lamberts-lost-tooth
01-07-2009, 08:40 AM
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin's Take
By Scott Brown, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The San Diego Chargers needing to win their final four regular-season games to make the playoffs:
I think we've met our match this week in terms of a team that's been battle-tested. These guys have had their back against a wall and found ways to win. They've been in the playoffs over a month now, so the stage won't be too big for them. They won't be in awe by what they see when they come out of that tunnel on Sunday.
How the difficulty of the Steelers' regular-season schedule has sharpened them for the playoffs:
I think it has. Is it going to be significant? We'll see. But I think no question it has. I think that confidence is born out of rising up in the face of adversity. We've had some stiff competition. We're in a pretty decent position because we've had success against some of that competition. I think we're a confident bunch.
Whether the Steelers are motivated by losing in the first round of the playoffs last season:
I think that's so far in our rearview (mirror) at this point. We're a different group, some of the key components are different, some of the roles are different. I just think having an opportunity to do what we have to do and what's in front of us right now is motivation for all of us. We're in the final eight. We're in the final four of the AFC. It's awesome. It should be great motivation.
One aspect of the Chargers' offense that makes San Diego tough to defend:
They've really sharpened their screen game. They've hurt people and hurt people bad since we last played them. They get their uncovered linemen out in front, they dump the ball to tailbacks, fullbacks, tight ends. They block people and they run people into the end zone.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_605939.html
By Scott Brown, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The San Diego Chargers needing to win their final four regular-season games to make the playoffs:
I think we've met our match this week in terms of a team that's been battle-tested. These guys have had their back against a wall and found ways to win. They've been in the playoffs over a month now, so the stage won't be too big for them. They won't be in awe by what they see when they come out of that tunnel on Sunday.
How the difficulty of the Steelers' regular-season schedule has sharpened them for the playoffs:
I think it has. Is it going to be significant? We'll see. But I think no question it has. I think that confidence is born out of rising up in the face of adversity. We've had some stiff competition. We're in a pretty decent position because we've had success against some of that competition. I think we're a confident bunch.
Whether the Steelers are motivated by losing in the first round of the playoffs last season:
I think that's so far in our rearview (mirror) at this point. We're a different group, some of the key components are different, some of the roles are different. I just think having an opportunity to do what we have to do and what's in front of us right now is motivation for all of us. We're in the final eight. We're in the final four of the AFC. It's awesome. It should be great motivation.
One aspect of the Chargers' offense that makes San Diego tough to defend:
They've really sharpened their screen game. They've hurt people and hurt people bad since we last played them. They get their uncovered linemen out in front, they dump the ball to tailbacks, fullbacks, tight ends. They block people and they run people into the end zone.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_605939.html