SteelerNation - This is Your Wake Up Call

SteelerNation - Time to Wake Up to Reality

Pittsburgh Steelers fans are spoiled.  There is no way around that fact.  The team that totes the most Super Bowl titles in NFL history has a fan base that proclaims that fact from the mountain tops as much as they possibly can.  However, Steelers fans haven't had to endure many rough patches in the past 15 years.  The last time the Steelers had a losing record was in 2003 when the Tommy Maddox led Steelers finished with a balmy 6-10 record.  10 years since a losing record for the Steelers and their fan base have fans wondering what went wrong.  Well, alot went wrong, but in terms of the fan base its simple.  Welcome to reality.

The Steelers have been one of the most successful NFL teams since the NFL / AFL merger and that is something that is often taken for granted.  In a world where there are still NFL teams that have failed to even reach a Super Bowl, Pittsburgh has won 6 and played in 8.  There are teams that haven't had a winning season in 10 years and the Steelers haven't had a losing record in 10 years.  All of that leads to a fan base that can be spoiled, too quick to judge, and also quick to turn their back on the team.  When I attended the Steelers vs Bears game in Pittsburgh I had great seats to watch the Steelers gift wrap a 17-0 lead to the Bears.  This was all in the first quarter, and I saw Steelers fans leaving the stadium.  No, not going to the bathroom, not going to get a beer (which would be recommended watching this Steelers team), no they left Heinz Field.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  In the first quarter fans were simply walking out on their favorite team.  That is simply unacceptable in my book.

The fact remains that if Steelers fans (aka - SteelerNation) are the fans that they claim to be, then they will not turn their back on their team.  I am not saying that Steelers' fans can't voice their displeasure about the team that they root for.  I do that enough for the entire fan base, but what I am saying is that SteelerNation needs to realize that this bump in the road for the Steelers isn't the end of the world.  If the Steelers don't have a magical turn around up their sleeves they will be ending this season with a losing record.  I can actually hear the Steelers' bandwagon getting lighter.  Think one losing season in 10 is bad?  Try being a Cleveland Browns fan.  Try being a Jacksonville Jaguars fan.  Try being a St. Louis Rams fan.  One bad season doesn't signify the end of the world.  Remember, it could be worse, and as so many Steeler fans always remind me..."we have more rings than anyone else!"  Be happy for that and stand by your team through good and bad.  SteelerNation - This was your wake up call.

Coach Tomlin Press Conference Highlights

Coaches Get Paid To Coach, Not Talk

Its Not Always Giggles and Smiles at Coach T's Pressers...
Nor should it be.

I listen to the whiplash effect every Tuesday afternoon / evening and Wednesday morning when Mike Tomlin has his weekly press conference at 12pm on Tuesdays.  The whiplash effect is how people react to the coach and what he says during that 20min time span where the coach looks like a caged animal as he is forced to answer questions from media that often ask the dumbest questions imaginable.  The reaction from the said media is often time ridiculous and outlandish as they make it seem like Mike Tomlin gets paid and should be gauged by his comments to the media and not what his team's performance was the past week.  Remember folks, coaches get paid to coach, not to talk to the media.

Some of the biggest criticism of Tomlin this week were his comments in regards to rookie RB Le'Veon Bell.  Its obvious that Tomlin likes Le'Veon Bell.  You can tell that Tomlin wanted him in the draft, and in a draft where alot of running backs were still on the board and the Steelers chose Bell over other RBs like Eddie Lacy, alot of criticism can come with a decision like that.  With that said, Tomlin takes criticism of Bell personally and as Tomlin would say...OBVIOUSLY.  When you stick your neck out to draft a player, you are putting yourself "out there".  However, the media is going bonkers over Mike Tomlin's comments about how he "doesn't care what you (the media) say or write..." and how Bell might be impacted by negative comments.  To counteract the possible negative publicity, Tomlin decided to "pump up" the young RB through comments made at his press conferences.  As a coach myself, this all makes sense to me, but to some...its darn near blasphemy.

It has even gotten to the point where people are criticizing Tomlin's persona and attitude during the press conferences.  Some fans are saying that if he is going to be short, terse, and stern with the media then maybe he shouldn't be the coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Hold on a second, are people forgetting Bill Cowher?  Anyone remember Bill Cowher's press conferences besides the funky "Bill Cosby" sweaters?  The man absolutely despised the pressers and at times got so mad he walked out of the press conference early.  People who criticize Tomlin for his etiquette have underlying issues with him as a coach (or person) because Cowher did the same stuff, and to be honest was worse.

I listen to Pittsburgh sports radio as much as I can to get a pulse on what the Steel City thinks and feels about the "Big 3" sports teams.  To me, this story is an absolute NON STORY.  Coaches get paid to coach, not to talk to the media.  Is it part of the job?  Yes, but that isn't the primary job description.  I could care less what Mike Tomlin says.  I DO care about how the team responds to Mike Tomlin as a coach and how they play on the field.  These last 2 games have been a pleasant surprise after the 0-4 start.  Seems like whatever Tomlin is doing is working.  In this case, Mike Tomlin could cuss out every fan of SteelerNation for all I care...his job is getting the team to win, not to make the media, or even the fans for that matter, happy. Again, just my humble opinion.