Mike Tomlin: 'We Didn't Realize Our Goal'
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - In his final press conference of the year, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talked about how he'll view the season his team had and what the future may hold.
Looking back on the season, which many would consider a success coming off consecutive 8-8 seasons while missing the playoffs, Tomlin said to him, they fell short of their goal.
"We didn't realize our goal," Tomlin said. "Our goal is, and always will be, to be the champ."
That failure though is something Tomlin hopes his players can learn from.
"Tried to educate some of the young guys to that, how to utilize these feelings that they have as fuel moving forward and I'm excited about watching them do that," Tomlin said.
That's not to say though that Tomlin wasn't proud of this team and the way they came together.
"We had a really selfless group. We had a legitimately close group. We had men, both players and coaches that put the agenda of the group in front of their own agenda," Tomlin said.
With the play on the field wrapped up for the season, Tomlin discussed what the next step is for him and his players, specifically the exit interviews he will be holding with them.
"In some instances, it's not pleasant, but it's very necessary," Tomlin said. "I just think that to experience the things that we experienced this year and not solidify it and talk about it and learn from it and use it as a tool as we move forward would be less than professional."
Le'Veon Bell Playing In Pro Bowl
Running back Le'Veon Bell stated that he would have been able to play this week had the Steelers won and intends on playing in the Pro Bowl, which takes place the week before the Super Bowl.
"First and foremost, it's got to be health related. We'll see what his overall health looks like and then he'll make the appropriate judgment for himself. If it were today obviously, I doubt that he'd be healthy enough to participate, but he's got some time," Tomlin said.
Injury Report
There are three players Mike Tomlin identified as likely needing offseason surgery.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could have a minor procedure to clean up his knee, tight end Matt Spaeth could have offseason surgery to clean up his elbow and safety Mike Mitchell will shortly address a groin injury he had and whether or not it will require surgery.
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