PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Many of the headlines on Tuesday to Mike Tomlin’s comments about the trade deadline and injuries, but some interesting comments on who tends to lose when Cam Sutton is active, the rush defense and Najee’s streak.
Sutton’s spot
It’s been widely thought with defensive back Cam Sutton reinstated and available against Washington he would take many of the snaps from rookie slot corner Beanie Bishop. The WVU All-American has three interceptions in his last two games and Tomlin threw out a warning.
“Cam is capable of playing anywhere in the secondary, and so if people need to be concerned about reps or division of labor, I would advise everybody in the secondary to be on notice, because Cam is that versatile,” Tomlin said.
Tomlin pointed out Sutton can play outside corner, nickel, dime, even safety next to Minkah Fitzpatrick. It may take time to see how he works back, but Tomlin wanted all to know to not get too comfortable.
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Giants running wild
The Steelers defense gave up its most rushing yards (157) this season in its last game against the Giants. Overall, the team is still second in the AFC in rushing yards allowed (724) and touchdowns allowed (4). Tomlin wanted to point more to the execution from New York than what they have to improve.
“The people that we play week in and week out are very good at what they do,” Tomlin said. “They spend a lot of time preparing. And as I watched football from afar last weekend, sitting on a bye, it didn’t miss me that the Giants had an effective run game in the subsequent game (164 yards against Washington), and so I tip my cap to them.”
Tomlin admitted they can get better in terms of fundamental things, whipping blocks, making tackles and as coaches, better prepare the team.
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Najee running wild
The Steelers head coach said they don’t define themselves by Najee Harris’ three-game, 100-yard streak.
“We’ve got to run the football as a collective,” Tomlin said. “Obviously, he’s a significant component of that, but we’ve got a bunch of capable people. Jaylen (Warren) is capable. (Cordarrelle) Patterson is capable.”
The Steelers have moved themselves to third in the AFC in rushing yards, behind only Baltimore and Houston.