My Summary on State of the Team (Coaching)

In addition, I've noticed this same disturbing fact with the majority of this team. After games they're smiling during handshakes, chatting and laughing with guys...it makes me sick. It's because they're paid too damn much!

 

I haven't seen Tomlin frouth around his mouth or stick his chin out or spray spit while yelling at his players like Cowher did.....

 

Cowher: Many a truth can get lost in the facts. Even during his down years his team had solid play in the vast majority of game aspects. One consistently felt the team was improving... while only missing one, maybe two, pieces. Most drafts found players of value, who found solid Steeler football development, and made some form of impact... before the last half of their contract year/signing huge destructive contracts for naught. Cowher's team ALWAYS had deserving all-pros; a good coach pushes great players to keep improving + maintaining condition/discipline to perform at the highest level. In that way he always promoted player leadership and ALL of his teams played with pride/fire regardless of opponent or season schedule (pre season/early games). There was no doubt who was charged with direction / accountability. Cowher was a working man there to do a job... before, after, and DURING a season/game. He didn't spectate on game day... he worked and even did the unimaginable - making halftime adjustments. Cowher may not have been their "friend" but he unquestionably had their respect. Because of his standard. Because he was willing to stand-up in defense, spit in authority's face, & stuff pictures in their pockets i.e. to bleed black and gold fighting for his players and team. Like a true NFL coach Cowher was not too insecure, obtuse, or "above supporters" to honor/respect the millions of Steelers' fans with genuine insights, wisdom, direction, and knowledge in press conferences.

Tomlin: After close to a decade Tomlin isn't some novice... we're witnessing who he is as a coach and the teams of the past three years are his identity. The states of the Tomlin built teams of the past years reflect ongoing problems in seemingly every facet save field goal kicking. With no end in sight. There is a perpetual sense the team is adrift despite Tomlin being one of the longest tenured head coaches in the league. His teams are plagued with poor draft choices. His leadership style is represented by happy-with-status-quo (paycheck w/out performance), inconsistent, unmotivated, sedate, under conditioned, unprepared, undisciplined, and under developed players. Tomlin's team / players, regardless of draft position, talent, experience, or skill share these characteristics. Tomlin is a player's buddy, sure, but does he actually add to their skill, shape their ability, motivate/lead them in any way? The results speak for themselves. Tomlin has failed miserably to evaluate/develop first round draft picks, even those with all the tools like Decastro, into the proper impactful force they should be. Tomlin never seems in charge, considering adjustments of strategy (clock management), or anything other than enjoying life as a spectator on game day. Whereas Cowher built head coaches for other teams, Tomlin's genius requires the team to hire three former head coaches to prop him up. Almost like Art doesn't want to admit a mistake he can't get out of without appearing like Tomlin didn't get traditional Steeler coaching longevity. Tomlin claps and laughs on the sidelines win or lose... an obvious standard noted and emulated by his players as well as a culture adopted by the team. When does Tomlin ever fight for his players on the field? His platitudes during press conferences demonstrate a lack of respect to the Steeler nation, Mr. Rooney, and football professionals in general. Conferences aren't meant to be about coaches or how much they enjoy / avoid that part of the job. They are the primary means of communication between the team and their stakeholders / fans. One can only conclude by his utterly ridiculous interviews that he does not approach all aspects of his job with integrity or he is afraid his lack of ability or understanding will become evident if scrutinized.

 

Very well said Razorback, Lets turn the page on this chapter.

 

Very well said indeed! I highlighted the points that jumped out at me.

 

Couldnt have said it better. BINGO

 

3 former head coaches who were fired. Tomlin may end up just like them.

 

Winning with Cowher's team is almost exactly what he did, it was a team that only needed managed not coached. I feel anyone with a football IQ could have made a few runs at some SBs with those teams. Lets not forget with the same bunch he lost at home to a Jacksonville team doing it his way. On the Americas Game 08 Steelers he and everyone else says how he had to step it back and let the players lead the group because when he tried the year before it didn't work. He is a manager at best and he did win with someone else's players and went to another one with the same group. I just hope the Steelers see hes a fake and fix the situation.

 

He might have been the right guy cause I think any guy would have been ok at that time. Really he was a 2nd yr head coach in his first SB season and 4th yr in "10" so what could he really have brought to the table. 08 it was his "5 star match up cause we in it". He was given the keys to a Ferrari and told not to wreck it. Now the tires need changed, paint is peeling and he cant find a garage to pull it into.

 

That list has an abundance of talent . You are spot on. I was at the game and could not believe we actually lost with 1:35 left in the game. The penalties amassed in the game were brutal. We need someone who can discipline these players. I don't want to hear anymore BS about the standard is the standard. No more coach speak about how it's tomlins fault.. Time for action. .

 

Nicely put. This post should be in running for the best post of the year. I think TTF should consider having an award for the most eloquent and accurate depiction of this team

You got my vote and summed up my feelings precisely.. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and taking the time to put into words what so many of us are feeling.

Damn that Tampa game was hard to watch . Losing has become the standard. I drove hours to that game and spent the weekend in the Burgh.. Great weekend with the exception of one blemish. Both of my daughters were at the game for the first time and both were really upset as I was. I was so busy trying to help them get through the loss I felt better hours after the game LOL..

 

And you have to give Silverback a pass instead of Coach Cowher ripping him a new one because with JH you knew there was enough intensity it would not be a problem repeatedly. You could give Jpeezy a pass as well . Not true for some of the guys on this team now. You let them off and they continually will make dumb mistakes.

 

I'm not saying Cowher was God's gift to coaching but you at least saw an up tick in play. Imagine if Cowher had a franchise QB for his time here there would be 2 or 3 more SBs that Tomlin would have to walk by each day as walks to his office as he pretends to care and coach this team. Neil O'Donnell, Mike Tomczak, Kordell Stewart, Tommy Maddox really!!! Insert Big Ben 15-1 AFCC game (yes he lost another AFCC game but Ben was a rookie) and Super Bowl then an emergency surgery and family problems Cowher is gone. Insert said manager loss at home to a underdog Jacksonville, SB win, 9-7 after 5 straight losses to Bengals, Chiefs, Raiders, Ravens, Browns missed playoffs. 2010 same core group as 08 SB run same result minus a SB win, since then nothing to cheer for including a loss to Tim Tebow and nothing developed for the future. Cowher's under performing teams at least showed promise the only promise this team shows is on O and thats only because he was given a franchise QB. Without Ben this team doesn't get to 8-8 or even close.

 

Yep! I've said for years, imagine if we hadn't passed on Dan Marino and Cowher had him for 7 years. Ughhh Christ it hurts every time I think about it

 

It doesn't matter if Vince Lombardi was coaching this team, until the talent on defense gets better they will be inconsistent.

 

It's not all the talent. There are some glaring holes in the secondary, but there is plenty of talent on that defense!

 

Didn't they have a salary cap during Cowher's time?? Cowher didn't want to use the cap money for a franchise QB, but lucked out and got Ben and a SB on Ben's rookie contract. Now Ben takes up a great amount of that cap...but Tomlin isn't anywhere near Cowher as a head coach???

Kind of double standards...don't you think? It was Cowher's choice to go with a game manager...has Tomlin been afforded the same?

Like it or not he got Lebeau (who I love) and Haley more than likely forced on him(love/hate). He has had 1 DC and 2 OC since he has been here. How many did Cowher go through?

I believe Tomlin is working with pieces that he didn't pick...not always easy to do!