Shamarko Thomas Benched

[Slapstick]

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?

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.

It isn't necessarily true that Cowher did not want Ben...it is true that Dan Rooney did want Ben and made the call despite Cowher wanting to draft another player...

[BURGH86STEEL]

It isn't necessarily true that Cowher did not want Ben...it is true that Dan Rooney did want Ben and made the call despite Cowher wanting to draft another player...

Well Cowher wanted another player(Andrews) over Ben. That suggests that Cowher didn't want Ben. I heard he also like Rivers better than he liked Ben.
Fortunately for fans things panned out.

[phillyesq]

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.

Who knows what Allen can play. And I thought that anybody could play Cover 2. Wasn't the problem that the old defense was too complicated?

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Who knows what Allen can play. And I thought that anybody could play Cover 2. Wasn't the problem that the old defense was too complicated?

Read somewhere that when they were instituting the cover two scheme in camp this year, the players used to show how it is done were Dexter Jackson (former TB Buc and current intern) and Will Allen. The thing Allen won't do game one is bite on every fake. I won't be shocked if Thomas starts week 2, but Allen is a good choice against Brady.

[phillyesq]

Read somewhere that when they were instituting the cover two scheme in camp this year, the players used to show how it is done were Dexter Jackson (former TB Buc and current intern) and Will Allen. The thing Allen won't do game one is bite on every fake. I won't be shocked if Thomas starts week 2, but Allen is a good choice against Brady.

I agree. Brady would abuse Thomas.

[SidSmythe]

Thomas' strength was his ability to play underneath coverage including man 2 man in the slot.

Could it be he's just not a deep safety??

[WindyCitySteel]

I agree. Brady would abuse Thomas.

So we just bench Thomas every time we play a good QB?

[7upnext]

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.

you don't have to like the coach to like the team. As was stated, Colbert is to blame as well. Regarding the Ben pick. Every draft pick has people for and against a certain player depending on who's still available and what draft it is. You have to remember. The Steelers at that time had just about as good a team besides a QB in the league. So good in fact that a rookie like Ben led them to a 15-1 season. The previous few seasons were just down years all great teams have as they reload via the draft. They landed Porter, Smith, Bell, Burress, Haggans, Hampton, Simmons, Randel el, Keisel, Foote, Troy and Ike. Those players were just about fully developed and ready to roll come 2004. Maybe BC felt Maddox was good enough to do the same and a different player might have shored up another position. How could he know Maddox was going down. Maddox had shown flashes of brilliance and won Comeback Player of the Year in 2002. But yeah, there are such things as Cowher players. In fact, any drafted during his tenure, just like any drafted during Tomlin's are on him. Colbert has been involved for both so he plays a part but I think we know that drafting is a concerted effort with input by all involved so separating by coaches makes sense. Just looking over the players drafted on defense for each coach's reign and it's pretty obvious who was better at finding and developing defensive players.

[Mr.wizard]

Thomas' strength was his ability to play underneath coverage including man 2 man in the slot.

Could it be he's just not a deep safety??

I think his problem is he is trying to be the next "Troy", he is trying to fly all over the field and jump routes. I'm hoping the benching will calm him down and he will just go out and do his job. There is a ton of pressure on him and some big shoes to fill and I think maybe he just tried to do to much in preseason.

[WindyCitySteel]

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.

Good write up. I don't have a ton of confidence. Tomlin fired Arians after 2011 and proclaimed that they have to run the ball better, but they got much worse in 2012. He's been trying to fix the special teams for years to no avail. Can't cover, can't return outside of the spectacular individual effort by Brown, which are few and far between as the blocking absolutely blows.

This year, LeBeau forced out and Tomlin has been heavily involved implementing his cover-2. He deserves some regular season games before judging, but in the preseason it looked like the opposition was playing in non-contract drills. Pitch and catch, and the run D wasn't any better.

Hope I'm wrong and this D comes together. But it's kind of sad when the last Cowher holdover, who tried to retire last year, is still our best pass rusher as we wait for top pick after top pick at OLB to develop.

[Snatch98]

Good write up. I don't have a ton of confidence. Tomlin fired Arians after 2011 and proclaimed that they have to run the ball better, but they got much worse in 2012. He's been trying to fix the special teams for years to no avail. Can't cover, can't return outside of the spectacular individual effort by Brown, which are few and far between as the blocking absolutely blows.

This year, LeBeau forced out and Tomlin has been heavily involved implementing his cover-2. He deserves some regular season games before judging, but in the preseason it looked like the opposition was playing in non-contract drills. Pitch and catch, and the run D wasn't any better.

Hope I'm wrong and this D comes together. But it's kind of sad when the last Cowher holdover, who tried to retire last year, is still our best pass rusher as we wait for top pick after top pick at OLB to develop.

We have a rookie olb and a first rounder heading into his first healthy/nonrookie season. Harrison is a freak of nature and I don't understand why we even talk cowher at this point considering the success Tomlin has already had in his career. Should we ignore the ridiculous success tied to drafting receivers? Timmons? Heyward? Shazier I believe is going to be a tackle/turnover machine. Tomlin is our coach, he's going to be out coach until he retires if I had to bet right now. Check the guys coaching record and maybe give it a rest. I'm not saying people can't be upset but damn is it getting old to read it all the time.

[7upnext]

We have a rookie olb and a first rounder heading into his first healthy/nonrookie season. Harrison is a freak of nature and I don't understand why we even talk cowher at this point considering the success Tomlin has already had in his career. Should we ignore the ridiculous success tied to drafting receivers? Timmons? Heyward? Shazier I believe is going to be a tackle/turnover machine. Tomlin is our coach, he's going to be out coach until he retires if I had to bet right now. Check the guys coaching record and maybe give it a rest. I'm not saying people can't be upset but damn is it getting old to read it all the time.

we'll give it a rest when Tomlin proves to actually bring something to the table with a roster of his making/coaching. He's had since 2012 when it became obvious to everyone that Cowher's players were one step out of the league to replenish the system and coach players up. So far we haven't won a playoff game since 2010 (with mostly Cowher players) and tonight looked pretty pathetic. I think I speak for all his critics that we desperately want him to prove us wrong.

[Snatch98]

we'll give it a rest when Tomlin proves to actually bring something to the table with a roster of his making/coaching. He's had since 2012 when it became obvious to everyone that Cowher's players were one step out of the league to replenish the system and coach players up. So far we haven't won a playoff game since 2010 (with mostly Cowher players) and tonight looked pretty pathetic. I think I speak for all his critics that we desperately want him to prove us wrong.

Wallace doesn't count?
Brown doesnt count?
Sanders doesnt count?
Bryant doesn't count?
Bell doesn't count?
Wheaton looked pretty good when he was targeted tonight. He doesn't count?
We still need to see more from Jones, shazier and Dupree.
Heyward who I already mentioned. He doesn't count?

We are going through a defensive transition. Had bell not been injured by all intents and purposes we probably would have beat the ravens last season. The team had to go through a lull at some point. we've still yet to have a losing season despite missing a playoff victory. You and all the to.Lin detractors are being ridiculous.

[BowCatShot]

We are going through a defensive transition. Had bell not been injured by all intents and purposes we probably would have beat the ravens last season. The team had to go through a lull at some point. we've still yet to have a losing season despite missing a playoff victory. You and all the to.Lin detractors are being ridiculous.

How come the Patriots never go through a defensive transition? How come they always manage to be prepared while we almost never do? How come they are able to make correct gametime decisions and we can't? How come they understand how to time manage the game? Do we? The list of "how come's" is quite lengthy.

[WindyCitySteel]

How come the Patriots never go through a defensive transition? How come they always manage to be prepared while we almost never do? How come they are able to make correct gametime decisions and we can't? How come they understand how to time manage the game? Do we? The list of "how come's" is quite lengthy.

Their defense blew last night. The Steelers outcoached themselves with the stupid WR pass, missed FGs, and DHB made a rookie mistake in the end zone.