Listening to ‘Mike Tomlin’, most NFL followers and members of the league will instantly consider the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s for good purpose. Tomlin has been probably the most constant head coach within the league since becoming a member of the Steelers in 2007. Nevertheless, earlier than his time started with Pittsburgh, Tomlin held down an assistant function with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers within the early 2000s.
The Buccaneers have been Tomlin’s entry to the NFL teaching world. He began with them in 2001 as a defensive backs coach and maintained that place by means of the 2005 season. He would then go away to turn into the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator for a season earlier than discovering his dwelling in Pittsburgh. Throughout his time in Tampa Bay, Tomlin had the possibility to educate among the best defenders we’ve seen in current reminiscence in Ronde Barber. Tomlin and Barber have appeared to take care of a superb relationship ever since.
That was evidenced by reward Barber just lately had for Tomlin. Barber sat down with Barstool Sports activities’ Jon Gruden on Thursday, talking to Tomlin’s significance in his soccer profession.
“To me, he’s my primary,” Barber mentioned of Mike Tomlin. “There’s a purpose why he put my gold jacket on for me. The Corridor of Fame needed you to have a sitting gold jacket man put your jacket on. I used to be like, you recognize what, I’ll have John up there with me, Lynch be up there with me, however I need Mike to place my jacket on… What Mike gave me was this stage of ‘I feel you’re the finest to ever play your place’, he advised me that.”
Barber references Tomlin claiming he’s the very best to ever play the cornerback place, and whereas Barber might not actually maintain the spot, he’s one of many recreation’s most original. He completed his profession with 28 sacks and 15 pressured fumbles, manufacturing sometimes reserved for a linebacker, not a nook. Baber was named First-Workforce All-Professional thrice.
Earlier than Tomlin, Barber was already a superb cornerback. Tomlin took him to the subsequent stage. Of their first 12 months collectively in 2001, Barber earned his first First Workforce All-Professional recognition in his profession, and had a league-leading 10 interceptions.
Tomlin clearly made a large impression on Barber. Barber selected Tomlin to place his gold jacket on, which he referenced within the interview. We regularly hear concerning the successful seasons streak as a purpose as to why Tomlin’s been such a superb coach. Nevertheless, examples from nice gamers like Barber put Tomlin’s profession in an entire new gentle.
