Now here's an odd thought.  Mike Tomlin for Coach of the Year.

I'm confident there will be plenty of ya'll who disagree, but let me give my reasoning.

1.  Unreasonable amounts of injuries.  In the past we've collapsed under the weight of injuries far less than what the team has dealt with thus far this year.  Looking at the ranks of walking wounded manning the sidelines of the Steelers you could form a better team then most of the NFC West with just our injury lists.  Yet Mike Tomlin has kept his troops together with the rallying cry of 'Standard of expectations do not change.'  Very few teams over-come these levels of injury.  Last year we lost Aaron Smith and our defense started to collapse.  This year we lose Keisel, Hampton, and even Eason for a game.  Now I'll grant you that Smith is likely the best player of that group, but the fact that the line has played at nearly the same high level throughout is a tribute to each man stepping up and doing his job.  It speaks volumes to the practice time each is getting and the coaching that is being done throughout the organization. 

Darnell Stapleton and Max Starks step in and play well when called upon.  Matt Spaeth have career highs for receptions and makes no real mistakes in starting duty.  Mewelde steps in and wins games.

My point is simply that the attitude the Steelers are playing with right now comes from the top, and it's obvious that all players have bought into that mindset.

2.  Head Coach game-time responsibilities...  One thing I was dismayed with last year, was his baffling challenge use.  This year he's been right on.  I've agreed with basically every challenge he's made this year.  He's helped the team win from that stand point. 

He also keeps his men fired up for playing even after lot's and lot's of fines.  Every player continues to go 100% even after being told repeatedly from the league that they need to go 100% till they get within 20 feet of the QB.  Say you want about his over the top response to Farrior's 15 roughing the passer call, but he's sending a signal to his players that they need to keep fighting, scratching, and playing violently cause that's how Steelers win football games.

Game plans.  I'll admit that our offensive adaptations have been slow.  But that's not his area of expertise.  We do come back with good drives at the beginning of the second half almost every time.  Plus we are always in it till the end, showing that we're doing something right. 

3.  No excuses.  Here's something I love.  Never an excuse even though he's given every opportunity.  He came into this season and said he's excited to have this difficult of a schedule as that's how your team defines itself is by beating the best teams. 

Granted, if our slump continues and we end up missing the playoffs then all of this is moot, but what he's done thus far into the season is impressive to me.  His competition is mostly from rookie coaches turning around franchises and I agree that both Mike Smith and Harbaugh have done impressive things.  But going from 0 expectations to over-achieving shows only so much.  I point to last years Browns as proof. 

I expect I'll take some ribbing for suggesting this while we're spending so much time yelling for BA and dirty Z's heads.  I'm not defending those two.  I think they need to leave post season.  I don't believe they are right for the team.  But I think the decision to keep them this year was the right one.  In business you don't fire your VP of marketing a year after they grow your profits considerably from the year before.  Even if arguments are that the product itself was so good it didn't matter how it was marketed, you don't change a good thing.  But this year our marketing is slumping and Tomlin will be forced to respond.  His 'No Excuses' mantra must stay true for his coaches as well.  The injuries can not be excuses for poor performance. 

What do the rest of you think.  If the Steelers finish strong (and granted that's a hypothetical but it's a hypothetical that all Coach of the Year candidates share) should Tomlin have your vote for CotY?

Finally remember to go to nfl.com and vote for Aaron Smith and the rest of the Steelers playing well this year for the Pro Bowl.