Steelers Morning Huddle 9/25/2013
By Kim Myers
Huddle up!
Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
As the Steelers make their final preparations before heading off to London, I’m still in search of positivity to brighten your morning. The Steelers won’t travel overseas till Thursday so they can go through their normal routines for the beginning of the game week. We’ll see if it works. Think positive Steeler Nation! Until then here’s what’s being said about your Pittsburgh Steelers around the block.
Tomlin Tuesday
Coach Mike Tomlin gave his weekly press conference yesterday to address the media about the previous game, injury situations, and preview for the upcoming matchup against the Vikings. Some of the post positive items to take out of his presser were on the injury front. Heath Miller is now practicing as usual as Tomlin says he was on a “pitch count” for Sunday night’s game but came through with no discomfort and is back in action. Also back in action will be CB Cortez Allen, who has been sidelined since preseason. Making his NFL debut in London on Sunday is rookie RB Le’Veon Bell. I gotta tell you, I’ll be happy when I’m writing about his play as opposed to writing about whether or not he might play or how long he’ll be sidelined. Still not sure what we’ll get from him but…we’re thinking positive. You can listen to Tomlin’s full press conference here.
Steelers film study
Mark Kaboly of the Trib reviewed the game tape from the Steelers Sunday night loss to Chicago and came away with some positives. According to Kaboly, Roethlisberger had a “clean” pocket where he didn’t have to hurry or scramble in which to throw the ball more often than not. When Ben got rid of the ball in less than three seconds, the results were big plays down the field. Kaboly also notes that while the Steelers defense has yet to create a turnover and is still low on sacks, it isn’t for lack of trying. Kaboly saw that DC Dick LeBeau dialed up safety blitzes twelve times Sunday night with Polamalu leading the charge five of those times. In the previous two games, LeBeau only called up the safeties to blitz a combined seven times. Kaboly also noticed how the Bears offense tailored their game plan to keep Brandon Marshall away from Ike Taylor. Marshall lined up at slot a number of times forcing Taylor to have to slide outside and cover a different receiver. Not all bad, right?
Ike Taylor joins Pro Football Talk
Speaking of Ike Taylor, he joined Pro Football Talk to discuss the team’s current situation at 0-3 and heading to London to face another winless team. When asked if the loser of Sunday’s game will have no chance of making the playoffs Taylor agreed. While everyone can realize by the last few years of Super Bowl winners that having the best record doesn’t necessarily guarantee you a seat in the big game, it sure as hell helps to win one game and the Steelers haven’t done themselves any favors by starting off in the whole like this. Taylor believes he has a responsibility to set a positive example for the younger guys, though, so that they can come together and do what it takes to get the job done in London. Positively.
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