Tomlin’s decision causes Steelers a costly loss
There is no argument when it comes to head coaches in the NFL, Mike Tomlin is at the top of the class, but his decision-making this Sunday may have cost the Pittsburgh Steelers an important win.
During the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens it was apparent Byron Leftwich was in pain.
There were times where Leftwich would adjust his pads and pull at them trying to separate them from his ribs. There were also times that he grimaced and appeared to be in pain after throwing a pass.
With a pass rush like the Ravens, it was only a matter of time until Leftwich would be hurt even more.
On a 3rd and 11 the Ravens sent James Ihedigbo on a corner blitz and drilled Leftwich from behind. The sack not only knocked the Steelers back after converting and challenging an important third down, but it obviously put Leftwich in even more pain.
Instead of replacing Leftwich with the veteran back-up Charlie Batch, Tomlin decided to keep Leftwich in which would eventually cost them the game.
With only 22 seconds left a Leftwich fumble and recovery led to a wide-open David Gilreath, but unable to put everything into the throw the ball was a good 15-yards under thrown.
Instead of a possible touchdown or having the ball on the 15 yard-line of the Ravens the Steelers were left with a fourth down.
Would Charlie Batch been able to throw down the field?
Knowing the Steelers needed to go 50 yards to get into field goal range the decision to leave Leftwich in cost them the game.
You’re an idiot! I mean really??? I back Tomlin’s decision 100% Why on earth would you take Byron out with under a minute to play, and put a qb in who has had no reps, hasn’t thrown the ball at all with the first string, and had been sitting on the bench the entire game? Man you need to find a new career if you’re going to write bs like this. Who’s to say that Batch would have come in there and thrown a pick six right off the bat? You??? What you should have wrote was that given the situation Pittsburgh played Baltimore alot tougher than Baltimore thought they would. The D completely shut down the Ravens offense, and if it wasn’t for Wallace fumbling the ball, and a bad special teams play, Baltimore would have never even been the game. That’s football man, get over yourself, and your bs column…
and you know what Baltimore thought?
You and Tomlin are the idiots! No you don’t take him out with a minute to play you take him out well before that when anyone with a brain could see he was hurt! Why you would even start a QB with such a slow delivery is a mystery! Where is the young QB who should be learning under Ben? Tomlin is clueless as are you!
I see now why the steelers have old man Charlie and breakable Byron.As bad as Ben plays he can only look good with these two.
I thought just by using Byron was the biggest mistake he hasn’t won now he is 0-7> I thought we should have picked -up Johnson again and let him play he is ten times the athlete that Byron is. We need to cut Bryon and Batch and signed Johnson (someone young)
I think that Batch should have started in the first place…..He has always been a solid and reliable back up he has a pretty good record as a back up…he’s a lot more mobile and has a better handle on the offense…..Tomlin has been high on Leftwich for some time now and Batch has had one foot out the door for the past 3 or so years no matter how well he has performed….. which makes me wonder …what does Tomlin have against Batch ??? Is it personal ??? What then ???
I agree Johnson and Batch should have stayed and Leftwich gone…….they let him go a couple of years ago then when Ben was to serve his suspension brought him back as a safeguard…once Ben came back they should have just let him go
Batch should have played but the biggest mistake was not playing Dwyer in the fourth Q.
Anyone consider that there is something about Charlie Batch the Steelers know that we don’t? Anyone?
then why keep him?
That is a really good point. You might very well be on to something because it was very clear that Leftwich was very uncomfortable on the field.
Perhaps that would solve the great mystery as to why a dinged up Lefty was in instead of Batch.
I can’t wrap my head around why the hell Tomlin would make such a horrible decision. A really critical game against a huge rival and I truly believe he didn’t give the Steelers a chance to win.