That jaw. That spit. That steely, determined gaze. Those temper tantrums.
Bill Cowher?s face is unmistakable to Ravens fans. The very sight of him often results in boiled-over hatred. If ever there was a man that represented everything Ravens fans detest, it is the Steelers? head coach.
That?s not to say Cowher is a bad guy. He?s far from it. He?s a family man who loves his children. His passion for his job is clearly evident. Still, he is the embodiment of years of Baltimore frustration against the Steelers, who have resided near the top of the NFL for more than a decade despite a rotating cast of players.
Since the start of the season, rumors have flown around the countrysaying Cowher will be leaving Pittsburgh at season?s end. If that?s true, there has to be a hint of sadness here in Charm City this week.
Sure, there?s euphoria around town over the 27-0 beat-down the Ravens inflicted on archrival Pittsburgh Sunday and the Super Bowl prognostications that followed. Beating the defending champions and gaining national respect? That?s priceless.
The Ravens-Steelers rivalry over the years has featured close, physical battles. Last year, as the Steelers were marching toward their Super Bowl title, the Ravens clipped them by one point during a 6-10 season.
Hearing Cowher call his team?s effort on Sunday “pitiful” doesn?t exactly seem right, though. Is that the last memory you want to see of Bill Cowher in Baltimore?
Cowher?s image has been built as a guy who lives and breathes competitive football. His teams are an extension of him ? gritty and in your face. The broken man who tried to explain the loss looked like so many other coaches who knew they were doing something else the next fall. Their heart was elsewhere, ready for a break. Call it Vermeil-itis.
Truth is, Baltimore football needs Cowher much like Superman needs Lex Luthor. Every story needs a good villain ? a foil, someone who can be the target of disdain. A hero can?t be a hero without someone trying to bring him down. Cowher and his prolific jaw have always fit the bill.
Sans Cowher, look at the coaches of the AFC North. Cincinnati?s Marvin Lewis and Cleveland?s Romeo Crennel just don?t pass the hate test in the same way Cowher does.
When I asked Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter last week in a conference call if he thought Cowher would be back next season, he said: “I can?t see him doing anything differently. If he?s coaching football, it has to be here.” Deep down, Baltimore, you have to feel the same.
Matt Palmer is a staff writer for The Examiner. He can be reached at [email protected].
