Jim Zorn and Mike Tomlin have very different approaches to coaching up their teams. Zorn, in his first year with the Redskins, had his best player facetiously refer to him as a "genius" on a local radio show earlier this week and he dealt with it by, well, not really dealing with it.
Tomlin, almost two years into his stint in Pittsburgh, is a little more proactive about keeping his players in line. Running back Willie Parker, who has battled injuries and ineffectiveness for most of the season, popped off to the media about the team needing to get back to "Steelers football." Translation: Bruce Arians' two-tight end offense ain't conducive to running the ball, which is what he does best.
When asked about Parker's comments at his press conference, Tomlin wasn't happy. Exactly the opposite, in fact.
"The issue for us has been, is and hopefully will continue to be winning -- that's my interpretation of Steelers football ... Every morning I come to work I walk past five Lombardis, not five rushing titles. The issue is winning. "...Tomlin wasn't finished:
"He needs to be a little more careful with things he says and how he says it because it can be misinterpreted as uninformed or selfish, of which he is neither"
Asked how the two-tight end offense, which rarely employs a fullback, is performing, Tomlin said, "It was working pretty good last year when he was leading the league in rushing before he was hurt. It's not working as well right now. But we're in a better position than we were a year ago."Nobody who follows the Steelers thinks Parker is a selfish player, and Tomlin certainly understands as much, but that's not the point. Bellyaching to the media about things that shouldn't leave the locker room -- that's the point. And Tomlin made it very clear at his presser that it won't be tolerated.
He also sent the message that there's only one person running the asylum, which is something Zorn might want to look into. Assuming it isn't already too late.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-12-2008 @ 10:59PM
mmlts20078 said...
THE COACH IS RIGHT!!
KEEP THESE THINGS "IN-HOUSE"!!
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12-12-2008 @ 5:50AM
giant fan since 57 said...
I don't see anything wrong with the way Zorn handled Portis. Different coaches have different solutions...some even drop their pants.....LOL
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12-12-2008 @ 6:42AM
Thatsabsurd said...
Bullsh*t
Its common knowledge that arians couldn't put a plan together to get Parker out of the Locker room and on to the field. (his plan would have him at the hot dog vendor or janitors closet)
I can see keeping mom on some issues but everyone is talking about the weaknesses of pgh and the players have that right also.
Want to prove a point Tomlin
Win through the playoff season with Bruce Arians then maybe you (Coach) have something to stand on with your comments about Parker.
You had the opportunity to fire arians last year and you balked on it-------well live with your consequences "coach" ---Trying to keep your Players quiet because of your poor decision making isn't the answer.
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12-12-2008 @ 8:05AM
clayton said...
LMAO!
How is this bad decision making? Really.
Theyre on top of their division, they just bumped off the Cowboys, and sitting pretty for a first round bye within reach.
Not to mention that No hands/Not as fast as he claims Willie Parker hasnt been HALF the back that Mewelde has, so really, some guy whos put up a couple ok seasons is now the genius?
Ask Barry Foster how that works out, dude, screw your head on right, which would imply screwing it out of your ass first, and smell the roses.
Five Lombardis not five rushing titles, LOL, Tomlin is too much.
12-12-2008 @ 8:31AM
Thatsabsurd said...
See if you feel the same after post season with Arians there.
Tomlin decided that he wouldn't fire Arians until they had two seasons together.
I ask, since my head is not nor has it been in my ass "genius" what has our offense done this year?
Now if possible get your head out of your ass and get over the "emotional love" you have and think realistic "Fool"
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12-12-2008 @ 10:21AM
Frank Ferracane said...
I agree with Willie Parker in that the Steelers have to find ways to run the football or we will not get very far in the Playoffs.
However, Willie needs to look within himself and ask why he is not finishing runs and fighting for the extra yards.
Die Hard Steelers fans comments........
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12-12-2008 @ 11:41AM
Ali said...
I like the way Tomlin handled this. I think he keeps the drama low (at least to the public), which is something all teams should do (you hearing this cowboys?). Parker has been a good player in the past but it is clear Moore is having a better season than him, even in the offensive system they are running. I love the Steelers and winning is most important as Tomlin says. As for Arians, we shall see.
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12-12-2008 @ 10:54AM
Craig said...
I said it when he was hired and I haven't veered off of my belief...Tomlin is a great people manager. Thatsabsurd, you might not think that Arians is the answer but what is the question? Do you not think that winning 9 games was good enough? I mean serious dude, the schedule was the toughest of any NFL team this year. At the outset of the season did you really think we would have won 9 freakin games? C'mon bro the offense has done what it can while facing teams like NYGiants, New England, Indy, Dallas, Bal'mer. I'd rather fire you as an ungrateful fan. Christ!
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12-12-2008 @ 11:38AM
Thatsabsurd said...
The offense has done what it can?
That statement speaks for itself.
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12-12-2008 @ 12:26PM
Craig said...
Yeah, it speaks to the overachieving offensive line, the injured quarterback, a depleted backfield and a multitude of dropped passes. Have you been watching the same team I have or are you just that ignorant?
12-12-2008 @ 11:43AM
Professorx06 said...
Granted B.A. isn't the best OC, Willie's gotta keep these sort of things under wraps. We have a HUGE game coming up and the team needs to be focused on winning. Personally, I agree with Willie. Quality post season teams are balanced and we are not that right now. But Willie also has to look in the mirror and question whether he's really fighting for those extra yards. I think he's still injured.
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12-12-2008 @ 1:39PM
nick said...
i'm all about the Steelers returning to the Big Dance SB XLIII, but the offense has been looking a little anemic lately... Mewelde has been a good go to guy, WParker hasn't been very healthy or productive this year. He's right to be concerned about the offense and the running game, but he should take that up with the Coach.
This team is all about the Steel Curtain defense that's been showing up. The offense needs to step up now.
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12-12-2008 @ 4:14PM
Khaine said...
Nah.. keep complaining and infighting. Try to be like the cowgirls.
Makes all things easier for Sunday.
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12-12-2008 @ 10:46PM
marc said...
first, parker sees the writing on the wall. mendenhall will be back next year. moore has proven he is dependable and valuable to the team. parker has hands worse than braylon edwards which makes it very predictable when he is in the game. that is why he needs the fullback (an extra blocker) in front of him. i say it is 50/50 parker will be on the team next year.
second, things are never as good or as bad as they seem. however, arians glacial pace at making adjustments clearly affects the offense.
the o-line is average at best. we can't consistently run the ball with the guys we have right now. nor does big ben have the time to drop back and hit those 15-20 yard outs or crossing patterns. that's why we have shifted to the shorter passing game. moore is now third on the team in receptions. they are basically extended hand offs to get him into open space. i get the feeling that tomlin dropped the hammer on arians to make the changes about 4 weeks ago.
to thatsabsurd, i agree with you regarding arians, he is horrible. but, i also agree with others that tomlin is the man for the job. even if he didn't like arians after last year, the offense performed well and it would have been real hard to justify getting rid of him.
finally, parker needs to shut up. these things NEVER leave the locker room. deal with it in house and move on. i'm sure he's heard an ear full from a few guys by now.
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12-13-2008 @ 7:38AM
Thatsabsurd said...
Yeah let every analyst that are not a part of the the steelers talk about it instead.
Its a known fact has been a known fact and when the coach doesn't adjust for his team (that has the ability) to produce on offense and chooses instead to hope the defense does it all-------------------well its time for the players to sqawck.
It seems to remove the idiot coaches from the organization and produce playing teams -----------like Baltimore
And there are
not many player changes that happened there since the IDIOT coach from there was 'removed"
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12-13-2008 @ 2:02PM
Bob said...
No huddle....No Huddle. Takes Arians out of the game and produces.
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12-13-2008 @ 7:56PM
DaBoss said...
Arians is one of da worst OCs in da game.....how many times on 1st n 10 are we in a shotgun 5 wide set with no backs???? 1st and 10 we should be doing that??.....what other team does that?? Why Arians thinks thats the way to go instead of what has won the franchise 5 rings over 3 decades....3rd and 1 we either go shotgun or we have our 100 million dollar slightly injured man take a dive that exposes him to 15 different shots.....what happened to the fullback position?? It is painful to watch our offense at times...u know whenever we cant block and take 5 sacks....we need to run the ball more and go no huddle so BA doesnt has as much say....Offseason we need a new OC and alot of work on da lines....until then we are doing fine but very shakey at times and if it wasnt for da BEST D in da game!!!!, God only knows we we would be...
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12-14-2008 @ 8:11AM
Thatsabsurd said...
Well said DaBos well said
The talent in our offensive players---------- one would expect some high scoring games.
But instead we have Bruce Arians whos favorite player is the punter.