Steelers News: Roethlisberger, Tomlin, Toussaint

The Steelers season ended in disappointing fashion but in reality any season that doesn’t end in the hoisting of the Lombardi trophy can be considered disappointing.

While the Steelers travel back to Pittsburgh and prepare to clear out their lockers for the year we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Monday, Jan. 18^th.

Back with a vengeance

More from Steelers News

• Mel Kiper Jr. makes predictable pick for Steelers in first NFL mock draft
• Steelers news: Brian Flores odds to land HC job, no projected compensatory picks, and more
• Why Jordan Addison to the Steelers is a good idea
• 4 reasons Steelers would have been embarrassed in the NFL playoffs
• The easiest cut the Pittsburgh Steelers will make in 2023

Ben Roethlisberger

started Sunday’s game after his status was in question for most of the week with his shoulder in the injury. He responded by going 24-of-7 for 339 yards with his first pass traveling 45 yards so there was no question about his arm strength even early on.

In the process Roethlisberger passed Steelers HOF quarterback Terry Bradshaw for the most postseason passing yards in franchise history.

What does Tomlin need to work on next year?

It’s never too early to start looking at next year and since next year starts already ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has some suggestions for what Steelers coach Mike Tomlin can work on next year. Tomlin’s resume speaks for itself, with never a losing season in 9 years, the second highest winning percentage among active coaches, two Super Bowl trips with one championship and a successful season in spite of injuries and suspensions.

What could get them over the hump? Getting over bad losses. What keeps Tomlin from getting an A+ on his coaching job this season has to be the 2 inexcusable losses to the Ravens. Whether or not Jon Harbaugh is in his head or not Tomlin has to kick the habit of losing to bad teams.

Now, realistically, those of us with actively working brain cells know that the coach doesn’t exactly go out there and tell his team not to give a crap during the practice week against an “inferior” opponent but perception is reality in the NFL. When you lose to bad teams so much it becomes your calling card and you end up needing help to get into the playoffs.

Drive killer

Inevitably, Fitzgerald Toussaint will end up becoming the goat for the game since his fumble was the only turnover of the game and definitely cost the Steelers the game in one way or another. The Steelers were in position to score on the drive where Toussaint fumbled at Denver’s 30-yard line.

Next: Steelers fail in Denver

Not to be overlooked was the meh performance by punter Jordan Berry and Markus Wheaton’s job as punt returner as Bob Labriola reminds us.