Carnell Lake needs to go

If Tomlin didn't want Blake on the field he would not have been on the field.

 

For that matter, the DC apparently wanted him on the field. But Blake was still playing poorly, and Lake made it clear he could not see it.

 

I understand. But Lake said that Boykin would not be playing "unless someone else was playing poorly". Therefore, he did not think Blake was playing poorly. Do you seriously think Blake was playing well?

 

Do you seriously expect him to say, "Well don't look at me, Tomlin's the dumbf*** that keeps putting him on the field."

 

I seriously doubt that Lake is deciding who's starting on game day. I'm sure he discusses his suggestions with Coach Butler then Tomlin ultimately makes the decision.
Are you telling me that the running backs coach decides which RB goes in the game at any given time? Trust me position coaches aren't making those decisions.

 

You know, that never crossed my mind. Hopefully, it is just a coincidence.

Lately I have been getting a bit sarcastic in the threads about the DB's. the OLB's, the missing Pass Rush and well also the need for some quality depth on the DL even though they were really great last season. I have been saying "Is this thread a reprint from last year" or even two years ago? I should have printed and/or saved those threads it would save a lot of time." You know, stuff like that.

But actually, those problem areas are all coached by ex-terrific players but lesser experienced coaches. Nah! It's just a coincidence.[He wants to believe that]

JackAttack5958 said: "
The Patriots fired their OL coach the day after Brady took a beating in the AFC Championship game. Instant accountability or overreaction?

strummerfan said: "How do you know the patriots ok coach wasn't already on the way out? Out production or lack there of at the CB position is disconcerting, but Knee jerk reactions are rarely good."

So Brady got his uniform a bit dirty under an inspired Denver team and they did fire the OL coach. LMAO

Usually this is how the dregs operate. Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end for them. [Once a Brown always a Brown {BB}.

 

I think when we look at the secondary playing badly, we need to dissect the different aspects of the badness before we attribute blame to one guy or the next.

For example: there were numerous cases of miscommunication on the field, where players were missing coverages, blitzing at the wrong time, etc. etc.

Then there are the bad fundamentals - weak tackling, going for the man and not the ball (a la Mitchell), unnecessary PI.

Then there are the personnel problems - a whole lot of slot corners trying to play on the outside, lack of pace at safety, etc.


Of those, I think the second is the most disappointing, as it's something we've historically been strong at; but the slide began before Lake arrived, and may have a lot to do with the practice routines/CBA etc. Still, it's also something Lake can and has improved with some players, so hopefully all is not lost.

 

I think you are missing my point. I was not suggesting he put him on the field or not. I have no clue how those decisions are made and never suggested otherwise. It's his quote that in essence was saying Blake was not playing poorly I was questioning. Again, are you telling me Blake was not playing poorly? If not, I think we are saying the same thing.

 

Actually what I was going for was the fact he didn't say "Well don't look at me, Blake is the dumbf*** that Tomlin keeps putting him on the field."

 

I have nothing of value to add except to applaud all of you who have contributed to this thread. It has been a very interesting read.

 

I think Steeler fans are some of the most knowledgable and thoughtful in the sports world and my time on this MB has done nothing but confirm that!

 

I don't think Carnell Lake has to go, but he's not safe from criticism either. Yes, no one here knows how the player rotation is ultimately decided so we can not give him slack for that. But there were a lot of mistakes and miscommunications, like Thigpen alluded to and that's on Lake. You have to have the guys prepared for when they are on the field.

Another area we don't have concrete knowledge on, is the draft evaluations. But common sense would tell you that the POSITION coach would be looking at tape, pro days, combine, etc and giving his recommendations. Lake has to be held somewhat responsible for some of those picks. He cannot be held accountable for KC ignoring the position with premium round picks. Except Golson last year and of course he gets injured so the debate is all the more harder lol! Granted Lake's supply has been mid to late rounders but they have been misses for the most part. Can't remember if Lake was here for Keenan Lewis but that would be considered a good pick imo. Hawthorne, Richardson, and Butler were all misses and couldn't even latch on to other teams which makes the misses stand out more. Butler has bounced around 7-8 teams. Shamarko has stuck around but is more a STer than S. Cortez started off with a bang but has regressed. No one is expecting Lake to hit on a starter with every mid to late round selection but you would like to see some contribution from one of them once in awhile.

 

He said it about Richardson,Thomas,and golston

 

But I wonder if Tomlin or Colbert or Butler goes to Lake after the evaluation process and prior to drafting a certain player and asks if he can coach the player up to the next level. I wonder if they have a meaningful discussion on why they feel as though the player can be successful in their system. I would like to think the answer to those questions is YES! Then why does it seem that EVERY SINGLE DB we draft seem to have issues stepping it up? It's not all about Lake, but it's a lot about Lake!

 

And I know you don't like to put anything on the coaches, Blast, but come on.

 

20 years? really? our troubles really started much later than that BF. 20 years ago we had woodson, perry, fuller, lake, williams and figures.

when we lost lewis the trouble began. mcfadden was never replaced and was always injured. gay played better than a lot remember and got better the year he left and then came back. clark left and wasn't replaced. will allen? really? no business starting. troy wasn't replaced soon enough. clark wasn't replaced until lake was here. allen has digressed under lake. mitchell has been nowhere near his time in carolina. golden has finally started playing a little better but was seldom used. ike was never replaced and stayed two too many years. all under lake i may add. deshea was never replaced. gay had to be brought back. mcfadden was brought back which was a mistake. i do blame MT and colbert for this mess and it's squarely on their shoulders, but carnell has to be part of it. he was at the sr. bowl for a reason. just as butler used to go to pro days with the staff when we ended up picking LB'ers. this is why i'm talking about experience in our staff at these spots. it's not just day to day coaching, it's a whole process. the last 4-5- years have been the real problem.

 

If it wasnt for Lake, Lewis would have never started :

Keenan Lewis: Carnell Lake on Lewis: "I have a soft spot for Keenan. Keenan was a 3rd round pick three years ago, but never really played much. When I came on board he was like a little sad puppy.

He came to me in July and said 'I'm glad you're here, Coach; whatever I can do, I want to help, and if you have any extra time can you work with me?' And so we started working together after practice. The guys already had double practices on those days, and yet he still wanted to do more. This made me feel that he might be something special.

He's big—over six feet tall. I'm six feet tall, and he's a little taller than I am. He's just as fast as the other DBs, so how come this guy's not playing? I started asking some questions, and they would say 'He's not this, he's not that.' I decided to just work with him and decide for myself whether Lewis had what it took or not. I wanted to see that he got a shot.

Keenan has been playing better every week, and last week he sealed the deal against Kansas City with the interception. I was walking past the guys saying 'good job' and so on, and Lewis grabbed me, gave me a hug, and said 'I love you, Coach!' [At this point the room erupted in a chorus of "awwwws."] That was my first great experience as a coach here."

 

gay and mcfadden and lewis were all draft picks. mcfadden was just never healthy and never replaced. lewis was never replaced. ike and troy were never replaced. gay was a good pickup and as i've said before, he's more in the mold of deshea townsend and what he did as a player here for us. more in that same role. never really meant to be a long term starter for years but a good 3rd corner. we just don't have quality starters to go with him and safety is a struggling position as well without good replacements. mitchell needs help back there.