Hammer67
01-11-2006, 06:49 PM
I read a recent article by Bob Smizik of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette talking about Bill Cowher's detractors and why they are just wrong. I had to post this for those that haven't read it as it articulates my thoughts exactly.
How, in your right mind, could you argue against Cowher's success? Especially in this age of Free Agency and quick coach turnover...Who would you want that was better?
Good stuff....
Smizik: Cowher a favorite scapegoat
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
For most of the 14 years Bill Cowher has coached the Steelers, this is the way most fans and some of the media have viewed his contributions:
When the Steelers win, the players did a great job; when they lose, Cowher's an idiot.
When the offense shines, the offensive coordinator is a genius; when the offense falters, Cowher's an idiot.
When the defense dominates, the defensive coordinator is brilliant; when the defense wavers, Cowher's an idiot.
When special teams excel, they're rarely noticed; when special teams stink, Cowher's an idiot.
The source of all things good about the Steelers varies immensely. The source of all things bad about the Steelers varies rarely.
If something is wrong, it's Cowher's fault.
The town is obsessed with his 1-4 record in AFC title games (which, by the way, is considerably better than 0-0). But it's seldom mentioned that in three of those losses the opposing quarterbacks were John Elway and Tom Brady (twice) and Cowher's quarterbacks were Kordell Stewart (twice) and rookie Ben Roethlisberger.
In the AFC title game after the 1997 season, Stewart, in his first year as a starter, threw three interceptions and lost a fumble, and the Steelers were beaten by three. Yet this game is remembered as some sort of coaching atrocity.
In the one AFC title game the Steelers won -- a four-point win against the Indianapolis Colts -- a frequent comment about the game is that Cowher (not the Steelers) didn't win by enough.
Even when he wins, he loses.
But now Cowher is about to enter almost virgin territory. The Steelers are not only expected to lose their AFC playoff game Sunday to the Colts, but they're also expected to lose by a large margin. They are a nine-point underdog. If the Steelers lose this one, it would figure to be because they lost to a better team, not because the coach messed it up.
Except that when the Steelers lost to the then-undefeated Colts, 26-7, Nov. 28, and were outplayed in every phase of the game, the most-remembered and most-criticized play of that game was the onside kick Cowher called to start the second half. The kick, which Indianapolis recovered, did not affect the outcome of the game.
With that in mind, here are possible scenarios for the game Sunday and why they will occur.
Steelers fall behind early and can't catch up. Reason for defeat: Cowher didn't have the team ready to play.
Steelers take early lead but fall behind and lose in fourth quarter. Reason for defeat: Cowher was outcoached by Tony Dungy.
In a close game, Steelers lose in final seconds on 59-yard field goal. Reason for defeat: Cowher was outcoached by Dungy.
Peyton Manning passes for five touchdowns in an Indianapolis rout. Reason for defeat: Cowher blitzed too much.
Manning throws six touchdown passes in an Indianapolis rout. Reason for defeat: Cowher didn't blitz enough.
In a 16-point loss, Cowher disdains a field goal early in the fourth quarter and tries for a touchdown. The play fails. Reason for defeat: Cowher didn't kick a field goal.
No question, regardless of how large an underdog they are, if the Steelers lose, Cowher will take the heat.
But what if they win? What will happen then?
A win is hardly out of the question. The Steelers are a good team playing well. Their offense and defense excelled in the final weeks of the season. Indianapolis is not playing nearly so well or with the sense of urgency required by the Steelers, who had to win in the final weeks.
Indianapolis is coming off a bye week, which brings with it many positives but also some negatives. It will be almost a month since the Colts played a meaningful game. They lost to San Diego -- a team the Steelers beat -- to end their perfect season Dec. 18. The following week they lost by 15 at Seattle, and beat hapless Arizona by four Jan. 1.
There's a theory that makes sense: If the Colts are to lose in these playoffs it will be this week when they might be a bit stale and before they've regained their stride.
So if the Steelers win in what would be a major upset, would this monkey -- this highly illogical monkey -- that's been riding Cowher's back for the better part of a decade disappear?
It should. Cowher's body of work demands it. This is his 10th season in the playoffs. Ten out of 14 is excellent. But will such a win really be enough to silence his critics? For a week, yes.
Should the Steelers win, Cowher actually might receive some praise. But if that win is followed by a loss in the AFC title game, you know what will be said.
The Steelers were good enough to beat Indianapolis, but Cowher couldn't win the next game.
Some things never change.
(Sports columnist Bob Smizik can be reached at bsmizik@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1468.)
How, in your right mind, could you argue against Cowher's success? Especially in this age of Free Agency and quick coach turnover...Who would you want that was better?
Good stuff....
Smizik: Cowher a favorite scapegoat
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
For most of the 14 years Bill Cowher has coached the Steelers, this is the way most fans and some of the media have viewed his contributions:
When the Steelers win, the players did a great job; when they lose, Cowher's an idiot.
When the offense shines, the offensive coordinator is a genius; when the offense falters, Cowher's an idiot.
When the defense dominates, the defensive coordinator is brilliant; when the defense wavers, Cowher's an idiot.
When special teams excel, they're rarely noticed; when special teams stink, Cowher's an idiot.
The source of all things good about the Steelers varies immensely. The source of all things bad about the Steelers varies rarely.
If something is wrong, it's Cowher's fault.
The town is obsessed with his 1-4 record in AFC title games (which, by the way, is considerably better than 0-0). But it's seldom mentioned that in three of those losses the opposing quarterbacks were John Elway and Tom Brady (twice) and Cowher's quarterbacks were Kordell Stewart (twice) and rookie Ben Roethlisberger.
In the AFC title game after the 1997 season, Stewart, in his first year as a starter, threw three interceptions and lost a fumble, and the Steelers were beaten by three. Yet this game is remembered as some sort of coaching atrocity.
In the one AFC title game the Steelers won -- a four-point win against the Indianapolis Colts -- a frequent comment about the game is that Cowher (not the Steelers) didn't win by enough.
Even when he wins, he loses.
But now Cowher is about to enter almost virgin territory. The Steelers are not only expected to lose their AFC playoff game Sunday to the Colts, but they're also expected to lose by a large margin. They are a nine-point underdog. If the Steelers lose this one, it would figure to be because they lost to a better team, not because the coach messed it up.
Except that when the Steelers lost to the then-undefeated Colts, 26-7, Nov. 28, and were outplayed in every phase of the game, the most-remembered and most-criticized play of that game was the onside kick Cowher called to start the second half. The kick, which Indianapolis recovered, did not affect the outcome of the game.
With that in mind, here are possible scenarios for the game Sunday and why they will occur.
Steelers fall behind early and can't catch up. Reason for defeat: Cowher didn't have the team ready to play.
Steelers take early lead but fall behind and lose in fourth quarter. Reason for defeat: Cowher was outcoached by Tony Dungy.
In a close game, Steelers lose in final seconds on 59-yard field goal. Reason for defeat: Cowher was outcoached by Dungy.
Peyton Manning passes for five touchdowns in an Indianapolis rout. Reason for defeat: Cowher blitzed too much.
Manning throws six touchdown passes in an Indianapolis rout. Reason for defeat: Cowher didn't blitz enough.
In a 16-point loss, Cowher disdains a field goal early in the fourth quarter and tries for a touchdown. The play fails. Reason for defeat: Cowher didn't kick a field goal.
No question, regardless of how large an underdog they are, if the Steelers lose, Cowher will take the heat.
But what if they win? What will happen then?
A win is hardly out of the question. The Steelers are a good team playing well. Their offense and defense excelled in the final weeks of the season. Indianapolis is not playing nearly so well or with the sense of urgency required by the Steelers, who had to win in the final weeks.
Indianapolis is coming off a bye week, which brings with it many positives but also some negatives. It will be almost a month since the Colts played a meaningful game. They lost to San Diego -- a team the Steelers beat -- to end their perfect season Dec. 18. The following week they lost by 15 at Seattle, and beat hapless Arizona by four Jan. 1.
There's a theory that makes sense: If the Colts are to lose in these playoffs it will be this week when they might be a bit stale and before they've regained their stride.
So if the Steelers win in what would be a major upset, would this monkey -- this highly illogical monkey -- that's been riding Cowher's back for the better part of a decade disappear?
It should. Cowher's body of work demands it. This is his 10th season in the playoffs. Ten out of 14 is excellent. But will such a win really be enough to silence his critics? For a week, yes.
Should the Steelers win, Cowher actually might receive some praise. But if that win is followed by a loss in the AFC title game, you know what will be said.
The Steelers were good enough to beat Indianapolis, but Cowher couldn't win the next game.
Some things never change.
(Sports columnist Bob Smizik can be reached at bsmizik@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1468.)