An Open Letter to Mike Tomlin: A Loss Tonight Is Your Ticket to the Top

by Broncs Cheer on Nov 9, 2009 9:39 AM MST

Dear Mike,
I truly think you're one of the top coaches in the league, and so forgive my presumption, but it can't possibly have escaped your notice that losing to the Broncos this evening would be the BEST thing the Steelers could do to boost their playoff fortunes for the second half of the season....

Exhibit A: Those cats in Cincinnati nearly made the costly late error of beating the Broncos on opening day, but realized the error of their ways in the last 30 seconds and did the only prudent thing, tapping the ball to Brandon Stokely to preserve defeat.
They now control their destiny in the AFC North.

Exhibit B: The Cowboys were a team struggling to find their identity in Week 4, when Terence Newman made the play of their season, allowing Brandon Marshall to haul in his game winner and set off on that sublimely choreographed romp through the Boys secondary.
They now sit firmly atop the NFC East.

Exhibit C: The New England Patriots were destined for an AFC East dogfight with the Jets until finding their way in Denver in Week 5.
They're now a shoo-in for the division crown, and have rediscovered their championship swagger.

Exhibit D: The San Diego Chargers were reeling from inconsistent defense and a spotty running game before their special teams stepped up against the Broncos in Week 6.
They haven't lost since and will be a force to be reckoned with down the stretch.

Exhibit E: In a stunning show of contempt for deferred gratification and an utter collapse of discipline in the 4th quarter, The Ravens lost their way last week, and paid the price yesterday against Cincinnati.
They've been reduced to an impotent afterthought in the AFC North.

So Mike, you're a man among men, a genius among genies, and a master motivator. I'm confident that you can find a way to fire up your troops and get them to bring their Z game tonight and "just lose baby."*

Sincerely,

A fan

*After all, you wouldn't want to follow the advice of Al Davis these days, would you?

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Well done!

I love it. I just sent it to my Steeler fan buddy. Hopefully he will circulate it among the Steeler faithful and get a "just lose baby’ movement going. Clearly it is in their best interest to get beat tonight.

All work and no play makes Homer something something.

by GrizBronc on Nov 9, 2009 10:01 AM MST reply actions

I actually took the liberty of posting it on Behind the Steel Curtain...

A little good-natured smack…. :)

"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today" -- Wimpy J. Wellington

by Broncs Cheer on Nov 9, 2009 10:08 AM MST up reply actions

And it's now even a recommended post :)

Of course it only takes 2 recs to qualify over there….

"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today" -- Wimpy J. Wellington

by Broncs Cheer on Nov 9, 2009 12:47 PM MST up reply actions

Yeah I dislike that. If our readers could figure out how the damn rec system works we could have a better system. You all employ the rec system very well.

" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.

by John Stephens on Nov 9, 2009 1:10 PM MST up reply actions

hahaha, good point. I didn't think of it that way.

How do you account for the raiders and browns? Are they the exceptions that prove the rule?

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by Troy Hufford on Nov 9, 2009 10:07 AM MST reply actions

precisely...

some teams are beyond even our help…..

"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today" -- Wimpy J. Wellington

by Broncs Cheer on Nov 9, 2009 10:09 AM MST up reply actions

Every division

needs a doormat to wipe their muddy feet on…………

by bchiper on Nov 9, 2009 10:37 AM MST up reply actions

lol

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by Troy Hufford on Nov 9, 2009 10:46 AM MST up reply actions

Hmm. Interesting

Maybe Denver was able to show each of these teams how to win, whereas they showed nothing to Baltimore, hence their loss yesterday. Which brings to the front a thought I’ve had for a couple of days now.

We know the team played poorly against Baltimore, but was it by design? Did McD choose to lose that weekend to settle the team down, and to not show anything to Pittsburgh, who we play exactly one week (and a day) later? I just can’t convince myself that any coach would purposely try to lose a game, but I remember when Shanny was 13-0 and basically did nothing against a Miami team, who we were destined to meet (and destroy) in the playoffs. So it’s niggling in the back of my mind and won’t go away. The team looked terrible and unprepared for Baltimore. Does anyone think in their wildest imaginings that McD decided that this was a game worth losing, because he didn’t see us seeing them again in the playoffs, so it doesn’t matter and it was worth it to hold back for the Steelers? I don’t think I’m making any sense any more, so I’ll just shut up. :)

This is our team, let's have fun with it! - dmitchell624
Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

by solace on Nov 9, 2009 11:11 AM MST reply actions 1 recs

I can and will

agree that your hypothesis is practical to some extent. I don’t believe, and never will, that any coach would INTENTIONALLY LOSE a game. But if there is a team we may face in the playoffs, or if our team was starting to get a big head…..it would certainly make sense to humble them by tightening up the playbook. I honestly do believe that Baltimore just brought their A-game when we brought snacks…..but I would agree a loss there (providing we keep winning now and prove me right) was the optimal time to lose if it was going to happen.

We have very nearly secured and clinched a playoff berth (yes I know too early blah blah blah we will win 10 at the least and thats being pessimistic). So to think that maybe Josh put us in the position to keep us humble by forcing the team to play ABOVE their level, by not playcalling like normal…..isn’t tooooooo far fetched. I won’t exactly ever buy in on the conspiracy theory that he intentionally LOST that game, but I would absolutely believe that he did not show a potential Playoff rival our real playbook. After all on defense we remained very consistent…..ST giving up a major play hurt everyone and now I can assure you the Broncos are HUNGRY yet again. They certainly did not look hungry against BMore.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
- Thomas Alva Edison

"Success is not a place at which one arrives, but rather... the spirit with which one undertakes and continues the journey."
- Alex Noble

by DenBronx on Nov 9, 2009 11:22 AM MST up reply actions

Now that you mention it, I'm kind of hungry myself...

That donut in the Broncos loss column looks good… oh yeah, the Ravens beat me to it…
I’ll have to settle for a little Pittsburgh (easy as) pie topped with shredded steel curtain…. mmm…

"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today" -- Wimpy J. Wellington

by Broncs Cheer on Nov 9, 2009 12:51 PM MST up reply actions

That was funnier than sheesh!

and I needed a laugh today

"Kool-Aid Kool Aid, Tastes Great, We Want Kool Aid, Can't Wait"

by littletinybroncos on Nov 9, 2009 1:47 PM MST reply actions

This is hilarious and I doubt very seriously if he will listen to you.

Then we will just have to “TAKE IT”!!!! Solace read my mind and put it in a way that makes sense. I expect to see a different Broncos team tonight and since I have to work the bar there will be plenty of Terrible Towels there. Guess what fans? I recieved a pair of throwback socks today thanks to Kaptain Kirk. My wife and I will be waving them during the game to counter the TT…heheheheheheeeeeeeeeeeee.

by bfree2bronc on Nov 9, 2009 3:10 PM MST reply actions