Audio from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin press conference on Monday January 10th, 2011. Tomlin met the media on Monday for the upcoming playoff divisional round game against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. 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/2011/01/mike-tomlin-press-conference-jan-10-2011.mp3|titles=Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Press Conference Monday January 10th Playoffs Ravens]Great to be back in the single elimination tournament says Tomlin.
Had a great week last week of both meetings and practice says Tomlin. It was a week catered the needs of both the group individually and collectively.
Pretty good bill of health injury wise says Tomlin.
DE Aaron Smith (triceps) getting scanned again at some point this week to see where he is and of course that will be a guy for us as we move forward. S Troy Polamalu (ankle) appears to be in pretty good shape and again like always will be limited in the early part of the week and get him the necessary work at the end of the week so he can be in the best shape possible. CB Bryant McFadden (abdomen) appears to be progressing nicely and will likely be limited in the early part of the week, but won\’t limit him in terms of play. will likely be limited early in the week and will be ready. Both LB Jason Worilds (knee) and RB Mewelde Moore (knee) both appear medically cleared along with the other bumps and bruises.
Familiar with Ravens and not much has changed since last time they played them. Notes Todd Heap is back and healthy and is a multi-talented guy. Tough guy to matchup with says Tomlin. Redzone threat as well. Saw the issues Kansas City had with him on Sunday.
Tomlin notes regular cast of characters of Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason and Ray Rice along with his catches this year. Note imbalance Ravens use on offensive line to get running game going. Call the line a rock solid group and one that has been together for an extended period of time.
Defensively Tomlin says it seems the Ravens have solved whatever issues they might have had previously in their secondary. Tomlin notes all the turnovers Ravens make not only the interceptions and they give the offense short fields and the offense takes advantage of it.
Tomlin lives by cliche of rather say whoa than sickem and he is fine with that in regards to preparation and it has worked.
Tomlin makes in game adjustments in regards to weather and field conditions. Says weather men have great jobs.
Thought the Ravens did a great job of flipping a script as they showed by passing more against the Chiefs.
Tomlin calls Terrell Suggs very disruptive but calls entire group a very salty group.
Says Joe Flacco very flatlined emotionally and the game has slowed down for him. Said Ravens played to the matchup strengths on Sunday.
Tomlin says Flacco is not a lawn deer but his escapability is very underrated.
Does not know how Ravens and Ed Reed will prepare considering the tragedy of his brother as he is not inside that locker room.
Scanning Aaron Smith weekly as planned and see where this info takes them. He likes having Smith back in a helmet and is not ruling him out yet as he wants to see what the scan shows.
Tomlin not getting too concerned with new overtime rules as so much of it is based around coaching decisions and not necessarily playing decisions. Tomlin could care less about the rule as long as everyone else has to abide by it. Wishes it had been used all year though instead of just the playoffs.
Tomlin says Ben Roethlisberger is the same old Ben says his interceptions are low because he takes good care of the ball.
Tomlin says the road teams that won this weekend were not surprising. If given the opportunity would gladly play in front of Steeler Nation at Heinz Field.
Tomlin calls his beard a Brett Keisel when asked if it was a playoff beard.
