Tomlin’s Take – 11/11/19

[Vader]

We all know Coach Tomlin has his faults. Nothing to see there.

What Vader didn't point out is that we lost THREE SIGNIFICANT PIECES of the offense in one fail swoop:

1. #84 goes crazy and gets cut - 60% of the offense went thru that guy.
2. Ben leads the league in passing yards last year and we can probably attribute that to the early season ending injury for #7 - the drop off in offense is HUGE.
3. Coach Munchak decides to leave the Steelers/Coach Drake dies 7 days before the season starts - say what you will - losing these two coaches was a HEAVY IMPACT on the offense right away and we're still seeing effects of it 10 games into the season.

But eh, we're 5-4 now and, realistically, we've only been blowout in one game.

Let's take a quick walk back in time...

Week 2 - Steelers lose game to Seattle; 28-26 {Ben is lost for the season}
Week 3 - Steelers lose game to 9ers; 24-20 {Rudy's first start but he was less than stellar - defense has 5 turnovers but is gassed because they're on the field all day}
Week 5 - Steelers lose game to Baltimore in OT; 26-23 {Rudy is KO'd in the 3rd quarter}

That's SEVEN COLLECTIVE POINTS across the #1, #2 and #4 teams in the power rankings as of today.

But feel free to complain about our terrible season...

Carry on.

But what you fail to mention is that we've played several horrible teams including the bungles and Dolphins. You also failed to mention that all teams have coaching turnover. There are 8 new HCs this year. Want to guess how many the Steelers will play against this year? Clowns (2 games), Bungles (2 games), Miami (1 game), NY (1 Game), AZ (1 game). So the Steelers play 7 games against brand new coaches and coaching staffs. Not just a OL coach... the entire coaching staffs. Almost half of our games are against new coaching staffs.

Oh we have injuries? You mean like losing your QB a few weeks before the season when he announces his retirement? Then when your 2nd QB goes down? Then you're #1 WR isn't available because of injury? Then you have 2 OL go down?

Sometimes Steeler fans are so blind to everything else going on in the league. The Steelers aren't the only team to be hit by injuries. Last year they were the most healthy team in the league with Ben and AB playing... they won 9 games and missed the playoffs. Completely healthy. That was before Munchak left. Before coach Drake passes away. Before AB goes crazy. 9 games. So please don't start blaming injuries and coaches for this season. It's just a cop out.

 

[STH70]

The Steelers have played exactly 2 horrible teams, Bengals and Dolphins. They have 3 losses to the very best teams in the NFL, all very close and winnable, lost by 2, 3 and 4 points. And they’ve beat some really good opponents.

There are a lot of NFL analysts, experts, players and coaches that think these coaches are doing a great job. One even used the term COTY. They’re crediting Tomlin and staff with holding this team together. And they’ve executed game winning plans to keep them right in the playoff hunt after a lot of personnel changes, injuries, death and a terrible start to the season.

Tomlin has his warts as a head coach. But this year he’s doing a fine job under adverse circumstances. Steeler fans should at least give credit where it’s due.

 

[nitsuj1225]

The Steelers have played exactly 2 horrible teams, Bengals and Dolphins. They have 3 losses to the very best teams in the NFL, all very close and winnable, lost by 2, 3 and 4 points. And they’ve beat some really good opponents.

There are a lot of NFL analysts, experts, players and coaches that think these coaches are doing a great job. One even used the term COTY. They’re crediting Tomlin and staff with holding this team together. And they’ve executed game winning plans to keep them right in the playoff hunt after a lot of personnel changes, injuries, death and a terrible start to the season.

Tomlin has his warts as a head coach. But this year he’s doing a fine job under adverse circumstances. Steeler fans should at least give credit where it’s due.

I give the most credit to Minkah, without him we don't even sniff 5 wins the whole season. If Tomlin had a say in trading for him then he certainly gets props for that.

But as far as strategy and game management, I haven't seen 1 example of what any coach has done to contribute to our wins. What are these "game winning plans" you speak of? So far, I've only seen excuses for the losses.

 

[STH70]

I give the most credit to Minkah, without him we don't even sniff 5 wins the whole season. If Tomlin had a say in trading for him then he certainly gets props for that.

But as far as strategy and game management, I haven't seen 1 example of what any coach has done to contribute to our wins. What are these "game winning plans" you speak of? So far, I've only seen excuses for the losses.

Who do you think creates the game plan every week, if not the coaches? Teams don’t just show up and wing it.

A few examples of good strategy and game management off the top of my head are:

The division of labor since the Tuitt injury and the way the D-line is deployed.
The way Bush, Williams and Barron are being used at ILB and Barron covering backs & TEs.
The defensive scheme as a whole.
Using Banner as a blocking TE a lot on run plays because of the lack of a blocking TE.
The management of Rudolph not doing too much. Not losing the game.
The call to go for it on 4th and inches last game to get the win.
Keeping this team together and getting the last 4 wins in a row, and against a few good teams.

I’m sure there are more examples of good strategy and game management this season.

 

[Coryea]

I give the most credit to Minkah, without him we don't even sniff 5 wins the whole season. If Tomlin had a say in trading for him then he certainly gets props for that.

But as far as strategy and game management, I haven't seen 1 example of what any coach has done to contribute to our wins. What are these "game winning plans" you speak of? So far, I've only seen excuses for the losses.

You guys aren't giving Watt enough credit, he's been on another level. He'd be my pick for DPOY right now.

 

[STH70]

You guys aren't giving Watt enough credit, he's been on another level. He'd be my pick for DPOY right now.

I agree. I didn't mention Watt in game management or strategy, didn't think I had to. He is the MAIN SPARK that drives this defense. Which BTW is really good and getting better. He's having a GREAT season.

 

[Stryker]

But what you fail to mention is that we've played several horrible teams including the bungles and Dolphins. You also failed to mention that all teams have coaching turnover. There are 8 new HCs this year. Want to guess how many the Steelers will play against this year? Clowns (2 games), Bungles (2 games), Miami (1 game), NY (1 Game), AZ (1 game). So the Steelers play 7 games against brand new coaches and coaching staffs. Not just a OL coach... the entire coaching staffs. Almost half of our games are against new coaching staffs.

Oh we have injuries? You mean like losing your QB a few weeks before the season when he announces his retirement? Then when your 2nd QB goes down? Then you're #1 WR isn't available because of injury? Then you have 2 OL go down?

Sometimes Steeler fans are so blind to everything else going on in the league. The Steelers aren't the only team to be hit by injuries. Last year they were the most healthy team in the league with Ben and AB playing... they won 9 games and missed the playoffs. Completely healthy. That was before Munchak left. Before coach Drake passes away. Before AB goes crazy. 9 games. So please don't start blaming injuries and coaches for this season. It's just a cop out.

But but but, Tomlin can't beat terrible teams. He's the worst coach eva facing bad teams...

Meh, All I know is a lot of people here said Tomlin can't win without Ben. "Just you watch" they said.

He's 5-2 without Ben this season.

 

[nitsuj1225]

You guys aren't giving Watt enough credit, he's been on another level. He'd be my pick for DPOY right now.

Never thought I'd say it but Dupree is too, at least what we're used to seeing from him. He's even upgraded from Durpee in my book. Minkah just seemed like the missing piece this D needed. We finally have a Dback that is able to capitalize on the pressure created by our LBers...haven't had that since Troy left.

 

[Coryea]

But but but, Tomlin can't beat terrible teams. He's the worst coach eva facing bad teams...

Meh, All I know is a lot of people here said Tomlin can't win without Ben. "Just you watch" they said.

He's 5-2 without Ben this season.

This season doesn't erase all of that.

 

[Vader]

But but but, Tomlin can't beat terrible teams. He's the worst coach eva facing bad teams...

Meh, All I know is a lot of people here said Tomlin can't win without Ben. "Just you watch" they said.

He's 5-2 without Ben this season.

He couldn't win with Ben. He hasn't won anything in over a decade. Only people that defend Tomlin at all costs care anything about regular season success. Nobody wants to fire Tomlin because he can't win regular season division titles. I want him gone because he can't win SBs. Hell he hasn't been to a SB in almost a decade. If you want to stay the course then fine. But I don't see him winning a SB. So I'd rather fine someone who can.

 

[BLITZ]

I cant wait until we are arguing that the next coach won the Super Bowl with Tomlins players

 

[MT~Forged]

If I'm a defensive player, like Cam, I'd be pissed. IMO having a HOF QB would allow you to play more aggressive on D, if you get burnt you have a QB that can come back.

You would hope that was the case, but alas, MT himself dispelled that hope.

Am I the only one that sees that by abandoning the conservative game plan on D, he has FINALLY something together?

 

[Djfan]

I cant wait until we are arguing that the next coach won the Super Bowl with Tomlins players

There is enough talent on this team to win the big show. It just seems that coaches have a shelf life, and Tomlin's was very short.

I can hardly wait until we can discuss how a new coach is doing with a Tomlin drafted team. I hope that it happens soon.

 

[Hoot]

I cant wait until we are arguing that the next coach won the Super Bowl with Tomlins players

I mean, if we have a SB Trophy, I am good with having that argument.

 

[BLITZ]

I mean, if we have a SB Trophy, I am good with having that argument.

exactly mi amigo

 

[Coryea]

You would hope that was the case, but alas, MT himself dispelled that hope.

Am I the only one that sees that by abandoning the conservative game plan on D, he has FINALLY something together?

That and having 17 1st round picks on defense doesn't hurt either.