So what is this Steelers nepotism thing that has creeped into the organization

[rooneytunes]

Edmunds brothers
Watt brothers
Heyward brothers
Herbig brothers

The Joey Porter Jr connection

The Matt Canada NHALS' son connection

Sure I am missing something else.

I mean, if the guys are good then fine. But if it is at the expense of the overall talent and it's because they are trying to be cool or nice or it's happening because of laziness.....then wtf?

It's just weird

[stillthere]

The only thing I can say is the team knows more about their character from people that have shown character, work ethic, desire etc....

Patriots had two brothers as D backs and that worked out well for them. Hutchinson in Detroit is an NFL legacy. If you could have both Bosa Brothers on a roster I would have to imagine most teams would want that.

[Stillchest]

The only thing I can say is the team knows more about their character from people that have shown character, work ethic, desire etc....

Patriots had two brothers as D backs and that worked out well for them. Hutchinson in Detroit is an NFL legacy. If you could have both Bosa Brothers on a roster I would have to imagine most teams would want that.

Except on the Steelers, where most of the brothers are jags.

Tomlin has developed a nepotistic fetish for acquiring bloodlines, which does give the simple minded local sports pundits lots to yuck up about.

[stillthere]

The only thing I can say is the team knows more about their character from people that have shown character, work ethic, desire etc....

Patriots had two brothers as D backs and that worked out well for them. Hutchinson in Detroit is an NFL legacy. If you could have both Bosa Brothers on a roster I would have to imagine most teams would want that.

Except on the Steelers, where most of the brothers are jags.

Tomlin has developed a nepotistic fetish for acquiring bloodlines, which does give the simple minded local sports pundits lots to yuck up about.

If Watt shaved a few dollars off of TJ's deal then that is fine.
The other ones - one is a rookie (Herbig) and one is going into his 2nd year (Heyward) . Porter a rookie. Matt Canada connection started at Pitt and continued at Maryland with Dino T.
Some people wanted Edmunds brother signed in free agency at MLB just a few short weeks ago. As far as the other Edmunds brother he was a special team player that got maybe 30 snaps a season on offense, as the 3rd and 4th string TB and emergency FB I don't have a problem with a player like that. If he is on the field for significant reps the team is in the shitter already, sort of similar to D. Watt in that regard.
EDIT:
Also with Porter it is rare that a coach is in a place long enough to have a father and son play for the same guy. Belichik, Carrol and Reid are the only ones that I can think of that have had long enough runs to even be in that kind of position. NE the DC is Bill's son I think and Reid had some of his kids on staff over the years if my memory serves me correctly.

[Stillchest]

The only thing I can say is the team knows more about their character from people that have shown character, work ethic, desire etc....

Patriots had two brothers as D backs and that worked out well for them. Hutchinson in Detroit is an NFL legacy. If you could have both Bosa Brothers on a roster I would have to imagine most teams would want that.

Except on the Steelers, where most of the brothers are jags.

Tomlin has developed a nepotistic fetish for acquiring bloodlines, which does give the simple minded local sports pundits lots to yuck up about.

If Watt shaved a few dollars off of TJ's deal then that is fine.
The other ones - one is a rookie (Herbig) and one is going into his 2nd year (Heyward) . Porter a rookie. Matt Canada connection started at Pitt and continued at Maryland with Dino T.
Some people wanted Edmunds brother signed in free agency at MLB just a few short weeks ago. As far as the other Edmunds brother he was a special team player that got maybe 30 snaps a season on offense, as the 3rd and 4th string TB and emergency FB I don't have a problem with a player like that. If he is on the field for significant reps the team is in the shitter already, sort of similar to D. Watt in that regard.
EDIT:
Also with Porter it is rare that a coach is in a place long enough to have a father and son play for the same guy. Belichik, Carrol and Reid are the only ones that I can think of that have had long enough runs to even be in that kind of position. NE the DC is Bill's son I think and Reid had some of his kids on staff over the years if my memory serves me correctly.

Aside from the recent draft picks, none of those bloodlines make the team better nor worse, arguably.

So, it’s just a weird Tomlin fetish that some people really enjoy, especially the fans and pundits who consider Tomlin a football messiah.

[stillthere]

Here is an article from 2021 talking about the numbers of players that have NFL bloodlines that is becoming more prevalent.

https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/C ... 4430260_13

This article from a few weeks ago talks about a lot of NFL bloodlines just in the current draft class as well.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/new ... nnections/

[Sir Lambert]

Also with Porter it is rare that a coach is in a place long enough to have a father and son play for the same guy.

Joey Porter never played for Tomlin, did he? I think Joey Porter was on the roster when Tomlin was hired, but went to Miami in the offseason and didn't ever play for Tomlin's team. Tomlin might have seen what he had in Harrison, while Cowher didn't. Imagine if Porter and Harrison were on the field at the same time. Did that ever happen when Cowher was there? Harrison didn't become a starter until Porter left.

[K_C_]

I hate that Derek Watt is a Steeler (well, he likely will be again) but Connor Heyward was very impressive last season and I expect him to make a shitload of plays in the future. Joey Porter Jr. is going to be pushed by his dad to be great. The kid "gets" what the Steelers are about and will put in the work.

The Edmunds thing was stupid and we'll see how the Herbigs work out.

[jeemie]

I hate that Derek Watt is a Steeler (well, he likely will be again) but Connor Heyward was very impressive last season and I expect him to make a shitload of plays in the future. Joey Porter Jr. is going to be pushed by his dad to be great. The kid "gets" what the Steelers are about and will put in the work.

The Edmunds thing was stupid and we'll see how the Herbigs work out.

I don’t know…maybe Mullet Man from Iowa is going to take Derek’s place.

And really only the Edmunds brothers didn’t pan out, of all the brothers.

Connor Heyward was good last year.
Derek Watt was good for what he provided.
I don’t think Porter is going to be a huge bust. I just don’t think he’s all people are making him out to be.

So we shall see.

[tbsteel]

TJ Watt - Was disliked by a ton of Steelers fans as a late riser, wasn't seen as a first round pick, and some on here were even wanting to move him to ILB. Lol, talk about the miss of all-time misses. Hey, let's take the guy who will go to the HOF and is probably already the best pass rusher in team history and let's move him to ILB. I think even some folks on here said that after his rookie year as well. Don't know how you ever live that one down. That's one of those "OK, I've got to re-evaluate what I'm doing here" kind of moments.

Terrell Edmunds - As much as I hated the pick, he was not a bust. He ended up being a solid, dependable starter. Has a higher weighed career approximate value per Pro Football Reference than 12 of the next 18 picks after his selection.

Derek Watt - Was PFF's second highest rated FB in his draft class, drafted as a sixth rounder by San Diego, played in more games than any other pick in the sixth round of his draft class (interesting that second on that list is LB Elandon Roberts), and was brought here for a relative minimal role and looks like he may not be back next year.

Connor Heyward - Was the 208th pick of his draft. Dressed in all 17 games. Already outplaying his draft spot just by dressing and being a contributor.

I mean, I don't see much of a problem here.

[franco32]

You guys forgot that Kevin Colbert got a job for his son as a key scout in our front office. It's everywhere.

That said, I have zero problem with it if the guys deserve it. JPJ for example was the right choice regardless of his dad. I like Herbig (although I can respect that others don't). I also agree that C. Heyward played better than his draft position.

[K_C_]

I don’t think Porter is going to be a huge bust. I just don’t think he’s all people are making him out to be.

So we shall see.

Porter wasn’t drafted because he’s Joey Porter’s kid.
He was basically rated by every football analyst I saw as a top 15 pick. He has more than the required size and the necessary speed but I think what the Steelers loved about Porter the most is because of what they demand all their corners do at a high level:

He’s tackles like a truck. Isn’t afraid to knock the fuck out of you.

No. I don’t think Porter is going to come anywhere near being a bust and will likely be a very, very good player. I don’t know if he’ll be great but he definitely has the ability, want to and work ethic.

[Jizz Mop]

Ranking worst acts of Nepotism:

1. Matt Canada hire and the fact he’s still OC

2. Derek Watt

3. Draft/sign Dino Tomlin or adding him to coaching staff (pending)

[Smashmouth21]

TJ Watt - Was disliked by a ton of Steelers fans as a late riser, wasn't seen as a first round pick, and some on here were even wanting to move him to ILB. Lol, talk about the miss of all-time misses. Hey, let's take the guy who will go to the HOF and is probably already the best pass rusher in team history and let's move him to ILB. I think even some folks on here said that after his rookie year as well. Don't know how you ever live that one down. That's one of those "OK, I've got to re-evaluate what I'm doing here" kind of moments.

Terrell Edmunds - As much as I hated the pick, he was not a bust. He ended up being a solid, dependable starter. Has a higher weighed career approximate value per Pro Football Reference than 12 of the next 18 picks after his selection.

Derek Watt - Was PFF's second highest rated FB in his draft class, drafted as a sixth rounder by San Diego, played in more games than any other pick in the sixth round of his draft class (interesting that second on that list is LB Elandon Roberts), and was brought here for a relative minimal role and looks like he may not be back next year.

Connor Heyward - Was the 208th pick of his draft. Dressed in all 17 games. Already outplaying his draft spot just by dressing and being a contributor.

I mean, I don't see much of a problem here.

+1. Just too much sense in this post and not enough unintelligible Tomlin bashing.

[jeemie]

Ranking worst acts of Nepotism:

1. Matt Canada hire and the fact he’s still OC

2. Derek Watt

3. Draft/sign Dino Tomlin or adding him to coaching staff (pending)

You're putting as your third choice something that hasn't happened yet?

And Derek Watt ended up contributing just fine for what he was asked to do so it's silly to mark him second.

[Pabst]

If anyone should be complaining about nepotism right now it's NE Patriots fans.

- Team president is Krafts son
- Director of player personnel is the son of a long time Belichick assistant
- 2 of Belichick's kids are on the coaching staff
- LB coach and Strength coach are brothers

[SteelerDayTrader]

The Steelers have been increasingly likely to keep their circle small in many regards

Many (all ?) other teams do the same thing

I think it ends up hurting the Steelers more than most because they have very very small view of what football is and what it should be allowed to be.

And most of that comes from an agenda that made the Steelers one of the worst franchises in sports history for decades

Most disturbing part of all that to me is at one point the Steelers rejected all of that bs and created the best football team in history

At that point they should’ve realized permanently having an agenda and a false mythology doesn’t work but old habits die hard

Real hard. Even in the face of rare generational talent

[Jizz Mop]

Ranking worst acts of Nepotism:

1. Matt Canada hire and the fact he’s still OC

2. Derek Watt

3. Draft/sign Dino Tomlin or adding him to coaching staff (pending)

You're putting as your third choice something that hasn't happened yet? Yes. I even added a “pending” to clarify. I fully expect it to happen.

And Derek Watt ended up contributing just fine for what he was asked to do so it's silly to mark him second.

You can be critical of my list, but please put your own list together if you’re gonna be critical. Thanks.

[Stillchest]

If anyone should be complaining about nepotism right now it's NE Patriots fans.

- Team president is Krafts son
- Director of player personnel is the son of a long time Belichick assistant
- 2 of Belichick's kids are on the coaching staff
- LB coach and Strength coach are brothers

Yes, but aside from the last couple of seasons, how many playoff games have they won? Super Bowls?

They dominated their division for years and were legit perennial contenders.

That coaching tree, although mostly unsuccessful, have enough roots to build a forest.

Win an organ that’s been that successful, it’s difficult to fault them for nepotism, imo.

[stillthere]

Also with Porter it is rare that a coach is in a place long enough to have a father and son play for the same guy.

Joey Porter never played for Tomlin, did he? I think Joey Porter was on the roster when Tomlin was hired, but went to Miami in the offseason and didn't ever play for Tomlin's team. Tomlin might have seen what he had in Harrison, while Cowher didn't. Imagine if Porter and Harrison were on the field at the same time. Did that ever happen when Cowher was there? Harrison didn't become a starter until Porter left.

You may be right. I remember Harrison had to play the game when Peezy Sr. got ejected for fighting with a browns RB before the game started. AR2 said he thinks this may be the first time a team has had a father son combo that he can recall. I was half listening to one of his pressers after work yesterday.

[stillthere]

If anyone should be complaining about nepotism right now it's NE Patriots fans.

- Team president is Krafts son
- Director of player personnel is the son of a long time Belichick assistant
- 2 of Belichick's kids are on the coaching staff
- LB coach and Strength coach are brothers

[stillthere]

If anyone should be complaining about nepotism right now it's NE Patriots fans.

- Team president is Krafts son
- Director of player personnel is the son of a long time Belichick assistant
- 2 of Belichick's kids are on the coaching staff
- LB coach and Strength coach are brothers

Yes, but aside from the last couple of seasons, how many playoff games have they won? Super Bowls?

They dominated their division for years and were legit perennial contenders.

That coaching tree, although mostly unsuccessful, have enough roots to build a forest.

Win an organ that’s been that successful, it’s difficult to fault them for nepotism, imo.

It happens on all teams. It is just noticed by us more because we know the Steelers names and roots better than others but if you go look at any coaching staff you will see the same thing. I assume exceedingly more so if a coach has been in place for at least 4 or 5 years.

[Pabst]

If anyone should be complaining about nepotism right now it's NE Patriots fans.

- Team president is Krafts son
- Director of player personnel is the son of a long time Belichick assistant
- 2 of Belichick's kids are on the coaching staff
- LB coach and Strength coach are brothers

Yes, but aside from the last couple of seasons, how many playoff games have they won? Super Bowls?

They dominated their division for years and were legit perennial contenders.

That coaching tree, although mostly unsuccessful, have enough roots to build a forest.

Win an organ that’s been that successful, it’s difficult to fault them for nepotism, imo.

"Aside from the last couple seasons" is doing a lot of work here.

All credit to them for finding/developing Brady, but it's amazing how the 'Patriot way' fell apart once he left

[Stosh-67]

Didn't Landry Jones date or marry Ben's sister?

The Steelers going to roster 4 TEs and a FB?

Connor did outperform his draft slot.
Has potential to do a little bit of everything and be that guy that makes one key play in a key moment every other game or so.

[Stillchest]

Didn't Landry Jones date or marry Ben's sister?

The Steelers going to roster 4 TEs and a FB?

Connor did outperform his draft slot.
Has potential to do a little bit of everything and be that guy that makes one key play in a key moment every other game or so.

I was pleasantly impressed with Connor.

Wish he had an O-coordinator that was capable of maximizing his abilities.

[Jobu]

Didn't Landry Jones date or marry Ben's sister?

IIRC, LJs girlfriend/wife was a college basketball teammate of Ben’s sister.

[jeemie]

Ranking worst acts of Nepotism:

1. Matt Canada hire and the fact he’s still OC

2. Derek Watt

3. Draft/sign Dino Tomlin or adding him to coaching staff (pending)

You're putting as your third choice something that hasn't happened yet? Yes. I even added a “pending” to clarify. I fully expect it to happen.

And Derek Watt ended up contributing just fine for what he was asked to do so it's silly to mark him second.

You can be critical of my list, but please put your own list together if you’re gonna be critical. Thanks.

That’s ridiculous. I’m not going to put together a list because I don’t care as long as the players are good.

So far, most of the brothers have been pretty good for what we “paid” to get them.

Well…the Matt Canada one I agree with…that was bad.

[Steel Bingo]

Also with Porter it is rare that a coach is in a place long enough to have a father and son play for the same guy.

Joey Porter never played for Tomlin, did he? I think Joey Porter was on the roster when Tomlin was hired, but went to Miami in the offseason and didn't ever play for Tomlin's team. Tomlin might have seen what he had in Harrison, while Cowher didn't. Imagine if Porter and Harrison were on the field at the same time. Did that ever happen when Cowher was there? Harrison didn't become a starter until Porter left.

You may be right. I remember Harrison had to play the game when Peezy Sr. got ejected for fighting with a browns RB before the game started. AR2 said he thinks this may be the first time a team has had a father son combo that he can recall. I was half listening to one of his pressers after work yesterday.

I remember that time frame well. My assessment back then was that when Cowher retired it was necessary that some of his 'Steeler football identity' follow him out the door. Peezy was Cowher's vocal leader and defensive enforcer. He was too tied to the old regime to hang on to, so he never played under Tomlin. It was going to be up to the next guy to build his own defensive legacy. And of course, having James Harrison to step into the ROLB spot definitely made that an easy transition.

Nepotism or not, if J.J. Watt decided sometime this November that he wanted to play football, it'd be awesome if it were for the Steelers.

[Ice]

Is it odd I just saw something on a news feed about him "un-retiring" from football?

[Jobu]

Is it odd I just saw something on a news feed about him "un-retiring" from football?

Ehhh…he’s buying into a soccer team.
https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news/pi ... g-football