All The Pieces Are Lining Up

[Krunch]

I'm always the naysayer and Negative Nellie about the Steelers.  Today, I sit here bathed in optimism.

1. It finally looks like a, "Team."  Good riddance to the two ass-hat, camera whores who are gone.  I do worry about Ju-Ju trying to fill that void, but hopefully he can keep things in balance.  If he can't I'm hopeful one or more of his team mates can tighten him up.

2.  Tomlin is still Tomlin.  I harbor no illusions that he will suddenly become the leader that he is not.  I do have hope that some of the veteran's on the team will fill that void and keep the group focused on the prize.  I think that this season, the old adage that we succeed, "in spite of management" will finally come into play.  This is my strongest hope and IMO the most critical element of all.

3.  Ben is coming into the season off of a great 2018.  I think he will be focused and has learned some valuable lessons that he probably needed to learn about his public comments and sometimes ill-timed criticisms of others.  He HAS to NOT put too much pressure on himself to carry the whole load.  Ben has that well known steely resolve late in games when things are on the line, but as we all know he sometimes seems to fail when he takes on too much pressure and goes all stupid. He needs to play like the wise, old veteran that he is and deliver as close to 60 minutes of, "In Ben We Trust" as he can.

4.  Talent is there at most positions.  Hopefully, the Pass Rush comes into focus more so than last year, relieving pressure on the Defensive Backs.  If the secondary has improved, there is much to look forward to.  If it has not,,,,well that's not good at all.

5.  Can't say for sure, but it, "seems" like Steeler Pride has returned to the players.  If that is the case and they man up and play for the heritage and the fans, watch out because it is the strongest MOJO in the NFL.  The lack of this in the past few seasons has pissed me off beyond description.  How that somehow disappeared during the Tomlin Era is criminal in my mind.  I do hold him accountable for this and no one will ever change my mind on this.

I'm nowhere near the fan who studies players and stats like so many on this board do.  I'm blown away at the knowledge and expertise of others on here.  What I am is a fan since 1972 who has bled Black and Gold forever.  Lately the bleeding has really hurt deep down.  All I want to see from the players is 100% commitment to winning, leaving it all on the field and never, ever do anything that does not bring credit to the Steeler name and reputation.  I love the Steelers, plain and simple.  I don't need to love the 78 team or the 2019 team, I need to love the Black and Gold as an entity, an organization, a franchise and most of all as a storied heritage.  Heritage is made up of two colors, Black and Gold.  I pray mightily that this 2019 Team does that Heritage Proud, FINALLY after so many years of failing to do so.  A Lombardi will be great, but in my world is not so important as preserving and not embarrassing and diminishing the Heritage.

Nuff Said.

MOJO ON!!!

[Noll and Cowher teams no more]

I'm always the naysayer and Negative Nellie about the Steelers.  Today, I sit here bathed in optimism.

1. It finally looks like a, "Team."  Good riddance to the two ass-hat, camera whores who are gone.  I do worry about Ju-Ju trying to fill that void, but hopefully he can keep things in balance.  If he can't I'm hopeful one or more of his team mates can tighten him up.

2.  Tomlin is still Tomlin.  I harbor no illusions that he will suddenly become the leader that he is not.  I do have hope that some of the veteran's on the team will fill that void and keep the group focused on the prize.  I think that this season, the old adage that we succeed, "in spite of management" will finally come into play.  This is my strongest hope and IMO the most critical element of all.

3.  Ben is coming into the season off of a great 2018.  I think he will be focused and has learned some valuable lessons that he probably needed to learn about his public comments and sometimes ill-timed criticisms of others.  He HAS to NOT put too much pressure on himself to carry the whole load.  Ben has that well known steely resolve late in games when things are on the line, but as we all know he sometimes seems to fail when he takes on too much pressure and goes all stupid. He needs to play like the wise, old veteran that he is and deliver as close to 60 minutes of, "In Ben We Trust" as he can.

4.  Talent is there at most positions.  Hopefully, the Pass Rush comes into focus more so than last year, relieving pressure on the Defensive Backs.  If the secondary has improved, there is much to look forward to.  If it has not,,,,well that's not good at all.

5.  Can't say for sure, but it, "seems" like Steeler Pride has returned to the players.  If that is the case and they man up and play for the heritage and the fans, watch out because it is the strongest MOJO in the NFL.  The lack of this in the past few seasons has pissed me off beyond description.  How that somehow disappeared during the Tomlin Era is criminal in my mind.  I do hold him accountable for this and no one will ever change my mind on this.

I'm nowhere near the fan who studies players and stats like so many on this board do.  I'm blown away at the knowledge and expertise of others on here.  What I am is a fan since 1972 who has bled Black and Gold forever.  Lately the bleeding has really hurt deep down.  All I want to see from the players is 100% commitment to winning, leaving it all on the field and never, ever do anything that does not bring credit to the Steeler name and reputation.  I love the Steelers, plain and simple.  I don't need to love the 78 team or the 2019 team, I need to love the Black and Gold as an entity, an organization, a franchise and most of all as a storied heritage.  Heritage is made up of two colors, Black and Gold.  I pray mightily that this 2019 Team does that Heritage Proud, FINALLY after so many years of failing to do so.  A Lombardi will be great, but in my world is not so important as preserving and not embarrassing and diminishing the Heritage.

Nuff Said.

MOJO ON!!!

#1- Moncrief, I believe, will be a great veteran addition who will help Ju-Ju along and not have to fall all on his shoulders. The receiver core needed a veteran presence.

#2- Yup. Key players need to step up and help lead this team. Team needs that, Hines, Bettis, Porter, Lloyd type presence in the locker room that don't just flap lips but also back up what they say on the field with their brothers because just the coaches lip don't cut it. 

#3- Team needs to get back to a more balanced offensive gameplan. They have the backs and o-line to do it. I'd rather have Ben average 250 a game and win than him passing 60 time for 400+ per game and sit home during the playoffs. No need for Ben to carry the team.

#4- Best way to protect the weakness on defense is to keep them off the field. The offensive side is complete, talent wise, and just needs to win the battle of time of possession and make every drive count with points. No more shootouts. A 20-10 win is a lot sweeter that a 38-31 shootout loss.

#5- Sure does seem like it. Not only does it seem like Steeler pride has returned to the players but I'm getting a feel for it as a fan myself.

Nice post Krunch!!

[dbsfgyd1]

As I say every year, we are going to field a competitive team, and this year will be no different. They still have to play the games, and while I too like the composition of this year’s edition, there’s a lot of ball to prepare for and play.

[Chucktownsteeler]

Dilly-dilly.