They’re no longer who they were, individually and collectively. But there’s still work to be done if they want to become the team they intended to be all along.
Hindsight suggests they could have played him sooner. But there was no reason to perceive Rudolph as anything other than a last resort until he finally proved otherwise.
They’ve earned the criticism they’ve been receiving since Arizona and New England. But when it comes from within it has to be either answered or acknowledged.
The difference in their offense without former coordinator Matt Canada was more subtle than spectacular, initially. But for a change, there’s hope on the horizon.
The offense was getting worse, not better, as was quarterback Kenny Pickett. That left Mike Tomlin with little choice but to do what needed to be done.
They kept their prized draft picks under wraps intentionally, for whatever reason. Now we’ll find out if turning to rookies can alter the season’s course.
Sunday might constitute their best, last chance to finally get the offense in gear. Failing that, it might start to get really ugly for coordinator Matt Canada.
Harris suggests that it's the players, not Matt Canada, who have gotten the Steelers into the mess they are in and it's the players who must get them out of it.
The season destined to end on Sunday wasn’t a 100-loss debacle. They’ll have to aim higher moving forward, but they’ve at least taken baby steps over a low bar and in the right direction for a change.
He’s been developing ever since he was thrown into the fire as a rookie last October. But with that development clearly accelerated this preseason, it’s time to re-think what might be possible.
There seem to be more reasons to be excited about Mike Tomlin’s team than there have been in quite a while. But there are also concerns and unknowns that may yet get in the way of another chance at the Super Bowl.
As great as the Buccos keep insisting PNC Park is, it isn’t all that different from most other stadiums. But what happens once the ball gets pitched in places such as Atlanta is another matter entirely.
Former players’ annual pilgrimage back to Saint Vincent College is a part of Steelers’ lore and Steelers’ culture. And it’s one of the things that defines the organization in the eyes of former safety Ryan Clark.
They won’t win a pennant, probably won’t even finish with a winning record. But what they’ll put on display the rest of the way has a chance to resonate sooner rather than later.
Rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has the physical skill set and the pedigree. And the early indications at training camp are he’s starting to get it, as encouraging a development as any so far for the Steelers.
It’ll be the head coach, and not offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who sets the tone and determines the direction in which Kenny Pickett and Co. are permitted to head this season.
