Mike Tomlin says Steelers not juggling with trades but focused on winning
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin held a press conference Wednesday as the team prepares for a meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals at 8:15 p.m. Monday at Heinz Field.
Tomlin spoke about the trade to acquire tight end Nick Vannett from the Seattle Seahawks and shared an injury update.
But the coach seemed annoyed when was asked how the team is juggling the 2019 season with the future.
“I don’t know if there’s anything we’re juggling. We’re singularly focused on Monday night and winning this football game.”
Here is some more of what Tomlin had to say.
Tomlin said "I am optimistic about Vance being available to us in the game, but (it's good to have the flexibility of Vannett).
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin on new TE Nick Vannett, who he went to his Pro Day 3.5 years ago and also watched film on him 2 weeks ago: "I am very familiar with him." Says he can make plays on offense and is "a handy (special) teamer."
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin says that with Rosie Nix out, no one else on the roster can play fullback "on a varsity level."
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin said the Steelers are committed to using all 3 of their running backs.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin on his defense saying they need to be better against the run: "They should be angry because of the quality of their performance in that area."
Said "the pile fell forward too often."— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin seemed annoyed he was asked how the team is juggling 2019 season with the future (in reference to trading draft picks to improve 0-3 team):
.
"I don't know if there's anything we're juggling. We're singularly focused on Monday night and winning this football game."— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin: "The important thing for us this week is less about the people we are playing" (and instead on what they are doing and assimilating the new faces to the team and lineup.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin likewise mentions that Vontaze Burfict and Pacman Jones are no longer with the Bengals; again, for the first time in many years
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin notes that this is a unique Bengals game week because for the 1st time, they have a different coaching staff to scout.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin:
Rosie Nix (knee) still OUT this week
But these guys are questionable:
Anthony Chickillo
Vance McDonald
Xavier Grimble
Vince Williams
.
Haden will be limited in practice but probable for Sunday— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin is complimentary about Mason Rudulph after his 1st NFL start. Seems to love hat intangibles Rudolph showed.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Mike Tomlin on the Steelers: "The competitor in all of us is pissed off. And appropriately so."
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin said he liked some things about Sunday's game. "We are not looking for positive things to glean from (losses); we are not being weak-minded in that way."
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin is NOT ruling out Vance McDonald (shoulder) this week. But he did reveal that Xavier Grimble was injured during the 2nd half Sunday. Apparently, the only reason we saw Zach Gentry at all.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin said that the Steelers did a good job on Sunday in getting 3rd-and-manageable distances. But the execution thereafter has been poor.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin: "Obviously the penalty number of plays has been significant." Not the number, the timing of them for the Steelers, he said.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin said "I am optimistic about Vance being available to us in the game, but (it's good to have the flexibility of Vannett).
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin on new TE Nick Vannett, who he went to his Pro Day 3.5 years ago and also watched film on him 2 weeks ago: "I am very familiar with him." Says he can make plays on offense and is "a handy (special) teamer."
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin on his defense saying they need to be better against the run: "They should be angry because of the quality of their performance in that area."
Said "the pile fell forward too often."— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin on his defense saying they need to be better against the run: "They should be angry because of the quality of their performance in that area."
Said "the pile fell forward too often."— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin on his defense saying they need to be better against the run: "They should be angry because of the quality of their performance in that area."
Said "the pile fell forward too often."— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin seemed annoyed he was asked how the team is juggling 2019 season with the future (in reference to trading draft picks to improve 0-3 team):
.
"I don't know if there's anything we're juggling. We're singularly focused on Monday night and winning this football game."— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin: "The important thing for us this week is less about the people we are playing" (and instead on what they are doing and assimilating the new faces to the team and lineup.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin likewise mentions that Vontaze Burfict and Pacman Jones are no longer with the Bengals; again, for the first time in many years
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Tomlin notes that this is a unique Bengals game week because for the 1st time, they have a different coaching staff to scout.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Mike Tomlin's opening statement: "We recognize that football is our game; our business is winning. And we haven't been good at business."
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
“Good afternoon.” pic.twitter.com/JqBsRftBK4
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
Steelers 2020 draft by round:
.
1st: None (traded to Miami, Minkah)
2nd: Still have
3rd: None (traded to Denver, D.Bush)
4th: Their own pick, plus Miami’s pick (Minkah deal)
5th: None (traded 2 separate picks)
6th-7th: Still have both
**Likely gets compensatory pick after 3rd rd— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
This would be Jacksonville's 5th-round pick.
Normally that would suggest it's a "good" 5th-rounder -- but the Jaguars currently have a better record than the Steelers, so... https://t.co/yuD2FX90ba— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 25, 2019
The Steelers have a traded a 5th-round draft pick for Seahawks' TE Nick Vannett. pic.twitter.com/EANAvDlmkT
— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) September 25, 2019
Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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