The elephant on the sidelines

https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2...camp-2018-all-is-not-bliss-in-steeler-nation/

Tomlin’s habitual and longstanding practice of making allowances and exceptions for his star players and core veterans has allowed them to expect being granted future allowances and to expect Mike’s continued indulgences with their missed practices, late arrivals to practice or games, disruptive or negative behaviors, social media stupidity, and seemingly weekly dramas that bleed the team’s focus away from upcoming games.

It’s gotten to the point that Tomlin’s favorites seem to assume that such behaviors are their right rather than evidence of their immaturity and selfishness. Mike’s excusing of multiple starters from running in this year’s training camp conditioning test was a perfect example. If the coach thinks the only point of a conditioning test is to test conditioning, he’s mistaken.


The worst part about this situation is Mike seems oblivious to the problem; he doesn't think/know there is something inherently wrong with being so lax with certain players. It IS a problem, and it leads to things like losing to J-ville twice at home last year, one in the playoffs.

Inexcusable.

And there are no signs he is going to correct the issue.

And before you claim the source is just sour grapes, no, no. Others have stated the lack of discipline problem including Ben.

 

He sure is not a Tom Coughlin, or Belichet or Parcell type of coach. Agree he dosen't see the lack of discipline as a problem.

 

This is one of those things for me that should be impossible to mess up. If it is important everyone should run. If not then don't do it. If the results matter than stress thathat if not then you say guys can walk but just need to do the test. If it truly is a blank slate and everyone starts in the same place then there can't be favorites. I mean do like Ward did, every year you have to earn your name and number.

 

I mean this team is the Circus..why not try the elephant? Custom size head set and he's good to go.

 

I was kind of puzzled when I read that about the conditioning test too. It's obviously important because they waived a guy who failed it in Bryce Harris. I remember Casey Hampton getting flak for not making it some years too. He had to run it until he passed (or got close lol) IIRC.
All you hear Tomlin preach during the offseason is to come into camp in shape ready to go. Definitely some favoritism, if I was a lineman I'd be kinda irked. AV has to run for example, but Foster and Pouncey don't? Who draws the line? MT or Munch?
At least I heard Pouncey stayed after practice to run sprints or something so that was good to see.
IMO, everyone should have come into camp on an even surface. Vet, all pro or UDFA.

 

Was Heyward one of the players who didn't have to run?

 

That one article made the point that when everyone has to do it, like the Marines, it builds comradery and chemistry since they experience the grind with each other. In Tomlin's world, only some experience the grind, so there is no comradery on this front. Good point.

 

yes from what I read Heyward, Pouncey and Foster didn't have to run. There may have been others.

 

MT has some serious lack of fundamentals deficiency. THAT is a major handicap for the Steelers with Super Bowl winning aspirations.

 

Spock!! Are you saying Tomlin is out of his Vulcan mind...

 

This is a debacle. I coached team sports for nearly 20 years. There is a lot more to a run test, than just a run test. Its about setting a mindset that its time to get back to work. Its like Watt Wack said. Its about building comradery. As a coach, one of the best things about running your team, is seeing your most fit players help out their teammates who are struggling to finish. Its team building, and it sets a tone. Disappointment in Tomlin here. Its not the first time.

 

not so big Benjamin as well

 

Wow star players get different treatment? As if none of that stuff happened with other teams. This stuff been going on for years and all of a sudden people want to make a big deal. When the Steelers can no longer win games because of that stuff then that's when it's a real issue.

 

You mean like when Bell skipped the walk thru in the playoffs?

 

Love it when the Tomlin supporters get put in their place

 

I wasn't there and neither was anyone else. Maybe Bell had a reason? Whatever the case I don't know and neither does anyone else. We've seen throughout the history of sports that certain players get more leeway. IMO a handful of incidents doesn't mean there is a major problem. Stuff happens. The Steelers will deal with Bell when they feel it's necessary. The wanted him back and signed to a longer term deal so you be the judge how they felt about Bell.

Supporters like Colbert?

Mike Tomlin has full control of locker room and the organization is going strong, Colbert told reporters at Saint Vincent College, home of the team's training camp.

"I had no question about our mental preparation, our internal organization and how our team is run," Colbert said on Friday. "No concern whatsoever about our team's attitude, discipline and all that other stuff that's talked about. Absolutely no concern."

Colbert, however, said Tomlin has a unique ability to command a roster and relate to the "generational" player in the social media era, caring about individuals as people as well as players.

"[People] don't see the coach Tomlin in a meeting room; they don't hear a coach Tomlin talk to his team and watch them pay attention," Colbert said. "They don't see him in a one-on-one meeting with a player whether a player is doing something good or bad."

 

I love it when nay sayers are proven wrong

 

The elephant on the field was the awful secondary and LB talent. I am not sure that the combination of Bud Carson and Buddy Ryan could have stopped the bleeding against JAX.

 

You'll be waiting for a very long time.

 

Then you wonder why he was out of shape against Jax in the playoffs.. I swear he did nothing not even bike or treadmill to prepare for that game for 2-3 weeks.

 

In reading all of the article I'm going to have to call B.S. I respect his opinion and defer to it when he has more info about what goes on behind closed doors that we don't see but in regards to the playoff game his explanation was completely confusing and sheer excrement. Yes hats off to the Jags but they were sloppy and unprepared. I don't know how he can admit that they didn't have the right personal in, the right game plan or played a good game and still insist they were prepared.

 

Do you know the definition of Elephant in the room?

 

You know this how? (not trying to be contrary, just a genuine question.)