5 - 0 vs the NFC, 0 - 5 vs the AFC North.

[Essex Johnson]

(12-26-2023, 07:49 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: You should add some context, BY.

Sure, that team was 2-14, but there were tons of talented young players. Chad, TJ, Rudi, a good o-line, Justin Smith, Brian Simmons and the rights to draft Carson Palmer. Not to mention an owner with tons of cap space and a willingness to spend to reshape the defense.

Meanwhile, the team that Zac inherited was 6-10 but the players were heading in the opposite direction. AJ Green, Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap, a bad o-line, etc.

Those guys were close to washed and also pretty disgruntled. Imo, Marvin started with a better team and a lower bar for success. He was also more set up for a quick turnaround.


Fair counter. That said.

1. The last Cowher team was 8-8, sure, but only 1 season removed from winning a championship. A rebound was likely just looking at who they had.

2. Who were those remaining players and coaches? Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Willie Parker, Heath Miller, James Harrison, Troy Polamalu, Lamar Woodley, Ike Taylor, Ryan Clark, Brett Keisel, James Farrior, Aaron Smith, etc were all drafted by Cowher. Look at that list, brother. That's pretty much all of their great players. Obviously Tomlin had to bring some of his own guys, but this was undeniably the core of Tomlin's Super Bowl group.

Then you had the legend Dlck LeBeau coaching the defense.

Tomlin still hasn't done anything since that core started to dry up. The record speaks for itself and points directly to Tomlin not being able to accomplish anything great without Cowher's team.


Agree 100% that the division has figured us out. We'll figure a lot out about Zac next year.

Tbh, I feel like a great coach would've adjusted this year.


The Bengals were rebuilding in Zac's first couple years. I wouldn't use that record against him.

This year, Zac is 3-2 without Burrow, and mind you, that's with a guy who has been a practice squad QB for 4 years.

Prediction that Tomlin in the future will be joining the next team Cowher is on called NFL HOF