Why I Am NOT The Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach

There is a Reason Mike Tomlin Makes the Tough
Decisions for the Steelers & I Just Yell From the Couch

-Mason Noland (M_Noland386)

I am very glad I'm not an NFL Head coach. I would take the paycheck, but you can keep the hours. The key reason I'm glad I'm not a head coach is because I would be a terrible decision maker. I'm not sure I'm smart enough to know when to sit a guy on the bench, or let him struggle until he plays well. This is what makes me a fan. I'm watching the game with emotion instead of the even temperament of Mike Tomlin. I would have benched Ike Taylor for one of the younger corners early. This would prove to be a disaster, as Ike has turned things around from the first few games of the year. He was the AFC defensive player of the week and has assumed his role, shutting down one half of the field.

The other player I would have yanked after the first three games of the season was Willie Colon. What a terrible mistake this would have been. Colon struggled with penalties early. His holding calls, while marginal at best, were killing drives, and putting our offense in bad situations. I should have done what Tomlin, Sean Kuglar and Todd Haley were doing, which is exercising patience. Colon was learning a new position, as he was moving from Right Tackle to left guard. He was also coming off of back to back lost seasons due to injury. I wrote a piece about him before the season, saying I thought he was going to set the tone for the offensive line, and while its taken him a few games, he's doing it. He is showing he is an intelligent, athletic big man. He has become an excellent pulling guard on trap plays, displaying great athleticism for a man his size.

Willie may have set the tone with one play this season I was listening to 93.7, the Fan online this week, and completely agree with a point that was made throughout the day on a couple of shows. The season seemed to turn around in the Cincinnati game, when Willie pancake blocked linebacker Vontaze Burfict and tried to drive him into, and then through the turf. I hadn't thought much of the play, but went back and searched for it. My suggestion is you do the same. It is a nasty football play and I love it. It is the type of block that when everyone witnesses, fires the entire team up. I agree, I think the first half of the season may have turned around on that play.

I don't think its just Willie Colon doing all of the work. The entire line is run blocking as good as any in the league. The last three weeks to me have proven that. It doesn't seem to matter who the running back is, the line is creating openings which have led to 3 straight 100 yard games. Max Starks has been steady and Maurkice Pouncey has been great, but that is what you expect from them. I have been pleasantly surprised by the right side of the line. Ramon Foster has been an okay player in previous seasons, but has played lights out this year. He's almost made us forget the Steelers have a first round pick on IR, who'll take his job next year. Right Tackle, Mike Adams, has been the only real weak link of the bunch. He's looked good run blocking, but has looked overmatched as a pass blocker. Adams has played well with someone chipping in, but seems to be a year away from being a good NFL player.

I know they are not members of the offensive line, but I want to make sure someone notices the blocking contributions of tight end Heath Miller and fullback Will Johnson. Miller has been a key to Mike Adams success. Miller is one of the best overall tight ends in the league and it has been apparent this year. He's a reliable receiver, but has been tremendous as a blocker. Johnson on the other hand is taking full advantage of his opportunity. He is developing into a great lead blocker. His use cannot be understated, as he is helping the offensive line open holes for the backs and is helping Adams in the passing game.

With eight games left, here's hoping the offensive line continues to gel and continues to protect Big Ben as they have so far. I also hope they continue opening holes for whoever is running the football. What I am glad for is that Tomlin makes rational decisions, unlike what I, being a fan, would have done.