The Fifth Quarter - Week 1 Rewind

[Legacy User]

Just a random thought....

What the hell was Brown doing after his TD with 2 seconds left? Was he actually acting like it mattered and talking shit to the crowd? These guys seem to have little situational awareness at times. That's just embarrassing.

Not to mention he gator-armed a ball over the middle earlier...which I'm not going to give him too hard a time about. Pulls that shit late in a playoff game and then it would be a different story.

[Steeldrama]

Thanks as always for the quality summation perch. Now if we could just get fc back writing the gospel.

Anyway, I think it was stosh a couple of seasons back that first suggested getting Tomlin somebody to manage the clock for him. Sure it's embarrassing for the organization to have to go that route but who says you have to announce the hire as anything more than consultant rather than specifically say clock mgt coach.

The 91% completion rate stat perch posted was a stunning attention getter. I'm a huge fan of Carnell Lake the player, but he sucks goat balls as a coach. Joey Porter another fan favorite as a player. What's he done to improve our pass rushers? No more nostalgic coaching hires please.

Colbert has a lot of culpability in the talent demise of the defense but he wasn't nearly this horrific when Cowher was helping pick the flesh. I know, I know y'all hate Cowher and he too got cheated by Belichick but he never looked as shitoff stupid as Tomlin did last night.

Bottom line to me is it wasn't the Steelers headsets malfunctioning, it was their head coach. I mean if you claim it happens every time you play there why not, you know, prepare for it? Maybe bring your own working equipment or use fucking morse code. Just stop with the cliches and rhetoric Tomlin and go out coach somebody for once!

[Legacy User]

Thanks as always for the quality summation perch. Now if we could just get fc back writing the gospel.

Anyway, I think it was stosh a couple of seasons back that first suggested getting Tomlin somebody to manage the clock for him. Sure it's embarrassing for the organization to have to go that route but who says you have to announce the hire as anything more than consultant rather than specifically say clock mgt coach.

The 91% completion rate stat perch posted was a stunning attention getter. I'm a huge fan of Carnell Lake the player, but he sucks goat balls as a coach. Joey Porter another fan favorite as a player. What's he done to improve our pass rushers? No more nostalgic coaching hires please.

Colbert has a lot of culpability in the talent demise of the defense but he wasn't nearly this horrific when Cowher was helping pick the flesh. I know, I know y'all hate Cowher and he too got cheated by Belichick but he never looked as shitoff stupid as Tomlin did last night.

Bottom line to me is it wasn't the Steelers headsets malfunctioning, it was their head coach. I mean if you claim it happens every time you play there why not, you know, prepare for it? Maybe bring your own working equipment or use fucking morse code. Just stop with the cliches and rhetoric Tomlin and go out coach somebody for once!

Tomlin was asked about the headsets and answered candidly. I don't understand why people are acting as though he brought it up unsolicited just because he felt like whining or as some sort of excuse for the loss. Sports media outlets want to get as much mileage as they can out of the Patriots cheating storyline, and I think a lot of other people around the league are getting sick of both the Patriots' cheating and being asked about it.

[bradshaw2ben]

There is one coaching point that I do think deserves to be mentioned and criticized. The Steelers are downright amazing in their execution of the handful of running plays they call. They might be one of the best run blocking execution teams in the league right now-- in the conversation with Denver/Atlanta/Houston Gibbs, Washington counter trey, Steelers of yore trap blocking. My contention is they practice and run those more than the average team and are really fucking good at it. If they don't execute it well, it's because they got physically beat most of the time-- they rarely fuck it up.

Contrast that with the execution of the short passing game so perfected by New England. Much like the Steelers run playbook, the Cheats pass game doesn't have too many plays-- they run the most basic pattern combos-- but they execute them the way you would expect for a unit that practices them over and over and over.

So, here's the thing: when your offense practices those little pick plays and return routes, it's also practice for the defense defending against those plays. In fact, the Patriots made hay of the fact that they practiced just such a goal line pick play over and over again leading up to the super bowl-- partially because they expected Seattle to do it-- and they got good at doing it themselves... and more importantly Malcolm Butler recognized it and broke on the ball to avoid getting picked like he had virtually every time they'd run it in practice = Super Bowl win out of nowhere.

Considering that other teams kill the Steelers with the kind of underneath routes like the Pats run, and considering our offense doesn't really excel at that at all-- we look better recently but it's not as second nature for us, especially in goal to go-- why don't we practice that as much as we practice perfecting those run plays? I guess that's part of what seven shots were about, and I suppose you have to credit Tomlin for trying that... but, like most people/teams, I think the Steelers practice like mad the stuff they're really good at and don't spend as much time on the worst stuff.

[Legacy User]

Glad Ben got included in the clock management fiasco cabal. Think Brady would have stood there with his thumb up his ass watching the clock wind down after that draw play? Ben just kept looking over at the sidelines with no alacrity. Maybe Rooney told him not to get to big for his britches

Controlling the clock by was our best defense. The Pats were beatable and it kept the game close. With wondershit Butler running the D, get use to moral victories...

Scooby Do should have has to make those kicks. We have no room for error.

[bradshaw2ben]

thing about the clock running down after that draw... if DHB executes a simple high school play, the clock management features 7 or 8 points and Brady with no time remaining.

[Orangesteel]

So what's the excuse for Tomlin not calling a TO on Gronk's 3rd TD? They have the goaline out there, Fuckface audibles, Tomlin and the whole coaching staff see Gronk lined up on Terrance Garvin, and he and nobody else is inclined to call a TO?

I've been asking this for 3+ years: if we can't depend on Tomlin to take the lead in situations like that, then what does Tomlin do? What exactly does Mike Tomlin bring to this team as a head coach? Nobody has given me a worthwhile answer since 2011.

[Legacy User]

So what's the excuse for Tomlin not calling a TO on Gronk's 3rd TD? They have the goaline out there, Fuckface audibles, Tomlin and the whole coaching staff see Gronk lined up on Terrance Garvin, and he and nobody else is inclined to call a TO?

I've been asking this for 3+ years: if we can't depend on Tomlin to take the lead in situations like that, then what does Tomlin do? What exactly does Mike Tomlin bring to this team as a head coach? Nobody has given me a worthwhile answer since 2011.

Tomlin not always calling time outs when you want him to != Tomlin doing nothing for the team. Do you follow him around all week at paractice to see what he's doing?

[bradshaw2ben]

who do we have on D that's big enough to fight off Gronk's block if they stay tight in 4 TE formation at the 1 AND who can cover Gronk 1 on 1 isolated on the edge more than 1% better than Garvin? Who in the league can do that? Is he going to call a TO so he can trade for Chancellor and fly him in before the next play?

[COR-TEN]

Does anybody really have any idea what effect the communications breakdown had on alignments/ personnel groupings / play calls?

The plays that had Gronk out wide with nobody on him. Was that really a mistake by the on field players? Did they actually not notice the monster on the outside all alone?

Was that Dupree covering Gronk on the 40+ pass play or was he supposed to just cover the middle half of the field? Was he supposed to stay with Gronk until safety help?

I know Tomlin doesn't like to make excuses, but they were so out of position I can't believe they were that stupid.

[Orangesteel]

who do we have on D that's big enough to fight off Gronk's block if they stay tight in 4 TE formation at the 1 AND who can cover Gronk 1 on 1 isolated on the edge more than 1% better than Garvin? Who in the league can do that? Is he going to call a TO so he can trade for Chancellor and fly him in before the next play?

I'd like Jones or Shazier on that play. More athletic and faster that Terrance Garvin.

[Orangesteel]

So what's the excuse for Tomlin not calling a TO on Gronk's 3rd TD? They have the goaline out there, Fuckface audibles, Tomlin and the whole coaching staff see Gronk lined up on Terrance Garvin, and he and nobody else is inclined to call a TO?

I've been asking this for 3+ years: if we can't depend on Tomlin to take the lead in situations like that, then what does Tomlin do? What exactly does Mike Tomlin bring to this team as a head coach? Nobody has given me a worthwhile answer since 2011.

Tomlin not always calling time outs when you want him to != Tomlin doing nothing for the team. Do you follow him around all week at paractice to see what he's doing?

Ok, I've seen this before, for over a 1000 days now I'll ask the same goddamn question, what does Mike Tomlin excel at as a head coach? Just give me something.

[Orangesteel]

who do we have on D that's big enough to fight off Gronk's block if they stay tight in 4 TE formation at the 1 AND who can cover Gronk 1 on 1 isolated on the edge more than 1% better than Garvin? Who in the league can do that? Is he going to call a TO so he can trade for Chancellor and fly him in before the next play?

I'd like Jones or Shazier on that play. More athletic and faster that Terrance Garvin.

And I'm saying this as someone who staunchly believes Jervis Jones might be the worst 1st round draft pick in 25 years.

[Stosh-67]

Thanks as always for the quality summation perch. Now if we could just get fc back writing the gospel.

Anyway, I think it was stosh a couple of seasons back that first suggested getting Tomlin somebody to manage the clock for him. Sure it's embarrassing for the organization to have to go that route but who says you have to announce the hire as anything more than consultant rather than specifically say clock mgt coach.

The 91% completion rate stat perch posted was a stunning attention getter. I'm a huge fan of Carnell Lake the player, but he sucks goat balls as a coach. Joey Porter another fan favorite as a player. What's he done to improve our pass rushers? No more nostalgic coaching hires please.

Colbert has a lot of culpability in the talent demise of the defense but he wasn't nearly this horrific when Cowher was helping pick the flesh. I know, I know y'all hate Cowher and he too got cheated by Belichick but he never looked as shitoff stupid as Tomlin did last night.

Bottom line to me is it wasn't the Steelers headsets malfunctioning, it was their head coach. I mean if you claim it happens every time you play there why not, you know, prepare for it? Maybe bring your own working equipment or use fucking morse code. Just stop with the cliches and rhetoric Tomlin and go out coach somebody for once!

Hey Drama....
Yes... been pulling my hair out over Tomlin and his clock management, specifically closing out halves....... for a long time...... pretty much for his tenure as our coach. Thursday night just added to his inept resume of the topic. And I have nothing left to pull out of my head.

The maddening part is..... he does "not" see it as a problem.... so it most likely will cost us down the road. I believe it was David Todd who often questioned Tomlin during post game pressers the last few years. I hope he continues to do the same this year.

Watching Herm Edwards and his poor clock management issue every Sunday here in new York .....back when....... is why I and others called for a clock management assistant for coach T. Almost positive they added one for Herman back then.

We at home, watching the game know exactly when to call time out. When to use them and when to spike it instead..... or when to not call a t.o. and save it for the next play. Most of us probably yell "time out" or hurry up and "spike it" the second a play is over. Yet..... we regularly watch the clock roll wondering wtf .......or are amazed when a time out is eventually called after a few seconds or more vanish forever. For-eh-ver.

Why do we believe we know exactly when to use our time outs?.....lol at the experts we are......
Well we are good because our singular focus is on the clock and time outs.......

While coach T. Has multiple things going on upstairs behind his curtains:

-focusing on the end of the play
-the spot of the ball
-glance at clock
-the reaction of a bad spot
-the roar of the crowd
-any flags
-glance at the clock
-then get a better look at the replay on the big screen
-questioning any officials
-new down and distance
-the mind racing between FG and go for it.
-officials running in front moving chains
-dumb players scuffling after the whistle
-dumb players celebrating a first down
-players running on and off the field
-coaches talking in his headset
-hand signals and body language of QB and other players
-the rain and mist
-watching his team instinctively run up and set up for another play
-the announcers talking about the poor clock management ....well he can't hear that

Well....... maybe we would not be such scholars if we were dropped in those shoes..... while folks would be bitching about our clock and game management.

But most of this should be avoided. I think Jeems is also one who talks about why we are so bad at it....... and I agree.
We don't practice it...... enough.

Like B says above...... if you practice something enough.... to the extreme..... you become very good at it.

They need to do it in practice.
With a clock. And officials.
With chains and markers.
Go thru multi scenarios. Behind by 2 points, by 3 points, by 4 or 7.
All three time outs. Only 2 left. None.
Still have 2 minute warning. Less than 2.
Throws some egregious flags to create a negative play or vibe.
After a couple of nice plays...
Have the opposition call a timeout to slow some momentum.
Turn off the headsets abruptly.
Turn to hand signals.
Pipe in some loud crowd noise..... with speakers right on the playing field sidelines.
Reverse a call of a positive play or big catch.
Lose one of your time outs cause one of your players was injured with less than two minutes left....
Shorten the player run around and set up time by back to backing similar sets and formations..... that run different route trees

There are countless scenarios..... countless.
And it should all be practiced. It should all be discussed in meetings and films.
There should be no doubt when to call time out...... if its ingrained in ones head. It becomes instinct.

If that can't happen...... and mike prefers to us "gut instinct" and "feel of the game"..... over calculated and charted scenarios.....
Then it will cost us again down the road. Maybe it will keep us out of the playoffs. Maybe it will cost us a super bowl. Maybe it already has.

If we could sit and home and call time out by pressing a Jeopardy type red button..... and the game would stop. That would be perfect.

If the next best thing is having a clock management assistant that is removed from dozens of elements that fog Mikes vision..... that can yell time out into his ear.......I'm all for it.

Fix it.
Please.

[stinger8]

I totally agree the penalty calls you outlined were all horrible examples of over officiating. I totally disagree that the refs did not affect the outcome of the game. The holds stalled drives, the Beachum call was despicable and was a momentum staler and the interference gave them the ball on the one (I think). The non call on the shift has been debated, if you believe that the d line moved forward and were yelling cadences then this too affected the game, significantly. I think the refs definitely had an impact on the game deleterious to the Steelers attempts to win. Fuck them, fuckin amateurs.

[Orangesteel]

Bravo.

[Legacy User]

So what's the excuse for Tomlin not calling a TO on Gronk's 3rd TD? They have the goaline out there, Fuckface audibles, Tomlin and the whole coaching staff see Gronk lined up on Terrance Garvin, and he and nobody else is inclined to call a TO?

I've been asking this for 3+ years: if we can't depend on Tomlin to take the lead in situations like that, then what does Tomlin do? What exactly does Mike Tomlin bring to this team as a head coach? Nobody has given me a worthwhile answer since 2011.

Tomlin not always calling time outs when you want him to != Tomlin doing nothing for the team. Do you follow him around all week at paractice to see what he's doing?

Ok, I've seen this before, for over a 1000 days now I'll ask the same goddamn question, what does Mike Tomlin excel at as a head coach? Just give me something.

His players will run through a wall for him. They do not give up during times of adversity. They do not give up on games when down on the scoreboard, they do not give up on seasons no matter their record. No need to ask again for anything Tomlin excels at. You're welcome.

[Orangesteel]

^^^^^^

Hahahahahahahhaha! You believe that bullshit?

[Drummer Boy]

^^^^^^

Hahahahahahahhaha! You believe that bullshit?

I do. WTF would you know about it?

[bradshaw2ben]

Jarvis Jones is in no way more athletic nor better in coverage than Garvin. Also, I don't think Shazier is all that in coverage, either.

[Orangesteel]

Jarvis Jones is in no way more athletic nor better in coverage than Garvin. Also, I don't think Shazier is all that in coverage, either.

Really? We will disagree then.

[Orangesteel]

^^^^^^

Hahahahahahahhaha! You believe that bullshit?

I do. WTF would you know about it?

Keep that head in the cloud.

You ever heard anyone on his team talk about Tomlin in the highest regards? I haven't.

[Havoc]

Good work, SP

The offense, defense, ST's, and coaching staff did not do enough to get the win.

Going forward, I'm rolling with this...

All things considered, the front 7 held up fairly well. While the secondary was bad, Tom Brady has that effect on everyone, they limited the Patriots to 28 points which was far less than many expected. The communication issues experienced on the back end will likely get worked out over the course of the year. Bud Dupree really flashed some explosiveness on a couple of plays landing a sack and blowing up a RB's block attempt and nearly picking up a second sack. The fact the team trusted him with around 30 snaps was a positive sign. The Pouncey-less O-line played well. David Decastro forced his will on the Pats young D-line and much running success was found behind the blocks of Decastro and Gilbert. As the offense consistently moved the ball in chunks, one could only wonder what this offense will look like once Bryant and Bell return. If Sammy Coates every figures things out, look out!

[Legacy User]

^^^^^^

Hahahahahahahhaha! You believe that bullshit?

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2011/01/21/Playoff-Xtra-Cover-Story-Steelers-Mike-Tomlin-Jets-Rex-Ryan-a-study-in-coaching-contrasts/stories/201101210193#

A lot of guys run through a lot of brick walls for that guy.

[Fury]

Perch nailed with article. Perfect!

[Orangesteel]

^^^^^^

Hahahahahahahhaha! You believe that bullshit?

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2011/01/21/Playoff-Xtra-Cover-Story-Steelers-Mike-Tomlin-Jets-Rex-Ryan-a-study-in-coaching-contrasts/stories/201101210193#

A lot of guys run through a lot of brick walls for that guy.

Fantastic. An article from 2011. Yawn.

Tomlin is a fucking farce. Time to deal with it pal.

[Legacy User]

^^^^^^

Hahahahahahahhaha! You believe that bullshit?

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2011/01/21/Playoff-Xtra-Cover-Story-Steelers-Mike-Tomlin-Jets-Rex-Ryan-a-study-in-coaching-contrasts/stories/201101210193#

A lot of guys run through a lot of brick walls for that guy.

Fantastic. An article from 2011. Yawn.

Tomlin is a fucking farce. Time to deal with it pal.

So you can't argue with what's in the article, just complain about it's age. You said for 1000 days you've been asking what Tomlin adds to the team, and I have answered. Again, you're welcome.

[Obviously]

17 - Tom Brady has thrown 17 TDs and 0 INTs vs Mike Tomlin coached Steelers teams. Tomlin's bio includes him being a former NFL secondary coach and defensive coordinator.

If that isn't being completely and utterly owned, I don't know what is.

[Old School Steeler]

He is a politician, exactly what you don't need. All rhetoric. When he was hired with his background in defense was natural to assume the defense would always be solid. He has no architectural skill, cannot build a defense. Worse yet, his DB is laughable, one of the worst you'll see and Tomlin's roots are a DB coach. Why the disconnect? Because he's an articulate politician who may know theory but cannot execute, just like most bullshit politicians. He was head cheerleader for Cowher's team, now incapable of building his own championship team, incapable of building a coaching tree. He drafts defenders that fit his theory but are challenged to execute in real time. He is challenged in the fundamentals of coaching an NFL team, isn't learning on the job, yet skilled with a mic. Opening game: two essential playmakers suspended for drugs, defense at times in disarray, game management failures especially at critical times and peformance failures in all phases. Politicians make a mockery of successful, efficient systems and should never be allowed near a successful business.

[jeemie]

You ever heard anyone on his team talk about Tomlin in the highest regards? I haven't.

Troy Polamalu did, in the Super Bowl XLIII America's Game.

Ike Taylor has done so. Antonio Brown has done so.

And just the other day, on the WIP Morning show, they had Jeremy Bloom, the former skier who tried to become an NFL player. He contrasted life under Andy Reid and life under Mike Tomlin. He said Mike Tomlin was one of the best leader of men he knew, and modelled the leadership of his new business after Tomlin's leadership style. Now granted, Bloom never made it in the NFL, but to say you'll model the leadership of your business after someone? High praise.

He got a lot of praise from his players from when he was a position coach and DC for the Vikings as well.

There's no question the players like playing for Mike Tomlin, and they do never give up even when the chips are down.