You’ll get some extensively differing solutions about how good Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is relying on you ask. There’s clearly a vocal a part of the Steelers fanbase that wishes Tomlin gone as a result of lack of latest playoff success. After which there are those that view the size of Tomlin’s tenure as head coach and lack of dropping seasons as an indication of an ideal coach.
Stephen Jones, Chief Working Officer of the Dallas Cowboys, is a part of the latter group. Jones joined 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Friday to speak all issues Cowboys, so naturally Tomlin and the Steelers got here up. Jones is aware of simply how constant the Steelers are defensively and total, and he offers plenty of credit score to Tomlin for that.
“Clearly consistency, profitable, however they’re operating their similar protection I believe they ran earlier than we acquired within the league with them,” mentioned Jones. “They tweak it. Don’t get me incorrect, Coach Tomlin’s one of many nice defensive minds on this recreation, properly conscious. He acquired introduced up underneath Monte Kiffin and Rod Marinelli, and we had been clearly very acquainted, aware of that group. However they’re simply constant the best way they play protection, the best way they’re bodily. They simply play winning-caliber soccer and do issues on a constant foundation to the place they’re in a position to put a profitable product on the sphere 12 months in and 12 months out. And clearly alongside the best way have gotten their share of Tremendous Bowl championships.”
Tomlin acquired his teaching begin underneath the legendary Monte Kiffin in Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers. So it ought to shock nobody that Tomlin would have a fairly darn good understanding of defenses. That’s the place Tomlin acquired to know Marinelli as properly. And each Kiffin and Marinelli are well-known to Jones as he mentioned. They served as defensive coordinators for the Cowboys.
Tomlin’s defensive acumen is a giant a part of why the Steelers are so constant. If they’ll keep a sure stage of defensive prowess, that retains them in most video games. However Tomlin’s detractors would gladly level out that it hasn’t served them within the playoffs not too long ago. They usually’ll let you know that his defensive focus holds the Steelers again offensively, too. That’s what Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Put up-Gazette believes. He thinks Tomlin is protecting offensive coordinator Arthur Smith from fully opening his playbook.
Perhaps that’s true. However when a staff sees the Steelers are on the schedule, they know they’re in for a hard-fought recreation. That’s why the Steelers have been so constant underneath Tomlin, and that’s what the Cowboys expect Sunday night time.