That’s it then. We’re done. 
(And WTF is up with the Pens?!?!)
Can’t win every year. I’m only mildly disappointed since this team had zero chance of making any noise in the playoffs. Don’t get me wrong, I would rather see them in but let’s face it the odds were extremely bleak. I’ve been following this team long enough to know that next season starts right now and we’re really in pretty good shape. We’re fairly young at a lot of key spots. We need to upgrade at corner, right guard, add some youth to the d-line. This team can contend next year and I’m looking forward to see what moves they make.
It seems improbable that Aaron Smith will be back. I don’t think many people really understand how much he means to this defense. Let this quote from Dick Lebeau sink in (from last season):
These are VERY big shoes to fill. Ziggy Hood is looking good but he’s a better replacement for Brett Keisel than Aaron Smith. Maybe they could pry Adam Carriker away from St-Louis somehow, he’s a 3-4 end if I’ve ever seen one.
Anyway, another year down. Teach Mendenhall to hang on to the ball, launch Bruce Arians from a catapult, and start filling those holes. We have a Super Bowl to win, just not this one.
So, in the end analysis, what changed from last year to this year that took the team from Super Bowl winner to out-of-the-playoffs?
Good question. I mentioned Aaron Smith above because I think without him all the units are affected. The linebackers have a tougher job and then the secondary has troubles. Of course having Polamalu out didn’t help either but history has shown that when the front seven is applying pressure this D can win without Polamalu. With the problems up front they really needed Troy’s playmaking skills.
I think we also need some more hunger on this team. Too many guys with two rings. Guys like Ike Taylor and Tyrone Carter being out of position on big late game plays because they didn’t know the play call is inexcusable. Taylor isn’t going anywhere but Carter is probably gone.
I think the offense played really well in spite of Bruce Arians and they only need some tweaks.
More defensive turnovers, better third-down defense and we’re back in business.
Moderators please change this thread to" The Steelers March to Mediocracy and the joining with the Browns and Lions"
Well, hell. Not that it matters, given that the Ravens won and the Bengals are getting their ass handed to them by the Jets…
Nevertheless, I can’t help but be disgusted by the fact that the Hoodie gave the game away, first by blowing a big lead and then by putting in a scrub quarterback at the end where Brady usually thrives. Such is life.
Well, the Steelers didn’t make the playoffs. I suppose there are worse things in life, though at the moment I am loathe to think of any. Wait until next year, I say. They’ll be there. Count on it.
In the meantime, since I will not root for the Bengals, Ravens or Colts and I cannot generate anything but apathy for the remainder of the AFC teams going to the playoffs, go Chargers. I guess. It’s only because I feel even negative indifference rather than loathing towards the Chargers that I can even go that far. As far as I am concerned the season is over.
Oh, and I was right about the Bengals. Buncha quitters. The score tells the story. At least the Patriots, chokers that they are, played like men. 30 point shutout? Quitters. I hope they get spanked like bitches in the first round. Bitter? Absolutely. Hatred? Neverending. I hope you enjoy your once a decade year of glory, Bengals fans, because it ends next year. So sayeth history, so sayeth the biggest Steeler fan to be found. Next year the Steelers reclaim their rightful place atop the AFC North. See you next year.
Given that the Pats actually lost one of their stars by playing him, I think your expectations of them, of all teams, laboring to get the undeserving Steelers into the playoffs is silly.
4 game win streak! When was the last time the Lions had that? Use the Rams instead maybe.
A few seasons ago when the Steelers were in position to rest some players there was an interview with James Farrior asking what he thought of the idea. He replied that he felt the starters should be in there and they should be playing hard. The first part was because he felt they needed to stay in sync heading into the bye week but the second part is what may apply to Wes Welker. Farrior said injuries happen but he felt there was a much greater risk playing at less than full speed and he felt whoever was in, starter or backup, should be going all out. It’s an area where coaches and players have different philosophies. I’m not trying to say that Welker wasn’t going all out or anything I just thought it was interesting to hear Farrior’s POV on it.
Ummm…wow?
:o
Yeah, I can’t believe Steeler fans are blaming anyone but the Steelers for failing to make the playoffs.
Well, I would like to extend my condolences to all non-asshole Steelers fans for not making the playoffs. I was actually hoping they would pull a miracle and get in, because they would have then travelled to Foxboro for the wildcard game. Pats/Steelers playoff games are generally very entertaining, and I bet it would have been great fun to watch,
Oh well, if only the rest of the league were not all pussies, you would have won the Super Bowl! 
No, we’ll see the Bengals next week. Won’t see the Steelers again 'til next year.
By the way, if the Steelers had managed to beat those “quitters” once during the regular season, you wouldn’t be crying like a ten-year-old girl with a skinned knee right now.
Hey! We have a long way to go before we are mediocre.
As a fellow fan of a team who went into this season with well-deserved high playoff expectations, only to fall short while seeing two hated division rivals make their way in, I commiserate with thee.
It happens quickly. It can be a precipitous drop when you let things go wrong too long.
Shocking ain’t it.
By the way, James Harrison’s bags were held at the supermarket and he still couldn’t get a call.
Criticism is not the same as blame. At no time did I affix blame on any other team.
So, a day later and I’m still annoyed. Which is unsurprising, given the high hopes I had for this year when I started this thing. And sure, some of my comments in the last week have been a bit sharper than usual, reflecting my bitterness. Oh, well. These things happen. You’ll get over it. So will I.