Godsbrother
Footballguy
Saw this on local Pittsburgh news:
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Rumors Speculate Cowher's Return To NFL (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Godsbrother
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David Yudkin
Footballguy
The Skins quickly denied having talked to or having any interest in Cowher.
stevegamer
Footballguy
Doesn't he have the small problem of 1 year of a Steelers contract left?
David Yudkin
Footballguy
Which is why he is not coaching in 2007.
CommuterMan
Footballguy
This late in the off-season I am not sure why a team would want to pay the 1st round pick + ransom that the Steelers would require to let Cowher out of his contract. Why not wait a year and then sign him on?
David Yudkin
Footballguy
THe story is based on the 2008 season, not 2007.
CommuterMan
Footballguy
Wouldn't the NFL consider that tampering if Cowher is under contract? I mean you don't see Michael Turner contacting other teams to discuss contract issues for next season...Speculation is fine but I don't see how Cowher can be openly discussing with organizations managerial issues for 2008. Plus I would be surprised if any team would really want to undermine the current staff on the future of management.
David Yudkin
Footballguy
I don't know the official tampering rules, but seeing how he's not coaching who knows if the same rules apply. We also don't know if the Steelers gave him permission either.
Grigs Allmoon
Footballguy
That doesn't really matter, does it? If he is under contract for one more year it doesn't matter when, or if that year comes. They own him until he fufils it, right? Or, am I thinking too much pf player contracts, ala Barry Sanders.If the Steelers are paying him for this coming season, the last of his contract, then I guess he would be available in 2008, but I'm not sure how or why it would work that way...
David Yudkin
Footballguy
IIRC, the Steelers would own his rights for 1 year from the time he left. So he'd be a free agent in 2008. I know they changed the rules on what compensation the team would be entitled to if he tried to coach in 2007.I believe the rules classify Cowher as an umemployed coach even if he is still under contract, although that is speculation on my part. The first round pick as mandatory compensation is no longer the rule (although I can't find the exact rule spelled out).
wadegarrett
FFA Legend™
It's not even July yet!
Close, I made this prediction a while ago here. I'll see if I can find it.Cowher stays near home and takes the Panthers job. Fox comes back to NYC and takes the Giants job.One guy gets to stay near home, one gets to come back "home"
Frank Black
Footballguy
I met Cowher at a private party 3 weeks ago. He said that he will be doing some work with CBS this upcoming season. Aside from that, the theme of what he said was that he's taking things one day at a time without solid plans one way or the other.
He was really excited about the prospect of playing golf this fall on a Tuesday or Wednesday for the first time in years. He said he really needs a lot of work on his golf game. He is really personable, socially gracious, and a very articulate speaker. He was a pleasure to be around, and he emulates class.
He was really excited about the prospect of playing golf this fall on a Tuesday or Wednesday for the first time in years. He said he really needs a lot of work on his golf game. He is really personable, socially gracious, and a very articulate speaker. He was a pleasure to be around, and he emulates class.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
IH:
BassNBrew
Footballguy
Hopefully you had a towel around to wipe it up.
steelcityman
Footballguy
Frank Black
Footballguy
CrossEyed
Footballguy
I've never heard someone who speaks "Pittsburghese" described as articulate.MillenniuM Presents: Frank Black said:
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Barry was paying back his signing bonus because he wasn't fulfulling the terms of the contract. Once he paid the bonus back he no longer had any obligation.If the player had actually show up and play for the years to count, I guess an 80 year old Barry Sanders could show up at Lion's training camp in 2050, announce his intentions to suit up, and demand his money.
Sinrman
Footballguy
So I don't quite understand any of this. Did he suddenly have some falling out with the owner of the Steelers? Get tired of Pittsburgh after all those years? I don't see why he would up-and-retire and come right back after a year with a new team, unless there was some animosity with the Steelers. They had a pretty good thing going on there. Sure, they stumbled last year, but Bill has built a decent team there to contend for years. I'm just mystified...
As far as the article... I could kinda see the Browns, though he'd be in the same division as Pittsburgh, and I'm not sure how the fans would receive him if he's coaching their hated rivals. Washington? Perhaps. Snyder will pay a ton of money. Carolina? Because he lives there I guess would be why, and there's been a lot of talk about him going there. But has John Fox fallen out of favor there? He's got a good thing going on there, too....
As far as the article... I could kinda see the Browns, though he'd be in the same division as Pittsburgh, and I'm not sure how the fans would receive him if he's coaching their hated rivals. Washington? Perhaps. Snyder will pay a ton of money. Carolina? Because he lives there I guess would be why, and there's been a lot of talk about him going there. But has John Fox fallen out of favor there? He's got a good thing going on there, too....
I don't think Pittsburgh was willing to give him full control of personnel and the money that comes along with that. Even when it was rumored that he was retiring, there were plenty of rumors that he was just planning to sit out a year and then find himself another job.So I don't quite understand any of this. Did he suddenly have some falling out with the owner of the Steelers? Get tired of Pittsburgh after all those years? I don't see why he would up-and-retire and come right back after a year with a new team, unless there was some animosity with the Steelers. They had a pretty good thing going on there. Sure, they stumbled last year, but Bill has built a decent team there to contend for years. I'm just mystified...As far as the article... I could kinda see the Browns, though he'd be in the same division as Pittsburgh, and I'm not sure how the fans would receive him if he's coaching their hated rivals. Washington? Perhaps. Snyder will pay a ton of money. Carolina? Because he lives there I guess would be why, and there's been a lot of talk about him going there. But has John Fox fallen out of favor there? He's got a good thing going on there, too....
"Follow the money" and you will understand.So I don't quite understand any of this. Did he suddenly have some falling out with the owner of the Steelers? Get tired of Pittsburgh after all those years? I don't see why he would up-and-retire and come right back after a year with a new team, unless there was some animosity with the Steelers. They had a pretty good thing going on there. Sure, they stumbled last year, but Bill has built a decent team there to contend for years. I'm just mystified...As far as the article... I could kinda see the Browns, though he'd be in the same division as Pittsburgh, and I'm not sure how the fans would receive him if he's coaching their hated rivals. Washington? Perhaps. Snyder will pay a ton of money. Carolina? Because he lives there I guess would be why, and there's been a lot of talk about him going there. But has John Fox fallen out of favor there? He's got a good thing going on there, too....
Godsbrother
Footballguy
As a season ticket-holder I will lustifully boo Bill Cowher when he visits Heinz Field should he ever become head coach of the Browns. I love "The Chin" and wish him well and would not begrudge him coaching any team other than the Browns. It would be the ultimate insult to the Rooneys, his hometown and tantamount to high treason.That said it would certainly heat up the Steelers-Browns rivalry which has been comatose for quite a long time.
QuizGuy66
Footballguy
there needs to be a towelie dude head exploding as well-QG
CrossEyed
Footballguy
It would be very interesting to see the reaction of the Steeler fans if Cowher was coaching a division rival. I don't think he would be received well here.Didn't he play for the Browns?
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Yes, he played there for 3 years. He also was an assistant coach for the Browns under Marty Shottenheimer.
Sinrman
Footballguy
I thought as much. I'm sure I'd do the same if it happened with my team, too. It's almost the ultimate insult.As for the Steelers-Browns rivalry... well, it has been comatose for a long long time for good reason, since the Brownies have sucked even before they moved to Baltimore...
How could returnig to a place where he played and coached be considered a breach of loyality?
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Bill Cowher, the player, was never that great and didn't really have a choice where he played. After he retired he was fortunate to be offered a coaching position from Marty when no one else was hiring. Again, he really he didn't have much choice.Cowher was born and raised in Pittsburgh and coached the team for 15 years. The Rooneys stuck by him after repeated failures in the AFC Championship games, during the 3 year stretch when the Steelers did not make the playoffs, and when there was a power struggle going on between him and Tom Donahoe. During that time there were many fans were calling for his head but the Rooneys kept the faith and were finally rewarded with a Super Bowl win.When he left the Steelers ut was supposedly to spend more time with his family. Of course there was more to it but that was his stated reason. To come back only a year later and accept a job a long time rival when you have the pick of any job available would be a slap in the face to the Rooneys and the Pittsburgh fans.If he does it he will be booed mercilessly when he comes to Pittsburgh and he'll deserve it IMO. Take any other job, Bill and I will wish you well (except Baltimore because they'll always be Browns in purple clothing).Sea Bass said:
)
doughboydeluxe
Footballguy
Kind of off the subject, but has anyone seen him doing this Fast Cars and Superstars thing? He's been the only one to put a car into the wall so far, but he's still in the competition.
If he goes to the Browns, he will certainly be disowned. Hes 50 and made of $, getting paid to do what we do for free, talk about football. Thats a pretty sweet deal. He hasnt spent much time with his wife and kids, and now has the rest of his life to do so. Why would he continue beating himself up coaching?
Well....It becomes an addiction. See Parcells, Levy, Johnson, Ditka. These guys had pretty much done it all, years of success, superbowls, etc, but still wanted more. If any of us were to be successful coaches, and then leave the game for a while, Im sure the call to man the ship would come back.
I think he will miss it. I just hope he doesnt end up for the browns.
Well....It becomes an addiction. See Parcells, Levy, Johnson, Ditka. These guys had pretty much done it all, years of success, superbowls, etc, but still wanted more. If any of us were to be successful coaches, and then leave the game for a while, Im sure the call to man the ship would come back.
I think he will miss it. I just hope he doesnt end up for the browns.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Rumor is that a lot of people have/had issues with Art Rooney III and Cowher was one of them.I don't think Pittsburgh was willing to give him full control of personnel and the money that comes along with that. Even when it was rumored that he was retiring, there were plenty of rumors that he was just planning to sit out a year and then find himself another job.So I don't quite understand any of this. Did he suddenly have some falling out with the owner of the Steelers? Get tired of Pittsburgh after all those years? I don't see why he would up-and-retire and come right back after a year with a new team, unless there was some animosity with the Steelers. They had a pretty good thing going on there. Sure, they stumbled last year, but Bill has built a decent team there to contend for years. I'm just mystified...As far as the article... I could kinda see the Browns, though he'd be in the same division as Pittsburgh, and I'm not sure how the fans would receive him if he's coaching their hated rivals. Washington? Perhaps. Snyder will pay a ton of money. Carolina? Because he lives there I guess would be why, and there's been a lot of talk about him going there. But has John Fox fallen out of favor there? He's got a good thing going on there, too....
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
I'm right there with you
Steelers4Life
Footballguy
Couldn't agree more.When he left, I don't think any Steelers fans really believed it was entirely about his family. He made a comment towards the end to the effect that it didn't have to end that way, but I can't remember who he was talking to or where he said it. Most assume that he wanted more control and more money than the Steelers were going to give him, and he knew that well in advance of his resignation. It's a given that he'll be a coach again somewhere, someday. I'll forever be thankful to him that he brought a Super Bowl to Pittsburgh and for all of the great years he spent coaching the Steelers. But he's going to tarnish his legacy in Pittsburgh, at least in the eyes of Steelers' fans, if he returns to Pittsburgh as the head coach of a hated rival.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
The Rooneys showed a lot of patience in Cowher that is rarely seen in the NFL these days. If the Steelers would have canned BC in January 2001 after failing to make the playoffs for the third consecutive season then I doubt he would be able to get the kind of money he will be undoubtedly be offered to return to the NFL.The Steelers tried to extend his contract but Cowher broke off the talks and decided to resign. There certainly were several factors in his decision and I am sure that one of them was he knew he could get more by going to another team. I don't see where he would feel betrayed...Perhaps he feels betrayed by the Rooneys for not paying him what he believes he is worth. Perhaps he wants to slap them and is willing to being booed a few times a year for that privelege (and the)
All this is idle speculation until he signs with the Browns, though
I really doubt he signs with the Browns. He'd be away form his family and more importantly he'd hurt his marketability in Pittsburgh. He could coach in Carolina, a team whose running history and style suit him, and come back to Pittsburgh and open a restaurant or peddle anything else he wants to a populous that loves him. He's a hero here and I doubt when weighing his other options going to the browns would be that much more enticing of a job on top of turning his back one of his best alternative sources of income when he does decide to give up on coaching.
Edit to add: I think that if Cowher gets full power there will be reasonable amount of bad draft picks in that teams future. Correct me if I'm wrong but Cowher was interested in taking such studs as Alonzo Jackson in the first round instead of the second, and I've always had the impression that he's favorites come draft time didn't have the best success rates. I can only speculate about what goes on in the front office, but I never thought giving a coach full control was a good idea.
Edit to add: I think that if Cowher gets full power there will be reasonable amount of bad draft picks in that teams future. Correct me if I'm wrong but Cowher was interested in taking such studs as Alonzo Jackson in the first round instead of the second, and I've always had the impression that he's favorites come draft time didn't have the best success rates. I can only speculate about what goes on in the front office, but I never thought giving a coach full control was a good idea.
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brewer
Footballguy
Make no mistake about it, wherever Bill Cowher coaches in the future, it will be for a number of reasons:
1. Total Control (which they never explicitly gave him in Pittsburgh although he seemed to have more than anyone else.)
2. Money (The Rooneys were never going to pay him what he wanted. Both sides knew this. 'Retiring' for a year was an easy way for everyone involved to save face.)
3. Good for his Family (He will take alot of grief when he comes back since the reason for his 'retirement' was given as spending more time with his family. No matter if you believe that or not, he is a family man, and does want to spend more time with them. Although, reason #2 is also about taking care of your family.)
He gave plenty to the Steelers and the Rooneys gave him plenty in return. To suggest that either was shafted in this case is just silly.
He will coach again and he will be cheered when he returns to Heinz field, even if he happens to be coaching the Browns.
1. Total Control (which they never explicitly gave him in Pittsburgh although he seemed to have more than anyone else.)
2. Money (The Rooneys were never going to pay him what he wanted. Both sides knew this. 'Retiring' for a year was an easy way for everyone involved to save face.)
3. Good for his Family (He will take alot of grief when he comes back since the reason for his 'retirement' was given as spending more time with his family. No matter if you believe that or not, he is a family man, and does want to spend more time with them. Although, reason #2 is also about taking care of your family.)
He gave plenty to the Steelers and the Rooneys gave him plenty in return. To suggest that either was shafted in this case is just silly.
He will coach again and he will be cheered when he returns to Heinz field, even if he happens to be coaching the Browns.
CrossEyed
Footballguy
If he returns next year with the Browns the boos will FAR exceed the cheers.
Maybe it's because I'm not from Pittsburgh nor do I root for the Steelers, but I don't understand the mindset. Cleveland gave Cowher his first opportunity in the NFL as a player and later as a coach. No one questioned his lack of loyality when he went to the rival Steelers. While with the Steelers he took them to a Super Bowl victory. Now the vast majority of Steeler fans would see it as high treason if he ever decided to return to the Browns. This seems like a one sided view point of what loyality is. In the meantime, some Steeler fans gloat and reason the actions of Joey Porter who left the team so that he could make more money elsewhere.
Let's face the facts, Cowher's actions will be based on power and money. Returning to the sight where his career began doesn't seem at all disloyal to an outsider.
The only thing that I can compare this to is when Johnny Damon left the Red Sox for the Yanks. A number of other Red Sox fans felt betrayed, but I simply thought that he followed the money. Afterall, that is what brought him to Boston in the first place.
Let's face the facts, Cowher's actions will be based on power and money. Returning to the sight where his career began doesn't seem at all disloyal to an outsider.
The only thing that I can compare this to is when Johnny Damon left the Red Sox for the Yanks. A number of other Red Sox fans felt betrayed, but I simply thought that he followed the money. Afterall, that is what brought him to Boston in the first place.
Rounders
Footballguy
As I'm reading this I keep thinking of my beloved Bears. Not because we would want Cowher, but this reminds me of how my beloved team dealt with Ditka. They fired him and went to New Orleans. He never fared well there and he's still a GOD here in CHicago. I can't imagine what would have happened if Ditka would have gone to coach the Packers.
Sorry for the tangent, just walking down memory lane.
Sorry for the tangent, just walking down memory lane.
CrossEyed
Footballguy
For me it's more an issue of how he left. If it's a money thing, say so. Don't give me this line about wanting to spend time with your family and then come back and coach one year later for the highest bidder.Don't get me wrong, Cowher is free to do whatever he wants to do. But the fans are also free to react however they want to react.As for Porter, I think most Steeler fans agree that his act was wearing thin and that he's nowhere near worth what the Dolphins paid him. I'm glad the Steelers cut him loose and will spend the money elsewhere.
Extremely solid points.
I don't think you'll see him with the Browns if his demands are accurate. I think the Browns are happy with the job Phil Savage has done in terms of personnel. The jury is still out on Romeo, and if he dosent get the team turned around this year to some extent, I'm sur they'd love for Cowher to come on board. But he'd probably at least have to work together with Savage.
