So... About that extra day off for veterans...

[joemac]

When everyone in the stadium and watching on tv knew the Steelers were about to throw their 15th screen pass in a row, and we still didn't scheme the defense to stop it, it was obvious something was serious off about that game.

Granted, we did a decent job of stopping it based on our defensive qiuckness. But if we would've taken away the flats altogether and make Ben stand in the pocket for more than 1 second, it would've been very different.

THIS!! 100 percent. I could not believe the number of screens they ran with no discernible adjustments from the D. It was borderline comical by the end of the game. Just screen after screen after screen. Big gainer after big gainer...I don't get it.

[Tub of Goo]

They had to spend hours discussing GH and what to say at press conferences to be on the same page.

No matter what they say, those are hours they could've spent game planning.

Not saying it's the sole factor, but I definitely think it took a toll.

[OneBadCat]

I don't buy the Hardy mental distraction thing. His presence on the field was missed. However the team is composed of professional adults. That should no barring on their preparation. 

[CatalystNX]

But it does. Happens all the time in the NFL.

[Porn Shop Clerk]

i think the steelers came to play in a big game for them on the national stage, and the panthers treated it like a 1pm game against the raiders

 

a veteran team that has had plenty of time and success in the limelight vs a mostly young team that hasn't seen a lot of night games

 

the steelers were ready to show off during the only game in town.  they are vet.

 

one coaching mantra that rubs me the wrong way is "just another game"

 

its not.   the next game is always the most important game ever

[Jimmy]

Country club style training camp and OTAs coupled with that same feel during normal practice weeks doesn't seem to be working. Too many injuries and a lack of fire.

[Paa Langfart]

Yall realize the head coach was working on things un football related most of the week right ?

[Jeremy Igo]

Yall realize the head coach was working on things un football related most of the week right ?

Gettleman handled the bulk of it. Rivera only had the conversation with Hardy as a head coach to a player. The rest of the week was business as usual. This is not to say Hardy coverage was not a distraction.

[SCPantherFan]

We could swap every player, personnel, and executive on this team with the Seahawks and I feel like we'd still have the same stupid problems that never seem to go away

Are we the Cleveland Browns of the South?

[CarolinaNut]

I think the Steelers were just more hungry for the win.

 

I do not believe veterans given an extra day of rest in the week played at all into the outcome of this game.  We just got beat.  The Steelers played better than we did.

 

Simple as that.

[Who Said What?]

Yep. There was a day last week where Rivera was an hour late to practice. That is a distraction. The Steelers played well but something seemed off last night.

 

Yo, I didn't know that.  This is the type of insight and digging rarely displayed around here.  With this type of stuff going on, we were behind the eight ball before the game started.  I do vividly remember Rivera's lack of attitude on the sideline.  He has been fired up recently on the sideline.  Mental strain takes its toll after a while and he had been dealing with it intensely since right after the Detroit game.

[L-TownCat]

3-4   (We always struggle with this scheme)

+

Dick Labeau (Hes pretty good)

+

Playing flat (tend to see this with extra "time off")

=

Ass whoopin'

[thefuzz]

Agree. And with guys like Ryan Kalil playing poorly, I am thinking it was something intangible. The guys just were not prepared or motivated.

 

This.

 

I have been meaning to start a serious thread about what went on....because I can't for the life of me put it all together.

 

Any ideas?

[KendrickPanther]

I don't believe in distractions. When you step on the field none of that crap matters. We got shook in the 1st quarter and instead of pulling it together, we fell apart. And my word Leveon Bell was in form.