Tomlin Speaks

[NorthCoast]

Any guesses on who he is referring to in this quote? Burns? Brown? Shazier?

“He does a lot of things well,” Tomlin told reporters. “He’s very aware. He’s a detailed guy. He understands what he does and how he fits into the big picture. He understands where his help is. He understands the plays he needs to make, the plays he doesn’t need to make.”

[WB Tarleton]

Any guesses on who he is referring to in this quote? Burns? Brown? Shazier?

I saw it earlier today, so not really fair. It's Watt.

[Shoe]

His motives for NE* comments

I'm curious what you all think about Tomlin's comments during his interview with Dungy on NBC, where the talking heads interpret it as looking ahead to NE*. First, from my own perspective, when (last year) I heard Tomlin's talk in the week leading up to the AFCC game, his bluster bolstered my own confidence. Obviously, I was let down there.

I wonder if this seems to be another round of that same sort of (unfounded) bluster.

I have to think that he (and the staff) have examined every inch of the dragon, looking for that one loose scale in its breast to exploit. And I'd like to think that is the reason for his seeming bravado in those comments. Or do you think this is just Tomlin being Tomlin, and he is just throwing up another Hail Mary, to "fire up his troops" (the 70's Steelers like to refer to a time when Noll instilled a confidence in them with a declaration of faith in them before a big game).

What's your take on his comments?

[Slapstick]

I think that Tony Dungy is a friend of Tomlin and Dungy specifically asked for candor in the interview. So, Tomlin was candid. He only voiced what we (and all of the sports media covering the NFL) already believes: That the Steelers and Pats** are on a collision course. Now, both teams need to take care of business, of course, but that is what most of us believe.

Personally, I don’t think it matters. Are you telling me that both teams didn’t metaphorically circle the Pats** @Steelers game on the schedule when it was released? Hell, the NFL knew it would be big, which is why they scheduled it so late in the season...

[Eich]

I have to think that he (and the staff) have examined every inch of the dragon, looking for that one loose scale in its breast to exploit. And I'd like to think that is the reason for his seeming bravado in those comments. Or do you think this is just Tomlin being Tomlin, and he is just throwing up another Hail Mary, to "fire up his troops" (the 70's Steelers like to refer to a time when Noll instilled a confidence in them with a declaration of faith in them before a big game).

What's your take on his comments?

I think it's Tomlin being Tomlin. It's strange too because most of the time, his coach-speak says nothing. But for some reason, he feels the need to say things like he did on Sunday. And like last year before the AFCC game, when he said that "they haven't had to go through us yet", etc.. And the year he said we were going to "unleash hell". I don't know why he does it because it's embarrassing when the team doesn't produce after it.

If everyone here was forced to bet their next paycheck on the Steelers-Patriots game in December, I wonder how many would take the Steelers?

[feltdizz]

I think it's Tomlin being Tomlin. It's strange too because most of the time, his coach-speak says nothing. But for some reason, he feels the need to say things like he did on Sunday. And like last year before the AFCC game, when he said that "they haven't had to go through us yet", etc.. And the year he said we were going to "unleash hell". I don't know why he does it because it's embarrassing when the team doesn't produce after it.

If everyone here was forced to bet their next paycheck on the Steelers-Patriots game in December, I wonder how many would take the Steelers?

whats he supposed to say? maybe he is tired of coach speak and is just being honest. We have to beat the best to be the best.

I dont one have a problem with unleashing hell or living in our fears or any other saying he blurts out. It still comes down to executing on the field.

The problem is the NFl forced coaches to speak every few days. Eventually a coach will say something that the media will run with because it’s their job.

[Eich]

whats he supposed to say? maybe he is tired of coach speak and is just being honest. We have to beat the best to be the best.

I dont one have a problem with unleashing hell or living in our fears or any other saying he blurts out. It still comes down to executing on the field.

The problem is the NFl forced coaches to speak every few days. Eventually a coach will say something that the media will run with because it’s their job.

He's not "supposed" to say anything. He can say whatever he wants. But it would be nice to back it up. We're always compared to the cheaters and Belichick. And after Dungy's interview, Rodney Harrison was the first to point out that this is a major difference between Tomlin and Belichick. Belichick never says anything to the media about games in the future beyond the next one and doesn't allow his players to focus on anything but the next game.

Until we stop playing down to inferior competition and knock off the cheaters, my personal preference would be for Tomlin to avoid feeding the media.

[feltdizz]

He's not "supposed" to say anything. He can say whatever he wants. But it would be nice to back it up. We're always compared to the cheaters and Belichick. And after Dungy's interview, Rodney Harrison was the first to point out that this is a major difference between Tomlin and Belichick. Belichick never says anything to the media about games in the future beyond the next one and doesn't allow his players to focus on anything but the next game.

Until we stop playing down to inferior competition and knock off the cheaters, my personal preference would be for Tomlin to avoid feeding the media.

it doesn't matter. Sure it would be nice to back it up but where he says it or not it still comes down to the game. No one is going to like Tomlin a little more because he didn't say something and still lost to the Pats.

He isn't feeding the media IMO. I think it's the opposite. He put it out there so he won't have to talk around it for the next 2 weeks.

and screw Rodney Harrison. That dude always has something negative to say about us. Actually had the nerve to bring up his pick 6 before the Tennessee game for what? I hate that dude...

[williar]

I loved what he said - I'm tired of this team acting like punk-bitches when it comes to the patriots. Oh- I know they have beat us down several times. There have been times when I felt the pats were just the better team but this time isn't one of them! The biggest problem with us and the patriots are we're SCARED of them. And I think that inherent fear was passed down from Cowher. And I think Ben acts too much like Brady's pom-pom girl! Tomlin is correct - this team SHOULD win it all! Whether Tomlin said it or not doesn't make a bit of difference in the outcome. It is time for this team to man-up! Plain and simple and I think that is the message Tomlin is sending....

[Slapstick]

He's not "supposed" to say anything. He can say whatever he wants. But it would be nice to back it up. We're always compared to the cheaters and Belichick. And after Dungy's interview, Rodney Harrison was the first to point out that this is a major difference between Tomlin and Belichick. Belichick never says anything to the media about games in the future beyond the next one and doesn't allow his players to focus on anything but the next game.

Until we stop playing down to inferior competition and knock off the cheaters, my personal preference would be for Tomlin to avoid feeding the media.

Whether Tomlin comments or not, the media will continue talking about the impending Pats** @Steelers matchup...

Belichick doesn't say anything because he has no personality. Having a crappy personality has little to do with being a good football coach. If that was all it took, Todd Haley would have, like, 11 Super Bowl rings...

In any case, Belichick probably uses "coachspeak" during his pillow talk...

[RuthlessBurgher]

In any case, Belichick probably uses "coachspeak" during his pillow talk...

"We're on to foreplay."

[feltdizz]

I loved what he said - I'm tired of this team acting like punk-bitches when it comes to the patriots. Oh- I know they have beat us down several times. There have been times when I felt the pats were just the better team but this time isn't one of them! The biggest problem with us and the patriots are we're SCARED of them. And I think that inherent fear was passed down from Cowher. And I think Ben acts too much like Brady's pom-pom girl! Tomlin is correct - this team SHOULD win it all! Whether Tomlin said it or not doesn't make a bit of difference in the outcome. It is time for this team to man-up! Plain and simple and I think that is the message Tomlin is sending....

yeah, I agree 100%. Doesn’t matter what Tomlin says the media is going to turn that game into a preview of the AFCCG.

[Slapstick]

"We're on to foreplay."

Ol' Bill doesn't strike me as a big foreplay guy...

[msp26505]

Ol' Bill doesn't strike me as a big foreplay guy...

"Just do your job..."

[NorthCoast]

He's not "supposed" to say anything. He can say whatever he wants. But it would be nice to back it up. We're always compared to the cheaters and Belichick. And after Dungy's interview, Rodney Harrison was the first to point out that this is a major difference between Tomlin and Belichick. Belichick never says anything to the media about games in the future beyond the next one and doesn't allow his players to focus on anything but the next game.

Until we stop playing down to inferior competition and knock off the cheaters, my personal preference would be for Tomlin to avoid feeding the media.

Belichick's handling of the media is legendary and I would guess a lot of NFL coaches would prefer to use his approach. His response to the reporter's question after their game Sunday was viral-worthy. Nearly spewed my beer across the room.