Steelers' Head Coach Mike Tomlin has come out taking the responsibility for the firing of Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians. It was reported earlier that team president At Rooney II initiated the firing. Tomlin made the statement at the NFL owners meetings.
He also indicated Todd Haley was his choice as the new OC saying, "Don't get me wrong. Art Rooney owns the football team. He can do what he wants but those directives did not happen."
On January 9 Tomlin indicated he expected Arians to return in 2012. The team later forced him out and hired Haley on February 7. The abrupt change indicated to some that Rooney had intervened. Tomlin now states this was not the case but falls short of explaining what really transpired in that month. All he would say is, "I'm not going to apologize for change."
Ben Roethlisberger was very close to Arians. It appeared he had bonded with him in a manner similar as he had with his Miami of Ohio coach, Terry Hoeppner, particularly after Hoeppner died in 2007. It's unlikely Haley will fill those shoes but Roethlisberger is 30 now and should be able to handle this situation in a mature manner. Any contention may come from Haley's comments that Ben needs to change his game, which he does if for no other reason than self-preservation. If he continues to take the hits he's endured thus far in his career that career will not last much longer.
"Through my experience with both men I anticipate them getting along great because both guys have a desire to be great at what they do," said Tomlin. "Both guys are singularly focused on winning world championships for the Pittsburgh Steelers and that's a great place to begin."
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