PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he is not changing his offensive line after offensive struggles on Sunday.
While it may be the quick fix, they just have had this configuration of the line together for a couple of weeks. Plus, while there are some veterans behind the younger players, they mostly weren’t wanted by other teams.
Tampa Bay had massive salary cap room. They essentially brought everyone back on their team except Joe Haig. It’s not because they couldn’t afford him.
BJ Finney was nearly out of the league due to being out of shape last season with Seattle and the Bengals. Rashaad Coward graded out as the worst offensive lineman last year with the Bears. He hasn’t dressed this season. JC Hassenauer didn’t start at Alabama and was beaten out by Kendrick Green even though the rookie only played four games at center in college.
“We just got to keep working,” Tomlin said. “Development is that. It’s development. It doesn’t happen in an instant. It doesn’t happen overnight.”
“At the same time there is urgency. We have ballgames to win in the midst of all this. We will continue to work that balance of doing what we have to do in an effort to pursue victory. While at the same time growing individually and collectively in areas where we are extremely young or inexperienced from a cohesion standpoint.”
Why Not Derek Watt
They are paying fullback Derek Watt over three million dollars this year. He has taken four offensive snaps, zero against the Raiders. What about adding him to help open up holes for the run game.
“That’s an option as well,” Tomlin said. “We have a limited number of snaps available to us in a preparation standpoint. We make decisions week-in and week-out based on matchups. Our perceived strengths versus their potential perceived strengths.”
“He’s a very credible fullback. Some weeks he is going to be featured. Some weeks he going to not be featured. Sometimes it may have nothing to do with his capabilities. It’s just the nature of this thing.”
Tomlin said it’s a similar issue trying to get snaps for receiver James Washington.
Not Najee’s Fault
“With each passing quarter, he’s been better,” Tomlin said of rookie tailback Najee Harris. “Not that that is unexpected.”
Tomlin said Harris is learning about how to prepare for games. He believes he will continue to get better and let his ‘natural talents’ come out and play.
Hits On Ben
“Ben took too many hits,” Tomlin said of the 10 on Sunday. “We can run the ball better. We can get the ball out of his hand quicker. We can stay on schedule and not get behind the sticks and get in situations that the line to gain is so far it enhances the rush.”
Is there No, No Huddle
Roethlisberger mentioned after the game on Sunday they have no, no huddle offense. Just a two-minute offense.
“He was probably referencing last week,” Tomlin said. “It wasn’t in the plan last week. We don’t try to limit ourselves in any way. Obviously you guys have watched us for any length of time know we are no huddle capable.”