DOG: Judgement Day Awaits

Dog's Team!

It's taken me a few days since our ass-whipping at the hands of the KC Chiefs to collect my thoughts and make an an attempt at rationality in this post.





It's not Thanksgiving yet so I'm going to give the Stillers at least one more game before I throw in the towel on the season. But it's Judgement Day in Baltimore on Sunday night in so many ways.





First of all the team seems utterly lethargic ever since the win on Monday Night Football in Denver. No energy, no ambition, no sense of urgency, no motivation. Something is clearly wrong. And I sense (speculate) that something ill is brewing internally. Furthermore, my suspicion is that it relates to a disagreement between some members of the coaching staff and the players, particularly the veteran players many of whom have two Super Bowl rings. Perhaps it is discontent with Ligashesky, coach of coverage units who have given up what 5 KO return TDs and 1 punt return TD in 10 games? Or strong disagreement with how Bruce Arians puts together a game plan and tactically calls plays? My guess is both.





Arians continues to call plays in total grab-bag fashion. It's as though the Magic 8-Ball is giving him the plays. Our OT possession in KC felt like a monkey was in charge. Mendenhall for 7, Mendenhall for 3, Mendenhall for 9. So it's 3rd and 2 about 1 yard outside of Reeds FG range and I just know Mendenhall is going to blast into the line and either make the first down or get it close enough to either go for it on 4th or kick the FG. But nope. Moore, our slowest back, is in the game instead. And to try what? A sweep right. One of the few running plays (outside of a reverse) in the playbook where there is potential to lose yardage!!





Coaches are not putting our players in position to succeed. Sometimes the players are to blame with poor execution. But they need to be in position so that perfect execution is not always required.





So what else we got? Well Jell-o Head Ben gets his umpteenth concussion yet is still going to play in Baltimore. What difference does it make? Between in-game concussions and kissing a Chrysler at 30mph he isn't going to see 40 anyway. Might as well let him play football while he can, right? Besides it's not like we have anyone we can count on as a backup. I love Dennis Dixon but the Ravens would love to see him play more than me. And has it gotten so bad the name of Tyler Palko has been mentioned? He sucked at Pitt and he sucks now. If Tyler Palko ever suits up in a Steeler uniform for a game, it is a guaranteed sign that the Apocalypse has begun.





But we also still have Troy out. And Kemo is going to miss at least 3-4 weeks now. We have got some stepping up to do all over the place. From Tomlin on down to the 53rd man there needs to be a collective effort this week or else we bag the season. The Bengals might tank, but they won't tank bad enough for us to win the division unless we beat Baltimore now.





It's a big challenge for Mike Tomlin. He's great at spinning his words at press conferences. Let's see what he can do when the chips are down. I can't wait to see because I still believe.