FIRE MIKE TOMLIN!!

[Shoes]

Zero. He would have never have survived the Pittsburgh Oline.

Isn't that the truth!

[Drazo85]

Zero. Because Cowher and Rooneys aren't cheaters.

Fixed.

[ALLD]

It will be interesting to see how delusional Tomlin is on Sunday. I hope he shaves because any playoff beard will be telling.

[43Hitman]

Delusional? For having a beard?

[smokin3000gt]

Delusional? For having a beard?

They'll find anything around here..

[Craic]

Did you see a 3-5 year rebuilding period that rendered us non-competitive? Because that's what you're raising the alarm about. No, we won another championship with the same exact players.

Of course changes are going to happen over time. They happen all the time even with the same coach. All that really matters is that they're not stupid changes or stupid coaches.

Yes, I did see it. It happened between the 2011-13 seasons. It helps if you read what I posted, rather than skim and react. I said the change didn't happen right away because we had a legendary defensive coordinator and a very good defense at the time. When those players started retiring, we started reschemeing, which means different types of players. We simply had a strong enough defense over the first few years to backstop the changes on offense. Good luck with that happening again.

[Steel Peon]

Blaykrell (3 three headed monster of CB suck)

Now that's keeping it real.

[teegre]

Yes, I did see it. It happened between the 2011-13 seasons. It helps if you read what I posted, rather than skim and react. I said the change didn't happen right away because we had a legendary defensive coordinator and a very good defense at the time. When those players started retiring, we started reschemeing, which means different types of players. We simply had a strong enough defense over the first few years to backstop the changes on offense. Good luck with that happening again.

Cowher was a DC.
Tomlin was a DC.

Cowher inherited Rod Woodson, Dermontti Dawson, Carnel Lake, Greg Lloyd, Hardy Nickerson, Jerol Willians, Gerald Willians, Barry Foster, Meril Hoge, Eric Green...

Tomlin inherited Troy Polamalu, Ben Roethlisberger, James Farrior, Ike Taylor, Brett Keisel, Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, Hines Ward...

(Here is where I'm going to catapult off of your post.)

In 1998-2000, as those aforementioned players began to move on/retire, Cowher had to rebuild. 7-9, 6-10, and 9-7.

In 2012-2014, as those aforementioned players began to move on/retire, Tomlin had to rebuild. 8-8, 8-8, and 11-5.

The 2001-2003 teams lacked consistency.
The 2015 team lacks consistency.

SUMMATION:
We are just getting out of the "rebuilding" period. Add a secondary, and this team will be contending for two (or three) SuperBowls in 2016-2020.

[polamalubeast]

Cowher was a DC.
Tomlin was a DC.

Cowher inherited Rod Woodson, Dermontti Dawson, Carnel Lake, Greg Lloyd, Hardy Nickerson, Jerol Willians, Gerald Willians, Barry Foster, Meril Hoge, Eric Green...

Tomlin inherited Troy Polamalu, Ben Roethlisberger, James Farrior, Ike Taylor, Brett Keisel, Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, Hines Ward...

(Here is where I'm going to catapult off of your post.)

In 1998-2000, as those aforementioned players began to move on/retire, Cowher had to rebuild. 7-9, 6-10, and 9-7.

In 2012-2014, as those aforementioned players began to move on/retire, Tomlin had to rebuild. 8-8, 8-8, and 11-5.

The 2001-2003 teams lacked consistency.
The 2015 team lacks consistency.

SUMMATION:
We are just getting out of the "rebuilding" period. Add a secondary, and this team will be contending for two (or three) SuperBowls in 2016-2020.

The Steelers had missed the playoffs six times in seven years before Bill Cowher arrived and in his first season, the Steelers finished the season with a 11-5 record and the steelers have been a contender in the mid-90's despite a lack of QB.

[43Hitman]

The Steelers had missed the playoffs six times in seven years before Bill Cowher arrived and in his first season, the Steelers finished the season with a 11-5 record and the steelers have been a contender in the mid-90's despite a lack of QB.

Tomlin won a SB in his first season as a head coach?

[teegre]

The Steelers had missed the playoffs six times in seven years before Bill Cowher arrived and in his first season, the Steelers finished the season with a 11-5 record and the steelers have been a contender in the mid-90's despite a lack of QB.

True.

Those shitty years (1984-1988) allowed them to build up top-ten draft talents and/or Hall of Famers (e.g. Rod Woodson, Dermontti Dawson). When Cowher took over, that team was primed to explode.

As as far as QBs go, Cowher's philosophy was simple: great defense, great running game, hope your QB doesn't mess things up. It almost worked, too. Instead of spending $20 million per year on a QB, he spent it on defenders; it's why he passed on Brees and why he wanted to pass on Roethlisberger. For the 90s, it was a very logical philosophy... but, not for modern passing rules. For today's NFL, you need a QB.

[ALLD]

I think they will modify the rules again so second tier and younger QBs will be able to move the offense and not isolate teams who do not have an elite player.

[teegre]

I think they will modify the rules again so second tier and younger QBs will be able to move the offense and not isolate teams who do not have an elite player.

Indeed.

They'll call it: the "Obliterate Any & All Forms of Defense!!!" rule

[Hawkman]

Indeed.

They'll call it: the "Obliterate Any & All Forms of Defense!!!" rule

Sad, but possibly true.

[st33lersguy]

The Steelers had missed the playoffs six times in seven years before Bill Cowher arrived and in his first season, the Steelers finished the season with a 11-5 record and the steelers have been a contender in the mid-90's despite a lack of QB.

Also Cowher made the playoffs his first 6 seasons as an NFL head coach (Paul Brown is the only other coach to accomplish this). Tomlin can't even string together 3 consecutive playoff seasons.

[86WARD]

Cowher was a DC.
Tomlin was a DC.

Cowher inherited Rod Woodson, Dermontti Dawson, Carnel Lake, Greg Lloyd, Hardy Nickerson, Jerol Willians, Gerald Willians, Barry Foster, Meril Hoge, Eric Green...

Tomlin inherited Troy Polamalu, Ben Roethlisberger, James Farrior, Ike Taylor, Brett Keisel, Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, Hines Ward...

(Here is where I'm going to catapult off of your post.)

In 1998-2000, as those aforementioned players began to move on/retire, Cowher had to rebuild. 7-9, 6-10, and 9-7.

In 2012-2014, as those aforementioned players began to move on/retire, Tomlin had to rebuild. 8-8, 8-8, and 11-5.

The 2001-2003 teams lacked consistency.
The 2015 team lacks consistency.

SUMMATION:
We are just getting out of the "rebuilding" period. Add a secondary, and this team will be contending for two (or three) SuperBowls in 2016-2020.

Good Post!!

[hawaiiansteeler]

SUMMATION:
We are just getting out of the "rebuilding" period. Add a secondary, and this team will be contending for two (or three) SuperBowls in 2016-2020.

we do need to add a secondary, imo the addition of a premier pass rusher is also needed if we are going to contend for Super Bowls in the near future...

[lipps83]

we do need to add a secondary, imo the addition of a premier pass rusher is also needed if we are going to contend for Super Bowls in the near future...

Yes. I think Dupree should be adequate and I would like to see them send Shazier at the QB more. We are still going to be a draft pick behind because Jarvis Jones is......well...he is Jarvis Jones.

Next draft should be 6 defenders and one offensive lineman. Dammit, I just remembered we are down two picks though. If Boykin re-upps, and I hope he does but have my doubts, that would be a bonus. CB/S/NT should be priorities. I think a better NT would free up the OLB's more and maybe Jones can have a career year with 3 sacks next season.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Yes. I think Dupree should be adequate and I would like to see them send Shazier at the QB more. We are still going to be a draft pick behind because Jarvis Jones is......well...he is Jarvis Jones.

Next draft should be 6 defenders and one offensive lineman. Dammit, I just remembered we are down two picks though. If Boykin re-upps, and I hope he does but have my doubts, that would be a bonus. CB/S/NT should be priorities. I think a better NT would free up the OLB's more and maybe Jones can have a career year with 3 sacks next season.

we should still have a total of 7 draft picks, a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and three 7s (our own, from the Giants for Brad Wing and a comp pick for Brice McCain).

so let's say we go CB/S/NT/OL the first four rounds, that leaves us three more picks in the 7th round that have a high probability of not even making the team.

[86WARD]

Yes. I think Dupree should be adequate and I would like to see them send Shazier at the QB more. We are still going to be a draft pick behind because Jarvis Jones is......well...he is Jarvis Jones.

Next draft should be 6 defenders and one offensive lineman. Dammit, I just remembered we are down two picks though. If Boykin re-upps, and I hope he does but have my doubts, that would be a bonus. CB/S/NT should be priorities. I think a better NT would free up the OLB's more and maybe Jones can have a career year with 3 sacks next season.

If they somehow, amazingly, find a way to talk Boykin in to signing in Pittsburgh and ridding them selves of Cockring and Blake, that is easily worth the 5th-Round Pick! They'll need to go to free agency somehow and pick a couple players (LBs, CBs, NTs, whatever) off of there to solidify the Defense. It won't happen through the draft alone.

[ALLD]

Also Cowher made the playoffs his first 6 seasons as an NFL head coach (Paul Brown is the only other coach to accomplish this). Tomlin can't even string together 3 consecutive playoff seasons.

Are you implying that Tomlin is living off his 2008 reputation and Cowher's players?

[hawaiiansteeler]

If they somehow, amazingly, find a way to talk Boykin in to signing in Pittsburgh and ridding them selves of Cockring and Blake, that is easily worth the 5th-Round Pick!

why would you want to re-sign the CB that can't even beat out Cockring, Blake and Gay for playing time?

[steelreserve]

In 1998-2000, as those aforementioned players began to move on/retire, Cowher had to rebuild. 7-9, 6-10, and 9-7.

In 2012-2014, as those aforementioned players began to move on/retire, Tomlin had to rebuild. 8-8, 8-8, and 11-5.

In 2012-14, we had Ben Roethlisberger as our starting quarterback.

In 1998-2000, we had Kordell Stewart.

If Tomlin hadn't been the luckiest sonofabitch in the history of rookie coaches for inheriting a HOF quarterback with at least a dozen more high-level seasons left, you could throw a couple 4-12 seasons in there for sure. With the way we drafted Tomlin's first few years? Forget about staying competitive; we wouldn't have a prayer.

You want another lucky-as-hell rookie coach in that position? How about George Seifert. Was there a rebuilding period there where they mucked around in the 8-8 pigshit for a few years? No, they reloaded and kept rolling. THAT'S what a good coach does.

We had a golden opportunity to do the same and we missed it. Eventually a few things broke our way and we became more or less competitive again, but we're not there yet. That's what an average coach does.

[st33lersguy]

Are you implying that Tomlin is living off his 2008 reputation and Cowher's players?

No, I am not implying anything. Everything I am trying to communicate is shown in plain text

[Craic]

In 2012-14, we had Ben Roethlisberger as our starting quarterback.

In 1998-2000, we had Kordell Stewart.

If Tomlin hadn't been the luckiest sonofabitch in the history of rookie coaches for inheriting a HOF quarterback with at least a dozen more high-level seasons left, you could throw a couple 4-12 seasons in there for sure. With the way we drafted Tomlin's first few years? Forget about staying competitive; we wouldn't have a prayer.

You want another lucky-as-hell rookie coach in that position? How about George Seifert. Was there a rebuilding period there where they mucked around in the 8-8 pigshit for a few years? No, they reloaded and kept rolling. THAT'S what a good coach does.

We had a golden opportunity to do the same and we missed it. Eventually a few things broke our way and we became more or less competitive again, but we're not there yet. That's what an average coach does.

No, an average coach watches a team go 8-8 year after year. An average coach fails to win with 4th string QBs and almost half their starting O line gone. Average coaches coaching average teams look like the Dallas Cowboys when that happens.

Seifert? Really? In the years of no free agency where any team can build their players from within? Let's take a look at Seifert's record in Carolina.
1999 - 8-8
2000 - 7-9
2001 - 1-15
And the second year after he left, they were in the Superbowl. I'm not sure I'd be holding him up as a "brilliant coach" anymore than holding Tomlin up as a "Lucky rookie."

[polamalubeast]

I can not believe that some are satisfied with Tomlin despite missing the playoffs too many times despite a good team, especially in 2009 and this year and not have a playoff win since 2010.Tomlin would be great if he would have done the same thing with the Browns, but with the Steelers, it's not just enough especially since 2011.

I hope the Jets will lose and steelers will win today but it is very doubtful that the jets will lose against the Bills.

[teegre]

we do need to add a secondary, imo the addition of a premier pass rusher is also needed if we are going to contend for Super Bowls in the near future...

Absolutely.

I I am a huge proponent of focusing on the pass rush first, and the secondary second. It all starts with pressure.

That said, Jones is under contract for one more season; so, I see them waiting another draft before they use a premier pick on an OLB.

[teegre]

In 2012-14, we had Ben Roethlisberger as our starting quarterback.

In 1998-2000, we had Kordell Stewart.

If Tomlin hadn't been the luckiest sonofabitch in the history of rookie coaches for inheriting a HOF quarterback with at least a dozen more high-level seasons left, you could throw a couple 4-12 seasons in there for sure. With the way we drafted Tomlin's first few years? Forget about staying competitive; we wouldn't have a prayer.

You want another lucky-as-hell rookie coach in that position? How about George Seifert. Was there a rebuilding period there where they mucked around in the 8-8 pigshit for a few years? No, they reloaded and kept rolling. THAT'S what a good coach does.

We had a golden opportunity to do the same and we missed it. Eventually a few things broke our way and we became more or less competitive again, but we're not there yet. That's what an average coach does.

QUARTERBACKS:
As I said, as far as QBs go, Cowher's philosophy was simple: great defense, great running game, hope your QB doesn't mess things up. It almost worked, too. Instead of spending $20 million per year on a QB, he spent it on defenders; it's why he passed on Brees and why he wanted to pass on Roethlisberger. For the 90s, it was a very logical philosophy... but, not for modern passing rules. For today's NFL, you need a QB.

Also, you'all slam Tomlin for playing Vick in four games, but somehow Cowher gets a pass for starting Kordell for four years.

Likewise, you'all rip Tomlin for not addressing this team's weakness (secondary), but somehow ignore that Cowher refused to address his team's most glaring weakness (quarterback)... (although, as I said, Cowher had a different philosophy on that position).

REBUILDING:
This team had to be rebuilt, and during the last rebuild (1998-2000) it was far rougher than this rebuild was.

SUMMATION:
You have stated that even if Tomlin wins another Lombardi or two, you would never give him any credit for it. So, really, it doesn't matter what I type... your mind is already made up.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Absolutely.

I I am a huge proponent of focusing on the pass rush first, and the secondary second. It all starts with pressure.

That said, Jones is under contract for one more season; so, I see them waiting another draft before they use a premier pick on an OLB.

I agree with you, I think CB, S and OG/OT will all be higher priorities this upcoming draft.

[Mojouw]

I love how this works. Logic and reason have no place. It all boils down to this:

IF the Steelers WIN = the players are awesome!
IF the Steelers LOSE = the coaching staff shit the bed and wasted a talented group of players!

Huh? It is the same coaches when they win as when they lose. Same players as well. But I'm sure the gameplan was to have Roethlisberger, who apparently has been carrying Tomlin all these years, throw 3 picks. Because, Arrogance.