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Noll, Cowher, Tomlin…fire them all!

You serious?

Contextually, Minnesota’s era was completely different football. LeVeon and AB would have been tremendously athletic, but massively killed by the defenses at that time. Do your research before you respond. The rules then would have them clocked every play.

Kelly, Thomas, and Reed were all “in their prime”, played together and were league leaders. Not to mention they ALL wear Gold Jackets. Ben will be a first ballot for the HOF, AB won’t and LeVeon won’t get in.

Why obfuscate your true intent? You want to compare statistics of players to validate your disdain of Tomlin. It doesn’t matter anymore, you got your wish and he’s gone. Take a breather, you are going to need it when Tomlin gets his gold jacket and you start beating on the long dead horse..
Didn't think you had anything real to justify your position.
Thanks for verifying
 
Didn't think you had anything real to justify your position.
Thanks for verifying
I gave you all the data/statistics you asked for. You just don’t like the end sum of the justification.

Try it this way, YOU provide AB/LeVeon numbers to why they out shine multiple season All-Pros who have gold jackets.
 
I gave you all the data/statistics you asked for. You just don’t like the end sum of the justification.

Try it this way, YOU provide AB/LeVeon numbers to why they out shine multiple season All-Pros who have gold jackets.

Not even close​

PlayerCareer GamesReceptionsReceiving YardsReceiving TDsYards/Game
Antonio Brown14692812,2918384.2 (StatMuse)
Ahmad Rashad1394956,83144*~49.1*
Sammy White1323936,40050~48.5
John Gilliam1513827,05648~46.8


PlayerSeasonsAvg Receptions/SeasonAvg Yards/SeasonAvg TDs/Season
Antonio Brown1277.31,024.36.9
Ahmad Rashad1145.0621.04.0
Sammy White1039.3640.05.0
John Gilliam1134.7641.54.4

🧮 Career Totals & Derived Metrics​

🏈 Le’Veon Bell — Pittsburgh Steelers (2013–2017)

We’re isolating only his time in Pittsburgh (the years he was a Steeler):
  • Seasons: 5 (2013–2017)
  • Games played: 62
  • Total scrimmage yards: 7,996 (rushing + receiving)
    • 2013: 860 rush + 399 rec = 1,259
    • 2014: 1,361 rush + 854 rec = 2,215
    • 2015: 556 + 136 = 692
    • 2016: 1,268 + 616 = 1,884
    • 2017: 1,291 + 655 = 1,946
Per-Season Averages (Steelers)
  • Scrimmage yards/season: ~1,599
  • Games/season: 12.4
  • Scrimmage yards per game: ~129.0

🏈 Thurman Thomas (1988–2000)

Career totals over 13 NFL seasons:
  • Games played: 182
  • Total scrimmage yards: 16,532
Per-Season Averages
  • Scrimmage yards/season: ~1,271
  • Games/season: ~14.0
  • Scrimmage yards per game: ~90.8

🏈 Chuck Foreman (1973–1980)

Career totals over 8 NFL seasons (Minnesota and New England):
  • Rushing + receiving totals: ~9,106 total yards from scrimmage (5,950 rush + 3,156 rec)
  • Games played: Pro Football Reference doesn’t list a simple career GP in our search results, so we infer from his seasonal data that he played about 103 games (1973–1980 totals from PF-R show 12, 13, 14, 14, 14, 11, 9, 6 by season on their page — typical career totals). This is an estimate based on season counts.
Per-Season Averages (8 seasons)
  • Scrimmage yards/season: ~1,138
  • Estimated games/season: ~12.9
  • Estimated scrimmage yards per game: ~88.3

📊 Comparison Table​

PlayerSeasonsScrimmage Yds/SeasonScrimmage Yds/Game
Le’Veon Bell (Steelers)5~1,599~129.0
Thurman Thomas13~1,271~90.8
Chuck Foreman8~1,138~88.3 (est.)
 
I gave you all the data/statistics you asked for. You just don’t like the end sum of the justification.

Try it this way, YOU provide AB/LeVeon numbers to why they out shine multiple season All-Pros who have gold jackets.
Again not close. Numbers are numbers.

🏈 Career Passing Stats (Regular Season)

StatBen RoethlisbergerJim KellyFran Tarkenton
Seasons18 (2004–2021)11 (1986–1996)18 (1961–1978)
Games Played249160273*
Passing Yards64,08835,46747,003
Passing TDs418237342
Interceptions211175266
Completion %~64.4%~60.1%57.0%*
Approx. Career Passer Rating~93.5~84.4~80.0*
 

Not even close​

PlayerCareer GamesReceptionsReceiving YardsReceiving TDsYards/Game
Antonio Brown14692812,2918384.2 (StatMuse)
Ahmad Rashad1394956,83144*~49.1*
Sammy White1323936,40050~48.5
John Gilliam1513827,05648~46.8


PlayerSeasonsAvg Receptions/SeasonAvg Yards/SeasonAvg TDs/Season
Antonio Brown1277.31,024.36.9
Ahmad Rashad1145.0621.04.0
Sammy White1039.3640.05.0
John Gilliam1134.7641.54.4

🧮 Career Totals & Derived Metrics​

🏈 Le’Veon Bell — Pittsburgh Steelers (2013–2017)

We’re isolating only his time in Pittsburgh (the years he was a Steeler):
  • Seasons: 5 (2013–2017)
  • Games played: 62
  • Total scrimmage yards:7,996 (rushing + receiving)
    • 2013: 860 rush + 399 rec = 1,259
    • 2014: 1,361 rush + 854 rec = 2,215
    • 2015: 556 + 136 = 692
    • 2016: 1,268 + 616 = 1,884
    • 2017: 1,291 + 655 = 1,946
Per-Season Averages (Steelers)
  • Scrimmage yards/season: ~1,599
  • Games/season: 12.4
  • Scrimmage yards per game: ~129.0

🏈 Thurman Thomas (1988–2000)

Career totals over 13 NFL seasons:
  • Games played: 182
  • Total scrimmage yards: 16,532
Per-Season Averages
  • Scrimmage yards/season: ~1,271
  • Games/season: ~14.0
  • Scrimmage yards per game: ~90.8

🏈 Chuck Foreman (1973–1980)

Career totals over 8 NFL seasons (Minnesota and New England):
  • Rushing + receiving totals: ~9,106 total yards from scrimmage (5,950 rush + 3,156 rec)
  • Games played: Pro Football Reference doesn’t list a simple career GP in our search results, so we infer from his seasonal data that he played about 103 games (1973–1980 totals from PF-R show 12, 13, 14, 14, 14, 11, 9, 6 by season on their page — typical career totals). This is an estimate based on season counts.
Per-Season Averages (8 seasons)
  • Scrimmage yards/season: ~1,138
  • Estimated games/season: ~12.9
  • Estimated scrimmage yards per game: ~88.3

📊 Comparison Table​

PlayerSeasonsScrimmage Yds/SeasonScrimmage Yds/Game
Le’Veon Bell (Steelers)5~1,599~129.0
Thurman Thomas13~1,271~90.8
Chuck Foreman8~1,138~88.3 (est.)

What kind of comparison analysis is this? You are throwing numbers together just to show volume in totality.

Where are Andre Reed’s numbers? Why are you using #2 receivers (White and Gilliam) in the analysis? Ahmad Rachad and Sammy White numbers were during an era that had absolutely zero the advantages AB had. Completely different type of game was played in the 70’s. Of which AB would have been killed playing against the DBs and LBs of that era.

Comparing RBs numbers in seasons totality? With the avg scrimmage yards used in the dataset. Really? Why are not the top five seasons being used for Thomas and Foreman like you used for Bell? Use the comparison table with Le’Veon eight seasons in the league, not just with PIT. The statistical exercise is simple, but you are conflating the data to fit your thesis.

Hey, I loved Le’Veon just as much as the next PIT fan, but to imply he was on the same level as Thomas is nonsense. Maybe he could have been, had he kept playing for PIT, but he wasn’t clever enough to make the right decision.
 
Again not close. Numbers are numbers.

🏈 Career Passing Stats (Regular Season)

StatBen RoethlisbergerJim KellyFran Tarkenton
Seasons18 (2004–2021)11 (1986–1996)18 (1961–1978)
Games Played249160273*
Passing Yards64,08835,46747,003
Passing TDs418237342
Interceptions211175266
Completion %~64.4%~60.1%57.0%*
Approx. Career Passer Rating~93.5~84.4~80.0*

What is this for? Who was questioning Ben’s numbers? He’s a future 1st Ballot HOF player.
 
What kind of comparison analysis is this? You are throwing numbers together just to show volume in totality.

Where are Andre Reed’s numbers? Why are you using #2 receivers (White and Gilliam) in the analysis? Ahmad Rachad and Sammy White numbers were during an era that had absolutely zero the advantages AB had. Completely different type of game was played in the 70’s. Of which AB would have been killed playing against the DBs and LBs of that era.

Comparing RBs numbers in seasons totality? With the avg scrimmage yards used in the dataset. Really? Why are not the top five seasons being used for Thomas and Foreman like you used for Bell? Use the comparison table with Le’Veon eight seasons in the league, not just with PIT. The statistical exercise is simple, but you are conflating the data to fit your thesis.

Hey, I loved Le’Veon just as much as the next PIT fan, but to imply he was on the same level as Thomas is nonsense. Maybe he could have been, had he kept playing for PIT, but he wasn’t clever enough to make the right decision.
Try again

Statistical Breakdown
  • Le'Veon Bell (Pittsburgh Years): Bell’s 62 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers represent a historical peak for all-purpose production. In that span, he recorded 5,336 rushing yards and 2,660 receiving yards, making him the league leader in yards from scrimmage per game among players with at least 50 games played during that era.
  • Thurman Thomas (Peak Stretch): Thomas’s most productive 62-game stretch encompasses his record-breaking four consecutive seasons leading the NFL in scrimmage yards (1989–1992). Over those four seasons (63 games), he averaged roughly 125 yards per game. Narrowing this to his absolute best 62-game window brings his average to 122.5 yards.
  • Chuck Foreman (Peak Stretch): Foreman’s best 62-game span came from his rookie season in 1973 through the first 9 games of the 1977 season. While he was a pioneer of the dual-threat running back position, leading the NFL in receptions in 1975, the lower-scoring era and 14-game schedules kept his volume slightly below Bell and Thomas.
62-Game Comparison Table
Le'Veon Bell2013–2017 (PIT Career)7,996129.0
Thurman Thomas1989–1992 (Full) + 1993 (Partial)7,597122.5
Chuck Foreman1973–1976 (Full) + 1977 (Partial)6,957112.2
[th]
Player​
[/th][th]
Best 62-Game Period​
[/th][th]
Total Scrimmage Yards​
[/th][th]
Yards / Game​
[/th]​

 
Try again

Statistical Breakdown
  • Le'Veon Bell (Pittsburgh Years): Bell’s 62 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers represent a historical peak for all-purpose production. In that span, he recorded 5,336 rushing yards and 2,660 receiving yards, making him the league leader in yards from scrimmage per game among players with at least 50 games played during that era.
  • Thurman Thomas (Peak Stretch): Thomas’s most productive 62-game stretch encompasses his record-breaking four consecutive seasons leading the NFL in scrimmage yards (1989–1992). Over those four seasons (63 games), he averaged roughly 125 yards per game. Narrowing this to his absolute best 62-game window brings his average to 122.5 yards.
  • Chuck Foreman (Peak Stretch): Foreman’s best 62-game span came from his rookie season in 1973 through the first 9 games of the 1977 season. While he was a pioneer of the dual-threat running back position, leading the NFL in receptions in 1975, the lower-scoring era and 14-game schedules kept his volume slightly below Bell and Thomas.
62-Game Comparison Table

Le'Veon Bell2013–2017 (PIT Career)7,996129.0
Thurman Thomas1989–1992 (Full) + 1993 (Partial)7,597122.5
Chuck Foreman1973–1976 (Full) + 1977 (Partial)6,957112.2

[th]
Player

[/th][th]
Best 62-Game Period

[/th][th]
Total Scrimmage Yards

[/th][th]
Yards / Game

[/th]​



Maybe you should try comprehending the numbers better.

We will throw away Foreman’s numbers as the generational gap and number of games (partial 5th year?) Really? You are penalizing Thomas and Foreman because Bell wasn’t available for the same amount of games in 5 years?

Part of the comparison is availability…..that’s straightforward. This why your numbers are inaccurate.

Your calculations also appear to signify yards per game. That is not how a comparison analysis is performed. It’s Total Scrimmage Yards averaged by total Touches.

For Bell, the accurate statistical value would be 7,996 scr yds/1,541 scr tch = 5.19 yards per touch.

I have no idea how you calculated Thomas’s numbers. But based upon 4 years and his top eight games in the 5th year his statistical value would be 9,011 scr yds/ 1,632 scr tch = 5.52 yards per touch.

Using your method of scrimmage average per game isn’t a fair measure of his performance, as his yards per touch is much more indicative of the value he was to the offense. However, Thomas even handicapping his volume is has a much greater YPT.

If you use all of Thomas’s 5th year yards and touches, he still achieves a greater average even with 240 more touches:
9,595 scr yds/ 1,801 scr tch = 5.33 yards per touch.

Point being, I’m not starting a flame war over the infinitesimal measuring of statistics to define who is deserving a gold jacket. I was identifying your opinion regarding the use of players (namely AB and Le’Veon) to gripe about a coach who is no longer the coach. I provided HOF players with better statistical emphasis and who were coached by HOF coaches. AB and Bell were coached by a future HOF, and a first ballot at that. Le’Veon was a superb player in PIT, but he doesn’t have the longevity to even be considered in the HOF. AB was the best WR bar none for several years, however after leaving PIT, his off field issues became greater than his historical performance. AB could make the HOF, we will see what Adrian Peterson’s fate is next January. That could open the door for AB, but his off field issues are far, far greater than Peterson.

You can throw out your opinions of players who were great but without a championship, but be honest and just gripe and moan how you hated their coach. Don’t hide it under “any coach who had those players should’ve won four or five Lombardi’s”. Of which the head coach has one and went to another SB coming up short. (Save your obligatory, but he used the previous coach’s player drivel, it’s already been debunked ad’ nauseam.
 
Maybe you should try comprehending the numbers better.

We will throw away Foreman’s numbers as the generational gap and number of games (partial 5th year?) Really? You are penalizing Thomas and Foreman because Bell wasn’t available for the same amount of games in 5 years?

Part of the comparison is availability…..that’s straightforward. This why your numbers are inaccurate.

Your calculations also appear to signify yards per game. That is not how a comparison analysis is performed. It’s Total Scrimmage Yards averaged by total Touches.

For Bell, the accurate statistical value would be 7,996 scr yds/1,541 scr tch = 5.19 yards per touch.

I have no idea how you calculated Thomas’s numbers. But based upon 4 years and his top eight games in the 5th year his statistical value would be 9,011 scr yds/ 1,632 scr tch = 5.52 yards per touch.

Using your method of scrimmage average per game isn’t a fair measure of his performance, as his yards per touch is much more indicative of the value he was to the offense. However, Thomas even handicapping his volume is has a much greater YPT.

If you use all of Thomas’s 5th year yards and touches, he still achieves a greater average even with 240 more touches:
9,595 scr yds/ 1,801 scr tch = 5.33 yards per touch.

Point being, I’m not starting a flame war over the infinitesimal measuring of statistics to define who is deserving a gold jacket. I was identifying your opinion regarding the use of players (namely AB and Le’Veon) to gripe about a coach who is no longer the coach. I provided HOF players with better statistical emphasis and who were coached by HOF coaches. AB and Bell were coached by a future HOF, and a first ballot at that. Le’Veon was a superb player in PIT, but he doesn’t have the longevity to even be considered in the HOF. AB was the best WR bar none for several years, however after leaving PIT, his off field issues became greater than his historical performance. AB could make the HOF, we will see what Adrian Peterson’s fate is next January. That could open the door for AB, but his off field issues are far, far greater than Peterson.

You can throw out your opinions of players who were great but without a championship, but be honest and just gripe and moan how you hated their coach. Don’t hide it under “any coach who had those players should’ve won four or five Lombardi’s”. Of which the head coach has one and went to another SB coming up short. (Save your obligatory, but he used the previous coach’s player drivel, it’s already been debunked ad’ nauseam.


Great post Ike, really shows how stats can be averted to fit most any agenda/ pro or con.

One needs to be careful when using stats as there is more to the player than just what stats provide.

Game ERA is a big factor, especially during high rules change ERA.

Thanks for all your great post(s), appreciate yaz.






Salute the nation
 
Great post Ike, really shows how stats can be averted to fit most any agenda/ pro or con.

One needs to be careful when using stats as there is more to the player than just what stats provide.

Game ERA is a big factor, especially during high rules change ERA.

Thanks for all your great post(s), appreciate yaz.






Salute the nation
So true Drink. Player ERA’s are encapsulated. Until some one becomes more clever than Einstein and creates a Time Machine no one will know how players in different eras would effect each other. I can say one thing, those who have respect for the sport and the players before them lauds those players for giving them generational wealth and identity. Watch Troy Polamalu’s HOF speech, and see what real players who respect those who played before them meant to play the game. You can see those elder players on the stage wearing gold jackets nodding their head with smiles knowing “that player could have played with us back then”.
 
Ben - first ballot HoF
AB - deserving of FB HoF based on game performance, but multiple offseason and some in season issues will likely keep him out. Maybe he gets sympathy later on......
Lev Bell - great 5 year run ended by stupidity that hurt all; no real HoF consideration likely with short career, dumbassery and no SBs.
 
Ben - first ballot HoF
AB - deserving of FB HoF based on game performance, but multiple offseason and some in season issues will likely keep him out. Maybe he gets sympathy later on......
Lev Bell - great 5 year run ended by stupidity that hurt all; no real HoF consideration likely with short career, dumbassery and no SBs.


If Warren Sapp can make the HOF, AB will definitely make it.

As for 1ballot, that will be determined by his on field detriment in relations to the voters opinion ions.

Will be interesting to see how the AB HOF plays out.



Salute the nation
 
There's a big difference between all 3 coaches.....

Noll built the greatest NFL team of All-Time.....they all retired....he was actually very close to rebuilding that team to a Super Bowl Contender in the late 80's.....if my memory serves me correctly they lost a nail biter to Denver in the Divisional Round by 1 point. In the off-season he lost all 3 coordinators to other teams for coaching poisitions but he had the team ready to contend for a Super Bowl for those who think the game passed Chuck by they were wrong!

Bill Cowher - Finally figured out you needed to play to win the game and not play turtle ball. The guy had nothing but journeymen QB's until Big Ben arrived.....Cowher stepped down because of his wife's progressively worse cancer diagnosis. He chose family over football while trying to care for his wife who died months after his retirement and his 3 children.....one who was still in High School. I hated how his career ended because he finally had a franchise QB. If Cowher stayed I think they would have won a couple more! Cowher's troubles in the late 90's were due to some terrible assistant coaches and the GM Tom Donahoe. Remember Ray Sherman?

Mike Tomlin - Was gifted a Super Bowl contender team with an All-Pro Roster both offensively and defensively! He won 1 Super Bowl and made it to another. Once the core of Cowher-Era players were gone his teams consistently under achieved. He was never able to rebuild that team into a serious SuperBowl Contender even with the 3 B's and the most high powered Steelers offense in Franchise History! He continued to hire sub-par Assistant Coaches. I'll agree with James Harrison & Terry Bradshaw when it comes to Mike Tomlin. He was ok but not as good as Cowher or Noll. As for the no losing season.....yeah ok....8-8 is not what I'd call a winning season! If Mediocrity is the new Standard that doesn't work for me!
I respect Mike Tomlin. Seems like a decent man, but he was a mediocre coach. If you want to point to the Tomlinships all I can say is the other side of that coin is having a hall of fame QB with loaded teams for years and showing NOTHING for it. Slightly above .500 with those type teams is not a virtue...no matter what the sports media and the sports jockacracy tell you. The first Super Bowl was Cowher's team and coaches....make no mistake, no matter(again) what the sports media tells you.

Barry Switzer
George Siefert
Mike Tomlin

Two of those names never got the testicle washing treatment Mike did with the media while having the same main accomplishment.

Screenshot-from-2026-01-17-15-42-33.png
 
I respect Mike Tomlin. Seems like a decent man, but he was a mediocre coach. If you want to point to the Tomlinships all I can say is the other side of that coin is having a hall of fame QB with loaded teams for years and showing NOTHING for it. Slightly above .500 with those type teams is not a virtue...no matter what the sports media and the sports jockacracy tell you. The first Super Bowl was Cowher's team and coaches....make no mistake, no matter(again) what the sports media tells you.

Barry Switzer
George Siefert
Mike Tomlin

Two of those names never got the testicle washing treatment Mike did with the media while having the same main accomplishment.

Screenshot-from-2026-01-17-15-42-33.png



Excellent post Gildong Sack, appreciate you.

There is no comparison of Tomlin being in the same circle as Knoll & Cowher. Look at the teams, the play-off win/loss, and actual contendership of the team. ***** about the 80s, but there were playoff wins. The 70s winning amplified the 80s, Knoll didn’t suddenly forget how to coach.




Salute the nation
 
Maybe you should try comprehending the numbers better.

We will throw away Foreman’s numbers as the generational gap and number of games (partial 5th year?) Really? You are penalizing Thomas and Foreman because Bell wasn’t available for the same amount of games in 5 years?

Part of the comparison is availability…..that’s straightforward. This why your numbers are inaccurate.

Your calculations also appear to signify yards per game. That is not how a comparison analysis is performed. It’s Total Scrimmage Yards averaged by total Touches.

For Bell, the accurate statistical value would be 7,996 scr yds/1,541 scr tch = 5.19 yards per touch.

I have no idea how you calculated Thomas’s numbers. But based upon 4 years and his top eight games in the 5th year his statistical value would be 9,011 scr yds/ 1,632 scr tch = 5.52 yards per touch.

Using your method of scrimmage average per game isn’t a fair measure of his performance, as his yards per touch is much more indicative of the value he was to the offense. However, Thomas even handicapping his volume is has a much greater YPT.

If you use all of Thomas’s 5th year yards and touches, he still achieves a greater average even with 240 more touches:
9,595 scr yds/ 1,801 scr tch = 5.33 yards per touch.

Point being, I’m not starting a flame war over the infinitesimal measuring of statistics to define who is deserving a gold jacket. I was identifying your opinion regarding the use of players (namely AB and Le’Veon) to gripe about a coach who is no longer the coach. I provided HOF players with better statistical emphasis and who were coached by HOF coaches. AB and Bell were coached by a future HOF, and a first ballot at that. Le’Veon was a superb player in PIT, but he doesn’t have the longevity to even be considered in the HOF. AB was the best WR bar none for several years, however after leaving PIT, his off field issues became greater than his historical performance. AB could make the HOF, we will see what Adrian Peterson’s fate is next January. That could open the door for AB, but his off field issues are far, far greater than Peterson.

You can throw out your opinions of players who were great but without a championship, but be honest and just gripe and moan how you hated their coach. Don’t hide it under “any coach who had those players should’ve won four or five Lombardi’s”. Of which the head coach has one and went to another SB coming up short. (Save your obligatory, but he used the previous coach’s player drivel, it’s already been debunked ad’ nauseam.
Long story short
Bell was much more productive His entire career in Pittsburgh.
No RB in history had a higher scrimmage yds per game than Bell in Pittsburgh.
Just a fact.
Deal with it.
 
Long story short
Bell was much more productive His entire career in Pittsburgh.
No RB in history had a higher scrimmage yds per game than Bell in Pittsburgh.
Just a fact.
Deal with it.
The story isn’t long, your interpretation of the facts are.

Le’Veon Bell @ PIT, career yards per touch. 5.2
Christian McCaffery @ CAR career yards per touch 5.8
@ SAF career yards per touch 5.6

Can you deal with it?
 
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