SteelerNation - Don't Fret About an 0-4 Preseason

SteelerNation - Don't Worry...YET

Mike Tomlin has never finished a preseason 0-4 in his tenure with the team. Unlike what was posted on Twitter last night by some members of SteelerNation, the last time the team didn't win a preseason game was 2006, Bill Cowher's last year as the head coach.  The Steelers had just come off a Superbowl 40 victory, squandered away to mediocrity on route to missing the postseason, and Bill Cowher's resignation shortly followed.  There is a core group of bandwagoneers that most recently climbed onto the SteelerNation bandwagon that are declaring that their allegiance to the Steelers is wavering and they are preparing to jump off "the wagon" at the next stop.  Well, if those fans want to jump off...let me give them some friendly assistance off the wagon, because I'm going to give the real Steeler fans reasons why you shouldn't fret about the 0-4 preseason the Steelers just experienced...I figured this article is better than a recap of that garbage the NFL calls football that was put on display last night!

This Steelers team is not the "norm" for Pittsburgh fans.  For several reasons they are different, but the main reason is that the Steelers don't have the depth that they typically have had in the past.  Alot of their quality depth players have left the team in some way, shape, or form.  With that said, the Steelers preseason has been difficult to watch, but think back to those 4 football games.  Even against Washington (minus Ben playing catch with Kerrigan) the Steelers first teams have looked solid.  Okay, special teams needs work, but the offensive and defensive units both have improved throughout the preseason, and in my opinion are geared up for Week 1.  I feel that Jerome Bettis said it best on his first action on "NFL Live" on ESPN.  When asked if the Steelers were a playoff team in his eyes he said that as of right now, week 1...No, but week 10...he thinks this team will have improved to the point where they can be a legitimate threat.  I couldn't agree more.

Which brings me to my next point of the infusion of youth the Steelers are experiencing that they haven't seen in a long time.  Look at the offensive side of the ball.  The OLine are extremely "green" with experience.  Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders are hardly seasoned vets, and the RB position will be held down by a rookie when Le'Veon Bell returns from his foot injury.  Defensively might be where certain positions are getting a little "long in the tooth".  Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark, Brett Keisel, and Ike Taylor are no spring chickens, but there is something to be said about experience.  After all, a "lack of experience" is what the "talking heads" say is the knack of the Steelers offense, but the Steelers "experience" on defense is the main knack on the Steelers defensive unit.  What I'm trying to say is that you need a good mix of experience and youth to be a solid unit, and the Steelers have that both offensively and defensively this season.

The main reason, in my opinion, that SteelerNation shouldn't fret about the Steelers preseason record is simply the fact that I don't think the offense or defense has shown even a quarter of what they are capable of yet.  You haven't seen any exotic blitzes, you haven't seen any trick plays, you haven't seen the team go no huddle, you haven't seen the team try exotic formations, and you haven't seen this team's first team special teams play for more than a quarter.  There is a lot of promise with this team, and it will require the team to keep their stars healthy, and to not make the boneheaded mistakes that can plague a team from the start.  The Steelers are a talented group, and things might not be as good as they were in the past, but that doesn't mean they can't be successful.  The Steelers might not dominate the opponents running game like they have in the past, but they might get to the QB more and get more turnovers.  I would take that trade off.  The offense might not have the deep threat in Mike Wallace anymore, but they might be able to hit those intermediate routes and watch their speedy receivers go the distance.  I'd take that trade off.  This team might not win 12 games, but they could be extremely dangerous if they get into the playoffs...just like they were in 2005.  I'd take a hot team headed into the postseason over a banged up team that is limping into the playoffs.  SteelerNation, its time to hold your judgement on the Steelers until the games that count actually happen.  We all have a week to analyze a game that actually counts...just sit back and enjoy the show!  Here we go Steelers!