Still Curtain
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Love or hate Steelers Mike Tomlin, Hard Knocks would reveal the truth

By Jake Bendrick

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 11: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers the first half at New Era Field on December 11, 2016 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 11: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers the first half at New Era Field on December 11, 2016 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 29: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 29: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

The Coach

Tomlin has been called nothing more than a fancy cheerleader by the likes of Terry Bradshaw but has also received support and recognition from the likes of ex-Steeler head coach and Hall of Famer, Bill Cowher.

Beyond that, his players love him and would run through walls for him. They insist he’s a football geek who spends every waking hour looking for that one small detail that might give his team the winning edge. I want to see how it works inside the walls of the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

The Assistants

For the first three years on the job, defensive coordinator Keith Butler was viewed either as an abject failure or as a puppet for Tomlin’s failed defensive schemes. Then last year happened. The Steelers added All-Pro free safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick, rookie inside linebacker, Devin Bush, and suddenly the defense presented opponents serious problems at all three levels.

I’d like to know what influence Butler has on the players and the defensive scheme. I’d also like to see offensive line coach, Shaun Sarrett in action as he attempts to crawl out of the shadow of Hall of Famer Mike Munchak. And then there’s Randy Fichtner. Is he a victim of missing key personnel as has apparently occurred with Butler, or does he simply lack the creativity and critical thinking skills needed to deploy modern NFL gameplans?

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