Wrong on Cowher. Also, Tomlin benefitted from Ben learning and growing as a player.
Already honored up on Cowher’s 3 years with Ben. A coach benefited from his QB learning and growing? Nonsense. No player benefits from any coach. It’s all personal talent. Gheez. I guess, Noll benefited from Bradshaw, Walsh with Montana, Shula with Marino, Johnson with Aikman, even Belicheat with Brady. What was Tomlin supposed to do, cut Ben and start fresh at QB? Ludicrous idealology.
He didn't have Ben to help carry him then, unlike the guy who you seem to be portraying as the best coach in the league.
As reiterated previously, Chin had plenty of opportunities besides The Tomczaks, Graham, Stewart and Maddox to have a franchise QB. Miller was never given a chance because Cowher defined roles. His team philosophy on offense didn’t require a franchise QB. Game manager first and foremost. Stewart had too many turnovers, an anathema to Cowher’s QB trust. Maddox‘s lightning in the bottle came with the Tommy Gun offense. Yet, Chin’s philosophy returned when Ben started as a rookie. Ball control offense, which included Ben’s improvisation skills to keep drives going. Whiz even said they kept Ben on a leash so as to not let him think to much and “just play within the offense”
"What changed for Reid in the last three years? He got a franchise QB who can perform in the clutch." Ben wasn't able to perform in the clutch consistently for a few years, but he got there. Pukey never did. He just had padded stats from throwing the ball 40+ times every game most of his career.
Exactly, Andy got the guy he coveted, why? Because he didn’t think Smith could take his offense any farther than he had. Why didn’t Cowher do this? Because I repeat myself again, Chin did not believe in the franchise QB doctrine. He believed in Defense and ball control/clock burning strategy. Build a strong defense, get takeaways, get off on third downs. The Marty Schottenheimer disciple he was. As a reminder Andy has always been offense minded from the Walsh doctrine. Sure you can jest all you want about McNabb, but he won a ton of games for Andy…..doing what Andy wanted him to (“padding his stats by throwing 40 times a game”)
So, Ben wouldn't have helped the team any more than Kordell Stewart, Jim Miller, MIke Tomczak, Kent Graham, or Tommy Maddox? Ok.
Gheez, that is not what I opined. Cowher‘s philosophy wouldn’t have ALLOWED Ben to do his back yard plays ability, because he had an power running game back then. The OCs back then Erhardt, Gailey, etc…all featured that offense. I can remember vividly screaming for more play action or shot gun from Cowher in the playoffs, but that wasn’t his MO. He also knew his MO gave him a damn good percentage to win games. At least until the playoffs as his record attests.
I acknowledge your views and welcome it to the board. I just disagree with some of its foundations.