Audio from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin post game press conference following the 2009, week 4 win against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday October 4th, 2009. Transcript to follow.
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Mike Tomlin: Well it’s great to get back on the winning column for us, we’re excited about that. Guys stepped up and made significant plays. Enough plays for us to win tonight. It’s good to be back in Heinz Field in front of our fans. We will stack this win and move on; New week, new challenges. I’ll be happy to answer your questions.
Question: The motivation of Mendenhall paid off.
Mike Tomlin: He played a good game. He had a good weeks practice. I’m not going to take any credit to that. I didn’t rush for a yard tonight. He did a nice job.
Question: The game plan this week.
Mike Tomlin: We wanted to move the pocket. We wanted to put the ball in seven’s hands and kind of supplement that with the run. That’s why we started the way we started. I think because we were willing to stretch the field and use every inch of grass on the field we were able to get some running lanes. In significant moments guys did a nice job in short yardage runs and things of that nature but for the most part, our willingness to stretch the field vertically, horizontally planted a nice playing surface for us. Guys made the plays that they needed to make.
Question: What happened in the fourth quarter
Mike Tomlin: They recovered an onside kick, they had a punt recovery for a touchdown on a play that I thought forward progress was stopped. Evidently the people that blow the whistles did not. So they got seven. A few freakish things happened. That’s life in the National Football League. It’s important that we continue to play and finish the game. Really what it created was a great opportunity for Jeff (Reed) to make a significant kick for us in hindsight, and I like to use that every now and then.
Question: Pressure on the QB
Mike Tomlin: I do feel a little better. Even during the course of the game when they put together a couple drives in the fourth quarter, I didn’t think pressure was the issue. I thought we were getting there pretty fluidly. He was getting the ball out of his hands. We’ve got to do a better job of making him hold it a little longer. We had some guys, hunting if you will. I thought it was improved, but by no means are we a finished product in that regard or any regard in that matter. We’ll go back to work and continue to move forward.
Question: Mendenhall’s confidence
Mike Tomlin: I don’t lack confidence in Rashard (Mendenhall), even prior to tonight. I think I’ve said that several times. He’s a very talented young man, a good guy. He went through what some guys go through. He addressed it and moved forward and tonight he showed what he’s capable of doing. He needs to continue to do that and build off of that as we move forward. I’m sure that’s his mindset, but more importantly we’re going to make sure that our actions match our mentality.
Question: New found fullback
Mike Tomlin: Legursky (Doug)? You start turning over stones to find ways to win. That’s a guy who is willing and able to provide that for us, he did. So we’ll see where we go from here.
Question: How about another quarterback in Mewelde Moore?
Mike Tomlin: Mewelde’s been capable of that. He’s done that in the past on teams we’ve been on. That’s a skill set he has.
Question: Injuries?
Mike Tomlin: No not at this point. Everything that happened in the game I don’t think was anything serious. I think people were able to return including Chris (Kemoeatu). We’ll probably have a surprise or two in the morning. That’s the nature of this thing.
Question: Troy Polamalu possibility
Mike Tomlin: It’s too early to tell. We’re going to pursue the way we’ve been. I’ve been pleased with his progress. We’ll see where we are as we push forward towards game time.
