Hines Ward on Mike Tomlin: Sold!
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Right about the time free agency started, a lot of us were concerned about player buy-in to Mike Tomlin, particularly in the older group of guys who have spent most or all of their careers doing things the Cowher way. Hines Ward headed that list as he regularly made comments that, while not taking potshots at his new coach, appeared to lean heavily in favor of his old coach.
Well, it appears those days are long gone. Training camp has begun and, in a single practice, Coach has proven to his players that he is for real, is not to be taken lightly, and will do whatever is necessary (and, hopefully, ethical) to win in this league. One day in, and the Steelers have already held what the Post-Gazette’s Ed Bouchette called “the most physical practice session at Saint Vincent College since the days of Chuck Noll.”
His hardest sell would have been to Alan Faneca, but he’s playing this season with one foot out the door anyway. Next hardest? Ward, himself.
Sold.
In an article published this morning by the Post-Gazette, Ward put his new-and-improved feelings out there very matter-of-factly.
“Coach Cowher’s not here anymore. We’re doing it the way coach Tomlin’s doing it,” Hines Ward said. “He wants to prove to everybody he can be a great coach and he has a set way with the team. If you don’t like it, get off the ship.”
I don’t think anyone could have said it better.
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July 25th, 2007 at 10:21 am
I also liked what Ryan Clark said, “Now we know what he’s about. He’s about being physical, being focused, getting to the ball on defense and executing the offense. I think it was a good start.” Sounds pretty good to me.
July 28th, 2007 at 11:44 am
I wish you would have been there when Hines spoke. Although the PG published the words he said, the way he said it was solemn and sad. He clearly misses Cowher, but he is not the type of guy who is going to go against the authority. It’s not his style. He will work hard, but don’t count on the idea that the ‘whole team’ is sold on Tomlin yet. Keep in mind, this was before the real two-a-days began.