Steelers football blog

Tomlin keeps Steelers sharp in practice

The Steelers returned to their South Side practice facility Saturday for the final two weeks of training camp and were greeted with something that was familiar and unusual at the same time.

Mike Tomlin put his team through a 2 1/2-hour practice that was typical of what he ordered during the three weeks of training camp at St. Vincent College.

It was something that caught the players off-guard.

"A lot of guys mentally didn't think we were going to be doing that," receiver Mike Wallace said.

LaMarr Woodley doesn't remember having such a physical practice at the South Side facility in his four previous seasons.

"Nah, we didn't expect this," Woodley said. "It was a little different. We haven't had the OTAs and minicamps, so it was good for everybody including the young guys as well."

Tomlin said he wanted to make sure his team still realizes that they are in training camp mode, even though they have returned to their facility.

"The point we are making to our football team is, even though we are back at the comforts of our facility, the team building hasn't stopped," Tomlin said. (continue)

Tomlin focused on draft

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has been so immersed in draft preparation he has hardly noticed that the NFL is mired in a work stoppage.

That is what Tomlin professed Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings. And it may only be part exaggeration.

The first group of Steelers players wasn't scheduled to report for offseason training until last week — and those were the players that received limited snaps last season or didn't suit up at all.

"Couple that with the fact that I've been on the road," Tomlin said of the offseason, "and it hasn't been very different at all."

Tomlin, like a lot of coaches, won't really be impacted by the labor impasse — and the quiet that has pervaded teams' headquarters since owners locked out players almost two weeks ago — unless it goes past April. (Tribune)

Tomlin not getting proper credit

The Steelers are on the cusp of another appearance in an AFC title game, but the truth is, coach Mike Tomlin is winning with Bill Cowher's players.

Twelve starters who will play against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC divisional playoff game at 4:30 p.m. today at Heinz Field also played under Cowher, whose 15-year tenure ended following the 2006 season.

Another truth: Tomlin should be named NFL Coach of the Year but probably won't for the reason mentioned above.

Tomlin is 43-21 in his first four seasons, with one Super Bowl championship, three playoff appearances and two division titles.

Cowher also was 43-21 in his first four seasons, with one Super Bowl appearance, four trips to the playoffs and three division titles.

Tomlin, 38, is darned if he does, darned if he doesn't.

He was praised as a no-nonsense motivator who got everything out of his players when the Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII two years ago.

A year later, he was vilified when the Steelers missed the playoffs.

All Tomlin does is win. But you get the impression that he'll also win big when the majority of his starters have been acquired under his watch. (Tribune)

Where's the rush?

The words should be chilling to Steelers fans.

Asked about the play of his secondary after New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns in a 13-point Steelers loss, coach Mike Tomlin passed the buck to his front seven.

"Our pass defense is a combination of a lot of people. Not only corners but safties and linebackers and (pass) rush,'' Tomlin said. "A lot of the things that went on in that game, many of them were underneath throws that aren't directly involving cornerback play.''

Brady wasn't sacked in 43 attempts. With no consistent pass rush to force him to hurry his throws, Brady had plenty of time to target nine different receivers. Brady averaged 8.1 yards per completion, the highest average permitted by the Steelers this season.

"We weren't able to get consistent pressure,'' said Tomlin after the game.

Two days later, when he had a chance to view game tape, Tomlin added, "We all accept responsibility for our inability to consistently stop the New England Patriots. Coaches, players — everyone. Not only the cornerback position.'' (Tribune)

Tomlin basing bye-week activities on Ravens game

Dangling a carrot in front of his players, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin hinted he may extend their rest time during the bye week depending on the outcome of Sunday's 1 p.m. game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field.The Steelers aren't scheduled to play next weekend. 

"I haven't decided on it, and probably the No. 1 determinant for our bye week activities is how we perform on Sunday,'' Tomlin said.Tomlin's motivational ploy isn't original. Coaches always look for different ways to get more out of their players. According to veteran defensive end Aaron Smith, Tomlin's challenge is unnecessary.

"If you need that to get motivated, you're in the wrong business,'' Smith said Friday. "You should be motivated well beyond that point. Whatever he does with the bye week is what he does.''Under Tomlin, the Steelers are 3-0 in games entering the bye week. (Tribune)

Tomlin has many ties to Tampa

In all likelihood, no player on the field at Raymond James Stadium today will be happier to see Mike Tomlin than Ronde Barber. And he plays on the other team.

Barber is a cornerback for the surprising Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0), who are already one victory away from matching their total of 2009. At age 35, he is in his 14th National Football League season, the oldest player on one of the youngest teams in the league.

But he also is the only player on the Tampa Bay roster who was with the Buccaneers when Tomlin was their secondary coach. That he is still playing, and leading the team with two interceptions, is testament to the impact Tomlin had on his career.

"When I think back, Mike came in and changed my career," said Barber, a five-time Pro Bowl cornerback with 11 defensive touchdowns. "I give him all the credit. I was kind of a nondescript guy until he walked into the building and he changed my attitude completely. I had my first Pro Bowl year and led the league in interceptions with Mike [in 2001]. The guy I've been for the last 10 years is mainly because of what he instilled in me." (PPG)

Tomlin all business for 3rd preseason game

The third preseason game historically is when the starters get the most playing time before the regular season begins — a dress rehearsal, if you will.

Head coach Mike Tomlin felt that same way during his first three years as the Steelers' coach. But that has all changed, and the dress rehearsal has become the real thing.

Tomlin and the Steelers have gone about their business in a very different way this week leading up to today's third preseason game. Pittsburgh visits the Denver Broncos at 8 tonight at Invesco Field.

"This (was) a simulation-type week," Tomlin said.

For the first time, the Steelers approached a preseason game exactly like they would if it was a regular-season game, with the hopes of getting the team in more of a meaningful football mode.

"It doesn't even feel like it is training camp," receiver Hines Ward said. "Taking this approach really helps the younger guys, and for the veteran guys to get back into routine and get prepared for the week."

This was the first week the Steelers have been at their training facility since breaking training camp. (Tribune)

Tomlin won't name starting QB yet for Saturday

Coach Mike Tomlin said the starters will play "24 or so" snaps Saturday night against the Giants. Who will open the Steelers' second preseason game under center has yet to be decided, Tomlin said Thursday following the team's final practice of training camp. "Some of those decisions and things are made last minute in the preseason," Tomlin said during a news conference. "That's just how it goes." Ben Roethlisberger will play in the 7 p.m. road game after not taking any snaps last Saturday against the Lions. He and Byron Leftwich, who started last week, could each get time with the first-team offense. When asked if Dennis Dixon may get some snaps with the starters, Tomlin said, "We'll see. We haven't come to those decisions yet here in the preseason."

Tomlin not telling

Coach Mike Tomlin was non-committal today about which quarterback will start and even whether Ben Roethlisberger will play when the Steelers open their preseason against the Detroit Lions Saturday night at Heinz Field.

"We're going to make you come to the stadium to find out," Tomlin said.

In a morning news conference at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Tomlin said the starter will play anywhere from eight to 12 snaps against the Lions, but he would not reveal whether Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich or Dennis Dixon would be the starting quarterback.

When the Steelers opened training camp nearly two weeks ago, Tomlin had Roethlisberger take the first snap and run the first series with the starting offense.

While saying it's "theoretically" possible Roethlisberger could take some snaps with the second-team offense, Tomlin also said there's a chance his two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback won't play against the Lions. (PPG)

Tomlin extension is official

The Steelers made it official Friday that coach Mike Tomlin has signed a two-year contract extension which includes an option year. If the Steelers pick up the option, Tomlin will be signed through the 2013 season.

The announcement came a week before the opening of training camp at Saint Vincent College, and dispels any speculation that Tomlin would not coach the Steelers beyond this season following a 9-7 record in 2009.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement that Tomlin has climbed the ranks among the top coaches in the NFL "in a relatively short time." Continue