Excellent Article On The Collapse of the Steelers

Well written aside from not recognizing Jaylen Warren is a fine player who should be the true #1 Steeler running back and that the trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick was a bargain.

https://triblive.com/sports/mark-madden-no-surprise-that-flawed-roster-poor-coaching-led-to-steelers-collapse/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0ItniGIGQhe767fgrlzPyp6VE-OiDpBfbd-RJegMzj-WUprpaJhOkHe6s_aem_bIf_90yCxnnxZhw0QbbQ8g

Some of his conclusions are pure gold:

"The Steelers’ philosophy of football is outdated. They’re diesel fuel in a high-octane era. The Steelers emphasize running the ball and defense. But they’re bad at the former, overrated at the latter.

They’ve drafted poorly for years. Luxury picks and underachievers. Look at their first-round choices since 2018: Terrell Edmunds, Devin Bush, Najee Harris, Kenny Pickett, Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu.

GM Omar Khan’s mishandling of the wide receiver situation has been epic."

Then he (Mark Madden) concludes with:

"No playoff wins in seven years. Three in 13.

But Tomlin is a great coach. Just because.

The Steelers are a great organization. Just because.

Results don’t matter. Evidence gets ignored. Every franchise wants to be like the Steelers.

Except the good ones." 

This team is starving for a quality QB.  I thought Kenny Pickett was going to be the home state kid to take this team somewhere.   That was a real disappointment .  

I agree that the team is flawed. But that is on the GM.

Tomlin does a hell of a job each year with what he has. If Pittsburgh ever moved on from him, his phone would be ringing off the hook with offers.

They wouldn't be offers from elite teams with mucho talent hence the teams that would hire him would find out soon enough he knows very little about the Xs and Os that go into creating a winning game plan.

The guy is a motivational head coach and not an analytical one so hence not a real head coach at all. You are just repeating what you heard on mainstream sports' media. 

@Rush51

Pickett didn't have a functional oline either. Whose fault is this after running on 8 years??? It is hard to know what kind of a QB KP was or anyone else for that matter. Tomlin is a word salad tosser who charms some people with his expressions. Steeler Nation prefers results not BS. 

PLUS, Tomlin has input on what players are selected in the draft and signed as free agents. To think otherwise is being an enabler and signing off on his mediocre end of season results. YOU love the guy, I don't love the guy, get it???? 

A question, is this on Tomlin??? GD right it is. Is this a hell of a job???

The Season isn't over yet. Unless it's a article from the 70s when Chuck Knolls team finally collapsed and never recovered until he was ran off. If it's the 2024 Steelers they have been playing the top teams in the league the last few games. I would call purdy and the 49ers a preseason Superbowl favorite a major collapse. 

@tech65

Noll coached for 23 years and brought them a dynasty. He left on his own terms and the team finished 1979 with a Superbowl. You are mistaken and low IQ but that doesn't stop you. Take another bong hit while you still can. 

@Buffalobob89074

 

 He coached into the 90s. I know what he did. He was like Landry didn't know when to leave. Kept a bunch of old wore players. I know more about this shit than you ever will. Guarantee you that. You sugar coat what like and dog shit what you do not like. 

You wrote that the Steelers collapsed in the 1970s and I am to believe that your insights are valid???

Chuck Noll retired after the 1991 season (7-9) and Cowher inherited a talented roster that included: Rod Woodson, Greg Lloyd, Carnell Lake, Hardy Nickerson, Dermonti Dawson, Barry Foster, Gary Andersen, Louis Lipps, Eric Green and others.

Yeah, in the mid 80s Noll had some bad seasons but he was almost never out-coached when he had the superior talent. Successive lower draft positions (due to great success) will impact the talent level of any team. In 1989 the Steelers were in the playoffs so Cowher inherited talent too a point not brought up by others who criticize Tomlin unfairly. 

I try not to be pessimistic, but I've been doing some reminiscing over the last 10 years of Tomlin's playoffs' record, and it's been nothing short of embarrassing.

2014 - Blown out by Baltimore in WC Round
2015 - Lost to Denver in divisonal round
2016 - Blownout by Pats in AFC Championship
2017 - Lost to Blake Bortles Jags in divisional round
2018 - Collapsed late Missed playoffs
2019 - Missed playoffs
2020 - Collapsed late and Bounced by Browns in WC Round
2021 - Blowout by Chiefs in WC round
2022 - Missed Playoffs
2023 - Blownout by Bills in WC Round
2024 - On the edge of a team meltdown

 

 

lol a collapse, it's called playing the 3 best teams in the league b2b2b. this tomlin hater and fair weather steelers "fan"  claimed he changed his tune earlier in the season of course that was a maury povich lie

@rosswin97

Pittsburgh is a city being held hostage by Tomlin's mediocrity and Rooney's stubborness. Anyone who is objective (not you) would agree.

Now here comes the non-losing seasons nonsense or that other teams would be standing in line. Right, have at it and most rational people would agree but of course he will always be the pride and joy of the 13% whose love of him knows no bounds. 

Is this acceptable to you???

2014 - Blown out by Baltimore in WC Round
2015 - Lost to Denver in divisonal round
2016 - Blownout by Pats in AFC Championship
2017 - Lost to Blake Bortles Jags in divisional round
2018 - Collapsed late Missed playoffs
2019 - Missed playoffs
2020 - Collapsed late and Bounced by Browns in WC Round
2021 - Blowout by Chiefs in WC round
2022 - Missed Playoffs
2023 - Blownout by Bills in WC Round
2024 - On the edge of another team meltdown

Post Deleted

@Buffalobob89074

 what did you say earlier in the season when I queried you on tomlin? remember what you said? I can find the posts and post them if you need reminding. are you bipolar why the knee jerk reactions

@unplucked_gem

Right so very true. I don't care much for McDermott or Shanahan either but I am surrounded by rabid Steeler fans (city ties). Personally, this year I am a Lions' fan. The Bills have broken my heart too many times. Bills' offense is great, but man, their defense can be ripped apart. 

@rosswin97

 

I replied that I was trying to be gracious towards Tomlin but with the latest performance, I am overwhelmed by what I know to be true. Tomlin will NEVER lead the Steelers to glory again. 

Opinions, conclusions etc. can change with new information. That is what is wrong with your take on the sainted Tomlin, you brought out the anointing oil way too early. 

@Buffalobob89074

 no you said you respect him because you saw him getting on his players, thats what you said, not sure what exactly that even meant but you said it

@rosswin97

Okay, yes, I thought better of him after he made the rookie center Pouncey aware of how emotions and hostility on field can affect the outcomes of games. I am not saying that Tomlin is 100% sucky. As a human being he seems top notch though not all of his former players would agree. 

@rosswin97

 

@Buffalobob89074

Knoll has a losing record without Bradshaw. 

@Buffalobob89074

 You sound like a diva

They keep on winning so they need a deep draft to grab a QB at 20-25

Plan B is getting a free agent like Russell who finally showing his age..

 

@Buffalobob89074

 It is a good article. 

 But it is from a jaded point of view.

 

I know you do not like Tomlin and think they should move on.  But there is something to be said for consistency, especially when you are competitive every year.

I know we do not agree on this.

But only 7 teams have played more playoff games than PIT since 2015.  NE, KC, GB, SEA, BLT, NO, and SF.

There are many teams that wish they had the consistency and playoff appearances that PIT has had.

But most of those teams had one thing in common: an elite all-time great QB -- Brady, Mahomes, Rodgers, Brees, Wilson and Jackson can all be said to be better than Big Ben.  I think Big Ben is an all-time great.  But he was aged and hurt and they had to stay with him because he was still very good.  

But to have been 'fortunate' enough to have those QBs was nice.  At no time did PIT have a chance to get another all-time elite QB.

They need that to 'get over the hump' in the playoffs.  An old Wilson is not likely to do it -- just as an old Big Ben was not.

So, as much as folks rag on Tomlin -- until they can get the next great QB -- I think consistency is important.

Look at how many teams move form coach to coach or 'fire' a coach after years of consistency when he has a bad season or loses his QB.

These folks should be careful what they wish for.  

If they 'think' Tomlin is 'only' a motivator -- they should not undervalue that when NO great 'Xs and Os' guy could get as much from this team without motivation.

But I get a lot of their fans are 'frustrated'. 

BUT the RAIDERS will take him.