ESPN’s Dan Graziano: “If Mike Tomlin becomes available, no coach is safe! “ (1 Viewer)

[BBarnes]

He hasn't had a team win a playoff game in a decade. There's plenty better active coaches.

Plenty???? Umm NO, lol.

You won't find him lower than 6th on any credible list of the top 32 NFL head coaches in 2024. There is absolutely not "plenty" of active head coaches better than him.

He's ranked by Athlon Sports as the 20th best NFL coach in NFL history and only one active coach is ranked higher.

He's ranked by SportsNaut as the 15th best coach in NFL history.

Currently

Football Database has him ranked 2nd in the NFL

Sporting News has him ranked 5th in the NFL

PFF had him 5th going into this season

NBC Sports has him 5th


etc etc etc

 

[fishing4food]

I think one his biggest mistakes was that he waited to late to try to bring in a replacement for Roethlisberger. The organization made a hasty decision with Pickett and have been struggling at the QB position ever since. Tomlin would be a valuable asset not just to the Saints if he became available, but to any organization. Would love to see him on our sideline's as the next Saints coach.

 

[SuperSaint]

Pittsburgh won their sixth Super Bowl in 2008, the year before the Saints got theirs, and they haven't had a losing season under Tomlin, a couple of 8-8 years.

Letting him leave would be incredibly stupid.

 

[Hedon James]

It would be utterly stupid of the Steelers to move on from Tomlin. He's become one of the better head coaches in the league. If anything, they need to have better drafts and fix that first and foremost.

I live in Steelers territory, and I don't understand why so many want Tomlin gone. Best I can offer is that Steelers fans are truly spoiled, and have been since the Noll/Bradshaw juggernauts of the 1970s. Bill Cowher won a SB with Big Ben and Jerome Bettis, but retired shortly after. Cowher is still revered like Noll is. Tomlin was part of the same hiring cycle as CSP, or maybe the year before, and has a SB ring with Big Ben as QB. The problem, as Steelers fans see it, is that he ONLY has one, early in his tenure, with not so much to show for it after the fact. He has "outlived his SB shine" in the eyes of Steeler fans.

I'd take Tomlin in a heartbeat, if he'd come here. His track record is similar to CSPs, but with defensive background. He was hired the same cycle,or maybe 1 year earlier. Both teams have a SB victory early in the coaches tenure. And his teams are perennially a threat to be in the playoffs, year after year. And both coaches are somewhat "streaky" in that they don't lose games very often, but tend to lose them in groups. How many times did we see CSPs teams start 0-4 before getting it together and making the playoffs. Pittsburg usually starts solid (defensive team), but has a mid-season hiccup and loses 2-4 games (in a row) before they right the ship and make the playoffs. Here's the biggest thing though, IMO....CSP put out a few 7-9 stinkers amongst the 13-3 and 12-4 and 11-5 seasons we got used to. Tomlin has NEVER HAD A LOSING SEASON as HC!

My ONLY concern with Tomlin is that he took over a pretty solid team; which he was maintained quite impressively over a long term. I don't know if he can "build" a team. But he can absolutely maintain one AT A HIGH LEVEL. There's only a few HCs in the NFL that I would jump at the chance to coach my beloved Saints...and Tomlin is definitely on that list. Go ahead Pittsburg....fire him! But do it before the Saints hire someone else!

 

[Hedon James]

They're generally cheap on offense. Their 6 highest cap numbers are all on defense. Their highest paid offensive player is Freiermuth. That strategy keeps them "winning," but they'll never win it all or even be a serious contender until they get a real offense. Is a defensive head coach holding them back on offense? Maybe...

The entire Steelers franchise is defensive-minded. They want to run the ball, control the clock, and smother you with defense. That's what they did with Noll, with great success. That's what they did with Cowher, with great success. And now they're doing it with Tomlin, with great success. Steelers aren't looking for the next HOF franchise QB. Remember, this is the team who passed on sure-fire 1st rounder home-grown talent Dan Marino. Steelers want a game manager who doesn't make mistakes, but is enough of a threat to make plays in the passing game to give their running game some lanes. That's not a coach issue, that's a franchise philosophy!

They are the big-brother of the Baltimore Ravens and the Ravens had the same blueprint. Until LJ8 dropped into their lap. While the Ravens are still a ground & pound run-oriented team, LJ8s electric playmaking ability has forced the Ravens to shift resources to the offensive side of the ball to get LJ8 some pass catchers so he doesn't see so many 8-9 man fronts. The Ravens have typically looked for blue chip TEs who can help in the run game, or at least help disguise the play. But lately, they've hit on some WRs with hands, speed, and playmaking ability. The Ravens are no longer a defensive team. They lucked into a franchise QB who may be HOF worthy, and have shifted their resources to build around that guy. The Ravens defense used to be smothering. Not so much anymore. Now they want the defense to slow down the opponents offense, and generate some takeaways, so they can win shootouts. A shift in philosophy based on a generational talent acquired, rather than hoping for a generational talent that fits your existing philosophy.

 

[Saintslfc13]

So many Pittsburgh fans want him fired. I see it weekly, and every time, I am as blown away by their ignorance and spoiled ways as I was the last time.

I know a lot of Steelers fans too. I've always felt the same way but, to play devil's advocate a bit, this year has been a big highlight of their point. They started strong and then fade away seemingly right before the playoffs. Idk their injury situation this season but their fans seem to believe this happens to them all the time. They're excited at the beginning of the season but as it goes on they just feel it's inevitable they won't do anything in the playoffs.

 

[BBarnes]

I know a lot of Steelers fans too. I've always felt the same way but, to play devil's advocate a bit, this year has been a big highlight of their point. They started strong and then fade away seemingly right before the playoffs. Idk their injury situation this season but their fans seem to believe this happens to them all the time. They're excited at the beginning of the season but as it goes on they just feel it's inevitable they won't do anything in the playoffs.

I don't think they will either, but I think it has more to do with having such a boom-or-bust quarterback in Wilson. Just as they stated during the KC game, he either dumps it off or takes a shot way downfield. His whole career, his intermediate game just has not been very good. Now that he cannot scramble around and bide time for his receivers, he either checks it down short or throws a prayer deep.

They have had some beat-up players on defense who are trying to play through it like Watt and Heyward. They also lack real true players at receiver other than Pickens and yet he is a true headcase on the field.

There is a part of me that understands their frustration. However, give me a coach who has never had a losing season any day of the week, at least I know with him I always have a shot for our team to make a run.

 

[SuperSaint]

I know a lot of Steelers fans too. I've always felt the same way but, to play devil's advocate a bit, this year has been a big highlight of their point. They started strong and then fade away seemingly right before the playoffs. Idk their injury situation this season but their fans seem to believe this happens to them all the time. They're excited at the beginning of the season but as it goes on they just feel it's inevitable they won't do anything in the playoffs.

There have been average QB's who have won Super Bowls because of a great defense, but the defense has to be really great for that philosophy to work.

 

[Scorpius the Allfather]

from freinds who are fans of that division..its part Tomlin/part living off the history....Tomlin is a players coach .which is great for getting talent to want to play for you..but that has also lead to problems in the post season.

I have to watch a good many BLTgames, and get to see alot of the Steelers bc of that and know someone who works with several of their players
...its not the utopia ppl think and there are a good many internal issues.

Plus Tomlin is dirty. Don't forget the time he tried to trip up a returner during a game.

 

[bayoumilitia]

First, I’ll stipulate my question with i doubt that the Steelers organization would fire Mike Tomlin if they lose at Baltimore tomorrow.

With that said. If they did, do you think that the Saints should have any interest in Mike Tomlin as a HC candidate? Or strictly DC?

 

[Saintamaniac]

First, I’ll stipulate my question with i doubt that the Steelers organization would fire Mike Tomlin if they lose at Baltimore tomorrow.

With that said. If they did, do you think that the Saints should have any interest in Mike Tomlin as a HC candidate? Or strictly DC?

It wouldn't be an issue of the Saints wanting Coach looks like Omar Epps. It would be an issue of Coach looks like Omar Epps wanting the Saints.

 

[zbeaster]

The problem is that the Steelers don't have a quarterback.

Absolutely. It isn't Tomlin.

 

[zbeaster]

Tomlin wouldn't go to the Cowboys for a billion dollars. Do you see that personality working with Jerry? No way LOL.

tough to see that happening.

 

[zbeaster]

First, I’ll stipulate my question with i doubt that the Steelers organization would fire Mike Tomlin if they lose at Baltimore tomorrow.

With that said. If they did, do you think that the Saints should have any interest in Mike Tomlin as a HC candidate? Or strictly DC?

1000%. I don't think he gets fired regardless of the result tomorrow, but if he did he'd be a home run for the Saints.

 

[solarbear88]

The problem is that the Steelers don't have a quarterback.

Like usual. Throughout my lifetime they have had 1 decent QB. 2, I guess, if you count Bradshaw but I was just a preschooler last he won anything.

Why not? Why can't you draft and develop one? Why do some teams struggle with this concept? Saints being another.