PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – When asked how the Steelers have been able to rebound after a rough first-half of December, TJ Watt said something most probably weren’t expecting.
The easy answer would have been Mason Rudolph helped lead us to a pair of wins. That’s why they have a shot at the playoffs. He could have said the offense in general, or guys on defense stepping up. Watt’s answer as to why they still have a shot was two words.
Mike Tomlin
“I’ve said all along my whole career here, never too high, never too low, always consistent,” Watt said. “The team meetings are always incredible. I wish everybody had the chance to sit in those team meetings.”
“I think it’s just him giving a great message to us and us running with it. Guys having true belief in this locker room and the guys in it. There has been a lot of outside noise, but at the end of the day guys have been working their asses off and trusting in each other.”
“It doesn’t matter how depleted we are, we understand that is happening all over the league. If we want to win games, it’s going to take the guys in this building. We’ve taken and run with it and I think none of that is possible without Mike T. at the helm.”
Watt said it’s not just the football lessons, but the life lessons. How he is able to intertwine them so it’s most relatable to the players. Watt said he’s fortunate to play for a coach like Tomlin.
You may have made your mind up about the 17th year head coach. Pointing to the playoff losses or just lack of postseason wins recently. Thoughts that he’s lost the room with a couple of situations with George Pickens. Players aren’t buying it. They believe it’s his leadership that has given them the opportunity to be in the playoffs again even with the adversity of the season.
“His positive energy,” said linebacker Mykal Walker. “We are losing games, bad. (And) Every day he shows up to work as the same person. I think everybody jumped on the ship.”
“I’ve had some great coaches in my life. There is something about him. He brings excellence out of you.”
“He’s very direct when he is speaking to us,” said receiver Diontae Johnson. “I feel those messages get us hyped, stuff that we need to hear. We are not perfect. We just come to work and try to do our best. That’s all we can do and we are going to continue to do that.”
He said the team has not tuned out his message. It’s something that is paid attention to every morning. He always has pointers on how they can improve. Chandon Sullivan said behind the scenes he’s critical of players. He tells them it’s a job, but reinforces if you put the hours in with attention to detail, the results will come.
“Treat us like grown men, don’t baby us,” Sullivan said. “At the same time, give us the respect we deserve. That’s what they do a good job of doing here. Who doesn’t want to play for a coach like that.”
“When I first got signed to this team, I said I always wanted to play for Mike T.,” Walker said. “There is a certain level of expectations that he demands. Most times it’s not even words, it’s just the presence that he has.
He demands excellence.”
“I think just him as a whole,” said linebacker Elandon Roberts, who also played for Bill Belichick and Brian Flores. “A leader amongst men. How he approaches it. How he looks at the game. You just really see the detail and diligence in why he is where is he from a coaching standpoint. It’s great to be able to say he’s my head coach.”
“His leadership has always been effective,” Johnson said. “Just because we don’t win a few games doesn’t mean his leadership isn’t what it’s been. He’s still Coach Tomlin. He’s still going to be him and we’re still going to follow him.”
This story is not to say Tomlin hasn’t made mistakes. Isn’t responsible for losses like New England and Arizona. It’s to allow you to see what the players are saying about their head coach in the midst of a rollercoaster season.