BlitzburghRockCity
01-23-2007, 12:22 AM
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_489843.html
By Kevin Gorman
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Through his first three seasons, Ben Roethlisberger enjoyed a luxury not afforded to a Steelers starting quarterback since Neil O'Donnell.
Roethlisberger had played under the same offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, something the Steelers considered before hiring Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin to replace Bill Cowher.
"When you have what you think is a franchise quarterback, you think about it," Steelers president Art Rooney II said. "But we thought about other positions on the team, and how a defensive coach would handle the offense. We talked about all these things, and obviously, we got comfortable that Mike would be able to handle all those situations."
The move signals an offensive overhaul for the Steelers, who bypassed a pair of their own assistants in the process. They allowed offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt to take the Arizona Cardinals head-coaching job and then picked
While Tomlin could opt to keep some of Cowher's assistants, there will be new offensive coaches in at least three capacities: offensive coordinator, offensive line and running backs, where Dick Hoak has retired.
If Bruce Arians is elevated to offensive coordinator, the Steelers also will need to hire a new receivers coach. The fate of quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple is in the hands of Tomlin, who was non-committal as to who would be retained other than defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.
Roethlisberger could not be reached for a reaction to the hire Monday, when the Steelers formally introduced Tomlin as their 16th head coach in franchise history.
"Ben's going to wait to meet the coach and reserve any comment until the staff is resolved," said Roethlisberger's agent, Ryan Tollner.
That the Steelers chose change over continuity in their staff could ultimately prove beneficial for Roethlisberger, who is coming off his most inconsistent season.
This should serve as even more motivation for Ben to keep his workouts and training up during the offseason. He will have alot to work with and learn but Im hoping Tomlin keeps a good portion of the staff atleast to make things go as smoothly as possible. We have good assistant coaches who know what they are doing so it will be interesting to say the least.
By Kevin Gorman
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Through his first three seasons, Ben Roethlisberger enjoyed a luxury not afforded to a Steelers starting quarterback since Neil O'Donnell.
Roethlisberger had played under the same offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, something the Steelers considered before hiring Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin to replace Bill Cowher.
"When you have what you think is a franchise quarterback, you think about it," Steelers president Art Rooney II said. "But we thought about other positions on the team, and how a defensive coach would handle the offense. We talked about all these things, and obviously, we got comfortable that Mike would be able to handle all those situations."
The move signals an offensive overhaul for the Steelers, who bypassed a pair of their own assistants in the process. They allowed offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt to take the Arizona Cardinals head-coaching job and then picked
While Tomlin could opt to keep some of Cowher's assistants, there will be new offensive coaches in at least three capacities: offensive coordinator, offensive line and running backs, where Dick Hoak has retired.
If Bruce Arians is elevated to offensive coordinator, the Steelers also will need to hire a new receivers coach. The fate of quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple is in the hands of Tomlin, who was non-committal as to who would be retained other than defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.
Roethlisberger could not be reached for a reaction to the hire Monday, when the Steelers formally introduced Tomlin as their 16th head coach in franchise history.
"Ben's going to wait to meet the coach and reserve any comment until the staff is resolved," said Roethlisberger's agent, Ryan Tollner.
That the Steelers chose change over continuity in their staff could ultimately prove beneficial for Roethlisberger, who is coming off his most inconsistent season.
This should serve as even more motivation for Ben to keep his workouts and training up during the offseason. He will have alot to work with and learn but Im hoping Tomlin keeps a good portion of the staff atleast to make things go as smoothly as possible. We have good assistant coaches who know what they are doing so it will be interesting to say the least.