PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan – Mike Tomlin addressed other topics than being on the hot seat during his weekly news conference. What he said about the change in the offense against the Ravens, the controversial replay overturns, potentially filling in for Darnell Washington and Cam Heyward still balling at 36.
Change in offense
It wasn’t even the 27 points as much as it was the highest passing total in Aaron Rodgers Steelers career, 284 yards and it was just an offense that dinked and dunked.
“I thought we were aggressive schematically on offense and beyond that we had the playmaking to go with it,” Tomlin said. “We were aggressive down the grass, DK obviously was a central component of that, so was guys like Calvin Austin. That was a big third down and three down the grass, really was a whisker away from going 75 or so. We were able to hit Jaylen Warren out of the backfield versus some pressure on a third down play and he was able to run it in from about 40 yards out. That certainly aids execution and flips the field.”
Controversial plays
A potential game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter, a second-half interception deep in Steelers territory, a couple of the plays that were originally called for the Ravens and then overturned by replay. Mike Tomlin said he’s learned to just forget about calls that go against you.
“I moved on from Jesse James for example,” Tomlin said. “There are gonna be controversial calls in big games. I think I always focus my energy on making enough plays to minimize that in terms of determining the outcome of the game. That's why you won't hear me calling New York post game for explanations and things of that nature. It's not gonna change the outcome. I just work to keep moving and I just like to put together a comprehensive enough plan and make enough plays where the game's outcome doesn't hinge on a on one play or or a couple of plays.”
What if no Darnell
Mike Tomlin mentioned part of the issues getting the running game going against Baltimore was the loss of tight end Darnell Washington to concussion protocol. Tomlin asked if they have players who can do the things that Washington does?
“You certainly can, but they're weight classes in combat sports for a reason,” Tomlin said. “And you know, he's significantly bigger than others that you replace him with and sometimes that's the difference.”
Veteran WRs
Steelers brought up Marquez Valdes-Scantling from the practice squad and Adam Thielen played 25 snaps despite joining the team on Wednesday of last week.
“You know, just veteran guys, been-there-done-that guys,” Tomlin said. “As I mentioned, as the road gets narrow in December it's good to have those guys
in the fold, guys that have experience in rising up in those moments. Certainly, statistics might not bear it out (combined for one catch for four yards), but I thought they were an asset to us, and it's reasonable to expect that to improve and increase as we continue.”
Tomlin said Scotty Miller dressed instead of second-year receiver Roman Wilson because Miller is a ‘capable backup punt returner’.
Heyward follow up season
Last year Cam Heyward was rated the best defensive lineman by Pro Football Focus. Through 13 games, the Steelers captain is there again, a 89.9 overall rating ahead of Jeffery Simmons, Poona Ford, Quinnen Williams and Sheldon Rankins. He’s doing it at age 36.
“He's an outlier,” Tomlin said. “There are some outliers in every discussion. And guys like he and Calais Campbell, for example, are outliers. He is a quality leader in every way. And I think certainly he understands our collective circumstance at times and he's always willing to do whatever he needs to do to help us win.