Steelers vs. Chiefs: Tomlin Tuesday

While most Steelers fans still have that Landry Jones glow on their faces head coach Mike Tomlin has to get down to the business of preparing for the next game. Tuesday he took to the podium in his usual spot to review the previous game, update injury statuses, preview the upcoming game and answer questions.

To start the presser off Tomlin acknowledged that the Steelers’ performance on Sunday in their win over the Cardinals wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough to win. He noted the disturbing trend on offense in the first half in their inability to convert short-yardage third downs.

The Steelers has two 3^rd – and -1 and two 3^rd– and – 3 and failed to convert any of them. That problem could be attributed to Michael Vick being at quarterback, but that’s not a good enough reason for the team to overlook those deficiencies in practice this week, especially in preparing to go up against the likes of Tamba Hali and Justin Houston.

On defense Tomlin thought the Steelers gave up too many big plays. Granted, they held the NFL’s top offense to 13 points, but they did allow Carson Palmer to throw for 421 yards. You don’t want to rest on those laurels either.

On special teams Tomlin gave one of his newest Tomlinisms saying that the unit “Left more meat on the bone” which is to say that they gave away chances to make better plays. They could have had more return yards out of Antonio Brown and special teams penalties can always set a team back in field position.

For the injury update we all know the Steelers had to put left tackle Kelvin Beachum on season-ending IR on Monday with a torn ACL. In response the team signed Byron Stingily, who previously played under now-Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak when he was the head coach of the Tennessee Titans.

Elsewhere on the injury front there is news regarding Will Allen and Stephon Tuitt. Allen missed Sundays’ game with an ankle injury and Tuitt left the game early with a knee injury.

"“Will Allen is still working through his ankle injury. We’ll see what participation for him looks like as we push through the week. Stephon Tuitt, who sprained his knee in the game, we’ll take a look at him as we proceed through the week as well. I saw him walking pretty good (Monday), and we’ll see what (Wednesday) holds in terms of his ability to bounce back or not bounce back. We’ll do what’s appropriate there.” – Mike Tomlin"

Tomlin then went on to add that he expects linebackers Jarvis Jones and Ryan Shazier to be full practice participants this week as well as be available for Sunday’s game in Kansas City.

When it came to the quarterback situation Tomlin didn’t waste any time dealing with what-if scenarios and announced that as of Tuesday, Landry Jones is the healthy man so he will get the start on Sunday.

"“As regards to Ben (Roethlisberger) and Mike Vick, we’re just simply going to play it by ear. I think it’s prudent and appropriate right now that we proceed with the assumption that Landry is our quarterback this week. He is the one who’s healthy. The other guys have elements of questions regarding their health, so we’ll go day-by-day and look at their availability and effectiveness, and we’ll do what’s right with those guys.” – Mike Tomlin"

Tomlin then went on to describe the 1-5 Kansas City Chiefs as if their offense was ‘The Greatest Show on Turf’ and their defense is the ’85 Bears, as he normally does when talking up the upcoming opponents. Not that the Steelers should take the 1-5 record lightly, by any means at all. This is an AFC game they have to win to stay competitive.

Naturally, Tomlin was asked if he was shocked (like the rest of us) by Landry Jones’ performance when he entered the game.

"“I wasn’t shocked by his performance. He has logged as many preseason snaps as anybody in the history of preseason football and took good advantage of those repetitions, like we talked about back in the preseason. But I acknowledge that’s just preseason, and preseason is not an indication of what regular season football is about. We were not shocked by his performance, but we were pleased by it, because doing it in a regular season game is a little different than doing it in a preseason game.” – Mike Tomlin"

At the same time giving credit to Landry for stepping into his first ever NFL action and performing the way he did, Tomlin wasn’t about to gloat or gush about his former 3^rd string quarterback.

"“He made some nice plays. He’s a professional quarterback. We’re not going to throw a pep rally or a party because of it. He did what was expected. He needs to continue to work and prepare this week and deliver some plays.” – Mike Tomlin"

Mike Tomlin was also asked about defense end Cameron Heyward and his public ongoing battle with the NFL over his “Ironhead” message on his eye black (a tribute to his late father, who passed away from cancer in 2006), which the NFL is fining him for and which he is appealing. Tomlin said that he has spoken to Heyward about his decision to continue wearing the eye black, knowing he will be fined and he respects him for it.

"“I had a brief conversation with him and I understand his perspective. He’s trying to pay homage and honor those that deal with and fight cancer. Boy what a worthy cause. I know we spend a lot of time in the National Football League collectively honoring those and I think what he is doing is a part of it. I understand the league office probably has a different view. I’ll let him sort it out with those guys. I understand the gist of what he is trying to do and I respect him for it.” – Mike Tomlin"

Tomlin also confirmed in answering questions that center Maurkice Pouncey did not have a second surgery on his ankle, as reported last week. That may be some good news.

On to the Chiefs!

Obviously count = 9

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

Here we go Steelers! Here we go!

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