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Mike Tomlin is an Excellent Game Manager

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I know, among Steeler fans, Mike Tomlin is usually regarded as a very good head coach, but he has a reputation of being bad at managing the clock. I’ve been tracking this narrative all season, and it appears to be false. Not only is it false, but I’ve found that Mike Tomlin might be one […]
The post Mike Tomlin is an Excellent Game Manager appeared first on SteelerNation.com.


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CharlesDavenport said:
Tomlin sucks.
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ladies and gentlemen, mr. charles davenport!!

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First off, I do consider MT to be a top tier coach (one of the best currently coaching). On the eye test he is generally good with the +/- heading into ending of half and game. I would say that is more a reflection of the offense taking the reigns off Ben and running hurry up. I can't fully jump on board with him being great with clock management though when he seems to waste timeouts on simply awful challenges, but his aggressive usage of timeouts has created extra opportunities which for that kudos.

Once Ben has rode off into the sunset we will get a more clear look at what MT is bringing to the table. Right now our staff likely looks a bit better than they may be do to the likes of a HOF QB, WR and probably RB as well...can't fault them for drafting talent to make themselves look good though
 
Fiji Mariner said:
First off, I do consider MT to be a top tier coach (one of the best currently coaching). On the eye test he is generally good with the +/- heading into ending of half and game. I would say that is more a reflection of the offense taking the reigns off Ben and running hurry up. I can't fully jump on board with him being great with clock management though when he seems to waste timeouts on simply awful challenges, but his aggressive usage of timeouts has created extra opportunities which for that kudos.

Once Ben has rode off into the sunset we will get a more clear look at what MT is bringing to the table. Right now our staff likely looks a bit better than they may be do to the likes of a HOF QB, WR and probably RB as well...can't fault them for drafting talent to make themselves look good though
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Name a Head Coach who has made it into the HOF without having HOF talent on his roster. The one goes hand in hand with the other.
 
Confluence said:
No author on article.

Justin probably had one of Steeler chick groupies do it.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
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Author's name is in 2 locations. Right below the title of the article, and in the black border of the picture box, without a pic. I'd know because I did the research for this one...
 
those that hate Tomlin so much must not watch many really bad coaches....tune in a few Texans games and and watch how they handle time management
 
IMO our clock management issues are mainly when we have the ball. I think Ben has some questionable clock management that may get wrongly blamed on Tomlin. There have been instances where he seems very eager to spike the ball in situations where it'd be fine to let 10, 15, 20 seconds run off the clock and save the down. He'll also be the one to call a timeout with say 1:30 left on the clock and we're in the red zone. Clearly time isn't against us at that point so a timeout is unnecessary and just leaves more time for the other team if we happen to score. Tomlin isn't squeaky clean in this category but I agree somewhat with the premise that he has been wrongfully accused of having poor clock management in some instances.

Here's my 2 cents on Tomlin...

What I like about him:
1) He is very good at getting the offense an extra possession through the use of timeouts when we are on D. Some coaches would let the clock run out to get to halftime but he takes the chance that our D will make a stop and gives the O that extra possession to usually at least get a FG. Because we are so good in the no huddle, I think this has been paramount to a lot of our success this year and something that has been overlooked until this article.

2) I love the fact he goes for it on 4th and short more often than not. The odds are in the offenses favor to pick up a yard so I like when he makes that call. I would like to see some QB sneaks in a lot of these situations but that's a different story. All in all, it gives our team a better chance to win.

3) I like Tomlin's end of game strategy when we have the ball with a lead. It's his call whether we play it safe or go for the win and I love that he usually chooses to go for the win. I don't care how well our D has played, don't ever give the other team the ball back if it can be avoided.

4) Playing to the level of his opponent. This is also one of the biggest negatives but it can be a positive. We seem to be prepared and focused for tough challenges (aside from the Pats) which gives us a chance to win against anyone in the league any given week no matter the situation (except for playing in Foxboro).

What I don't like about him:
1) I used to like when we would go for 2. Seems like we have gone away from that this season and not sure why. Bos has even missed an XP or two so it's not like even those are automatic. Would like to see us be more aggressive again. I think we've only gone for 2 3 times so far this season. We had a couple games last season where we went for it a few times each game.

2) Having a scripted set of plays to start each game. I have heard the announcers during a few games this season mention that the Steelers script the first 10-15 plays or something along those lines and I think that's really dumb unless the opposing defense shows you exactly what you thought they would. To me, that seems like we're running those 10-15 plays in order no matter what the defense shows. Yet time and time again we do not have success early in games. Could this be a reason why? Haley may script the plays but ultimately it's Tomlin's decision whether to go with the scripted play strategy leading up to the game so he gets most of the blame. Honestly, I don't know why we don't give Ben the keys to the offense ala Peyton and just let him go to work. It's one of the few things that consistently works for our offense.

3) The Pats* are in his head. I know Dungy asked the question but Tomlin's answer about thinking about the Pats* a few weeks in advance proves it. The horrid game-plans we have had for previous Pats* games have me skeptical this will ever change but I guess we may find out soon.

4) Like I mentioned above, playing to the level of his opponents is also a negative and his biggest one. Losing to inferior teams has become his MO throughout his tenure. It's happened way too often to be considered a coincidence. It's a combination of a lack of focus, preparation, proper game-plan, in game management/adjustments, and player execution. Tomlin gets a lot of the blame but certainly not all. Still, I think it's his biggest downfall and really the main factor of him not being considered one of the best coaches this century not named Belichick. He's a good coach, it's tough for anyone to deny that, but this is the only thing that keeps me from saying "yes he's clearly one of the best and we can't afford to lose him". Because of this, it's difficult for me to call him a great coach since great coaches should at a minimum beat the teams they're supposed to beat.
 
Great post Nitsuj,

I'm going to write an article later on the risk/reward of going for 2, especially in bad weather, but I agree I'd like to see him go for 2 more often as well.

As far as a script, I think Haley runs an open script as opposed to Andy Reid who always ran a set script, and ran those plays in order. With an open script, Haley is checking to see how the D reacts to those plays, so hopefully, they can be taken advantage of in the same personnel groupings later. I have to think this strategy is currently working since the Steelers are scoring more at the end of halves and games, when they need to. I am with you though, I would absolutely prefer Ben to call all of his own plays at this point in his career. Haley than can advise on the sideline, what he sees, and how they can take advantage of it. It seems to me that it would be Haley's decision about the script, but if it wasn't working, I'm sure Tomlin could advise otherwise.

Can't argue about the Pats, until the Steelers win there.

Though it is an insane number of road game losses to losing teams, and that jumps off the page. I think he's 8-14 now, and the odd thing is he should be a terrible coach at winning games. The crazier thing, is even with this bad tendency, he has a chance to break Don Shula's win record for first 11 seasons, this year. This means Tomlin is very good against good to great teams. He does seem to have his teams ready when they play great teams, and his total record has shown that he is extremely successful against better talent. If he cleans up the road losses to losing teams, he will be an even better coach, though he has been getting better at it the last few seasons.
 
Here's what I dont get. We used to defer if we won the coin toss, but this season we always take the ball. I don't like that strategy. I want the ball to start the 2nd half every time.
 
Steeler;444089[B said:
]Here's what I dont get. [/B]We used to defer if we won the coin toss, but this season we always take the ball. I don't like that strategy. I want the ball to start the 2nd half every time.
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What is there to get exactly? We are 10 and 2 and this is what you have an issue with? To each their own I guess.
 
stillwright said:
What is there to get exactly? We are 10 and 2 and this is what you have an issue with? To each their own I guess.
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No, it's great that we are 10-2. That has nothing to do with it.
I was simply commenting that I feel (for this team) we are better suited to take the ball first in the 2nd half.
Its just my opinion. You think Tomlin is flawless?
 
Cope said:
Author's name is in 2 locations. Right below the title of the article, and in the black border of the picture box, without a pic. I'd know because I did the research for this one...
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It doesn't show on either place on my iPhone.

Thanks for your work


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
Steeler said:
No, it's great that we are 10-2. That has nothing to do with it.
I was simply commenting that I feel (for this team) we are better suited to take the ball first in the 2nd half.
Its just my opinion. You think Tomlin is flawless?
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And why do you feel we are better suited to take the ball first in the second half? Based off of what exactly? And I'm not a Tomlin lover. In not a Tomlin hater either. I just know the guy isn't going anywhere soon. That is just a fact. And we are 10 and 2. I don't care when we take the stupid ball. Just as long as we score when we do.
 
stillwright said:
And why do you feel we are better suited to take the ball first in the second half? Based off of what exactly? And I'm not a Tomlin lover. In not a Tomlin hater either. I just know the guy isn't going anywhere soon. That is just a fact. And we are 10 and 2. I don't care when we take the stupid ball. Just as long as we score when we do.
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I'm not a Tomlin hater either, I dont have a lot to ***** about with him. We are winning after all. I like taking the ball to start the 2nd, for one I feel this team is a better 2nd half team. For 2, it just feels right to me and apparently other teams do not want us to have it after halftime because they seem to always defer. But like a said it's just my opinion, but I'm not the coach and like you I just want to win.

PS....I must be buzzed pretty good cuz this post after reading it sounds like a ******* first grader typed it out
Ignore at your discretion.
 
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SteelBuckeye said:
Name a Head Coach who has made it into the HOF without having HOF talent on his roster. The one goes hand in hand with the other.
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I never said MT was HOF, slow down with that talk till he wins another SB. I just gave us credit for drafting 3 or more potential HOF on the offensive side alone...and said he was top tier current coach.
 
Steeler said:
I'm not a Tomlin hater either, I dont have a lot to ***** about with him. We are winning after all. I like taking the ball to start the 2nd, for one I feel this team is a better 2nd half team. For 2, it just feels right to me and apparently other teams do not want us to have it after halftime because they seem to always defer. But like a said it's just my opinion, but I'm not the coach and like you I just want to win.

PS....I must be buzzed pretty good cuz this post after reading it sounds like a ******* first grader typed it out
Ignore at your discretion.
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I'm 100% with you Steeler. I think it is best to defer if you win the toss, to take the ball in the second half. Though I think we lost some coin tosses and the other team deferred, so we have to take possession. If you don't, you lose possession for both halves. I know sometimes Tomlin wants the offense to start with the ball at home, to run no huddle and get a quick lead. It's an interesting thought, but here is where taking possesion gets you a second half advantage: By taking possession in the first half, the opponent is forced to take possesion in the second half (or face losing both possessions), so when they take the 2nd half possession, the Steelers get to pick which end of the field to defend. In heinz field, it is an advantage to select the closed end, so the away team is kicking toward the open end. So at home, taking ball in the first half lines your defense up positionally in the second half.

Though there was one report that I read that Tomlin was considering choosing the side of the field instead of possession in overtime, against the Bears. We lost the toss, so that strategy was moot, but if you don't take possession in OT, it is a terrible move to refuse possession. A game can be won on a TD, and you don't get the ball back if that happens. So clearly the best strategy is to score in a way, on your first possession in OT, that doesn't give your opponent the ball back. Go for the TD!
 
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