Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin threatens more jobs, is he serious?
By Matt Shetler
After an embarrassing loss Sunday to the New England Patriots in which they gave up a franchise record 55 points and over 600 yards of offense, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was, predictably, not in a very good mood.
Tomlin said his usual lines of threatening more jobs and never being more disappointed as if they were from a tape recorder.
Nov 3, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin reacts during the second half of a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
“Those people who are lacking effort won’t be playing,” Tomlin said. “It’s just that simple. … I am angry, disappointed.”
This is weekly speak from the Steelers head coach, but you have to wonder about how serious Tomlin is when he threatens players’ jobs.
Obviously changes need to be made, but what exactly is Tomlin going to do?
He rarely follows through with his threats on making changes, but even if he wanted to, who is he going to bench?
Everyone on the defensive side of the ball was awful. Is Tomlin going to sit Troy Polamalu, who when he has been on the field the past couple of season’s has become a liability in pass coverage?
I doubt it.
Is he going to sit any more of the Steelers starters? He may tinker with one or two changes, but he’s not going to make major changes.
The reason for that is simple. Who exactly is he going to put in?
I think it is time that Tomlin and Steelers’ fans alike realize how little talent this team currently has.
This team lacks depth and talent at almost every position on the field. There aren’t many answers to be found among the second- and third-team players. Most of the veterans on this team understand this as well. They know their jobs aren’t on the line, despite Tomlin’s claims.
Bad drafting and bad decision-making has caught up with this team and they are paying for it in a big way.
That’s just the reality of the situation and while I commend Tomlin for not giving up, there aren’t any changes he can make in the Steelers lineup that will change the fortunes of this team.
They are a bad football team that lacks talent at key positions. Plain and simple.
Maybe it’s time Tomlin looks in the mirror and gets a reality check.