Tomlin confident about attendance at TC

[83-Steelers-43]

Tomlin expects all rookies at start of Steelers camp
Thursday, July 19, 2007
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

(Published 1:25 p.m., updated 1:44 p.m.)

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin talks about the team at a press conference today.

Coach Mike Tomlin said today he believes every Steelers rookie will be signed and ready to go when he opens training camp at St. Vincent College Monday at 4 p.m.

"It is important, because the train starts moving at 4 o'clock on Monday. It's tough to get on a moving train if you haven't tried before. You like to have everybody on board before we take off.''

Five of the team's eight draft choices have come to terms and Tomlin indicated the remaining three will join them over the next few days. They include first-round pick Lawrence Timmons, third-rounder Matt Spaeth and fifth-rounder William Gay.

Tomlin said his goal over a training camp that lasts through Aug. 17 is a simple one.

"I want to come out of training camp a unified, hardened group that's ready to do battle.''

Toward that end, he has planned a heavy dose of twice-daily practices, the dreaded two-a-days many NFL head coaches have virtually eliminated in training camp. Tomlin has 15 scheduled, about twice what former Steelers coach Bill Cowher put his teams through. But seven of those practices are one-hour morning sessions that will deal mostly with special teams issues, although the entire roster will attend.

"I like the schedule, I put a great deal of time into developing it,'' Tomlin said. "I'm comfortable with it.

"We have some special teams work we'd like to focus on; they're shortened practices but at the same time you have to go through the mental process of getting yourself up and ready to take the field twice a day, even if there's not two full practices."

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07200/802879-66.stm

[83-Steelers-43]

"We have some special teams work we'd like to focus on"

Does this involve releasing Colclough? Please?

[Jman]

Originally Posted by 83-Steelers-43

Does this involve releasing Colclough? Please?

Can someone say muffed punt?

[HometownGal]

"I want to come out of training camp a unified, hardened group that's ready to do battle.''

Wow! That is music to a Steelers' fan's ears!

Can't wait for camp to get here and I can't wait to be there!

[83-Steelers-43]

Originally Posted by Jman

Can someone say muffed punt?

Over the last three seasons, you might want to make punt plural.....

[Da Steeler Soprano]

Five free agents came to terms? Did I miss the signing of Woodley and Baker???

[83-Steelers-43]

Originally Posted by Da Steeler Soprano

Five free agents came to terms? Did I miss the signing of Woodley and Baker???

Woodley yesterday and Baker the day before.

Woodley Signing: http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=17979

Baker Signing: http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=17958

[tony hipchest]

http://news.steelers.com/article/78381/


heres the link for the whole press conference. some good stuff. this little exchange with ed bouchette was kinda funny:

Why 15 two-a-days?

This is the first time that I had the pen. I am comfortable with it and I am happy with the schedule. I put a great deal of time into developing it and we are very comfortable with that. It is similar with some things that I have done in the past, but it stands on its own.

When there are one-hour mornings, what will those be?

Those are special-teams emphasis practices. Ed (Bouchette) you really do your homework. Two-a-days are not truly two-a-days. There are some special-teams work we would like to focus on. They are shortened practices, but at the same time, you have to go through the mental process to get yourself up and ready to take the field twice a day, even if they aren't full practices.

Evaluate Ben Roethlisberger's offseason?

I think he has had a very good offseason and I have enjoyed getting to know him, as it has been with a lot of the guys. I know he is very motivated and very competitive. I know on a personal note, he feels like he has some critics to answer, which is great. Anything that motivates people to be their very best is good. I expect big things from him. I am very pleased with where he is and how he has taken to the changes around here. He has behaved like a franchise quarterback.

Does he have to prove anything to you?

Absolutely. I think he is more concerned about proving some things to himself, as we all should be, but that doesn't separate him from anybody. I think we all have something to prove. It is awesome. That is what is so great about doing what we do for a living. You can never breathe a sigh of relief in this business. Every day that we come here, whether it be today, tomorrow or ten years from now, we all have something to prove.

Do you have one emotion that you're feeling?

I feel alive. I love this feeling. I love football and I would coach it year-round if I could. I am ready to go.

What do you plan on doing on this final weekend?

I don't know, I better ask my wife. It gets to this point in the summer where I just try to stack up as many brownie points as I can. Wherever she wants to go eat or wants to do, because on Monday I will get a little scarce.

What makes you ready for the pressure?

Pressure is funny to me. The standards that I set for myself, in terms of what I want to do are higher than any that anyone else can impose upon me. I don't ride that emotional rollercoaster and I don't encourage our guys to ride that emotional rollercoaster. True battles should be man versus himself, if that man is right-minded and that is the type of football team we need to have. Pressure should be a sidebar.

Are you ready for the media blitz?

I am starting to figure that out. I wish you guys luck, because I know you guys have to pin your ears back and do what you have to do. I am not overly concerned about that.

Is movie day gone?

We'll see. You guys are on the players payroll sometimes I think. You guys are very nice people, but if it was soft, you would complain about that. It is unbelievable.

get em mike!

[83-Steelers-43]

Is movie day gone?

We'll see. You guys are on the players payroll sometimes I think. You guys are very nice people, but if it was soft, you would complain about that. It is unbelievable.

I've heard Steigerwald, Bouchette and Cook all comment on Tomlin's approach to TC this year and they are loving it. All three stated that this is what this team needs at this point in time (Cowher leaving, establishing yourself as a coach, etc. etc.).

It's not just the fans who are liking what Tomlin is bringing to this team.

[Black@Gold Forever32]

Thats why I'm so excited about the change and thought it was time for a change.....Cowher spent a long time in one city after awhile a teams needs a new perspective.....