mesaSteeler
08-27-2009, 08:30 PM
Tomlin says Steelers to play September football against Bills
August 27, 5:52 PMPittsburgh Sports ExaminerMatt Pawlikowski
http://www.examiner.com/x-2703-Pittsburgh-Sports-Examiner~y2009m8d27-Tomlin-says-Steelers-to-play-September-football-against-Bills
PITTSBURGH - When it comes to playing Buffalo on Saturday, look for September football from the Steelers.
The reason?
Not only does the team have a game plan set for Saturday,but they focused on situational football, much like a Friday practice during the season, and fine tuned it for Saturday's game during Thursday afternoon's practice.
"Just some of the minute details that ultimately comprise the highlight reels on Sunday night," Tomlin said. " Like I told the team, quite honestly, its the difference between being good and great or winning and losing."
As for how much action the starters will get, Saturday nights game against the Bills will be the most action they see until the opener in September.
"We are going to get a the very least a half of play,we'll analyze it at half and decide where we are going to go from there," Tomlin said. "But we are not worried about a snap count or anything More than anything we want to see 30 minutes of Steeler football and determine the rest at half."
A big question heading into game is who will be the return men. Stefan Logan, the former CFL standout lit up the field when he got his shot against the Redskins. No. 41, as Tomlin referred to him, averaged 39.3 yards on four kickoff returns and 12 yards on four punt returns.
Tomlin said he will get his shot again, but the opening kickoff honors belong to rookie Mike Wallace, who downed his only shot in the pre-season opener.
"Stefan has gotten our attention, and he deserves to be seen again, But also looking at this football game we the first half it will be Mike Wallace, this is a guy who has a resume from Old Miss, he returned three back, Mewelde Moore may return a punt or too, but other than that you'll see No. 41 Stefen Logan."
Willie Parker continues to have problems with his hamstring and Tomlin hasn't ruled him out of Saturday's game, but even if Parker were of full health, Rashard Mendenhall would get his fair share of reps with the starters.
"We'd like to get an extended look at Rashard whether Willie plays or not," Tomlin said. " We would like him to be a feature runner type of guy. We want him to run similarly to the way he ran in DC. He was decisive, he ran violently if you will. This guy has had a good camp and pre-season we just ask of him to do more of the same."
As for the injuries, Tomlin has ruled out just three players, Dennis Dixon, Sean McHugh and Darnell Stapelton.
"McHugh will be down for four weeks or so, and of course Dannell Stapelton is marching back but he's not ready to participate at this point," Tomlin said. "Some other guys who I would characterize as questionable, but we like to leave the door open with some of these men since it is the pre-season - Steve McClendnon he has a sore elbow, Jeff Reed, Santonio Holmes still has a sore back, Willie Parker's hamsting is still sore, and Frank Summers is probally most questionable of all."
According to Tomlin, Reed stepped in a hole there a couple of weeks ago, and the team is still looking at it. "We'll see what he looks like at game time, but in no way are we concerned about giving Piotr Czech to kick for us if need be."
Summers, who came into to camp with high hopes has played well but missed a lot of time with his injury. Tomlin said even if he were healthy, he would be hesitant to put him in the game.
"Frank being where he is in terms of his career, even if he got to the point where he is healthy enough, you'd be hesitant to send him out there for a limited number of snaps," Tomlin said. "You would be setting him up for failure."
Also look to see a lot of action rom Mewelde Moore, who will one again be the third down back and also return some punts.
August 27, 5:52 PMPittsburgh Sports ExaminerMatt Pawlikowski
http://www.examiner.com/x-2703-Pittsburgh-Sports-Examiner~y2009m8d27-Tomlin-says-Steelers-to-play-September-football-against-Bills
PITTSBURGH - When it comes to playing Buffalo on Saturday, look for September football from the Steelers.
The reason?
Not only does the team have a game plan set for Saturday,but they focused on situational football, much like a Friday practice during the season, and fine tuned it for Saturday's game during Thursday afternoon's practice.
"Just some of the minute details that ultimately comprise the highlight reels on Sunday night," Tomlin said. " Like I told the team, quite honestly, its the difference between being good and great or winning and losing."
As for how much action the starters will get, Saturday nights game against the Bills will be the most action they see until the opener in September.
"We are going to get a the very least a half of play,we'll analyze it at half and decide where we are going to go from there," Tomlin said. "But we are not worried about a snap count or anything More than anything we want to see 30 minutes of Steeler football and determine the rest at half."
A big question heading into game is who will be the return men. Stefan Logan, the former CFL standout lit up the field when he got his shot against the Redskins. No. 41, as Tomlin referred to him, averaged 39.3 yards on four kickoff returns and 12 yards on four punt returns.
Tomlin said he will get his shot again, but the opening kickoff honors belong to rookie Mike Wallace, who downed his only shot in the pre-season opener.
"Stefan has gotten our attention, and he deserves to be seen again, But also looking at this football game we the first half it will be Mike Wallace, this is a guy who has a resume from Old Miss, he returned three back, Mewelde Moore may return a punt or too, but other than that you'll see No. 41 Stefen Logan."
Willie Parker continues to have problems with his hamstring and Tomlin hasn't ruled him out of Saturday's game, but even if Parker were of full health, Rashard Mendenhall would get his fair share of reps with the starters.
"We'd like to get an extended look at Rashard whether Willie plays or not," Tomlin said. " We would like him to be a feature runner type of guy. We want him to run similarly to the way he ran in DC. He was decisive, he ran violently if you will. This guy has had a good camp and pre-season we just ask of him to do more of the same."
As for the injuries, Tomlin has ruled out just three players, Dennis Dixon, Sean McHugh and Darnell Stapelton.
"McHugh will be down for four weeks or so, and of course Dannell Stapelton is marching back but he's not ready to participate at this point," Tomlin said. "Some other guys who I would characterize as questionable, but we like to leave the door open with some of these men since it is the pre-season - Steve McClendnon he has a sore elbow, Jeff Reed, Santonio Holmes still has a sore back, Willie Parker's hamsting is still sore, and Frank Summers is probally most questionable of all."
According to Tomlin, Reed stepped in a hole there a couple of weeks ago, and the team is still looking at it. "We'll see what he looks like at game time, but in no way are we concerned about giving Piotr Czech to kick for us if need be."
Summers, who came into to camp with high hopes has played well but missed a lot of time with his injury. Tomlin said even if he were healthy, he would be hesitant to put him in the game.
"Frank being where he is in terms of his career, even if he got to the point where he is healthy enough, you'd be hesitant to send him out there for a limited number of snaps," Tomlin said. "You would be setting him up for failure."
Also look to see a lot of action rom Mewelde Moore, who will one again be the third down back and also return some punts.