PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It wasn't just the receiver room or the injuries that Mike Tomlin discussed leading into the opening game, here are some other notes and quotes from the Steelers head coach.
New guard
It was the first public words from the Steelers on the Isaac Seumalo injury that he would at least miss this week. Tomlin confirmed second-year, 2023 seventh-round draft pick Spencer Anderson will start at left guard. It's not a surprise as he has been the first sub when Seumalo missed practices and working primarily at guard all offseason.
"His versatility was a calling card that allowed him to sustain," Tomlin said about Anderson who can play all three positions on the line. "But the longer he's here, you'd better specialize in a certain area. Really his growth and development kind of reminds me a lot of Kelvin Beachum, if you remember years ago. Versatility was kind of his calling card, but then he settled into the tackle position and went on to – 'Beach' might still be playing. I think he is. Spence will be fortunate if he has a Kelvin Beachum-like story."
Beachum was the Steelers seventh-round selection in 2012 and remains with the Arizona Cardinals. The Texas native played 44 games with the Steelers (39 starts) to start his career. Then 15 starts with Jacksonville over one season, 45 starts with the Jets and 59 games with Arizona (50 starts).
Slot undecided
Tomlin was not ready to commit that undrafted defensive back Beanie Bishop (West Virginia) has done enough to prove he will be a starter. It could be Tomlin continuing to light a fire under the college All-American.
"We have player elevation opportunities and things of that nature in the course of a work week that determines how we divide the labor up," Tomlin said Tuesday. "Beanie is an exciting, young guy. We'll watch him during the week, alongwith some others, and we'll make decisions at the end of the week that's best suited for winning this game."
Tackling the issue
Tomlin said they will determine who their starting tackles will be closer to game time. He noted that first-round pick Troy Fautanu was a partial participant in practice on Monday and didn't rule him out for Sunday in Atlanta. He wouldn't say if Dan Moore would start on the left side, if Broderick Jones would play there if Moore doesn't. He even threw Spencer Anderson's name into the mix. We know Anderson will start at left guard.
Rookie LB
The NFL Combine numbers didn't seem believable. You married that with the success he had in college and wondered how he was still available in the third round. Look the Steelers to find a way to get Payton Wilson on the field.
"He's a talented guy," Tomlin said. "He's a quick and eager learner. He doesn't make a lot of mistakes twice. He's got a skill set that might allow him to contribute, particularly in some passing circumstances. He's an easy runner. He can cover people. We'll just continue to carve out a role for him, but make no mistake, we're excited about the prospects and his talent level."
Arthur help
The head coach of the Falcons for the last three seasons, Tomlin said there is nothing out of the ordinary that new Steelers defensive coordinator Arthur Smith could provide the team in terms of information about the Falcons. He said while Smith understands their personnel, everyone in the National Football League has personnel departments. He doesn't expect Smith will provide any 'earth-shattering information'.
Offense better?
As if the offense has more fire power this season than it has the last few years?
"I'm not interested in making you comfortable today, to be quite honest with you," Tomlin said. "Those are just words, and really at the end of the day, it's somewhat meaningless. We'll have an opportunity to put some tape out this weekend that's kind of reflective of that discussion. I'm more of a doer than a talker. Talking glowingly, particularly when you're undefeated this time of year is easy, and I'm not attracted to easy. We're just going to work, and we'll put tape out there that's reflective of our intentions."
