12/22/24
August 15, 2006
Hidden: Cowher bothered by Bettis comments: Steelers coach Bill Cowher says former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis needs to cool it with the "Cowher's retiring" talk.
posted by SummersEve to football at 06:17 AM - 13 comments
Feh. The article on ESPN's site states that Cowher says he and Jerome's relationship is fine. EVERYONE in Pittsburgh is speculating that Cowher will retire soon. Either based his never having entered a season with so few years left on a contract or his purchase of a home in North Carolina. The Post Gazette even went so far as to say that Ken Whisenhunt is being groomed to take over the team when Cowher retires. Personally, I like that idea, but like everything else it is speculation and not news. It probably wasn't wise for Jerome to make such a statement as a newbie in the broadcast game. As a player he has to realize that at the end of the season people (players and coaches) are tired and banged up, and make comments that may not hold as much weight by the time training came comes along. Hell, Jerome was going to retire the year before he actually retired, and then changed his mind. Cowher probably made a passing comment in February, and Jerome "reported" it as news in August. Things change. I bet he and Cowher are still on good terms, but that Cowher won't be talking about his personal decisions anymore.
posted by scully at 07:54 AM on August 15, 2006
If you read the linked story it says the meeting was in March, and that there are no hard feelings. Again, I think it's interesting to see a coach calling a talking-head on his "access". With live press conferences, and trascripts being made public, most of these guys don't get much more access than the well-read fan.
posted by SummersEve at 08:03 AM on August 15, 2006
I had already read the non-story on ESPN and the Post Gazette site. I got the date wrong, but the sentiment is the same: players and coaches talk after the season about their futures and those decisions change. In sports NOTHING is final until it is final. How many times do players retire, unretire, retire, rinse and repeat ad nauseum? Coaches too. Vermeil, Schottenheimer, etc, etc. I haven't seen Jerome doing his talking head schtict yet, but I assume I will have the same opinion I usually do about players in their rookie seasons of their next professions.... he needs more repetitions and to learn the playbook. :) And as the LINKED article states "Cowher also said he has put the Bettis episode behind him and harbors no ill feelings toward the Bus."
"Jerome is a good guy. We've had too many good times to let something like that stand in the way. That will not come between us, trust me."So, as I said in my previous comment, Cowher and Bettis will be fine.
posted by scully at 08:23 AM on August 15, 2006
Did you read what I wrote? Just curious. Note first line: Tons of speculation about Cowher's future, but that's kind of beside the point.
posted by SummersEve at 08:31 AM on August 15, 2006
I'm not going to argue with you, SE. You seem eager to argue or defend your post. I'm a huge Steelers fan, and read everything there is to read. And I consider this a non-issue. What you wrote is what you put in your original post: "Cowher bothered by Bettis comments : Steelers coach Bill Cowher says former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis needs to cool it with the 'Cowher's retiring' talk." What I replied with is that Cowher really isn't all that bothered, and your linked article supports my opinion. I replied to the POST, not to you. Your first comment is where you posted your follow-up about how it was speculation and "besides the point." That is where you included your opinion, and that's great. I wrote MY opinion on what *I* consider to be a non-issue. I am entitled to that opinion and I did not attack you in expressing it. There was no ad hominem, so no need for you to continue to addressing ME in your comments. Perhaps you will consider discussing (read: not arguing) your position on this speculation? That might prove to be interesting. I've used too much Latin in my comments, so that's all for me here. Have a great day! GO STEELERS!
posted by scully at 08:52 AM on August 15, 2006
I'm out of line. The sooner this gets deleted the better. Apologies to all who stumble across this trainwreck.
posted by SummersEve at 09:04 AM on August 15, 2006
talking head schtict Puppet show of some sort?
posted by yerfatma at 09:20 AM on August 15, 2006
Deleted by posters request.
posted by justgary at 09:24 AM on August 15, 2006
Don't sweat it, SummersEve. Nobody else is offended by a duche! (I don't even know how to spell duche????)
posted by jtroy4 at 10:32 AM on August 15, 2006
A dollar to a doughnut says Cowher retires at the end of the year.
posted by dbt302 at 11:18 AM on August 15, 2006
The Steelers and Cowher have been good for each other. There is no better ownership in the NFL and Cowher is in the top 3 or 4 current coaches. I think we have had 2 coaches in forty years and have 5 rings to show for it. But as a life long Steeler fan, I sense Cowher walking away soon. I count it as a blessing that he coached the Steelers for the time that he did. I hope that LeBeau stays on as DC for a few more years. Love 'em or hate 'em you have to admire the Steeler organization.
posted by Claremore Rancher at 11:32 AM on August 15, 2006
I'll take that bet! Cowher is a god in Pittsburgh, just like Ditka in Chicago. They will have to fire him for him to leave, and I dont see any 3-13 records in the near future for "DA NEW COACH"!!!
posted by frankiem at 11:38 AM on August 15, 2006
Tons of speculation about Cowher's future, but that's kind of beside the point. It's interesting that a coach is basically calling out a national broadcaster for acting like he knows more than he does. It's pretty common for talking-heads (especially former players) to sound like they know more than they do, or that they have more access than they actually do. It just isn't very often they get called on it.