One of the assumptions many of you are working under is that the discipline will work. It seems to me the Steelers have a TO on their hands, and the sad truth there is no discipline really worked...he always hid behind the fact that he wasn't out breaking laws and doing drugs or beating up women or whatever.
I know I'll get ripped for this, but I really don't give a ****. I admire Tomlin in a way for trying to treat these guys like men, instead of the 14 year olds in a man's body that many of them are. That is his mistake, I guess. The players are the biggest ********...you have a guy willing to allow you some freedom and not be on you like a rash, and you abuse it.
Nobody is assuming a harsher discipline will work but it is a crossroads action that can be considered a last ditch effort. The discipline they gave him was weak sauce. That is like comparing a time out to a belt *** whooping. You don't know if either will work. But you tried the first, now you try the second. And if that doesn't work you show him the door.
It isn't about treating these players like men, it is about controlling your locker room against ongoing drama.
Through all your admiration for a coach you want to hang around, that is a area like it or not he failed in.
BTW I am not ripping you, I simply completely disagree with you.