It was just a couple of short years ago, Steeler fans everywhere were sitting on the edge of their seats. Coach Cowhers contract was up, and their were rumors of him becoming the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns. The word of his long term signing was a welcome relief to the fears we all had been feeling. This Coach was more than a master motivater, he was the main reason our team could keep on winning amid all the free agent defections. Mr. Rooney was able to sign him, and we all knew the victories would just keep on rolling.
It was just a couple of short years ago, Steeler fans everywhere were sitting on the edge of their seats. Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen was knocking on the door of the Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager, Tom Donahoe. He was offering 3 to 4 times the money the Steelers could afford to pay him. Mr. Donahoe was responsible for filling the void left by the free agent departures. He was called a genius by the people in the media who follow the player movement closely. As impossible as it was for the Steelers to keep on winning after losing so many players to free agency, he filled the holes with ease. Against all odds, Mr. Rooney was able to sign him, and we all knew the victories would just keep on rolling.
Something unexpected happened after these monumental signings. The victories stopped.
For some reason, these two highly successful people could not get along. We may never know the reasons why. All we do know, is that the Steelers stopped operating as a unit somewhere along the way. Maybe Cowher refused to use the people Donahoe acquired out of spite. For example, Porter, Zereoue, Malcolm Johnson, etc. Maybe Cowher was mad that he lost so many of his players year after year, and was still expected to contend for the title.
Maybe Donahoe was mad that Cowher couldn't get the most out of the replacements he gave him. Wayne Gandy, Travis Davis, Anthony Brown, etc. He did feel that the players on the team were more than capable of winning. All I do know, is that the Steelers are a much poorer team now, than they were a week ago. The petty differences these two men had will probably never be made public. Whatever they were, they should have been nipped in the bud long ago. Now the Steelers head into a very tumultuous offseason minus one of the better personnel men in the NFL. They will survive, but will it be for the better?
The Steelers have basically no money left under the cap. They have to find a way to sign Orpheus Roye, improve the Wide Receiving core, sign a veteran Quarterback to replace Tomczak, improve the Offensive line, etc., etc. The man who has done an admirable job at staying below the salary cap is gone. The replacement will have his work cut out for him.
Just like a couple of years ago, I will be sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see how this thing unfolds. The one constant is Dan Rooney. I have always had faith that he will do the right thing, and I believe he will find a way to get himself out of this mess. Obviously, he thinks the answer is Bill Cowher. You can bet that the Coach will be out to prove Mr. Rooney did not make a mistake in choosing him over Donahoe. No more Club Med for the Steeler players. I think they are going to be working a little bit harder than they are accustomed to. Will that translate into victories? Stay tuned.
Unlike other years, I head into this offseason without any hopes of the team finding the missing link to get them over the top. There are too many holes to fill, and too many unanswered questions. But it is a long offseason, and if they can answer the questions one by one, we might see some hope by September. That's what makes the offseason fun. Waiting impatiently for any news on the team we love. Hoping the news brings with it immediate improvement. Too bad it had to start out with the bad news of the loss of Tom Donahoe.
by SteelerGil (Jan 17, 00)
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