4 players mentioned by Mike Tomlin following the Steelers’ Friday night practice

And so it continues! Looking at the players mentioned in Mike Tomlin’s press conferences carries on as the team had a simulated away game on Friday night at Heinz Field. As is usually the case, these players are not always ones Tomlin brought up himself but are specifically players about whom Tomlin was asked questions. One question did not ask about players by name, but did ask about the two players battling for the starting right tackle position.

Kevin Dotson

It’s been somewhat of a rough offseason for Kevin Dotson. After not being invited to the NFL Combine, Dotson was like every rookie and did not get to have any rookie mini camp or OTAs. Add in an early injury in training camp, Dotson has just made his way back to practices. Coach Tomlin was asked how he did having to take decent number of snaps Friday night.

“He’s been a part of us and he has participated quite a bit through this process. He’s just missed a lot of padded work and hopefully that exposure has been helpful to him. Also, during the time that he was down, he hasn’t missed any meetings or mental preparation. So I’m sure there’s an adjustment. It’s probably more of an adjustment given the fact that he has very little resume to speak of but such is life—things he has to deal with. We’ll work hard to give him opportunities to catch up and to display his understanding.”

Benny Snell Jr.

Benny Snell has reportedly had some nice runs in camp and has been doing a better job of getting to the corner. Coach Tomlin was asked if the specific drill they have done in practice has been a help with Snell’s running.

“It is, and really that’s a snapshot of what we want to see from everyone. We want to do drills that are football-like. When we get an opportunity to work on certain aspects of play and display certain skills, but it’s only relevant if they can take those skills and talents to 11-on-11 football. And so we sharpen our sword in the drill work and we display what we learned or what we’re capable of in 11-on-11 action. And that’s just an example of it—Benny showing those talents and drill work—but it’s showing up, more importantly, on the 11-on-11 stage.

Zach Banner & Chukwuma Okorafor

With no preseason games, it is extremely difficult for anyone outside of the organization to get a feel for how the competition at right tackle is progressing. Although neither were mentioned by name, Coach Tomlin was asked if he was any closer to naming a starter at right tackle.

“I don’t know that we really have intentions of doing so. Obviously we have to sort it out and sort it out by game time, but there is no timetable from my perspective in terms of naming a right tackle.”

Mike Tomlin’s interview can be seen here: