View topic - Difference in coaching makes for a better team

[smheart78 Profile]

This quote from the PG makes all the difference. It harkens to much of what TMQ says is the problem with most coaches is their fraidy cat punts or feild goals instead of showing the team your in it to win it, so GO FOR IT!

Tomlin was asked yesterday if he debated such choices or if he always leans toward being the aggressor.

"There is a debate, and, no, I don't always go on the side of aggression. Specifically, about last Sunday, I thought our opponent had momentum. They had the momentum that was required for them to get into the playoffs. They won a game against a football team that was extremely hot, as hot as any team in football, the Indianapolis Colts.

"We were coming off a bye. I wanted to get our guys going and let them know that we were playing and playing to win. I wanted them to have that same kind of momentum and energy that our opponent had and that's why I chose to take the approach that I took on some of the decisions I made in that football game, particularly in the first half."

The great thing about this is that he showed it early to his team, even though it failed.

...and failed all year going 3 for 12 on 4th downs. What are the 4th down stats for the Baltimore team?

[McLovin Profile]

Again, McLovin' is probably in the minority on this little debate. McLovin's is not blind he sees Tomlin using the fake punt to show his team he believes in them and wants to instill some aggressiveness in his players. But why? The Steelers were not the underdogs in this game. This is a veteran team with many players on the roster owning a Super Bowl ring. McLovin could see it if this were a team like the Cardinals that hadn't won a playoff game since 1947 or a team like the Ravens with a rookie qb and rookie head coach. To McLovin, being smart doesn't make you stupid. The smart move was to punt the ball away and let your top ranked defense do its job the same way its done it all year.

[PariahHero Profile]

I am not a big fan of Tomlin's in game moves. He usually leaves about 3-6 points on the field. Conversely, his preparation is heads and shoulders above Cowher. Every time the Steelers come out of a bye or the first game of the season, they dominate. Also, they dominate in the 3rd quarter. Signs of a coach that can adjust.

[McLovin Profile]

I am not a big fan of Tomlin's in game moves. He usually leaves about 3-6 points on the field. Conversely, his preparation is heads and shoulders above Cowher. Every time the Steelers come out of a bye or the first game of the season, they dominate. Also, they dominate in the 3rd quarter. Signs of a coach that can adjust.

...On that note the one adjustment made by Tomlin that has impressed McLovin is his insertion of McHugh at FB to give Willie the fullback he needs to excel. McLovin' agrees that Tomlin is more "aggressive" if that's the right word compared to Cowher. What McLovin doesn't agree with is is that absolutely necessary with a veteran group that is motivated by winning not fake punts?? Bottom line is that Cowher's history with the Steelers has be written and to McLovin it was a highly successful book about a coach who did have a conservative/stubborn side that could be maddening at times but that worked for him. Tomlin's book is yet to be written, but early in the novel this character has shown signs of being the anti-Cowher arrogant boarding on brash. Time will tell how his tenure compares to that of Cowher.

[smheart78 Profile]

Every team needs motivation! Look how much Jeff Fisher reminded us of Cowher-like fraidy cat calls?! Look where that team is.
Overthinking the play and ensuing aftermath results in timid play calls and a lack of confidence in your team (it's more than a chess match). His total confidence in his team makes me have total confidence in him. Like Colbert's thinking from the gut, not the head, and I beleive the players respect the calls like that more, even if the percentages don't work out.

and I see your point, but his quarter and halftime adjustments and game prep allows him to make these "mistakes" and keep the other team off balance. His other "on feild" management practices has vastly improved over this year and last (play clock, timeouts,m etc.) as indicated with the questions from news conference yesterday.

[Hagerstown Steelman Profile]

First of all, great thread here so far. Good points from all that make sense. Wish we had that on more boards here.

I would have kicked the FG at the goal line since it would have given us a 14pt lead. My only issue with the fake punt was that SD obviously lined up in a formation to try a block. Once this occurred I thing they should have audibled out.

Tomlin does show faith in his players. He has also had the team more prepared for games this year as compared to last. That is huge espically with the injuries. To me there is not doubt that the Rooney's have found the 3rd real deal coach in a row.

[Deadguy Profile]

I like coach Tomlin. I think his hiring energized this team... Cowher was done as soon as he won the SB... hiring an outsider snapped this franchise back into reality.

That being said, I'm not too impressed with his in-game decisions. Last years playoffs... went into the Turtle mode without the old grind it out running game. This year, that fake punt could've really put this team behind.

I don't mind aggressiveness(rather die with my boots on), just know when to pick your spots. I.E. don't try to run a fake punt with the other team lined up to block... and certainly not in that situation. Luckily, they escaped with minimal damage.

I'm fully behind going for it on fourth down. That is a good move, knowing that you have a great defense to back you up.

Calculate the risk... maybe he did, knowing that they'd eventually spank the shit out of SD, but I see it more as a coach that's learning as he goes.

[smheart78 Profile]

BTW
Baltimore 4th down stats
7 4th down attempts converted out of 11. (7 of 11).

Their defense has stopped 13 of 16 attempted against opponents all year.

Pittsburgh is 3 of 12 converted on offense and 10 of 21 stopped.

[mikeyg Profile]

BTW
Baltimore 4th down stats
7 4th down attempts converted out of 11. (7 of 11).

Their defense has stopped 13 of 16 attempted against opponents all year.

Pittsburgh is 3 of 12 converted on offense and 10 of 21 stopped.

don't like those numbers

part of our failure on 4th downs is personnel and playcalling (ARIANS) - in fact, maybe most

[Steeledge Profile]

McLovin ... sees Tomlin using the fake punt to show his team he believes in them and wants to instill some aggressiveness in his players. But why? ... This is a veteran team with many players on the roster owning a Super Bowl ring.

I think you answered your own question there, Sparky.
This is Tomlin's program, not the veteran's.
Since Day 1, those stubborn vets have been the most resistant to change, and Tomlin might still be re-convincing them of their need to buy into his program.
...Or not. Maybe he could care less, and that's just how he rolls...still, it's his program, and I like the aggressiveness with which he's "putting his stamp" on the team, as Alan Robinson puts it...

The smart move was to punt the ball away and let your top ranked defense do its job the same way its done it all year.

don't you mean the "safe" move, as in "playing not to lose"?

I don't see Tomlin "Cowher"ing in fear like that...