Apparently “Lack of Effort” Wasn’t Issue For Steelers on Sunday

Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

"We were beaten soundly in the game and dominated in a lot of facets, … I had concerns about the quality of effort after a performance like that. After combing through the tape there were no blatant breaches of that. I think that is your knee-jerk response after a performance like that when you are defeated in that manner, to look first at those things. There weren’t any blatant breaches of effort.-Mike Tomlin (via Steelers.com)"

Well which is it, Mike?

Did the Steelers “lack effort” or didn’t they on Sunday in Foxborough?

During your post-game press conference you seemed so steamed about the lack of effort which your team illustrated against New England. In fact you stated the following on that particular subject:

"Not good enough. Not good enough. It just wasn’t [the effort]. We are going to comb through this with a fine tooth comb, as we should. Those people who are lacking effort won’t be playing. It’s just that simple."

Or was that simply the usual post-game ridiculousness we have all become accustomed to hearing you espouse over the last six-plus years?

I hate to be a “Negative Nancy,” but I saw plenty of “quit” in your defense and their defensive schemes on Sunday, especially during the final quarter and a half of play. Heck, allowing 28 points in the fourth quarter of play alone and the “asleep at the wheel” effort of Ryan Clark on Aaron Dobson’s 81 yard touchdown reception was nothing short of a joke.

The “cherry” on top of the Steelers’ “crap-laden sundae” of a performance was the loafing and lolleygagging which took place on LeGarrette Blount’s final touchdown run. Nobody brought the back to the ground when he was held up and hemmed in, but that didn’t stop Blount from taking advantage of the lack of effort illustrated by your defense.

That sir, you cannot deny. Of course, overlooking problems with effort and discipline have been staples of your regime over the last couple of seasons.

You alluded to jobs and playing time being on the line in your post-game presser, but here we are on Tuesday and your depth chart is unchanged when I look at the first-team offense, first-team defense, and first-team special teams portions.

At this point though, it makes no sense to complain anymore. The Steelers are rapidly spiraling down the “toilet bowl” and it looks like “Captain Obvious” is busy piloting the rudderless and “effort-less” ship.

Stats & Contract Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com , Spotrac, and Pro Football Reference

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