Tomlin promises changes
After Sunday’s devastating loss to the Oakland Raiders, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin says that changes are in store.
“We will take appropriate action, and that includes doing things with different combos of people. Some subtle, some not so subtle.”
I’ve got to assume that some of those changes will occur in the defensive backfield, where the Steelers have looked absolutely horrendous of late.
A “not so subtle” change will probably be the removal of William Gay from the starting line-up. Gay has been targeted by opposing offenses all year. He is extremely vulnerable to double moves, and hasn’t seemed to improve as the season progressed.
Steelers CB William Gay
The Steelers drafted two cornerbacks, Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis, in the last draft. Perhaps it is time to get them some much needed playing time. Or perhaps giving veteran CB Deshea Townsend the starting job will help cure some of the problems.
Ike Taylor has also looked a bit vulnerable this season. But I am going to give Ike the benefit of the doubt and assume that he will be fine.
Ryan Clark, on the other hand, looks like he needs a change. Clark has played more like a strong safety than a free safety this season. He seems to place all of him emphasis on delivering the big hit, rather than on stopping the pass. Perhaps switching him to strong safety and moving Tyrone Carter to free safety (at least until Troy Polamalu returns) would be one of the “subtle” changes that Tomlin mentioned.
Another “subtle” change might be convincing Bruce Arians to try more running plays from the red zone. I don’t know about you, but I am getting sick of watching Ben Roethlisberger throw interceptions from the 10 yard line.
Old coaches used to say that “when you throw the ball, only 3 things can happen, and two of them are bad.” I understand that the NFL is now a pass-happy league, but there is still truth to the saying.
Rashard Mendenhall averages 5 yards per carry. So when it is first and goal from the 8 yard line, why does Arians tend to call 3 consecutive pass plays? It’s simple math. Run Mendenhall 2 times, and on average you’ll end up with 10 yards. That’s the safe call. Besides, the Steelers have thrown the ball so often from the red zone this season that a running play would probably take their opponent by surprise. A running play by the Steelers? Who woulda thunk it?
Another subtle change might be to put Ziggy Hood into the starting line-up. Travis Kirschke has done a good job in place of Aaron Smith. However, we all know that he is not the future. He’s 57 years old, and his days as a Steeler are numbered. Meanwhile, Ziggy is the future. The Steelers’ hope of making the playoffs are quickly evaporating. The future is now.
I should mention that the Steelers are not yet mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. So some will argue that they shouldn’t start playing rookies until they are mathematically eliminated. I understand that line of thinking. However, at this point only the most optimistic fans still think the Steelers are a playoff team. Losses to the Chiefs and Raiders do not a champion make.
So go ahead and make some changes. What could it hurt?
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Am I supposed to be encouraged by a Mike Tomlin promise?
Does Tomlin think his changes will be putting better players on the field? If so, the question is why they have not been there already. If not, then why do it? It’s scapegoat time I suppose.
Should we really think that a man who allowed a special teams coach to keep walking in the Steeler complex week after week unable to fix ANYTHING will make any real changes? Don’t count on it.
Tomlin “convincing” Arians to call more run plays? If he has to do that he has no control or leadship value in this organization. He has a headset and I believe I have seen a mic on it too. He obviously approves of the play calling.
In summary, Tomlin is running out of catch phrases. He needs to begin showing his worth because Cowher’s team is slowly departing and he will have to make it on his own now. Yeah, I said it.
1I understand your point of view. But what is Tomlin supposed to do? Fire coaches in mid-season. The new replacement would have no way to install a new system. Isn’t it better to wait until the end of the season? That way the new coach can install his system and teach it during training camp.
2Yea, sorry Tony. I disagree. I know a lot of teams that would like to have a “Tomlin” in their garage. Changes in coaching staff need to be made in the off season. I imagine they will be. I am in favor of putting the kids in for 2 reasons. WHAT do you have to lose? Playoffs, playoffs? Come on. The Steelers would need so many things to happen to make the playoffs, its ridiculous. Next, some Vets apparently need a swift kick in the ass to perform. They are still drunk on the 6th Lombardi celebration. With Troy not back there, something is very wrong. We all know that. Besides, this secondary would get shredded in the playoffs if Troy is not there. This is NOT Steeler football and we as fans have very high standards, and we will not lower them. Lets see what the kids can do and we will know what needs to be done in the draft next year. My 2 cents.
3donald and mark,
first, i did NOT call for tomlin’s head, please read again.
second,mark you talk about this not being steeler football. What is steeler football? And whose decision is it to stay the course with “steeler football”.
It boggles my mind how many people forget that Tomlin promised a continuation of “steeler football” when being interviewed. And then promised it again after he was hired. Can anyone point to “steeler football” since his hire? (don’t blast me about the fact that we did win a SB last year, i understand that). Promises, promises….
What do I want tomlin to do? For one, get control of our play calling (but like I said, I think he is ok with it) Secondly, be much , much quicker in making changes when things are falling apart or not working (special teams!!) It was over TEN weeks before he made it an urgent situation.
Do I want him to fire a coach so late in the season? I think i would coach special teams myself if I was him before I would allow it to continue like it has for SO MANY weeks. So, yes.
As to having to put in a system so quick: first, if he made the move several weeks ago when he should have the new “system” would have had time to develop some. Second, half a system would work better than what it happening now.
Guys, I love the steelers! But i don’t know what I’m looking at now.
On another note, I wonder if Ben thinks Hines should tough it out and play in this really important game….hmmm
4Hey Tony, we are both frustrated fans. Very frustrated. I did not mean to imply you were calling for Tomlin’s head. I agree that changes need to be made quicker. As for Arian’s, I like most fans do not always like his play calling. But, he is not going anywhere. We all know that. The offense has not been the problem. Special teams and Defense have been. I can see a coaching change on special teams and maybe even the secondary. As for Steeler football, it is a modern day version of it. We need to run the ball better. But they have spent such high draft picks on the receivers and tight ends, we have to use them. Yes, we can still make the playoffs and be 1 and done. I am not sure that I wouldn’t rather have a higher draft pick. Anyway Tony, it is nice to read your thoughts. I think Donald does a really good job to.
5Go Steelers.
o The STEELERS have had 231 points scored against them in 12 games in 2009. Of these, 28 points resulted from K/O runbacks and 28 from runbacks of interceptions. Meanwhile, the DEFENSE has SCORED 21 points. This leaves a “net” allowed by the DEFENSE of 154 points in 12 games, for an average of 12.8 PPG. Using the same analysis, during the 16 game 2008 season, that number was 13.1 PPG, virtually identical, despite the loss this year of Polamalu for a significant number of games. The defensive calls, for the most part, have been correct. Execution & lack of key players has been the problem. (Granted, the secondary needs work!)
6What REALLY needs work, though, is the Special Teams, which is the worst in the AFC measured by the average yards per K/O runback (25.5 yds per runback). Even worse, these yards are being added on to what is usually a woefully short kickoff by Reed. Not to mention the unwilingness of the OC to use a “hurry-up” several times per game, despite Ben’s skill with that strategy! Don’t start blaming LeBeau!
Tony,
I didn’t imply that you wanted Tomlin fired. I was concerned that you wanted assistant coaches fired in mid-season. I don’t agree with that.
As far as “Steelers football”, I am actually not a fan of going back to the old days. The Steelers have a franchise quarterback, two Super Bowl MVP receivers, a rookie speedster receiver, and one of the best tight ends in the NFL. To not use all of those weapons would be ludicrous.
Look at all of the most dominant teams in the NFL this season; Colts, Saints, Vikings. Notice any trends? To win in today’s NFL, you have to throw the ball. Look at all of the Super Bowl champions over the past decade. How many of them won with a primarily run-oriented attack? None.
The closest to a run-oriented winner was the Steelers in Super Bowl XL. But even then, it was a trick pass play that won the game.
7I suppose it all depends how we define “Steelers” football. In it’s most basic terms, I take it to mean “tough defense and the ability to run the ball.”
Now “ability” doesn’t mean run on 1st, run on 2nd, run on 3rd, repeat. In this decade, other than Ben’s first 2 years our run/pass % has been about 50%. I also agree with donald, that given the weapons we have at QB, WR, and TE, we should utilize them.
So, I am not saying that I would necesarily like the Steelers to run more…just run better.
The one thing we have lacked over the past two years is the ability to run the ball when we need to (get short yardage, run out the clock).
For example, take away Mendenhall’s one run and the Steeler’s averaged 2.8 yds/carry against Oakland. Oakland!
So, my arguement would not be “why don’t we run the ball more” but rather “why CAN’T we run the ball?”
O-line? O-line coach? Play design, RB? All of the above?
8What is everyone so crazy about?We just won the SB!We won the SB because we were lucky enough to go injury free last season.
This year we’ve been playing without Troy or Aaron(our most important defensive pieces).And Steelers football is about the defense first.How our d goes we go.
I know you guys are ranting and thats what this forum is for but look at all the good thats come this year.We’ve found replacements for Willie in Mendenhall.We’ve finally found Hines’ replacement in Mike Wallace.Ziggy is getting valuable playing time.Will Gay will get better you all know the second year is when our defensive players step up.And just as Gay gets better our “37″ year old coach will get better too.
Even “if” we never win another game this year all that would do is increase our chances at drafting a higher pick/future pro bowler.
But you know what would it really surprise any of us if we ran the table and somehow got to the SB?HELL NO!
9Hey, JJ brings up valid points about our terrible special teams play. A definite contributor to our performance & recoed. We cannot dismiss the points that have been scored against us in the 4th Qtr (so it’s not just pts/game–it’s when they are scored as well.)Opponents have scored 46% of their total pts against us the 4th Qtr! That’s 105 pts scored against our D in Q4! I believe that that is tied to our inability to keep the defense off the field (injuries are also part of the story). That goes to our running game; our performance in the red zone (18th in TD Efficiency) and our 3rd down efficiency (16th; <40%.) It is a team game and everyone in that locker room –including the coaches (they obviously know all of this!) have to step up and do their part.
10john#21,
we just lost to the worst team in the nfl. we gave up zero points in 2nd half. no returns for tds (almost did). we never made it to the red zone to not score td in red zone.
what do u say to that?
steelers are now the worst team in nfl hands down. losses to the 3 worst teams.
11I would say that this team has lost ‘it’–confidence in themselves; in each other and in the coaches. If don’t go out there with a belief in what you are doing, faith in the men beside you and an attitude that you are better -you get your butt handed to you. That’s what happened–Cleveland kicked our butt man for man.
12What I described above is the after-the-fact story. WHY it happened is the big question. What caused our team to fall so far so fast?