Steelers Problems More Than Just Fun and Games

This is a "NO FUN AREA"

There has been a lot written in regards to the Steelers woes they are currently experiencing.  No turnovers, too many turnovers, aging players, inexperienced players, poor coaching, poor management...yeah, everything.  I'm as guilty as everyone, I've written all those articles too, but there is one thing that really sparked my interest the other day.  Let me first say that when my wife tells me something regarding any Pittsburgh team, I know its reached all ends of the fan base (she is at the completely opposite end as me).  She said the other day "Did you hear about Mike Tomlin barring games from the facility?"  I had heard about it briefly, but hadn't read much on the topic. 

If you haven't heard, Mike Tomlin followed the suit of the veterans when the experienced players told the younger / rookies that they were not allowed to play pool, Foosball, or any other games that are in the Steelers' training facility until the team "righted the ship".  Now, no players are allowed to play any games.  I mean, after all, doesn't it make sense that if you can't win a football game that you shouldn't be allowed to play pool?! (Just a HINT of sarcasm there) 

Chalk this up to desperation and cluelessness of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2013 season.  Before I dive into the abyss that is the Steelers season, let me say that I am a HS coach and know what this feels like.  Things aren't going your way and you are searching for anything to get your team back on the right track.  This has happened before with the Steelers.  Anyone else remember Tomlin's declaration of "unleashing hell" in the month of December?  Yep, didn't happen.  Anyone else remember Tomlin promising change...only one problem.  Nothing changed.  All of these knee jerk attempts to fix problems came in losing seasons.  This is no different.  Instead of the press conference communication to his team, Tomlin has resorted to locker room adjustments to "fix" things.  We will see if this works, but I would be willing to bet money that nothing will change.  After all, Jarvis Jones put it best when the veterans told them they couldn't play games anymore..."I don't even like pool so I don't care."

That singular quote shows that if a head football coach thinks that billiards or other table games (not of the gambling variety hopefully) are interfering with preparing for a football game, there are more issues than just games.  If these players have given up and just want to play games instead of studying and preparing themselves, then that speaks volumes.  Volumes about the leadership of this team from coaches down to captains and veterans.  Volumes about type of players this organization is drafting year after year, and volumes about this group as a TEAM. 

What would be nice at this point of the season?  Silence.  Silence except the mandatory speaking of press conferences and engagements for the media.  Besides that, this team should be focused on one thing and one thing alone - WIN ONE GAME.  I don't want to hear Ryan Clark talking about playoffs or Ben Roethlisberger's need to change his style.  I don't want to hear about banning games.  I don't want to hear anything but winning just ONE GAME.  What this DOES show fans is that the Steelers problems within the organization are more that simply "fun and games".