Grimm and Steelers had Verbal Agreement (rumor)

[GTripp0012]

I'm gonna play it safe and put the rumor tag on this one, although I would more accurately classify this info as "stronger than rumor but not quite news ready."

We reported last week on the existence of rumors making the rounds at the Senior Bowl regarding the chain of events that resulted in the hiring of Mike Tomlin by the Steelers.

As the rumor went, the Steelers had offered the head-coaching job to Russ Grimm, and Grimm had accepted it. But at the last minute NFL commissioner Roger Goodell got involved, and urged Steelers chairman Dan Rooney to hire either Tomlin or Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, both of whom were minority candidates.

Per a source close to Grimm, we're now told that this is the version of the events that Grimm privately has been reciting.

Wow.

Again, we're not saying that it actually happened this way. But we are confident that Grimm thinks it happened this way, or at a minimum that Grimm is saying that it happened this way, regardless of whether he actually believes that that's the way it went down.

Source: Mike Florio, Profootballtalk.com

[redsk1]

Wow. If that's true shame on Dan Rooney and Goodell.

[SmootSmack]

I had heard rumors about this, and it is a bit suspicious how they were working on a contract but then suddenly stopped. But the biggest shame is that "cheapens" Mike Tomlin and makes him look like just a token hire. That's not fair to him really

[GhettoDogAllStars]

Why would the NFL do that? What's the incentive? (not being rhetorical, I really want to know)

[MTK]

I heard that they didn't even know who Tomlin was initially, but they were asked to interview him and they were blown away.

But let's consider this source, PFT is the ultimate rumor mill.

[70Chip]

Why would Goodell urge Rooney to hire a minority? How to say this. There is not a current shortage of African-American head coaches as far as I can tell. Also, Rooney came up with the rule that requires that teams interview minority coaches, in fact it is known as the "Rooney Rule" so it's not like we're talking about Marge Schott here.

Most likely what happened is that Goodell or someone in his office mentioned Tomlin to the Steelers in passing and he then dazzled them in his interview. It sucks for Grimm. He has patiently waited his turn while turning down offers from other teams. He should get the hell out of there. I think the Steelers will be in for an extended period of losing.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

But let's consider this source, PFT is the ultimate rumor mill.

Yeah, but they will debunk a rumor if they believe theres no truth to it.

This one came indirectly from Grimm himself, so either hes twisting what happened, or it really did happen.

The Steelers and the League have yet to address this one yet, so it could get interesting.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

But let's consider this source, PFT is the ultimate rumor mill.

PFT is a shameless, self-promoting, and unreliable website that throws out 15 different rumors in the hope that one turns out to be true so they can claim to have "broken a story."

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

PFT is a shameless, self-promoting, and unreliable website that throws out 15 different rumors in the hope that one turns out to be true so they can claim to have "broken a story."

I respectfully disagree. In the past, I've relied on them for my information, and I found them to be pretty reliable. They are very clear in what is news and what is rumor and the difference between them.

[Darrell_Green_28]

Im pretty much with you on this GTripp, most of the stuff they report is true and if not they correct it and say that. everytime something is posted from PFT someone says its BS.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

Why would Goodell urge Rooney to hire a minority? How to say this. There is not a current shortage of African-American head coaches as far as I can tell. Also, Rooney came up with the rule that requires that teams interview minority coaches, in fact it is known as the "Rooney Rule" so it's not like we're talking about Marge Schott here.

Most likely what happened is that Goodell or someone in his office mentioned Tomlin to the Steelers in passing and he then dazzled them in his interview. It sucks for Grimm. He has patiently waited his turn while turning down offers from other teams. He should get the hell out of there. I think the Steelers will be in for an extended period of losing.

No.

Based on solid reporting Grimm was offered the job on Sat. The speculation part involves Goodell urging Rooney to then change his mind and rescind the offer and hire Tomlin. Basically all of the reporters who have been involved have said they stand by what the wrote and trust the sources. The biggest thing to me is that no one has denied it. The story has been around for a over a week and not a peep from anybody. I tend to believe it.

[FRPLG]

PFT is solid. I cannot think of one instance that they have reported something as fact that was in fact just a rumor. They are clear about when they are editorializng, stating fact, and or rumor mongering. They actually poke fun at themselves for it. There are stories that they have totally ignored because they thought they were too rumor based. The issues with Seab Salisbury come to mind. They are solid. The only people who dislike them are the ones in competition with them. The ESPNs of the world don't like that they report what they hear without filtering it not piss someone ina league office off.

PFT also owns up when they screw a story up.

[dmek25]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

I had heard rumors about this, and it is a bit suspicious how they were working on a contract but then suddenly stopped. But the biggest shame is that "cheapens" Mike Tomlin and makes him look like just a token hire. That's not fair to him really

i have to give you props. didn't you post this exact " theoretic" question in another thread? i don't now how to copy and paste, but I'm sure you ask this question. something to the effect of because of the so called Rooney rule, the steelers might have felt compelled to hire a minority

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by Darrell_Green_28

Im pretty much with you on this GTripp, most of the stuff they report is true and if not they correct it and say that. everytime something is posted from PFT someone says its BS.

Not to threadjack, but PFT posts morning and evening updates which are links to news stories authored by various newspapers, mags, etc. I check PFT on a daily basis for such links.

Their rumors, on the other hand, are less than reliable. They do a good job of reminding people, however, when their rumors prove true. Moreover, their "rumors" are oftentimes crib notes of articles reported by other more established media outlets (e.g., ESPN). For example, on 1/20/07 at 9:17 p.m. they reported that "their sources" told them that Tomlin was going to be hired. Then, 13 minutes later, they post a story that Mort at ESPN is reporting that Tomlin is to be hired. I would bet that more often than not, "their sources" consist of SI.com, ESPN.com.

[MTK]

PFT is solid... that's pretty funny.