Thoughts on Tomlin's Tuesday Press Conference

by Billy52 on Oct 12, 2011 4:09 PM EDT

Just finished reviewing MT's Tuesday press conference. Once again, Mike was his typical, inscrutable self, touching on Jacksonville's strong points while refusing to make any predictions about the status of his injured players for the upcoming game. But a few tidbits still emerged from the media session, and I'll review these after the jump.

1) I'm sure some of you noticed that Chris Carter was rotating with Lawrence Timmons at OLB against the Titans, but somehow, in all of the excitement, I missed that. So I was a bit surprised when MT mentioned it on Tuesday. Apparently, Carter got some pretty good work under his belt, which looks like another plus from our win.

2) Tomlin said that he doesn't expect James Harrison to be out for more than another 4 weeks. And knowing Deebo, it might even be a bit sooner.

3) Despite questions about his current level of conditioning, it appears that Max Starks will continue to start at OT. Tomlin said that Starks shouldn't plan to get a rest anytime soon.

4) Injury Report: MT said that Mewelde Moore, Maurkice Pouncey, Jason Worilds, Marcus Gilbert, Casey Hampton, Bryant McFadden and Chris Kemoeatu all are questionable for the Jaguars game. So any of these guys could play next Sunday depending on their ability to practice later in the week. But Aaron Smith definitely is out for the Jaguars game with the foot injury.

Tomlin also mentioned the special-teams efforts of Arnaz Battle and Jonathan Dwyer. For both of these guys, MT seems to think that maintaining their roster spots ("keeping a helmet" in Tomlin's words) has a lot to do with their additional roles on special teams. So even though some have questioned Battle's value as a backup WR, there's more to this picture than meets the eye.

That's why I'm starting to wonder how Jerricho Cotchery fits in and whether the former Jet might turn out to be the "Randle El" of this season. We seem to be quite deep at the WR position, and maybe a bit too deep for Cotch.

GO STEELERS!

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Cotchery

I really think that he is sort of an insurance policy in case Hines comes up lame. That would leave us without much vet leadership at the position. Plus…..this may be the last year for Hines and Cotchery has a few left in him.

by fbrrocket on Oct 12, 2011 5:19 PM EDT reply actions

Heyward on kickoff team reminded me of a young Kiesel.

I think Carter got time due to score, but I’m going to rewatch the last quarter tonight to get a feel for his play. I would think that putting Carter or Worlids in on third and long a sliding Timmons back to the middle with Troy in the Dime would be a good idea. Of course I’ve never tryed to play both OLB and ILB in a game and maybe it’s hard to switch.
I’ll also bet that the same running back situation as last week happens this week also. No point in Me Mo or Mendy agrivating there injury’s at this time. And Me Mo could likely be inactive one more as well.

If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made product that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.

by SNW on Oct 12, 2011 6:08 PM EDT reply actions

Dang that Tomlin guy -

when is he going to start being scrutable? : )

I think we are going to see Cotchery in the mix more, now that he’s good to go. And obviously we’ll be thankful for him if we have any injuries on the WR front. With some of the hits the guys are taking, it seems like it’s only a matter of time.

"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin

by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 12, 2011 7:14 PM EDT reply actions

Cotchery

was playing on special teams last week

People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee

by stillergorillar on Oct 12, 2011 9:04 PM EDT reply actions

Are you sure about that?

I didn’t see him. I only saw him on a few offensive snaps.

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Oct 13, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes

I was sitting on the closed side endzone and saw him finnish his run into the end zone after the returner downed it for a touchback. I was a little surprised by it actually.

People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee

by stillergorillar on Oct 13, 2011 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions

ichiro suzuki is inscrutable

Tomlins a real class act

by TomlinsPuffyJacket on Oct 12, 2011 11:13 PM EDT reply actions

Inscrutability in a football coach isn't a bad thing.

Just noting that each time he does a press conference, it’s like they’re interviewing the Sphinx.

by Billy52 on Oct 12, 2011 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think it matters much to him to be liked through idle chatter

I mean, he would rather you respect his work and actions, not his soundbites. And a press conference doesn’t have much to do with what happens on the field. I feel that it is a symptom of his seriousness, that he is going to do his job and not get knocked off doing just that. I feel he takes his obligations to the Rooneys, Steelers and Pitt very seriously. As a young coach, you have been given a break and you don’t waste it, Josh McDaniels.

He will never lose the job because he was reckless with his mouth, or that he didn’t work hard enough. He owes me nothing, except for getting guys ready and getting them through, and he doesn’t even really owe me that.

Carry on, MT.

But you keep pulling out your "refs-threw-the-game" card if that’s what you need for catharsis. You can use that card after every loss. It is a lifetime pass. Get it laminated. -Maryrose

by Twell on Oct 13, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

1.so why was Carter mixed in? Did Timmons move over to inside on passing players or did Timmons come out?
4. Is Bmac even on this team still……..

by Majabe on Oct 12, 2011 11:42 PM EDT reply actions

Timmons

moved back to ILB because the Titans had to pass and it was a good time to get the young guys some snaps.

Bmac was also playing on ST. I believe the coaching staff wanted to see him running and turning at full speed before they put him back in, though I tiink he lost his starting job to an over performing William Gay.

People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee

by stillergorillar on Oct 13, 2011 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions

It's a LeBeau speed thing....

….moving a speedy Timmons back inside, and Carter outside. That provides two linebackers with excellent speed to augment the pass coverage, and yet providing quickness for the rush and run support.

And it worked, like a charm.

I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson

by Homer J. on Oct 13, 2011 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions