"There's no substitute for guts."Let's be honest, the Steelers chances for playoff success this year look pretty bleak. Willie Parker is out. Aaron Smith is out. Marvell Smith is out. Max Starks is out. The team hasn't really stopped a Running Back (Pats game does not count) since Week 13, they allowed a ridiculous 47 sacks this season, AND they've only won three out of the last seven games. So what possible reason do we as fans have to believe that they can win in the playoffs, first against a team that gouged them for over 400 yards of Offense and then against a team that is 16-0? How can the team overcome such challenging circumstances?
- Bear Bryant
"To succeed...You need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you."
- Tony Dorsett
"I learned that if you want to make it bad enough, no matter how bad it is, you can make it."
- Gale Sayers
The answer is Heart.
At the risk of sounding like a little girl here, it is Passion, Emotion, and Fire that can make the difference. This probably isn't the first time you're hearing something like this from me, but as I generally maintain - there are many many great athletes in the NFL. What separates some of the greatest from the more pedestrian is their drive and desire to win. To play as hard as they possibly can, with purpose, despite the fact that things may be going wrong left and right. Fortunately for us, the Steelers roster has plenty of this kind of character. Hines Ward, Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu, these guys have a desire to win and a commitment to their team's success that is arguably rare in today's free agency era. If you need a reminder of this, just think back to the 2005 playoffs...
Simply stated - the team has two choices. They can either look at how the deck is stacked against them and cry about it, OR they can see that effectively everyone is 0-0 now, and realize they still have the talent and gusto to win, even given all the current adversity.
I'm not saying that emotion alone can win a playoff game. All I'm saying is - if we have any hopes of winning, we had better find some passion and play like we want it. I haven't seen that side of this Steelers team consistently in a few weeks now. Get it back and we have a fighting chance. Play flat and we are dead in the water.
Remember, it's like the great Yogi Berra says - "It isn't over 'til it's over." Don't give up hope yet Steeler fans. Sometimes, when you least expect it, people can surprise you. Even football players. Cue Journey...I'll get down off my soapbox now.
What say you all?
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Steelers' Worrisome Injury List Long, Growing [Associated Press]
Steelers Finish With Top Defense [Post-Gazette]
Steelers Defense Feels New Pressure [Tribune-Review]
Starks Out Saturday, Essex To Start [Die Hard Steel]
Something To Believe In... [One For The Other Thumb]
Filling Some Big Shoes [Yahoo! Sports]
