SteelersWoman
09-30-2007, 05:59 AM
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_530088.html
By John Harris (jharris@tribweb.com)
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, September 30, 2007
What is it about Steelers coach Mike Tomlin? Even some of the players he fires have good things to say about him.
Tomlin didn't release center Chukky Okobi on Sept. 1. "Release" and "cut" are words popularized by sports writers and fans.
Tomlin fired Okobi, plain and simple. Took money out of his pocket, food off his table.
Here's what Okobi had to say last week about Tomlin, the man who delivered his pink slip:
"I've got no qualms at all with coach Tomlin. I've got a lot of respect for him. He's going to have a lot of success. We will always have a good relationship, I think. On a personal level, I got to know him maybe a little bit better than other people did. Maybe that's why when I (left) we did have as lengthy a conversation as we did."
Facing Tomlin and his former Steelers teammates today as a member of the Arizona Cardinals will be three-plus hours of mixed emotions for Okobi, the only player let go by Tomlin who entered training camp as a potential starter.
"I had worked so hard to be the guy in that position, playing center for Pittsburgh. It's not like playing any other position. There's a longstanding tradition there. I know all about it, especially being a local guy," said Okobi, who was raised in Pittsburgh and started seven games in six seasons with the Steelers.
Telling a player he's no longer a member of the team is never easy. Okobi said Tomlin gained his respect when he explained his decision in detail....
By John Harris (jharris@tribweb.com)
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, September 30, 2007
What is it about Steelers coach Mike Tomlin? Even some of the players he fires have good things to say about him.
Tomlin didn't release center Chukky Okobi on Sept. 1. "Release" and "cut" are words popularized by sports writers and fans.
Tomlin fired Okobi, plain and simple. Took money out of his pocket, food off his table.
Here's what Okobi had to say last week about Tomlin, the man who delivered his pink slip:
"I've got no qualms at all with coach Tomlin. I've got a lot of respect for him. He's going to have a lot of success. We will always have a good relationship, I think. On a personal level, I got to know him maybe a little bit better than other people did. Maybe that's why when I (left) we did have as lengthy a conversation as we did."
Facing Tomlin and his former Steelers teammates today as a member of the Arizona Cardinals will be three-plus hours of mixed emotions for Okobi, the only player let go by Tomlin who entered training camp as a potential starter.
"I had worked so hard to be the guy in that position, playing center for Pittsburgh. It's not like playing any other position. There's a longstanding tradition there. I know all about it, especially being a local guy," said Okobi, who was raised in Pittsburgh and started seven games in six seasons with the Steelers.
Telling a player he's no longer a member of the team is never easy. Okobi said Tomlin gained his respect when he explained his decision in detail....