Tidbits from Mike Tomlin’s Week 1 Press Conference

Will Johnson (hamstring) – Dealing with hamstring injury. practiced partially on Monday. Status will be more clear later in the week.

Jarvis Jones (chest) – Participated in Monday’s practice. Expected to be good to go for Sunday.

Heath Miller (knee) – Did some individual work on Monday.

Isaac Redman – Has a Clean bill of health. Will start at running back

Le’Veon Bell – Out

Matt Spaeth – Out

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QB Jake Locker – “He’s a talented guy. Tremendous arm strength. Great mobility. He can create when the pocket deteriorates.”

RB Chris Johnson – “He’s one of the best in the business and has been for years. His lateral quickness and burst is what makes him extremely dangerous.”

Offensive Line – “O-line, veteran tackle group, they’re not new to us but the guard tandem is. {Rookie} Chance Warmack, All-American, highly regarded. Tight end position they have added {Delanie} Walker. A solid guy both in the run and the pass. Plays with good natural leverage. We better be prepared for him.”

Wide Receivers – “Kenny Britt, he’s a tough guy to get on the ground. He’s big, he’s strong, once he gets the ball has a big stiff arm.”

Defense – “Defensively, a four down group, play a lot of people, play with great motors. DT {Jurrell} Casey, he is disruptive……”Biggest acquisition is Bernard Pollard at the safety position. He plays with great demeanor, plays with great passion.

MORE BUZZ

*The Steelers strongly feel punter Zoltan Mesko is a significant upgrade over Drew Butler. “{Zolton} Mesko the punter, he’s a high pedigree guy, highly regarded out of Michigan,” Tomlin said.

*For weeks now there’s been lots of talk of the Steelers going with a three-man OLB rotation this season. It’s something we hear LaMarr Woodley won’t be happy with but Tomlin said there will be a three-man rotation with Woodley, Jason Worilds and Jarvis Jones. “Jones is going to play,” Tomlin said.

*Tomlin who seemed to give out more information today than he usually does, says Larod Stephens-Howling will be the primary kick returner, and Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton will return punts.

*One question mark for the Steelers is whether they will get anything from 2011 1st round pick Cam Heyward. Heyward did not standout in camp much but Tomlin went out of his way to talk Heyward up. “We feel very good about Cam Heyward,” Tomlin said. “Going to feature him in some sub packages.” Al Woods could also figure into a rotation.

*Tomlin on tight end group: “Committee oriented group based off their skill set.”

*Matt Spaeth is, as expected, a candidate to go on Injured Reserve (designated to return)

*While there will be a rotation at linebacker and defensive line, Tomlin said there won’t be a rotation at safety.

*Tomlin on cutting Jonathan Dwyer: “Really was about what we thought the other guys could give us,” Tomlin said. “Felix Jones a first round pedigree, quickly showed he can do some things.” Tomlin and the coaching staff have come off as being very high on Larod Stephens-Howling.