For better or (my opinion) worse we are stuck with it.

[skialta]

Not playing Mason over Trubisky all along was a massive coaching fail in my opinion and another reason why Tomlin should be criticized. His “thin line” answer was BS. Any fan at training camp could see Mason has the best arm on the team.

Two years in a row

 

[steelcan58]

I was telling some friends of mine this morning, the only fans in the NFL who think Tomlin should be fired are Steeler fans.

My friends (Bears & Bronco fans) said, "That's because Steeler fans are idiots!"

I said, "No, we just don't see a .500 or .600 season as successful, but rather a failure."

I have a buddy that's a Chargers fan. He's so jealous

 

[wig]

i see him as mediocre. just average. He came in and performed against **** defenses.

Mason is better at anticipation throws, especially in the flat. Though he is far, far worse on other throws and decisions.

Well, honestly, I do too. But the truth I f the matter is, he's playing better than Pickett. So, go with the guy who gives you the best chance, particularly now.

 

[slashsteel]

Well, honestly, I do too. But the truth I f the matter is, he's playing better than Pickett. So, go with the guy who gives you the best chance, particularly now.

I think going with the hot hand is always the smart play, until that hand well cools...

I almost was calling for Rudy to sit Sunday. Then that nice throw to DJ quieted those voices.

 

[Gildong Sack]

No one rallies a team off its back like Tomlin. I'd argue he helped get them there. At beginning of season I predicted 10-7 ,and playoffs. If you win 10 you deserve to be in. However, except for the briefest of times before losing to lowely AZ this team resembles nothing of a real contender. I've said we will be back here at this time next year every year since Ben came back from Elbow. There is nothing to show me different. I'd say 80 percent of hard core fans would prefer to move on. But the media just laughs Pats us on head and say you should be happy little fella.
We will all be back excited for Latrobe and the preseason and we will all be back next December saying wtf. He will rally them to be relevant. Nothing more nothing less.

Rinse and repeat. Ol man Rooney snores and slumbers... rolls over on his bed built of revenue sharing.....and the beat goes on. With Ben, without Ben, cloning Joe Montana Jerry Rice in their prime and plugging them in with Bradshaw as a backup, Stallworth, Swann, Hines Ward as the other receivers Franco, Bell and The Bus as the running backs....Mikey would still figure out a way to score 10 points a game regardless of opponent and screw it up.

And the sports media would regale us with tales of no losing seasons as the emperor stands naked before us, but we are fools is what they say.

I had them at 9-8 missing the playoffs and I was roasted on social media with the youngsters telling me this team was going to the Super Bowl....

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I want with a 9-8 prediction and stuck with it when it looked like we'd be much better (6-3) and when it looked like we'd be worse (7-7 and coming off 3 losses, two to 2-10 teams). Than Mason was inserted and a 3-game win streak ensued. Who thunk it? But it's still a Shades' "too little, too late" debauchery, same old, same old, Shades' bull sh-t. No Shades' team is ever gonna flirt with a true Super Bowl win, only a team handed to him that was built without his presence will ever do that (Cowher's team in 2008).

Not getting real far averaging 18 ppg, and that’s up after Rudy’s two 30 point games. A wild card playoff loss what I expect every year. It’s simply Shades’ ceiling and as good as he knows how to be.

 

[steelreeling]

The play resulted in a 71-yard score in terrible weather.

You're just blindly speculating to criticize both the play and Rudolph, who has played great to this point.

So if Mason can come in against a good Buffalo team and play great then you will be correct - it was blind speculation.

If on the other hand Mason comes in against Buffalo and screws the pooch, then i was correct all along: Mason HASN'T playing been playing well at all.

Mind you if this scenario plays out, it will be Coach Cool Shades asking Mr. Pickett to try and save his *** after demonstrating to him, Pickett, that:
1. diva, slow as ****, *****-*** wide receivers are the most important players on the team and which are irreplaceable and cannot lose their starting job; and
2. said Head Coach has no idea what-the-**** he is doing because he cannot evaluate talent - even on a most basic level - at quarterback after all these years.

but by all means, Tomlin, go ahead and kill the confidence and trust of a soldier who took 3 fricken concussions for you last year and kept his mouth shut outside the locker room. See how that works out for ya.

 

[slashsteel]

So if Mason can come in against a good Buffalo team and play great then you will be correct - it was blind speculation.

If on the other hand Mason comes in against Buffalo and screws the pooch, then i was correct all along: Mason HASN'T playing been playing well at all.

Mind you if this scenario plays out, it will be Coach Cool Shades asking Mr. Pickett to try and save his *** after demonstrating to him, Pickett, that:
1. diva, slow as ****, *****-*** wide receivers are the most important players on the team and which are irreplaceable and cannot lose their starting job; and
2. said Head Coach has no idea what-the-**** he is doing because he cannot evaluate talent - even on a most basic level - at quarterback after all these years.

but by all means, Tomlin, go ahead and kill the confidence and trust of a soldier who took 3 fricken concussions for you last year and kept his mouth shut outside the locker room. See how that works out for ya.

I wonder how long Rudy's leash will be in Buffalo.

If he is playing well you obviously stay with him..

But how long do you keep him under center if he isn't?

 

[Slaine]

Winning a playoff game every five years or so isn't too much to ask.

Talk to Jets fans...2010 was their last playoff appearance. They've spent money on GMs, QBs, coaches - you name it.

I do agree that it shouldn't be too much to ask IF you have a QB. Any team with that top 10-ish guy has a chance. It makes it all the more baffling why the Chargers suck so bad.

 

[Djfan]

Not getting real far averaging 18 ppg, and that’s up after Rudy’s two 30 point games. A wild card playoff loss what I expect every year. It’s simply Shades’ ceiling and as good as he knows how to be.

Yes Sir. Preseason football genius won't win playoff games.

 

[Djfan]

Not playing Mason over Trubisky all along was a massive coaching fail in my opinion and another reason why Tomlin should be criticized.

Add in a stupid punter, Dan Moore, ignoring an obviously talented rb because you drafted a rb early, Gunner O (although he was cut after it all), keeping Canada . . . .

I was trying to keep this for this year only, and I am sure that there are more genius moves.

 

[Punxsutawney]

So if Mason can come in against a good Buffalo team and play great then you will be correct - it was blind speculation.

If on the other hand Mason comes in against Buffalo and screws the pooch, then i was correct all along: Mason HASN'T playing been playing well at all.

Mind you if this scenario plays out, it will be Coach Cool Shades asking Mr. Pickett to try and save his *** after demonstrating to him, Pickett, that:
1. diva, slow as ****, *****-*** wide receivers are the most important players on the team and which are irreplaceable and cannot lose their starting job; and
2. said Head Coach has no idea what-the-**** he is doing because he cannot evaluate talent - even on a most basic level - at quarterback after all these years.

but by all means, Tomlin, go ahead and kill the confidence and trust of a soldier who took 3 fricken concussions for you last year and kept his mouth shut outside the locker room. See how that works out for ya.

By saying you're speculating, I'm referring to your criticism of the throw and play, saying it only worked because of this or that. It's just ridiculous.

He hit DJ perfecting in stride in terrible conditions.

If you want to say Rudolph was lucky there, you need to acknowledge that he was unlucky in the first quarter when he threw a near perfect fade pass down the sideline that DJ didn't even attempt to catch for whatever reason.

Rudolph may very well **** the bed against the Bills, but that would not mean he did not play well in these past three games.

There is no logic to that at all, as the dude has a QB rating of 118.

I've become about as critical of Tomlin as anyone, but the offense is performing better with Rudolph than it has in a long time, and Tomlin would be foolish to go back to Pickett right now.

I still like Pickett, believe he can develop and should compete with Rudolph for the job next summer, but sitting Rudolph right now makes no sense unless one either is crushing hard on Pickett and/or totally hates Rudolph for whatever reason.

 

[Punxsutawney]

Talk to Jets fans...2010 was their last playoff appearance. They've spent money on GMs, QBs, coaches - you name it.

I do agree that it shouldn't be too much to ask IF you have a QB. Any team with that top 10-ish guy has a chance. It makes it all the more baffling why the Chargers suck so bad.

The Chargers canned their coach mid season for a reason.

After losing the Superbowl to the Packers, the Steelers went five years without winning a playoff game with Ben in the middle of his prime.

In two of those, they missed the playoffs all together.

That drought was broken only when the Bengals self-destructed at the end of that wildcard game in 2015.

Tomlin's issues run a lot deeper than a lack of a franchise QB.

 

[slashsteel]

I've become about as critical of Tomlin as
I still like Pickett, believe he can develop and should compete with Rudolph for the job next summer,

I don't think Rudy will be back. I think his improved play will earn him looks elsewhere. I would think he would go somewhere where is odds of starting are stronger..

 

[Punxsutawney]

I don't think Rudy will be back. I think his improved play will earn him looks elsewhere. I would think he would go somewhere where is odds of starting are stronger..

A lot will hinge on how he performs in the playoffs.

If he's terrible, I can live with them letting him go, but if he plays well (especially if they somehow when a game or two) I think they would have to bring him back.

Obviously, things would become much more complicated if another team offers him ton of money, but a lot of things would have to happen between now and then.

 

[Coryea]

As much as I think it's past time for Tomlin to move on, I can never cheer for them to lose. It's the same old story though, we lose to crap teams, then we run off a few wins vs teams back up, have to rely on other teams to get in the playoffs, then the media says Tomlin is the greatest, then we get boat raced in the playoffs, which I have a feeling is going to happen at Buffalo unless the weather is that bad. We're just stuck with him and in this middle of the road draft in the early 20's every year is what we are.

 

[diver]

I have pretty much removed myself from Tomlin discussions because I realized that I am just not as passionate or emotional over it as I used to be. Not due to anything the Steelers have or have not done, but just because of the things that happen in life as you get older. Football just isn't that important. I would like the Steelers to move on from Tomlin, but I have a hard time with some of the arguments used to justify that idea. But at the end of the day, I was just arguing to argue, and that isn't good.

However, I live in Eastern PA, so I am right in all the Philly stuff. Back in Sept/Oct I think any of us would have taken Nick Sirianni as head coach over Mike Tomlin. I wonder what the opinion is now? You should see the Philly papers and hear the fans. He may have lost that team. We'll see, but it doesn't look good. Whether we like it or not, Mike Tomlin always has the Steelers with a chance and he doesn't lose teams.

I think earlier someone said Arthur Blank fired his coach...he doesn't screw around! Well, great! That organization is a model of success. Man, I just don't know. I like to see a change, but if you look around the NFL...I just don't see a consistent track record of success of these great, young, innovative coaches we all want. They will come in like a ball of fire perhaps and then...in 3-4 years they are gone and the whole process starts again.

I just hope at the very least Tomlin is forced to hire an outside guy at OC and offensive coaches, maybe DC, and get a damn replay specialist.

 

[Confluence]

I was telling some friends of mine this morning, the only fans in the NFL who think Tomlin should be fired are Steeler fans.

My friends (Bears & Bronco fans) said, "That's because Steeler fans are idiots!"

I said, "No, we just don't see a .500 or .600 season as successful, but rather a failure."

SB or bust.

It's just that simple.

It's been a long, long stretch of bust.

 

[steelreeling]

Talk to Jets fans...2010 was their last playoff appearance. They've spent money on GMs, QBs, coaches - you name it.

I do agree that it shouldn't be too much to ask IF you have a QB. Any team with that top 10-ish guy has a chance. It makes it all the more baffling why the Chargers suck so bad.

it's been all downhill since that butt-fumble.

The Sanchize birthed a butt-curse.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

With the winning season (sigh) and the playoff birth, did we avoid an appearance on Hard Knocks during training camp?

 

[steelreeling]

By saying you're speculating, I'm referring to your criticism of the throw and play, saying it only worked because of this or that. It's just ridiculous.
He hit DJ perfecting in stride in terrible conditions.

Rudolph may very well **** the bed against the Bills, but that would not mean he did not play well in these past three games.

There is no logic to that at all, as the dude has a QB rating of 118.

The ends justify the means. i do not believe in that.

That ball even as successful as it was, should never have been thrown. it's very hard to accept that for some people that this throw was a terrible, terrible decision & throw by Mason just because of the mere fact that it turned into a TD. He throws that 9 more times against those same back-up Raven DBs in brackets coverage and it gets picked-off 8. Bills DBs in the film room this week lickin their chops saying 'do that again muthaF-".

That said, Mason does and has thrown a better deep-ball more consistently than Pickett. He has made certain timing throws better. Overall his judgment and arm-strength is nowhere near Pickett's.

Bottom line, Quarterbacks have to make good decisions. Otherwise the whole team suffers.

 

[Troglodyte]

If I were Rooney, the only way Tomlin keeps his job is if the Steelers get a playoff win.

Here are some reasons why I think he should be otherwise fired:
The obvious ongoing mediocrity
He kept Canada
QB situation is where it was two years ago
The Devin Bush trade up
Clock management and challenge decisions
Players like Austin and Friermuth are often underutilized
Ignoring the OL for years
Harvin is still the punter

 

[Stryker]

Tomlin haters are always going to hate. Your arguments are tired and boring. Aww, we didn't go to Rudolph fast enough. Well guess what? We still made the playoffs, and still would have been a wildcard.

None of you (me included) thought we had a chance at 7-7 off of back to back losses vs 2-10 teams. Then had to face 3 tougher opponents the following 3 weeks and swept them. The difference between Tomlin and most teams when this happens, is Tomlin's leadership, and he never loses the men who believe in him in the locker room.

We are now playing our best football and made the playoffs with dogshit QB play. I'm starting to think this may be Tomlin's best year as a coach. Started strong, but won very close games we could have lost. Had to fire an OC for the first time in Steeler History, mid season. Reset the QB room, and when Kenny was healthy, it was his choice to stay with Rudolph.

I know the haters were waiting with bated breath to blame Tomlin for sticking with Rudolph against the Ravens. You have nothing but crow to eat my friends. Look at Bellicheck, he's supposed to be the best coach ever. Without Tom, he's the same loser coach he was in Cleveland.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

I don't think Rudy will be back. I think his improved play will earn him looks elsewhere. I would think he would go somewhere where is odds of starting are stronger..

There's a few reasons why I think he will be back.
1. He has stated that he's grateful to Kahn and Tomlin for pulling him back into the fold when no one else would offer him even a tryout.
2. Whether by KP8's performance or injury, there's a good chance he gets playing time next year.
3. Don't discount the fact that he could beat Kenny out for the job in the offseason.
4. Steelers will release Trubisky and have other moves they can make to at least be competitive in making an offer. Business first.

 

[Coryea]

Tomlin haters are always going to hate. Your arguments are tired and boring. Aww, we didn't go to Rudolph fast enough. Well guess what? We still made the playoffs, and still would have been a wildcard.

None of you (me included) thought we had a chance at 7-7 off of back to back losses vs 2-10 teams. Then had to face 3 tougher opponents the following 3 weeks and swept them. The difference between Tomlin and most teams when this happens, is Tomlin's leadership, and he never loses the men who believe in him in the locker room.

We are now playing our best football and made the playoffs with dogshit QB play. I'm starting to think this may be Tomlin's best year as a coach. Started strong, but won very close games we could have lost. Had to fire an OC for the first time in Steeler History, mid season. Reset the QB room, and when Kenny was healthy, it was his choice to stay with Rudolph.

I know the haters were waiting with bated breath to blame Tomlin for sticking with Rudolph against the Ravens. You have nothing but crow to eat my friends. Look at Bellicheck, he's supposed to be the best coach ever. Without Tom, he's the same loser coach he was in Cleveland.

And the Tomlin apologist say the same thing, credit him for the finish, but never blame him for the poor play in the middle of the season. He didn't fire anyone, that was Rooney who fired Canada, who Tomlin hired in the first place. Tomlin hasn't won anything without Ben either, so...... It's the same thing almost every year, we get to end of the season and we're needing help to get in. Same as last year, we played crap teams/QB's down the stretch so everybody goes on about how great Tomlin is Crow to eat? We haven't won a playoff game in 6 years.