PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There were other topics besides the quarterbacks or running backs on Tuesday at the Mike Tomlin news conference. From offensive line to the Colts challenge to getting Roman Wilson on the field, here are some Tomlin notes.
Corner pocket
As how the secondary is helping the front seven with the rush, Tomlin was quick to go the other way when discussing Joey Porter, Junior and Donte Jackson.
“They've done the job, but it's week-to-week at corner,” Tomlin said with a smile. “I'm going to keep challenging those two. One's young and the other one is little. I like challenging them. But make no mistake, they're riding the wave that the front has provided but we've invested a lot in resources and time into that group. So we're not surprised by their effectiveness.”
Roman waiting
He was a full participant the last couple of practices, but rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson was inactive for the game on Sunday. This even with the team only dressing four receivers. What does the third-round pick from Michigan have to do?
“He has to keep working,” Tomlin said.
“It's very difficult to get on a moving train. All you have to do is look at Dean Lowry, for example. There's a veteran guy that missed a substantial amount of training camp and it was a third game before he got a hat. Although he's been healthy for three weeks. So, that gets multiplied when you're talking about a guy that has no NFL experience like Roman.
“So, my advice to Roman is to keep working and take that opportunity when that door is left ajar and be ready when it is.”
OLB depth
With Alex Highsmith at least out a game, DeMarvin Leal will fill the back-up spot for Nick Herbig who moves to a starter. Tomlin said he’s been working both outside linebacker and defensive line pretty consistently.
“Really I don't view that as a significant issue in terms of him elevating and getting more opportunity,” Tomlin said. “It's more of the same really. It's probably more of what he desires to do because he definitively wants to play. This guy's had a good team development process. And I'm excited about what he's going to do with increased opportunities just as much as I am that Herbig did with his.”
OL rotation
In Denver we saw Troy Fautanu and Broderick Jones rotate at right tackle. Now with Fautanu out indefinitely, what Tomlin said of the job Jones did back in his starting spot.
“Broderick has a great deal of confidence in himself, particularly for a young guy,” Tomlin said. “The performance was what it was in Denver, he didn't make excuses or seek comfort. He simply acknowledged it and went back to work. I think when you take that approach, you really tee yourself up for the appropriate bounce back, and he did.”
Against the Chargers, the Steelers rotated rookie Mason McCormick and second-year Spencer Anderson at left guard. They are filling the spot of Isaac Seumalo, who has the possibility to return on Sunday, but has yet to go through a full practice since the pectoral injury.
“He's a talented young guy,” Tomlin said of McCormick. “He's done a nice job in team development. He's had a lot of success in college. No stage is too big for him. He's not a blinker. He runs to the action. I like the ‘finish mentality’ in his play. I think it's contagious. I think all of our guys, young guys, have that finish trait.”
Giddy up
The Colts are just ahead of the Steelers in team rushing yards and did that in 35 fewer attempts. Colts are third in the NFL averaging 5.4 yards per attempt. Steelers shutdown the previously top running team in the Chargers. This matchup will feature a mobile quarterback for the first time.
“Man, we've got a big challenge in Jonathan Taylor,” Tomlin said. “I think that challenge is intensified because of [Anthony] Richardson's mobility and their
willingness to use schematics regarding Richardson's mobility. So, man, it is a big run-game emphasis for us as I sit here right now at the early outset of the week, looking at things that they do well and the things that we need to do well.”
Tomlin added they can’t fall asleep on the passing game because Indy has the receivers and Richardson has the arm to get behind the defense.
“If you don't keep a lid on it, you're going to have major problems playing anyone, but particularly a group like this in their venue,” Tomlin said.