They pulled me back in

[Reid1boys]

I don't agree with this take. There are some valuable assistant coaches, especially on the side of the ball that isn't the head coach's area of expertise.

Philly's defense got a lot of praise for their Super Bowl success last year after hiring Vic Fangio. Not all of those successful assistants are cut out to be head coaches, though. Wade Phillips was an excellent defensive coordinator and helped Denver win a Super Bowl primarily because of its defense. We know he's a terrible head coach, though.

I can see by another of your responses that you seem bent on saying the assistants don't matter, but I think we've seen plenty of cases where the right assistants can make a big difference. You can't just plug in any assistant and have success because of the head coach.

Now, I'm not saying that your running back coach is going to be the reason why you win, but the offensive and defensive staff you hire can make a difference.

What I am saying is that all of those coaches know what they are doing. All coaches are like one big incestuous family. They move from team to team taking knowledge from this coach and that coach. They are ALL GOOD..... so in a way, yea, they dont matter. Because of coach X isnt there, coach Y is, and coach Y is damn good as well.

Coach Tomlin is pretty good, can we agree on that? Yet his teams wont sniff another SB appearance until he gets a QB.
Just the way it is.

 

[gimmesix]

What I am saying is that all of those coaches know what they are doing. All coaches are like one big incestuous family. They move from team to team taking knowledge from this coach and that coach. They are ALL GOOD..... so in a way, yea, they dont matter. Because of coach X isnt there, coach Y is, and coach Y is damn good as well.

Coach Tomlin is pretty good, can we agree on that? Yet his teams wont sniff another SB appearance until he gets a QB.
Just the way it is.

I don't think they are all good. Mike Nolan was a bad DC choice. Quinn showed that when he replaced him. Philly struggled after losing both of its coordinators after making it to the Super Bowl a couple of years ago. Now, when they switched coordinators again last year, it worked out well for the Eagles.

I don't disagree with your point on Pittsburgh. Talent trumps coaching. It's just that not all coaching is equal.

I feel good about the coordinators we got and some of the position coaches we got. It doesn't mean they are going to make us Super Bowl contenders. It's simply that not all coordinators/position coaches are good and I think we managed to get some good ones. (One of the exceptions is the ST coach IMO.)

 

[75boyz]

so, no super bowl this year?

Nope, not quite.
LOL

 

[EPL0c0]

my buddy and I msg'd each other exactly this after the Pickens trade.

like you though it's built up. Wasn't too thrilled with Schotty but his staff helped, draft went well, and PIckens.

still cautious but, so far this off-season does feel better than the "all in" fiasco of last year

 

[diamonddelts]

By the end of last year’s disappointing season, I was very much checked out and indifferent.

And when the Schotty hire was initially announced, even more so.

But I must admit that as the off-season has gone by, my interest has been rekindled.

I loved the assistant coaching hires.

I loved what they did with trades and lower level free agency.

I loved the draft.

I love the Pickens trade.

I think they’ve had a fantastic offseason and I’m eagerly looking forward to training camp and the upcoming season.

Pulled you back in for one and done.

 

[dupree89]

Nope, not quite.
LOL

 

[zekecowboy]

Where did that come from?

My brother is a Stealer fan so I ask him. He said laughingly, not even close.

I can't remember where I saw it on the internet. Believe what you want. Tomlin and Pickens did not like each other, that is a fact. How it plays out is anybody's guess.
George Pickens's attitude problems in Pittsburgh primarily centered around on-field behavior and a perceived lack of discipline, leading to fines and a trade to the Dallas Cowboys. These issues, including unsportsmanlike conduct and questionable social media behavior, reportedly contributed to his availability during the 2025 NFL Draft.

Elaboration:

• Unsportsmanlike Conduct:
  Pickens incurred multiple penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct, including a $20,462 fine in 2024.
  
  
• Fines:
  The NFL fined Pickens over $80,000 in 2024 for issues like unnecessary roughness, a profane message on his eye black, and fights.
  
  
• Lack of Discipline:
  He was reported for showing up late to work on multiple occasions and for not giving full effort on some routes.
  
  
• Social Media:
  Pickens's questionable social media behavior, including an expletive on his eye black, also contributed to his reputation.
  
  
• Impact on Steelers:
  His behavioral issues reportedly made it difficult for the Steelers to envision him as a long-term player, leading to his trade to the Cowboys.
  
  
• Cowboys' Perspective:
  Despite the issues, the Cowboys reportedly saw Pickens as a talented player who could help their receiving depth.

 

[ICP]

Poor guy

 

[chagus]

By the end of last year’s disappointing season, I was very much checked out and indifferent.

And when the Schotty hire was initially announced, even more so.

But I must admit that as the off-season has gone by, my interest has been rekindled.

I loved the assistant coaching hires.

I loved what they did with trades and lower level free agency.

I loved the draft.

I love the Pickens trade.

I think they’ve had a fantastic offseason and I’m eagerly looking forward to training camp and the upcoming season.

Dude... you literally speak for most of us. I could not agree more.

 

[shabazz]

Where did that come from?

My brother is a Stealer fan so I ask him. He said laughingly, not even close.

In fact, if you peruse their message boards most were unhappy seeing him go

 

[shabazz]

Dude... you literally speak for most of us. I could not agree more.

......some of us.

 

[zrinkill]

 

[Johannes44]

I can't remember where I saw it on the internet. Believe what you want. Tomlin and Pickens did not like each other, that is a fact. How it plays out is anybody's guess.
George Pickens's attitude problems in Pittsburgh primarily centered around on-field behavior and a perceived lack of discipline, leading to fines and a trade to the Dallas Cowboys. These issues, including unsportsmanlike conduct and questionable social media behavior, reportedly contributed to his availability during the 2025 NFL Draft.

Elaboration:

• Unsportsmanlike Conduct:
  Pickens incurred multiple penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct, including a $20,462 fine in 2024.
  
  
• Fines:
  The NFL fined Pickens over $80,000 in 2024 for issues like unnecessary roughness, a profane message on his eye black, and fights.
  
  
• Lack of Discipline:
  He was reported for showing up late to work on multiple occasions and for not giving full effort on some routes.
  
  
• Social Media:
  Pickens's questionable social media behavior, including an expletive on his eye black, also contributed to his reputation.
  
  
• Impact on Steelers:
  His behavioral issues reportedly made it difficult for the Steelers to envision him as a long-term player, leading to his trade to the Cowboys.
  
  
• Cowboys' Perspective:
  Despite the issues, the Cowboys reportedly saw Pickens as a talented player who could help their receiving depth.

Translation, the goodwill for George Pickens is going to last until he throws a tantrum on the sidelines when he does not get the ball.

 

[Creeper]

First, it would be hard not to surpass last season in terms of inactivity. This off-season is miles better than that "all-in" nonsense Jerry gave us last year.

I think free agency was typical of Dallas. They signed no one special really. Maybe we got a Zack Baun in there, but I don't see it. I guess signing Osa was a big deal, but he is breaking even, not moving the ball forward. Still, in 2024 they let everyone walk.

Of the trades, Pickens in the only guy I think we can say is a legitimate talent. Elam has to prove he can play in the NFL. He was not productive in Buffalo.

The draft was good and bad to me. They made quality selections in the first 3 rounds, but I am not sure those guys are going to be the best players Dallas could have taken as far as needs are concerned.. I was not thrilled with Booker at 12 but I understand the pick.

We saw a lot of activity from the Cowboys this year. The question is how much was just shuffling papers and how much was actually productive. I am still in "prove it" mode and I will be until they start winning important games. .

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

By the end of last year’s disappointing season, I was very much checked out and indifferent.

And when the Schotty hire was initially announced, even more so.

But I must admit that as the off-season has gone by, my interest has been rekindled.

I loved the assistant coaching hires.

I loved what they did with trades and lower level free agency.

I loved the draft.

I love the Pickens trade.

I think they’ve had a fantastic offseason and I’m eagerly looking forward to training camp and the upcoming season.

I think here's where we say "consider yourself sucked"?

I kid. I've never considered giving up...although I turn some attention to my local Bucs. There's been enough changes to be optimistic...but aren't we always this time of year? Mostly?

Cautiously though. I mean...30 years of being sucked in...is a bit rough for this old Cowboy.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Translation, the goodwill for George Pickens is going to last until he throws a tantrum on the sidelines when he does not get the ball.

I'm okay with a tantrum...as long as he comes back in and catches the darn ball. (Ahem...talking you Dez!)

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Translation, the goodwill for George Pickens is going to last until he throws a tantrum on the sidelines when he does not get the ball.

It will last beyond that for plenty of fans. They'll blame Schottenheimer, Adams, Dak, anyone but the player himself. That's the problem with guys like this.

If he acts right here, great. But I doubt it happens. As Emmitt famously said, leopards don't change their stripes.

 

[Nova]

Congrats man. I hope you find joy in this season

 

[GMO415]

As the character Wolf said in the movie Pulp Fiction "Let's not start @#$&- each other's @#$&- just yet.". I'm waiting to see

 

[acr731]

Pulled you back in for one and done.

It's the same thing every year....... "this is the year!1!" "They pulled me back in!!!" "Thank you Jerry!!!"

Meanwhile, Jerry has managed a 5-13 playoff record since 1996.

But hey, this is the year ! LOL........