YinzPitt

Without a doubt the Steelers are reeling to recover from their recent 4 game losing streak.  Mike Tomlin needs answers and he needs them fast, the locker room seems to be losing confidence, and everything seems to be going downhill with the team.  Tomlin admitted yesterday that there are no excuses for their recent play.

Tomlin and the team won’t be making any brave comments or random statements about coming out and smashing other teams.  It’s gotten to the point where it seems as if everyone is ready to be done with the season and move on to next year.

James Farrior, after signing his expensive contract extension this year, looks to be aging faster than Obama in office.

Ike Taylor forgot how to cover recently and has been showing his display of amazing hands while covering top flight receivers. /sarcasm

Ike Taylor of the Steelers Giving up a big play

William Gay is concussed, so that likely leaves him out for this Thursday’s game against the Browns.  Doesn’t much matter, his suckatude is at an all time high as of late.

With these three possible players mentioned above, Tomlin has made mention of new starters this Thursday do see what kind of back-ups they have.  I’m more a mind of them packing in the season, however they starters they have now, have been sucking, so changing to their back-ups couldn’t get much worse either way.  It’s most certainly time to evaluate what we have underneath our starters.  These rookies/back-ups are certainly aiming to make an impact on the team and what a better way to show it than now.

Tomlin states that he’s seeing “a pattern of behavior that’s unacceptable” from his players and that changes will be made in order to try and salvage their season and get something going for the players who are named the starters.  I think it’s a smart move, but I also think he needs to do it with his coaching, specifically his offensive coordinator.  I know I know, Arians hate, but it’s time to keep Willie out of the game unless absolutely needed.  Mendenhall has turned into the every down back and he’s one of the best players on the offense at this point.  Let him be.

Tomlin quote yesterday during his press conference:

“I assure you there are going to be some,” Tomlin said Monday, calling the Steelers “a very average team … and our recent record might indicate that’s a kind assessment.”

Rookie cornerback Joe Burnett is expected to start for the oft-beaten William Gay, who suffered a concussion late in the Steelers’ can-you-believe-it 27-24 loss to the Raiders on Sunday. Gay might not play in Cleveland.

Another rookie cornerback, Keenan Lewis, plus defensive end Ziggy Hood and wide receiver Mike Wallace, also might earn elevated status for the Browns (1-11). Wallace is expected to start if Hines Ward (hamstring) can’t go, which seems likely given the short week.

“We can’t stay status quo in terms of how we’re approaching this and expect the pattern of behavior or outcome to change,” Tomlin said. “That’s unrealistic. That’s hoping. This is not a hope business.”

“Nothing stays the same in this game,” Tomlin said. “Players are ascending, players are descending. People catch up with schemes, schemes evolve. Playing and coaching, this thing is ever-changing.”

“You’ve got to acknowledge the potential this can be kind of a shaken group,” Tomlin said. “We’ve swallowed a lot. I’m going to be looking very closely at these men … in terms of who legitimately is mentally tough and who can stand the test of adversity.”

“I’m not going to make excuses,” Tomlin said. “I think we’re capable of playing winning football with or without Troy. Are we different? Yes, because Troy’s a unique individual. Maybe the ceiling is different but the floor, the level of expectation, is the same.”

He seems to be on point with the issues occurring to the team and he’s doing the best he can to send a message to the starters that no one is safe anymore.  Good for him, I also feel that next year’s team is going to look a lot different.  Believe it or not Tomlin is still running with Cowher’s coaching staff as well as a lot of his old players.  Maybe it’s time that Tomlin has decided to go his way and change the system a little bit in order to more directly show that it’s his team and he’s in charge.

Here’s to a good game against the Browns this Thursday.  The Steelers need the win more than anyone.

Quotes used from : http://www.wpxi.com/sports/21895081/detail.html

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