Do you have a problem with what Tomlin said?

I think Tomlin went on to say something to the effect that we'll probably be facing them again in the playoffs, that the regular season game is round one. I don't want to make a huge deal out of what he said, but one of the valid critiques of Mike Tomlin over the years has been the fact that his teams play down to inferior opponents, they often seem to come out of the chute in some games unprepared, unfocused and flat. Statements like this seem to add to the legitimacy of that criticism. Maybe Tomlin has a difficult time focusing on one opponent at a time and the team follows his lead. I'll tell you who will be laser focused on the Steelers AND on every opponent between now and then, Belichick, Brady and company. There I go with that Pats obsession again.

 

I just go on what I've seen over the years. The defense is excused as far as I'm concerned. I think too much of the blame for losing to the Patriots is on the defense.... man coverage this, zone coverage that, blah, blah, blah. I believe the underachieving offense is the biggest problem vs. the Patriots. Every time the offense goes up against Patriots D, they are flat and unproductive in the Tomlin years, with the exception being 2011 when Arians called the game of his life. The Patriots D is always effective at limiting Antonio Brown and whoever is running the ball. I don't see anything changing any time soon. It's all up to Martavis Bryant, Eli Rogers, Jesse James, Vance McDonald and JuJu Smith-Shuster. One or more of those guys is gonna have to step up big time... because Roethlisberger, Bell and Brown will be neutralized by the Patriots D. It always happens.

 

I guess I’d need to see that quote.

The other thing we know about Tomlin is that he’s fairly savvy when speaking to the media, after all.

 

Thanks...once in a while I have my moment that isn't considered a senior moment!

 

And I don't necessarily disagree with your assessment. I think it must be the delivery or amount of times it is said that gets to me. If your posts were more like this and less frequent, I think I would appreciate them more.

 

Well, when asked why our O has so much trouble with their D, after last year's playoff loss, D-Will said that is was the Pats O that made their D so good. In other words, he said the O puts up points so fast that it takes Pgh out of their rushing O, and that makes them one-dimensional and easy for Pats D to dominate.

 

Well, in their case it worked, so can't really criticize very much. NY beat Pats twice in SB; we play them and get destroyed.

 

And then there is that little fact of 5 Super Bowl wins and 7 appearances in the Hoodie/Brady era. That little thing.

 

That wasn't coach speak. He wasn't motivating players. Definitely NOT the mark of good leadership.

You think he had to say that for his players to know he had confidence in their ability? What are they? Teenage girls?

And no one, anywhere, at any time, on any planet, ever thought he doubted their ability to win a championship.

 

Yeah, but they barely won the first 3 relying on Vinateri to kick the winning FGs.... and got lucky from Carroll's horrific play call by not running Lynch and Falcons ultimate choke job. Let's not fool ourselves here... none of these Patriots teams were the '94 49ers whipping up on the Chargers in the Super Bowl.

 

I would agree that he's fairly savvy when talking with the media, but I think he may have let his guard down a little when talking with Dungy.

 

I'll take BARELY won/lucky/favoring ref call superbowl wins anyday!