Poor Steelers

[Deleted]

Almost made it in, and for all intents and purposes, most likely should have had the refs flagged the call properly:

espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10214659/nfl-admits-referees-missed-penalty-san-diego-chargers-end-regulation-vs-kansas-city-chiefs

[victor2111]

Will say this about the Steelers, Tomlin did a hell of a job this year coaching them. No losing seasons since 03 I believe. They will be back next year.

[angrybaldman]

My brother and I were talking yesterday. This is the first year since 1998 that either the Steelers or Ravens aren't in the playoffs.

[angrybaldman]

That was back in the era of Jacksonville and Tennessee being in our division.

[Deleted]

Dec 30, 2013 13:29:36 GMT -5 @grumor said:

Almost made it in, and for all intents and purposes, most likely should have had the refs flagged the call properly:

espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10214659/nfl-admits-referees-missed-penalty-san-diego-chargers-end-regulation-vs-kansas-city-chiefs

Eh, they put themselves in that spot. You can't rely on refs to dig you out. Strong finish to the season though.

[Deleted]

Was one heck of an end to the season.

[Deleted]

From an officials stand point that is UN-excusable. Missing a judgement call is one thing. Kicking a rule? There is no defense. I'm sure their upcoming assignments will be reflected or they may have an internal fine system.

I miss calls all the time. All officials do. One of my mentors once told me if you can count the number of mistakes, meaning judgement calls you should not have made or calls you should have made, in a game, on one hand, then you have had a helluva game. But one thing we always discuss is don't kick a rule!

[socaljd3]

eff the steelers and rat turds...i have no sympathy for them cheating, getting all the calls mo fos...hehehehe

I will say this, if they lose to the hapless chargers at home...i will write a letter to the bengals front office explaining why gruden should be fired. There's no reason why they shouldn't meet the broncos in the afc champ game with all their offensive weapons...absolutely no reason.

[Deleted]

One reason would be Amdy Dalton. I do think they should handle the Chargers without much issue.

[socaljd3]

Ya, depends on which andy shows up...seems like he "grips" in big games at times. I'm befuddled why they don't run more. I get trying to catch teams in mis matches on defense, but dalton tends to force things and in the playoffs every drive means something and change of field matters. I'm not saying get ultra conservative, but doing fade routes at the 1 yard line is not the high percentage I was looking for. I would have ran it 4 times from there.

Will the real andy dalton, please stand up!

[Deleted]

Yeah, 1st and goal at the 1 is not a time to get cute. Just try to punch it in.

[Deleted]

Dalton needs to be allowed to let his WR's do the work for him. He doesn't have the type of arm to squeeze the ball between defenders. Out routes and quick slants with the occasional deep route to AJ is when he thrives.

He struggles against the better teams/defenses because they force him to make those passes but it can still be game planned by Gruden to avoid that as much as possible. Running the ball and screens is a good place to start. I would use Bernard quite a bit in the playoffs.

[socaljd3]

agreed about bernard, look at how saints use sproles, i'd do the same...create disguises to get those screens or some bubble plays. Would also use hawkins more as that kid has serious speed.

[Deleted]

Dec 30, 2013 22:04:01 GMT -5 socaljd3 said:

agreed about bernard, look at how saints use sproles, i'd do the same...create disguises to get those screens or some bubble plays. Would also use hawkins more as that kid has serious speed.

Yeah, at this point they know what Dalton can and can't do. They have to put him in positions to succeed. It doesn't mean he'll be flawless because he will have to make tough passes here and there but cutting down on the number of times he has to will obviously cut down on the mistakes.

Of course it's easier said than done because of defensive game planning but I have honestly never seen a short passing game shut down. It doesn't mean you don't take your shots but use it to advance the ball and pick your spots. That's what I would do. And yes, I would use Bernard in a Sproles role. Why have a weapon if you're not going to use it?

[TH1Bucks]