Ron Cook: Finest moment for Mike Tomlin as Steelers coach

[feltdizz]

Tomlin's "smirk" was like 10 mins after the play when they showed it 5-times in a row in the stadium Jumbotron. He was smirking when the crowd was going crazy. It's not like the play ended and Tomlin started to laugh like he got away with something.

The highlight has been edited to make it look like he did it and started immediately cracking up. Not the case.

It wasn't that long but it was obvious he was being joked on the sideline by coaches and players. The probably repeated a cliche line he uses when players get too close to the field.

Seems like most people who are fans of Tomlin are giving him the benefit of the doubt.. and those who are skeptical of him think he did it on purpose.

[steelsnis]

It was a good while because they had cut to commercial after the play ended. He was chuckling about it then, after they had shown the replay over and over again on the big screen in the stadium.

[Slapstick]

It comes down to the old adage... "What have you done for me lately"?

Really? Why are certain posters calling for Cowher, then?

What has he done lately?

[Shawn]

If you've always been impressed with the way that he represents the Steelers, then I don't know how you (at least initially) thought it was intentional. Mike always sounds polished and prepared. He's an intelligent guy. So think about how stupid someone would have to be to see a kick return coming your way and while looking at the jumbotron - which is likely what everyone is seeing on TELEVISION - start inching his way towards the field, knowing that the entire PRIMETIME viewing audience is watching !!! You would have to be incredibly stupid to do such a thing intentionally. The only other explanation would be a heat-of-the-moment intentional act that you did out of sheer frustration - like Cowher did years ago, where it clouds your immediate judgment. When I first saw it live and when I see it now, I thought it was a stupid ACCIDENT. And like always, Tomlin is handling the aftermath with extreme class.

You will need to help me with your logic. So, if someone is articulate and poised, it's impossible for them to lose their head in an emotionally charged situation? I looked at the film, it looked intentional. I also found it odd that he wandered onto the field during one of the most crucial plays in the game. I'm still very skeptical. But, like I said, he is taking the heat like a champ. He is so good with words that he has me doubting what I seen.

[Steelerphile]

When I first looked at the play, I had some suspicions that he was trying to lend the coverage crew some help, but in the aftermath and after listening to Tomlin, I am convinced that he has too much integrity to try to pull off something that blatantly illegal. Especially when he is fully aware that there are millions of eyes on his every move. Maybe on the golf course, you move your ball when no one is looking, but this? He overdoes it with the "Obviouslys", when he speaks but I think he handles the spotlight pretty well.

[feltdizz]

You will need to help me with your logic. So, if someone is articulate and poised, it's impossible for them to lose their head in an emotionally charged situation? I looked at the film, it looked intentional. I also found it odd that he wandered onto the field during one of the most crucial plays in the game. I'm still very skeptical. But, like I said, he is taking the heat like a champ. He is so good with words that he has me doubting what I seen.

back turned to the play and timed it perfectly with a moving target.. amazing

[Ernie]

Really? Why are certain posters calling for Cowher, then?

What has he done lately?

I can't answer for those folks. All I can say he is taking this team in the wrong direction.

[fezziwig]

there's nothing that I ever heard of from his past that he would do something like this on purpose. i don't know, maybe he had a weak moment or something and thought he'd get cute. only tomlin knows for sure but i'm sure of one thing. " if the ravens coach would have done this, he would have done this with intent. "

[skyhawk]

How could have it been on purpose? It appears to me that Tomlin did not move UNTIL the play was upon him. WHAT, does he have super powers or ESP that the play would happen to be run back that far, or to that side of the field? I don't buy it.

Of course, he shouldn't of been there. But I don't see him move AT ALL until the play is there. I can see it intentional if he were moving as the play developed.

[Shawn]

back turned to the play and timed it perfectly with a moving target.. amazing

Wasn't he looking at the jumbotron?

[Vader]

I really don't care who's players he's won with. he's won.
My problem is that our front office continues to be irresponsible with the cap. All of these restructures have caused a nightmare with our depth and ability to extend players.

If it were just winning then Barry Switzer would be still coaching. Fact is that Tomlin has gone from winning a SB with 97% of the past coaches players to losing a SB to losing to Tim Tebow to 8-8 to at best 9-7 or at worst 5-11 this year. The players that have been drafted under his tenure have not panned out at all. There are few players on this team that are better than the one he took the place of. On offense is Ben and more Ben. On defense it is Keisel, Ike, Clark and Troy.

[SteelBuckeye]

If it were just winning then Barry Switzer would be still coaching. Fact is that Tomlin has gone from winning a SB with 97% of the past coaches players to losing a SB to losing to Tim Tebow to 8-8 to at best 9-7 or at worst 5-11 this year. The players that have been drafted under his tenure have not panned out at all. There are few players on this team that are better than the one he took the place of. On offense is Ben and more Ben. On defense it is Keisel, Ike, Clark and Troy.

Sorry, but on Defense, Keisel sucks this year, as does Clark. Heyward is our best DL ... and btw... Timmons took "FOOTE'S Spot" .. a definite upgrade ...On offense it's Antonio and Ben. DeCastro IS an upgrade over an aging and almost spent Faneca. This idea that Tomlin hasn't drafted "anyone" that's an upgrade or who has panned out is just a myth.
Truthfully, it doesn't matter ... hold your breath, count to a million, yada yada yada ... Tomlin will still be here. And as much as we all like to act like "WE" own the team and will make this decision .. "WE" don't and won't.

[flippy]

Wasn't he looking at the jumbotron?

tomlin was watching over his shoulder and saw the play coming toward him. the only reason he's able to say it was unintentional is because who knew standing in that spot the play would end up on top of him. but his actions were intentional once he looked back over his shoulder and waited to make his move when jacoby reached him. it looks so blatant to me. and whatever tomlin says to defend himself just proves he's good at misleading and manipulating.

[SidSmythe]

Addressing #2: Cowher started the previous year 2-6 and finished the 2nd half 6-2.
The yr. started off with Ben having an appendectomy after a motorcycle accident.

[Slapstick]

tomlin was watching over his shoulder and saw the play coming toward him. the only reason he's able to say it was unintentional is because who knew standing in that spot the play would end up on top of him. but his actions were intentional once he looked back over his shoulder and waited to make his move when jacoby reached him. it looks so blatant to me. and whatever tomlin says to defend himself just proves he's good at misleading and manipulating.

Wow. Who has that tinfoil hat?