Harbaugh-Tomlin Handshake Exchange

[Guest RBates]

Harbaugh is to nice of a guy for the AFC North he only gets rude with reporters. How could you look at that and say he was being disrespectful stop it. He just didnt wanna hear all the rest of the talk after Good Game.

[Militant X 1]

i never really understood why the steelers and their fans say that Harbaugh is the one that is cocky etc. but, i think i see some of what they are saying. Tomlin actually dissed Harbaugh on the handshake because of his speeches that he made 2 weeks ago after beating the steelers in pittsburg. Harbaugh told our guys in the locker room; "you held that team to zero points in 30 minutes." he also said; "we were the more physical team etc." Tomlin never forgot that! as a matter of fact; according to Ryan Clark's end of game interview and Dwyer's NFL AM interview this morning; Tomlin played the video of Harbaugh's statements to the steelers all week long for motivation coming into this game. sure, the Ravens gave this game away imo, but the steelers also made some mistakes. however, they were more resolved in what they wanted to do because of the extra motivation from Harbaugh's statements. then.....on the field at the end of the game all of that tension from the steelers coach that had built up in him...spilled out into that exchange. now, what will our coach do to fire up our guys the rest of the way? hmmm...

~Mili

[StillaYinzer]

Here's the thing... From the outside looking in, Harbaugh appears to be a bit of a cry baby. He obviously does a good job coaching and motivating his players and I'm not saying he's a bad coach but... much like his brother in SF, he whines when he loses and appears to be a porr sport often. At least John is less of a cry baby than his brother who is nearly unbearable. I lost respect for Harbaugh last year when he moaned to the media that the Steelers' PA guy played a song making fun of Flacco. ([url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/10/music-at-heinz-field-has-john-harbaugh-upset/"]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/10/music-at-heinz-field-has-john-harbaugh-upset/[/url]) I mean seriously? As a head coach, is this the kind of thing he focuses on? I mean this as respecfully as possible but as a Raven's fan, this owuld have embarrassed me.

[jimmypowder]

Tomlinson is cocky and has alot of swagger .He way way out coached
Harbaugh in this game .

I think Tomlin was feelin it and got arrogant about the win . His pat on Joe's chest
where he said nothing but to himself he's saying " choked again fool"

[i82much]

[quote name='StillaYinzer' timestamp='1354543845' post='1244511']
Was it really that big of a deal? I am no Tomlin worshipper. The guys has his good points and his bad points. But I've never head him referred to as "classless" and labeling him as such in this circumstance doesn't fit by any objective standard. Especially when you consider Tomlin's follow up response to Harbaugh appearing to take exception to the exchange.
[/quote]

Not really such a big deal, except for hearing a bunch of nonsense from Steelers fans about how their organization is so classy. Get over yourselves already. You've had more dirty players historically than any other team in the league, won a bunch of championships by juicing yourselves up more than Lyle Alzado, and now your coach is acting like a cocky little punk when you are still two games back with four to go.

Oh and you got gifted that Super Bowl against Seattle too. So like I said ... get over yourselves.

[StillaYinzer]

[quote name='i82much' timestamp='1354551411' post='1244755']
Not really such a big deal, except for hearing a bunch of nonsense from Steelers fans about how their organization is so classy. Get over yourselves already. You've had more dirty players historically than any other team in the league, won a bunch of championships by juicing yourselves up more than Lyle Alzado, and now your coach is acting like a cocky little punk when you are still two games back with four to go.

Oh and you got gifted that Super Bowl against Seattle too. So like I said ... get over yourselves.
[/quote]
OK here we go...
I speak in truth and I speak for myself. The Steelers do indeed have a relatively classy organization. With thats said, I am not marching anywhere with the classy crown. Every team has some clowns. Steelers have them. So have the Ravens. So have the Pats, etc. I disagree that Tomlin is acting like a "cocky little punk". You may feel that way but the facts lead reasonable people to make alternative conclusions. Not sure how throwing out that the Steelers were "gifted" 1 of SIX super bowls advances your argument but OK. I disagree PGH was gifted anything but let's assume you are correct. That's FIVE. I will now commence with getting over myself.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1354503957' post='1243896']
Who cares... you shouldn't have to kiss the arses of the opposition .. Sportsmanship, to me... is a little league thing. This is a job
[/quote]


When sportsmanship is no longer an important part of a competition it becomes a meaningless joke and might as well be played in an empty stadium. No one is expected to kiss arses, but when respect is not shown you lose the respect of others. This is true in any sport no matter how big of a business it is.

Tomlin can go pound sand.

[StillaYinzer]

In truth, I like and respect the Ravens generally speaking. I like their brand of football and I even appreciate a handfull of their players. Suggs, Ray Lewis and Ngata can play for my team anyday. With that said, I really can't stand Harbaugh. See my post above. He's a whiney baby like his brother. This handshake think has my attention just because of my dislike for the man. I've sat next to many Ravens fans in Heinz Field and always enjoyed a courteous debate. They have been a respectful bunch in general and are OK by me. Not like Eagles fans...

[H8R]

[quote name='awholelottahaloti' timestamp='1354552370' post='1244783']
When sportsmanship is no longer an important part of a competition it becomes a meaningless joke and might as well be played in an empty stadium. No one is expected to kiss arses, but when respect is not shown you lose the respect of others. This is true in any sport no matter how big of a business it is.

Tomlin can go pound sand.
[/quote]

Right... but then the 2pt conversions that Harbs has pulled in times where they werent needed, pundits and the opposition have had problems with.. I dont want fluff an filler, I want the real deal. I dont take kindly to faking it.

[berad]

A drive-by handshake with no eye contact... what a man

[Gordo52]

[quote name='blitzking33' timestamp='1354499310' post='1243565']
[img]http://i47.tinypic.com/iw5hlu.jpg[/img]
[/quote]
Just wanted to say, I love this!

[PuRock]

I don't see it. Tomlin's mind is elsewhere. No big deal. This isn't a Schwartz or Haley situation.

Guy wanted to get out of Baltimore quickly. We do the same thing in Pittsburgh.

[Gordo52]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1354555462' post='1244872']
A drive-by handshake with no eye contact... what a man
[/quote]
Truely classless..I don't like him no more.

[baroquenspirit]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1354555930' post='1244882']
Truely classless..I don't like him no more.
[/quote]

Let's be honest...if the roles were reversed you all would probably be silent or defending Harbaugh. It could easily be argued that as the winning coach, Tomlin didn't want to be in Harbaugh's face...he made it easy on the losing coach by rushing past. To me, holding on to your opponents hand and jerking him back toward you to repeat what you already said could be the thing in that exchange that could be described as "Truly classless." Much ado about nothing.

[Ben_7toBrown_84]

[quote name='baroquenspirit' timestamp='1354557429' post='1244914']
Let's be honest...if the roles were reversed you all would probably be silent or defending Harbaugh. It could easily be argued that as the winning coach, Tomlin didn't want to be in Harbaugh's face...he made it easy on the losing coach by rushing past. To me, holding on to your opponents hand and jerking him back toward you to repeat what you already said could be the thing in that exchange that could be described as "Truly classless." Much ado about nothing.
[/quote]I agree I dont know what else Harbaugh expected or wanted Tomlin to say in that situation. He said thank you and good job to him and Harbaugh yelled back at him hey hey hey like he wasnt finished with him. Like a few Steelers fans have pointed out on here maybe Tomlin is sick of Harbaugh running his mouth about the Ravens being the tougher team like he did in the locker room after they beat the Steelers here 2 weeks ago, and then him saying in the press conference 2 weeks ago after the Ravens won he opened by saying "congratualtions to the Steelers really insincere like they had no chance of beating the Ravens since they had Leftiwch playing and then 1 second later he turned around and said and congratulations to our team. Tomlin and the Steelers players see and hear stuff like that and believe me like Cowher said earlier in the day on the pre-game show on CBS they dont forget it and they use it...I think that is one of the main reasons Tomlin did blow Harbaugh off the way he did...

[bpytnjr58]

This is a heated division rivalry in which there has been two games in three weeks and both teams have a lot of work to do in the next four weeks....nothing to see here.

[rlh445]

[quote name='baroquenspirit' timestamp='1354557429' post='1244914']
Let's be honest...if the roles were reversed you all would probably be silent or defending Harbaugh. It could easily be argued that as the winning coach, Tomlin didn't want to be in Harbaugh's face...he made it easy on the losing coach by rushing past. To me, holding on to your opponents hand and jerking him back toward you to repeat what you already said could be the thing in that exchange that could be described as "Truly classless." Much ado about nothing.
[/quote]

NOPE! Have you been on this board long? There are waaaaaaaaaay more people bashing Harbs then defending him and I'd be the FIRST one to call him out for doing some classless stuff like that. NO NEED for that after the game. Nobody was expecting him to kiss butt, but be a freakin' man, stand your ground, look the other coach in the eye and say, 'Good game,' without somebody having to pull you back for it. Now make like a tree and get outta here, it's not Steeler week anymore.

[Latch]

i think it was kind of a jerk move but it's not like he spit on harbaugh's face or anything. no need to overreact over something that trivial.

[Ben_7toBrown_84]

[quote name='rlh445' timestamp='1354559494' post='1244998']
NOPE! Have you been on this board long? There are waaaaaaaaaay more people bashing Harbs then defending him and I'd be the FIRST one to call him out for doing some classless stuff like that. NO NEED for that after the game. Nobody was expecting him to kiss butt, but be a freakin' man, stand your ground, look the other coach in the eye and say, 'Good game,' without somebody having to pull you back for it. Now make like a tree and get outta here, it's not Steeler week anymore.
[/quote]He said thank you good job to him when he did pull him back and then Harbaugh still wanted to go after him instead of letting it go. Tomlin did shake his hand and said thank you to him what more should he have done invited Harbaugh out for a drink after the game?? The Harbaugh brothers are both bad winners and sore losers. We have seen Jim Harbaugh not only do the thing with Schwartz when he lost last year but when he lost to Coughlin in the NFC title game to the Giants he barely looked at Coughlin when he shook his hand and said nothing. Maybe Mr and Mrs Harbaugh need to teach their sons about how to act when you dont win especially since neither of them has won basically nothing in the NFL so far...

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='baroquenspirit' timestamp='1354557429' post='1244914']
Let's be honest...if the roles were reversed you all would probably be silent or defending Harbaugh. It could easily be argued that as the winning coach, Tomlin didn't want to be in Harbaugh's face...he made it easy on the losing coach by rushing past. To me, holding on to your opponents hand and jerking him back toward you to repeat what you already said could be the thing in that exchange that could be described as "Truly classless." Much ado about nothing.
[/quote]

I couldn't disagree more. Tomlin could've at least made eye contact. I understand wanting to get out of town, but show some respect and look the other coach in the eye. I'm no fan of Harbs, and if he did that in Pitt, I'd have an issue with it. Why do the handshake if it doesn't mean anything? It's supposed to be a sign of respect. Tomlin missed it on this one, but Harbs probably shouldn't have jerked his hand back either.

[1/28/01]

Oh my Lord! Finally decided to watch it (on my phone, the link doesnt play in mobile format) and there was NOTHING there. Wow!

[baroquenspirit]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1354563792' post='1245089']
I couldn't disagree more. Tomlin could've at least made eye contact. I understand wanting to get out of town, but show some respect and look the other coach in the eye. I'm no fan of Harbs, and if he did that in Pitt, I'd have an issue with it. Why do the handshake if it doesn't mean anything? It's supposed to be a sign of respect. Tomlin missed it on this one, but Harbs probably shouldn't have jerked his hand back either.
[/quote]

Well, I can see your position on it but don't agree...lol...surprise, surprise. Tomlin is always total business and has no space for any kind of fluff. To me he fulfilled the obligatory act and hustled onward. I also think he was very surprised by being pulled back and leaned in because he thought Harbaugh had something substantive to say....when Harbs just repeated himself, Tomlin looked genuinely puzzled/surprised that he had been pulled back for a simple repeat. So he gave the Harbaugh what he seemed to need and again went on his way. I think he showed great restraint by not saying, "What the heck is wrong with you?"

[SteelerStorm]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1354552597' post='1244793']
Right... but then the 2pt conversions that Harbs has pulled in times where they werent needed, pundits and the opposition have had problems with.. I dont want fluff an filler, I want the real deal. I dont take kindly to faking it.
[/quote]Well said!

[Ben_7toBrown_84]

[quote name='SteelerStorm' timestamp='1354568459' post='1245234']
Well said!
[/quote]The bottom line is did Tomlin snub Harbaugh I believe he did. But I also believe that Harbaugh had it coming for the past year with some of his antics on the field during the games with the Steelers and the stuff he said in the locker room and his post game press conferences. Tomlin still at the end of the day shook his hand and said good job and thank you and walked away while Harbaugh tried to pull him back to try and talk to him some more which I thought was ridiculous...But like I said Harbaugh had it coming though and Tomlin did it in a nice quiet kind of manner...

[mdrsharon]

[quote name='StillaYinzer' timestamp='1354552418' post='1244787']
In truth, I like and respect the Ravens generally speaking. I like their brand of football and I even appreciate a handfull of their players. Suggs, Ray Lewis and Ngata can play for my team anyday. With that said, I really can't stand Harbaugh. See my post above. He's a whiney baby like his brother. This handshake think has my attention just because of my dislike for the man. I've sat next to many Ravens fans in Heinz Field and always enjoyed a courteous debate. They have been a respectful bunch in general and are OK by me. Not like Eagles fans...
[/quote]

Thank you.
I remember the old football days where there was no shaking hands after the game. It is a meaningless gesture, especially when the losing coach has to act like he's nice.

[Moderator 3]

Harbaugh just addressed this in his press conference and said that there was nothing to it. He was just trying to make sure "Mike" heard him congratulate him.

[DWplayer]

[quote name='awholelottahaloti' timestamp='1354552370' post='1244783']
Tomlin can go pound sand.
[/quote]
Why........why.....How dare you!!

[PuRock]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1354563792' post='1245089']
I couldn't disagree more. [b]Tomlin could've at least made eye contact.[/b] I understand wanting to get out of town, but show some respect and look the other coach in the eye. I'm no fan of Harbs, and if he did that in Pitt, I'd have an issue with it. Why do the handshake if it doesn't mean anything? It's supposed to be a sign of respect. Tomlin missed it on this one, but Harbs probably shouldn't have jerked his hand back either.
[/quote]

He could have called me back?!?

This could have easily went the other way. Honestly, I'm more surprised that Tomlin didn't take the time to enjoy the moment more. You just beat Baltimore at home and get to see the opposing coach's eyes of defeat.

[Fuego]

Much ado about nothing

[berad]

Harbaugh said he wasn't bothered by it so, yes, non-story.