View topic - New Article: Is Tomlin The Man?

[trenches Profile]

http://www.stillers.com/articles/2362.aspx has been posted by Guest at Stillers.com.

[Jeemie Profile]

The last thing is some of the undisciplined flags that have been thrown against this team this year which would never have happened under Cowher.

Um...they DID happen under Cowher.

[smheart78 Profile]

"Chest bumping players" reminds me a little of how Gruden used to be down in Tampa.
But you must admit, it's a different feeling team under Tomlin. It feels as though there is a dynamic power to the team, which is a good thing. This restlessness is filled with that core instinct in the guys to bust up and thrash opponents, but when this is unchecked, leads to penalties, impatience, lack of discipline and much more grandstanding this year than I remember in the past. His abilitiy to bring out this youthful passion in many of these players is a great thing (and I could be giving him too much credit for this), and I think this outweighs the cost of the penalties and lack of discipline. For now, it's driving the team.

Here's to getting home feild throughout!
Send Peyton to go practice beating his little bro in the ProBowl in the Divisionals
Send Favre back into retirement with an embarrasing loss in the AFCC
Send Archie's favorite son the same as we did his accidental son 3 weeks earlier.

[StillDodger Profile]

The playoffs could determine whether Tomlin will be another Noll or another Schittenheimer........

[PGHeaven Profile]

"Chest bumping players" reminds me a little of how Gruden used to be down in Tampa.
But you must admit, it's a different feeling team under Tomlin. It feels as though there is a dynamic power to the team, which is a good thing. This restlessness is filled with that core instinct in the guys to bust up and thrash opponents, but when this is unchecked, leads to penalties, impatience, lack of discipline and much more grandstanding this year than I remember in the past. His abilitiy to bring out this youthful passion in many of these players is a great thing (and I could be giving him too much credit for this), and I think this outweighs the cost of the penalties and lack of discipline. For now, it's driving the team.

Here's to getting home feild throughout!
Send Peyton to go practice beating his little bro in the ProBowl in the Divisionals
Send Favre back into retirement with an embarrasing loss in the AFCC
Send Archie's favorite son the same as we did his accidental son 3 weeks earlier.

Yeppur. I agree. Also, head coach makes decisions like whether to go for it on key 4th downs.Go for 2 points, call TO things like that. So far he has been reckless and made many mistakes (remember going for 2 last year AFTER the 10 yard penalty?)

He is tempting fate too many times. Emotion is good but he cant run on fumes forever. Next draft PICK NOTHING BUT FUCKING OL. Just think, if we had a superior OL, Rashard may not have a broken shoulder. BTW, where is Tony fucking Hill?

All in all though, great job coach Tomlin. Your defensive team is winning!

[Field General Ben Profile]

The playoffs could determine whether Tomlin will be another Noll or another Schittenheimer........

In only his 2nd year in the league? Shouldn't you be giving Tomlin a larger body of work to judge by? It took Noll seven seasons to get to and win his first Super Bowl.

[Field General Ben Profile]

The last thing is some of the undisciplined flags that have been thrown against this team this year which would never have happened under Cowher.

Um...they DID happen under Cowher.

Absolutely agree. They absolutely did happen under Cowher, and OFTEN. The last thing you could say about Cowher's teams is that they were disciplined. You think Pal Joey Porter was "disciplined?"

[Stillerz Bar Profile]

The playoffs could determine whether Tomlin will be another Noll or another Schittenheimer........

In only his 2nd year in the league? Shouldn't you be giving Tomlin a larger body of work to judge by? It took Noll seven seasons to get to and win his first Super Bowl.

Also took Cowher till his 3rd season to win even 1 playoff game - hopefully Tomlin can get that monkey off his back in a few weeks.

[Hagerstown Steelman Profile]

Tomlin will be the Man in Pgh for quite a while in my opinion.

He inherited a good team which always helps. He did not step into a train wreck like Oakland, Detroit, SF to start his career. That being said his challenge was to come in and gain the respect of a vetran laden team which he has done.

If he would have gotten rid of LeBeau that would have been a big mistake. Arians looked like an OK choice at the start but with his history in Cleveland we should have known something was up. Oh well, this is an easily correctable mistake.

The first two drafts appear to be solid. The jury is still out on the 2008 crop but we will see. I do think they would have addressed the o-line this year if Mendenhall and Sweed did not fall into their laps. I think this draft needs to address both the O and D lines. The o-line due to what we get and the d-line due to their age. At LB we are in great shape.

[Leo Profile]

2 comments:

- first, and most important: Stillerz Bar, that is one helluva photo you have there

- second: I like Tomlin a lot, but he does not yet belong even in the same discussion board as the Emperor Chaz. Agree though that Tomlin is off to a great start. I like his fire, and I like his No Excuses and Next Man Up philosophy.

[Leo Profile]

The playoffs could determine whether Tomlin will be another Noll or another Schittenheimer........

In only his 2nd year in the league? Shouldn't you be giving Tomlin a larger body of work to judge by? It took Noll seven seasons to get to and win his first Super Bowl.

The Emperor took over a Zero Team. Tomlin took over a talent-laden team that underperformed during Cowher's Year of Coasting.

[isfry Profile]

Great coaches, like great players, prove themselves in the playoffs. Not exactly a representative sample, I know, but look at the jacksonville game last year, and think about this. We outscore them 17-0 in the 4th quarter to recover from a game-long deficit and take a one point lead, then our defense gets us the ball back with 3 or 4 minutes left. Tomlin (much like Cowher's early days) decides to run three times right up the gut with Davenport, which has had ABSOLUTELY NO SUCCESS ALL DAY, and has no chance of gaining a first down. As a result, we run a whopping two minutes off the clock, punt away and lose by two when they kick the game winner almost at the buzzer. I know, Arians is the OC, but...in the playoffs, if your OC is about to do some stupid shit and lose the game, it's the HC's job to step in. I look forward to watching Tomlin's sophomore year playoff performance, and hope to all hell that we don't go into a turtle shell with a slim lead late in the game. I'm rooting for Mike to be around a while, and to get us one for the thumb this feb. go steelers.

[Jeemie Profile]

Great coaches, like great players, prove themselves in the playoffs. Not exactly a representative sample, I know, but look at the jacksonville game last year, and think about this. We outscore them 17-0 in the 4th quarter to recover from a game-long deficit and take a one point lead, then our defense gets us the ball back with 3 or 4 minutes left. Tomlin (much like Cowher's early days) decides to run three times right up the gut with Davenport, which has had ABSOLUTELY NO SUCCESS ALL DAY, and has no chance of gaining a first down. As a result, we run a whopping two minutes off the clock, punt away and lose by two when they kick the game winner almost at the buzzer. I know, Arians is the OC, but...in the playoffs, if your OC is about to do some stupid shit and lose the game, it's the HC's job to step in. I look forward to watching Tomlin's sophomore year playoff performance, and hope to all hell that we don't go into a turtle shell with a slim lead late in the game. I'm rooting for Mike to be around a while, and to get us one for the thumb this feb. go steelers.

So is Chuck Noll to be denigrated because he went for it on 4th-8 close to midfield late in the game, calling a running play while doing so, in Super Bowl X?

Or was that OK because it worked out?

[isfry Profile]

Great coaches, like great players, prove themselves in the playoffs. Not exactly a representative sample, I know, but look at the jacksonville game last year, and think about this. We outscore them 17-0 in the 4th quarter to recover from a game-long deficit and take a one point lead, then our defense gets us the ball back with 3 or 4 minutes left. Tomlin (much like Cowher's early days) decides to run three times right up the gut with Davenport, which has had ABSOLUTELY NO SUCCESS ALL DAY, and has no chance of gaining a first down. As a result, we run a whopping two minutes off the clock, punt away and lose by two when they kick the game winner almost at the buzzer. I know, Arians is the OC, but...in the playoffs, if your OC is about to do some stupid shit and lose the game, it's the HC's job to step in. I look forward to watching Tomlin's sophomore year playoff performance, and hope to all hell that we don't go into a turtle shell with a slim lead late in the game. I'm rooting for Mike to be around a while, and to get us one for the thumb this feb. go steelers.

So is Chuck Noll to be denigrated because he went for it on 4th-8 close to midfield late in the game, calling a running play while doing so, in Super Bowl X?

Or was that OK because it worked out?

With all due respect, Jeemie, I think that's sort of apples and oranges. When you look at the history of the Jacksonville game, we were unable to run ALL DAY, whether they knew it was coming or not. We were only able to claw back into the game on Ben's arm. After getting the lead, and the ball back, why would the OC all of a sudden think we could do what we hadn't been able to do all game, especially when the opposing defense would now be expecting it more than ever? Keep in mind, Harris and Bleier had a combined total of 133 rush yds in SB X. Davenport finshed the Jacksonville game with a whopping 25. Get it?

[Leo Profile]

Great coaches, like great players, prove themselves in the playoffs. Not exactly a representative sample, I know, but look at the jacksonville game last year, and think about this. We outscore them 17-0 in the 4th quarter to recover from a game-long deficit and take a one point lead, then our defense gets us the ball back with 3 or 4 minutes left. Tomlin (much like Cowher's early days) decides to run three times right up the gut with Davenport, which has had ABSOLUTELY NO SUCCESS ALL DAY, and has no chance of gaining a first down. As a result, we run a whopping two minutes off the clock, punt away and lose by two when they kick the game winner almost at the buzzer. I know, Arians is the OC, but...in the playoffs, if your OC is about to do some stupid shit and lose the game, it's the HC's job to step in. I look forward to watching Tomlin's sophomore year playoff performance, and hope to all hell that we don't go into a turtle shell with a slim lead late in the game. I'm rooting for Mike to be around a while, and to get us one for the thumb this feb. go steelers.

So is Chuck Noll to be denigrated because he went for it on 4th-8 close to midfield late in the game, calling a running play while doing so, in Super Bowl X?

Or was that OK because it worked out?

The Emperor made the right call in that case -- our punting unit had been wobbly and inept in the game up to that point (if I remember right). All together now -- ALL HAIL THE EMPEROR CHAZ!!!

[Steel Keeper Profile]

Specifically addressing the offensive line:

You cannot blame the lack of talent along the offensive line on Tomlin (although his acquiescence in changing to a partial ZBS can garner blame). While I went into the '08 draft hoping for a few high O-Line draft picks. There were none to take. Maybe passing over Duane Brown will come back to haunt us, but at the time, Mendenhall was too good to pass up. And after that there was a huge drop off in talent. Sweed was the right pick. He would have been good value at 1.23. I was frustrated with the Bruce Davis pick b/c I thought we needed an OL, but look who was selected between Davis and Hills; Chad Rinehart, Oniel Cousins, Cody Wallace, Mike McGlynn, Shawn Murphy and Anthony Collins. Out of those, maybe McGlynn and Collins would have been superior picks to Hill. But there just wasn't much to choose from.

The only plausible solution was to have the foresight to predict that 5 OTs would be selected in 8 picks (14-21) and 6 in 10 (12-21) and trade up. Probably would have had to been with Arizona for the 3rd and 4th rounder. That's assuming you KNEW there would be a run on OL. That was just a shocking run and it's tough to blame Tomlin or Colbert especially when we got a guy who many thought was among the 10 best overall prospects at #23.

Same in '07, although less blame can be shouldered on Tomlin b/c it was his first draft which meant Colbert likely had more control. Maybe the Steelers should have selected Jon Beason instead of Timmons. Time will tell (Beason already made the Pro Bowl, so we probably should have. Although that doesn't mean Timmons was a poor pick). No one can complain about the Woodley pick. Same with Spaeth and Gay. Although I do have a problem with the Sepulveda pick.

The mistakes have been made by Colbert in round 3 and after. Trading down from #64 to select Anthony Smith and Willie Reid instead of standing pat to take Eric Winston (taken two picks later by Houston, who also had the #65 pick.

Passing Jared Gaither in the supplemental draft.

There are a couple others, but really the Steelers had a dearth of talent at the skill positions, partly due to draft neglect and partly do to free agency departures which they have been spending a lot of their resources strengthening. Look at the recent draft picks in rounds 1-2. Almost no linemen in Colbert's tenure with the Steelers. Only Big Snack, Marvel and Simmons

Not really his fault. Just a matter of circumstance. We have a stacked team (if we keep Nate and McFadden) at virtually every position (safety is a bit thin and DL is a bit old) except OL. If Colbert can rectify that in this draft. Something like a Duke Robinson and Eben Britton/Ciron Black pull (which will be really tough from 28 & 60 or later) then this team will be set for the long haul.

Colbert's going to have to probably trade up a couple spots to insure the Steelers leave with at least 1 OL this draft.

[shawnlucas Profile]

I love Mike Tomlin.

I was unsure of the hiring at first (wanted Whizzer or the other defensive guy. Can't remember his name, so Tomlin must be doing well) but I've grown to love the guy and what he's done with this defense and team.

I agree that Arians needs to be shown the door and that with even a consistent offense, this team would be virtually unstoppable.

[Homer J Profile]

First of all, Tomlin is a leader of men.

When you look at the control he has over this team, and the support he gets, that says it all. He really seems to know how to handle players.

Look at the way they have outscored the opposition in the fourth quarter as the season has gone on.

He is a far better coach this year than last. He rests his vets during the week. He learns from his mistakes. No doubt job one for him in the off-season is to upgrade the OL. With the draft, trading up, or free agency, it will be done.

We better all learn to like Mike Tomlin, because he'll be here for a generation if he wants to stay and if his health holds out. He's got the last job in the whole country with any job security. Envy him for that, as you worry about getting laid off in the New Year. I wish I could work at Rooney U.

[Jeemie Profile]

Great coaches, like great players, prove themselves in the playoffs. Not exactly a representative sample, I know, but look at the jacksonville game last year, and think about this. We outscore them 17-0 in the 4th quarter to recover from a game-long deficit and take a one point lead, then our defense gets us the ball back with 3 or 4 minutes left. Tomlin (much like Cowher's early days) decides to run three times right up the gut with Davenport, which has had ABSOLUTELY NO SUCCESS ALL DAY, and has no chance of gaining a first down. As a result, we run a whopping two minutes off the clock, punt away and lose by two when they kick the game winner almost at the buzzer. I know, Arians is the OC, but...in the playoffs, if your OC is about to do some stupid shit and lose the game, it's the HC's job to step in. I look forward to watching Tomlin's sophomore year playoff performance, and hope to all hell that we don't go into a turtle shell with a slim lead late in the game. I'm rooting for Mike to be around a while, and to get us one for the thumb this feb. go steelers.

So is Chuck Noll to be denigrated because he went for it on 4th-8 close to midfield late in the game, calling a running play while doing so, in Super Bowl X?

Or was that OK because it worked out?

The Emperor made the right call in that case -- our punting unit had been wobbly and inept in the game up to that point (if I remember right). All together now -- ALL HAIL THE EMPEROR CHAZ!!!

I guarantee that had the Steelers lost...and Dallas came close to scoring...no one would have thought so.

[Leo Profile]

Of course; it's all about the results. But the emperor knew his D, and he knew Bobby Walden. He had a good feel for the team in that spot, and he made the right decision.