Steelers vs. Chiefs: Tomlin Tuesday
By Kim Myers
The Steelers took one on the chin repeatedly on Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia but now’s the time to focus on the next opponent.
With that in mind head coach Mike Tomlin took to the podium on Tuesday in his usual spot to review the previous game, update injury statuses, preview the upcoming game and answer questions.
There was no sugar coating the 34-3 the Eagles dealt the Steelers on Sunday. Tomlin didn’t even try.
"“We got our butts kicked and we kicked our butts as well.” – Mike Tomlin"
Tomlin explained that just about everything was bad in the game; from the coaching down to the execution and that the most important thing is how the team responds to this kind of game.
"“You have an opportunity to learn about yourselves in how you respond to adversity.” – Mike Tomlin"
Injuries
The injury front is about as good as that game was. The training room is packed this week with guys like Ramon Foster, Eli Rogers, Ryan Shazier and Robert Golden. Lawrence Timmons suffered a puncture wound in his leg during the Eagles game which was treated at a local hospital and is fine now.
The puncture wound wasn’t really addressed that much and I feel like that is a let down by the Pittsburgh media. How does one sustain a puncture wound on a football field? What punctured Timmons? Was it something gross? Was it something Philly-related? We need answers.
Safety Sean Davis also has a back injury that makes his participation questionable this week. Cody Wallace and Roosevelt Nix, however, could return this week from their respective injuries.
Kansas City Chiefs preview
On the Kansas City Chiefs Tomlin expects to see similar schemes as what they got from the Eagles, partly because they clearly worked so well so why wouldn’t more coaches try that and also because Eagles coach Doug Pederson came from the Kansas City coaching staff.
He also went on to describe quarterback Alex Smith like he was Joe Montana and the defense like they’re an impenetrable wall like he typically does when describing an opponent.
During his rundown of the Chiefs’ secondary he does provide us with this week’s Tomlinism. Kansas City got to feast on the interception buffet that Ryan Fitzpatrick put out last week but that doesn’t mean that Marcus Peters and Eric Berry need to be taken lightly.
Tomlin explained how the two are moved around the field to create opportunities for turnovers.
"“They’re very multiple with the things they ask them to do.” – Mike Tomlin"
Questions
When it came time for question and answer Tomlin wasn’t here for going bit by bit over the failures from the Philadelphia game. He repeated that it was on the coaching staff to do better in terms of getting the players in position to be better and on the players to be better themselves.
He did address the return of running back Le’Veon Bell from his three-game suspension and explained that we’ll be seeing a lot of him on Sunday.
"“We are going to let practice be our guide in terms of that division of labor. His level of conditioning is not a concern to us. A guy that is highly conditioned over a 12-month calendar. We have seen him every day, he has been a part of us, and he has been in the building. He is up to speed on what we are doing from a schematic standpoint and really in tune there. We will see how sharp he is physically once we get on the practice field. But rest assured, you are going to see Le’Veon Bell and probably a lot of him on Sunday.” – Mike Tomlin"
Tomlin also noted that cornerback Justin Gilbert should see his first action this week with Robert Golden potentially sidelined and some shuffling in the secondary having to cover him. Gilbert is also on tap to work in the kick and punt return department.
"“He works that area (kick return) just about daily. He is doing nice things for us in practice not just in special teams, but getting up to snuff on defense. He is past the learning what to do stage now and moving onto the critical element of gaining enough detail to be successful where we are comfortable and he is comfortable. I like the progress he has made so far.” – Mike Tomlin"
So Tomlin must really be watching his “Obviously” use because his averages are way down this year.
Obviously Count = 5
You can listen to Tomlin’s entire presser right here.
Bring on the Chiefs!
Here we go Steelers! Here we go!