Not prepared

[diver]

The 2008 Steelers had arguably the best defense the league had seen since the 2000 Ravens. Both Harrison and Polamalu were deserving of DMVP, and Aaron Smith, Woodley and Taylor had All-pro caliber seasons.

That team's formula for winning was dominant defense keeping it close, with Roethlisberger, who did not have a good season overall, finding ways to pull games out of his *** at the end.

They were a flawed team, but with the defense's dominance and Roethlisberger's absurd level of clutchness, I fail to see a specific fingerprint from Tomlin on that team that told me just about anyone else could not have coached that team to the same result.

Tomlin merely had a Brian Billick moment with that team.

Perhaps I wasn't clear. My objection was to the point that they were so dominant. I loved that team. It may be my favorite Steeler team after the '78 team. I just don't know if I would call them that dominant.

I don't know. It is pure conjecture that anyone could have led them. Which means it is bullshit. I know Mike Tomlin did lead them, and that is what matters because it is provable.

 

[BLITZ]

Omar. My man-

Its not that as if we are Mega-Tomlin supporters. Hell, I dont even think superman is a fan of Tomlin. Its just that it would be nice to read threads with some variety. Not threads that simply use 10 different methods to state that they dont like the coach. The Troy thread, for example, was laughable...

agreed. I am pretty surprised the ap. thread has not turned into a tomlin bash. I mean they played against each other last year, Tomlin should have reached out to him before the news broke. tomlin sucks.

 

[TAS]

Boy, that is deep, and a complete crock of ****.

They were not as dominant as you portrayed them in '08. They were a very good team, but so dominant a "jack in the box" could have led them? C'mon, stop talking out your ***. That team wasn't the '78 Steelers.

I am not defending Tomlin, but jeez. What happened in '09 happens to many Super Bowl champs these days. The players can't stay focused enough to win it twice in a row. I don't care if Lombardi was up in front of them. I will be shocked if another team wins back to back. Another hing is their best players got old and couldn't play anymore. Well, you'll say, replace them. they haven't replaced them well. If it was that ******' easy, the Steelers would have about 25 trophies because they could have just replaced those guys from the '70s.

I'd have to say your post is a complete crock of ****. We have pissed away most of Ben's career and I don't see anything that tells me we'll see another shot while he still plays the game. Tomlin has ****** off a golden opportunity.

 

[TAS]

Perhaps I wasn't clear. My objection was to the point that they were so dominant. I loved that team. It may be my favorite Steeler team after the '78 team. I just don't know if I would call them that dominant.

I don't know. It is pure conjecture that anyone could have led them. Which means it is bullshit. I know Mike Tomlin did lead them, and that is what matters because it is provable.

This should be a real gem. Let's hear you prove he was anything but a bystander with a dumb look on his face. I'm all ears.

 

[nooneuno]

Timmons was the one puking, apparently he had some bad noodles.

 

[diver]

This should be a real gem. Let's hear you prove he was anything but a bystander with a dumb look on his face. I'm all ears.

I don't have too, you dumbass. You are the one making these statements. You have to prove your statements. Nobody, not even you, can dispute that Tomlin was the head coach of that team. I don't have to prove anything.

Go ahead. Prove what you say. You can't cause it's all conjecture. So shut the **** up.

 

[TAS]

I don't have too, you dumbass. You are the one making these statements. You have to prove your statements. Nobody, not even you, can dispute that Tomlin was the head coach of that team. I don't have to prove anything.

Go ahead. Prove what you say. You can't cause it's all conjecture. So shut the **** up.

You're the idiot that said it was 'provable'. Maybe you should just shut your cake hole.

 

[diver]

You're the idiot that said it was 'provable'. Maybe you should just shut your cake hole.

Was or was not Tomlin the head coach of the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers, meaning he led them. Did I go into some alternate world in which he was not the coach? Unless I am in that world, it is provable he was the head coach.

 

[TDX27]

Saw an analysis by Tunch and it is definitely gap football. He showed Shazier being told by Timmons to get over. Shazier moved over a little. Then the ball was snapped and he went right where Timmons was going instead of heading to the outside to seal the gap. It was exactly where the Rats RB went. Shazier and the rest of the team need to learn that and learn it quick. Watching the film should have been very simple for them to see what happened and correct it next time. You would hope anyway.

 

[Wingman]

Perhaps I wasn't clear. My objection was to the point that they were so dominant. I loved that team. It may be my favorite Steeler team after the '78 team. I just don't know if I would call them that dominant.

I don't know. It is pure conjecture that anyone could have led them. Which means it is bullshit. I know Mike Tomlin did lead them, and that is what matters because it is provable.

Actually it is not. MT was the head coach that is provable. Who actually was doing the leading is a different matter entirely. By that I mean we will not know because just like any organization there are official lines of communication and unofficial ones. MT could have been the leader but the team could have also been lead by the coordinators as MT was learning the position he was given, there were also lots of unofficial leaders on the team, Smith, Kiesel, Troy, Ike, Clark, Harrison, Parker, Miller, Ward, you get the idea. To think the new guy is going to show up and immediately be able to lead when he is put into a position he has never held before and lead a bunch of very successful and experienced individuals is a bit of a stretch. To expect him to gradually exert more control and to have more impact on the operation is more likely.

 

[diver]

Actually it is not. MT was the head coach that is provable. Who actually was doing the leading is a different matter entirely. By that I mean we will not know because just like any organization there are official lines of communication and unofficial ones. MT could have been the leader but the team could have also been lead by the coordinators as MT was learning the position he was given, there were also lots of unofficial leaders on the team, Smith, Kiesel, Troy, Ike, Clark, Harrison, Parker, Miller, Ward, you get the idea. To think the new guy is going to show up and immediately be able to lead when he is put into a position he has never held before and lead a bunch of very successful and experienced individuals is a bit of a stretch. To expect him to gradually exert more control and to have more impact on the operation is more likely.

I am not beholding to Mike Tomlin. I would lose no sleep if they fire him today. But some of you dislike the guy so much you will come up with all kinds of nonsense to try to advance the theory that he was just along ride. He was the head coach. There where 31 other head coaches that year that didn't win it. I find it hard to believe he had nothing to do with the success that season.

 

[jitter77]

Seems like the D lacks intensity which I don't understand. I felt that porter world light a fire under their ***. I see him yelling and trying to get them fired up, but it does not seem to be working. I also don't understand how they are not maintaining their gaps. I can understand messing up now and then, but they are constantly out of position. Are the players that dumb, are they just not paying attention, or is it poor coaching? Maintaining gaps is not going to help with the pitch and catch we are allowing now with the big cushions. The scheme is not working. dl needs to adjust the scheme to what we have to work with. I think he is too stubborn and tries to use the same game plans over and over. That is fine if we have all pros, but most of the D is average at best. DL has to get more out of these players. I am sure there is a way to do it.

 

[bigtwnvin]

Tomlin will unfortunately finish this season despite any calls for his early demise by the fandom.
Although it's early and should the Steelers limp dick their way to another 8-8 season (or worse), clan Rooneh could be faced with a decision regarding their own creation?

 

[madtacker]

The 3-4 defense is predicated on having a stud nose tackle and dominant linebackers. They have neither.

They are getting nothing out of their front seven. Getting blown off the line and having second and four, third and short is not matching the philosophy of Dick L.'s defense. Stopping the run and third and long is what does.
Forcing teams to pass and having outside linebackers who get pressure is what this defense did well for a loooong time. They just don't have the talent to do that right now.

Timmins is solid but not a stud. Granted they have whiffed on some picks and have had some bad luck as well.

All that said.. What if Jones, Shazier, Tuitt, Shmarko, etc. pan out?

What if Bell, Brown, Wheaton, Decastro, etc pan out?

They have young talent on this team, but having 8 new defensive starters is going to take time. Having a number one defense takes a lot of time.

We all new this was going to be a work in progress, but what frightens me is the offense putting up 9 points in 6 quarters.
As bad as the defense was Thursday we were very close in that game going into the fourth.
Ben, Heath, Bell, Brown, and a improved line? Right there is a core of players who have had multiple years playing together. What is their excuse?

I understand what everyone is saying. Something under the surface doesn't smell right with this team. Lack of leadership is one thing I think they are missing.

The fans are getting real impatient with this coaching staff. If they don't start playing some inspired football soon I think Tomlin has to be on the hot seat.

 

[madtacker]

No Linebackers

The 3-4 defense is predicated on having a stud nose tackle and dominant linebackers. They have neither.

They are getting nothing out of their front seven. Getting blown off the line and having second and four, third and short does not match the philosophy of Dick L.'s defense. Stopping the run and third & long is what does.
Forcing teams to pass and having outside linebackers who get pressure is what this defense did well for a loooong time. They just don't have the talent to do that right now.
Woodley killed us. Harrison was getting old but Woodley took a lot of money ( still is ) and left us screwed. If you don't have line backers this defense doesn't work.


All that said.. What if Jones, Shazier, Tuitt, Shmarko, etc. pan out?

What if Bell, Brown, Wheaton, Decastro, etc pan out?

They have young talent on this team, but having 8 new defensive starters is going to take time. Having a number one defense takes a lot of time.

We all new this was going to be a work in progress, but what frightens me is the offense putting up 9 points in 6 quarters.
As bad as the defense was Thursday we were very close in that game going into the fourth.
Ben, Heath, Bell, Brown, and a improved line? Right there is a core of players who have had multiple years playing together. What is their excuse?

I understand what everyone is saying. Something under the surface doesn't smell right with this team. Lack of leadership is one thing I think they are missing.

The fans are getting real impatient with this coaching staff. If they don't start playing some inspired football soon I think Tomlin has to be on the hot seat.

 

[F83]

Decastro will be fine although he would be better asa LG and have Foster fat out oif shape *** at RG so Bell can power it up the weak side.
Nickel D time to bring troy back to LB and have Shazier next to him, Timmons is to heavy to chase these new fast TE like Cameron, Pitta, if he cant cover OLsen it is really time to take him out of the nickel.

 

[AggieSteel]

It's sad that if you woulda told me a week ago today that this would be a thread title at the top of the page by today, I wouldn't have been surprised IN THE LEAST.