Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin held his pregame press conference today prior to the Saturday night game against the Falcons at Heinz Field.
Audio is below:
[audio:https://steelersdepot.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/mike-tomlin-falcons-pre-game-press-conference.mp3]
Tomlin says he is excited to play a quality team like Falcons as it will be a good test especially against the four man front of Falcons defense.
Tomlin said the clock is ticking if you will on some players making a statement or making a move and they are well aware of that and he is anxious to see what they are capable of doing.
Ike Taylor is the only player ruled out right now for Saturday night. Tomlin did say that some guys are characterized as questionable and they are Cortez Allen, Jerricho Cotchery, Mario Harvey, Bryant McFadden, Emmanuel Sanders and Jonathan Scott. All other players should be considered as in and ready to rock and roll.
Tomlin says all four preseason games are important, but not as many opportunities exist for young guys in this 3rd game.
Tomlin wants the offense to score every time to score the ball as usual and improve on efficiency. He said that the snap count continues to be a weapon they are always looking to improve on.
Tomlin said the starters will play at least a half of football and they will go from there. He added that he will have a first unit lead them out of the locker room for the second half.
Undecided on the quarterback rotation after Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich and said a lot of variables go into making that decision.
Marcus Gilbert will get the start at left tackle if Scott can not go to see what he has against John Abraham and the other quality players the Falcons might use on that side. Says Scott and the other tackles will be presented with some challenges and that is what he is looking for at this time of the year. Tomlin said Gilbert has been on the come since getting off to a rocky beginning. Tomlin said he has marched back well from that and that it must continue.
Tomlin said that they have prepared more for situational football in this game than the previous two, so he expects the execution to be better in that area.
Tony Hills will get another shot to start at right guard, but Tomlin says the position is not locked down yet and the battle is not over there. Recapped that Hills was forced to left tackle last week because of injuries.
