Michael Lombardi of The Athletic takes a deep dive into the Antonio Brown saga, and he is pretty straightforward with his thoughts on the entire situation. He certainly puts much of the blame for the acrimonious relationship between Brown and the Steelers on Brown himself, saying that the talented wideout has a tremendous combination of selfishness, all-about-me attitude, and hostility towards the only team he has ever known. As one GM recently said, Brown is a a “[g]reat talent, but a huge pain in the ass.”
However, Lombardi also says that while Brown’s behavior has driven down his price on the trade market, interested teams are doing their homework to get to the true essence of the problem. Lombardi believes the Steelers’ culture is lost, and that head coach Mike Tomlin, despite his impressive 57-29-1 record over the last five seasons, loses critical games because he and his teams fail to handle small details and do not exhibit the physical and mental toughness they need in key situations. The Rooney family does not overreact, but Lombardi suggests the imminent departures of Brown and Le’Veon Bell will lead to a thorough evaluation of Tomlin, who will need to fix his team’s culture in order to secure his future in Pittsburgh.
Now for more out of the AFC:
- Linebacker Jon Bostic would like to return to the Steelers, but Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the club has no interest in re-signing Bostic. The Steelers could look to the draft to fortify their inside linebacker position, but this year’s collegiate crop of ILBs is a bit thin. Pittsburgh also needs to address its cornerback depth chart, but Dulac suggests the free agent market could be a better option in that regard given the club’s poor history of drafting CBs under Tomlin. Of course, the Steelers will use much of their time at this week’s Scouting Combine to explore the trade market for Brown.
- The Bengals have historically been pretty conservative on the free agent market under owner Mike Brown, and Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com does not believe that will change going forward, even though Cincinnati has a new head coach for the first time in 16 years (Twitter link). That is in keeping with a piece that the Cincinnati Enquirer published several days ago.
- The Dolphins have plenty of holes to fill during this year’s draft, and as Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald writes, Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell could be a perfect fit for the team’s pass rush if the Fins do not use their first-round pick on a QB. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, citing the NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, says Miami should be able to build its O-line throughout the draft, and that the team was not particularly impressed by West Virginia signal-caller Will Grier. Jackson also explores the Dolphins’ other options for their No. 13 overall pick, including trade-back scenarios.
- Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com expects the Titans to sign a wideout and an interior lineman in free agency and to address those positions in the draft as well. The team may be getting Delanie Walker back in time for OTAs, but Wyatt also believes the Titans will add at least one TE to the mix, and he expects Tennessee will try to re-sign Luke Stocker.
steelers w/be legit with bell and ab – maybe they should think about replacing tomlin and recklessberger
Why can’t they all just get along? Geez. Big Ben, LB, AB and now JuJu…. WHAT? Teams can’t wait to break up that team. I agree with this article. I think it could be that the #Russians have gotten to Tomlin? Go.
I know Steelers fans that have told me Tomlin makes boneheaded, in game decisions all the time. And has done so for years. The culture speaks for itself, although I’m not sure that’s 100% on Tomlin.
Shocker! Another hit job singling out everyone, BUT the guy that publicly calls out teammate and coaches, PLUS was suspended for touching women when they didn’t want be touched. Hey, when the GM comes out publicly and endorses your behavior, what can the coach do?
So much hate for Big Ben.. he steal your girl or something?
Nope, just spreading blame around like it should be. FYI…My girl doesn’t like Octopuses. You know you can’t get pregnant by Ben, right?
It’s not hate it’s facts, Ben has done things WAY worse than AB no showing a week that in the end didn’t matter and yet Ben is still the “unquestioned leader” and can basically call out whomever he wants without punishment.
They are all selfish divas … they all need to shut up and play football. Thank God they are not on the battlefields serving our country. This type of toxic behavior would get them killed.
Hahaha… Bengals fan is back giving advice to another organization about behavior! Didn’t y’all have ANOTHER arrest last week? Maybe they should shut up, and NOT Get arrested.
I’m sports_pimp, and I approve this comment!
What are you talking about, exactly? Adam Jones? Last I checked..he was a free agent..
Mark Walton. Use the google machine
Steelers need a complete start over get rid of that “GM” Colbert, Tomlin, and Big Ben. I can promise you firing just Tomlin isn’t gonna do anything when the GM basically treats and acts like Ben is some football god.
The Steelers culture was well established long before Tomlin ever arrived as a coach. It hasn’t changed in decades and that is the root of the problem. Tomlin and Big Ben are the convenient fall guys now but any culture change has to come from the very top.
Their culture used to be hard nosed, run first football. I get the game has evolved necessitating the passing attack, but this team out there is not a team that even the City if Champions could like.
All blame should be on Tomlinson shoulders. None of this bullish/t ever would have went on this long with Cowher and never would have starred with Noll.
Ladainian Tomlinson still plays??
You obviously haven’t been paying attention. Cowher wouldn’t have stood for any of it, and he was coach for 14 years.
How more SB’s did the legendary, SUPER coach Cowher win than “Tomlinson”?
Did you guys hear something? Sounds like a troll… which is strange, because I don’t live under a bridge like they do.
The answer is 0
In Cowher’s 15 seasons, the Steelers captured eight division titles, earned 10 postseason playoff berths, played in 21 playoff games, advanced to six AFC Championship games and made two Super Bowl appearances. He is one of only six coaches in NFL history to claim at least seven division titles.
So, you agree the answer is 0? If I’m correct, the ONLY thing that matters to Steelers fans is Rings, right? That’s usually their response when people bring up the fact that “Tomlinson’s” NEVER had a losing season. So, all those accolades mean nada, unless it’s rings, or does it only apply to “Tomlinson”?
I think I just heard a fart in the wind.
Tomlin is the sole reason the culture is what it is. When AB and Lev look in the mirror, who do they see? Mike Tomlin. Mike. Freaking. Tomlin.
I think I just heard a fart in the wind.
The dolphins owner has more or less said that they will be tanking for Tua. It is pointed out quite frequently that they gave the new coach a 5 year contract versus a four for this reason. Why does over half the articles and mocks have them taking s QB? If Ross is to be taken at his word they should be trading all their picks for next years draft capital. Even if tua is a stud 83% of everyone drafted this year will be half way through their rookie contract by the time there is hope.