Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin addressed several topics in a recent interview, focusing on the team’s adjustments following the injury to safety DeShon Elliott and upcoming challenges as they prepare to face the Indianapolis Colts.
With Elliott sidelined due to a hyperextended knee, Tomlin outlined the team’s approach for filling his role. “It’ll be a collection of people, to be quite honest with you. We’ve acquired some safeties during the course of this journey, since this train left the station. Chuck Clark, we picked up about a few days into training camp back in Latrobe. Jabrill Peppers is another guy we picked up along the way, I think right before Week 3. We were able to acquire Kyle Dugger this week. And so we’ve got a collection of guys who are not new to the National Football League, and that helps the process, but certainly it’s a challenge being new to Pittsburgh, our language, working with our guys, and so we’ve just been working diligently this week. Their experience helps them, but certainly we’re urgent about this process, and in getting that collective ready. When you lose somebody like DeShon, it’s never a one person job. Usually it’s a multi-person job. We also have some personnel flexibility in terms of the defensive packages that we can put on the field. We can put an additional linebacker on the field in the form of a big nickel, if you will. You know, that’s Payton Wilson. And so we got a bunch of irons in the fire because it is required. We’ll get a sense as it unfolds, who’s communicating the best, performing with the greatest fluidity, and their talents are showing up. And as you know, as the process wears on, I’m sure we’ll gain clarity there.”
Tomlin confirmed that communication responsibilities would shift accordingly: “No. We moved Jalen Ramsey exclusively to safety this week, to offset. Jalen has played outside corner, he’s played nickel corner, he’s played safety. Given the circumstances, we felt it was prudent to lock him down specifically at free safety, and so he’ll be a constant hub of communication to assist all of those potential candidates who I mentioned in processing and playing.”
Addressing defensive strategy after recent struggles with missed tackles and errors on tape—issues often associated with cohesion rather than talent—Tomlin said: “I think when you’re not getting what you desire, you take the opposing offense equation out of it…And how do we best fluently communicate? How do our talents best show? How do we play fast and with emotion? And so certainly I am in a Chuck Noll mindset regarding where we are defensively…We need to reduce because the amount of errors on our tape tells us to…Oftentimes people think missed tackles are talent related…But sometimes it’s just lack of cohesion…”
When asked whether seeking turnovers interferes with tackling fundamentals during games or practices Tomlin responded: “it’s certainly a risk to manage…but I don’t think it has been a negative impact on our tackling…We’ve just got to tackle better…When you’re in chase you ball search; when you’re first hitter you don’t; when you’re second hitter you certainly do…”
On offensive formations involving an extra lineman such as Spencer Anderson’s current role—a position previously held by Zach Banner—Tomlin emphasized football intellect and athletic background: “Football intellect…A couple guys who have had success with us in that space – Zach Banner …and now Spencer Anderson – they’ve got to be sharp guys….Spencer Anderson for example was tight end as teenager….Those are usually type athletes comfortable with things go becoming eligible when you’ve been an ineligible…”
Asked about facing an Indianapolis offense highly ranked across most categories according NFL weekly team rankings (with top-7 finishes in 16 out 17 categories), Tomlin said he does not set specific point goals based on statistics: “I don’t [think about needing 30 points]….this is National Football League….Every weekend you’ve got prove it….You begin anew every weekend…”
Regarding Colts running back Jonathan Taylor’s performance compared favorably last year’s Saquon Barkley campaign Tomlin commented: “Man he’s got it all….He’s playing like Saquon Barkley was playing last year …He has all those physical talents….he’s also giving tough yards situational moments…”
Discussing Colts quarterback Daniel Jones—currently rated second among AFC quarterbacks despite past setbacks—Tomlin highlighted environmental factors affecting player development: “He certainly has all physical talent…Sometimes performance is environmental …structure which work schematics etc….There’s lot things could produced his journey New York but certainly you’re seeing things now made him sixth overall pick draft…”
Comparing defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s system now used by Indianapolis after six seasons leading Cincinnati’s defense Tomlin observed strong similarities between both schemes: “Every single bit of it..Schematically parallels unbelievable…Lou has mode operation …most successful long tenure coordinators do…”
On Colts coach Shane Steicken’s run game balance Tomlin explained its significance for sustaining drives through technical execution combined with effective play-action passing.
Finally addressing procedures ahead trade deadline Nov 4th Tomlin stated such activity is routine across league organizations: “That’s standard operating procedure for us…I think everybody is potential buyer everybody potential seller…It doesn’t get way day-to-day or things need prepare next game…It’s part process.”
