I'm on your side of the Tomlin issue. We saw what kind of coach he was last
year when he went 8-6 after Ben went down.
And we absolutely should look to upgrade at O-Line coach. Age is part of it
but this group has regressed significantly since Munch left town.
Eric in NJ
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Rhoton <sprhoto@xxxxxxxxx>
To: steelers_pb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tue, Jan 12, 2021 7:36 am
Subject: [steelers_pb] Re: Postmortem
I think we are entering a long winter, akin to the Tomczak and Maddox teams
just before Ben got here. Solid (sometimes great) defense, a mediocre to good
QB, and a very average offense.
1) I hope Ben retires, for his sake. I can see a season next year where he is
just terrible and they bench him mid-year, which would be far worse to go out
on than what just happened, imo.
2) I'm going to plant my flag and say that the *most* important coaching
position they need to replace this off season is oline. My kingdom for Grimm or
Munchak and a bunch of young linemen.
3) I think, and continue to believe, that Tomlin is way, way underappreciated
as a coach. I mean, we were playing our 3rd string OLB most of the time in that
game. They had a ton of key injuries, a QB who is well on the downside of his
career, absolutely no running game at all, two coordinators who are just
terrible, and he still got this team to 12-4. He owns the 4th and 1 call, and
who he keeps on this staff after this year, but honestly as far as I'm
concerned if you gave Cowher all those years without a ring, Tomlin should get
the same. We'll see what kind of coach he really is with Ben gone.
Anyways, I think we are entering a long winter where we are competitive for the
playoffs, but not the Super Bowl for a few years.
Thanks,Steve
On Mon, Jan 11, 2021 at 5:53 PM Scott H <blitzum@xxxxxxx> wrote:
I largely agree with your whole post. All 3 teams in the division have up an
coming QBs with solid or improving teams. We have an aging QB with an aging
line. Lots of talent elsewhere, but that combo is not good. No one wants to say
it but 3 playoff wins in 10 years with the talent we have had is ridiculously
embarrassing. Bill Cowher, Andy Reid, Mike McCarthy.... I think there comes a
time when the team needs to move on from a coach. Instances like the 4th and 1
and enough for me. Tomlin has a hell of a regular season win percentage. That
greats and all but that is worthy of a participation trophy not a Lombardi.
Ben is the big question since I see nothing happening on the Tomlin front. I
don't think he wants to go out with that kind of loss, but I honestly don't see
next year being better. Ben and the line will be a year older. I like Dotson at
LG, but we need a LT and we are still looking at an over rated center and a
declining RG. Juju likely gone and while his number didn't show it I thought he
had a solid year. Ebron can't catch a cold and I now see why he was available.
There will be changes on D, but still plenty of talent. A young CB would be
nice. Hopefully we can keep important depth role players like Hilton and
Sutton.
I am very curious what the next few months brings. Will Ben retire? Can the
team keep any FA's? Could the team make a move for a QB like Trubisky or
Darnold or take one in the draft ?
Lots of questions and SADLY lots of time to think about it
Scott in Jersey
From: steelers_pb-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <steelers_pb-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on
behalf of Eric Johannsen <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2021 9:20 AM
To: steelers_pb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <steelers_pb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [steelers_pb] Postmortem After having a sleepless night to torture
myself over last night's disaster, I've come up with a few things.
1 - Despite the fact that we spotted the Browns 7 points, they deserve credit
for all they overcame to win that game. I can't stand losing to that team but
I give credit where it's due. Something about all that damn 'good
sportsmanship' I used to try to teach my players when I coached baseball.
2 - Tomlin's decision to not go for 4th and 1 on their own 46, down 12, was
awful. The Browns were reeling. Here were the Steelers 4 drives leading up to
that point: Touchdown, Field Goal, Touchdown, Touchdown. Tomlin let the Browns
catch their breath and they went right down the field for a score that
effectively ended the game.
3 - In the Steelers' last 3 playoff losses, they have given up 36, 45, and 48
points.
4 - I recall Dave saying a few years ago something like "Offensive line is a
sneaky need for this team," and sonofabitch if that dude wasn't spot on once
again.
5 - It's gonna be a long time before the Steelers can realistically compete for
a Super Bowl. Every other team in the AFCN is ascending, and this was our last
best shot. Reminds me of when the Aikman-Irvin-Smith Cowboys lost in the 1996
playoffs - you just knew it was over. Only that group had 3 Lombardis to cry
on....
Not looking forward to this offseason. The team is going to be decimated by
age and the salary cap and will look very different next year. That's not all
bad, mind you, because change is VERY necessary at this point. The problem is
that Ben has a doll house sized window remaining and he won't be around long
enough to endure the re-tooling. There IS talent on this team on both sides of
the ball, but the supporting cast is just not good enough.
Eric in NJ