Tomlin quotes and thoughts on this week's game

by steelersfan4life on Dec 8, 2009 1:23 AM EST

I know the fanposts have been blown up this week with lots of negativity and frustration and by all means I think it is appropriate. So while trying to deal with all of our frustration I wanted to try and focus on some other things leading up to Thursday's game. First, after watching Tomlin's press conference he had two quotes that stuck out to me. One was when he was asked when everyone would know what his changes in the lineup will be he responded by saying, "Maybe 6:30 on Thursday. The hay's not going to be in the barn this week. We are going to keep baling it till the 11th hour and some change if possible." I'm really curious to see what these changes may be and whether they are minor or major changes. The other quote came when asked about possibly sitting Troy for rest of season depending on if we are still in the hunt to make playoffs he said, "I play to win. If the scoreboard is on we play to win..and last I heard they going to have it on." Now I know last week the whole unleashing hell thing kinda came back to bite him, but regardless of the outcome I still look forward every week to hearing what he has to say. However, as always, actions speak louder than words. Anyways, as disappointed (disgusted) as I am in the team's recent play I am curious to see what some of the younger guys can do this week. Even after Burnett's horrible drop that should have ended the game I'd like to see what he can do as well as Kennan Lewis in certain packages. It seems as if Burnett will start so we will quickly find out. As for Hines not playing that is never a good thing, but I remember reading a few weeks ago somebody on here said all we need is one big play or catch from Sweed for us to begin believing in him again. With Hines out could this be the week he finally does that? If not now then when? Basically I am trying to look for positives and convince myself it will all work out. Here's to hoping for a playoff run similar to the one we had in 2005....and if not please please please at least beat the Browns because that is one loss I don't think many of us could handle.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Hell..... in a fricken pink hand basket.

We’ll see. Play the young guys the rest of the way out. They can’t be that much worse. I agree, hate to see Hines out but play Sweed and throw it to him till his hands bleed. Find out now if he is going to make it instead of waiting until training camp.

by DarinS on Dec 8, 2009 1:35 AM EST reply actions

What’s the worst that could happen with Burnett and Lewis? They get burned and lose a game for us?

Seriously though, something like this was bound to happen. If Tomlin/Lebeau have a problem it’s that they’re far too deferential to veterans. That fact that Woodley sat so long his first year despite totally out producing Haggins was only the first sign of this.

by BluegrassSteeler on Dec 8, 2009 1:49 AM EST reply actions

Reminds me of another coach we used to have…

by Craig Sager's Wardrobe on Dec 8, 2009 7:47 AM EST up reply actions

They produce in limited plays because they are given situations and roles they can handle. Ziggy developed real fast and it still took him a while to get his responsibilities down. Woodley’s rookie year all he did was rush, so he played a limited amount of snaps, similar to Timmons’ first two years.

by Phantaskippy on Dec 8, 2009 8:27 AM EST up reply actions

Well I think the Wood/Ziggy situations are different. Ziggy’s got two very good starters ahead of him and is basically switching from an interior 4-3 three technique DT to a 3-4 five technique DE. Obviously it’s gonna take him some time to adjust to the position. H’e come along nicely given our huge expectations for our defense.

The Wood was a DE at Michigan, but he was also OLB in a number of 3-4 packages and spent almost a year as one earlier in his college career. Not to mention it was obvious from day one that he simply had the drive and physical tools that Haggans lacked. At the very least he should have spent more time subbing in, especially early in the games during obvious passing situations rather than just late in clean up duty.

I’m also a little suspicious of this claim that it takes them so long to learn LeBeau’s system. Schematically it is a complex D to run, but you don’t need to know what’s going on everywhere, just what your assignment is. In any event, it just irks me sometimes to see clearly superior rookie talent rotting on the bench while obviously inferior talent hits the field merely because they’re “familiar with the system”.

by BluegrassSteeler on Dec 8, 2009 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

good post

Thanks.

Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)

by Michael Bean on Dec 8, 2009 5:35 AM EST reply actions

Steelers can still make the playoffs...

Not that I think anyone wants to hear about that now, but as long as they still have a chance, you can’t give up on the season. If they lose to the Browns then it will be all over, and they can start to seriously tinker with things.

13 years and no playoff wins for the Dallas Cowboys... SWEET!

by idiscgolftexas on Dec 8, 2009 8:22 AM EST reply actions

Change is good

There’s always a silver lining, even when things look worst. The Steelers really have no choice but to try something different. What they’re doing now simply isn’t cutting it.

Looks like a bunch of young guys will be seeing game time in the coming weeks. So instead of waiting until training camp 2010 to measure their play, we’ll see them in games that really count. Sure it might be ugly, but we might also get a few splash plays and find we’ve got at least a couple of new starters for next year.

by Billy52 on Dec 8, 2009 1:35 PM EST reply actions

I have to agree

We all know the week spots and while yest we still have an outside shot at the playoffs, it is slim indeed, so why not look to the future and start doing things that will make next years team better now. I am all for that. I truly, unless we go down to the last game and if we win we are in, I would much rather see Troy getting nice and healthy on the sidelines and some of the young guns learning what it takes to play that position.

by DarinS on Dec 8, 2009 1:39 PM EST reply actions