Is There A Glimmer Of Any Hope For These 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers?
Nov 3, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is sacked by New England Patriots linebacker Dane Fletcher (52) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers (and Steeler Nation) are far from used to being in a position like they find themselves in right now. A 2-6 record, near the basement of the league in every category, reeling from embarrassing loses to Chicago, Oakland, and New England, and quickly becoming the laughing stock of the league next to the Jaguars and Buccaneers instead of the most feared and respected team in the NFL. It’s a walking nightmare for us fans.
It’s one thing to have an 8-8 team with a roller coaster of a season that gives us ups and downs. At least those can be fun and entertaining even though a disappointment at times. This is something completely different. I had a better time while dating a girl in college who led me on for weeks and weeks and ultimately left me for my roommate and sold my favorite Donny Iris album. It’s just ugly, and nobody’s a winner…. even when the Steelers win.
The Steelers turned the corner this week against the Patriots. Unfortunately, it was the wrong turn onto a one way road and there’s a 40 ton truck with its headlights bearing right down on them. The loss against the Pats this week was an eye opener and broke ‘the Looking Glass’ for anyone who was still clinging onto any illusion that the 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers were any good…. at all. And, if anyone still out there is still foolish enough to think this team can turn it around and are ‘this close’ to stringing a bunch of wins together, well there are still come extra tickets and seats available for the Crazy Train – I think you can even sit next to Todd Haley.
So, is there any glimmer of hope for these 2013 Steelers? In a word, no. But, there is hope from these 2013 Steelers. Hope in the form of a record so bad that it practically forces team owner and president, Art Rooney Jr., to clean house – starting with lighting the fuse by firing the head coach and letting the TNT blow up most of the locker room and coaching offices. Yes, Steeler Nation, 2013 could be the ‘Easter’ for the organization. Out of the nightmare and death of the 2013 can rise a team and organization that harkens back to the tradition of winning and winning by being a dominant powerhouse team.
Don’t get me wrong – I don’t like wishing ill on my favorite football team since I was 7 years old. I don’t really wish ill on anyone – unless you’re Phil Simms, and quite frankly he can get run over by a bus…. 20 times….. with spikes on the wheels…. and 40 400lb men riding the bus. I don’t want the Steelers to lose, but I fully understand that because this head coach and a large contingency of the veterans are a liability to this team then the 2013 season must spiral into the fiery pits of hell where out of the ashes will be birthed a good football team of the future.
A bit melodramatic? Perhaps. But it’s the only thing that gives me hope.