Game 1 Press Conference vs Browns

[Idioteque]

This forum has officially become unbearable and unreadable. It's pretty pathetic that I have to block almost 50% of the posters in this thread. I couldn't make it past page 2.

Keeping people like Idiot and Franco on the board just drives people away.

May I suggest a different ***** cream?

 

[insaniti]

Why are we using a SB win from six years ago as the barometer of a head coach? Why does 2008 prove that Tomlin is awesome, and that our recent downturn in every facet of the game doesn't matter?

Why is that win constantly brushed under the rug as if it doesn't matter? And why is the the second trip to the big game completely forgot about? We can chalk up the season after to injuries just piling up by the time the playoffs hit. And two seasons of 8-8, while they aren't what we as fans hope for, they are hardly a reason to completely bury a headcoach. Cowher had his down years, Noll had his down years. Every coach is going to have down years. This is not to say that Tomlin ranks up there with the best of them, it DOES however say that he isn't as bad as a lot of people on the board make him out to be, AND he's still pretty young as far as headcoaches go.

 

[Idioteque]

Looking back over the thread. What in the name of **** could I have said to get myself blocked by someone? It must have been this cruel, penetrating insult:

Yes, and what the NFL agrees with has no correlation to success

Or this devastating slur:

What are Tomlin's strengths as a coach?

Yeesh, I've got goosebumps just reading back over it. It's bullying at its worst: grown men being forced to read.non-profane criticisms of a millionaire NFL head coach. We're forming a prayer circle for those affected by my hate speech. To maybe, just maybe, heal this world a little.

 

[Supersteeler]

Looking back over the thread. What in the name of **** could I have said to get myself blocked by someone? It must have been this cruel, penetrating insult:



Or this devastating slur:



Yeesh, I've got goosebumps just reading back over it. It's bullying at its worst: grown men being forced to read.non-profane criticisms of a millionaire NFL head coach. We're forming a prayer circle for those affected by my hate speech. To maybe, just maybe, heal this world a little.

It's not that one comment that you've ever said that is so bad. It's more about your penchant for sustained, persistent bitching and complaining...on many many subjects. For people that aren't miserable every day of their lives, it does get wearisome after a certain point.

 

[Idioteque]

It's not that one comment that you've ever said that is so bad. It's more about your penchant for sustained, persistent bitching and complaining...on many many subjects. For people that aren't miserable every day of their lives, it does get wearisome after a certain point.

And that apparently makes me blockworthy, and I should be disallowed to post. Read the dude's post, Meredith.

I get it, friend-o. Not a day goes by you don't ***** and whine about me. Talk about goddamn wearisome.

 

[BLITZ]

cant we all just get along???

 

[DBS1970]

Why is that win constantly brushed under the rug as if it doesn't matter? And why is the the second trip to the big game completely forgot about? We can chalk up the season after to injuries just piling up by the time the playoffs hit. And two seasons of 8-8, while they aren't what we as fans hope for, they are hardly a reason to completely bury a headcoach. Cowher had his down years, Noll had his down years. Every coach is going to have down years. This is not to say that Tomlin ranks up there with the best of them, it DOES however say that he isn't as bad as a lot of people on the board make him out to be, AND he's still pretty young as far as headcoaches go.

Well because it was 6 years ago. But mainly because it was in the meat of the time when he had great team with a core of players built by another coach. You can couple that with the fact that our team has been headed steadily down hill since. I am not a fan of Captain Cliché but another 8-8 season or worse and I will join the ranks of those calling for him to be gone.

 

[Idioteque]

Why is that win constantly brushed under the rug as if it doesn't matter? And why is the the second trip to the big game completely forgot about?

I just can't draw a correlation between years-old wins or W-L record and Tomlin's greatness. Jim Caldwell took a team to the Super Bowl; so did Bill Callahan and Jim Fassel and Bobby Ross. (And sorry, but I also can't draw THAT thick of a line between a coach reaching a Super Bowl and winning that day. It doesn't grant you mystical status because your team won that afternoon.) Brian Billick won one; so did Barry Switzer. And if we are going to rank coaches by specific games from years ago, then the Tebow loss, one of the most embarrassing in playoff history, should carry some weight. Furthermore, I'm in the camp of folks who believe we won in 2008 largely in spite of Tomlin and Arians.

I evaluate Tomlin based on what I think his strengths and weaknesses are, and how well I feel he adjusts his team in-game, in-season, between seasons, etc. And I haven't seen anything change one iota over the course of his tenure. Same weaknesses we've had since 2007, only some have gotten worse. Still an undisciplined team that brainfarts constantly and doesn't force turnovers. Every unit on our team, save for QB and perhaps the secondary, has wither remained stagnant or tailspun since Tomlin took over and Cowher's core began to age/retire. The running game has gone from elite to subpar. The offensive line has become one of the league's worst. The receivers have yo-yo'd and are now a big question mark. The once-dominant front seven is now a total weakness; the d-line stops nobody, and the pass rush is non-existent. Exactly zero young star DBs have emerged in seven years under the DB guru himself (well, one did, but he left for a VERY reasonable deal elsewhere). And special teams, which Tomlin has tinkered with for seven years running, remains awful. So what positives do we draw on for optimism?

And his gameday work is just bizarre. No coach is perfect, but the bumblefucks Tomlin has managed are just eye-popping. How does a HC not grasp the difference between being down two scores and being down three, in the fourth quarter? How do you go for two from the 12? Why do you ask your feather-footed kicker, who can barely kick a ball 40 yards, to drill a 51-yarder late in the Super Bowl when you had little to gain from the FG even if he somehow made it? Why would you run out the clock with 1:47 left in the first half? Why must you challenge completely inconsequential first-quarter plays in which the outcome makes no real difference? Why would you kick a FG from the one-inch line in the first quarter of the Super Bowl? Why do you so frequently kick ultra-long FGs on 4th-and-2s? How do you wander onto the field during a kick return when you're watching the return happen? How do you leave your visually hobbled QB in for meaningless regular season games as you enter the playoffs? Furthermore, how do you leave your backup QB in the game when the entire world watched him injure his arm on the opening drive, and he's visually unable to throw a football? How do you keep a horrific offensive system in place for years without demanding a change or adjustment? There are so many head-scratching things Tomlin has done that I'm probably forgetting dozens here.

How do you lose to THIS many bad teams? How do you fall into mediocrity during a HOF QB's prime, especially with a defensive machine and possibly the best DC ever?

We can chalk up the season after to injuries just piling up by the time the playoffs hit. And two seasons of 8-8, while they aren't what we as fans hope for, they are hardly a reason to completely bury a headcoach. Cowher had his down years, Noll had his down years. Every coach is going to have down years. This is not to say that Tomlin ranks up there with the best of them, it DOES however say that he isn't as bad as a lot of people on the board make him out to be, AND he's still pretty young as far as headcoaches go.

This is more just attributing W-L record to the coach and using it as the measuring stick. (Besides, Tomlin played a big role in our injury issues that postseason, keeping Ben in meaningless regular-season games while he could barely walk.) Look beyond the results (which have become quite ******) and evaluate the coach: what are his strengths? What is he good at? In seven years, can we name one aspect of the team that has improved? I legitimately can't.

 

[insaniti]

Well because it was 6 years ago. But mainly because it was in the meat of the time when he had great team with a core of players built by another coach. You can couple that with the fact that our team has been headed steadily down hill since. I am not a fan of Captain Cliché but another 8-8 season or worse and I will join the ranks of those calling for him to be gone.

I guess I just don't see the steadily down hill. The win was 6 years ago, but the second trip was 4. We made the playoffs the year after, but were devastated by injuries. Ben was hobbled, the OL was missing two players, D line was thin, etc. We went in with a gameplan that would have worked had Tebow not had the game of his life. Even the throw in OT was a throw he doesn't make all the time, and Troy admitted to being out of position. In fact, that year we were 12-4. It's not like we squeaked into the playoffs.

Lets look at this differently, 10-6, 12-4, 9-7, 12-4, 12-4, 8-8, 8-8. Show me where that "steady decline is". Two years is hardly a steady decline.

 

[Stryker]

Again Switzer has a Super Bowl ring . How many other coaches in the league inherited a Super Bowl winning roster and a franchise QB?

Funny how cope doesn't answer or defend a single question any GM would ask Tomlin about his declining record and team performance but not really surprising as he is not a particularly objective poster, rah rah

And Switzer never made it to multiple SBs. George Siefert. What do I win?

What's the decline? 12 wins to 8? I doubt any team with a losing record would think twice about jumping at the chance for him. The questions you ask are not the questions that would be asked in a job interview. They would be the questions a disappointed fan would ask a coach that they don't want. You're arguing in a fishbowl, and I am stating the big picture. The man is respected in the league and will be rehired if dropped. You don't have to like the guy for him to be a commodity, which he is.

Why are we using a SB win from six years ago as the barometer of a head coach? Why does 2008 prove that Tomlin is awesome, and that our recent downturn in every facet of the game doesn't matter?

It's not my barometer, it's the league's. 4 years removed from his last SB and seven years of coaching without a losing record is not only the benchmark to be rehired, but also to be sought after. He is a Superbowl winning coach, and that is the metric for retaining employment in the NFL.

 

[Idioteque]

It's not my barometer, it's the league's. 4 years removed from his last SB and seven years of coaching without a losing record is not only the benchmark to be rehired, but also to be sought after. He is a Superbowl winning coach, and that is the metric for retaining employment in the NFL.

I get that that's your point; I just don't see its relevance I guess.

 

[DBS1970]

I guess I just don't see the steadily down hill. The win was 6 years ago, but the second trip was 4. We made the playoffs the year after, but were devastated by injuries. Ben was hobbled, the OL was missing two players, D line was thin, etc. We went in with a gameplan that would have worked had Tebow not had the game of his life. Even the throw in OT was a throw he doesn't make all the time, and Troy admitted to being out of position. In fact, that year we were 12-4. It's not like we squeaked into the playoffs.

Lets look at this differently, 10-6, 12-4, 9-7, 12-4, 12-4, 8-8, 8-8. Show me where that "steady decline is". Two years is hardly a steady decline.

Its your prerogative to see 8-8 as being okay. To me coupled with what others have been pointing out here Ad Infinitem I can't see Captain Cliché as anything other than a mediocre coach that was jumped up out of a coordinator position too soon. I hope he grows into the job, but if he doesn't then he has to go.

 

[Idioteque]

Its your prerogative to see 8-8 as being okay. To me coupled with what others have been pointing out here Ad Infinitem I can't see Captain Cliché as anything other than a mediocre coach that was jumped up out of a coordinator position too soon. I hope he grows into the job, but if he doesn't then he has to go.

Not to speak for insaniti or anyone in particular.. but 8-8 is generally OK for folks. Typically, it's the same folks who are cool with Jarvis in the 1st and Ike as our top corner. As long as we're not truly awful, that's all they ask.

 

[ark steel]

I love how everyone is saying 8-8 is OK with them because that is how I feel and I don't want to feel alone anymore.

I love 8-8 so much, I can barely ******* type it without creaming my pants.

You people ***** about others using Hyperbole and ridiculous arguments, then turn around with **** like "well, I guess if you are OK with 8-8, that is OK with me, but I am not".

 

[Vader]

I would have more faith in Tomlin if he had shown he could put together a competitive team. People don't realize just how many of Cowher's players were on this team up until recently. Hell in Tomlin's only SB win he had ONE starter on defense that wasn't brought in by Cowher. On offense 8 were from Cowher. And the 3 that weren't were Sean McHugh, Hartwig, and Stapleton. All of which were below the line players. I don't think Stapleton played but one year and Hartwig was horrible. And if you take the time to go back and look at all the roster changes you'll see the only long term good players are from Cowher's time. Even 6 years into his tenure when the Steelers lose to Tim Tebow, Tomlin still has half of his defense from Cowher. Not only that but only 2 of those (Timmons and Woodley) are worth a ****. Mundy, Hood, and Gay are well below the line.

I want to see some of these draft picks either coached up OR draft better players. The team can't keep drafting the Hoods of the world and expect to compete. Tomlin complained about Wallace being a one trick pony. Well guess who the **** drafted him? Don't blame the player when you're the guy that brought him in. And up to this point the best players on the team TODAY are still from Cowher's time; Ben, Miller, Troy, Ike, Keisel. Only Brown is a pro-bowl caliber player from Tomlin's time. Maybe Pouncey will be but IMHO he wasn't that good after his rookie season. But it's time to put up or shut up.

 

[antdrewjosh]

Vader i dont think he was complaining about Wallace. He was motivating Wallace to be more then a just a deep threat.

 

[insaniti]

Its your prerogative to see 8-8 as being okay. To me coupled with what others have been pointing out here Ad Infinitem I can't see Captain Cliché as anything other than a mediocre coach that was jumped up out of a coordinator position too soon. I hope he grows into the job, but if he doesn't then he has to go.

You're misunderstanding. 8-8 isn't horrible, it's not great, it's not good, but it's not the Browns 4-12. The first 8-8 we started out strong, and injuries hit us hard and we slumped at the end of the year. This last year we started out BADLY. Put ourselves in a HUGE hole, and "Captain Cliche" as you guys love to call him, kept this team together and focused enough to salvage a season most thought was completely lost. If it hadn't been for a blown call in a different game, that 8-8 would have still got us to the playoffs. The last half of the season showed enough hope for this year, the offense started to click, the defense didn't suck as much.

You guys just act as if it's been decades since we were relevant, completely forgetting that we were 12-4 just two years ago.

 

[Idioteque]

The first 8-8 we started out strong, and injuries hit us hard and we slumped at the end of the year.

Injuries always hit us hard. Sadly, we have no depth at any position on the field.

This last year we started out BADLY. Put ourselves in a HUGE hole, and "Captain Cliche" as you guys love to call him, kept this team together and focused enough to salvage a season most thought was completely lost.

For some reason, we're only to consider the kinda strong finish to the season. The dominant stretch in which we were epically humiliated by the Pats, then got absolutely gashed by Matt Flynn and Ryan Tannehill, losing to the latter in Pittsburgh - that's our glimmer of hope, and proof of Tomlin's coaching acumen. The 0-4 and 2-6 start - not important. Matt Flynn throwing for 800 yards and nearly beating us - not important. Falling apart against bad teams at the end of 2012 when we were in the driver seat for the playoffs - not important. Or at least not Tomlin's fault: it was all on someone else. They only listened to Tomlin's brilliance in the first half of 2012 and the second half of 2013.

If it hadn't been for a blown call in a different game, that 8-8 would have still got us to the playoffs.

If it hadn't been for STILL more bed-shittings against the dregs of the NFL (Titans, Vikings, Raiders), we wouldn't have had to rely on Ryan Succop and the Chargers-Chiefs refs. Again, it really sounds like you were cool with 8-8.

The last half of the season showed enough hope for this year, the offense started to click, the defense didn't suck as much.

Seven years into his tenure, we shouldn't be looking for promise, or glimpses of hope. We should have a cohesive, well-defined team with a strong core and solid depth. Instead, we're pointing to the refs and our annual injury onslaught to explain why THIS year doesn't count against Tomlin's evaluation.

You guys just act as if it's been decades since we were relevant, completely forgetting that we were 12-4 just two years ago.

Our tailspin began that season, culminating in the most embarrassing playoff loss in team history. Two lost seasons, ripped right out of Ben's prime and the end of LeBeau's career. We'll see how big of a deal that becomes, but with middling young "talent" on board, I shudder to think of our outlook when Ben is no longer elite. Gonna take a lot of 19-yard first-quarter FGs to beat the Raiders when that day comes.

 

[Vader]

Vader i dont think he was complaining about Wallace. He was motivating Wallace to be more then a just a deep threat.

So Tomlin was saying he was only a deep threat right? Isn't that a complaint? He maybe using it to motivate him but he was complaining about his one dimensional play. BTW Tomlin didn't want to fire the OC... you know the guy that calls the plays to "go deep".

 

[ark steel]

Matt Flynn threw for 800 yards in last year's game?

 

[ark steel]

Our tailspin began that season, culminating in the most embarrassing playoff loss in team history. Two lost seasons, ripped right out of Ben's prime and the end of LeBeau's career. We'll see how big of a deal that becomes, but with middling young "talent" on board, I shudder to think of our outlook when Ben is no longer elite. Gonna take a lot of 19-yard first-quarter FGs to beat the Raiders when that day comes.

A play that, apparently, has been admitted to as one of Cowher's players fault. Too bad Tomlin had coached all of that out of him.

 

[Idioteque]

A play that, apparently, has been admitted to as one of Cowher's players fault. Too bad Tomlin had coached all of that out of him.

Huh? Try again.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

So Tomlin was saying he was only a deep threat right? Isn't that a complaint? He maybe using it to motivate him but he was complaining about his one dimensional play. BTW Tomlin didn't want to fire the OC... you know the guy that calls the plays to "go deep".

So every observation that someone could improve in any way is a complaint? I guess Tomlin should never make those observations asking his players to improve for fear that fans might perceive him as complaining too much.

 

[Confluence]

Matt Flynn threw for 800 yards in last year's game?

yep

eight hundred and eleventy seven.....saw on the interwebz.

 

[Vader]

So every observation that someone could improve in any way is a complaint? I guess Tomlin should never make those observations asking his players to improve for fear that fans might perceive him as complaining too much.

It wasn't an observation. I know he is trying to work some jedi mind trick on Wallace but it is a complaint not an observation. Also saying it in public accomplished what exactly? Why not keep it in house. People ***** and moan when players air **** to the press but I guess it's ok for their leader to do it? If he wanted to scold Wallace then fine but be a man and say what you mean instead of this childish "one trick pony" ****.

And like I said. He's the guy that kept around the OC who wanted to do EXACTLY what Tomlin is bitching about. BA hated short passes...except for bubble screens.