PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – For the first time publicly, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin discussed having Cam Sutton back on the team despite charges of misdemeanor battery in Florida.
The Steelers head coach said certainly they did their due diligence on what Sutton is being accused of, but obviously believed there was more to the story. Sutton was the team’s third-round pick in 2017. Tomlin said it’s about the how long they’ve known each other rather than something that was said recently.
“He's a great guy,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “He loves football. It's probably the totality of our relationship and I probably represent the sentiment of the organization and saying that it's less about specific conversations, particularly of late, and it's about the relationship established over a longer period of time.”
Nearly perfect
All Steelers were at the first day mandatory mini-camp on the South Side except for tailback Najee Harris. Tomlin said he had a prior appointment that was approved by him and will be at practice on Wednesday.
“Really excited about the work we're able to do here today,” Tomlin said. “I thought the competition was at a high level. Love the energy and enthusiasm,
but really, I just think that's reflective of where it's been all spring.”
“I think the significant step we're taking here is we just introduced some
more situational ball this week. The closer we get to training camp, the closer our work needs to be more football like. We acknowledge these drills that we're doing are football, but not necessarily real football, obviously, because the dress that we're in and so forth, but you’re starting to infuse some situations, some two minute, and things of that nature.”
“It really just elevates the teaching and learning and understanding that’s there to be gained and so that's the mindset that we're approaching this week. That's what we're trying to get done in totality.”
New offensive voice
Last year whether he was forced or not, Tomlin did something he had never done and the team hadn’t ever done. He fired a coordinator during the season as Matt Canada was let go. Mike Sullivan and Eddie Faulkner were named co-offensive coordinators and the team had some success, but Tomlin said they would go with an outside voice. Sullivan and Faulkner were kept to work with former Tennessee OC and Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith.
As for how that transition is going?
“Man, I just liked the energy and detail he brings,” Tomlin said. “The competitive spirit that he brings up. It creates a really good environment. He's doing a
really good job of selling his system of football to the players. You know, increasing the level of understanding.”
“He loves to coach, I'd imagine it's refreshing for him to get focused on a certain component of the job again, it's just a lot to be excited about.”