The Party's Over

After yesterday's embarrassing shut-out by (my most hated NFL team) the Baltimore Ravens (boo-hiss) it is pretty much a mathematical certainty that even if the mighty Steelers win every game for the rest of the season they will not make the playoffs. Now, I wasn't expecting a Super Bowl Repeat (though I CAN dream) but this season has been such a disappointment and I'm going to give you my theories as to why the black and gold have fallen so fast and hard.

1. Bill Cowher has lost his passion. Not being able to commit (or not commit) to a contract extension before the start of the season and moving his family from Pittsburgh to North Carolina signals the end of the Cowher era. The RIGHT thing to do would have been to announce that he planned to retire at the end of this season so that the team and the coaching staff wasn't left wondering what was going to happen. As I have watched Cowher on the sidelines this season I have been less than dazzled by his seeming lack of passion and investment in his team. Where is the Bill Cowher that was running up and down the sidelines and getting in the faces of his players for both good and bad plays. I don't like this calmer, kinder, gentler Bill Cowher...we need a tiger, not a pussycat. Come back Bill...at least for the 5 remaining games of this season so that you go out (if indeed you go out) with some dignity.

2. Losing Jerome Bettis hurt more than expected. I heard the commentators yesterday say that even the Ravens (boo-hiss) were glad that Bettis had retired. Bettis was not just a power-house in the red zone and on 3rd and long plays...he was a leader of this team and that is how he is missed more than anything. Sure, no one has stepped up to take his place and our running game has suffered, but the team seems to be in disarray internally. With Cowher on the fringes (see #1) the lack of a solid team leader hurts...badly.

3. Ben Roethlisberger has been through hell. Between February 5th (that glorious day) and now Big Ben has really gone through it. The motorcycle accident: not his fault but the no helmet thing STILL has me shaking my head. He almost died that day in June and it has obviously changed him to the core. Long gone is the cocky, arrogant swagger that Ben had last year...and while this is probably a good thing for the content of his character it has not done wonders for his on-field persona. The emergency appendectomy: I can't imagine the impact this had on him. He came back from the accident quicker than anyone expected (or did he?) and then just before the Season opener he gets sidelined with this! The beating he has taken this season: Ben has not been protected this season. He is getting mauled all over the field and has taken a real beating on more than one occasion. He has suffered another concussion (in addition to the one from the accident) and gotten up slowly more times than I care to count. I guarantee you he didn't expect to be seeing so much of the turf this season. In addition to all of this he cannot seem to get the ball into the hands of anyone other than the opposing team.

So there you have it, my theories as to why the Steelers seem to be (with a nod here to the Simpson's) the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever did suck. Funny thing is, I still LOVE them like crazy. I still get all riled up watching the games and I can't wait for next week. Okay so this season might be over from a post-season perspective...but there is a lot of football left to be played and I'm going to cheer on my Steelers and be loyal no matter what. So here's to you boys...chins up and let's get ready for Tampa Bay!!!