Posted on 12/31/2005 5:20:27 AM PST by beyond the sea
The record doesn't show it, but the Steelers unquestionably are better prepared for a playoff run than they were a season ago.
That doesn't mean they'll go further, or even as far as last year's team, which won 16-of-17 games before it was blown out of the AFC Championship Game. Once this team officially secures a playoff spot -- yeah, we're assuming as much -- it might not even make it out of the wild-card round, given the unusually strong field.
But the Steelers will be a tougher out than last year's team. They will play better.
Remember, the 2004 Steelers turned in one mediocre playoff performance -- they got lucky against the Jets -- and one abomination. That won't happen again.
Whether that means the Steelers become the only team besides the 1985 Patriots to advance to the Super Bowl via three road wins, who knows? As Bobby Bacala Baccilieri of "The Sopranos" might say, I'm no Notre Damus.
But I know this much: If the 2005 Steelers played the '04 Steelers in a New Year's Day bowl game, I'd give a couple points and take the '05 club.
Here's the seven-reason rationale:
(Excerpt) Read more at pittsburghlive.com ...
New England will romp once again. The Colts are a paper tiger. The Bengals lack playoff experience, and Brady will pick apart the Broncos secondary when the season is one the line.
The Steelers are loooking good, real good.
If the Pats stay the fourth seed, the Yellow Towels won't make it past Foxboro.
This article is pretty darn good. The post season is looking excellent to me.............. yes, we're not there yet.
;-)
Until Cowher gets his jaw and spittle problem fixed, I will have to root against the Steelers.
LOL. Yeah, that's possible. They're such a smart team. Ask 'mainepatsfan' how I feel about Brady and Belichik. They scare me always.
As much as I don't like the steelers, it is a team that you rarely hear trash talking out of. Well coached.
;-)
Yep, they're mostly all down to earth. Joey Porter spews some trash, but for the most part, they're all business.
Go Steelers!
The Steelers are definitely hot as is New England. The question is "Can they go all the way despite Cowher?" He always chokes in the big one.
Steeler/NFL ping
Its simply going to be Da Bears this season.
The Steeler got the better of us once this season, but I assure you it won't happen again if we meet at the big dance.
I think part of that might be that he's the longest currently serving coach in the NFL. That kind of stability tells, over time, IMHO, no matter the team.
My parents went to a highxchool basketball game because Jack Lambert's daughters' team were playing against the local highschool team. He sat right by my mom for a few minutes and then moved to their side. Everytime the girls shot a foul shot, the students under the basket would chant "here we go steelers, here we go! LOL! I remember when I was young, my dad took me to the local university where he had a football camp so I could see him. Go Steelers!!!
Sorry...but the Pats will win once again. everyone will choke except Brady and the Pats. I am not a Pats fan. I am stuck with the Forty Whiners. LOL
It hasn't always been easy, but I'm still proud to say, with you, Go Steelers!
I agree with you. I've been around sports in Pittsburgh for over 50 years, and you are right about Cowher. He's too afraid to go "out of the lines", he's just not self-assured enough to take the grief if something fails.
Jim Leyland of the Pirates was very similar. Leyland was a FREAK SHOW when the Pirates got into the playoffs.
They both get so uptight, the players see and feel the change in their demeanor, and they then can tend to get a little up tight themselves.
Here is something that Cowher should consider!!!REMEMBER?
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At Super Bowl XVI, San Francisco head coach Bill Walsh got to Detroit earlier than his team. He had gone somewhere to pick up an award, so he decided to meet the players when they arrived at the hotel in Detroit. Dressed in a bellhop's uniform, Walsh greeted the 49ers and kidded with them, telling them they were going to get their butts kicked. Several players absorbed the abuse before Walsh was recognized.
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If Cowher would consider doing something funny to lighten up his players every once in a while, he may be better off. I'm not saying he should do it, but he has to cool it in the big games. I'm not sure he ever can. Some guys just never can!
The Bears are in a horrible conference. Your record is very misleading. Forget about it.
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