Rooney II Weighs in on Tomlin

http://www.steelers.com/news/articl...e-agency/318ac2eb-8873-43f6-9dcb-39f9597b5aff


“I thought Mike did a very good job in the sense that even though we created our own situation (with the 0-4 start), our team continued to play hard through adversity,” said Rooney. “That’s not always easy to do. They continued to fight, continued to believe in themselves, and most of that is a tribute to Mike and the kind of coaches and players we have here. They fought hard all the way through, and in the end, we came pretty darn close to being in the playoffs. Like I said, I believe we were playing our best football at the end, which is what you want to have happen, and I think that’s obviously due to coaching.”
- Art Rooney II

 

So if Tomlin gets credit for the way our season finished, who is responsible for how it started? Great, we ended the season on a high note, but if next season we once again start slow (the season as well as individual games) but finish strong only to miss the playoffs, does Tomlin once again get credit for playing through adversity? At what point is he held accountable for us only playing well through half the season? Who is responsible for us losing to Miami when that was pretty much considered to be our playoff game?

The last few years we've have a tendency to win when it doesn't matter, but when it matters, we're coming up empty.

 

what do you want him to say? he sucks? we don't know what goes on behind closed doors. that's why I love the steelers organization. keep it in house. he could have told him you lose the first 4 next year and you wont coach the 5th. who knows. we sure don't. I would rather him say this instead of what some other teams do. just be thankful we have a good coach and aint looking at re-treads like some other teams are

 

That's just it, a lot of people on this board don't think we have a good coach - I ain't one of em!

 

I don't want Rooney to publicly say anything other than what he pretty much said. My post is just talk amongst members here, not what I want Rooney to say.

 

if rooney is really happy with what tomlin did this season we are in trouble

 

Of course they matter, every game matters, and I do like that we finished strong, but I just don't like how inconsistent we've been under Tomlin. It seems like we so often come out flat in games. It's almost like we seem disinterested at times, and I know that's not true as every player in the league wants to win, but that's what it seems like. It also so often seems like we're not a football smart team. It's easy to say that's a result of dumb players, but when was the last time you could say the NE Patriots were not a smart football team? So much of that stuff is coaching. Perhaps it's not fair to compare Tomlin to Belichek (who I consider arguably the greatest coach ever and definitely one of), but why not aspire to be the absolute best.

 

just curious, why do you consider belichek one of the best? he won one super bowl legit and I am not sure about it. he sucked in Cleveland and without brady what does he win? the year he was without him the roster was stacked with players. sure they win and plug in players here and there but take brady off that team and no way they make playoffs. I know I sound bitter and I am. I feel he cost us at least one championship or at least a chance to play for one. I just don't think you can call a cheater the greatest. you don't have former players sign confidentiality agreements if you have nothing to hide

 

Also consider the Pats have had little to no competition since Brady became the starter. The Bills,Phins and Jets (except for two seasons) have been atrocious and haven't fielded a starting QB that would even make a legit back up in most cases. I think old Billy is a master at adjusting, but I think the pats as an org get way more credit for their dominance than they deserve...considering their division competition.

 

If we are making the division argument, which I am not saying I am opposed to, I just would like to know if that works for Manning as well? I mean he played most of his career in division where 2 of the teams have never even made it TO a Super Bowl and all three have never WON a Super Bowl. Would Manning have such numbers as he does if he had played in a more solid division?

 

[HR][/HR]We had a week division during the Cowher years.... Argument goes both ways...

 

No kidding. Until recently the Bengals were a joke and the Browns have been a joke for a long time now. Besides, only 6 out of 16 games are division games.

 

I was thinking the same thing. How long has it been since the clowns had a playoff win? Or the Bungles? Only the rats have been even competitive and do have a couple( I want to puke just typing that) of rings.

 

Actually didn't the raiders go undefeated in their division a few years ago and not make the playoffs or something?

 

Yes.

 

True, but Cowher also never had a franchise QB ( until Ben). And isn't nearly as revered as Bilechick either. I would say Cowher's run/dominance with all the garbage QB play might be more impressive overall.

 

I think his numbers would be similar. He's typically put up numbers regardless. But I feel like his historically easy regular season is in part the reason why he chokes often in the post season. So, for me, some of his shine is reduced. I don't consider him the G.O.A.T. I don't think he's even the best QB of his era, personally.

 

Yes, but many people (myself included) feel that Belichek made Brady into what he is. Put Brady on a lot of other teams in the league early in his career and I believe he's not a starter today and likely not even in the NFL anymore. Belichek seems to have a knack getting the absolute most out of his players.

 

I've said this all along, I'd rather Brady than Manning.