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PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Mike Tomlin on Steelers' secondary: 'We got some work to do
By Lauren Kirschman lkirschman@pennlive.com
PITTSBURGH -- Coach Mike Tomlin said it was irrelevant, whether the explosion plays the Steelers have allowed stem from poor individual play or miscommunication. What he meant is that both are the cause -- and there are more problems, too.
In a 31-28 victory over the Green Bay Packers, the Steelers allowed touchdown passes of 39, 54 and 55 yards. Those three plays not only made up 21 of Green Bay's 28 points, but 148 of its 227 passing yards.
After the game, Pittsburgh's secondary offered several explanations, stemming from lack of discipline to confusion to its aggression. Asked about it on Tuesday, Tomlin said it's not just physical errors causing the problem.
"It's above the neck ball because these plays are occurring in situations where we have clues: Game situations, down and distance, field position," Tomlin said. "Communication aids in that area as we all prepare and look at ways in which people can attack us."
Tomlin also said there's a collective responsibility for the mistakes. While one player might get beat on a play, that's not where the issue starts.
"If we're all doing a good job of communicating information that we know based on preparation and sharing that information within the group," Tomlin said, "we have the opportunity to help individuals that may lack information."
Over the past three games, the Steelers have allowed splash plays in the same situation. Their last three opponents have scored on their first drive of the second half on touchdown passes of 61, 75 and 55 yards, respectively.
"In game preparation, you look at how people produce explosion plays and usually there's a pattern," Tomlin said. "Sometimes, you get hit by the unforeseen and you adjust and you coach and you move forward. But when you get hit by known issues, it's troublesome. So, we got some work to do."
Tomlin also said the issues don't stem from the loss of Joe Haden, who is out with a broken fibula. He said he expects the same level of play from the players on the field.
That includes cornerback Artie Burns, who's been beat on several of the big yardage plays, including the Packers' 39-yard touchdown on Sunday. Burns being targeted isn't anything new, Tomlin said.
"Artie's a young corner," Tomlin said. "They've been throwing at him since he's been in the lineup, second half of last year, all of this year. That's what people do, they go after young corners."
Mike Tomlin on Steelers' secondary: 'We got some work to do
By Lauren Kirschman lkirschman@pennlive.com
PITTSBURGH -- Coach Mike Tomlin said it was irrelevant, whether the explosion plays the Steelers have allowed stem from poor individual play or miscommunication. What he meant is that both are the cause -- and there are more problems, too.
In a 31-28 victory over the Green Bay Packers, the Steelers allowed touchdown passes of 39, 54 and 55 yards. Those three plays not only made up 21 of Green Bay's 28 points, but 148 of its 227 passing yards.
After the game, Pittsburgh's secondary offered several explanations, stemming from lack of discipline to confusion to its aggression. Asked about it on Tuesday, Tomlin said it's not just physical errors causing the problem.
"It's above the neck ball because these plays are occurring in situations where we have clues: Game situations, down and distance, field position," Tomlin said. "Communication aids in that area as we all prepare and look at ways in which people can attack us."
Tomlin also said there's a collective responsibility for the mistakes. While one player might get beat on a play, that's not where the issue starts.
"If we're all doing a good job of communicating information that we know based on preparation and sharing that information within the group," Tomlin said, "we have the opportunity to help individuals that may lack information."
Over the past three games, the Steelers have allowed splash plays in the same situation. Their last three opponents have scored on their first drive of the second half on touchdown passes of 61, 75 and 55 yards, respectively.
"In game preparation, you look at how people produce explosion plays and usually there's a pattern," Tomlin said. "Sometimes, you get hit by the unforeseen and you adjust and you coach and you move forward. But when you get hit by known issues, it's troublesome. So, we got some work to do."
Tomlin also said the issues don't stem from the loss of Joe Haden, who is out with a broken fibula. He said he expects the same level of play from the players on the field.
That includes cornerback Artie Burns, who's been beat on several of the big yardage plays, including the Packers' 39-yard touchdown on Sunday. Burns being targeted isn't anything new, Tomlin said.
"Artie's a young corner," Tomlin said. "They've been throwing at him since he's been in the lineup, second half of last year, all of this year. That's what people do, they go after young corners."
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