How are the Pittsburgh Steelers so successful?
How is it that the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to their third Super Bowl in less than six years? Does their quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, deserve all of the credit?
Well, Big Ben deserves a boatload of credit when you look at all of his abilities. People tend to forget that the Steelers have the worst offensive line that has ever won a Super Bowl.
They have given up 189 sacks since 2007. Some people believe that that’s Roethlisberger’s own fault. Even if you take away about 25% of those sacks, saying that it was Big Ben’s fault, you’re still left with about 35 sacks
per year that the offensive line has still given up.
So no matter how you say it, Roethlisberger’s abilities have been a tremendous part of the Steelers’ success. Does he deserve all of the success though?
Most certainly not, but for those, who believe that Big Ben is not a part of the success of the team as whole, they are wrong.
So those, who don’t believe that Big Ben has had a hand in Super Bowl wins, what do you have to say for yourselves?
The basic question is, what is the key cog that brings the Steelers to their third Super Bowl appearance since Super Bowl XL in 2006?
Is it a coincidence that d**k LeBeau came back to the Steelers as defensive coordinator the year before Big Ben and the Steelers went to the Super Bowl?
When you look at the last seven years of the Steelers’ history, the Steelers’ defense has only been out of the top ten defences in the NFL for two years, having an 8-8 and 9-7 record during those two years.
So what does that mean? That the offense can’t score? Is that what you’re trying to say?
The people on the other side of the table sum up their opinions by saying that the offense can’t score and it’s the defence that leads the team.
Now they still give Big Ben credit. He’s a big guy that can throw the ball and move out of the pocket when he needs to do great things. But half of the people believe that it’s more of the defence that has put the Steelers into the Super Bowl for the third
time since 2006.
How about we all just have a great big hug and say that it’s both the offense and defense. Good? Now, moving on!
So who’s more of a factor if the offense and defense have equal input into their success?
Well, the ownership and coaching staff is the glue that holds the Steelers together. Their success was built on the foundation of the ownership. When you think about the numbers of coaches that the league has had, you can see a pattern emerging.
The Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, and, San Diego Chargers, have had 13 head coaches since 1969. The Bills have won no Super Bowls, the Jets won their last one in 1968, the Colts have won two and the Chargers haven’t won any either.
The Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins have had 12 head coaches since 1969. The Cardinals have won none. The Lions haven’t even been to one, the Raiders have won three, back in their day, and the ‘Skins have won three.
Do you see a pattern emerging yet?
The Steelers have had only three head coaches since 1969. Yes, three! And they are going to their eighth Super Bowl on February 6th, having won six of their past seven Super Bowl appearances.
That shows exactly how stable the team is. The owning Rooney family has a great ability for being able to evaluate men and choose the head coach that is best for the team.
So you guys can argue all you want about what’s better, the Steelers’ offense, defense or coaches. In the end, the team wins as a whole, as they might in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
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