OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Ploff wins?!? Fire Tomlin

[Buddy Bizarre]

That's not Art... (while he is a problem) this is all Tomlin. Buddies need jobs, and he's going to do everything he can to prove his guys were not frauds. (they are)

The people who argue that the team overachieved given their talent are so damn dumb that they don't even realize that they are insulting Tomlin. Not just because he is the defacto decision maker on the roster, which they refuse to believe anyway, but because the entire braintrust thought the moves they were making in the off-season up into the regular season were making them a contender.

This was an all-chips in year for Tomlin. This is what he thought would be his best chance in years to contend. That's what all of his decisions were based on.

This was the number 1 paid defense in the league. This was Tomlin's year to prove he could win like with it like the 2000 Ravens. This is the offense Tomlin wants. This is the defense Tomlin wants. The defense didn't even have any significant injuries- all the starters played in the Ravens game. And they got absolutely humiliated. Tomlin is never winning anything again, and wouldn't even if you gave him Mahomes on a vet minimum contract.

 

[xlm34]

50 million reasons why he's not going anywhere

Yeah I would be utterly shocked if they ate the money on this. It’s the team that:

—Doesn’t pay positional coaches well
—Doesn’t handle guarantees in contracts like the majority of the league
—Doesn’t offer decent signing bonuses to UDFAs.
—Is consistently rated low by the NFLPA in the quality of their amenities

No ways around it — they’re just kind of cheap. There’s a zero percent chance they eat the money on that type of investment.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Steelers offense in disrepair thanks to series of misguided, arrogant decisions

Local media is finally doing their jobs and telling the fans the truth.

There's a contingent out there who seem to sincerely believe that the Steelers have had nothing but garbage rosters the past 14 years and that, but for Tomlin, they would have been lucky to win a game.

"Tomlin just needs a QB" they argue, ignoring that he had a Hall of Famer for the entire 2010s while having other top tier offensive players and a defense that was at least decent and usually better than that.

They also ignore that the Steelers have the highest paid defense in the league. Tomlin wanted to replicate the 2000 Ravens, winning with incredible defense and with Kenny or Russ as his new Trent Dilfer and Najee as his Jamal Lewis. This mediocre offense is Tomlin's plan. Too bad for all of us that it's no longer 2000, the rules and game have changed to neuter defenses, and Tomlin's defenses always collapse in the playoffs.

You can't make up this level of incompetence.

You'll love this:

 

[JTG]

Yeah I would be utterly shocked if they ate the money on this. It’s the team that:

—Doesn’t pay positional coaches well
—Doesn’t handle guarantees in contracts like the majority of the league
—Doesn’t offer decent signing bonuses to UDFAs.
—Is consistently rated low by the NFLPA in the quality of their amenities

No ways around it — they’re just kind of cheap. There’s a zero percent chance they eat the money on that type of investment.

I do find it very odd when you start listening to some of these podcasts with former NFL players and they all kind of shit talk the Steelers working conditions. I think it was Willie Colon said that Pittsburgh facilities were bare bones, no nonsense. Every other facility in the league has all kinds of state of the art equipment. They are unnecessarily cheap, and as an Irish Catholic whose grandfather was a Northsider and knew the Rooney's, Art would be mortified to be seen as that.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Yeah I would be utterly shocked if they ate the money on this. It’s the team that:

—Doesn’t pay positional coaches well
—Doesn’t handle guarantees in contracts like the majority of the league
—Doesn’t offer decent signing bonuses to UDFAs.
—Is consistently rated low by the NFLPA in the quality of their amenities

No ways around it — they’re just kind of cheap. There’s a zero percent chance they eat the money on that type of investment.

Belichick was FORCED out of New England because the relationship had run its course. After 6 Super Bowls he was asked to step down.

When you think you have had enough of this shit just try and wrap your mind around that then promptly wait for your f***ing head to explode.

 

[xlm34]

I do find it very odd when you start listening to some of these podcasts with former NFL players and they all kind of shit talk the Steelers working conditions. I think it was Willie Colon said that Pittsburgh facilities were bare bones, no nonsense. Every other facility in the league has all kinds of state of the art equipment. They are unnecessarily cheap, and as an Irish Catholic whose grandfather was a Northsider and knew the Rooney's, Art would be mortified to be seen as that.

A lot of people like to blame them sharing a building with Pitt, but that doesn’t hold a lot of weight when the Pitt part of the building is way nicer than the Steeler’s part.

Belichick was FORCED out of New England because the relationship had run its course. After 6 Super Bowls he was asked to step down.

When you think you have had enough of this shit just try and wrap your mind around that then promptly wait for your f***ing head to explode.

It’s absolutely time for them to break up, but:

1.) It’s never gonna happen
2.) I have no interest in AR2 picking the next guy.

 

[JTG]

There's a contingent out there who seem to sincerely believe that the Steelers have had nothing but garbage rosters the past 14 years and that, but for Tomlin, they would have been lucky to win a game.

"Tomlin just needs a QB" they argue, ignoring that he had a Hall of Famer for the entire 2010s while having other top tier offensive players and a defense that was at least decent and usually better than that.

They also ignore that the Steelers have the highest paid defense in the league. Tomlin wanted to replicate the 2000 Ravens, winning with incredible defense and with Kenny or Russ as his new Trent Dilfer and Najee as his Jamal Lewis. This mediocre offense is Tomlin's plan. Too bad for all of us that it's no longer 2000, the rules and game have changed to neuter defenses, and Tomlin's defenses always collapse in the playoffs.



You'll love this:

Fascinating video. I have never seen that.

Ben and Bruce were neighbors. I only know this because I live in the same neighborhood they once did...just not in their tax bracket.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

And he insisted on keeping Canada

Fichtner and Canada, two unqualified nepotism hires who will never coach in the NFL again. Yet Tomlin gets no blame for selecting and keeping them.

It's still hard to believe that the top three Steelers coaches from 2018-2020 (Tomlin, Fichtner, Butler) were all from the 1998 Arkansas State coaching staff. That powerhouse team went 4-8 with Fichtner as OC, Butler as DC, and Tomlin as DB coach. You could feel greatness in the air!

Pat Meyer was the graduate assistant at Memphis in 1997, the year after Tomlin finished his tenure there as GA. They probably knew each other then, and definitely know the same Memphis people who hired both of them. Whenever there's a questionable coaching hire with Tomlin, nepotism is almost always the root cause.

It’s gross negligence on AR2’s part.

At the end of the day he’s the one allowing this kind of mass stupidity to continue year after year.

If they start trading off vets this off-season and building draft capital, starting a rebuild etc, we could finally see they understand what needs to be done.

It won’t happen though. Tomlin and AR2 live in a delusional world the national media has created for them.

But the hard truth many Steeler fans don’t want to face is is there is no plan for the future, Mikey and Art have not a clue about how to properly tear it down and build a championship roster.

This should have been done when Roth got hurt, but they traded for Fitz, because they have zero vision for the future.

There was never any succession plan, just live season to season and figure it out when the giant band-aid guy retires.

AR2 and Tomlin are like Dom Toretto - “I live my life ten seconds at a time”

They don’t look beyond one season - the goal is literally keep Tomlin’s worthless streak alive at all costs for the future - and maybe try to win a playoff game (pass the J!)

No plan.

No future.

Just mediocrity in perpetuity.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

In the normal sports world the very least you would expect is the assistant coaches scapegoat fired and the owner and gm taking power from the hc. Look at Philly last season. You force tomlin to hire a real oc and dc with 2025 concepts to save his job if it fails next year he goes to tv or is traded.

 

[Ulf5]

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/joe-starkey/2025/01/12/steelers-ravens-instant-reaction-russell-wilson-justin-fields-tomlin-rumors/stories/202501070133

Joe already called out Tomlin to be fired and called out ARII for settling for mediocrity. Everybody in the Pittsburgh sports media is calling for him to be fired or traded.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but Mike T, wait for it, has a NTC.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

A Running Back Who Can 'Get To The Edge' Among Steelers' Draft Priorities, Dulac Says

The Pittsburgh Steelers were meant to be a run-first team that imposed its will on opposing defenses. They ran the ball a lot, especially early in the year, but the efficiency wasn’t there. Blame it on the offensive line, the lack of explosiveness in the passing game, or just not having the...

steelersdepot.com

"Getting to the edge" is an outdated concept. Maybe that's Dulac's language, and he's older even than I am, so that might explain that. You need a guy with speed, yes, but mostly with acceleration and vision so they can find and hit holes before they get to the edge because there are crazy-fast linebackers and corners waiting there.

I don't know if Treveyon Henderson will be the kind of dynamic back (or stay healthy) in the NFL, but he certainly profiles as one.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Right, but I don't want to get tied into looking for that long term WR1 in this draft. I look at the draft profiles and think the chance that they'd end up taking a subpar guy because they had to take someone is unacceptably high, and that in doing so they might walk away from a better player who also fits a long term need (particularly DL).

Hell, long term, no team should get tied to "we need this position in the first round" unless it's an extremely strong draft if they can help it.

I think there is enough WR talent in this draft that you should be getting a very good WR at pick #21. I wouldn't be worried about overdrafting a WR based on need.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I think there is enough WR talent in this draft that you should be getting a very good WR at pick #21. I wouldn't be worried about overdrafting a WR based on need.

Interesting everything I have read says this class sucks at wr especially outside alpha types and Qb.
It’s deep ok cb rb and dl are 3 biggest needs.

"Getting to the edge" is an outdated concept. Maybe that's Dulac's language, and he's older even than I am, so that might explain that. You need a guy with speed, yes, but mostly with acceleration and vision so they can find and hit holes before they get to the edge because there are crazy-fast linebackers and corners waiting there.

I don't know if Treveyon Henderson will be the kind of dynamic back (or stay healthy) in the NFL, but he certainly profiles as one.

How else does the pitch play that smith calls work if you can’t get to the edge. We need a true speed rb that can score from anywhere

 

[Empoleon8771]

Interesting everything I have read says this class sucks at wr especially outside alpha types and Qb.
It’s deep ok cb rb and dl are 3 biggest needs.

What I meant is that there is enough talent at the top of the draft that a good WR should be able to fall to you at pick #21.

There are probably 6 or 7 1st round caliber WRs this year that I'd be completely fine with taking at #21. McMillan and Hunter are obviously going way higher, but at least one of Burden, Harris, Egbuka or Bond should still be available by #21. I think Bond might be a bit of a reach at #21, his best comparable is Worthy who was a mid 2nd last year, but all of Burden, Harris and Egbuka look like legit 1st round WR talents to me.

Egbuka is the obvious guy to draft at #21 IMO.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

What I meant is that there is enough talent at the top of the draft that a good WR should be able to fall to you at pick #21.

There are probably 6 or 7 1st round caliber WRs this year that I'd be completely fine with taking at #21. McMillan and Hunter are obviously going way higher, but at least one of Burden, Harris, Egbuka or Bond should still be available by #21. I think Bond might be a bit of a reach at #21, his best comparable is Worthy who was a mid 2nd last year, but all of Burden, Harris and Egbuka look like legit 1st round WR talents to me.

Egbuka is the obvious guy to draft at #21 IMO.

Equka is not an outside wr in the nfl and doesn’t stand out with other guys taking coverage away. Bond is getting 2nd round mock love. Harris and Williams get mocked to us. Depending on what happens with Lacy legal status he screams Tomin round 3 wr. I think they need as many big bodies wr to help JF and the unknown rookie qb in 26

 

[The Old Master]

right now, there is a chance that a new coach could right the ship. as time goes on, we will get to the place that any coach won't be able to help. (see the pens)

 

[Peat]

"Getting to the edge" is an outdated concept. Maybe that's Dulac's language, and he's older even than I am, so that might explain that. You need a guy with speed, yes, but mostly with acceleration and vision so they can find and hit holes before they get to the edge because there are crazy-fast linebackers and corners waiting there.

I don't know if Treveyon Henderson will be the kind of dynamic back (or stay healthy) in the NFL, but he certainly profiles as one.

I am curious what it'll mean to them if Dulac is right. That said, Smith definitely wanted to run that toss play a lot and it didn't go great so I can see how that rough idea appeals.

The big question to me is whether they want a do it all RB, or they're going to look for a speedster and make Warren the grinder.

I think there is enough WR talent in this draft that you should be getting a very good WR at pick #21. I wouldn't be worried about overdrafting a WR based on need.

Gonna have to agree to disagree there. I also still wouldn't want to be locked into one if DL or DB talent fell. Maybe even OL talent.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Gonna have to agree to disagree there. I also still wouldn't want to be locked into one if DL or DB talent fell. Maybe even OL talent.

I would be legitimately angry if they'd draft another OL over a WR. Would be a downright unacceptable decision in my eyes.

If that's the best guy at your pick, you either trade up or trade down to get a WR.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

How else does the pitch play that smith calls work if you can’t get to the edge. We need a true speed rb that can score from anywhere

I am curious what it'll mean to them if Dulac is right. That said, Smith definitely wanted to run that toss play a lot and it didn't go great so I can see how that rough idea appeals.

The big question to me is whether they want a do it all RB, or they're going to look for a speedster and make Warren the grinder.

I'll admit I may have overreacted a little on the notion of getting to the edge. Sure you need a guy who can make thing happen on the outside. I just felt like the idea of a speedster back who's going wide all the time is an outdated notion, given the speed and talent and coaching on the defensive side. Even Barley i a guy who does as much or more damage in a hole or crease than around toward the sideline.

So maybe we're all saying the same thing and I just jumped to conclusions, and if so, mea culpa, but I'm just concerned they're/we're using bygone ideas about playing styles and player roles.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Equka is not an outside wr in the nfl and doesn’t stand out with other guys taking coverage away. Bond is getting 2nd round mock love. Harris and Williams get mocked to us. Depending on what happens with Lacy legal status he screams Tomin round 3 wr. I think they need as many big bodies wr to help JF and the unknown rookie qb in 26

Saying no to Egbuka while also saying that they need as many big body WRs as possible doesn't make any sense to me. The only WR projected around him in the 1st round that is bigger than Egbuka is Harris, who is way slower than Egbuka (4.55 vs 4.30 40 time).

If you're keeping Pickens and also signing someone like Adams in free agency, I don't think you draft a WR early. But if you're trading Pickens, it would be unacceptable to not use at least one of their 1st or 2nds on a WR. If they're trading Pickens, I think the ideal scenario is:

1. Sign Adams for a 2 year deal.
2. Trade Pickens for a 2nd
3. Have Bond fall into the early/mid round 2 (just like Worthy did last year) and draft him in the 2nd.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Saying no to Egbuka while also saying that they need as many big body WRs as possible doesn't make any sense to me. The only WR projected around him in the 1st round that is bigger than Egbuka is Harris, who is way slower than Egbuka (4.55 vs 4.30 40 time).

If you're keeping Pickens and also signing someone like Adams in free agency, I don't think you draft a WR early. But if you're trading Pickens, it would be unacceptable to not use at least one of their 1st or 2nds on a WR. If they're trading Pickens, I think the ideal scenario is:

1. Sign Adams for a 2 year deal.
2. Trade Pickens for a 2nd
3. Have Bond fall into the early/mid round 2 (just like Worthy did last year) and draft him in the 2nd.

Agreed you're doing two of these three:
Keep Pickens
Sign Adams
draft a WR in the first or trade up into the high second

 

[xlm34]

Equka is not an outside wr in the nfl and doesn’t stand out with other guys taking coverage away. Bond is getting 2nd round mock love. Harris and Williams get mocked to us. Depending on what happens with Lacy legal status he screams Tomin round 3 wr. I think they need as many big bodies wr to help JF and the unknown rookie qb in 26

I don’t know nearly enough about Egbuka right now to have a definitive opinion on him, but are there questions about how he’ll handle a move to the outside?

If so, then I’d have a similar opinion that I had about Roman Wilson. There’s nothing wrong with the player, but if their best shot at success is in the slot then I would just question the fit in an Arthur Smith offense.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Agreed you're doing two of these three:
Keep Pickens
Sign Adams
draft a WR in the first or trade up into the high second

I think if they sign Adams it means they are keeping GP.

Emeka Egbuka NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Ohio State WR

HEIGHT: 6'1" WEIGHT: 205 POSITIVES — Natural route-runner, wins with nuance and detailed movements. — Fluid change of direction, snaps breaks well to separate…

syndication.bleacherreport.com

Emeka Egbuka Wide Receiver Ohio State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 87.4 Rank: #4 Forty: 4.30 Refined route runner whose 2024 campaign (8 TDs, 12.5 yards per catch) demonstrates improved explosiveness and red zone prowess. Shows advanced ability to ...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

 

[Peat]

I would be legitimately angry if they'd draft another OL over a WR. Would be a downright unacceptable decision in my eyes.

If that's the best guy at your pick, you either trade up or trade down to get a WR.

Why? I get there's a big need at WR but if the BPA is a G - particularly a G/T who might offer some insurance against Jones busting - why the anger?

I'll admit I may have overreacted a little on the notion of getting to the edge. Sure you need a guy who can make thing happen on the outside. I just felt like the idea of a speedster back who's going wide all the time is an outdated notion, given the speed and talent and coaching on the defensive side. Even Barley i a guy who does as much or more damage in a hole or crease than around toward the sideline.

So maybe we're all saying the same thing and I just jumped to conclusions, and if so, mea culpa, but I'm just concerned they're/we're using bygone ideas about playing styles and player roles.

I don’t know nearly enough about Egbuka right now to have a definitive opinion on him, but are there questions about how he’ll handle a move to the outside?

If so, then I’d have a similar opinion that I had about Roman Wilson. There’s nothing wrong with the player, but if their best shot at success is in the slot then I would just question the fit in an Arthur Smith offense.

Yes. Dealing with press coverage, getting rerouted, catches outside his frame. Maybe they're nothing, maybe they're a big deal.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Why? I get there's a big need at WR but if the BPA is a G - particularly a G/T who might offer some insurance against Jones busting - why the anger?

Because they've used a boatload of picks in the last 2 drafts on OL, and continuing to do that rather than being patient with the guys they've drafted would be a horribly misguided idea.

The OL is a position that 100% should be coming from UFA if they want to improve it.