One of the most anticipated Mike Tomlin Press Conferences in a long time has come and gone and if you want to take one thing from it, take this; Mike Tomlin was given a ‘talking to’ by his superiors. Like a child being admonished for not following the rules, Tomlin was essentially put into a timeout by General Manager Kevin Colbert and perhaps Team President Art Rooney II.
After 13 weeks, it appears that the player the Steelers traded a fifth round draft pick for will finally get to see some real action on defense. When asked about the state of the secondary today….
Tomlin: Will give Cockrell and Blake chances to bounce back but will look at others as well, including . . . ta da . . . Boykin
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) December 1, 2015
Note the sarcasm in Bouchette’s tweet. He’s been around the organization as long as anyone and if he’s making comments like that then you know putting Boykin on the field is more than likely not Tomlin’s call.
Why didn’t the move (if it really happens) not happen sooner? Call it whatever you’d like. Ego? arrogance? Go ahead and pick a word. Regardless, after seeing Antwon Blake and Ross Cockrell miss tackle after tackle and constantly be out of position in coverage, the Steelers’ top brass had seen enough. Even if Tomlin hadn’t.
The real test for Tomlin will come on Sunday night. He claims Cockrell and Blake will get chances to bounce back but what does that mean? It’s clear that Tomlin has been told Boykin needs to see the field defensively. What has to happen in order for that to occur though? Do Blake and Cockrell have to get beat a few more times? Does Blake have to come up and bump another ball carrier with his shoulder?
As I’ve said from day one in my support for playing Boykin, he is not Rod Woodson and I don’t expect him to be. What all of us should expect is that at the very least he is competent which is far better than what we’ve seen recently from those playing in front of him.
Now we are left to hope that this potential decision hasn’t come too late. Acknowledging there needs to be a change is a good start even if you have to be put in timeout to recognize it.
14 comments
I think you may see Boykin a for a few snaps. But he should be starting and Tomlin is in cut off my nose to spite my face mode. My prediction is 10 snaps in a reserve role for Boykin. It is more than OBVIOUS that Tomlin has a problem with Boykin. I believe my phrase in preseason was” best man up ” this is something that’s been going on for a long time now.
I’ve said this a lot in the last 24 hours Bob… All Boykin has to be is competent. That’s it. He doesn’t have to make huge plays he just has to prove he can cover and he can tackle.
Maybe you guys have forgotten but Boykin is man to man CB something Tomlin really doesn’t like. This is even goes back before Tomlin was the coach. The Steelers want zone coverage CB’s not man to man CB’s. Sure you guys will come up here and say it doesn’t mean nothing or Tomlin should change his mind but guess what it won’t make a difference. The Steelers rely on the front 7 for pressure and all they ask the DB’s is stay with your man and be ready when the ball gets in your area.
Its an excellent point Vittorio. Boykin is much more suited to man coverage but I think the upper management is to the point where they need to see what he can do in the Steelers more zone-centric defense. I can’t imagine he could be much worse in coverage versus what we’ve seen recently.
I agree with you all about Boykin is man coverage player but after what I have seen all year, I would have still used Boykin is a zone coverage scheme because I know he can press a receiver if needed.
For my money I’ve always believed you can teach a man cover guy to play zone but teaching a zone guy to play man is difficult.
Gotta say Marc, based on what you’ve presented I think it speculative that Tomlin is having this decision made for him.
Based on what I’ve observed he’s always been stubborn. Now that he’s been faced with another loss that can almost all be attributed to poor execution, he and his staff are taking a long look at ways to improve. I hope Boykin does get some time, but I question how much he’ll get.
What have we heard consistently?
1. They consider Boykin a “slot only” CB and they like Will Gay better than Boykin in the slot.
– Playing Boykin could mean that Gay moves outside exclusively, Blake is demoted and Boykin plays slot only.
2. They think Boykin a poor tackler.
– Given what we’ve seen from the rest of the backfield will the drop off be that great?
3. Boykin has a tendency to get knocked off his feet.
– This observation bears watching. If true it would explain a great deal.
Speculation is often what I’m left to do Ben. My thinking is that why now? Was Tomlin so stubborn that he couldn’t see the problems his secondary was having? For 13 weeks?
Boykin should not be mistaken for the next coming of Deion Sanders. However, he has a solid resume and more career picks than Cockrell and Blake combined. All he needs to do is look competent in my opinion.
Competency would be a huge upgrade at RCB. If someone from the other team makes a play, that’s one thing. But seeing guys run open with a CB not even in his vicinity is driving us all crazy.
Well if Boykin could stop week after week of big plays that are killing our squad. And deminishing the great job our d line and linebackers do I don’t think Tomlin is thinking in best interest of team but more in his final say ability. I feel Tomlin should be shown that the team the city and the best person to play should be one of the 11 standing on the battlefield. Blake wouldn’t make a college team his tackles are childish he can’t wrap a runner to tackle I mean what is tomlins deal with keeping such a horrible player in the game. Again. Support your defense. Support your d line and your lb. get them off the field as soon as you can but not by being blown off the ball with embarrassing pass plays but by shutting the offense down. Tomlin should learn a thing or 2 from the great coaches who have taught the game. People who make mistakes constantly and are not up to par especially in Pittsburgh don’t deserve to start. And going even further why hasn’t Blake been cut. I see teams getting retired people to come back and play to push for the glory of championship (i.e. Finnegan carolina Panthers). Why do we stick we less the bottom players. I cherish our front 7 but the backs need help and Boykin is a huge help. Tomlin needs to look in mirror and respect the colors he represents and not feel he himself is the one in charge. He is responsible to the city and the ownership. Play football with the best you got. Not whom you want on cause your annoyed or have an issue. How worse can Blake get. I am so annoyed he still is playing each week he’s getting burnt and his tackles are like he’s scared to hit like a trusted and talented football defensive cornerback. Go steelers and Tomlin wake up brother. We support you but show common sense!
I think you are on to something Demetri. The support is there for Tomlin but it’s waning. If he truly does make adjustments in the secondary this week and they pay off then perhaps he’s learned a lesson. If not, any support he has will evaporate quickly.
l’m trying to figure wht does tomlin have against boykin in the 1st place …whyl bring em here if he not gonna play….to blakes defense he’s a good special teamster but I’ve been sayin for the past month to put boykin in for him bc he’s jus been getting weaker by the weak-maybe his thumb is botherin him im not sure!!!!!!!
Hey, Bro, I think you have an extra “Has” in your headline. I agree about the possible rift.
Holy crap how did I do that???? Thanks.