Audio from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin press conference on Tuesday December 7th, 2010. Tomlin met the media on Tuesday for upcoming week 14 game against the Cincinnati Bengals and goes over the past Ravens 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/2010/12/mike-tomlin-press-conference-dec-7-2010.mp3|titles=Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Press Conference Tuesday December 7th Week 14 Bengals]Injury wise, T Flozell Adams has a mild high ankle sprain and they will see where he is on Wednesday. QB Ben Roethlisberger will play this week after nose surgery and will wear a full clear shield to protect face this Sunday. TE Heath Miller might be doubtful with concussion as staff will practice caution with him. TE Matt Spaeth has been cleared to practice this week as he comes back from a concussion. S Troy Polamalu will be limited per his usual this week. DE Aaron Smith had an MRI and has had no setbacks and will work with the weights now. He remains on schedule. P Daniel Sepulveda will have ACL surgery on Friday. The Steelers signed P Jeremy Kapinos. Undecided if he will hold or not on kicks. Kapinos is a Penn State grad and has kicked in the NFL this season with the Colts.
Tomlin termed the Ravens win a significant one and is going to keep it in perspective as they move on to a new week and a new AFC North opponent. Tomlin says the Bengals have sustained a significant number of injuries to their defensive line over the course of this year but he is impressed with the young players they have stepping in for them. Tomlin notes Carlos Dunlap who has come on like gangbusters. Also noted were Reggie Nelson in the secondary and also praised Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall in the secondary as well. Tomlin says Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham is really coming on and Jordan Shipley as well as both are playing well beyond their years. Says the Bengals have been rotating offensive linemen in and out because of injuries.
Tomlin called Big a competitor and says they expect that from him, but not that it goes unappreciated and that he expects it from himself as well. Tomlin said if Flozell can not go on Sunday, Trai Essex would probably start at right tackle, but Tomlin said he will see where the week takes him.
Tomlin noted the play of rookie receiver Emmanuel Sanders on special teams, most notably the tackle near the end of the game as one of the biggest plays that he has made all season. Tomlin noted all the contributions of the young guys that show up now on the stat sheet.
Tomlin says Ziggy Hood has been given an opportunity and has taken advantage of it and is playing good football right now. Says he is using his hands well and staying square and also had good pad level. notes he is getting production and that production comes from all of the little things he just mentioned.
Tomlin said the range for Shaun Suisham in the Ravens game was 45 and he let him take a shot and it worked out. Tomlin said his comfort level in that end of the stadium would have been with the ball on the 25-yard line.
Tomlin has no worries if tight end Matt Spaeth can fill in for Heath as the starting tight end on Sunday. Says that this is not his first rodeo.
Tomlin did not seen too happy with Keenan Lewis knowing the rule about running out of bounds on punts. Tomlin told reporters they have to ask him if he knew the rule or not.
