PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Several notes from the Mike Tomlin news conference on Tuesday including developing their mindset, Patrick Peterson’s role, the Jags 1-2 punch, injury news, Dan Moore and comparing James Harrison and TJ Watt.
Identity
It’s been a buzz word the last couple of seasons. The Steelers coming up with an identity, more specifically tied to the offense. Tomlin said when discussing the topic, he looks at it more of team intangible qualities-grit, the approach in which you take to circumstances, are you a calculated risk-taking group, are a you a fundamentalist group, are you a small-menu group. He said that is what compromises identity in today’s game.
“If you start talking about, we’re a running group, then people are going to show up in goal line defense and open field on you,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “It doesn’t behoove you to marry yourself to an identity, all it does is make the sledding more difficult in 2023.”
He said you can have an agenda of what you want to do, but you have to be quick on your feet to adjust.
“It makes declaration of identity a stupid endeavor at this juncture,” Tomlin said.
Cam-like
Hearing about it since he signed, we really saw Patrick Peterson move more into the slot on Sunday with Joey Porter, Junior getting a career-high 78% of the defensive snaps (53 total).
“That’s why we brought Pat here,” Tomlin said. “Pat is a veteran player. He’s smart. If you remember we moved Cam Sutton around a lot, essentially he is Cam Sutton. Position flexibility was an attractive component of the acquisition of him.”
Long-time
Tomlin pointed out Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence and RB Travis Etienne have been together since they were 18-years-old when they were teammates at Clemson. He said with Etienne’s explosive running ability where he can hit the gas on the outside and get yards in chunks. With Lawrence, not just his arm, but his legs.
“The ways that they utilize the talents of both,” Tomlin said. “In the running game, in the passing game, Trevor is also good in the drop-back game and spreading you out.”
The Steelers head coach said Jacksonville can also empty the backfield and present a multitude of issues for a defense. Lawrence is fifth in the AFC in passing yards with only three interceptions and third in rushing for a quarterback with 206 yards. Etienne is fourth in the NFL in rushing yards (504) with four plays of 20 yards or more. He also has 24 receptions for 196 more yards.
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More Moore
While he said he wouldn’t let us know if there was a debate as to who to start at left tackle as Dan Moore was coming back from injury last week, Tomlin did praise the third-year starter.
“I thought he was really solid,” Tomlin said of Moore. “Man, not only his play, but his demeanor. He brings a grown man approach to it. I thought he was really good.”
Injuries
Linebacker Cole Holcomb has really come on the last couple of games. The Steelers second-leading tackler against the Rams briefly left the game with an ankle injury, but returned. Tomlin said they will see how the week plays out.
Saying the ankle ‘needs some attention’. They will see how he practices.
Running back Anthony McFarland (knee) was not activated for Sunday’s game, he is currently in his 21-day window to return from injured reserve. Tomlin said they will continue to look at him.
Asked for an update on Cam Heyward (groin), as he remains on injured reserve, Tomlin said he had no update.
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Harrison/Watt comparisons
James Harrison will be inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor on Saturday and then be recognized at halftime of the game on Sunday. Tomlin asked to compare Harrison and TJ Watt, laughing it might be easier to talk about their differences.
“Similar in approach in terms of commitment,” Tomlin said. “If you know either guy, what they are willing to do in preparation to tee up a performance, not only in the course of a game week, I’m talking over the course of a 12-month calendar, over the course of their careers, is unique. You don’t get unique results by doing regular processes. Those two dudes have a commitment to preparation and the development of their games and the maintenance of their bodies, that is unique.”