Recap of Tomlinism Tournament First Round; Quarterfinals Begin Monday

While the polls remain open all weekend for the four First-Round Matchups of the Tomlinism Tournament, enough precincts have reported to give us an idea of what the fans are thinking.  It is interesting that the lowest vote among the eight choices is currently receiving 42 percent -- a healthy minority indeed.  That tells us that folks are turned on by different things:  some like a little philosophy, some like originality, some like it clever and some like it tough-minded.

Off the bat, the committee faced understandable criticism for omitting a really great Tomlin line: "I won't be around when he wants to have that discussion," referring to the notion of Dick Lebeau retiring.  There are many Lebeau fans out there and the response was classic Tomlin.  According to committee chair Noah Webster, a pretty decent linguist in his own right, "We just didn't have enough spots and that line was the last to get cut."  Sorry Lebeau fans.  We all did love that line.

If the precinct numbers hold up over the weekend, next week's quarterfinals are shaping up to be the following:

The 12-seed pulled the first upset over the 5-seed, which shows the seeds should have been reversed in the first place.  The committee felt Tomlin setting the stage in preseason camp by wearing black on hot August afternoons was a unique colloquy that showed his unique character, thus meriting a high seed.  The fans thought otherwise, choosing instead to fall in love with Tomlin's greater interest in the future than in the past.  Having a big windshield and small rear-view mirror does bode well for the future.  This notion now, however, must travel again to the 1-seed, where it will clash with the very heart of Steeler Nation.

The 10-seed also pulled an upset, albeit mild, by defeating the 7-seed.  Fans liked the idea of "under-promising and over-delivering," perhaps since many may never have heard it before, and also perhaps since we all yearn for Limas Sweed to do exactly that.  The 7-seed, "our standard of expectation will not change," bows out gracefully with 44 percent vote, the highest of any loser.  Now the idea of under-promising and over-delivering hits the road again en route to the 2-seed, where it will go up against Tomlin walking by five Lombardi trophies every day, not five rushing titles, a daunting task indeed.

The 6-seed topped the 11-seed, no surprise.  A reporter concerned with how the players evaluated Tomlin did not sit well with the Tomlinator, who abruptly reminded the scribe that his thinking was butt-backward.  And the "How's your editor?" piece at the end was indeed classic.  The 6-seed now treks to the 4-seed in what promises to be a barn-burner.  The 4-seed, featuring Tomlin "Not subscribing to hocus pocus," is very similar in style to the 6-seed in that both showed a terse but polite Tomlinator setting the record straight.  Early oddsmakers have pitted that clash a draw and it predicts the highest ratings.

The 8-seed apparently had the least resistance with the 9-seed.  Fans liked the "Iron sharpens iron" line, or perhaps they liked better the notion of Tomlin not giving a tinker's damn about his opposition.  It's sad to seed the 9-seed leave the building.  Many really loved the "Together we all eat" line since that was really one of Tomlin's first soundbites.  Yes, we all understand teamwork, but those four words describe it better than anything else and I for one am sorry to see it end.  The 8-seed now leaves home to play the 3-seed, featuring "It's not hunger that drives me," a philosophical mixture of original and poignant.

Thanks to our Milkshake Editor who sent me a link where the Post-Gazette had some nice words about our little tournament.  By the way, If you haven't weighed in yet, please feel free:

Vote for Match 1

Vote for Match 2

Vote for Match 3