Tomlin

[Steel Maniac]

Polamalu: Mike Tomlin predicted key play in Super Bowl XLIII

By BRYAN DEARDO Feb 1, 2018

https://247sports.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/Article/Pittsburgh-Steelers-safety-Troy-Polamlu-Mike-Tomlin-accurately-predicted-key-play-in-Super-Bowl-XLIII-40276235/

Former Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu thinks Mike Tomlin is a great coach.

Tomlin's prediction before Super Bowl XLIII is one reason why Polamalu holds his former coach in such high regard.

Before James Harrison's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in Pittsburgh's 27-23 win over the Cardinals, Tomlin accurately predicted that the Steelers would need such a play in order to defeat the Cardinals, who at the time of the interception, were poised to take the lead near the end of the first half.

"We had a practice prior to the game, we picked off maybe five or six passes," Tomlin said back in 2009 during an interview with NFL Network. "I'm watching (the) practice tape, I can't sleep, and I decide to make a cutup of every interception that we had in that practice. I noticed that we weren't rallying and getting offensive. So when we met on Thursday, I ran that cutup...didn't say much, other than the fact that this performance is probably not gonna be enough.

"We're gonna have to get out in front of people, and we're gonna have to run one back, or maybe two back."

Then, two sweeten the pot, Tomlin offered some incentive to the Steelers defense, who in 2008 was one of the best units of all-time.

"I told them that the last time I coached in a Super Bowl (as the Buccaneers defensive backs coach in Super Bowl XXXVII), the defense I was apart of ran three of them back, and put 21 points on the board. And I thought that that was a great defense," Tomlin said with a laugh. "They didn't think it was as funny as I did, but for the rest of the week, when we picked the ball off, they got out in front of one another, and ran it back."

Tomlin's prediction reached fruition on Super Bowl Sunday. After Harrison's pick, Pittsburgh's entire defense seemingly ran down the field with him, providing key blocks that helped Harrison on his way to the end zone. The pick-six gave the Steelers a 17-7 halftime lead, and is regarded as arguably the greatest defensive play in Super Bowl history.

"That's what I'll always remember about that play, that convoy of bodies around James," Tomlin said. "The number of people out in front of him and the people willing to peel back and get people chasing him as he ran out of gas is as spectacular as the play itself."

Polamalu, who retired this past offseason, said that Tomlin's prediction and emphasis on rallying after an interception was just one reason why the Steelers won that game, and why Tomlin is one of the best in the business.

"That's pretty amazing, the way things worked out that way," Polamalu said, looking back. "Him showing us that film, him driving that point across, him getting out of bed. That's the sign of a great coach. I would stayed in bed and kept sleeping."

Cowhers coaches and players... more than a decade ago. Janet Jackson said it best.. “ what have you done for me lately ( lately being a decade +)” LOL.

[hawaiiansteel]

Cowhers coaches and players...

you mean the ones it took him 14 years to win with and then went 8-8 his last season missing the playoffs with?

[Captain Lemming]

Cowhers coaches and players... more than a decade ago. Janet Jackson said it best.. “ what have you done for me lately ( lately being a decade +)” LOL.

Maniac, while I don't agree, I could actually understand the "what have you done for me lately" angle.

If that was all your criticism was, if you look at him like a Shula...just time to move on I'd get it.

My beef is with the idea he gets no credit for success. You act like he was just gifted a dynasty that had an 8-8 record.

Here you are dismissing a piece of BRILLIANT preparation that resulted in the margin of victory? The best defensive play in post season history was the result of specific preparation?

You dismiss this crucial coaching that made the difference in winning and losing because they were "Cowhers players"?

Cowhers players weren't focused on turning any turnover into points...Tomlin prepared them to go offense, immediately being ready to block like an offensive line. Tomlin DRILLED his players for that outcome we saw that day.

If that is not great coaching prep...please share what specific preparation have you seen ANY coach make in advance that resulted in a play that made that much of a difference (potential 14 point swing) in a game?

I will wait.

[feltdizz]

Maniac, while I don't agree, I could actually understand the "what have you done for me lately" angle.

If that was all your criticism was, if you look at him like a Shula...just time to move on I'd get it.

My beef is with the idea he gets no credit for success. You act like he was just gifted a dynasty that had an 8-8 record.

Here you are dismissing a piece of BRILLIANT preparation that resulted in the margin of victory? The best defensive play in post season history was the result of specific preparation?

You dismiss this crucial coaching that made the difference in winning and losing because they were "Cowhers players"?

Cowhers players weren't focused on turning any turnover into points...Tomlin prepared them to go offense, immediately being ready to block like an offensive line. Tomlin DRILLED his players for that outcome we saw that day.

If that is not great coaching prep...please share what specific preparation have you seen ANY coach make in advance that resulted in a play that made that much of a difference (potential 14 point swing) in a game?

I will wait.

Deshea Townsend was the only one who acted like a “Cowher player” on that play.

Everyone else is hustling to block someone and Townsend is trying to grab the ball from JH.

Probably the best play I have ever witnessed in a SB.

[whatever]

you mean the ones it took him 14 years to win with and then went 8-8 his last season missing the playoffs with?

cowhers built that team, won and passed it on to Tomlin.
Besides, what about tomlins team after winning the super bowl?
What was that teams record?

[whatever]

Maniac, while I don't agree, I could actually understand the "what have you done for me lately" angle.

If that was all your criticism was, if you look at him like a Shula...just time to move on I'd get it.

My beef is with the idea he gets no credit for success. You act like he was just gifted a dynasty that had an 8-8 record.

Here you are dismissing a piece of BRILLIANT preparation that resulted in the margin of victory? The best defensive play in post season history was the result of specific preparation?

You dismiss this crucial coaching that made the difference in winning and losing because they were "Cowhers players"?

Cowhers players weren't focused on turning any turnover into points...Tomlin prepared them to go offense, immediately being ready to block like an offensive line. Tomlin DRILLED his players for that outcome we saw that day.

If that is not great coaching prep...please share what specific preparation have you seen ANY coach make in advance that resulted in a play that made that much of a difference (potential 14 point swing) in a game?

I will wait.

Where you aware of this ‘coaching’ before the super bowl or just heard about it afterwards?

[whatever]

Deshea Townsend was the only one who acted like a “Cowher player” on that play.

Everyone else is hustling to block someone and Townsend is trying to grab the ball from JH.

Probably the best play I have ever witnessed in a SB.

It was an incredible play.
Santonio’s catch and the throw from Ben was pretty amazing also.

[feltdizz]

It was an incredible play.
Santonio’s catch and the throw from Ben was pretty amazing also.

one of the most entertaining endings to a SB.

I don’t remember anyone thanking Cowher after we won though.. lol.

[feltdizz]

Where you aware of this ‘coaching’ before the super bowl or just heard about it afterwards?

everyone was aware of Tomlin due to researching and hearing about his time in Tampa. John Lynch raved about how prepared Tomlin had their secondary.l and how Dungy would let Tomlin run meetings like he was the HC. Dungy was credited a ton for empowering Tomlin snd giving him leadership skills.

[whatever]

everyone was aware of Tomlin due to researching and hearing about his time in Tampa. John Lynch raved about how prepared Tomlin had their secondary.l and how Dungy would let Tomlin run meetings like he was the HC. Dungy was credited a ton for empowering Tomlin snd giving him leadership skills.

So the answer is, no. Fans did not hear about this ‘blocking after a turnover’ until after the fact.
I’m sure every coordinator that becomes a head coach gets rave reviews from their HC. That’s why they get head coaching offers.

[Steel Maniac]

Maniac, while I don't agree, I could actually understand the "what have you done for me lately" angle.

If that was all your criticism was, if you look at him like a Shula...just time to move on I'd get it.

My beef is with the idea he gets no credit for success. You act like he was just gifted a dynasty that had an 8-8 record.

Here you are dismissing a piece of BRILLIANT preparation that resulted in the margin of victory? The best defensive play in post season history was the result of specific preparation?

You dismiss this crucial coaching that made the difference in winning and losing because they were "Cowhers players"?

Cowhers players weren't focused on turning any turnover into points...Tomlin prepared them to go offense, immediately being ready to block like an offensive line. Tomlin DRILLED his players for that outcome we saw that day.

If that is not great coaching prep...please share what specific preparation have you seen ANY coach make in advance that resulted in a play that made that much of a difference (potential 14 point swing) in a game?

I will wait.

Again...

You are talking about ONE game and something that was over a decade ago. You sound like one of those old men, sitting in a rocking chair and talking about what you did back in 1939. Hahahahaha.
It's about the recent NOW! There are no more of Cowher's coaches and players to bail him out. NOW....these are coaches and players he chose and coached. NOW (being the last 11 years) is when we see what HE (he being Tomlin) can create. And he's created a bunch of winning seasons but he gets out coached in the playoffs consistently. Now by Kevin Stefanski of the Browns.

I love when you talk thou...you constantly reach back a decade or more to claim glory. When we live in the NOW. Hahaha. Thanks for waiting. Your wait has been fulfilled.

[Chucktownsteeler]

Tomlin is a good coach, no doubt.

[feltdizz]

So the answer is, no. Fans did not hear about this ‘blocking after a turnover’ until after the fact.
I’m sure every coordinator that becomes a head coach gets rave reviews from their HC. That’s why they get head coaching offers.

Are you suggesting the players are lying?

I mean, it would be foolish for players to announce loudly what they were doing in practices leading up to the game.

My goodness.. your hate for Tomlin has killed too many brain cells.

[feltdizz]

Again...

You are talking about ONE game and something that was over a decade ago. You sound like one of those old men, sitting in a rocking chair and talking about what you did back in 1939. Hahahahaha.
It's about the recent NOW! There are no more of Cowher's coaches and players to bail him out. NOW....these are coaches and players he chose and coached. NOW (being the last 11 years) is when we see what HE (he being Tomlin) can create. And he's created a bunch of winning seasons but he gets out coached in the playoffs consistently. Now by Kevin Stefanski of the Browns.

I love when you talk thou...you constantly reach back a decade or more to claim glory. When we live in the NOW. Hahaha. Thanks for waiting. Your wait has been fulfilled.

you do realize you have been yapping about the past since forever and continue to reference it in your sig.

The NOW is an3 year extension. Cry about it and continue rooting against the Steelers while claiming to be a fan.

[Captain Lemming]

Where you aware of this ‘coaching’ before the super bowl or just heard about it afterwards?

Do you realize how ridiculous you are being whatever?

Nobody knows what a team is preparing before a game...what do you think, you are gonna see that stuff in the paper?

Only way ANYBODY but the team finds out is if they are playing the Pats who steal that info.

See dumb questions like this are why I don't take you seriously. You completely ignore the point and throw up bogus questions that you don't even realize make no sense.

How do I know it happenned? The article cites Troy as confirming what Tomlin said.

I drop links for a reason. I know you don't take the time to prove your statements as I do but can you at least tap link?

It ain't that hard.