found by looking at Pitt's aging roster. Here's a look at where they'll be next season (* = starter; # = listed as no. 1 backup):

DL

Travis Kirschke 32 #

Aaron Smith 30 *

Kimo von Oelhoffen 35 *

Chris Hoke 30 #

WR

Hines Ward 30 *

Quincy Morgan 29

OL

Jeff Hartings 34 *

Alan Faneca 30 *

LB

James Farrior 31 *

Clark Haggans 29 *

Joey Porter 29 *

Clint Kriewaldt 30 #

RB/FB

Jerome Bettis 34 #

Duce Staley 31 *

Dan Kreider 29 *

DB

Mike Logan 32 #

Deshea Townsend 31 *

Tyrone Carter 30 #

Willie Williams 36 #

ST

Chris Gardocki 36 *

QB

Tommy Maddox 35

Charlie Batch 32 #

Run down that list and you have a lot of key players in the thirty-something range: Ward, Kimo, Smith, Staley, Bettis, Farrior, Hartings, Faneca, Townsend. Not that age guarantees bad play but the clock is clearly ticking loudly for the current generation of Steelers starters. And at some key positions, most notably WR and RB, they have little to impress in the way of youth.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Can you say, re-building mode?

That said, every time you think the Steelers are going into a down year or cycle - they seem to be in the playoff hunt regardless.

Big Ben is the real deal and if healthy will keep them competitive. Their system and coach are too good.

[derekshank]

excuses, excuses... they get old, don't they?

There are some on this board too. When we lost in the first Pit game, and to the Colts, there were people shouting "We miss Madieu"

Granted... it would be nice to have him back... but injuries are part of the game. We aren't sitting here whining about losing one of our best defenders... But maybe that's because we're winning... HA HA!!! (Nelson Muntz)

[duus]

Can you say, re-building mode?

That said, every time you think the Steelers are going into a down year or cycle - they seem to be in the playoff hunt regardless.

Big Ben is the real deal and if healthy will keep them competitive. Their system and coach are too good.

Yep, your are absolutely correct about that. For this reason, I simply hope that either we get the #2 seed or the Steelers don't get in at all (or both!). I'm not necessarily 'concerned' about a rematch, but it's more along the line of 'experienced playoff team' and the fact that they are a divisional rival. We all know that division games can go either way, even though I think it's rather obvious that the Bengals have the better team this year.

Go Chiefs! Go Chargers! Go any team that plays the Broncos!

Go Bengals!

[HairOnFire]

Let 'em talk.

Steeler fans are desperately trying to convince themselves that it wasn't the Bengals who beat them in a must win game. Somehow it's more palatable for them to assume that their team beat themselves.

I'm reminded of the story from ancient history of the defeated general whose captured body was split lengthwise, from skull to groin, with the bloody seperated pieces then mounted high on poles placed on the opposite sides of a road. This allowed the victorious army to...in a very symbolic and quite literal manner...march directly through the conquered foe.

38 points = Two bloody poles

[bengalboomer7]

Leave it to you, Hair

[duus]

Another quote (I know ... I'm trolling around, but you have to cut me a break ... 14 years in this town!! It's my turn!):

"I can't believe we have to resort to hoping the Brownies beat the Bengals. Did the world end and nobody tell me about it?"

Answer ... yes, your world did end. Our's is just beginning.

[kingwilly]

Good point about their age, Joisey. From the looks of it, age and cap-wise, this was Pitt's year to get past NE and battle with Indy. Not gonna happen as we have bum rushed the party.

The issue the one fan raises about 4 turnovers and "only" winning by 7...to that I'd say "so what", we picked off Favre 5 times and "only" won by 7. Winners win...it only needs to be 1 point, chumps.

I attribute Pit fans being used to winning as the major reason they are having such a time of it. Grasping that they are talent poor at WR, O-line, and have a "Fragile" QB who cracks under the pressure of having to take the game by the horns is probably alot to deal with in a week. It is really a 12-step process.

When i see how Pit has done with Maddox, it makes me that much happier that we have Kitna.

[Stripes]

Those poor Steelers fans will come to terms with things soon enough. For now they will cry and point fingers, but deep down, they know the Bengals pulled off the win that they were never supposed to get.

[derekshank]

On Mike & Mike this morning... Golic (who usually snubs us) said that because the Bengals led by 7 or less for the majority of the game, that despite giving up points, it was a good defensive effort, because they dictated to Pittsburgh what they would allow.

Who would have known that Golic could have found something good about the Bengals, even when they gave up 31 points? He seems to believe that we beat them... they didn't beat themselves.

[jjakq27]

On Mike & Mike this morning... Golic (who usually snubs us) said that because the Bengals led by 7 or less for the majority of the game, that despite giving up points, it was a good defensive effort, because they dictated to Pittsburgh what they would allow.

Who would have known that Golic could have found something good about the Bengals, even when they gave up 31 points? He seems to believe that we beat them... they didn't beat themselves.

He's from Cleveland what do you expect?

[steelwarrior]

[color=#000099]

Good point about their age, Joisey. From the looks of it, age and cap-wise, this was Pitt's year to get past NE and battle with Indy. Not gonna happen as we have bum rushed the party.[/size]

I agree with almost all of this, the part I dont agree with is "you bummed rushed the party" those of us that live in the real world knew you were going to be a good football team this year.

The issue the one fan raises about 4 turnovers and "only" winning by 7...to that I'd say "so what", we picked off Favre 5 times and "only" won by 7. Winners win...it only needs to be 1 point, chumps.

I agree 100% a win is a win, who cares if its by 1 or 51.

I attribute Pit fans being used to winning as the major reason they are having such a time of it. Grasping that they are talent poor at WR, O-line, and have a "Fragile" QB who cracks under the pressure of having to take the game by the horns is probably alot to deal with in a week. It is really a 12-step process.

This statement about Ben is truely a joke, he played with a thumb that now has been stated it will require surgery, the knee injury he had would have taken a of players out for longer then three weeks, and Ben does have 7 - 4th quarter come from behind wins. so I think the part about Ben is truely unjust.

When i see how Pit has done with Maddox, it makes me that much happier that we have Kitna.

nuff said here.^^^^

steelwarrior

[jjakq27]

[color=#000099]

Good point about their age, Joisey. From the looks of it, age and cap-wise, this was Pitt's year to get past NE and battle with Indy. Not gonna happen as we have bum rushed the party.[/size]

I agree with almost all of this, the part I dont agree with is "you bummed rushed the party" those of us that live in the real world knew you were going to be a good football team this year.

The issue the one fan raises about 4 turnovers and "only" winning by 7...to that I'd say "so what", we picked off Favre 5 times and "only" won by 7. Winners win...it only needs to be 1 point, chumps.

I agree 100% a win is a win, who cares if its by 1 or 51.

I attribute Pit fans being used to winning as the major reason they are having such a time of it. Grasping that they are talent poor at WR, O-line, and have a "Fragile" QB who cracks under the pressure of having to take the game by the horns is probably alot to deal with in a week. It is really a 12-step process.

This statement about Ben is truely a joke, he played with a thumb that now has been stated it will require surgery, the knee injury he had would have taken a of players out for longer then three weeks, and Ben does have 7 - 4th quarter come from behind wins. so I think the part about Ben is truely unjust.

When i see how Pit has done with Maddox, it makes me that much happier that we have Kitna.

nuff said here.^^^^

steelwarrior

Well said SW.

As far as Ben's injury goes, we really didn't get alot of sympathy when Palmer hurt his knee last year in the NE game. We were in that one until he went out and I'll take my chances with Carson in the Buffalo game instead of Kitna the next week.

But that's the way it goes. Look at Philly and NE. Coaches and players usually don't become bad from one season to the next.

[kingwilly]

SW-

I never questioned his toughness...he is tough. But, given the recent spat of dings, he is looking a bit more fragile than once expected.

He is not very mobile. Maybe if he lost the baby fat and got fit he'd gain a step and avoid a few more hits...plus that would let guys like ward and randel-el find open spots with Ben on the move.....just a thought.

As for the 4th quarter comebacks, that tells me he has skills in the close games but having to come from behind so often says a little something bout the current state of the team...especially the D. The more times he has to come from behind, the greater the risk of cracking, vs playing with the lead (cracking under pressure vs cracking in lieu of pressure)

[walshfan]

Ben Worthlessburger is a whining drama queen...

Bad Thumb? so what... Favre has had more than one broken bone and played and won with them..

You cant expect to play football weekin weekout and not play with injuries...

The truth of the matter was Pittspuke's defense couldnt slow the Bengals down...

I dont think anyone can now... they're actually getting better and thats a scary thought for opposing teams..

[BlainThePain]

I think Ben will have an injury plagued career. He is hard to bring down and because of this he takes alot of awkward hits.

[cincyhokie]

http://p087.ezboard.com/fstillersforumfrm2...cID=14406.topic

Unreal!!!!! Even after Fanaca says he tripped Odell, these WHINY BITCH ASS Steeler fans will not let this go.....

Anyone remember Keith Gary throwing Kenny Anderson around by his facemask? Payback you dirty bitches!!!! Of all teams to complain, the Steelers and their fans have NO room to talk. They have always been one of the dirtiest teams year in and year out.

[steelwarrior]

SW-

I never questioned his toughness...he is tough. But, given the recent spat of dings, he is looking a bit more fragile than once expected.

He is not very mobile. Maybe if he lost the baby fat and got fit he'd gain a step and avoid a few more hits...plus that would let guys like ward and randel-el find open spots with Ben on the move.....just a thought.

As for the 4th quarter comebacks, that tells me he has skills in the close games but having to come from behind so often says a little something bout the current state of the team...especially the D. The more times he has to come from behind, the greater the risk of cracking, vs playing with the lead (cracking under pressure vs cracking in lieu of pressure)

this post is probably the most accurate I have read on any forum. Ben has the tools to be one of the best, IF he stays healthy, the shoot outs between him and carson over the next few years will go down in history. I think in the next couple years they may be the best in the game. If you look at the young QB's in the league, Eli,Carson, Ben, and the coming of Matt leinart, man there is gonna be some awsome numbers put up. Also you could not be anymore right on "about the current state of my team". I just wish we would have had a young gun slinger like Ben 5 years ago, maybe we could have got that fifth ring.

steelwarrior

[Columbusbengal]

this post is probably the most accurate I have read on any forum. Ben has the tools to be one of the best, IF he stays healthy, the shoot outs between him and carson over the next few years will go down in history. I think in the next couple years they may be the best in the game. If you look at the young QB's in the league, Eli,Carson, Ben, and the coming of Matt leinart, man there is gonna be some awsome numbers put up.

I think you have to count Leftwich and possibly Dru Brees in that group of young QBs (although I think he's a year older than Leftwich and Palmer). Of course, Buffalo, Chicago, and Cleveland have young QBs, too, but so far they haven't proven they deserve to be in the first group.