Home Player Spotlight Boykin Getting Splinters Due to Spat With Tomlin

Boykin Getting Splinters Due to Spat With Tomlin

by Steeldad

Ask Antonio Brown who the best cornerback in practice is and he’ll tell you it’s Brandon Boykin. Seems to me that if the best wide receiver in the game acknowledges something like that then the head coach would pay attention don’t ya think?

Apparently Steelers’ Head Coach Mike Tomlin knows that what Brown is telling him is accurate yet he refuses to play him. A source with knowledge of the situation revealed to me today that following the Steelers’ week one loss to New England, Boykin was not happy that he didn’t see the field on defense and he let Tomlin know it in a rather demonstrative manner.

Since then, Boykin has seen the field as a cornerback for less than 20 plays despite being the team’s best corner throughout practice and based on pure experience. Brown tried to elaborate on Boykin’s ability during his radio show but was cut off by Steelers’ master of propaganda Gerry Dulac.

Despite the fact that we here at Steel City Blitz have been asking questions about Boykin’s lack of playing time since week one, you’ll notice most of the Steelers’ beat writers have stayed away from the issue. With the possibility that William Gay isn’t 100%, Boykin’s name popped up a lot more in their columns this week.

The truth is, the Boykin situation is one of the worst kept secrets in Pittsburgh. The beat writers know it but they won’t dare suggest that Boykin should be playing ahead of both Antwon Blake and Ross Cockrell. To do so would be challenging Tomlin’s decision-making so therefore they bite their lips in order to keep their access.

If you are thinking “Tomlin’s the coach and must know what he’s doing” then ask yourself why the team was so desperate to go and get him? The standard excuse is that they felt he could adapt to their “tackle the catch” gameplan for their cornerbacks.

The real excuse is that Tomlin won’t put his best cover guy on the field out of spite and as I said, the media guys know it. Antonio Brown knows it and apparently a large portion of Steeler Nation knows it.

Fact of the matter is that Boykin should playing ahead of both Cockrell and Blake. He proves it in practice almost daily and has proven it on the field as one of the top-rated slot corners in football during his time in Philadelphia.

It should be very alarming to all of us that Boykin is yet another wasted draft pick who is stuck on the bench just because the head coach is holding a grudge.

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26 comments

Patrick Williams October 31, 2015 - 1:16 pm

Coach Sunglasses has an ego problem. He signed Vick, and was so enamored with him, that he refused to take him out of the game, in spite of the fact that he absolutely stunk.
Now, this occurs. He has gotten into tiffs with Ben in the past over injuries… I am all for coaches having firm control of a team, but, when they become Cartman from South Park, take on a “You must respect my authority attitude”, refuse to acknowledge mistakes, and play individuals who should not be starting, it is a disservice to the team.

steeldad October 31, 2015 - 3:02 pm

Have to say I laughed out loud at the Cartman analogy. That’s funny!

Abeasley October 31, 2015 - 7:22 pm

They need to respect his authority he is the coach you don’t let someone say anything to with out consequences I bet Bella check

Abeasley October 31, 2015 - 7:25 pm

If that is how you spell his name has his guy’s respect or else

Lo October 31, 2015 - 1:43 pm

I trust a Super Bowl winning coach over clowns any day.

steeldad October 31, 2015 - 3:03 pm

And that’s your right. When you have other players and analysts around the league questioning why Boykin isn’t playing then I think there’s something there.

thor75 November 1, 2015 - 2:32 pm

Do you have the link to the Antonio Brown quote in his chat with Dulac? I would like to read that myself. I thought there may have been something between Tomlin/Boykin but did not know about Brown’s comments. Very interesting.

steeldad November 2, 2015 - 2:16 am

I apologize for not having the link handy. It was on AB’s show this past week.

Radar October 31, 2015 - 3:06 pm

How has that “Super Bowl winning” coach done since Cowher’s players retired Lo? How long has it been since he has actually won a playoff game Lo? Where is Keenan Lewis Lo? Why was a washed up retread named Vick playing in front of Landry Jones Lo? Just askin’. Make no mistake Lo, Tomlin’s doghouse was not built by clowns and it is a black hole. Once you are in it you have minimal chances to escape.

Kev October 31, 2015 - 4:47 pm

How many Superbowls did Cowher win with HIS players in 15 years? How many playoff and championship losses did he have? How many losing seasons has Tomlin had? Who drafted Keenan Lewis? How many int’s did Vick throw. How many starts did he lose and why? How many int’s did Jones throw in 1 start? How many starts did Jones win? It’s not personal. Tomlin knows more about his personnel than you do.

steeldad October 31, 2015 - 4:51 pm

No one is suggesting to know more about personnel than Tomlin. Don’t you find it the least bit odd that a proven corner never sees the field when guys in front of him get burnt regularly?

Kev October 31, 2015 - 9:40 pm

I’m just as curious as anyone else is about it. I’m eager to see how the Boykin thing plays out. I’ve learned to be patient though. Boykin is young. He’s a “proven” NICKEL back. My hope is that, sooner or later, when he gets his shot, he shines brighter than he ever did with the Eagles. If that scenario actually occurs, I’d happily credit Tomlin & co for player development where others would assume ignorance for not playing him sooner. (see Martavis Bryant)
I question things as mush as anybody, but I’ll wait until the season is over, when the successes, failures and the reasoning behind them are more clear, to assess the quality of his decision making.

bob graff October 31, 2015 - 4:20 pm

As i said in the prior Boykin article this has all the earmarks of being something personal. Don’t expect to see much of Boykin period. Talent evaluation has been a problem for some time. I was one of the few seeing Eifert as a no-brainer to draft Right now he is one of the best TE’s in football, and while Miller is a fan favorite right now he is probably the last rated starting TE in our division. Just think if we had Eifert wow!! but the powers that be saw Jarvis as a far superior option, but give them credit Bell was the Best player in that draft and we landed him.

Kev October 31, 2015 - 4:23 pm

I live in the Dallas area, where talent always trumps attitude, chemistry, morals and criminality every time, with the well known local NFL franchise. I thank God every day that the Steelers and Coach Tomlin have virtually NOTHING in common with them. It takes more than talent to be a contributing member of what I still believe to be the best franchise in football, maybe all pro sports. While they are certainly not perfect, (I get frustrated like the rest with clock management and some head scratcher 4 and 1 calls), I trust them to know more about what they are doing and why than I do fans, columnists and commenters who are working solely with media info and their own emotions.

Ron October 31, 2015 - 4:54 pm

You have nothing to lose by playing Boykin. Our secondary is our biggest weakness . Tomlin needs to do what is best for this team!

steeldad October 31, 2015 - 4:55 pm

Totally agree Ron. He can’t be any worse right?

Mike October 31, 2015 - 5:01 pm

#Firemiketomlinfacebookgroup

Dennis Pierce November 2, 2015 - 10:56 pm

Time for Tomlin to go. Wasted 2 draft picks. Why would u give up a draft pick, then not play him. Teammates need to step up, challenge Tomlin.

Julius October 31, 2015 - 8:58 pm

Coach is a couple mistakes away from being fired !!!!!like why he keep playing Cam Thomas over Big Dan is crazy

Julius October 31, 2015 - 9:01 pm

Like I like Vick but we all know he not the old Vick but Oh Coach T loves him ,Coats should be getting more playing time a Beast

Pitmother October 31, 2015 - 9:04 pm

It’s a shame that grown men can’t shake hands, apologize and get over it! Don’t be spiteful, if Boykin is a good athlete, let him play! Coach Tomlin…DO THE RIGHT THING!

SteelMyNews October 31, 2015 - 10:32 pm

Ok, now I’m starting to become irritated by some of our fans. First, the guy is labeled a “players coach” and criticized for being too buddy-buddy with the players. Now, he changes his style giving in to the complaints of him being too friendly with the players, and exercises some authority and discipline, and you’re complaining about that?

The only type of comment I expected to read on this thread goes something like this:
“About time!”

Smh at my fellow Steelertians…make up your mind, or keep your mind to yourself. #HereWeGo!

bob graff November 1, 2015 - 3:15 am

Tomlin was labeled a players coach for playing older players and ignoring young talent. It’s very similar to what he is doing now. Tomlin hasn’t changed his style at all, overlooking talent and letting young studs ride the bench or just up and leave.Excuse me but didn’t some of the best players from Steelers past have some pretty down right bad attitudes. Since when did we develop this well we are righteous way????? now you have me confused. We are the Pittsburgh Steelers we don’t take names, or make excuses, we put the baddest dudes out there and do our thing. Take your frappe’ latte and kiss my butt.

pammy November 1, 2015 - 4:59 am

Mr. B in NE would make more professional decisions. Tomlin needs to grow as a coach or be fired. Pretty simple.

j. hackers November 1, 2015 - 10:57 am

It’s really hard to stomach this rooney rule hire, this minstel clown has the ego, gall, temerity, now that that he has a few million in his pocket, to put his grudge before the team. and for the boot licking beat reoorters to cover this up just sickens me. by the way steeldad congratulations on this expose. No one has this story.

Bob Burdette November 2, 2015 - 5:30 pm

great coaches dont lose play-off games to Tim Tebow nor wildcard teams at home nor losing record teams at home during the regular season. Tomlin won a Super Bowl againSt an inferior team

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