PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The expectations are high. Last year the Steelers were able to improve after the bye week and Mike Tomlin expects that to happen again this year.
The Steelers head coach said the time they've had for reflection and self-analysis should be 'a springboard for better performance, better strategy and better division of labor'. That's what they studied last week before they got into game planning this week.
What those changes are, Tomlin didn't want to divulge because he thought it would give a competitive advantage to the Rams. If he talked strategy, it would mean LA could use that to implement into their game plan on Sunday.
Better after bye
Last year the Steelers were 7-2 after their bye week, 6-4-1 the year previous, 9-4 in 2020, 6-4 in 2019. Tomlin has typically won the game immediate from the guy. Why is that?
"I don't know," Tomlin said.
As for how he takes what he learned from previous success following an off week to this year.
"To be honest with you, I really don't think a lot about comparing this one to other ones," Tomlin said. "There's so many different variables in terms of the players and the challenges that this journey holds for us. We have the experience of previous journeys, but those are my experiences, not this collective's experience."
"And so I better be continually better based on my experience. I better apply that experience to this group and this journey. Sometimes it's things that are similar, sometimes it's things that are different. That's just the nature of it. That's why I love it."
"It's always a challenge. It never gets stale. There's urgency every day of our professional lives. We better be working to get better to find that traction that allows us to be a consistent winner, to be significant as the road gets narrow. That's what all 32 are aspiring to do."
Inside linebackers
Last year relatively nothing of coincidence from the Steelers middle linebackers, so they changed the entire position group except for rookie Mark Robinson. Signed Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts to multi-year contracts and added Kwon Alexander near the start of training camp and they are starting to see some results.
"I like some of the plays that they're making, some splash plays," Tomlin said. "I think with each passing week they're getting better at some real fundamental things. How we divide the labor up and the understanding of how we utilize their talents, the communication that comes with being a second level player in the middle of our defense, and particularly in home game environments."
"I can't say that enough. Home game environments are challenging for opposing offenses. They're also extremely challenging for home defenses. We got some new guys, particularly in central communication positions and I think with each opportunity at home it's felt better, it gets better in game, but it's also felt better at the beginning and hopefully that continues because we got to communicate and play with great fluidity and connectedness on defense at home."
The first opportunity post-bye is on the road. The defense will be challenged by a couple of impact receivers and a veteran quarterback. There is also Aaron Donald on the other side.
Every game is important, but especially how this division is shaping up this year. Can Tomlin return this team to the playoffs and then more? There are 12 games to work it out.
