Article on Kevin Colbert -- Steelers Dir. of football operations

The one thing he said that stuck out to me was how he views first round draft busts as inexcusable. Then it got me thinking -- some have mentioned Charlie Casserly as a possibility to come back. But take a look at his first round selections from 1991-96...

Bobby Wilson -- bust
Desmond Howard -- bust (for us anyway)
Tom Carter -- borderline bust, didn't last very long in the league
Heath Shuler -- one of the all time busts
Michael Westbrook -- pretty much a bust, had one real good season
Andre Johnson -- didn't even make the team

Gibbs certainly had a big say in the selection of Wilson and Howard. But that's as bad a string of first round busts that the league has ever seen, and sheds some light as to how bad this team was throughout the 90's. This is why I'm not so high on Casserly.

Colbert could probably walk down the street in Pittsburgh and no one would even know who he is. And that's how he likes it. See, Pittsburgh gets it. The Ronney's get it. Behind the scenes they probably laugh at our operation. When Cowher had some tough season what did they do? Stuck by him. When he leaves they find Mike Tomlin, who looks and breathes like the next great head coach. Meanwhile we find Jim Zorn.

And what's funny/sad is that the Steelers had two guys in waiting (Whisenhunt and Grimm) to be Cowher's successor. Everyone expected one to be named head coach and instead they went outside the organization and found Tomlin. We went outside and found Zorn

If the Redskins hired Tomlin he probably would have been fired already. Is Tomlin really that great? He walked into the best organization in the league kept the same defense scheme and coordinator that was already in place even though he coached a completely different defense in Minnesotta. And he had a franchise QB coming into his own. We have no idea what kind of coach Tomlin would be if he came to an unstable situation like the Redskins.

off topic but nice site for draft history.


drafthistory.com

And with the exception of all the early WR first picks, the 1st rounders have been solid.

If the Redskins hired Tomlin he probably would have been fired already. Is Tomlin really that great? He walked into the best organization in the league kept the same defense scheme and coordinator that was already in place even though he coached a completely different defense in Minnesotta. And he had a franchise QB coming into his own. We have no idea what kind of coach Tomlin would be if he came to an unstable situation like the Redskins.

Good point. I think there is something to be said for not allowing a team to fall into disarray, the way Norv has apparently done in S.D. A new coach could theoretically walk into a sound organization with a good roster and things can fall apart. Tomlin appears to be someone who kept the squad on its toes, challenged them, instilled vigor, and continued a winning tradition.

Never underestimate the abilities of a complete moron to eff up a perfectly good situation.

Knowing the Daniel, how would probably hire Steve Colbert instead.