Mike Tomlin Voices Displeasure With Safety Mike Mitchell Over End Of Jets Game
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Coming off his teams 20-13 loss at the hands of the previously 1-8 New York Jets, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin talked about the controversial play made by safety Mike Mitchell when he jumped over the Jets offensive line as they were taking a knee in the victory formation to end the game.
"It was not professional, I'll say that. Mike is an emotional guy, he's new to us, and he's learning how we do business," he said. "I showed that play to our team about how we play. You see Troy (Polamalu) do that often, but it's a very different scenario."
Tomlin also discussed why Mitchell said after the game he was instructed by his coaches to jump the victory formation.
"He came over and said something to me prior to that sequence on the sideline. I couldn't hear what he said. I just kind of acknowledged him and nodded. I guess that he assumed that I gave him those instructions, the OK for him to do that. I showed that play to the team yesterday and just wanted to be very clear about how we play and what it is we value. We had many snaps in which to secure victory in that football game and didn't. We'll educate Mike and move forward."
Tomlin on the turnovers
Having thrown only three interceptions in the nine games previous to this, it came as a bit of a surprise that Ben Roethlisberger threw two interceptions against the Jets. Couple that with two lost fumbles by wide receiver Antonio Brown, and you have a recipe for disaster.
"I'm sure we can bounce around a myriad of things, but I tried to focus on what's tangible, and on Sunday we turned the ball over and didn't get any," Tomlin said.
"When those things happen, you have a tough time winning football games."
Tomlin on Using James Harrison in the Goal Line Situation
Sunday's game saw the debut of James Harrison in the teams goal line package, and Tomlin said what it is about Harrison that they like in those situations.
"James has been practicing at short yardage and goal line fullback for a number of weeks," Tomlin said. "James is a talented guy, he likes running down the center of people. That's an asset that can be valuable to us in short yardage and goal line. That scenario and that play or plays where he was in there specifically, obviously didn't unfold in a positive manner like we intended for it to do."
Injury Report
Troy Polamalu (knee) and inside linebacker Ryan Shazier (ankle) will be out for Monday's game against the Tennessee Titans along with cornerback Ike Taylor (forearm). Tomlin also said nose tackle Steve McLendon (shoulder) is questionable. safety Sharmarko Thomas (hamstring) and special-teamer Ross Ventrone (hamstring) each have a chance to return.
You can hear Tomlin's weekly press conference every Tuesday at noon during The Cook and Poni Show.
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