Tomlin to start Blake over Boykin against Ravens

[Coach]

I'm not a Tomlin hater - just don't think he is that good of a coach or teacher, last game being the exception rather than the rule. If Blake costs us a playoff berth or a game, are any of you Tomlin lovers willing to place the blame on Tomlin and not Blake for poor play? If a player stinks and the coach still plays him, it's on the coach, not the player.

I agree that Tomlin isn't a good coach and sometimes has talent evaluation issues in terms of who to play. This one is a no-brainer.

I fear a Tim Mckyer moment in the playoffs. The cost of that play was the super bowl

This loss turned my stomach into knots. The Steelers were playing at home as double-digit favorites to make their first Super Bowl appearance in 15 years. Everything continued in their favor when the Steelers took the opening kickoff and marched 67 yards, capped by a J.L. Williams 16-yard jaunt, to take a 7-0 lead. The two teams exchanged field goals in the second quarter to give Pittsburgh a 10-3 halftime advantage. Gary Anderson tacked on another field goal early in the third quarter to stretch the lead 13-3. At that point there wasn't anyone on the planet who didn't think Pittsburgh was headed to the Super Bowl.

Maybe the Chargers were the exception. It was a bit shocking when a guy named Alfred Pupuno, a tight end, scored on a 43-yard touchdown strike from Stan Humphries. Then on a third-and-14, Humphries bit Tony Martin on another 43-yard touchdown pass when Steelers cornerback Tim McKyer was badly beaten. Trailing 17-13, the stunned Steelers began their final drive on their own 17-yard line. Down to the Chargers' three-yard line, Pittsburgh had one fourth-down play left. A field goal, trailing by four, was painfully worthless. Neil O'Donnell tried to hit Barry Foster in the end zone, but linebacker Dennis Gibson deflected the pass and ended Pittsburgh's season. The Steelers compiled 415 total yards to San Diego's 226, adding to the frustration of it all.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2009/7/1/930819/the-12-most-heartbreaking-playoff

 

[Coach]

Well if you can read that ball of **** and believe this guy knows what he is talking about, hats off to you.
Watched almost every down of football this year. From a tackle technique and assignment completion standpoint Blake has been terrible. If you want to stand up and say we are in practice we know the players better than the fans fine. But to say he has played well. C'mon I might not be an NFL coach. But I have eyes.

100% correct. The guy can't cover or tackle. And he gives a huge cushion. I fail to see MT's infatuation with the player he refers to as #41. The reality is, he's our weak link playing a very important position.

If Jarvis Jones gets 1 total tackle, and loses most of his matchups, the damage isn't nearly as great as Blake making big mistakes or simply lacking the physicality to play cornerback.

 

[Punxsutawney]

He just gave you the finger so eloquently, you have no idea what he just said.

Yeah, by blatantly lying about Blake's play.

The guy is either in total denial, or is arrogant beyond belief.

Based on the defiant tone of that quote, I'm really starting to think he's putting Blake out there just to stickit to his critics, putting his pride ahead of what's best for the team,

 

[Roy92040]

Maybe Tomlin needs to view their games from MY tv set. Cause it looks a lot different.

 

[Coach]

Yeah, by blatantly lying about Blake's play.

The guy is either in total denial, or is arrogant beyond belief.

Based on the defiant tone of that quote, I'm really starting to think he's putting Blake out there just to stick to critics, putting his pride ahead of what's best for the team,

I don't know about that Punxsutawney. Such an act would be treason. I tend to think his talent evaluation just isn't very good.

 

[SteelerSask2]

and if the Steelers head coach came out and said in a press conference "from a tackle technique and assignment completion standpoint, Blake has been terrible", that would be one of the shittiest things a COACH could ever do.

Unless he was replacing him which he isn't he wouldn't say anything. The simple answer here is that in our opinion as a coaching staff Blake is the best player we can currently put in that position. I can't really argue that point. I can argue he has played well. The statistics and my own eyes clearly tell me that. I am a reasonably well educated person. Talking a whole bunch of hyperbole and coined phrases most of which are semi used out of proper context does not make me think he is smart.

 

[Vader]

I think the reason he plays him is the risk/reward scheme of the defense. He can hit and Tomlin would rather have that because it makes the WRs short arm passes. Even if he gives up a TD or 2 Tomlin thinks his offense will cover for it. The entire defense is built this way. Which is why I have a hard time believing they will beat the pats**** or Seattle, GB, and the Panthers in the SB if they make it that far.

 

[Punxsutawney]

I don't know about that Punxsutawney. Such an act would be treason. I tend to think his talent evaluation just isn't very good.

That was my view for awhile, but I'm really starting to wonder. There is just no other plausible explanation for it anymore.

To sit there and imply what Blake has put on "tape" has been good and the fans do not know what they're talking about in that regard is insulting, to be honest.

 

[Punxsutawney]

I think the reason he plays him is the risk/reward scheme of the defense. He can hit and Tomlin would rather have that because it makes the WRs short arm passes. Even if he gives up a TD or 2 Tomlin thinks his offense will cover for it. The entire defense is built this way. Which is why I have a hard time believing they will beat the pats**** or Seattle, GB, and the Panthers in the SB if they make it that far.

How many short arms or fumbles has Blake forced, relative to all the big plays he's given up?

I just do not see the risk/reward payoff with the guy.

 

[Steel Ballin]

Da **** he say?

 

[SteelerSask2]

The statement in response to criticism of Blake playing is simple.
We appreciate our fans passion for our team and understand they have opinions about all of our players. What they have to understand is that they may not necessarily know who is responsible for a breakdown because they don't know the particular call or everyone's assignment on that call. Furthermore, they aren't privy to preparation which plays a big part of who we have the most confidence in on Sundays. As with any player on our roster, when we feel better about one player over another he will be replaced. No position is completely secure. Next question please.

 

[scraps]

.........

 

[SteelerSask2]

I'm saying what he should say. Not what I think. The truth is most fans don't really know everyones responsibility and where a guy expects help. I coached with a guy last year who routinely chewed out the wrong kid. He saw a breakdown and made an assumption. And he was the HC.

 

[topseed]

So, the Steelers' defense averages nearly three and a half less yards per pass with Gay/Cockrell/Boykin than it does with with Gay/Blake/Cockrell.

Tomlin is playing Blake this week why, exactly?

Although the sample size (64 pass attempts) for Gay/Cockrell/Boykin is a bit small, 4.96 versus 8.22 in ypa is a staggering difference. Almost 40%.

 

[topseed]

It all boils down to a lack of talent at the position at this point in the season they're not going to promote Grant and take that risk.

Tomlin can say all he likes about Blake starting but I think at this point in time he is essentially our 4th CB. We'll see come Sunday hopefully.

Ironically I remember a time when the most ridiculed player in the Steelers secondary was William Gay and everyone wanted him thrown out of town. Hopefully Blake can turn things around and contribute in the future too.

Risk? What risk? Blake is rated among the five worst, if not THE worst, cornerbacks in the league by several statistical compilations. Even though his snap count has been somewhat reduced over the past few weeks, he's still surrendering yardage at an historically ****** pace.

Seriously...how much risk would they realistically be taking by getting Grant some experience on the field? How much worse than WORST IN THE NFL could he be?

 

[topseed]

Pure jibberish.

"We feel very good about 41, and have felt good to this juncture in our quest to build a World Championship team. It's not about one player, and we accept responsibility collectively as 53 men on 16 Sundays per year with what we do and how we perform in NFL stadiums from a product standpoint. I'm not looking for comfort with 41. His body of work is on tape, and we like where he is from a physical and mental standpoint and things of that magnitude. Much of the elevator music and comparisons to Einstein's definition is borne out of the well of people's frustrations and common sense outside this complex. We don't get into conjecture nor live in our fears. I don't apologize for it." - Mike Tomlin


C'mon. Tomlin didn't really say that, did he? Coach had to have made it up...it sounds exactly like one of the parodies guys do on here from time to time.

 

[Stryker]

What do you guys expect Tomlin to say? Blake sucks, so we have to make sure we have safety help every play? I personally think he shouldn't start, but it does no good to throw a rostered player under the bus or direct blame at that player. That's the type of thing that divides locker rooms.

This is Tomlin's strong suit. As a leader, he takes the heat, down plays mistakes, and never points the finger at a player. This behavior earns respect from the players, and harbors team unity. The trickle down is NO ONE on this team has pointed fingers at ANYONE ELSE this season. When Vick/Landry were killing the offense, no fingers were pointed, and the defense seemed to play harder. When the D is letting up 30pts, no finger pointing there, and the O started to produce. Even on severe fuckups like Scobee losing the game. He lost his job, but no one bad mouthed the guy on the team.

It's yet another double standard, looking for faults on a coach that's doing a damn fine job this season.

 

[topseed]

What would I expect Tomlin to say about Blake? Who knows anymore? I'd expect an intelligent head coach to spin Blake's horrible play somewhat along the lines of what SteelerSask carefully put together a few posts ago:

We appreciate our fans passion for our team and understand they have opinions about all of our players. What they have to understand is that they may not necessarily know who is responsible for a breakdown because they don't know the particular call or everyone's assignment on that call. Furthermore, they aren't privy to preparation which plays a big part of who we have the most confidence in on Sundays. As with any player on our roster, when we feel better about one player over another he will be replaced. No position is completely secure. Next question please.


Not by spitting out stupid cliche after stupid cliche after stupid cliche...honest to God I thought it wasn't real, but akin to something you'd find in Ron Burgundy's "MT Word of the Week" threads.

 

[mdk2]

What would I expect Tomlin to say about Blake? Who knows anymore? I'd expect an intelligent head coach to spin Blake's horrible play somewhat along the lines of what SteelerSask carefully put together a few posts ago:

We appreciate our fans passion for our team and understand they have opinions about all of our players. What they have to understand is that they may not necessarily know who is responsible for a breakdown because they don't know the particular call or everyone's assignment on that call. Furthermore, they aren't privy to preparation which plays a big part of who we have the most confidence in on Sundays. As with any player on our roster, when we feel better about one player over another he will be replaced. No position is completely secure. Next question please.


Not by spitting out stupid cliche after stupid cliche after stupid cliche...honest to God I thought it wasn't real, but akin to something you'd find in Ron Burgundy's "MT Word of the Week" threads.

I just don't understand why people care so much about what he says..
He doesn't have to explain a damn thing to anyone. He likes to keep things in house, obviously.

Sure, it would be informative if he gave a pure, straight forward explanation for everything but he never has, never will. Get over it.
If we were 5-9 and about to miss the playoffs then maybe this would bother me but what happens on the field is all that matters to me and lately, Boykin has been getting the snaps.

 

[antdrewjosh]

What do you guys expect Tomlin to say? Blake sucks, so we have to make sure we have safety help every play? I personally think he shouldn't start, but it does no good to throw a rostered player under the bus or direct blame at that player. That's the type of thing that divides locker rooms.

This is Tomlin's strong suit. As a leader, he takes the heat, down plays mistakes, and never points the finger at a player. This behavior earns respect from the players, and harbors team unity. The trickle down is NO ONE on this team has pointed fingers at ANYONE ELSE this season. When Vick/Landry were killing the offense, no fingers were pointed, and the defense seemed to play harder. When the D is letting up 30pts, no finger pointing there, and the O started to produce. Even on severe fuckups like Scobee losing the game. He lost his job, but no one bad mouthed the guy on the team.

It's yet another double standard, looking for faults on a coach that's doing a damn fine job this season.

Yep Cope beat me to it. At this point of the season, where we are as a team, hopefully one game from clinching a playoff spot this thread is nothing more then ,"**** Tomlin is really doing a good job and I really have nothing to ***** about so I will harp on this Blake thing". Same as the Jarvis thread. Cmon guys we are one of the hottest teams in the league. Hopefully we kick the **** out the Ravens Sunday and clinch. Let's goooooo

 

[steelcan58]

That's the most bestest Coolshades quote ever. The only way it could be better is if he punctuated it with mother ****** at the end. I hope there's tape of it somewhere.

 

[SteelerSask2]

I just don't understand why people care so much about what he says..
He doesn't have to explain a damn thing to anyone. He likes to keep things in house, obviously.

Sure, it would be informative if he gave a pure, straight forward explanation for everything but he never has, never will. Get over it.
If we were 5-9 and about to miss the playoffs then maybe this would bother me but what happens on the field is all that matters to me and lately, Boykin has been getting the snaps.

You can only judge what a man thinks about anything by his words. If there is no point to this then don't have a press conference. Send out an email to reporters about who is injured and who will play. Period. And no there is no point in throwing Blake under a bus. But not only saying he is playing well but backing it up with continuing to have him start and play significant snaps when he clearly is not playing well enough speaks volumes. And then to try and mask it with some flim flam **** talk also speaks volumes.

 

[mdk2]

You can only judge what a man thinks about anything by his words. If there is no point to this then don't have a press conference. Send out an email to reporters about who is injured and who will play. Period. And no there is no point in throwing Blake under a bus. But not only saying he is playing well but backing it up with continuing to have him start and play significant snaps when he clearly is not playing well enough speaks volumes. And then to try and mask it will some flim flam **** also speaks volumes.

"Actions, speak louder than words"

Boykin gets the majority of snaps.. nothing else matters.

 

[Vader]

How many short arms or fumbles has Blake forced, relative to all the big plays he's given up?

I just do not see the risk/reward payoff with the guy.

I didn't say fumbles. I wouldn't know about the short armed passes because I can't keep up with it and have no stats on it. I'm just giving a possible reason based on what I've seen.

For those that say Tomlin doesn't have to say anything that is true. But why say something stupid when a simple "We feel Blake gives us the best chance to win" quote is fine. Obviously he cares about what people are talking about and saying about the team. Nobody would say stupid **** like that if they didn't care. It isn't being a leader. It's being a smartass who is allowing the talk to get to him. He should stop caring and just say something simple and to the point.

 

[Punxsutawney]

You can only judge what a man thinks about anything by his words. If there is no point to this then don't have a press conference. Send out an email to reporters about who is injured and who will play. Period. And no there is no point in throwing Blake under a bus. But not only saying he is playing well but backing it up with continuing to have him start and play significant snaps when he clearly is not playing well enough speaks volumes. And then to try and mask it will some flim flam **** also speaks volumes.

Exactly.

There is a huge difference between publicly calling out a player for poor performance and publicly praising said player, while continuing to play him.

To top it off, Tomlin blatantly condescends toward fans/media for ridiculing his decision to continue to play Blake, as if one has to be anything more than a casual fan to see that Blake has been terrible this season.

All I can say is that Blake must be 1992 Rod Woodson in practice.