Coach Tomlin says ...

by tenthmtnman on Mar 25, 2009 9:31 AM EDT Comment 18 comments

the Ravens will win the division in 2009. We know how accurate he is as Coach Tomlin predicted the Browns to do so in 2008 -- :o). That said, what does that mean for the team? In my mind, once you annoint the Ravens over one's own team, it means that one has assessed the team and decided there are shortcomings that will prevent the team from winning the division. As a follow on to that, it also means that the shortcomings can't be corrected between now and the season. How can that be?

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I’m pretty sure Tomlin is joking.

Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.

by steelguy99 on Mar 25, 2009 10:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i think it's a challenge more than anything else...

coach tomlin certainly understands the psychology of coaching and he knows how to motivate players. look at how he handled big snack when he showed up overweight to camp last year. that was a psychological message to the team that said everyone has to pull their own weight (so to speak) no matter what sort of resume they’ve built. this message says, “go ahead, prove me wrong.” it also says, “last year is over. there’s a new challenge ahead.” personally, i love it. plus, humility is one of tomlin’s most admirable traits. i just can’t see him saying “we’re the team the beat,” even if in his heart he feels it.

by cliff harris is still a punk! on Mar 25, 2009 10:30 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Tomlin wants to keep his guys motivated, and rightly so. We were a couple of plays away from having the AFCCG in Baltimore instead of Pittsburgh, and us having the extremely physical game against the Titans the week before. If the players think that winning it all this year makes them the best team by default this year, they’re going to have their asses kicked, circa 2006. You always have confidence in your abilities, but if the team doesn’t focus and see Baltimore as a legitimate threat, the Ravens really will win the division. I’m also intrigued by the Bengals’ prospects this year. I doubt they’ll make the playoffs but their defense looked better last year, and if Palmer comes back motivated they won’t be a bottom feeder.

Here’s some more of Tomlin’s talk. He talks about what he’s learned from his post-SB hangover with the Bucs, and he gives one more vote of confidence that Harrison’s contract will get done.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/03/24/tomlin-guided-by-his-gut/

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Mar 25, 2009 11:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I missed this

Can you guide me to a link where Tomlin crowned Baltimore as this year’s team to beat? Thanks.

Thoughtful discussion with a sense of history

by maryrose on Mar 25, 2009 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_617660.html

I’m throwing it in my six pack but here ya go MR; also he predicted New England at the team to beat in the AFC overall

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

by drinkyourmilkshake on Mar 25, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right here ...

http://news.steelers.com/article/104263/

I would have thought that Coach Tomlin wouldn’t use, or that professional athletes wouldn’t accept, that kind of reverse psychology. I would have expected Coach Tomlin to come right out and say “if we do this, that and one other thing, we should repeat.” I would also think the press would jump on that and start hammering him to explain the team’s shortcomings.

by tenthmtnman on Mar 25, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is no such thing as repeat to MT

He doesnt believe in looking backwards, so you cant repeat in his system. Because in his mind you cant sit on last season, you gotta get up and make a new one. So he probably never preaches the idea of repeating.

by Mechem on Mar 25, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

25-11

Tomlin has been doing this since he started. His record is encouraging.

Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.

by steelguy99 on Mar 25, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tomlin just playing the media game

What he says to the media about next season won’t have much of an impact on his players but I bet they are smiling when they read about him picking the Ravens. It’s just another way of getting the message across that what happened last year is history.

by steeler.lifer on Mar 25, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Beating media and pundits to the punch

The Browns were popular choice last year. It’s a pretty good bet that the Ravens or Pats will the choice this year. The Steelers will be better this year but for all kinds of reasons, some discussed, some not, few outside of Steeler Nation will want to see them repeat. He’s provided some motivation for his own players and taken some away from the Ravens.

by RickVa on Mar 25, 2009 4:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree!

I love the way Coach T toys with the media and rivals. I find some humor in his comments about the Ravens for ’09 and his comments of last year concerning the Browns. In fact last year Romeo thanked him for his praise. LOL! Tomlin is taking his shots IMO! Not to worry! His winning agenda is becoming well documented..

by steelersrock08 on Mar 25, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What Coach is really saying

is that the Ravens will be next year’s Browns.

by Steelin on Mar 25, 2009 7:17 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Rofl

by Mechem on Mar 25, 2009 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too funny!

by MarkJoel66 on Mar 27, 2009 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

They ARE the purple Browns so…..

"The team that scores the most points wins."
John Madden
(Master of the obvious)

by PixburghArn on Mar 27, 2009 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tomlin

Is being smart and gracious. Never hurts to compliment the opponent. Its classy. It reminds you team that “respect” never earned anyone a w.

by SteelerBuddha on Mar 26, 2009 10:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tomlin is Mr. Motivator

What do you expect him to say? “Yes, we are the team to beat in the AFC.”

Tomlin will NEVER say that. He doesn’t want his team to sit on their laurels. He wants the team coming into the season a little pissed off. Driven, he calls it.

He also said that every coach fears the Bengals because of Carson Palmer…

by MarkJoel66 on Mar 27, 2009 7:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well no ...

I would not as I’ve not assessed Coach Tomlin to be an arrogant individual, but if he has a solid team that he thinks can win the division, then I would have expected him to say so. One can be truthful without being arrogant.

by tenthmtnman on Mar 27, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs