Welcome to Thunderdome

Stranger wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 3:40 pm No other team can claim such sustained success that even mediocrity is unacceptable.

You know, I cannot find an image of the trophy they give away from having a non-losing season. It's almost like it doesn't exist.

Stranger wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 3:40 pm I'd say being a leader of men is harder to find than a play caller.

Fair, but I'd argue Tomlin was not a leader of men. He was, but his schtick got old. The players weren't responding anymore. Teams play hard AF for a coach they love and respect. They don't win thanks to a missed chip shot or get blown out in 7 straight playoff games. Tomlin was popular with the players because he didn't hold them accountable.

As I've said before, nobody has done less with more.

Also, a leader of men surrounds himself with other qualified leaders. Here's Mike Tomlin's entire coaching tree:

Stranger wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 3:40 pm Welcome to the desolate land of football famine, where Sunday's are long and the losing streaks are longer. It's a place we know all too well and it's not a place easy to get out of.

I know the place you speak of. Haven't been there since the 80s, but it's something different from the purgatory we've been in. You know the biggest change? We're leaving a place where the future was always decided and moving to one where hope exists.

And that, good sir, is the thing that you don't see. You know what the difference was between the Browns and Steelers for the past 16 years? The Steelers won a couple more regular season games. That's it. Losers brag about regular season titles. Winners go home and fuck the Lombardi trophy. Or something. I don't know. I'm working on it!

TheCatt wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 3:48 pm Yall should bet on who is about to have the better 3 years

After the staffs are decided, I'm game. And don't think we can't include Washington !

Leisher wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 4:56 pm And don't think we can't include Washington !

Our coach (Dan Quinn) is fired in two years, so I'm out.

!Remindme 1/13/2026

I wonder what the difference could possibly be? I mean, I remember how the entire NFL fanbase and NFL media came to Bill Belichick's defense when the Patriots fired him! Oh wait, no they didn't.

Here's a fun thought exercise for the Tomlin defenders:
Take away his 19 year non-losing streak. To be fair, also take away his 7 playoff losses in a row (NFL record).

Now tell me what he does well and back it up with stats. Good luck.

In all honesty, i actually do understand the Tomlin situation. Correct, he doesn't have one coach in his coaching tree after 19 years, i find that hard to believe. And losing 7 straight playoff games is enough to enrage any fan base. I think sometimes you just need a different voice in the room. Its the same exact thing with the Ravens.

Hell, i've heard so many people say the Browns were stupid for getting rid of Stefanski. Why would we get rid of a 2-time coach of the year and the third winningest coach in franchise history? Well, he was an offensive guy who never had a great offense. I'd say Nick Chubb made Kevin's offense look good more than anybody else.

Agreed. Even if Tomlin was a better coach, sometimes a fresh voice is needed. Ditto for the coach and a new audience. Look at Sean Peyton.

And I'll admit to defending Stefanski because I think Haslam and Berry are the real issues in Cleveland. Although I have heard some negative things about how Stefanski runs things, and always questioned if he even knew that Chubb was on the team...

Saw someone posed a question to an ESPN pundit last night along the lines of, "If you guys think Tomlin is so good and special, then why did you never vote for him to win COTY?" It's a fair point. If Tomlin gets back into coaching and doesn't fall into a built team with an established coaching staff, he will get exposed. Bill Simmons thinks Mike should go for the Atlanta job, and I believe that'd be a good fit.

I'm still hearing Chris Shula's name for the Steelers job, and Rooney apparently loves the Rams' system. The belief is that if Shula came here, he'd bring their passing game coordinator as the OC. I like the idea of a first time coach, as it's worked out for us in the past. I just hope whomever comes in gives Howard a fair look. Kid won a national title and proved to be the best QB in the field. Let's see what he's got.

Honestly, these teams need to broaden their searches. I'm 100% available.

I don't think they're looking for our particular skill sets Catt.

No one wants to hire a coach that if his team is losing, he'll quietly walk to the other side of the field and join the other team. So he can win.

Leisher wrote: ↑Wed Jan 14, 2026 3:46 pm I don't think they're looking for our particular skill sets Catt.

I'm good at taking blame and then a paycheck? Surely some squad needs that for a year or two, build up some draft capital, then do the real reset.

Cakedaddy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 14, 2026 7:41 pm No one wants to hire a coach that if his team is losing, he'll quietly walk to the other side of the field and join the other team. So he can win.

I laughed.

TheCatt wrote: ↑Wed Jan 14, 2026 7:41 pm I'm good at taking blame and then a paycheck?

Tomlin?

STRATEGERY.

At any rate, Harbaugh to the Giants? Don't like.

Don't like because he's a proven winner now in your division? Or don't like the fit?

Leisher wrote: ↑Thu Jan 15, 2026 5:14 pm Don't like because he's a proven winner now in your division? Or don't like the fit?

Definitely the first.

Moore pulling out of the draft is a really interesting choice because that means Mendoza is it. A 1 QB class.

The QB free agent market is also shit. That means the Browns are stuck with Sanders, Gabriel, and the sex offender. The Steelers will certainly have to see what they have in Howard as Rudolph will be the projected starter. Any teams wanting to move off their QB, like Arizona, might be stuck for another year.

Leisher wrote: ↑Fri Jan 16, 2026 1:39 pm Moore pulling out of the draft is a really interesting choice because that means Mendoza is it. A 1 QB class.

The QB free agent market is also shit. That means the Browns are stuck with Sanders, Gabriel, and the sex offender. The Steelers will certainly have to see what they have in Howard as Rudolph will be the projected starter. Any teams wanting to move off their QB, like Arizona, might be stuck for another year.

Time to tank a second year. Next year's draft is loaded for QBs. Sanders looks like the right answer for that.

TheCatt wrote: ↑Thu Jan 15, 2026 8:14 pm

Leisher wrote: ↑Thu Jan 15, 2026 5:14 pm Don't like because he's a proven winner now in your division? Or don't like the fit?

Definitely the first.

apparently some hold-ups in New York, there's hope yet!

I wonder if it's about the amount of control Harbaugh will have or a guaranteed 3-4 years or something?

Leisher wrote: ↑Fri Jan 16, 2026 9:49 pm I wonder if it's about the amount of control Harbaugh will have or a guaranteed 3-4 years or something?

Rumours were the GM pushing back on control, and then Harbaugh wanted to bring in some of his own back office (like marketing? media?) people, which is unusual.