(11-14-2024, 08:46 AM)Mikey Wrote:

(11-13-2024, 06:34 PM)The_Franchise_QB Wrote: I think we need to get some people from the Steelers building in here. The last time the Steelers had a LOSING record was 2003. Let that sink in. The LAST time the Steelers had a LOSING regular season record... was [BLEEP] 21 years ago.

Higher the entire Steelers FO, send them the blank check. They obviously do it right. 21 straight years of a NON LOSING record is [BLEEP] insane man.

Common denominator. Establish an identity, focus effort on that identity. Whether it's coaches, free agents, uniforms, everything points to the consistent, predictable modus operandi.

Give them credit, too. Patience is remarkable within that franchise. They've had 3 coaches in like 40 years. You don't prosper from hitting the reset button every 2-3 years. Doesn't hurt to hit on your picks, but they've had some flops, too. But everyone in the room knows exactly who they are, what they will be doing, and what is the expectation.

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(11-13-2024, 07:58 PM)NewJagsCity Wrote: And still Steelers message boards have called for Tomlin to be fired the last 2 years.....

....maybe there's something to be learned from a franchise that pays no attention to the howling wolves? Or maybe it just says something about the minds that frequent toothlimit.com or whatever the Stillers board is called.

They missed with Pickett. They moved on, and came out better. Even with Pickett, they still kept the record above .500!

Regarding the whole identity thing: 

While I think it is a largely overrated concept in team building by many fans and pundits there is a relevancy to the Jags situation. 

Doug came in knowing he'd run some version of his mesh concept offense somewhat tailored to the talent he had available. It sort of worked eventually after a bumpy start-  but because they never invested in the OL it had glaring weaknesses that shifted around year to year and even during seasons. 
They masked one weakness for a while with a particular set of plays until defenses sorted that out - then they applied duct tape elsewhere to half-way fix that issue - then they cinched up a few zip ties to mask the latest exposure by better defensive coordinators...
And the merry go round of trying to hide a weak offensive line has landed them with an unidentifiable, amorphous offense that puts its quarterback's back against the wall and dares him not to screw it up. 
Not excusing Trevor's mistakes that are unforced and the areas he needs to improve, but this current mutation of Doug's offense does him few favors and too often forces him to rip low percentage throws. 

OUR common denominator under Doug has been a failure to address the trenches. 

And unfortunately, that's our only real identity that has been consistent. 

Coaches have the difficult task of balancing a preconceived scheme and intended identity with the reality of working through camp with their roster and discovering how well intention meets reality with the talent and skillsets available. 

So far - Doug and his various staff have either planned the wrong scheme for their roster or failed to adapt scheme to meet the personnel strengths and weaknesses they are saddled with. 

I still put most of the failure on player execution - but in year three that also points back to coaching, so... after all that...
It would be really nice to see a GM that really knows how to get his coaches what they need to excel in their scheme.
(Even if it's a GM that has to get in the face of a Doug Pederson and tell him, "Stop making me pick these ultra athletic linemen! It's gonna bite you in the [BLEEP]!")

And you obviously need coaches that know how to adjust scheme to compromise for players that don't fit perfectly.

Every new staff claims to possess these qualities or aspire to them anyway. 
Few actually pull it off.

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