Audio from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin press conference on Tuesday November 2nd, 2010. Tomlin met the media on Tuesday for upcoming week 9 game against the Cincinnati Bengals and goes over the upcoming Monday night 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.
Part 1
[audio:https://steelersdepot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mike-tomlin-press-conference-nov-1-2010-1.mp3|titles=Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Press Conference Tuesday November 2nd Week 9 Bengals]
Part 2
[audio:https://steelersdepot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mike-tomlin-press-conference-nov-1-2010-2.mp3|titles=Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Press Conference Tuesday November 2nd Week 9 Bengals Part 2]
Mike Tomlin said they are not looking at Bengals 2-5 record and refuse to make any judgments because they know what that team is capable of. Core players still the same he said and AFC North ready by beating Ravens. Says usual suspects still there in quarterback Carson Palmer and receiver Chad Ochocinco and said Terrell Owens has Canton like career numbers. Been in some close games and Tampa game got away from them. Notes two players tight end Jermaine Gresham and receiver Jordan Shipley are two rookies they are studying up on. On defense, Tomlin said defensively, he described their corner tandem as breakout guys and playing good as challenge type guys in both man and zone and both great at re-routing. Had admits to having issues with Tank Johnson and Domata Peko in the past.
As far as injuries go, Tomlin said both running back Isaac Redman and Flozell Adams both had an ankle sprains on Sunday night but both returned to the game and might be limited early in the week. Both should be ready to go according to Tomlin. Tomlin said that right defensive end Brett Keisel could be ready to go Monday night. Extremely hopeful, said Tomlin.
Tomlin said he thought Ziggy Hood and Nick Eason played well Sunday night and thought Ziggy was lined up right made the necessary plays when called upon.
Tomlin was asked about challenges and said if he sees a play on the field that he feels is challenge worthy, he will challenge it. If he gets information from the press box that tells him to challenge it, he will. He will also rely on the players on the field. In regards to the Rashard Mendenhall goal line run, Tomlin said there was not much video evidence to make a challenge and that even Mendenhall, did not feel it was worth challenging because none of them felt he crossed the plane.
Tomlin did not want to speculate on James Harrison being fined and said he was penalized on the play and moved on and that it didn’t affect the outcome of the game. also said he doesn’t feel that James is being targeted by the league. He will cross that bridge if it happens.
Tomlin said he has a high level of trust with Jeff Reed and bases his decisions on long field goals on how the warm-ups go.
Tomlin said he was disappointed that rookie linebacker Thaddeus Gibson was claimed by the 49ers, but realized it was a possibility and the nature of the business. He said he would do it again because they needed depth on the defensive line with Steve McLendon. Tomlin said they would add a practice squad player, but would not say if it would be a defensive linemen or a linebacker.
Tomlin said right guard Trai Essex was solid, but that there is always room to improve.
