lamberts-lost-tooth
12-02-2008, 05:11 AM
Tomlin strikes a balance with Steelers
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Steelers are coming off their most complete game of the season, a resounding 33-10 win over the New England Patriots.
If they appear to be peaking at the right time, here is another reason the Steelers should be optimistic that they will hold off the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North and secure a first-round playoff bye: They will be fresher in the final month of the regular season than they were a year ago.
Mike Tomlin worked his players hard in his first season as the Steelers' coach, and tired legs may have contributed to the team losing four of its final five games, including in the wild-card playoff round against Jacksonville.
Familiarity with his players has resulted in a practice regimen that isn't as demanding as it was a year ago. That, along with a running game that appears to be hitting its stride and a defense that continues to dominate, bodes well for the Steelers as they embark on the final quarter of the regular season.
"We were padded up a lot more last year," Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith said of practicing in pads. "I think it was a matter of (Tomlin) not knowing whether we were going to show up and be physical and lay it out there. I think after going through (a season), he's gotten to know his team better, and he knows what the guys are going to show up and do."
Tomlin did not require his players to show up at the team's South Side practice facility on Monday after the Steelers beat the Patriots on the road for the first time since 1997.
Not that they can breathe easy. The Steelers' domination of the Patriots may have provided Tomlin with the signature victory that had eluded him, but they are still only one game ahead of the Ravens in the AFC North. The rest of their schedule includes games at Baltimore (8-4) and Tennessee (11-1), plus a home contest Sunday against Dallas (8-4).
"We're not worried about Baltimore," Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said. "We worry about us. Everyone else has to catch up to us. We've had the hardest schedule in the league, and we're 9-3."
The Steelers have weathered a spate of injuries, and lately they have shown the ability to overcome early adversity.
In the Steelers' past four wins, the opposing team has scored first. A Patriots team that had won 22 consecutive regular-season games in which it scored first took leads of 7-0 and 10-3 on Sunday.
The Steelers, however, scored 30 unanswered points on the way to a 23-point unmasking of the defending AFC champion.
"That's kind of been our personality here, as much as you don't like to accept that," Tomlin said of the Steelers coming back from early deficits. "We've gone into some hostile environments and gotten off to a slow start. But the guys don't blink. They persevere."
Just as in 2007, the Steelers are 9-3 after playing the Patriots in New England.
Unlike last year, they take momentum into the final stretch of the season -- as well as legs that should have more spring in them given the balance Tomlin has struck between pushing his players and easing up on them.
"It's very important to keep your team fresh and ready for the game, and that's something you've got to learn as a coach," Steelers inside linebacker James Farrior said. "I think the sooner you learn it, the better off your team is going to be. And I think (Tomlin) understands that."
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_601002.html
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Steelers are coming off their most complete game of the season, a resounding 33-10 win over the New England Patriots.
If they appear to be peaking at the right time, here is another reason the Steelers should be optimistic that they will hold off the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North and secure a first-round playoff bye: They will be fresher in the final month of the regular season than they were a year ago.
Mike Tomlin worked his players hard in his first season as the Steelers' coach, and tired legs may have contributed to the team losing four of its final five games, including in the wild-card playoff round against Jacksonville.
Familiarity with his players has resulted in a practice regimen that isn't as demanding as it was a year ago. That, along with a running game that appears to be hitting its stride and a defense that continues to dominate, bodes well for the Steelers as they embark on the final quarter of the regular season.
"We were padded up a lot more last year," Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith said of practicing in pads. "I think it was a matter of (Tomlin) not knowing whether we were going to show up and be physical and lay it out there. I think after going through (a season), he's gotten to know his team better, and he knows what the guys are going to show up and do."
Tomlin did not require his players to show up at the team's South Side practice facility on Monday after the Steelers beat the Patriots on the road for the first time since 1997.
Not that they can breathe easy. The Steelers' domination of the Patriots may have provided Tomlin with the signature victory that had eluded him, but they are still only one game ahead of the Ravens in the AFC North. The rest of their schedule includes games at Baltimore (8-4) and Tennessee (11-1), plus a home contest Sunday against Dallas (8-4).
"We're not worried about Baltimore," Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said. "We worry about us. Everyone else has to catch up to us. We've had the hardest schedule in the league, and we're 9-3."
The Steelers have weathered a spate of injuries, and lately they have shown the ability to overcome early adversity.
In the Steelers' past four wins, the opposing team has scored first. A Patriots team that had won 22 consecutive regular-season games in which it scored first took leads of 7-0 and 10-3 on Sunday.
The Steelers, however, scored 30 unanswered points on the way to a 23-point unmasking of the defending AFC champion.
"That's kind of been our personality here, as much as you don't like to accept that," Tomlin said of the Steelers coming back from early deficits. "We've gone into some hostile environments and gotten off to a slow start. But the guys don't blink. They persevere."
Just as in 2007, the Steelers are 9-3 after playing the Patriots in New England.
Unlike last year, they take momentum into the final stretch of the season -- as well as legs that should have more spring in them given the balance Tomlin has struck between pushing his players and easing up on them.
"It's very important to keep your team fresh and ready for the game, and that's something you've got to learn as a coach," Steelers inside linebacker James Farrior said. "I think the sooner you learn it, the better off your team is going to be. And I think (Tomlin) understands that."
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_601002.html