Let the finger pointing begin - Tomlin

[Spike]

Tomlin almost never singles out players publicly for pointed criticism, preferring to do that privately. However, while looking to turn around his team after a 21-point loss in Cleveland, Tomlin isn't hiding his displeasure with the his team's substandard play.

"Hopefully, we carry the baggage or the stench of that one for some time and use it as positive fuel",Tomlin said Tuesday.

Tomlin hinted at possible changes when the Steelers (3-3) play the Houston Texans (3-3) on Monday night, though most personnel moves could be more injury-related than performance-driven.

Tomlin took time to critique:

Markus Wheaton The wide receiver caught only four of 11 passes thrown his way, and it was evident Ben Roethlisberger was fooled by the way Wheaton ran multiple routes.

"He's got to do a better job"Tomlin said. “Oftentimes, you want to make it complex, and a lot of it is. But ultimately, sometimes when it's just one-on-one football, it's about who's making plays and who's not. We didn't make situational plays, and that's why we lost"

Tomlin said when the Browns were shadowing Antonio Brown as tightly as they were, it usually creates opportunities for the other guy, and Wheaton couldn't take advantage.


Cortez Allen ,Allen gave up 118 yards in pass coverage, including a 51-yard touchdown catch to Jordan Cameron in which he apparently expected safety help. According to Tomlin, he shouldn't have.

"He's got to be able to stay on top of that tight end and prevent that play from happening", Tomlin said. "Obviously, he didn't, and it's something we have to work hard to rectify."

Cornerback Brice McCain, who made a pivotal interception return touchdown in Jacksonville (is) under consideration for more playing time, and rightfully so,Tomlin said.


Jason Worilds He's making almost $10 million to get after the quarterback in a contract year, but the outside linebacker has only two sacks. He's not always playing a rush linebacker's position, but Tomlin won't use that as an excuse.

"He's had some good games and performances in pockets of games, and he's had some games where he's been less impactful", Tomlin saidWe're compensating him to be consistently impactful, and that's what we're searching for."

Young players In essence, Tomlin said it's time for them to grow up.

"I think the larger thing is for them to rise up to the level of standard of expectation in terms of the detail and the energy and the physicality we want them to play"� Tomlin said. "It's less about the adjustments or what we dial back. We've got to put a more positive, consistent performance on the grass than we're putting right now."

Tomlin's critical evaluation wasn't reserved for the players, either. Unhappy with the offense's performance in generating only one touchdown in seven red-zone opportunities the past two games, he said the game planning, in effect, the coaching is partly at fault.

"Not only game planning, but who we're utilizing"� Tomlin said. "Schematics and the personnel that we're utilizing needs to be evaluated."

http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/6952820-74/tomlin-players-games#axzz3G7OrV6Mt

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Calling out Haley too? - will wonders never cease

 

[Superman]

needs to be removing that finger from a certain coach's wife and pointing it at the coaching staff

 

[blitzburghv5]

Within 5 posts this mutherfuckin thread will disintegrate into a HC bashfest................watch for it.

 

[bermudasteel]

Surely, Coach Tomlin did not make these remarks...I didn't read any "jive" in the contents...

 

[antdrewjosh]

I havent posted since the game. Really didnt want to get into the same arguements again. But finally he is calling out individuals like alot here wanted. Like Blitz said this will still turn into a HC bashfest. Honestly I still dont see firing the HC as the fix for this team. But I would be ok with it just so we can have something new to argue about. The fire/keep Tomlin argument has been run into the ground from every angle.

 

[wig]

[sarcasm font] Ya... Watch them come out and beat the Texans to crawl to 4-3. Then they'll have the distinction of having been *****-slapped by two of the worst teams in football. And they'll still likely manage to be in the cellar of the AFC North. Because Markus Wheaton and Cortez Allen suck. And because we have an undersized weak-*** linebacker who never should have been given a decent contract.

But this is NOT a complaint against the coaching staff who has been doing a masterful job with the extraordinary talent they've put together. This is merely a case of a giant group of really ****** players who have managed to pull the wool over the coaches, GM's and talent scouting team's eyes. What amazes me is how well our coaching staff have taken this group of "athletes" who likely couldn't collectively compete against a Texas high school team under regular conditions and managed to make them almost competitive in the modern NFL. [/sarcasm font]

Frankly, I think we should extend all the coaches and perhaps fire the talent scouts.

 

[FordFairLane]

I am glad he is calling out players and wish he had called out more. I would bench Wheaton for at least the first quarter and put Moore in the starting line up. Moore has looked like the second most polished receiver on the team in his limited playing time. I guess it comes with being a veteran but he runs good routes, finds soft spots in the zone, and catches the football. The only knock was the stupid penalty against him. I think Wheaton has a ton of potential and there's things he can do that Moore just can't when it comes to speed but at this point I just want our #2 to get open and run the right routes so when Brown is covered we are still getting positive yards. I also think keeping JB at the slot helps the running game because he can block and taking on a LB as a WR is big for the running game. Also, he has shown good hands the last few weeks and even though he only gets 5-10 a crack and isn't going to make a guy miss or burn past them he gets positive yards that help us get into third and short situations.

Worilds I would bench but who do we play instead?

Keisel is hurt so this might be a good excuse to start Tuitt just to see what the young man can do given the opportunity to play the majority of the snaps. And on the same line I would sit Keisel a week and activate McCullers just to see what he can do when we need a plug in the middle on a few snaps.

I would put Allen back at nickel and start McCain over him for at least a game to see if McCain can do better or if it puts a fire under Cortez butt.

The offensive line has done a better job since Tampa Bay but I would not be opposed to bringing in Mike Adams if we have another debacle with 5 sacks. If Gilbert has a 2-3 sack game again I would bring Adams in to start and give him the opportunity to keep the job until he either plays bad (which if he has a bad quarter I yank him game one) or wins the job for the season.

 

[jitter77]

Gameplanning has been an issue since Tomlin was here. So i guess he is calling himself out. This sounds like the unleashing hell speech, and i bet the same ole people are out there next week.

 

[Vader]

Adams is actually worse at pass blocking than Gilbert. He single handedly almost ended Ben's career last year. You haven't seen a **** RT until you see Adams' fat *** try to move.

 

[steeltruckin]

I am glad he is calling out players and wish he had called out more. I would bench Wheaton for at least the first quarter and put Moore in the starting line up. Moore has looked like the second most polished receiver on the team in his limited playing time. I guess it comes with being a veteran but he runs good routes, finds soft spots in the zone, and catches the football. The only knock was the stupid penalty against him. I think Wheaton has a ton of potential and there's things he can do that Moore just can't when it comes to speed but at this point I just want our #2 to get open and run the right routes so when Brown is covered we are still getting positive yards. I also think keeping JB at the slot helps the running game because he can block and taking on a LB as a WR is big for the running game. Also, he has shown good hands the last few weeks and even though he only gets 5-10 a crack and isn't going to make a guy miss or burn past them he gets positive yards that help us get into third and short situations.

Worilds I would bench but who do we play instead?

Keisel is hurt so this might be a good excuse to start Tuitt just to see what the young man can do given the opportunity to play the majority of the snaps. And on the same line I would sit Keisel a week and activate McCullers just to see what he can do when we need a plug in the middle on a few snaps.

I would put Allen back at nickel and start McCain over him for at least a game to see if McCain can do better or if it puts a fire under Cortez butt.

The offensive line has done a better job since Tampa Bay but I would not be opposed to bringing in Mike Adams if we have another debacle with 5 sacks. If Gilbert has a 2-3 sack game again I would bring Adams in to start and give him the opportunity to keep the job until he either plays bad (which if he has a bad quarter I yank him game one) or wins the job for the season.

I dont understand what you saw in Moore, he was terrible in the Cleveland game with at least 3 drops.
I would give the rookie wr a shot over J. Brown and Moore.

 

[Steel G]

Gameplanning has been an issue since Tomlin was here. So i guess he is calling himself out. This sounds like the unleashing hell speech, and i bet the same ole people are out there next week.

Exactly what I was thinking. He's done this song and dance before, and then the game comes and it's the same old bullshit.

 

[Idioteque]

Tomlin is on top of things, guys. We're moving in the right direction. And even if we are, it's not Tomlin's fault because he doesn't have any responsibilities. Except that he's brilliant and the players never listen.

*brushes off hands, immediately ends discussion, ignores all opposing views*

 

[SteelerSask2]

Don't have a problem with him singling out players or expecting more (trying someone new). That is what he needs to do. However, it must include the coaches. He has to fix the disconnect between QB and OC or terminate the OC immediately.

 

[paperclip]

Bill Cowher would never do those things!

 

[Vader]

I know it's his only responsibility but I don't care about press conferences I didn't care for Cowher's and I don't care for Tomlin's. Every once in awhile a coach may say something that gives some insight to why they did something. But for the most part I find them boring. Tomlin calling out his players means nothing unless he does something with them on the field. The problem Tomlin has is that there is no one behind his starters worth a ****. I like McCullers but he's a late round rookie. I'd play him some just to get some experience. Wheaton sucked last game but who is going to take his place? Wouldn't it be better to let him play it out? He is a 2nd year player. Worilds should never have been tagged. What do you do with him now? Can't cut him and there is no one behind him.

 

[antdrewjosh]

I dont think he was calling them out to bench them but to hopefully get them to play better. He could bench Allen for McClain but there is no one behind Wheaton and Worlids. Like someone said Moore dropped three balls Sunday.

 

[TDX27]

No problem with his comments. But, he needs to lay it out there that no one's job is safe, even the coaches. Everyone, even him, needs to be put on notice.

 

[jitter77]

I don't have a problem with Tomlin calling out players or coaches. You can take Sundays game and call out alot of people, but the issue is not just this one game. The issue is years worth of bad games. How many times did other teams have significant starters out and we do not test the replacements. Also we do not adjust offensively or defensively. If Tomlin doesn't like the play calling then guess what.... He is in charge he can change it. Other HCs have stripped coordinators play calling duties so he can as well.
I think that haley was giving Tomlin a big FU in the Browns game. Tomlin called him out for not running so haley comes in and runs like seemingly every play at first. The funny part is that it was working well but failed to build on it with play action.
There is no denying we are lacking elite talent at some key spots, but we should be able to do more with what we have.

 

[GMC]

It sounds like coach is feeling a little pressure. The question is who's generating it, the media or ownership? Haley must have some really good pictures.

 

[Spike]

there is no one behind Wheaton

It's Martavis Bryant time


Bench Wheaton and Justin Brown - start Bryant and Darrius Heyward-Bey

 

[antdrewjosh]

It's Martavis Bryant time


Bench Wheaton and Justin Brown - start Bryant and Darrius Heyward-Bey

Believe it or not Spike I totally forgot about him. Geez I'm getting old. You're right it maybe time. Let him play thru his mistakes can't be any worse then now. He brings a big body presence and might be what this offense needs. Cant believe I forgot about him.

 

[Steeltime]

The problems on defense begin at nose tackle. McClendon has been better this year than last, no doubt, but is not the type of nose tackle teams must account for.

McCullers is not ready yet. He is a tall guy and plays too high. He needs to fix that. However, from what I have seen personally in high-level competition, the players need game time, to see what happens if they play too high, or bite on the pump fake, or get sucked in on play-action, or fail to turn their hips and start running with the receiver, or grab at the receiver to slow him down, etc.

The only reason why McCullers and Tuitt are not getting more playing time is that Tomlin believes that this team - yes, THIS TEAM - can compete for a championship.

Otherwise, let McCullers and Tuitt improve with game experience.

Will that lead to more problems and likely an additional loss or 2 in 2014? Yes. Yes, it will.

Will that, however, also make those 2 much, MUCH better players for 2015, and show the Steelers what they have for next season?

Yes, it will.

Until Tomlin acknowledges that the talent level has fallen off so dramatically that this team is NOT going to compete for the playoffs, or a championship, in 2014, he will continue to play the "safe" players, lose the experience that could otherwise be gained, stumble to a meaningless 7-9 record, and wind up with a worse draft spot and less experienced players.

 

[bermudasteel]

I am glad he is calling out players and wish he had called out more. I would bench Wheaton for at least the first quarter and put Moore in the starting line up. Moore has looked like the second most polished receiver on the team in his limited playing time. I guess it comes with being a veteran but he runs good routes, finds soft spots in the zone, and catches the football. The only knock was the stupid penalty against him. I think Wheaton has a ton of potential and there's things he can do that Moore just can't when it comes to speed but at this point I just want our #2 to get open and run the right routes so when Brown is covered we are still getting positive yards. I also think keeping JB at the slot helps the running game because he can block and taking on a LB as a WR is big for the running game. Also, he has shown good hands the last few weeks and even though he only gets 5-10 a crack and isn't going to make a guy miss or burn past them he gets positive yards that help us get into third and short situations.

Worilds I would bench but who do we play instead?

Keisel is hurt so this might be a good excuse to start Tuitt just to see what the young man can do given the opportunity to play the majority of the snaps. And on the same line I would sit Keisel a week and activate McCullers just to see what he can do when we need a plug in the middle on a few snaps.

I would put Allen back at nickel and start McCain over him for at least a game to see if McCain can do better or if it puts a fire under Cortez butt.

The offensive line has done a better job since Tampa Bay but I would not be opposed to bringing in Mike Adams if we have another debacle with 5 sacks. If Gilbert has a 2-3 sack game again I would bring Adams in to start and give him the opportunity to keep the job until he either plays bad (which if he has a bad quarter I yank him game one) or wins the job for the season.

I dont understand what you saw in Moore, he was terrible in the Cleveland game with at least 3 drops.
I would give the rookie wr a shot over J. Brown and Moore.

Not sure if you saw what we saw...but, Moore had the dropsies on Sunday...

 

[bermudasteel]

The problems on defense begin at nose tackle. McClendon has been better this year than last, no doubt, but is not the type of nose tackle teams must account for.

McCullers is not ready yet. He is a tall guy and plays too high. He needs to fix that. However, from what I have seen personally in high-level competition, the players need game time, to see what happens if they play too high, or bite on the pump fake, or get sucked in on play-action, or fail to turn their hips and start running with the receiver, or grab at the receiver to slow him down, etc.

The only reason why McCullers and Tuitt are not getting more playing time is that Tomlin believes that this team - yes, THIS TEAM - can compete for a championship.

Otherwise, let McCullers and Tuitt improve with game experience.

Will that lead to more problems and likely an additional loss or 2 in 2014? Yes. Yes, it will.

Will that, however, also make those 2 much, MUCH better players for 2015, and show the Steelers what they have for next season?

Yes, it will.

Until Tomlin acknowledges that the talent level has fallen off so dramatically that this team is NOT going to compete for the playoffs, or a championship, in 2014, he will continue to play the "safe" players, lose the experience that could otherwise be gained, stumble to a meaningless 7-9 record, and wind up with a worse draft spot and less experienced players.

Hmmmm....many here know that "rookies just don't start" in Coach LeBeau's defense. It's a fact.

Am I disputing that we should start McCullers and Tuitt? No - but, I don't think that your pointing your finger in the right direction...

 

[Idioteque]

Hmmmm....many here know that "rookies just don't start" in Coach LeBeau's defense. It's a fact.

Am I disputing that we should start McCullers and Tuitt? No - but, I don't think that your pointing your finger in the right direction...

That's gone out the window.. Shazier and Jarvis were rookie starters..