Mike Tomlin - Under Pressure

Blast Furnace · Jan 1, 2026 at 10:16 PM

MojoUW said: ↑

Aaron Rodgers hasn’t thrown to the MOF for 3+ seasons.

Wilson hasn’t for years.

Rudolph didn’t in Tennessee either.

Smith didn’t call a ton of MOF stuff when he was playing crappy QBs in Atlanta.

it’s not a Tomlin thing. It’s not a Smith thing. It’s a below average QB thing.
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He did, his offense was literally designed around being able to attack that portion of the field, Kozora did a breakdown of what we could expect from a Smith designed offense when he was hired.

MojoUW · Jan 1, 2026 at 10:19 PM

Blast Furnace said: ↑

He did, his offense was literally designed around being able to attack that portion of the field, Kozora did a breakdown of what we could expect from a Smith designed offense when he was hired.
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Not when Ridder was at the helm.

with Tannehill, absolutely.

There’s no successful coach attacking the middle of the field with below average QBs. There just isn’t.

Even the successful version of Darnold rarely attacks MOF. And if he does it’s deep.

Blast Furnace · Jan 1, 2026 at 10:27 PM

MojoUW said: ↑

Not when Ridder was at the helm.

with Tannehill, absolutely.

There’s no successful coach attacking the middle of the field with below average QBs. There just isn’t.

Even the successful version of Darnold rarely attacks MOF. And if he does it’s deep.
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Anyone can throw to the MOF, it’s a matter of having the stomach to live with the turnovers. Tomlin doesnt. He hates them. His feelings about RB’s fumbling is well known, Im sure interceptions bother him just at much.

MojoUW · Jan 1, 2026 at 11:39 PM

Blast Furnace said: ↑

Anyone can throw to the MOF, it’s a matter of having the stomach to live with the turnovers. Tomlin doesnt. He hates them. His feelings about RB’s fumbling is well known, Im sure interceptions bother him just at much.
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Ok.

But if it is JUST a Tomlin thing then:
Why was Rudolph the same in Tennessee under a different coaching staff?
Why did Smith do it in Atlanta in 2023 and 2022?
Why did Rodgers do it as a Jet and his last season or two in Green Bay?
Why did Fields do it as a Jet? Wilson as a Giant and a Bronco?
Why is Daniel Jones not doing it in his Indy revival show?
Why is Bo Nix staying out of the MOF?
Why does Penix avoid it like the plague?

I can go on. The passing charts and graphs are all on the internet. Bad QBs don't screw around with the middle of the field. And Since Ben's elbow disintegrated, the Steelers have had bad QBs. Further, go look at the best QBs in the business. Pick your favorite. They are not peppering the area between the hashes with passes.

Formerscribe · Jan 2, 2026 at 2:50 AM

MojoUW said: ↑

If both teams were fully healthy....I think the Steelers would be home underdogs.

The Ravens, on paper, have the superior team.

Luckily this thing won't be played on paper. That way, the Steelers have a chance to break all our hearts!
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With the exception of a stud defensive tackle who is out for the year, the Ravens have far closer to their full complement of players right now. It's not even close. If Metcalf and Washington were playing, no I do not think they would be underdogs.

Blast Furnace · Jan 2, 2026 at 6:18 AM

MojoUW said: ↑

Ok.

But if it is JUST a Tomlin thing then:
Why was Rudolph the same in Tennessee under a different coaching staff?
Why did Smith do it in Atlanta in 2023 and 2022?
Why did Rodgers do it as a Jet and his last season or two in Green Bay?
Why did Fields do it as a Jet? Wilson as a Giant and a Bronco?
Why is Daniel Jones not doing it in his Indy revival show?
Why is Bo Nix staying out of the MOF?
Why does Penix avoid it like the plague?

I can go on. The passing charts and graphs are all on the internet. Bad QBs don't screw around with the middle of the field. And Since Ben's elbow disintegrated, the Steelers have had bad QBs. Further, go look at the best QBs in the business. Pick your favorite. They are not peppering the area between the hashes with passes.
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I never said it was a Tomlin only thing but it is a thing with him. I’ve pointed out in prior discussions that other teams also avoid it and not prone to just the Steelers. Comes back to the same reasons.

And Atlanta was above average in using the MOF during Smiths tenure there. I’d have to dig into those other examples to see how much but theres no reason to.

No risk it no biscuit and Tomlin despite his catch phrases does live in his fears. Arod is absolutely capable of throwing to that portion of the field, I dont know where thats coming from, his arm is still alive. He had a pass a few games ago where he fired one that just got passed the DBs fingertips for a catch. It was a hell of a throw with a lot of zip on it.

You saw it last week when the only time they moved the ball was at the end of the game. And then Arod inexplicably went to MVS three times but I dont blame Tomlin for that, that was all on Arod for those MVS throws.

Steel Hog · Jan 2, 2026 at 9:08 AM

Steelvision said: ↑

if the Steelers choose coordinators for Tomlin and tell him to keep his nose out of their business he’ll leave. Imo.

the D does look better without Watt. Who do we get rid of to make the offense better?
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Lots of people trying to put a sqare peg into a round hole. Insanity reins in this organization.

Bubbahotep · Jan 2, 2026 at 9:34 AM

MojoUW said: ↑

Ok.

But if it is JUST a Tomlin thing then:
Why was Rudolph the same in Tennessee under a different coaching staff?
Why did Smith do it in Atlanta in 2023 and 2022?
Why did Rodgers do it as a Jet and his last season or two in Green Bay?
Why did Fields do it as a Jet? Wilson as a Giant and a Bronco?
Why is Daniel Jones not doing it in his Indy revival show?
Why is Bo Nix staying out of the MOF?
Why does Penix avoid it like the plague?

I can go on. The passing charts and graphs are all on the internet. Bad QBs don't screw around with the middle of the field. And Since Ben's elbow disintegrated, the Steelers have had bad QBs. Further, go look at the best QBs in the business. Pick your favorite. They are not peppering the area between the hashes with passes.
Click to expand...

Looks like a mix of good/bad QBs throwing to the middle. All comes back to offensive scheme and play designs.

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Mike Tomlin - Under Pressure

Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

MojoUW Well-Known Member

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MojoUW Well-Known Member

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