Audio from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin press conference on Tuesday October 19th, 2010. Mike Tomlin met the media on Tuesday for upcoming week 7 game against the Miami Dolphins and goes over the upcoming game, injuries and recaps the Browns game. Tomlin takes questions from the local media. Check out our notes and recap below as we add them. Will be updated over next hour.
[audio:https://steelersdepot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/mike-tomlin-press-conference-oct-19-2010.mp3|titles=Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Press Conference Tuesday October 19th Week 7 Dolphins]Tomlin opens with normal praising of Miami Dolphins and goes through key players. Says he is still aware of threat of Dolphins Wildcat offense. They are the ones that brought back. Tomlin say Must contain Ronnie Brown & Ricky Williams and pay attention to Wildcat possibilities.
As far as receiver Brandon Marshall, Tomlin says they know they are not going to shut him out, but must minimize his damage the way they did with the Falcons Roddy White. Must wrap him up quickly and avoid big yards after catch. Says Davone Bess is also very good and works well in the slot, and is a tough matchup problem in a zone type defense.
Tomlin likes Cameron Wake and is very aware of this guy. Steelers pursued him when he came over from Canada like they did with Stefan Logan. Wake is disruptive and Dolphins move him around. He has a relentless motor and sack fumbles are his thing.
Tomlin said corner Vontae Davis appears to be an emerging elite cornerback in the league and is a very good tackler, has good ball skills and is consistently physical.
On defense Tomlin says James Harrison has hands full again with Dolphins left tackle Jake Long coming off facing the Browns Joe Thomas.
As far as injuries go, right defensive end Brett Keisel will not play Sunday in Miami because of a hamstring injury and either Nick Eason or Ziggy Hood will replace him in the starting lineup, Tomlin said. No decision on which one will start, but both will play. Right guard Trai Essex is still recovering from a high ankle sprain and is questionable for Sunday. He is getting better though and did some things Tuesday morning. Doug Legursky sustained a sprained knee last Sunday though he returned to the game against the Browns and Tomlin said he doesn\’t expect Legursky to miss any time. Running back Rashard Mendenhall has a left shoulder contusion and could be limited early in the week.
Tomlin said he supports the NFL\’s stricter enforcement of the helmet-to-helmet contact rule, including the suspension of players who are disciplined by the NFL for violating the rule. Tomlin says he is a proponent of players safety. Tomlin says he teaches hit and wrap tackling. 1st man wraps up the ball carrier and the 2nd man tries to dislodge football. Such was the case in the Joshua Cribbs hit.Tomlin knows other hit is under review.
Tomlin said he did not see comments of James Harrison talking about injuring or hurting people and said James says a lot of things he doesn\’t always mean. Tomlin called him a tough talker, like most guys around the league are. Said on Tuesday you see the real James Harrison when he is walking through the building with his son. Said he is a softie. Said he is good with whatever punishment the NFL deems necessary. Especially when it comes to player safety.
As far as practice squader Steve McLendon goes, he again is a potential option to adding depth along the defensive line with Keisel down says Tomlin. Six guys is more important in September than it is now, when guys are in in-season football shape.
No decision yet on Emmanuel Sanders being up again this week. Tomlin likes pitting Sanders against fellow rookie Antonio Brown in the hopes that they can continue get 3rd down conversions like the team had against the Browns on Sunday.
Tomlin says he is not concerned about the upcoming 3 road games. He acknowledges it. Loves playing on the road. Says there is not much about the NFL that he does not enjoy.
