0-4 Start Aside, Mike Tomlin Ready For 2013 Regular Season

Aug 29, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks with referees during a play review during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Tomlin had this to say in his post-game press conference when he was asked about his “team’s state of readiness” for the 2013 regular season:

"“Ready or not  That’s the reality of this time of the year.  I feel comfortable with the men we are walking to battle with next week if that is what you are asking.”"

I certainly cannot blame the person who asked the question, because an 0-4 preseason is probably something that no head coach wants to endure.  In fact, I would wonder about the very same thing with the way Pittsburgh’s special teams played and the numbers of penalties the Steelers collected during the team’s four preseason contests.

I was however glad to see that Tomlin put the “oh-fer” during preseason play behind him with what he said.  The Steelers still have to “lace ‘em up” regardless of how “ready” or “prepared” this team looked during the preseason, and Tomlin and the rest of the coaching staff must focus on filling out their roster right now and preparing a game-plan for their next game.

As a veteran head coach, Tomlin understands that this team cannot change what happened during the last four weeks.  As far as he is concerned, all that his coaching staff and team can do can only learn from their mistakes and try to improve on a week-to-week basis while they try to cobble together solutions to their current problems.

Is the lack of Heath Miller going to hurt this team?  Of course.  Are the preseason penalties and poor play from the special teams coverage units causes for concern?  Absolutely.  Will there be enough effective and healthy running backs in Pittsburgh’s stable this fall?  We will just have to wait and see.

While some will complain about the 0-4 preseason start, just let me remind you that these games did not count and the Steelers are technically 0-0 still in 2013.  Nothing can change the 0-4 record, and it looks like Tomlin and his staff have their sights set on preparing their team for Pittsburgh’s Week 1 game against Tennessee.

Ready or not, readers.  The 2013 regular season starts in exactly nine days for the Steelers and Tomlin is ready for it to begin.

Stats & Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com and Pro Football Reference

Follow me on Twitter: @DominicDiTolla

Follow & Like “NPC” on Facebook: Nice Pick, Cowher