Tomlin is a Mad Genius

by amandakt on Feb 2, 2009 5:21 PM EST

Watching the Safety in the Fourth Quarter, I was going insane. That's when I first started to get a little nervous about the game. And I was more than a little annoyed at Hartwig (who had the false start earlier in the game). But then I read this in the Post Gazette:

"I had already made the decision to take the safety," Tomlin said. "Their punt-rush team is spectacular, led by [ex-Steeler] Sean Morey, their Pro Bowl special teamer. So I really wasn't all that devastated by that safety. It was a little disappointing because we had converted the first down. But my mentality was, had that pass come up incomplete, that we were going to take the safety on fourth down, anyway."

The more I hear Tomlin speak the more I love him. I don't think I've ever heard a coach wanting to take a safety! And his reaction to the Fitz TD that put the Cards in the lead, essentially he hoped they scored fast...God I love this man!!

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I agree smart call by Tomlin, although he is certainly not revolutionary in his thought process. It happens every once in a while in the NFL. I remember a game this year where it happened, I can’t think of what game, but it seems to happen once or twice a year.

I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!

by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Feb 2, 2009 5:37 PM EST reply actions

Chargers Saints? At the end of the game Brees ran around and finally into his endzone to waste time. The only purposefull saftey I can think of.

by archon095 on Feb 2, 2009 9:31 PM EST up reply actions

Not mad genius, just smart

At that point of the game the Cardinals need a TD, whether it’s 20-14 or 20-16. If we punt out of the end zone, the Chargers in all likelihood get possession at the Steelers’ 40, or closer. Also a chance of a block and a TD recovery. By taking a safety the Cardinals had to start on their 35 (very good high punt by Berger and even better coverage). Of course, Fitzgerald covered that extra 25 yards of field position in about 2.7 seconds.

by steeler.lifer on Feb 2, 2009 11:05 PM EST reply actions