What Bettis ought to say (1 Viewer)

[monessen]

Early in the 2006 season, Jerome Bettis, in his new gig at NBC, stated that he thought Bill Cowher would leave as Steelers coach at the end of that year. It was reported that Cowher was none too pleased about Bettis's candor and expressed the opinion that Jerome ought to keep such views to himself, suggesting there was no real merit to Jerome's prognostication.

Guess who proved to be correct.

Now, what Bettis ought to do on the initial NBC telecast in 2007 is to predict that Cowher will leave CBS after one season to return to the NFL sidelines as a head coach in 2008.

Bettis will probably be right again. Wonder if Cowher or CBS would be rankled by that?

 

[Challenge Everything]

Worst Shark Pool post this year.

 

[Family Matters]

Early in the 2006 season, Jerome Bettis, in his new gig at NBC, stated that he thought Bill Cowher would leave as Steelers coach at the end of that year. It was reported that Cowher was none too pleased about Bettis's candor and expressed the opinion that Jerome ought to keep such views to himself, suggesting there was no real merit to Jerome's prognostication.Guess who proved to be correct.Now, what Bettis ought to do on the initial NBC telecast in 2007 is to predict that Cowher will leave CBS after one season to return to the NFL sidelines as a head coach in 2008. Bettis will probably be right again. Wonder if Cowher or CBS would be rankled by that?

No doubt CBS is hoping that Cower will bring some thought to the table like Bettis. TV producers like contraversy.

 

[Godsbrother]

Worst Shark Pool post this year.

And did it really require it's own thread? There is already a discussion about CBS hiring Cowher.

 

[PatsWillWin]

Good info here.

 

[monessen]

Everybody's a critic. Maybe the original post was too subtle. And the real message was about Bettis and his guts, not Cowher and his sophistry. I don't really give a hoot about the thread on the Cowher hire. Didn't see it. Didn't read it. As far as Worst Shark Pool Post this year, thanks for the accolade! I've not won anything lately, so I'll take it. It's only February, but I'll try to hang onto that honor as 2007 progresses.

Bettis was being paid for providing some true insight instead of the same old, same old. He delivered. He supplied viewers with something really provocative and, presumably, he was in a fairly good position to assess Cowher's plans as the 2006 season started. There were people really disturbed by Jerome's view, especially back in Pgh, and there were those who criticized him for making it. My point is that was hypocritical for the former coach to spank the former RB verbally, then turn around and take a similar job where he is unlikely to say anything of significance since he's marking time until an owner calls with a big money offer for 2008. So, he'll likely grin and play it real safe. We'll get pablum.

I'm a Steelers fan, and I'd hate for that owner to be in Cleveland because it will make me respect the somewhat disingenuous Cowher even less.

 

[stevegamer]

Bettis really isn't getting a ton of credit for nailing that. Admittedly, he was pretty close to the situation, but a pretty gutsy call.

 

[Godsbrother]

I'm a Steelers fan, and I'd hate for that owner to be in Cleveland because it will make me respect the somewhat disingenuous Cowher even less.

I find it surprising that there are Steelers fans that don't respect Cowher. We can only hope that Tomlin is as successful.

 

[Godsbrother]

Bettis really isn't getting a ton of credit for nailing that. Admittedly, he was pretty close to the situation, but a pretty gutsy call.

People close to Cowher knew that he was considering hanging it up after Super Bowl XL. It didn't take a ton of insight for Bettis to report that Cowher *might* quit after the 2006 season, especially after BC broke off contract extension talks weeks earlier.It was gutsy to come out and say it but Bettis wanted to make a splash coming into his new job.

 

[monessen]

Cowher is a Hall of Fame coach. As it's often been cited, the Steelers have won more regular season games during his tenure than any other team. He commands respect for that and many other accomplishments. He is uniquely driven, and any former assistant coach can verify how demanding he can be when the objective is success.

However, he had not always been forthcoming about his intentions. He was purposefully elusive, so he shouldn't have objected to speculation by the media, fans, players, etc. about his future. The Pgh media let him off the hook at his farewell press conference by not probing more about his "resignation." He intimidated them to the end and we never got the real story. If I had told you one year ago that the Steelers coach for the 2007 season would be a guy named Mike Tomlin, an obscure assistant coach, what would your reaction have been? It would have been "What? Who? What happened to Cowher?"

What happened about the Super Bowl win that alienated him? After all, NFL coaches don't ordinarily purchase expensive homes in other states and move their families away following a championship season. Was he offended that Art Jr. was loathe to tear up Cowher's former contract and replace it with a more lucrative deal and an extension? Was Cowher tired of some of the knucklehead players who got very complacent very fast, a point made by Willie Parker during 2006?

If Bettis was justified in his prediction, which he nailed, it must have been difficult for a team, even a talented one, to get motivated for a lame duck coach. Many players may have bought into Bettis's view.

If watching his daughters play ball was somehow and suddenly so vital, why take a high-profile TV job likely to keep him away from home several days a week? We know the answer----to keep his name and face out there, poised to accept the big offer that the Rooneys, for whatever reason, opted not to extend.

Look, he can do whatever he wants. He's earned the right and Pgh fans should always value what he did for the organization. On the field, he's a winner. But we always thought he was a stand-up guy. What happened to that Bill Cowher?

 

[PatsWillWin]

Amazing.

 

[monessen]

Thanks, JetsWillWin.

That quote you feature about Manny Ramirez and JD Drew is a howl.

 

[Godsbrother]

However, he had not always been forthcoming about his intentions. He was purposefully elusive, so he shouldn't have objected to speculation by the media, fans, players, etc. about his future. The Pgh media let him off the hook at his farewell press conference by not probing more about his "resignation." He intimidated them to the end and we never got the real story.

I don't recall reading where Cowher objected to speculation about his future. What he objected to was Bettis disclosing conversations the two of them had "off the record". As far as being purposefully elusive, Cowher said all along he wasn't sure what he was going to do beyond the 2006 season. I am not sure when Cowher actually made up his mind to resign but he had a right to decide when to make that announcement. He waited for a few weeks after the season, which was the right thing to do IMO.

If I had told you one year ago that the Steelers coach for the 2007 season would be a guy named Mike Tomlin, an obscure assistant coach, what would your reaction have been? It would have been "What? Who? What happened to Cowher?"

There were rumors about Cowher retiring right after SB XL. The Pittsburgh media also broke the story of Cowher's house months before training camp and began speculating that Cowher might resign so we knew it was a possibility. If you had told me a year ago that Whis or Grimm would be the Steelers coach in 2007 I wouldn't have been shocked at all. Tomlin did come out of nowhere but Cowher didn't have anything to do with that decision.

What happened about the Super Bowl win that alienated him? After all, NFL coaches don't ordinarily purchase expensive homes in other states and move their families away following a championship season.

According to Cowher he had been contemplating retirement for the past few seasons so it comes as no surprise that those thoughts would accelerate once he won the championship that eluded him. Many coaches retire after championship seasons. In fact I heard speculation on NFL radio that Tony Dungy may retire soon.

Was he offended that Art Jr. was loathe to tear up Cowher's former contract and replace it with a more lucrative deal and an extension?

Maybe the rumors of bad blood between Cowher and Art Rooney II are true and maybe they're blown out of proportion. I am not sure why you feel fans need to know what goes on behind closed doors during negotiations. If either side had come out blasting the other in the media during the season or after the resignation then you would have been bashing them for airing dirty laundry to the public. Personally I think it shows class on both the Steelers and Cowher to keep this stuff private.

If watching his daughters play ball was somehow and suddenly so vital, why take a high-profile TV job likely to keep him away from home several days a week? We know the answer----to keep his name and face out there, poised to accept the big offer that the Rooneys, for whatever reason, opted not to extend.

As was already discussed in the other thread, the amount of time Cowher will spend on the job with CBS will be a fraction of what it would be if he were an NFL head coach. Cowher said he wanted to spend more time with his family, he didn't say that he wanted to be a house husband. He likely will only be away form home on weekends and most of it not during basketball season. Heck he could take his wife and youngest daughter with him to New York for a few trips. As far as keeping in the public eye in order to get a big offer you have GOT to be kidding me. You think Cowher is worried that NFL owners are suddenly going to forget him unless he is on a network TV program?

But we always thought he was a stand-up guy. What happened to that Bill Cowher?

Please give me a link where Cowher outright lied to the fans. Just because he didn't disclose all of the details of his private life doesn't mean he isn't a standup guy. I understand that you aren't happy that he resigned but your post sure makes you sound bitter. Time to get over it and look forward to the Tomlin era...

 

[mlball77]

Now, what Bettis ought to do on the initial NBC telecast in 2007 is to predict that Cowher will leave CBS after one season to return to the NFL sidelines as a head coach in 2008.

I don't pretend to be an expert on this matter, or even care all that much, but I don't see Cowher back on the sidelines for 2-3 years. His first year off will probably be great, lots of rest and time with the family etc. (and well deserved). In his second year away is when I could see him really getting stir crazy. Just a guess.As for respecting Cowher, don't Steeler fans love the guy? Seems like they basically all should. In my estimation, he did an excellent job in Pit.

 

[monessen]

The great thing about forums like this one is that we can agree to disagree and exchange views using good reasoning. I think the dialogue on this thread captures the complexity of feelings surrounding Cowher's departure from the Steelers. There is a fine line between demonstrating class and being coy. Maybe Cowher walked that tightrope skillfully.

I agree it's time to move on. Let's hope Tomlin has what it takes.

 

[Godsbrother]

The great thing about forums like this one is that we can agree to disagree and exchange views using good reasoning. I think the dialogue on this thread captures the complexity of feelings surrounding Cowher's departure from the Steelers. There is a fine line between demonstrating class and being coy. Maybe Cowher walked that tightrope skillfully.I agree it's time to move on. Let's hope Tomlin has what it takes.

Sounds good to me. GO STEELERS!

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Early in the 2006 season, Jerome Bettis, in his new gig at NBC, stated that he thought Bill Cowher would leave as Steelers coach at the end of that year. It was reported that Cowher was none too pleased about Bettis's candor and expressed the opinion that Jerome ought to keep such views to himself, suggesting there was no real merit to Jerome's prognostication.

Guess who proved to be correct.

Now, what Bettis ought to do on the initial NBC telecast in 2007 is to predict that Cowher will leave CBS after one season to return to the NFL sidelines as a head coach in 2008.

Bettis will probably be right again. Wonder if Cowher or CBS would be rankled by that?

Zygi Wilf will toss a lot of $$$ and Cowher will coach again in Minnesota after the Childress fiasco