83-Steelers-43
02-23-2007, 04:13 AM
Brown: Tomlin's tenure enters 1st crucial phase
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, February 23, 2007
INDIANAPOLIS - He shook hands and accepted congratulations as he walked down a hallway Thursday morning at the Indianapolis Convention Center.
The scene reinforced how new Mike Tomlin still is to the Steelers' head coaching job.
He addressed the national media for the first time with the Steelers. And just as he has done with local reporters, Tomlin talked a lot but said little.
The next couple of months should offer some clues as to what shape the Steelers will take under Tomlin.
Free agency starts March 2, and the NFL Draft will be held at the end of April.
Tomlin and director of football operations Kevin Colbert are here for the NFL Scouting Combine, and they should leave Indianapolis with a better idea of who the Steelers will draft. Teams have an opportunity to interview prospects, watch them work out and put them through a medical examination.
"I don't know if there's one single thing that I can point to," Tomlin said about the most important aspect of the combine for players. "It's going to be the body of work: how they work out, how they present themselves from an interview standpoint, and every bit of information we can gather, in terms of getting to know people."
Tomlin, who took over as Steelers coach Jan. 22, has apparently made an effort to get to know outside linebacker Joey Porter. He said he has talked to Porter but didn't give any indication of what direction the Steelers will take with the three-time Pro Bowler.
The eight-year veteran is due a $1 million bonus if he is on the roster March 6; Porter, who turns 30 on March 22, is in the final year of his contract and wants an extension.
Porter's base salary for next season is $4 million, though his contract could be restructured or he could be released.
When asked if he had a feeling one way or another whether Porter would be with the Steelers next season, Tomlin said. "I have no thoughts on that. He's under contract. He's a Pittsburgh Steeler."
Tomlin has only been able to make that claim for a month.
That and the fact Tomlin beat out an in-house candidate (former offensive line/assistant head coach Russ Grimm for the job) led to the question Thursday of how he'll get the veterans in the Steelers' locker room to follow his lead.
One of those players, Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca, said earlier this month he had hoped Grimm would succeed Bill Cowher as the team's head coach.
"Transition is never easy, and I'm OK with that," said Tomlin, who was the Minnesota Vikings' defensive coordinator last season. "Sometimes it's good to feel a little uncomfortable. That's kind of what I've been talking to guys about. Understand that it's going to be difficult at times for some people."
That's not to say Tomlin is forecasting a difficult 2007 season for the Steelers since "long-term goal" is apparently an oxymoron to him.
"I don't try to put a schedule on anything I do. I want it, and I want it yesterday," said Tomlin when asked if he had set a timetable for what he wanted to accomplish. "That's just how I'm wired, and this situation, this opportunity, is no different than any other I've had."
Note: Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor will be a guest today on the ESPN sports show "Cold Pizza." It airs live from 10 a.m. to noon on ESPN2.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_494582.html
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, February 23, 2007
INDIANAPOLIS - He shook hands and accepted congratulations as he walked down a hallway Thursday morning at the Indianapolis Convention Center.
The scene reinforced how new Mike Tomlin still is to the Steelers' head coaching job.
He addressed the national media for the first time with the Steelers. And just as he has done with local reporters, Tomlin talked a lot but said little.
The next couple of months should offer some clues as to what shape the Steelers will take under Tomlin.
Free agency starts March 2, and the NFL Draft will be held at the end of April.
Tomlin and director of football operations Kevin Colbert are here for the NFL Scouting Combine, and they should leave Indianapolis with a better idea of who the Steelers will draft. Teams have an opportunity to interview prospects, watch them work out and put them through a medical examination.
"I don't know if there's one single thing that I can point to," Tomlin said about the most important aspect of the combine for players. "It's going to be the body of work: how they work out, how they present themselves from an interview standpoint, and every bit of information we can gather, in terms of getting to know people."
Tomlin, who took over as Steelers coach Jan. 22, has apparently made an effort to get to know outside linebacker Joey Porter. He said he has talked to Porter but didn't give any indication of what direction the Steelers will take with the three-time Pro Bowler.
The eight-year veteran is due a $1 million bonus if he is on the roster March 6; Porter, who turns 30 on March 22, is in the final year of his contract and wants an extension.
Porter's base salary for next season is $4 million, though his contract could be restructured or he could be released.
When asked if he had a feeling one way or another whether Porter would be with the Steelers next season, Tomlin said. "I have no thoughts on that. He's under contract. He's a Pittsburgh Steeler."
Tomlin has only been able to make that claim for a month.
That and the fact Tomlin beat out an in-house candidate (former offensive line/assistant head coach Russ Grimm for the job) led to the question Thursday of how he'll get the veterans in the Steelers' locker room to follow his lead.
One of those players, Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca, said earlier this month he had hoped Grimm would succeed Bill Cowher as the team's head coach.
"Transition is never easy, and I'm OK with that," said Tomlin, who was the Minnesota Vikings' defensive coordinator last season. "Sometimes it's good to feel a little uncomfortable. That's kind of what I've been talking to guys about. Understand that it's going to be difficult at times for some people."
That's not to say Tomlin is forecasting a difficult 2007 season for the Steelers since "long-term goal" is apparently an oxymoron to him.
"I don't try to put a schedule on anything I do. I want it, and I want it yesterday," said Tomlin when asked if he had set a timetable for what he wanted to accomplish. "That's just how I'm wired, and this situation, this opportunity, is no different than any other I've had."
Note: Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor will be a guest today on the ESPN sports show "Cold Pizza." It airs live from 10 a.m. to noon on ESPN2.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_494582.html