View topic - Is Tomlin the Head Coach or What?

[NJSteel27 Profile]

First off, let me say, this is my first post here on Stillers.com, but not my first time posting a comment to a fan club message board. Like many of the posters here, we all bleed the Black and Gold and wish the best for OUR STEELERS, no matter how inflammatory our messges become. Ultimately much stems from being so frustrated; we need a chance to vent this exasperating energy.
There certainly is a lot of critique (and hatred) for our OC Bruce Arians. Many will criticize us and say we didn't complain when we were winning the Super Bowl last year, but, in actuality, the disdain the average Steeler fan has for this man is relatively consistent.
Given that, however, you would think that there has to be some type of "check-and-balance" within the offensive system to prevent the things that have plagued the Steelers this season.
Ultimately, the Head Coach is responsible and we are all privy to Mike Tomlin accepting responsibility for various losses, but, at what point do we dismiss a loss here or there for total ineptitude of the head coach to recognize a deficiency and have the fortitude to make a change?
The Special Teams have not been without their slice of the blame pie this season either. Kickoffs run back for touchdowns is inexcusable in today's era of specialization; to have multiple scores in the same season is absolute sacrilege. Tomlin may mention that he is addressing the concerns here, but, aside from a few player substitutions, have the special teams shown any sign of tinkering? When was the last time we saw an attempt at a reverse on a kickoff? With the speed-demon Wallace, you'd think that a coach (who has publicly admitted to this unit's failures) would have shown some evidence of his handiwork.
Let's all hope that Tomlin makes the right decisions and leads this team toward the playoffs and another run for the Lombardi trophy. If it is in the cards for the Steelers to win, how great would it be to boast 7 Championships?
And, better than that, back-to-back THREE TIMES !

[SoCal Stiller Profile]

Arians had little to do with the Superbowl season last year. We won on the strength of our defense and BB's improvisation abilities. I can remember scratching my head at the offensive play calling last year almost as much as this season and our running game was well below average. With any other QB back there last year there is no way we make it to the SB.
One thing I disagree with on this site is bashing Lebeau. Our defense is still ranked very high despite the fact that Gay is, well, gay and no one else in the secondary can tackle except Troy and for the most part Carter.

[r1stillerman Profile]

I still give Tomlin a pass, although this team seems to lack the ability to pay attention details and that is on the head coach. He put the team in the playoffs his first year and in year two wins the big one. Arians on the other hand is asshole and I will be very much disappointed in Tomlin if he returns next season. The Steelers win in spites of Arians not because of his lame game plan.

I refuse to toss in the towel for the 09 season. I still remember 05. Let's see how it plays out. Now is the time for a gut check for the Steelers. That is why I love Ward he is football player not a whiner and willing to do “whatever it takes.” I think Hines recent comments are because of his frustration of Arians blunders and that he would like to see Ben become the leader.

I would love to seen Ben become that player that everyone knows he is. It is time for Ben to scrape the Arians game plan and call an auditable at the line of scrimmage and roll the dice like a Louisiana gambler. It is time for him to take his place a full time leader of the Steelers in every game. It is time for Tomlin to turn the game over to Ben and for Ben to respond.

[Rushmore Profile]

5 plays: change one play from each Steeler loss and the Stillers are undefeated.

Chic: Reed makes last attempted field goal: 17-7 PS late

Cin: Farrior prevents a Cintucky fullback from catching an 11-yard pass on 4th & 10: PS win

Cin: No Kick-off return by CB (ok, stretching it)

KC: take your pick, or one of BBs

Balt: well-documented 3-22/4-5

Criticize all you want: PS is in every game. Last year they won the close ones; this year: not so much.
Wholesale changes are not the order of the day. Additionally: the season is not over.

-Rushmore

[rick723 Profile]

5 plays: change one play from each Steeler loss and the Stillers are undefeated.

Chic: Reed makes last attempted field goal: 17-7 PS late

Cin: Farrior prevents a Cintucky fullback from catching an 11-yard pass on 4th & 10: PS win

Cin: No Kick-off return by CB (ok, stretching it)

KC: take your pick, or one of BBs

Balt: well-documented 3-22/4-5

Criticize all you want: PS is in every game. Last year they won the close ones; this year: not so much.
Wholesale changes are not the order of the day. Additionally: the season is not over.

-Rushmore

And if my Aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle.

[StillLifer Profile]

And if my Aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle.

As true as those key plays may be in changing those game outcomes, we still have the same problems that have been plaguing us since last year: (I fully agree with SoCal Stiller)

1. An inept offensive coach who doesn't work with our star QB (by the way, notice what happened in the Baltimore game when Arians tailored the play-calling to what Dickson was comfortable with and liked...a little thing called success)
2. A swiss cheese D secondary that's normally masked by a fiery Polamalu and a few linemen
3. A freakin' idiot ST with a place kicker that's, without alcoholic interference, afraid of breaking a nail .

The only thing I've seen improve on ST since we first started having such horrendous problems was in the addition of Sepulveda. I LOVE that guy!
I also think our O-line is a bit better than last year. I don't think they're an issue in our losses this year, comparatively.

A few key personnel changes (Arians out, Farrior retired, Harrison in ST until we have a few people that can FREAKING TACKLE, Skippy gone, etc) and we have a MUCH better team. We have the talent. We just need someone to have the balls to make cuts where we need them and not be afraid to step on a few toes. I feel politics may keep Arians around for a longer time that we can afford.

Interesting to note: I think the only reason we were so close in the Baltimore game was because Arians' play-calling was held in check by having to work with Dickson. I predicted an absolute reaming and was surprised, then ticked off because we actually could have won.

[Slickster10 Profile]

Lets's see how everyone feels during/in the middle of the game in week 16.

[joest73 Profile]

Lets's see how everyone feels during/in the middle of the game in week 16.

Well after 6 weeks of talking about what went wrong this season maybe game 16 will be a good time to talk about the draft.

[Steelers76 Profile]

For as little as all of his talking actually accomplishes, we should start calling him Barrack Tomlin.

[NJSteel27 Profile]

For as little as all of his talking actually accomplishes, we should start calling him Barrack Tomlin.

Tomlin is a big-mouthed HACK.
He goes to the press conferences and, in an attempt to sound educated, uses words and catch-phrases without knowing their real meaning.

All the talk about "unleashing the attack" was just to sell newspapers and placate we die-hard Steeler loyalists. After the Raider game, it is clear he has lost touch with this team. For what reason other than total ineptitude would he allow both our special teams coach and offensive coordinators to stay employed this long?

How many of you can look at yourself square in the face and say that you'd have job security if you performed as poorly at your jobs?

[PGHeaven Profile]

For as little as all of his talking actually accomplishes, we should start calling him Barrack Tomlin.

Tomlin is a big-mouthed HACK.
He goes to the press conferences and, in an attempt to sound educated, uses words and catch-phrases without knowing their real meaning.

All the talk about "unleashing the attack" was just to sell newspapers and placate we die-hard Steeler loyalists. After the Raider game, it is clear he has lost touch with this team. For what reason other than total ineptitude would he allow both our special teams coach and offensive coordinators to stay employed this long?

How many of you can look at yourself square in the face and say that you'd have job security if you performed as poorly at your jobs?

Start by saying that Still Lifer is right on all points. Far as Tomlin goes. His "unleash hell" comment was the Raiders Bulletin Board this week. Tomlin - LIKE OBAMA - is making WAY TOO MANY SPEECHES - hoping that we will buy the horseshit. WE AINT BUYING!

[VegasSteelerFan Profile]

I think you guys are wrong about Tomlin, he is a young coach who is still learning, when he first took over he game into camp and ruled with an iron fist letting everyone know it was his way or no way, it worked we won the SB, but then he made a mistake, which he will learn from, he ran what one poster called a "cupcake camp" and the poster is right on the money.

He decided to gamble and he lost, he assumed two years in he wouldn't have to walk into camp and rule with an iron fist he assumed since winning the SB the players knew what it took to get the job done, that he could treat them as "adults" and give them the responsibility of handing what needs to be done on there own without beating it down there throats. He was wrong, players are like children if you don't keep after them nothing gets done, if you give them an inch they take a yard, todays athlete for the most part has it made they have no responsibility, there is always someone doing everything for them. There are very few players like Troy and Hines who come to camp not needing there hand held.

Mendenhall didn't get his act together till he was screamed at and benched "punished like a little baby"

Tomlin assumed they knew what was expected of them and he was wrong better he learns that now than later...hopefully we make the playoffs with some luck. This guy is a great coach and will be for many years, he tried something different and it back fired...next year playoffs or not will be a totally different story.

Hopefully he has learned he is not there to be liked or loved he is there to win and hopefully he now knows from day one he has to keep on his team and not give them any responsibility what so ever, layout the game plan, layout the work and beat it into them until they do it to his satisfaction.

[Hi5Steeler Profile]

NJSTEEL27 while I can see what you are saying....you are saying you are frustrated.... You are saying tomlin is inept? Just 10 months ago we won the superbowl. This year.

Before the season started no one knew this would happen.

So we really didnt see this till the second game of the year. At that point HOW MUCH do you think the head coach can do? we just drafted. just won superbowl. beat the titans who were a superpower last year and now we start losing.

coincidentally its when polamalu is out.

then we lose our other pro bowler on defense aaron smith. then we lose his backup.....

timmons is playing injured the first few games of year that we lose....his game is speed...


I guess what I am saying is ....is it the HC or is it INJURIES.

I really dont see the changes tomlin can make....

although I hear now he may start benching players to make a point.

starting with ike taylor.

and if we bench ike who will replace him? joe burned by the raiders net?

[PGHeaven Profile]

NJSTEEL27 while I can see what you are saying....you are saying you are frustrated.... You are saying tomlin is inept? Just 10 months ago we won the superbowl. This year.

Before the season started no one knew this would happen.

So we really didnt see this till the second game of the year. At that point HOW MUCH do you think the head coach can do? we just drafted. just won superbowl. beat the titans who were a superpower last year and now we start losing.

coincidentally its when polamalu is out.

then we lose our other pro bowler on defense aaron smith. then we lose his backup.....

timmons is playing injured the first few games of year that we lose....his game is speed...


I guess what I am saying is ....is it the HC or is it INJURIES.

I really dont see the changes tomlin can make....

although I hear now he may start benching players to make a point.

starting with ike taylor.

and if we bench ike who will replace him? joe burned by the raiders net?

Every team is injured! Thats not it at all Hi5. Our average to poor 2ndary is also playing below their allready low level of ability and then add in Uncle Dick's poor coaching - which by the way - is endemic with the Steelers

[Hi5Steeler Profile]

dick lebeau is a poor coach now?

every team is injured?


so when you lose stars to injury it doesnt matter as the other teams crappy player is injured?


the point is it is WHO is injured that can help one team and hurt another.

having tom brady out all last year shouldnt have mattered to pats as every team has injuries?

please.....when pro bowlers become injured teams start losing.


we have 3 players we cannot afford to have injured and on the sideline

Big Ben

Troy Polamalu

Santonio Holmes



there is a difference between mild injuries and major injuries holding a player out of a game.

[NJSteel27 Profile]

NJSTEEL27 while I can see what you are saying....you are saying you are frustrated.... You are saying tomlin is inept? Just 10 months ago we won the superbowl. This year.

Before the season started no one knew this would happen.

So we really didnt see this till the second game of the year. At that point HOW MUCH do you think the head coach can do? we just drafted. just won superbowl. beat the titans who were a superpower last year and now we start losing.

coincidentally its when polamalu is out.

then we lose our other pro bowler on defense aaron smith. then we lose his backup.....

timmons is playing injured the first few games of year that we lose....his game is speed...


I guess what I am saying is ....is it the HC or is it INJURIES.

I really dont see the changes tomlin can make....

although I hear now he may start benching players to make a point.

starting with ike taylor.

and if we bench ike who will replace him? joe burned by the raiders net?

Hi5Steeler, I thank you for your view of the Steelers slide to the bottom and, while we all agree that injuries have accounted for a lot of the problems that have plagued our beloved Black and Gold, I was trying to call attention to Tomlin's inability to take control of a team headed in a downward spiral. As the Head Coach of the defending Super Bowl Champions, it is his duty; no, it is his RESPONSIBILITY to act like a head coach and make the necessary changes to rectify the problems that arise. Even if its a major coordinator change, if need be.

It's a well-documented fact that the special teams are horrendous. There is no inventiveness in the kickoff or punt returns. As a clear example, why did it take the Raider game to see an attempted REVERSE on a kickoff return? The first play that Stephanie Logan returned, if you look more clearly, it was a fake REVERSE which allowed him to get up the left sideline for his big runback. If Tomlin has his handiwork in all phases of the game, why did it take so long to get the message across?

The same can be made for the defense and, of course, the Offense.

At what point does he just tell Brucey to be inventive instead of calling the same delayed handoff which gets stuffed for no yards? There are countless examples of Brucey's inability to be creative or, at the very least, call plays that will showcase the talent that he already has. C'mon, Dennis Dixon was Heisman favorite......use his ability to make plays and dont stifle his natural ability........Why did it take to the BrownRaven game to get him on the field? Was he supposedly saving him as a secret weapon for the playoffs?

I'm not sure what you do for a living, but, in my profession, lives are at risk. If I made the errors that these well-paid coaches make, I'd not only be out of a job, I'd have many dead individuals on my conscience.

[Jeemie Profile]

How many of you can look at yourself square in the face and say that you'd have job security if you performed as poorly at your jobs?

If just 10 months earlier, I had had the greatest success one could possibly have at my job, I'm thinking I wouldn't be in danger of losing my job.

Do you guys even listen to yourselves? 10 months removed from a Super Bowl win and talk of shitcanning Tomlin is happening already?

10 months removed from a game in which a record-breaking TD was scored on defense, and do you know WHY?!?!?

Because the head coach you're lambasting had the foresight to say "You know? We may need some defensive TDs, and I don't like it that my troops aren't rallying to the ball after interceptions. I think I'm going to devote a special practice session to setting up proper blocking for interception returns".

Think Cowher would've had the foresight to do that?

Tomlin fucked up this year, no doubt. His big mistake is he learned to lean on his defense, and didn't adjust his overall philosophy even when it became clear that leaning on that defense was no longer warranted.

He was sure that the plan he had wasn't flawed, but that it was just execution, which would right itself eventually.

These were mistakes. People make mistakes.

But overall, I think his potential is such that he will learn and overcome these mistakes.

And talk of ditching the youngest head coach ever to win the Super Bowl because he didn't know how to handle the team the following year is reactionary and shows stupidity of the highest level on the part of anyone who has suggested that he either be canned this year, or be put on notice for next year.

I am willing to bet that not ONE of you has ever had any experience running a successful organization of any size or kind.

Because if you had done so, you wouldn't be filling thread after thread with the same reactionary bullshit as you have done these last few weeks.

[Hi5Steeler Profile]

I'm not sure what you do for a living, but, in my profession, lives are at risk. If I made the errors that these well-paid coaches make, I'd not only be out of a job, I'd have many dead individuals on my conscience.

totally pompous self serving blowhard talk. so what. I dont care if you are a cop or a fireman YOU have NO IDEA how to run the steelers and if you go FIRING coaches mid season it will cause MORE damage than good.

The only teams that do that are teams that have nothing left to fight for.

statistically our O and D are tops in the nfl.

why arent we winning then? individual player screwups and injuries.

shit happens.

when it does you dont fire everyone mid season.

the first ENTIRE HALF of the season we were 6-2. That is STELLAR. that is GREAT coaching. whats changed is we have had a bad month. sucks dont it ...but we also won the superbowl this year too.

win superbowl

FANTASTIC first half of season


now we fire coaches....

no

sorry


go about saving lives dude....or whatever it is you do because you dont have the brains to run a football team.

[SoCal Stiller Profile]

I'm not sure what you do for a living, but, in my profession, lives are at risk. If I made the errors that these well-paid coaches make, I'd not only be out of a job, I'd have many dead individuals on my conscience.

totally pompous self serving blowhard talk. so what. I dont care if you are a cop or a fireman YOU have NO IDEA how to run the steelers and if you go FIRING coaches mid season it will cause MORE damage than good.

The only teams that do that are teams that have nothing left to fight for.

statistically our O and D are tops in the nfl.

why arent we winning then? individual player screwups and injuries.

shit happens.

when it does you dont fire everyone mid season.

the first ENTIRE HALF of the season we were 6-2. That is STELLAR. that is GREAT coaching. whats changed is we have had a bad month. sucks dont it ...but we also won the superbowl this year too.

win superbowl

FANTASTIC first half of season


now we fire coaches....

no

sorry


go about saving lives dude....or whatever it is you do because you dont have the brains to run a football team.

Totally agree with you (on this thread )

[NJSteel27 Profile]

I'm not sure what you do for a living, but, in my profession, lives are at risk. If I made the errors that these well-paid coaches make, I'd not only be out of a job, I'd have many dead individuals on my conscience.

totally pompous self serving blowhard talk. so what. I dont care if you are a cop or a fireman YOU have NO IDEA how to run the steelers and if you go FIRING coaches mid season it will cause MORE damage than good.

The only teams that do that are teams that have nothing left to fight for.

statistically our O and D are tops in the nfl.

why arent we winning then? individual player screwups and injuries.

shit happens.

when it does you dont fire everyone mid season.

the first ENTIRE HALF of the season we were 6-2. That is STELLAR. that is GREAT coaching. whats changed is we have had a bad month. sucks dont it ...but we also won the superbowl this year too.

win superbowl

FANTASTIC first half of season


now we fire coaches....

no

sorry


go about saving lives dude....or whatever it is you do because you dont have the brains to run a football team.

Totally agree with you (on this thread )

Maybe YOU guys should put your names in for head coach.
Did you watch the BrownStains totally dominate your Tomlin-coached team?
Still think he should stay after all his rhetoric in the media the past few days?
Where's the changes he promised.
Oh, that's right, the Steelers did run reverses, cover kickoffs beautifully, used the no-huddle and prevented long gains in the running and passing game, I just didnt see it because I was enamored by Tomlin's countenance and persona. His aura is so bright it totally negated my eyes from seeing all those changes.