Wednesday’s Super Bowl Notebook: Steelers became a close group in Tomlin’s 2nd season

Transition is not easy and that was clear when Mike Tomlin was named the Steelers new head coach in 2007. The Steelers got off to a 9-3 start in 07 but some of the team questioned Tomlin’s philosophy because of how attached a lot of the veteran players were to former head coach Bill Cowher. Established veterans like Alan Faneca and Hines Ward were pushing for Russ Grimm to become the Steelers head coach. In Tomin’s first season, he was very hard on his players. The team went through a tough camp and practices were much more intense than they were under Cowher. Mike Tomlin made it known that it was going to be his way and by the end of the 07 season, the

Mike Tomlin Press Conference

The Steelers will go about this week like they have a game on Sunday. They will practice on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning. The team will depart for Tampa Bay on Monday. Injury Front Questionable WR Hines Ward (Knee Sprain) – Tomlin said the team will do everything they can to get Ward ready for the Super Bowl. Tomlin is optimistic that Ward will play Probable RG Darnell Stapleton (ankle) – Stapleton will be limited throughout the week RB Mewelde Moore (ankle) – Moore was in the facility walking around. He should be able to practice by Thursday. Patrick Bailey (Hamstring) LT Max Starks (Knee Sprain) – May be limited early in the week. C Justin Hartwig (Knee) The

Super Bowl XLIII Matchup: Pittsburgh Steelers (14-4) vs Arizona Cardinals (12-7)

Steelers – Ravens Recap: As Expected it came down to Roethlisberger vs Flacco The first two games between the Baltimore Ravens came down to Ben Roethlisberger vs Joe Flacco and for a third time around it came down to Roethlisberger vs Flacco again. Joe Flacco went 13/30 – 141 yds – 3INT, while Ben Roethlisberger went 16/33 – 255 yds – 1TD. The statistics weren’t overwhelming for Roethlisberger but he carried the Steelers offensively who had no running game and if it wasn’t for a couple dropped balls, most notably from Limas Sweed, Nate Washington and Willie Parker, Roethlisberger would have easily had a 300 + yard game. No turnovers was the key and the Steelers came into the game

Steelers take over in second half, Advance to AFC Championship

Steelers 35 РChargers 24 Willie Parker rushed for 146 yards & 2TD’s and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 181 yards and 1 touchdown as the Steelers beat the San Diego Chargers 35-24 to advance to their third AFC Championship game in five years. The Steelers controlled the ball for 14:43 in the third quarter which set the tone for the second half as the Steelers led 21-10 at the end of the third quarter. With 12:56 remaining in the fourth quarter, Gary Russell’s one yard touchdown run capped off a 2 play – 49 yard drive to put the Steelers up 28-10. The Chargers got within 11 but the Steelers responded like good teams do and Willie Parker sealed the

Tomlin responds to Parker’s comments

Mike Tomlin held a 5 minute media session today which isn’t rare on Thursday’s but Tomlin did address Willie Parker’s controversial comments from Wednesday. Tomlin is clearly not happy about what Parker said. Tomlin responded to Parker’s comments by saying Parker didn’t care about running behind two tight end sets when he was leading the league in rushing last year. Tomlin also made a reference that he walks past 5 Vince Lombardi trophies when he goes to work, not 5 rushing titles. Tomlin also addressed the team as a whole about Parker’s comments, not Parker individually. Bruce Arians who usually talks to reporters for 25-30 minutes on Thursday’s told the media that he was told not to speak today.

NFL: Parker expresses displeasure with offense again

Since Willie Parker has returned from his injury, he has been calling for the Steelers to run the ball more. Today Parker complained that the Steelers are too predictable. Following practice Parker had this to say: “We bring in two tight ends now, without a fullback, and they know what’s coming. “I don’t know what it is but it’s not been effective.” Parker leads the Steelers in rushing with 597 yards but the offense has been more effective with Mewelde Moore. Insiders Take: Under Mike Tomlin the Steelers are no longer a power running team. Willie Parker needs to get with the picture that the Steelers are moving more towards a West Coast style of offense and they don‚Äôt have

Week 15 Mike Tomlin Press Conference

News and Notes Ravens average 34 minutes in time of possession. Le Ron McClain has become the Ravens go to guy and he’s a big bruising back. Tomlin believes McClain is going to cause the Steelers some problems and they will need to be ready for him. In the passing game the Ravens have been more explosive than the Steelers have been in the past 3-4 weeks. Wide Receiver Mark Clayton has become Joe Flacco’s deep threat. On defense Tomlin praised the play of Jarret Johnson. Injuries: Steelers are very healthy going into this game. Carey Davis has a calf strain. It is unlikely that he will practice tomorrow. DE Brett Keisel may practice later in the week. He is

Tomlin pushing for turf at Heinz Field?

Steelers defense could be even better on turf? I think the speed of the Pittsburgh defense is amazing, and playing on Field Turf only enhances it. Given how fast the Steelers played, Coach Mike Tomlin is probably telling Dan Rooney to consider putting it down in Heinz Field. — National Football Post Steelers 49-20-1 at home this decade The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the NFL’s best home teams this decade with a 49-20-1 record. That includes a 13-3-1 mark against NFC teams at Heinz Field. The Cowboys won in their last two visits to Pittsburgh, but those games were played in the 1990s at Three Rivers Stadium. — Dallas Morning News Photo courtesy of SteelCityHobbies

NFL: Steelers Injury Report

Few quick notes from Mike Tomlin’s press conference Injury Update: Brett Keisel is out, Marvel Smith is status quo. Tomlin said Bryant McFadden is close to coming back and Tomlin said Willie Parker continues to get better. Marvel Smith will not go on IR yet, as it seems Tomlin holds out hope that he will be able to contribute at sometime this season but it is very unlikely that Smith will play this season. Tomlin said the team needs to perform a bit better in red zone efficiency. Tomlin says the Steelers need touchdowns not field goals especially down the stretch. Penalties remain a problem according to Tomlin and that‚Äôs another area where the Steelers need to grow. Tomlin on

Mike Tomlin Post Game Press Conference

Injury Update Willie Parker tweaked his knee. Tomlin believes Parker tweaked his knee prior to the his breakout run where it was obvious he was injured. The status of Brett Keisel is also unclear. Keisel suffered a knee injury and Tomlin sounded a bit concerned Santonio Holmes did suffer a mild concussion Tomlin was very blunt and said the punting game was awful. Tomlin said the Steelers will address the situation and prior to the game it was already rumored that Ernster was done with the team following the game. The Steelers will be bringing in potential targets as they now have 10 days before they play New England Miller impressive in return: Heath Miller returned after only being out