Tomlin after the game.

And you'll remind me of who the HC is that led them to no. 7! :-D
But you know what, that'll be okay because we'll all be thrilled because the Steelers will have won NUMBER 7!!!

Touché!

 

Was the subject of this thread criticism of Tomlin? No it was not! That didn't really start until after blast brought up me not liking Tomlin. Then the criticism of him started. All of a sudden the "usual suspects" term is being thrown out there, which is stupid to begin with, because people who don't like Tomlin don't necessarily agree about all the reasons. It's not like we're all one big group who all think the same.

But I'm sick of hearing how I always talk about my hatred for Tomlin when I try to avoid the subject altogether. It always gets brought up by others who want to throw it in my face or make me and others eat crow.

 

I don't watch a lot of Bengals games. My opinion of Lewis is based on a small sample size. I have seen 99% of steelers plays since Tomlin took over.

If we have a good showing in the playoffs, I'll give Tomlin credit, but I'm not changing my tune yet. I'll give Tomlin a break on the defense because there's a lack of talent and were actually playing a bit better on defense, but offensively, were not good enough when you consider the talent we have. Bryant, Ben, brown and bell should result in consistent success on offense, but far too often we struggle or play stupid. Were winning anyway lately, which is all that matters, but if we don't start playing better, we won't do squat in the playoffs

 

Big question for Tomlin is will he sit a healthy Troy. Will Allen is playing at a much higher level than Troy, as he has in past years as well. Same goes with Ike. Will he be loyal to the vets or go with the hot hand?

 

That's one of my biggest concerns with this team. If Troy and Ike are 100%, I have a strong feeling they will play, even though we are far better without them. The people who make these decisions are too loyal to veterans, even when it hurts the team

 

Agreed. It is time to let youth play, and start prepping the replacements for next year. 6 weeks ago I figured Ike would be gone at the end of the year, but now I am almost positive Troy will be done as a Steeler too. They did great things, but the future is not them.

 

And here was I, coming on to the board to share the good will and celebrations about winning the conference...

 

Rotation is key to the defensive backfield for us. Have Troy in and out. Have Allen doing what he does.

But I don't envy Tomlin making the call.

 

This would be a travesty! The fact is the Steelers' defensive backfield is better without Ike and Troy right now. Ike is just finished and Troy still thinks he's the 2008 version and not the older, slower version.

Tomlin needs to do what's best for the team and not live in the past.

 

While I agree Taz may have lost a step I believe his biggest problem was from trying to cover for the ineptitude of the rest of our secondary!

 

Who's been dressing for the games, with them out? That may play into the decision as well...

 

I don't know, snip. I think a good argument can be made that some of the secondary's ineptitude comes from others having to cover for Troy's freelancing. It just doesn't work anymore. Like Ben, Troy needs to understand that he's not the physically dominating force he once was and play smarter football.

 

Or maybe Troy and Ike are better?
I trust that the coaching staff is going to put the best players on the field.

 

Troy doesn't think that at all. He's even admitted so much in a recent interview.

 

The results have been better with Troy and Ike not on the field. You can't argue with that!

 

Always been my hope.

 

So do you think Will Allen is better than a healthy Troy? I don't know if I'd buy into that!

 

Being an old timer myself I just hate seeing the veterans fade off into the sunset!

 

No, but I think Allen plays more fundamentally sound at this point and stays true to his assignments and that's what we need now. The reason we all love Troy is because he's a freakish freelancer that does things that aren't humanly possible. I'm not sure he can transition all of a sudden to Mr. Fundamental and he's not the splash player he once was sadly.

 

This. I'm not sure Troy is as done as some make out, but with a young and developing secondary, the safeties have to be in the places they're meant to be. Troy doesn't play like that, and Mitchel isn't good enough (yet?) to be there. Hence why Allen is the right player for this defense at the moment.

Troy will always bring an X Factor, though. This is a better defensive unit than the first half the season. So who knows?

 

Not arguing that at all. The coaches will put the best players on the field available on game day.
What about you're comment that Troy thinks he's Troy of 2008?

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/12/28/Pittsburgh-Steelers-safety-Troy-Polamalu-living-in-the-moment/stories/201412280091

 

In word, maybe not. In deed, definitely so. Watch him play.