T.J.'s Tinted Visor

I see the Tomlin Apologists have been strangely quiet on this one. Yes, a couple of them showed up, but not all of them, and their apologies were remarkably muted. It's really, really, really difficult to defend Tomlin on this one. He just looks bad, either way.

 

I don't really think there are "Tomlin apologists" here. There are simply those that choose not to repeat their complaints with him, and others that refrain from hyperbole regarding his motivations/failures. I think most here are dissatisfied with where the team is, though each may have their own list of priority complaints, be it with Tomlin himself or the state of the team as a whole.

But I don't think you'll find anyone giving Tomlin a glowing review in all of this.

 

You really can't help the apologist thing, can you? Football coaches are control freaks. There is no way in hell he didn't know what was going on with his best player, though I'm certain he made sure someone else was in charge of getting him the visor. The Steelers' history with player safety is despicable.

 

To be fair, Tomlin is no worse than every other coach in the NFL in this regard. It is just infuriating that the teams and the league refuse to take player safety seriously. You do not mess around with second-impact syndrome. That is how you end up with a dead player on the field.

 

If the doctor says okay and the player says okay then to me it's fine. The player is an adult and if he chooses to not say there is an issue or express concern for himself then why should anyone else? These aren't children. TJ will be 30 years old.

 

Dang I thought we were having a nice conversation.

 

And let's not forget when all those poor souls got crushed to death being pushed forward some years back. Notice it's Ref's in your examples and not players. Imagine that happening in the NFL.

 

Bat **** crazy!!!! And I heard something about him wanting to defer it or something along those lines.

The one Championship I want more then any other before I kick it is the Pirates. Pretty sure I'm not going to make it.

 

Accusing me of looking for things that weren't there is a funny idea of a nice conversation.

 

https://x.com/SteelersPRBurt/status/1735107171346448434?s=20

Maybe he just had a migraine and not a concussion? That's the only thing that makes sense. Otherwise, I'm not sure how you clear someone in less than seven days.

 

Each game has an independent neuro-trauma specialist on the sidelines during the game, in addition to "spotters" that watch footage live from (New York?) to aid in identifying potential concussed players. I'm not absolving Tomlin at all - I think he's a horrible game manager and has even admitted to "not paying attention" to things in game because he was too busy focusing on something else. But things I've read seem to indicate that the specialists at the very least should have noticed the signs that something was up with TJ.

 

They did. Ohtani signed for 10 years/$700M, but will only be getting paid $2M in salary every year until 2034 (meaning the Dodgers will owe him $600M from 2034-2045), though for accounting purposes they're counting $46M annually against their luxury tax threshold during that period. The idea being Ohtani makes about $45M/year from endorsements, so he will take and account for less now so the Dodgers can afford to build a team around him.

The lux tax threshold is $224M in 2024. Between Betts, Freeman, and Ohtani the Dodgers will have dedicated over $100M in salary next season. That alone is greater than the entire payroll of eight teams in 2023 (including the Pirates at $73M).

 

Actually I did. With some of the calls made the past couple of years I was imagining the NFL a few refs lighter had they made them in South America.

 

I didn’t accuse you of anything. I was referencing the author of the story from that link that was provided.

 

That is why my complaint is with the league and the team. Neither seems to take this stuff seriously. The league hires those neurologists spotters.

 

The author is right to ask those questions. It isn't just the facts of what happened. It is the way the Steelers are avoiding answering questions about it.

 

OK that’s great. Now if you want to retract your statement that you made about me?

 

Disagree. Coaches shoudl set examples that they not only care about their players but they are activlely enaged. You can have the last word as I'm not being swayed.

 

people are making a mountain out of a mole hill.

 

Just because you didn't mean to direct it at mean doesn't mean you weren't being an apologist for the team. I will say I should have dealt with your argument more directly rather than making that comment.

 

A player with a concussion is operating at a diminished mental capacity, so they are unfit to make that decision. That is why it is not okay.

 

this is why I tend to avoid discussing a thing with you.

 

I know right. If it comes out that they did something wrong, then by all means, let’s be outraged. But until then people are getting all worked up over a bunch of maybes, and what if’s

 

One concussion and I might just take how many Millions I got coming and call it a career. Like anyone would care for long. Might be better than risking brain damage.

 

People that play football in the first place knowing what it does to your brain are already at a diminished mental capacity.