Shamarko Thomas Benched

[phillyesq]

Will Allen is going to start:

[url]http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/2015/09/sunday-news-notes.html[/url]

Especially against Brady, it makes sense to start the veteran, but this is not a good sign for the Thomas. I also some some reference to Blake getting reps over Cortez Allen with the first team at corner.

Despite investing a second, a fourth, a seventh, and a future fourth/fifth in the secondary, it looks like the secondary isn't much better off than it was last year.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Despite investing a second, a fourth, a seventh, and a future fourth/fifth in the secondary, it looks like the secondary isn't much better off than it was last year.

What defensive backs have they drafted and successfully developed since W. Gay in 2007?

I guess you could say Keenan Lewis, but his best days came after he left Pittsburgh. Otherwise, nobody of starting caliber that I can think of.

Especially puzzling, since the secondary is supposed to be Tomlin's greatest area of expertise.

[Discipline of Steel]

Cortez, Shark, and this years picks all still have hope

[Eddie Spaghetti]

Im glad they are going with Allen in week 1. If nothing else I think he will be where he's supposed to be on the field

I don't think they trust Thomas in that regard right now

[BURGH86STEEL]

What defensive backs have they drafted and successfully developed since W. Gay in 2007?

I guess you could say Keenan Lewis, but his best days came after he left Pittsburgh. Otherwise, nobody of starting caliber that I can think of.

Especially puzzling, since the secondary is supposed to be Tomlin's greatest area of expertise.

And it's ok. It hasn't crippled the Steelers.

I guess we will never know if talent evaluation and coaching works well for every coach. Some coaches can do both and some can only coach.

I guess we will never know because Tomlin may never have the power or influence that Cowher did. It seems that even Cowher got overruled at times. I believe the Steelers win and lose as an organization. Not one person is to blame.

[WindyCitySteel]

What defensive backs have they drafted and successfully developed since W. Gay in 2007?

I guess you could say Keenan Lewis, but his best days came after he left Pittsburgh. Otherwise, nobody of starting caliber that I can think of.

Especially puzzling, since the secondary is supposed to be Tomlin's greatest area of expertise.

You answered your own question.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

And it's ok. It hasn't crippled the Steelers.

It certainly hasn't helped them.

I guess we will never know if talent evaluation and coaching works well for every coach. Some coaches can do both and some can only coach.

If that's the case, then don't you bring on board someone who can do what you can't, to help?

I guess we will never know because Tomlin may never have the power or influence that Cowher did. It seems that even Cowher got overruled at times. I believe the Steelers win and lose as an organization. Not one person is to blame.

There could be some truth in what you say. It could be that, while DL was onboard, he had more say than Tomlin in running the defense and in drafting and developing players. Maybe now Tomlin will have more of an influence on it.

Not one person is solely to blame, but it seems obvious to me that some could be more to blame than others.

[birtikidis]

Cortez, Shark, and this years picks all still have hope

2/3 of those draft picks that have hope have hope somewhere else it seems

[BURGH86STEEL]

It certainly hasn't helped them.


If that's the case, then don't you bring on board someone who can do what you can't, to help?


There could be some truth in what you say. It could be that, while DL was onboard, he had more say than Tomlin in running the defense and in drafting and developing players. Maybe now Tomlin will have more of an influence on it.

Not one person is solely to blame, but it seems obvious to me that some could be more to blame than others.

The positives outweigh the negatives for this franchise. They've been able to overcome the negatives or areas of weakness to win games.

They have scouts and coaches to help evaluate talent.

Who has the final say? The Rooneys? Colbert? Tomlin? Draft board(based on everyone's in agreement predraft)? What if everyone agrees that a need will be picked if the talent available is considered equal based on the scouts and coaches evaluations before the draft? It's been generally said that everyone agrees on the draft picks. I supposed this would prevent some infighting among coaches, scouts, GM, and ownership. At the end of the day we will probably never know. I guess if anyone is mostly to blame it's the ownership.

[Oviedo]

Im glad they are going with Allen in week 1. If nothing else I think he will be where he's supposed to be on the field

I don't think they trust Thomas in that regard right now

I agree. Allen can play the Cover 2. Not sure Thomas has a clue what to do yet. Hopefully he can figure it out. Unfortunately we do lose speed with Thomas out.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

Sharks speed is nullified due to the horrible angles he takes and being out of position

Brady would exploit him all game long

[7upnext]

What defensive backs have they drafted and successfully developed since W. Gay in 2007?

I guess you could say Keenan Lewis, but his best days came after he left Pittsburgh. Otherwise, nobody of starting caliber that I can think of.

Especially puzzling, since the secondary is supposed to be Tomlin's greatest area of expertise.

I've always felt that when Tomlin was hired he had very little say in the team's drafting. I think once he was in charge for a few years and the Steelers got to another SB he may have been given a little more say. I have no proof but our drafts suffered from 2011 on. But whether he did or not, Colbert has to face the larger criticism. I am among his biggest fans too. What I think happened is that around 2010 the Rooney's wanted to do whatever it took to get back to the SB one more time. It's why I think they kept extending obviously over the hill players and drafted around them instead of to replace them. No matter what the true power struggle if there even is one, the players drafted have not developed. Part of that is because of where they are drafted. We spent too many picks on the least important position on the team (3-4 DE) including a couple first rounders...instead of on corners.

I have been frustrated by Tomlin starting with the SB. Before that game I thought we were on to something. But allowing that play call that resulted in a pick six was inexcusable since we didn't have Pouncey. And lo and behold it was inside pressure that got to Ben's throwing arm leading to the errant pass. No good coach would let that play call go through. On your goal line, missing a pro bowl center..it was just stupid. And then to keep relying on Mendenhall after his gaffes really sealed the deal and made me open my eyes to how overrated MT is. Through the years no matter who is drafted in the secondary...they have failed. Lewis was average. He had a lot of pass defends because they threw at him so much. But even he is better than anyone they have right now. It's baffling how bad the FO (whether KC or MT) has performed in this regard. With Tomlin's credentials..if he is supposed to be legit..he should be able to at least somewhat polish a turd in the secondary at least a couple times. Not once has that happen. He's either horrible at talent evaluation or horrible at coaching or heck..maybe both. But there's no excuse. And there's no excuse for Colbert either...which pains me. But most G.M. have the game pass them by as it changes. It's happened to everyone except Belicheat, so maybe he just doesn't get the new passing league we have now.

Last year (2nd half) I saw a different Tomlin and one I felt might have a chance to turn things around in my book. If he's really a good coach. He should be able to lead this team to the playoffs. Because good coaches overcome their lack of talent. If the Steelers can manage to make it despite so much against it..I will be a Tomlin fan again. But I don't think he's good so I don't see it happening.

[7upnext]

Sharks speed is nullified due to the horrible angles he takes and being out of position

Brady would exploit him all game long

spot on. He really plays stiff and robotic

[squidkid]

I've always felt that when Tomlin was hired he had very little say in the team's drafting. I think once he was in charge for a few years and the Steelers got to another SB he may have been given a little more say. I have no proof but our drafts suffered from 2011 on. But whether he did or not, Colbert has to face the larger criticism. I am among his biggest fans too. What I think happened is that around 2010 the Rooney's wanted to do whatever it took to get back to the SB one more time. It's why I think they kept extending obviously over the hill players and drafted around them instead of to replace them. No matter what the true power struggle if there even is one, the players drafted have not developed. Part of that is because of where they are drafted. We spent too many picks on the least important position on the team (3-4 DE) including a couple first rounders...instead of on corners.

I have been frustrated by Tomlin starting with the SB. Before that game I thought we were on to something. But allowing that play call that resulted in a pick six was inexcusable since we didn't have Pouncey. And lo and behold it was inside pressure that got to Ben's throwing arm leading to the errant pass. No good coach would let that play call go through. On your goal line, missing a pro bowl center..it was just stupid. And then to keep relying on Mendenhall after his gaffes really sealed the deal and made me open my eyes to how overrated MT is. Through the years no matter who is drafted in the secondary...they have failed. Lewis was average. He had a lot of pass defends because they threw at him so much. But even he is better than anyone they have right now. It's baffling how bad the FO (whether KC or MT) has performed in this regard. With Tomlin's credentials..if he is supposed to be legit..he should be able to at least somewhat polish a turd in the secondary at least a couple times. Not once has that happen. He's either horrible at talent evaluation or horrible at coaching or heck..maybe both. But there's no excuse. And there's no excuse for Colbert either...which pains me. But most G.M. have the game pass them by as it changes. It's happened to everyone except Belicheat, so maybe he just doesn't get the new passing league we have now.

Last year (2nd half) I saw a different Tomlin and one I felt might have a chance to turn things around in my book. If he's really a good coach. He should be able to lead this team to the playoffs. Because good coaches overcome their lack of talent. If the Steelers can manage to make it despite so much against it..I will be a Tomlin fan again. But I don't think he's good so I don't see it happening.

in a nut shell.
once the last of cowhers players are gone(ben), the steelers are screwed with tomlin coaching, drafting and developing guys.

[BURGH86STEEL]

in a nut shell.
once the last of cowhers players are gone(ben), the steelers are screwed with tomlin coaching, drafting and developing guys.

If the story is true Cowher didn't want Ben. There's no such thing as Cowher's or Tomlin's players. However, there are Pittsburgh Steelers. I don't understand why fans feel the need to create a divide? One person that changes an opinion after one game has an agenda.

Tomlin isn't the only one responsible for coaching, drafting, and developing players. Now, I know why some people don't like Tomlin. It's unfortunate that people have to feel that way.

If people don't like Tomlin or the Steelers anymore there are 31 other teams to cheer for.