Pittsburgh Steelers former quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger released his weekly Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast on Monday. The podcast features his co-host Spencer T’eo and this week “The Beard” Brett Keisel came along for the ride. Roethlisberger and Keisel turned their attention to this past Sunday when the Steelers were humiliated by the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, 38-3.
YouTube / Channel Seven - Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger
“It just looked easy out there,” Roethlisberger said. “Every time they had the ball, it looked like they were going to score. It just was an awful game. If we played a game like that, it’s like we just got whooped and you don’t even watch the game film. There’s no need to watch this film, let’s just throw it out and move to the next one. At 1-4, I don’t know if you can wash your hands of this and move on. You’ve got to fix your issues.”
The Steelers were beaten soundly in all three phases of the game on Sunday. Kenny Pickett looked decisive, and George Pickens continues to establish himself as a number one wide receiver in the NFL, but the rest of the team showed very little fight in the second half of the game. Roethlisberger knows Keisel has been retired for several seasons, but he asked him directly as if he was still a member of the defense how a loss like this would sit with him:
“That’s the worst of the worst,” Keisel replied. “When you give up a record amount of yardage, there has been a lot of football played in front of you. You don’t want to be handing out records on that side of the ball. They have to get this fixed right now. You have no time when you are playing, no time to feel sorry for yourself or to cry; you have to find a solution and you have to find it right now.”
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The Steelers locker room is fracturing on both sides of the ball. Arthur Maulet had a locker room incident alleging teammates were laughing during the blowout loss and not taking the game seriously. Diontae Johnson started attacking fans and the spotlight is shining very brightly on the Pittsburgh head coach, Mike Tomlin and the black and gold’s veteran leadership:
“Steeler fans have all been so fortunate to have you [Roethlisberger],” Keisel continues. “There is going to be some ups and downs and we are in the downs a little bit right now. They gotta come together as a team. It’s awful, in the professional sports business. Especially in the Steelers locker room, but you find out a lot about your team and who is a dog. Usually, those moments open up opportunities for great players to step up and make it happen.”
The Steelers have not faced this kind of adversity since they went 6-10 the year before Roethlisberger arrived and they were only one year removed from making the playoffs with Tommy Maddox at quarterback. This team feels different, and it may be the least talented overall Steelers team since 1988. Keisel’s point about finding what you actually have to build around is valid.
Steelers owner, Art Rooney II introduces Omar Khan as the team's new general manager. (AP)
Omar Khan should be working to dump distressed assets to unsuspecting teams for as many draft picks as he can lay his hands on at this point. Players will reveal their character over the next few weeks and especially at home on Sunday against Tampa Bay Buccaneers and what is probably the last time they will see Tom Brady. Tampa Bay is not as talented as Buffalo, but they are one of the best teams in the NFC.
The Steelers will be big home underdogs and this Sunday will either be the beginning of building something special, or it could spell that Pittsburgh is actually in contention for a top five pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. In the words of Keisel, the coaching staff has five days, and they need to ‘fix it fast.’
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are you prepared to be patient while the Steelers build around Pickett? Please comment below, or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
