"Mike Tomlin will get this thing fixed."

I have no clue, but I forgot how much bigger he was. Good for him. He should let Rob in on the secret.

 

His head will kersplode. That's gotta be at least 10lbs.

 

I put that noggin closer to 50lbs

 

I wonder how much Tomlin is handcuffed? On the one side you have the legendary DL, fortunately that side of the ball is pretty sound so no real adverse effect for Tomlin to stay out of it. On the other side is Haley, not a Tomlin hire and more then likely a hiring by Art. How much leeway does that give to Haley?

 

Also getting back on topic, my take on the Tomlin situation is as follows:

1. I think that the people who give him no credit for the success that the team had for years, including 2 SB appearances and a championship, are grossly unfair. He did exactly what he needed to do when he stepped in, which was find a way to NOT blow up a team of talented vets and leaders that just needed a nudge to get back on track instead of the full-fledged makeover that most teams need when a new coach comes in. I can relate to what he did, because in the business world I have on a few occasions taken on new jobs where I stepped in as the leader of a group of people that I did not know, and had to quickly assess what I had and make the right moves. It's not easy at all, and it would be even harder in a team sport where the success and failure is out there for everyone to see every week. Tomlin came in and pushed the right buttons, and did not poke and prod where he didn't need to poke and prod. It was a very good coaching run until injuries nuked a really solid 2011 campaign. For those who think the 2011 team was a failure, did you even see the game against New England (who eventually went to the SB)? That was a good team that started unraveling when injuries kicked in late. 2008 - late 2011 was a period where Tomlin pushed most of the right buttons and had this team operating about as well as it could have been with the personnel on the roster.

2. However,... I also think that the people who think that Tomlin can do no wrong today because of his success a few years ago are letting the past cloud their judgment of the present and future. I'll delve into the business world for my explanation. There is much focus on leadership in business and assessing what type of leader you are, and if it fits the situation you're faced with. If it doesn't fit, then the truly successful leader will adapt his/her style to drive the best results for the situation at hand. Tomlin's approach to date has been to be a "players' coach." That was the perfect approach when he took over a team that was loaded with leaders and vets who had tasted success and wanted more. The problem is - in sports as in business - being a players' coach has a shelf life. Sometimes the boss has to be tough. Sometimes the boss has to be respected more than he's loved. I think this team may have transitioned to a place where the coach needs to be tougher, and I don't know if Tomlin sees it or has the ability to be that tough but respected guy. I think the players' coach shelf life has run its course (for now), and it's time for Coach T to find different buttons to push. This season will be telling. Does Tomlin have the ability as a leader to recognize that HE is the person who needs to change? I don't know the answer. I'd like to think the answer is yes, but time will tell.

 

I tried to buy into that when it happened, wanted to believe it was Tomlins doing but deep down, I don't believe he did. I think he is toeing the company line, I think Haley was Arts doing all the way. I think Tomlin was looking to go in house, I know it was Kirby Wilsons job before he got hurt in the fire, I think Randy Fichtner might have been Tomlins pick after Kirby.