Mad World
Mike and Bill
By Mark Madden

I never thought Mike Tomlin would remind me of Bill Cowher.

But after the Steelers lost at Denver, he did.

The Steelers' inexplicable offensive game plan was largely responsible for a disappointing 31-28 defeat on Oct. 20. The Steelers went to Denver as the NFL's No. 2 rushing team. The Broncos were dead last in the league in rushing defense.

So the Steelers threw 21 times in the first half and dug themselves a 21-7 hole. It was absurd strategy. The interceptions and fumbles piled up and the Steelers had no choice but to pass. Tomlin and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians outsmarted themselves.

Tomlin spewed post-game vagaries about the "cat-and-mouse, the chess match of football," but that's nonsense. He blew it, and he's too smart to not know it.

Maybe, as Tomlin said, the Broncos were prepared to stop the run. But doesn't every NFL defense prepare to stop the run, especially against Pittsburgh? Few have managed to even contain Willie Parker this year, and the Steelers pride themselves on running against any team, every time, let alone against the worst rushing defense in the NFL.

Tomlin making a mistake doesn't bother me. Tomlin blowing a game doesn't bother me. Tomlin has made mostly good decisions in his brief tenure. Chances are that by the time you read this, he will have made a few more.

What bothers me is treating the fans/media like they're dopes, even if they/we are. Presenting his strategy as a viable tactical alternative that simply happened to not work is insulting to those even marginally in the know.

I identified Tomlin's offensive approach as a gaffe even as the Steelers' first drive wound up in the end zone. Even winning the game wouldn't have changed that.

Tomlin talks about "not kidding ourselves." Then don't.

Denver was Tomlin's first Waterloo, to quote Abba. Not only was his game plan silly, but he wasted a timeout by throwing a challenge flag on an obviously correct call, then improperly froze Denver kicker Jason Elam before his game-winning field goal by calling time out too early, thus failing to make Elam kick the ball twice.

None of these mistakes were admitted, of course. Tomlin just cavalierly excused them away. That's when he reminded me of Cowher.

I don't expect a coach to say, "I blew it. I stink. I'm an idiot," or even words to that effect. But I don't want what's wrong proclaimed to be right after the tangible fact of failure. That was a Cowher specialty, one Tomlin should eschew.

Tomlin and defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau also need to have a come-to-Jesus meeting with Troy Polamalu, preferably one that lasts less than four hours, to explain to Polamalu why his position is called "safety."

With Polamalu injured, the Steelers shut out Seattle. With Polamalu back, the Steelers got lit up by Jay Cutler, who threw a lot of quick slants to spots Polamalu appeared to vacate via the magic of overwrought freelancing.

Polamalu is a great player. But he guesses too much. Baltimore's Ed Reed makes plays by following the ball. If Polamalu took a page out of Reed's book, perhaps the Steelers defense would be more fundamentally sound on a consistent basis. At any rate, Polamalu's swashbuckling shouldn't be bigger than the final score. If he wants to play linebacker, let him play linebacker. Otherwise, make his job more regimented.

Mark Madden hosts a sports talk show 3-7 p.m. weekdays on ESPN Radio 1250.