Steelers' lack of discipline becoming apparent

Mark Madden 

Beaver County Times Sports Correspondent | Posted: Sunday, October 7, 2012 11:30 pm

Call the police. Somebody stole a football game.

The Steelers’ 16-14 victory over Philadelphia at Heinz Field was a victimless crime, especially given the Eagles’ complicity. If Mike Vick doesn’t fumble away a touchdown in the first quarter, the Steelers’ season might be in jeopardy.

Despite Rashard Mendenhall’s scintillating return from injury and a methodical 64-yard march to post the winning points, the Steelers were beneficiary of a heaping helping of luck. They won despite a defense that is fading before our very eyes. Witness Philadelphia’s 18-play, 79-yard drive to take a 14-13 fourth-quarter lead. Two fourth-down conversions and a 24-yard gain on third-and-10. Depressing.

The Steelers’ defense folded late despite the notable return of James Harrison (two tackles, three quarterback hits) and a big game by Lawrence Timmons, who awoke from his season-long slumber to make nine tackles (two for a loss) and two QB hits.

Dick LeBeau’s D had three sacks and eight QB hits, putting more pressure on Vick than any opposition quarterback this season. But it all went wrong in the final quarter. Things won’t be any easier Thursday at Tennessee if Troy Polamalu (calf) and LaMarr Woodley (hamstring) miss.

Even more alarming: The Steelers’ abject lack of discipline.

The local media cheerleaders don’t like to mention it, but Mike Tomlin is too much of a players’ coach, too buddy-buddy, too quick to forgive and not at all imposing. His predecessor, Bill Cowher, was known as a players’ coach. But he was also known for his temper and for giving players a face full of fury if they did something dumb.

With Cowher, there was an element of fear. Not so with Tomlin.

How else to explain nine penalties for a costly 106 yards? Some dumb flags, too: Mike Wallace in an illegal formation. Lining up properly is Football 101. DeMarcus Van Dyke ran out of bounds while covering a punt. (Even dumber: Philadelphia’s Mardy Gilyard committed the same foul less than four minutes later.)

Willie Colon collected enough flags to stock the United Nations: Four holding penalties, including one that was declined. More Football 101: Don’t hold. It was hard to argue with any of Colon’s penalties. Indeed, all calls against the Steelers looked kosher. Colon is talented, and a fighter, but he was wrapping Eagles up in bear hugs.

The worst fouls were perpetrated by Ryan Clark and Ryan Mundy: Personal fouls on questionable hits that gave the Eagles 30 of their 69 yards en route to their first touchdown. Clark came in late, Mundy came in high.

It is not up to the Steelers to dictate how football should be played. The league and referees decide, the Steelers must abide. Under the NFL’s current laws, what Clark and Mundy did merits a penalty, and likely a fine (especially for Mundy, a repeat offender this season).

Excuses will be made. The direction of the game will be questioned. But the Steelers must quit playing by their rules and observe the league’s.

They need to be more polished and precise, too. They had 10 penalties against both Oakland and the Jets, eight against Denver. The Steelers have surrendered 346 yards via flags this season. Sunday was the rule, not an exception.

The Steelers are not at all a likeable team. Too many nasty soundbites. Too much unnecessary chest-beating, especially by guys with no rings on their fingers. Much of the team’s attitude toward the media is abusive. Totally unacceptable.

Art Rooney II would love for this team to be a Xerox of his granddaddy’s. But it couldn’t be further away. A soft defense. No running game before yesterday. Zero humility outside of a select few. The Steelers used to pride themselves on being different.

Now, they’re just typical.

Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).