Audio from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin press conference on Tuesday December 28th, 2010. Tomlin met the media on Tuesday for the upcoming week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday and goes over the past Panthers game. Tomlin takes questions from the local media and gives the injury update. Check out our notes and recap below as we add them. Will be updated over next hour.
[audio:https://steelersdepot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/mike-tomlin-press-conference-dec-28-2010.mp3|titles=Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Press Conference Tuesday December 28th Week 17 Browns]CB Bryant McFadden has a hip pointer and it may limit him in the early part of the week. LB LaMarr Woodley has some knee swelling on his left knee and could be limited early in the week as well. LB Jason Worilds will also be limited with knee swelling and being a young guy, might put his Sunday participation in question. RB Mewelde Moore has a right knee sprain and would be termed questionable right now. S Troy Polamalu is improving and it is not out of the question that he could play this week. Troy will only work Friday to see where he is per Tomlin. It depends on his health. DE Aaron Smith is another week closer and is healing nicely and is inching closer to practice and game participation.
Tomlin is excited about having the chance to end the season against a divisional opponent they respect, and says team understand what is at stake this Sunday and knows the Browns will be ready as well.
Tomlin said Browns QB Colt McCoy represented himself well in his debut against the Steelers the last time the two teams met and he continues to do the same thing. Tomlin says RB Peyton Hillis does it all. He said he runs well and has a lot of receptions out of the backfield and a lot of the offense goes through Hillis. Tomlin also noted the left side of the Browns line as well as the play of TE Ben Watson.
Tomlin said defensively for the Browns that everyone with a helmet participates and that is what helps keep them so fresh. They do a number of things like move Matt Roth around all over the defense and calls them a very versatile defense. Tomlin is very impressed with rookie CB Joe Haden in addition.
Tomlin says Joshua Cribbs must always be watched whether it be on kick or punt returns, running back, wide receiver or at wildcat quarterback.
Not pondering how the Browns will approach the game mentally.
Tomlin says the Browns rivalry is what it is. Tomlin “Not many bus trips in the National Football League, the close proximity makes the rivalry what it is”
Tomlin noted no similarities between the Browns and Jets defensively because the Rex Ryan and Rob Ryan are brothers. Tomlin says coaches cater their plans to the personnel they have.
Tomlin state there has been no rookie wall for center Maurkice Pouncey and says he and all of the other rookies are actually improving.
No change at left tackle per Tomlin this week meaning Jonathan Scott will again start.
Jonathan Dwyer could dress if Moore is down, but Tomlin not ready to rule out Moore just yet.
Tomlin still states that WR Mike Wallace still has some improving to do in certain areas of his game, including detailed route running and coverage recognition. Tomlin liked what he saw on the hot route that resulted in a touchdown against the Panthers.
Tomlin was asked if he got everything he wanted for Christmas and he said, no. He said such is life.
