"Players coach"

[Captain Lemming]

Before responding think closely about what I am going to say.

The issue is not that a "players coach" is always black. Tomlin NEVER implied that.

The issue is that "he" does not see himself as a "players coach" and "we" see him as one because of his demographic. He has a lot in common with the players so he must be a players coach.

The thing about Tomlin is that he does not appear all that "chummy" with players. I think he has been almost deliberately aloof in a sense. He came in as a young guy and has purposely tries not to be "your friend" to establish his authority. Unlike Cowher you rarely see him speak affectionately of players. He sounds almost cold. His drill Sargent style that is often made fun of is in my view part of this.

He is not saying a white guy is never called a players coach, or it's racist to call a black coach a players coach.

His point is that demographic is the ONLY reason why we think of "HIM" as a players coach. He is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT (one selfie notwithstanding ).

People, "I" am black and I thought of him as a players coach FOR THAT VERY REASON until thinking about his comments and his real coaching style.

Comments?

[Eich]

Me personally, I thought he was more of a player's coach than Cowher because of how I've seen him act in practices and on the field. Cowher would spit all over players during a game if they did something he didn't like. I never see Tomlin do that. To me, at times, he ACTS more like one of them than the head coach. And lately he's posting on Social Media - like the players do.

I don't see how it has anything to do with him being black. It's the fact that he was VOTED by the players as someone they'd most like to play for. And for the way he acts. Not for the color of his skin.

[Slapstick]

I never thought he was any more of a players coach than Cowher...

Noll? Every coach is more of a players coach than he was...

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Tomlin insulted

by Ray Fittipaldo
Sept. 29, 2014

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was asked in an interview with Fox about being referred to as a “Players’ coach.”

Tomlin took offense to the line of questioning and suggested he is called a players’ coach because of his race and his age.

“You know, it doesn’t bother me because I don’t worry too much about what people define me as, you know,” Tomlin said. “But at the same time it’s something that I get tired of addressing or answering over the last eight years because invariably, you know, I think it means something about my age and my race, you know."

Spin it however you like, this is what Tomlin actually said.

[WindyCitySteel]

Pete Carroll is another players coach based solely on the fact that he's young and black.

[Shawn]

There are two reasons I believe people call a coach a players coach. 1) Players like to play for them 2) In a negative light...they instill no discipline...or little discipline.

IMO, Tomlin meets both these criteria. He fields undisciplined teams and he was voted as the #2 coach players want to play for. I don't believe it had anything to do with his demographic.

[url]http://www.steelersdepot.com/2014/01/steelers-mike-tomlin-voted-second-head-coach-players-would-like-to-play-for-most/[/url]

[feltdizz]

he just wants to be called a coach.

I don't have a problem with it.

[steelsnis]

There are two reasons I believe people call a coach a players coach. 1) Players like to play for them 2) In a negative light...they instill no discipline...or little discipline.

IMO, Tomlin meets both these criteria. He fields undisciplined teams and he was voted as the #2 coach players want to play for. I don't believe it had anything to do with his demographic.

[URL]http://www.steelersdepot.com/2014/01/steelers-mike-tomlin-voted-second-head-coach-players-would-like-to-play-for-most/[/URL]

The Steelers were 8-8 for the past two seasons, correct?

MUST BE THE LACK OF DISCIPLINE!!! Except guess what...They were one of the LEAST penalized teams in the entire NFL during the past two years.

[URL]http://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/penalties-per-game?date=2014-02-02[/URL]

They've had a lot of penalties this season THROUGH 4 GAMES and the team is 2-2. Penalties are up all over the league this season. People are jumping on the "undisciplined" bandwagon like it's going out of style! People are crazy.

Also, the Jags are 0-4. They are one of the LEAST penalized teams in the league. Let's not pretend that "lack of discipline" is some great issue here.

[Shawn]

The Steelers were 8-8 for the past two seasons, correct?

MUST BE THE LACK OF DISCIPLINE!!! Except guess what...They were one of the LEAST penalized teams in the entire NFL during the past two years.

[URL]http://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/penalties-per-game?date=2014-02-02[/URL]

They've had a lot of penalties this season THROUGH 4 GAMES and the team is 2-2. Penalties are up all over the league this season. People are jumping on the "undisciplined" bandwagon like it's going out of style! People are crazy.

Also, the Jags are 0-4. They are one of the LEAST penalized teams in the league. Let's not pretend that "lack of discipline" is some great issue here.

First, settle down...just an opinion. I didn't slap your mother. Second, it's not the amount of penalties as much as it is the kind of penalties that I am concerned about. Every team commits a number of penalties most go unnoticed and uncalled. Part of that is bad luck or the inability to disguise the penalty. I'm less worried about that...and more worried about the nonsensical penalties.

Oh and btw Tomlin himself called them an undisciplined team. So, the coach disagrees with you.

[Shawn]

he just wants to be called a coach.

I don't have a problem with it.

If he doesn't like the heat maybe he should coach pee wee.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I didn't slap your mother.

If you did, we'd ban your for two weeks. Unless there was an elevator video, of course. In that case...indefinite!

[Shawn]

And let me add something here. If you wish to be in a well paid position with power and authority, recognition and what not...there is a cost. Bosses are rarely popular people. Employees and non-employees alike in their minds can do your job better than you. You will be questioned, gossiped about, and your intentions will be misjudged and gauged through lenses of fear. That's the deal. It's the trade off. For Tomlin, he will get some extra stuff on occasion about his race or age. I'm not crying for him or feeling sorry for him...just the nature of the beast. Again, this is part of the territory and shouldn't be news to him. So, even if this was about his demographic...he needs to be bigger than petty talk...or grumbling amongst us fans. Sure, he can feel free to express himself...but all that does is bring more heat...more spotlight. Pick your battles...be above the nonsense...or get a job less in the spotlight.

[Shawn]

If you did, we'd ban your for two weeks. Unless there was an elevator video, of course. In that case...indefinite!

lol...now that is funny.

[Slapstick]

If he doesn't like the heat maybe he should coach pee wee.

We all know that just about every poster on this board would be an epic fail in Tomlin's position...

Let's not pretend that we have any idea of the "heat" NFL coaches deal with....

[squidkid]

i dont get it. if it really doesnt bother him and he really doesnt worry about it then why play the race card and age card?
why wouldnt he simply say, 'listen, i've addressed this players coach label a dozen times over the last 8 years, i'm not addressing it again"