Steelers/NFL
Injuries
Ben Roethlisberger – will be limited tomorrow(expected to play)
Marvel Smith – Groin Strain – Will also be limited early in the week(expected to play)
Deshea Townsend – Heel contusion (Expected to play)
Tight End Sean McHugh will practice on Wednesday.
Tomlin’s opening remarks: Reviewed the Steelers performance and liked what he saw. Tomlin indicated Cleveland has made improvements on the defensive side of the ball. Tomlin names Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers as two players capable of dominating a game. Tomlin said we will know a lot about Justin Hartwig Sunday night.
Special teams game starts with Josh Cribbs. Tomlin stressed the Steelers will have to neutralize him. Believes Cleveland is a big test for the Steelers
How to neutralize Josh Cribbs – Tomlin indicates the Steelers need to be at their best on kick coverage and Jeff Reed needs to be at his best on kickoffs. Tomlin pleased with special teams on Sunday.
Tomlin praised William Gay and Anthony Madison for their special team’s coverage. Tomlin also signaled out Keyaron Fox, Donovan Woods Andre Frazier and Carey Davis for their special team’s coverage. Like’s what he has seen from them but cautiously said it was only one game. Sunday will be a big test for the Steelers kick coverage.
Tomlin was asked about Limas Sweed and said right now the best players play and Dallas Baker is better right now.
Return game – Tomlin felt Rashard Mendenhall did a solid job. Ran hard, a few blocks away from doing something significant.
Tomlin on Nick Eason – valued member on this team, believes he reported to camp in much better shape, has some comfort now and is a much better player then he was last year.
Tomlin on Anthony Smith not dressing. It was a numbers game, the Steelers dressed 8 offensive lineman and it wasn’t about Anthony Smith. William Gay gives the Steelers the option of playing him at safety and cornerback.
Tomlin believes the team has to get better in the Four Minute drill. Doesn’t feel the team did very well in the fourth quarter trying to grind out the clock. Tomlin feels the Steelers are a team on the rise and looking to get better.
Updated 3:10 p.m. The Tribune-Review is reporting the Pittsburgh Steelers have released wide receiver Micah Rucker from the practice squad and have signed wide receiver Martin Nance to the practice squad. Nance, 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, was a college teammate of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at Miami, Ohio.
