Now that the holiday season is over, I can get back to talking about the team that I love!
The thing I didn't love, was the lack of joy this team brought this year. Usually, win or lose, a ray of hope can be found even in defeat. But this year was totally different. Each week, we waited for that one break out offensive barrage that would give hope for the next week. It never materialized.
I felt strongly that on the final Monday night contest, we would belatedly see the team go on a scoring frenzy. Instead, they laid down and died. Who can blame them. This once proud team had seen playoff action six straight years. The disappointment of going home early far outweighed the incentive of showing their talents to a national audience. With the exception of Jerome Bettis, this team had absolutely no desire. It goes to show why the Bus is the heart and soul of this team.
After watching this team play through five pre season and sixteen regular season games, I must say that I am glad they missed the playoffs. The frustrating lack of offense was getting too hard to take. This team would not have gone far even if they somehow slipped into post season. I am afraid they would have looked even worse than the pathetic Patriots did against Miami.
It is hard to pinpoint the downfall of this team. The offensive coordinator is gone, but I don't think the whole blame rests on his shoulders. The more I think about it, the departure of Yancy Thigpen and the failure to replace him, cost this team the most. Without the deep threat, the Steelers could never get on track. Too many teams played to just stop Bettis, and it worked. If we could have had a couple of big plays this year, it would have made a world of difference. A speed receiver would have forced opposing defenses from keying solely on the Bus all year.
I watched the college championship game, and I couldn't help but wonder what a Peerless Price could have done for us this year. He was spectacular on a team that could never get the run going, and led his team to a national title. He should still be available when the Steelers number 13 pick comes up. I think he would look very good in Black and Gold.
