Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin discussed several topics ahead of the team’s second preseason game, including player development, team discipline, and expectations for the upcoming season.
When asked about his sideline conversation with tight end Darnell Washington following a penalty for dunking the football over the crossbar after a touchdown in Jacksonville, Tomlin declined to share specifics. “I’ll keep that between Darnell and me, but you can imagine what the tone was. He’s a talented young guy and it was a heckuva play, but that (penalty) doesn’t help us secure victory. That’s not what we’re about. And so it’s important that he received that message, and the quicker, the better. No time like immediate feedback on lessons like that. But I’m sure I probably was the third or fourth person who got to him. I think his position coach (Alfredo Roberts) almost met him on the field of play. And so hopefully that was not only a lesson for him, but a lesson for others as well.”
Tomlin also emphasized that while he values athletic attributes in players such as Washington’s size and ability to dunk in full pads, penalties are detrimental to team success. “I don’t know that ever crossed my mind. I appreciate the measurables and attributes that you mentioned, but not in reference to dunking on the crossbar, because that is a definitive penalty in our game, and penalties don’t help us win football games. This is the ultimate parity league. The difference in most of these games can be just a few points, and when you’re kicking 48-yard extra points, that doesn’t help you secure victory.”
Regarding offensive lineman Broderick Jones’ development during training camp at Saint Vincent College, Tomlin explained his approach: “He needed good-on-good work, and that aids growth and development. He got it. Obviously we’ve got some quality edge people, particularly in our first group defensively… Part of our approach to getting better is Steelers vs. Steelers… Some organizations will go 2s vs 1s…but we’re a 1s vs 1s…type of group…I just think that approach to business really aids his growth and development…He did [see top flight edge rushers], and he performed very well against them.”
Tomlin said rookie tackle Troy Fautanu also required similar developmental opportunities: “Absolutely. They certainly have enough talent…Then their quality of play would be largely determined by their development, and that development requires reps and particularly reps vs good people.”
On whether players have input into their own preparation needs versus coaches making those decisions unilaterally, Tomlin said: “The older player has more input than the younger player…Some conversations are one-way; some conversations are interactive…Some young guys I don’t trust their experience or lack thereof…”
Discussing strategy around revealing new defensive schemes during preseason versus regular season games, Tomlin noted: “Some things we’re just going to do what we do….We are a dog-rush team….those are old school values….But certain wrinkles…we certainly may hold some of those things until regular season football….And then there’s the bucket of things we do that people know we do…”
During an interview on local radio at training camp’s end in Latrobe regarding his defense’s potential this year Tomlin said: “We feel really good about the prospects of this group….We’ve got enough talent; we’ve got enough schematics to do big big things….And when I say big things I’m talking about historic things.” Asked later what he meant by “historic,” he clarified: “I say that based on my experience….Elite defenses deliver world championships….Elite defenses are on cover of Sports Illustrated….I simply was saying I think we’ve got enough ingredients …to make [that] a goal…”
The addition of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers was also addressed by Tomlin who described reaching mutual comfort through conversations focused on Rodgers’ relationship with football at this stage in his career: “Certainly on a personal level but not from a football talent or resume perspective,…I’m sure he was evaluating me and us as much as I was evaluating him…” On how comfort developed between them: “…it certainly was a series of conversations….it was more about what he was looking for at this stage …his love affair with the game,…his desire to lead…”
Tomlin reflected on balancing coaching relationships with players alongside changes brought by NFL business realities over nearly two decades as head coach: “It’s easy….When I deal with guys,…I don’t see dollar signs…..Day-to-day when you’re doing mundane things…, you deal with men…,you deal with men as collective…,on individual basis…..dollar signs are distant component…”
Asked about organizing joint practices—such as Thursday’s session with Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium—Tomlin cited respect for Bucs coach Todd Bowles plus logistical compatibility as key factors: “Generally,…organization has to be appropriate dance partner,…I have lot respect for Coach Todd Bowles…,philosophically…,knew we’d have potential for good productive day….also has be appropriate logistically…”
Looking ahead to tonight’s preseason matchup against Tampa Bay—the second exhibition contest—Tomlin outlined what would constitute progress from week one performance: “It’s reasonable expect us play cleaner,..function more fluidly,..not often revealed statistics or film…..how communicate,..exchange personnel groups…,use more personnel groups…,carry larger menu……there’ll be some more game planning specific competing against Buccaneers because practiced against them……Aside from what they have manage,..expect better quality play from (the Buccaneers)…”
Finally addressing decisions around which players participate in preseason games versus being held out—a topic raised after last week’s opener—Tomlin said criteria remain similar each week though informed by additional practice exposure since previous game.
