Steelers season wrap up: Tomlin Wednesday

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin addressed the media for the final time as the season officially comes to a close.

Tomlin was reflective and appreciative as he addressed the media for the final time this season. The first thing that stands out from his press conference was his unsolicited offering of gratitude for the support of the fans this season.

"“What can I say about Steeler Nation? There are moments when you sit back and think about elements of the journey, some of them seemingly significant, come of them maybe only significant to you, but there were a lot of elements when you think about the support we have from our unique fan base and the level of appreciation we have for it. It was on display in so many instances.” – Mike Tomlin"

Tomlin recalled the Monday Night Football game in San Diego early in the season where it was evident that Steeler Nation showed up in full force even out on the west coast.

"“Who can forget that San Diego trip? It will probably be one of the things I remember most about this past season, the type of support we had from Steelers Nation in San Diego was amazing. And boy didn’t we need it? We go the length of the field at the end with Michael Vick, who was our third or fourth quarterback at that point, and to do it in that environment. The presence of Steeler Nation in that environment had a lot to do with some of the things we were able to do. Not only that night, but just largely. We don’t take it for granted. We appreciate it. It inspires us.” – Mike Tomlin"

Tomlin thanked everyone in the organization from the Rooney’s to the scouting support staff for their work this season.

The injury update was rather lengthy, as to be expected when a season ends. The good news is that Ben Roethlisberger and DeAngelo Williams will not require surgery for their respective injuries. Also, for the first time this season, Tomlin offered an update on Maurkice Pouncey.

"“Guys with existing health issues, I have a brief synopsis on some of those guys. Maurkice Pouncey is doing great. All of the guys who have had surgeries, whether major or minor over the course of the season, appear to be progressing well. There’s no negative news in regards to their potential availability whenever that might be at the start of 2016.” – Mike Tomlin"

As it stood on Wednesday, there are about six players who will have some kind of surgical procedure done in the near future.

"“Mike Mitchell has to get his left shoulder cleaned up. He will do so the first of next week. We are looking at probably four months there. Jordan Berry, same thing with his right shoulder. He is getting that done on Friday. He is looking at four months. Ryan Shazier and Matt Spaeth are both getting their knees scoped. We are talking about weeks, potentially. David DeCastro and Marcus Gilbert are both getting their ankles scoped; talking about weeks there. We have a few mangled fingers and so forth that need to be fixed, Terence Garvin and a few others. I am not getting into those details. Those are the guys with the surgeries that are scheduled as we sit here today. There are still more MRIs and medical evaluations that need to be done. Maybe that list grows, but that’s a pretty comprehensive list.” – Mike Tomlin"

As the Steelers transition towards the free agency period and player evaluations there are a couple of players who may not feel so confident in their place on the team after hearing Tomlin’s comments. When asked if he was confident that cornerback Cortez Allen, who signed a $25 million contract in 2014, was still capable of being an impact player Tomlin was blunt in his response.

"“I’m not. We’ll see.” – Mike Tomlin"

Tomlin wouldn’t comment as to whether or not Allen was in the team’s plans for next season yet as they’re just in the beginning stages of evaluation and assessment of the players from this season and going forward.

Another player that Tomlin was noncommittal about was backup quarterback Landry Jones. Tomlin wouldn’t commit to endorsing Jones as the backup quarterback going forward at all.

"When asked if he was comfortable with Jones as the backup quarterback going forward Tomlin answered: “Depends on what comfortable is.” And when he was asked if Jones was the backup going forward he replied: “Depends on what my options are.”"

It will be a busy offseason for the Steelers. Tomlin and GM Kevin Colbert are about to hit the road for the Senior Bowl and will be out in Indy for the Combine in February as they prepare for the NFL Draft. There are a lot of decisions to make in regards to free agents and Tomlin was hopeful and optimistic about the process he’s about to go through.

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Even though he showed gratitude and optimism the overall sentiment of the season from Tomlin was one of disappointment and that is because the standard is so high here. The expectations is to play for a Super Bowl each season and although they got a step closer than they did last season they still fell short of that ultimate goal.

"“I’m disappointed. That is just an honest answer. I think we all are. I appreciate the support we get from others, the acknowledgement of the fight and all of that. We go into the journey with the understanding that it’s going to be difficult, it’s going to be a fight, and that a fight is going to be required. We appreciate the support, but at the same time when we said to be World Champions was our goal, we meant it. It’s not us this year so there is disappointment associated with that.” – Mike Tomlin"

You can listen to Tomlin’s entire presser right here.

Obviously count = 3

So that wraps up the 2015 Steelers season. It’s been a wild ride for sure. Steeler Nation knows that the season never truly ends so stay with The Still Curtain for all of your Steelers News until the next kickoff.

Here we go Steelers! Here we go!