faba Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 Cowher takes blame for Steelers' poor play Associated Press PITTSBURGH -- Bill Cowher isn't blaming Ben Roethlisberger's frequent interceptions for the Pittsburgh Steelers' terrible record. Or a major falloff by the special teams. Or a surprisingly inconsistent offensive line. Cowher is faulting the boss. "Obviously, there's a lot of disappointment to be sitting here at 2-5. I accept full responsibility for that," Cowher said Tuesday. "It starts with me. There's been a lot of frustration ... in the different ways we have found to lose. The bottom line is we have lost." 2006 SEASON STATISTICSAttCompYdsTDIntRat180112124561170.7 Cowher dismissed his own uncertain future as a reason for the Super Bowl champions' stumbling -- he hasn't said if he will return in 2007 -- and that topic is almost never mentioned by his players. What has become worrisome is that the Steelers already trail Baltimore (5-2) by three games in the AFC North with the season not yet half over. "Each of us is going to have to do more and that starts with me," Cowher said of a team that has as many losses in seven games as it did in 20 games a season ago. "The focus right now is to win a football game and get out of this funk we're in." After losing 20-13 to one of the NFL's weakest teams, Oakland (2-5), the Steelers meet Denver (5-2) in a rematch of the AFC championship game Sunday in Pittsburgh. Cowher's biggest concern might be his team's fading confidence, a quality that wasn't a problem as the Steelers won 31 games, counting the playoffs, the last two seasons. "Confidence is a fragile thing," Cowher said. "We have no reason to be a confident team at this point. We haven't done the things it takes to win games." The Steelers appeared to be coming together after beating Kansas City 45-7 on Oct. 15, but that is their only victory in their last six games. They lost to Atlanta 41-38 in overtime a week later after Roethlisberger, who had thrown five TD passes in less than two full games, left with a concussion during the third quarter. That concussion wasn't a problem in Oakland, Cowher said, yet the third-year quarterback looked like a different player than the week before. He appeared to be anticipating getting sacked several times, ducking under before the pass rushers arrived. Two of his four interceptions were returned for touchdowns. Roethlisberger won 27 of his first 31 NFL starts, yet is 1-5 this season. Still, Cowher didn't hesitate to start Roethlisberger against the Raiders despite the concussion, and never considered replacing him with backup Charlie Batch. Cowher suggested Roethlisberger's biggest problem was trying to do too much after the Steelers fell behind 7-0 and 20-7. "With three of them [interceptions], he's got to use better judgment," Cowher said. "He would admit to that. To get the ball at the 1-yard line [late in the game] and not score with that -- the inconsistencies, we've got to eliminate them. And we are not doing that." Cowher wouldn't speculate if Roethlisberger's repeated health issues -- his motorcycle wreck, appendectomy and multiple concussions -- have factored into his falloff in play. "That's a hard question to answer," he said. "It's all speculation." Cowher did criticize the special teams and offensive line play, both of which have dropped off significantly from last season. The Steelers are last in punt return average and third from the bottom in kickoff coverage, and a rushing game that is routinely among the league's best is only in the middle of the pack. And they are fifth from the bottom in turnover margin. "We're turning the ball over and that's the biggest thing -- we have 18 in seven games," he said. "A year ago we had 23 in 16. There have been a lot of inconsistencies with our team." As expected, running back Verron Haynes and linebacker Arnold Harrison were placed on injured reserve with torn anterior cruciate ligaments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gainzo Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 Cowher takes blame for Steelers' poor play Associated Press PITTSBURGH -- Bill Cowher isn't blaming Ben Roethlisberger's frequent interceptions for the Pittsburgh Steelers' terrible record. Or a major falloff by the special teams. Or a surprisingly inconsistent offensive line. Cowher is faulting the boss. "Obviously, there's a lot of disappointment to be sitting here at 2-5. I accept full responsibility for that," Cowher said Tuesday. "It starts with me. There's been a lot of frustration ... in the different ways we have found to lose. The bottom line is we have lost." 2006 SEASON STATISTICSAttCompYdsTDIntRat180112124561170.7 Cowher dismissed his own uncertain future as a reason for the Super Bowl champions' stumbling -- he hasn't said if he will return in 2007 -- and that topic is almost never mentioned by his players. What has become worrisome is that the Steelers already trail Baltimore (5-2) by three games in the AFC North with the season not yet half over. "Each of us is going to have to do more and that starts with me," Cowher said of a team that has as many losses in seven games as it did in 20 games a season ago. "The focus right now is to win a football game and get out of this funk we're in." After losing 20-13 to one of the NFL's weakest teams, Oakland (2-5), the Steelers meet Denver (5-2) in a rematch of the AFC championship game Sunday in Pittsburgh. Cowher's biggest concern might be his team's fading confidence, a quality that wasn't a problem as the Steelers won 31 games, counting the playoffs, the last two seasons. "Confidence is a fragile thing," Cowher said. "We have no reason to be a confident team at this point. We haven't done the things it takes to win games." The Steelers appeared to be coming together after beating Kansas City 45-7 on Oct. 15, but that is their only victory in their last six games. They lost to Atlanta 41-38 in overtime a week later after Roethlisberger, who had thrown five TD passes in less than two full games, left with a concussion during the third quarter. That concussion wasn't a problem in Oakland, Cowher said, yet the third-year quarterback looked like a different player than the week before. He appeared to be anticipating getting sacked several times, ducking under before the pass rushers arrived. Two of his four interceptions were returned for touchdowns. Roethlisberger won 27 of his first 31 NFL starts, yet is 1-5 this season. Still, Cowher didn't hesitate to start Roethlisberger against the Raiders despite the concussion, and never considered replacing him with backup Charlie Batch. Cowher suggested Roethlisberger's biggest problem was trying to do too much after the Steelers fell behind 7-0 and 20-7. "With three of them [interceptions], he's got to use better judgment," Cowher said. "He would admit to that. To get the ball at the 1-yard line [late in the game] and not score with that -- the inconsistencies, we've got to eliminate them. And we are not doing that." Cowher wouldn't speculate if Roethlisberger's repeated health issues -- his motorcycle wreck, appendectomy and multiple concussions -- have factored into his falloff in play. "That's a hard question to answer," he said. "It's all speculation." Cowher did criticize the special teams and offensive line play, both of which have dropped off significantly from last season. The Steelers are last in punt return average and third from the bottom in kickoff coverage, and a rushing game that is routinely among the league's best is only in the middle of the pack. And they are fifth from the bottom in turnover margin. "We're turning the ball over and that's the biggest thing -- we have 18 in seven games," he said. "A year ago we had 23 in 16. There have been a lot of inconsistencies with our team." As expected, running back Verron Haynes and linebacker Arnold Harrison were placed on injured reserve with torn anterior cruciate ligaments I think everyone has to remember that they were a 10-6 team last year that went on a roll at the end of the season that resulted in a Super Bowl win. A Super Bowl win with some very "iffy" calls that they benefited from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124 Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 And rightfully so he should seeing as he's the dumbass who sticks in a QB 6 days after a concussion. Charlie Batch against the Raiders would've equalled a Steeler victory. A 50/50 Ben at best was a piss poor performance yet again by the most over-rated player in the NFL and another Steeler lost. 2-5 with the 5-2 Ravens leading the division...good luck Pittsburgh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetophile Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 Roethlisberger's no slouch. The guy had his face busted from a motorcycle accident that he was very lucky to live through let alone escape being paralyzed from the neck down. Appendix removed. A brain jog. It isn't his year, but I question the wisdom of keeping him in. He clearly has not been himself and is it any wonder. Other than the health of any player, I'm not shedding a tear their season is in the toilet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 A Super Bowl win with some very "iffy" calls that they benefited from. That might be the best line ever typed by a Patriots fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 Roethlisburger shouldn't have gone in there until he was really healed from everything & had more practice time. The guy missed the entire pre-season & between his accident & his appendicitis who knows how many practices. It's not like Batch was so horrible when filling in for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn306 Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 I think everyone has to remember that they were a 10-6 team last year that went on a roll at the end of the season that resulted in a Super Bowl win. A Super Bowl win with some very "iffy" calls that they benefited from. Something you guys know quite well about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docdhc Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 The latest info on concussions suggest the nfl is rushing players back despite good data to suggest at least 10 days to 2 weeks minimum before letting someone play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gainzo Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 That might be the best line ever typed by a Patriots fan. When I wrote that last night I was thinking to myself that it might be thrown back in my face. I was correct! BTW: The tuck rule was the correct call Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quietjets Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 Surely, I can blame Cowher for putting Ben in but Batch is not his everyday winning qb. Bad season is something Cowher has been accustomed to in the past.. Steelers are not exactly a dynasty like 70's as Cowher has pondered to quit as HC after this season. Ben has an ego problem. Never happen to me on motorcycle. Walk like a god's kid. Now he had hit the tiny tip of the iceberg. It is intriguing to find out whether or not he hops into the emergency boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#27TheDominator Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 The latest info on concussions suggest the nfl is rushing players back despite good data to suggest at least 10 days to 2 weeks minimum before letting someone play. That's 100% true, but OTOH nobody used to question using 2 or 3 ammonia caps to wake Ronnie Lott up and get back in there for the next play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GM Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 Bill is mad!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boozer76 Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 Ben has an ego problem. Never happen to me on motorcycle. Walk like a god's kid. Now he had hit the tiny tip of the iceberg. It is intriguing to find out whether or not he hops into the emergency boat. I have no idea what you just said there :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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