Coach Mike Tomlin talks about tonight’s preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles:
Q. Do you see this first preseason game as a different kind of a test for your rookies?
A. We’ve been hypothesizing about what some of these guys are capable of, speculating. Tonight against the Eagles, those speculations end, and we get tangible evidence of what they’re about, particularly from a special teams standpoint. Special teams will include a lot of the young guys, who are somewhat of a mystery to us. What level of intensity will they bring to the game? Can they play in space? Can they do things outside the normal division of labor from their position standpoint? Can running backs cover kicks? Can linebackers protect in the punt game? Those are always things that really are unanswered until you step into a stadium.
Q. With Jeremy Kapinos still out, are you excited to see how rookie Drew Butler can handle the punting chores?
A. He’s a fine young man who has worked extremely hard, and we’re interested to give him an opportunity. Like we always say, one man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity. Unfortunately for Jeremy, he’s going to be out for a period of time, but it does provide an awesome opportunity for Drew.
Q. What about the return game?
A. We’re excited about looking at some unproven talent, some guys who have distinguished themselves in college football. Chris Rainey, Marquis Maze, and even David Gilreath who had an outstanding career as a returner at Wisconsin. Those are three young guys who come in with very nice resumes and pedigrees in that area, and we’re interested in seeing if they’re capable of doing it on NFL fields.
Q. Can the preseason opener tell you something about the 2012 Pittsburgh Steelers, or do you need to wait a little longer into the process?
A. No question that this is going to reveal some things to us, particularly from a football conditioning standpoint. That’s something that always jumps out in the first preseason game. It’s really a litmus test in terms of where you are from a conditioning standpoint. How they battle the anxiety of playing in stadiums, and how that affects them from a fuel standpoint. You always come out of the first preseason game with a better understanding of that.
Q. For the first time in years, there will be no Hines Ward or James Farrior in uniform. What do you see developing in terms of offensive and defensive leadership?
A. It’s really nothing new to me in that regard. Sometimes guys like Hines Ward and James Farrior get the microphone after big games and big moments, and they have done an awesome job of representing us and leading us in that way. But behind closed doors, within the team concept, we have guys here who have been quality leaders for some time. Guys like Ben and Heath and Ryan Clark and Brett Keisel and others have been leading for us for some time.
http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Tomlin-on-the-preseason-opener/dc23b596-1b78-42f7-8c31-500b1c54b60b
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