Steelers Morning Huddle 9/4/2013

Huddle up!

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE

Good Morning Steeler Nation! Can you believe the NFL regular season kicks off tomorrow night? In the mean-time, here’s what’s being said about your Pittsburgh Steelers around the block.

Coach Tomlin’s weekly presser

Steelers head coach gave his first regular season press conference before the Steelers kick off against the Titans on Sunday afternoon.  As usual, Tomlin began the presser by talking up the opponent.  If you’re not familiar with his press conferences, he typically makes the opponent sound like they were the greatest team ever assembled. Tomlin discussed Titans QB Jake Locker and how the team is prepared to see some read-option from him.  Also, Tomlin discussed how the addition of safety Bernard Pollard enhances the defense for Tennessee.  When asked about Gregg Williams as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator Tomlin said,

"“I’m sure they didn’t hire Gregg to hold cards. They are going to be a formidable group.”"

In addition to talking up the Titans, Tomlin went over the injury situation on the team.  Will Johnson is nursing a hamstring; Jarvis Jones is participating in practice and will be evaluated at the end of the week. Heath Miller is participating in individual trills and is being closely monitored. Redman was cleared and officially named the starter for Sunday while Le’Veon Bell is out of his walking boot and will be a partial participant in practice this week.

The team is expecting Zoltan Mesko to be ready to go as punter and holder for Shaun Suisham. LaRod Stephens-Howling is expected to take the kick return duties while Markus Wheaton and Antonio Brown will handle punt returns. Tomlin also noted that they will operate under a tight end by committee to start the season.

Looking forward to more Tomlinisms this season, which he is surely to do with each press conference each week.

Mike Tomlin on Steelers vs Titans

Where do the Steelers fall in Power Rankings?

With Week 1 in the NFL officially underway, several media outlets have released their initial Power Rankings of the teams.  On Fox Sports 1’s rankings, the Steelers are listed at #20 citing the departures from the team due to salary cap issues and free agency. Brian Billick doesn’t think the Steelers have done enough to fill the voids left by the players lost. ESPN ranked the Steelers at #16 overall citing the only offseason addition to the O-line was Guy Whimper. That seems a little out of context when you think of the fact that David DeCastro is basically a newbie, having spent his rookie season on IR and coming back healthy now.

Steelers sweating to the oldies

The Pittsburgh Steelers surprised an exercise class of senior citizens at the Vintage Senior Center in East Liberty Tuesday morning by joining them for their workout. President Art Rooney II, Kelvin Beachum, Chris Carter, DaMon Cromartie-Smith, Cam Heyward, and Maurkice Pouncey all worked out with the group as part of the United Way of Allegheny County’s “Month of Living Generously.”

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