OT: NFL

[IUPNation]

Coaching. Sirianni is a "vibes" guy and he destroyed the vibes by replacing Desai with Patricia. He needs his coordinators to carry the X's and O's and when they fail, the entire thing collapses.

But they were a problem all season. I doubt Sirianni gets fired. Jeffrey Milquetoast didn’t fire Fat Bastard in 2005 a year removed from the Super Bowl after going 6-10.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Tomczak, Stewart, and Maddox all were good enough. I don't recall Stoudt but Malone and Brister were more inconsistent than any of the the others.

Not franchise QB’s was more what I was getting at. They had flashes, but none were a long-term answer.

[Fightingscot82]

Coaching. Sirianni is a "vibes" guy and he destroyed the vibes by replacing Desai with Patricia. He needs his coordinators to carry the X's and O's and when they fail, the entire thing collapses.

I didn't follow Philly too closely this year but I think you're right. I was excited for him but it seems like he lost the locker room when things were no longer going well and the team chemistry fell apart.

[EastStroud13]

Meanwhile, on the other side of the state, the Eagles just completed an epic collapse. Starting out 10-1 and finishing 1-6 is crazy. Whether it's a TV guru or the average armchair QB, nobody seems to understand what happened.

With all of the accumulated football knowledge on this board, I would be interested to know what others think happened to the Philadelphia Eagles.

BTW, I don't know the actual statistics but not many teams in the history of the NFL have had a 10-1 record. Then to fall apart as they did could realistically be unprecedented.

Coaching. Sirianni is a "vibes" guy and he destroyed the vibes by replacing Desai with Patricia. He needs his coordinators to carry the X's and O's and when they fail, the entire thing collapses.

[IUPNation]

Meanwhile, on the other side of the state, the Eagles just completed an epic collapse. Starting out 10-1 and finishing 1-6 is crazy. Whether it's a TV guru or the average armchair QB, nobody seems to understand what happened.

With all of the accumulated football knowledge on this board, I would be interested to know what others think happened to the Philadelphia Eagles.

BTW, I don't know the actual statistics but not many teams in the history of the NFL have had a 10-1 record. Then to fall apart as they did could realistically be unprecedented.

Richie the K went from
7-2 to 7-9 in 1994 with the Eagles.

Im just glad it’s over. All they were doing was pissing off 6 million people in the metro area..

Let’s Go Flyers!

[iupgroundhog]

Meanwhile, on the other side of the state, the Eagles just completed an epic collapse. Starting out 10-1 and finishing 1-6 is crazy. Whether it's a TV guru or the average armchair QB, nobody seems to understand what happened.

With all of the accumulated football knowledge on this board, I would be interested to know what others think happened to the Philadelphia Eagles.

BTW, I don't know the actual statistics but not many teams in the history of the NFL have had a 10-1 record. Then to fall apart as they did could realistically be unprecedented.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Kenny was called the most NFL ready QB of his draft class. His main competition in said discussion was Malik Willis. That may have been the worst QB class ever. The best of the bunch was the very last pick of the entire draft and I’m still not sure if Purdy’s really that good or if he just wound up in the perfect spot, though I am leaning toward him being pretty good.

Mason saved the season and he balled out yesterday after a poor start. But, yeah, he’s not “the guy”, in Pittsburgh or elsewhere. He did make himself several more years of a very nice living as a QB2 that just about any team would be happy with, so I feel great for him. This was almost certainly his last chance to remain in the league.

Kenny will start 2024 as QB1 because there’s no way they admit they messed up this soon. If Tomlin balks at bringing in an OC from outside the organization he should be fired on the spot and replaced by Bobby Slowik or Ben Johnson. See if Kenny can sink or swim with better coaching.

There's a shelf life for coaches.

Tomlin could quit today and have numerous HC offers within the hour. I just think this particular congregation is looking for a change in preacher.

It may be best for both sides.

[Chuck Norris]

Agreed. Reardless of the coach speak, there isn't a 'next man up' to compensate for that type of loss. I can guarantee the defense (as a whole) has a much different morale with Watt than without him ... whole different confidence.


At our level, I recall the IUP defense in 2017 with Max Redfield and then the following week without him. Totally different. Swagger was gone, etc.


I don't know what to think of the QB situation. Kenny got benched -- regardless how it's spun (hot hand, etc.). Mason's best chance to be a starter may actually be here in the Yinzerlands. Even if Kenny starts early, he's hurt constantly. I don't think anybody will look at Mason in free agency to come in as the actual starter. That said, he's going to get paid. He's a proven No. 2 QB and there is a market for such.

The Steelers' QB draft year was probably the worst QB draft year timing possible. Being Kenny went first at 21 overall is very telling.

I think it is time for a change down there. This is now 7 years without a playoff win. As a fan, I think Tomlin has got a little stale. I kind of think he wants a new challenge, too. I wouldn't be shocked if he does TV for a year (for several million) and then coaches again in 2025 (as a very hot commodity). Then again, some of those guys realize how easy the TV gig is (and how much it pays) and they hang it up.

Kenny was called the most NFL ready QB of his draft class. His main competition in said discussion was Malik Willis. That may have been the worst QB class ever. The best of the bunch was the very last pick of the entire draft and I’m still not sure if Purdy’s really that good or if he just wound up in the perfect spot, though I am leaning toward him being pretty good.

Mason saved the season and he balled out yesterday after a poor start. But, yeah, he’s not “the guy”, in Pittsburgh or elsewhere. He did make himself several more years of a very nice living as a QB2 that just about any team would be happy with, so I feel great for him. This was almost certainly his last chance to remain in the league.

Kenny will start 2024 as QB1 because there’s no way they admit they messed up this soon. If Tomlin balks at bringing in an OC from outside the organization he should be fired on the spot and replaced by Bobby Slowik or Ben Johnson. See if Kenny can sink or swim with better coaching.

[Ram040506]

17 years is a long time to be an NFL head coach in one place. Eventually it’s just best for both sides to part ways. Are the Steelers and Tomlin at that point? I think Pittsburgh fans are too dismissive of not having a losing season in 17 years, but you also can’t dismiss the lack of playoff success in the last 13.

And as far as roster construction, how much input do you think a head coach with his tenure has? I honestly don’t know, but I can’t imagine it’s minimal. And what about staff construction? 17 years and his coaching tree is practically a telephone pole. Matt Canada???

As a fan of a team with 4 playoff wins in the last 30 years... you guys are spoiled.

[Fightingscot82]

I actually don't mind how the Steelers played. Buffalo is a very talented team and the Steelers were in it MUCH longer than I anticipated. A lot of the Buffalo scores and forced turnovers stung quite a bit, but this Steelers team shouldn't have made the playoffs. They shouldn't have rattled off several late season wins led by Mason Rudolph.

They've gotta figure out QB but I agree - OL and DL are struggling to be consistent.

Tomlin drives me nuts but unless he some sort of HR-invoked screw up, the results speak for themselves.

[Chuck Norris]

Pittsburgh fans are starting to sound like Eagles/Cowboys fans. Tomlin is a great coach and if he is let go, that would be a mistake. I think blame needs to be more pointed at the roster builders. How many years in a row now do we have to hear of the OL woes in Pittsburgh? It isn't rocket science, build the trenches up for god sakes.

17 years is a long time to be an NFL head coach in one place. Eventually it’s just best for both sides to part ways. Are the Steelers and Tomlin at that point? I think Pittsburgh fans are too dismissive of not having a losing season in 17 years, but you also can’t dismiss the lack of playoff success in the last 13.

And as far as roster construction, how much input do you think a head coach with his tenure has? I honestly don’t know, but I can’t imagine it’s minimal. And what about staff construction? 17 years and his coaching tree is practically a telephone pole. Matt Canada???

[Ram040506]

Pittsburgh fans are starting to sound like Eagles/Cowboys fans. Tomlin is a great coach and if he is let go, that would be a mistake. I think blame needs to be more pointed at the roster builders. How many years in a row now do we have to hear of the OL woes in Pittsburgh? It isn't rocket science, build the trenches up for god sakes.

[Ship69]

Agreed. Reardless of the coach speak, there isn't a 'next man up' to compensate for that type of loss. I can guarantee the defense (as a whole) has a much different morale with Watt than without him ... whole different confidence.


At our level, I recall the IUP defense in 2017 with Max Redfield and then the following week without him. Totally different. Swagger was gone, etc.


I don't know what to think of the QB situation. Kenny got benched -- regardless how it's spun (hot hand, etc.). Mason's best chance to be a starter may actually be here in the Yinzerlands. Even if Kenny starts early, he's hurt constantly. I don't think anybody will look at Mason in free agency to come in as the actual starter. That said, he's going to get paid. He's a proven No. 2 QB and there is a market for such.

The Steelers' QB draft year was probably the worst QB draft year timing possible. Being Kenny went first at 21 overall is very telling.

I think it is time for a change down there. This is now 7 years without a playoff win. As a fan, I think Tomlin has got a little stale. I kind of think he wants a new challenge, too. I wouldn't be shocked if he does TV for a year (for several million) and then coaches again in 2025 (as a very hot commodity). Then again, some of those guys realize how easy the TV gig is (and how much it pays) and they hang it up.

I haven't verified it, but I believe one of the announcers said that since Watt has joined the team the Steelers are 1-10 in games when he hasn't played.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Missing the best defensive player in football was a massive loss, there’s no maybe about that. Buffalo was a better team whether Watt plays or not, but he certainly could’ve made a few plays that affected the outcome.

Agreed. Reardless of the coach speak, there isn't a 'next man up' to compensate for that type of loss. I can guarantee the defense (as a whole) has a much different morale with Watt than without him ... whole different confidence.


At our level, I recall the IUP defense in 2017 with Max Redfield and then the following week without him. Totally different. Swagger was gone, etc.


I don't know what to think of the QB situation. Kenny got benched -- regardless how it's spun (hot hand, etc.). Mason's best chance to be a starter may actually be here in the Yinzerlands. Even if Kenny starts early, he's hurt constantly. I don't think anybody will look at Mason in free agency to come in as the actual starter. That said, he's going to get paid. He's a proven No. 2 QB and there is a market for such.

The Steelers' QB draft year was probably the worst QB draft year timing possible. Being Kenny went first at 21 overall is very telling.

I think it is time for a change down there. This is now 7 years without a playoff win. As a fan, I think Tomlin has got a little stale. I kind of think he wants a new challenge, too. I wouldn't be shocked if he does TV for a year (for several million) and then coaches again in 2025 (as a very hot commodity). Then again, some of those guys realize how easy the TV gig is (and how much it pays) and they hang it up.

[Fightingscot82]

It’s unlikely Rudolph will be in Pittsburgh next fall. His contract expires and he probably showed enough to get interest from other teams. If one of them offers him the chance to compete for QB1, you have to believe he’s going to jump at it. Pittsburgh is likely to only have Kenny Pickett on the roster in the QB room heading into the draft. I can’t see them keeping Mitch around. I think that guy will be out of football.

The Steelers could have a real problem on their hands. Rudolph is the best QB they have, but I’m certain he won’t get a fair shot at winning the job because they have a first round pick at that position sitting there. I fully expect him to leave. That’s the business of the NFL. Not only does Pickett not look like a franchise QB, I’m not sure he’s an NFL QB for long. So where do they go from here? Do they draft another QB? Is the pool of QB’s coming out deep enough to warrant that? Anyone on the free agent market worth bringing in? Baker Mayfield sure looks good, but he’s a lot more expensive now and probably wants to stay in Tampa anyway.

For those old enough to remember, this sure feels like the 80’s when the Steelers struggled to replace Terry Bradshaw. Here are some names that should scare the hell out of Steelers fans: Cliff Stoudt, Mark Malone, Bubby Brister, Mike Tomczak, Kordell Stewart, Tommy Maddox. I’ll give Neil O’Donnell a pass. In other words, it could be a while before Pittsburgh has the type of team to make a serious run in the post-season.

Tomczak, Stewart, and Maddox all were good enough. I don't recall Stoudt but Malone and Brister were more inconsistent than any of the the others.