PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Notes from the Mike Tomlin news conference beyond the George Pickens news. A look at a few other injuries. Why Tomlin mentioned the WPIAL this week? The key to playing complimentary football. How the upcoming schedule is impacting this week?
Injuries
Besides George Pickens, there are a couple of other injuries. Tomlin said these three 'are in a little better position' to play against Philly:
· Larry Ogunjobi (groin)-injured in-game against Cleveland, did not return
· DeShon Elliott (hamstring)-played through it Sunday
· Donte Jackson (illness)-a little in and out of the Browns game
WPIAL pride
"Really excited about this one, this Pennsylvania state championship," Tomlin said Tuesday. "Excited about representing the WPIAL in this. I was joking this morning, we could play this game in Breezewood, that would be awesome."
Complimentary Football
Tomlin started off his news conference making sure to compliment his team on playing complimentary football against Cleveland.
"Everybody had a playmakers mentality," Tomlin said. "Everyone wanted to be the reason we were successful. When you get collectives to playing like that, that's when you get an opportunity to play team football. Compliment one other, smile in the face of adversity and the way you do it sometimes is by supporting each other."
He noted how the defense would make a play to help when the offense struggled Sunday. So why is it this team is playing that way? Tomlin didn't dive into 'Steelers Way' or anything along those lines.
"Playmaking," Tomlin said. "We can make it out to be something that is mystical, but you need a play, you make a play. We started slow on offense. We need to provide them a short field. KB (Keeanu Benton) picks a screen off, puts them on a short field."
"It's playmaking."
3 games, 11 days
"I'm really just focused on Philadelphia, I really don't care what is on the other side of it."
What Tomlin said when asked about having to play three games in 11 days. He said he will worry after the Eagles game about how to many reps leading up to playing the Ravens on December 21 or the Chiefs on December 25.
"I'm not going to make the simple, complex," Tomlin said. "We got a task this week. We have a job to do."
The Steelers head coach said there are so many variables to dealing with playing Philadelphia that he's not letting the schedule after impact this week.
Old school Tomlinism rebirth
"I just like playing good people, particularly this time of year," Tomlin said. "It doesn't matter to me that it's the Eagles, to be quite honest with you. The people we play are nameless gray faces to us."
"I do like playing really good people. I think there is significant growth in pitting your collective talents and skills against big-time opponents. They are certainly that."
