Mike Tomlin couldn't say enough nice things.
I mean, we have been through these Mike Tomlin media gatherings before --- so we know how they go. He goes down the roster of the next opponent and seemingly has a thumbnail on every guy.
He says something nice, moves on to the next guy and keeps going until he's talked about every single guy. I actually find it enlightening as it speaks to Tomlin's detailed plan.
Anyhow, in the run-up to this week's Steelers/Eagles game, Tomlin couldn't stop when it came to Philly tight end Zach Ertz.
Man, does he love the guy or what?
Certainly Ertz is a great player and part of the weaponry that maybe, just maybe, might cause a bit of a headache for the Steelers. I don't think the Eagles' offense will offer much of a punch, but if it comes, it will come in the form of Ertz.
Talking about Ertz does twist into focus one rumbling that just about everyone who consumes the Pittsburgh Steelers has either said or thought to themselves over the past 19 games.
It is this: Can Devin Bush be a little bit exposed by a pass catching tight end? Maybe even more than a little bit exposed?
You want to know the real, true, only answer? It is "yes."
But that's just the reality and will always be the reality. Try this one on for size: Every football player --- even the greats --- have a hole in their game.
Bush can't control his as it comes in the form of him being just a smidge over 5 feet 10. Heck, the great Sam Mills was just 5 feet 9 and one of the most devastating inside linebackers to ever grace a gridiron.
That said, no matter what, the Steelers are always going to live with ---- and fans are always going to yell about --- Bush being susceptible to that rangy tight end catching passes over him.
I have some advice. Learn to live with it.
That's just the way of the world and, in a way, should make you understand the freak that Ryan Shazier truly was playing the inside linebacker position at about 6 feet 2.
But back to Bush …
He is such a great run-stopper and an unbelievably cerebral football player that he fits and will always fit. He was worth trading up for.
It is glaringly evident early-on in his career that he does so many things well that you just kind of have to live with the fact the inevitable --- a tight end catching a high pass over him --- will happen here and there.
That's the realism; and it probably will be to some degree this week. You just shrug your shoulders and move on to the next down.
Seems like everyone not named Ertz who can catch a pass for the Eagles is hurt.
So if Ertz doesn't hurt the Steelers, I don't know who the guy is who will.
Still, though --- Ertz has the potential to do damage.
He has pulled in 19 passes in four games for the 1-2-1 Eagles. He grabbed a touchdown against Washington and was targeted 10 times in a tie against the Bengals.
His numbers aren't lofty this season (largely because the Eagles stink) but his pedigree certainly is.
At 6 feet 5 and 250 pounds with the ability to get off the line and run vertical routes, crossing routes and also sit down in the middle of the field, Ertz is the precise template of a guy who has caused the Steelers' defense fits for what seems like 20 years.
Will Sunday be different?
I don't know.
I think Ertz could have a whale of a ballgame but it won't matter much; Philly appears pretty punchless in so many other facets that I don't think they can beat the Steelers.
I do know this: There is about a 1,000,000 percent chance at some point he will catch a ball over the middle. And right in stride with him will be Devin Bush.
And Devin Bush will have pretty good to really good coverage --- but the realities of a guy giving away a half-a-foot will kick in and Ertz will snatch the ball high over him.
It is bound to happen. I can almost guarantee it.
Know what? It is going to happen a lot in the future, too.
I'm no doctor, but I'd bet Devin Bush is done growing.
It is just a matter of mitigating deep gains and, hopefully for the Steelers, doing enough to get pressure that such catches don't happen regularly for touchdowns.
So yell all you want. Get mad if you like and think that something needs to be adjusted.
Me? I've learned to live with it because Devin Bush is so good everywhere else.
