We continue to rehash it not because of Cowher but because some of you still believe Mike Tomlin has to prove himself when he already has. He's a good coach. Some of you still acting like this hasn't been proven when it has. That's the disconnect. You build up Cowher to be a coaching God and Tomlin is Rich Kotite.
No. We rehash it because some are declaring just the opposite. That Tomlin HAS proven himself beyond all doubt and that he is a great coach.
I disagree. Nothing about Tomlin's tenure to me is "great". There are parts of head coaching I think he does well. And there are others I think he struggles with. Remember, 10 years ago, I wrote the following concerning Tomlin's hire and how we should evaluate his performance:
1. How well and successful will he work with Kevin Colbert in talent evaluation? Nothing is more important in the NFL than getting quality players - for whatever system he chooses (even if I hate the Tampa-2). If this doesn’t work, nothing else ever will.
2. Does he have the capability to put together quality coordinators and people around him? Is he experienced enough to have made the necessary connections in the league to attract quality assistants? His first staff has been assembled for him and is very good in my opinion but I am unsure how well everyone will co-exist. Will his second staff prove to be quality, on-the-rise coaches?
3. Can he delegate responsibility so he can concentrate on being a head coach, first and foremost? Will he spend too much time on the defensive side of the ball or acting like a coordinator? Will he try to do too much?
4. Is he clearly the captain of the ship? Are his decisions consistent with his philosophy? Is he treating the players equal and fair?
5. Are his players reaching their potential and playing to their ability? Is he motivating, teaching and inspiring the team as a whole (offense and special teams) or just the defense? What is the state of the locker room and veteran leadership? Is there grumbling, locker room problems or off-the-field issues?
6. In-season management and demeanor. Is he making the correct roster decisions? Are the correct players starting? How is he handling the 53-man roster and inactive spots for games? Is he making the correct critical decisions come crunch time? Is his demeanor positive and in control? How are his game plans and in-game adjustments?
7. Wins and Losses. Most fans agree this team is capable of making the playoffs over the next few years, to not base some evaluation of Tomlin on whether we make the playoffs or not would be unrealistic.
I struggle to think of one of those criteria that Tomlin is superior to Cowher. I struggle to debate Tomlin would get an "A" grade in any of them.
Obviously that's my opinion. I would love to hear and debate a non-Steelers fan who follows and knows the intricate details of our team to grade Tomlin using the above criteria. To ask this board however is a double edged sword because I think there a majority here that would support a Steelers coach and say he is doing a good job no matter what his performance. That always give the benefit of the doubt to the organization. That make excuses for underachievement. That always look at the glass half-full, quarter-full or whatever the case may be and argue "At least we aren't the Browns" as the starting point of all debate.
I'm not that fan. My expectation are high when I think high expectations are warranted. I don't count my blessings we aren't a bad team in the league, rather those poorly run teams just prove how little competition there really is to be exceptional.
My expectations with Cowher's teams were NEVER as high as they've been with Tomlin because Cowher never had a quarterback as talented as Roethlisberger. The fact he accomplished so much without that god-given advantage is tantamount to watching a 4th round pick exceed the production of a 1st round pick.
Yes, Tomlin couldn't help he was given Roethlisberger. Just like 1st round picks can't help being drafted in that round. But that doesn't change the fact more is expected of 1st round picks than 4th round picks for precising the same reason more is expected of Tomlin that Cowher. The team Cowher inherited, for all its talent, was performing like a 4th round draft choice. There is no denying that. Cowher turned that into 1st round production.
Tomlin inherited 1st round talent and rode it to (maybe) 1st round production (some years definitely less).
That is all this debate is about. No more, no less.
