mesaSteeler
03-27-2009, 10:26 PM
Steelers' Tomlin believes in rivalry
http://www.ohio.com/sports/browns/41869702.html
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist
POSTED: 10:56 p.m. EDT, Mar 25, 2009
DANA POINT, CALIF.: Mike Tomlin gets it.
Tomlin understands what it means to coach in Pittsburgh, to coach against the Browns, and to coach in a rivalry.
''I'm not looking for any friends in Cleveland, Ohio,'' Tomlin said this week at the NFL's annual meetings.:tt03:
The statement came when Tomlin was asked to explain a comment the day after the Steelers won the Super Bowl. When a reporter from Cleveland introduced himself to ask a question, Tomlin chuckled and said: ''Cleveland?''
Then he laughed again.
Tomlin said he was playing off the reporter's tone, though the reporter (Tony Grossi of the Plain Dealer) said he merely introduced himself.
Tomlin probably doesn't care.
He understands there is a rivalry with the Browns, and he's not afraid to be the enemy. In the past few years, some Browns players and coaches have shunned talk of a rivalry, calling it a game like any other.
''History speaks for itself,'' Tomlin said. ''The proximity of the two cities, the desire for greatness, the unbridled fan support in both spots — it makes for a great rivalry.
''When you sit in the position that I'm in, it's something that you anticipate and embrace, the fact that you're not going to be a celebrated guy in that city.
''I think the same bodes for coach [Eric] Mangini in Pittsburgh. It's part of it.
''It's something you embrace, and you might as well embrace it as opposed to fight it.''
The Steelers have dominated the games recently, but that does not matter to Tomlin.
''It will always be a rivalry regardless of the recent history,'' he said. ''Our rear view is very small, our windshield is very big.''
The continuity with the Steelers is something that has helped the rivalry. Guys like Hines Ward and James Farrior have been Steelers for years. They understand the game.
The Browns continue to turn over their roster, and now look to 2009 with 10 new free agents and several new draft picks — few of whom have been around the rivalry.
But one thing that might help is that Browns coach Eric Mangini understands the game.
''It's a special game,'' Mangini said. ''Everybody's aware of that. I'm aware of that. There's no way you can't not be aware of it, that you don't appreciate the tradition, the uniqueness of it.''
Clearly the elements are back in place to revive the rivalry — if the Browns and Mangini can find a way to win one of the stinking games.
(Note rest of the article is about the stinking Browns. - mesa)
http://www.ohio.com/sports/browns/41869702.html
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist
POSTED: 10:56 p.m. EDT, Mar 25, 2009
DANA POINT, CALIF.: Mike Tomlin gets it.
Tomlin understands what it means to coach in Pittsburgh, to coach against the Browns, and to coach in a rivalry.
''I'm not looking for any friends in Cleveland, Ohio,'' Tomlin said this week at the NFL's annual meetings.:tt03:
The statement came when Tomlin was asked to explain a comment the day after the Steelers won the Super Bowl. When a reporter from Cleveland introduced himself to ask a question, Tomlin chuckled and said: ''Cleveland?''
Then he laughed again.
Tomlin said he was playing off the reporter's tone, though the reporter (Tony Grossi of the Plain Dealer) said he merely introduced himself.
Tomlin probably doesn't care.
He understands there is a rivalry with the Browns, and he's not afraid to be the enemy. In the past few years, some Browns players and coaches have shunned talk of a rivalry, calling it a game like any other.
''History speaks for itself,'' Tomlin said. ''The proximity of the two cities, the desire for greatness, the unbridled fan support in both spots — it makes for a great rivalry.
''When you sit in the position that I'm in, it's something that you anticipate and embrace, the fact that you're not going to be a celebrated guy in that city.
''I think the same bodes for coach [Eric] Mangini in Pittsburgh. It's part of it.
''It's something you embrace, and you might as well embrace it as opposed to fight it.''
The Steelers have dominated the games recently, but that does not matter to Tomlin.
''It will always be a rivalry regardless of the recent history,'' he said. ''Our rear view is very small, our windshield is very big.''
The continuity with the Steelers is something that has helped the rivalry. Guys like Hines Ward and James Farrior have been Steelers for years. They understand the game.
The Browns continue to turn over their roster, and now look to 2009 with 10 new free agents and several new draft picks — few of whom have been around the rivalry.
But one thing that might help is that Browns coach Eric Mangini understands the game.
''It's a special game,'' Mangini said. ''Everybody's aware of that. I'm aware of that. There's no way you can't not be aware of it, that you don't appreciate the tradition, the uniqueness of it.''
Clearly the elements are back in place to revive the rivalry — if the Browns and Mangini can find a way to win one of the stinking games.
(Note rest of the article is about the stinking Browns. - mesa)