Tomlin talks training camp

Bob Labriola
Steelers Digest

Q. Whenever a team goes to a training camp, there are certain guys who go there designated as starters. In your mind, what are Cortez Allen and Jason Worilds going into this camp?
A. Starters.

Q. Why do you look at them that way?
A. They were solid contributors a year ago to our efforts defensively. They’ve been around this program and understand the level of expectation and what’s expected. It’s their time. They’re continually ascending, or they need to be, and we’ll give them that benefit of the doubt as we go into training camp. Obviously, things are subject to change, but what they’ve done here in Pittsburgh to this point in their careers I think merits that.

Q. Ben Roethlisberger is your franchise quarterback. What do you need from him in this camp to put this team on the right path?
A. He needs to be what his teammates need him to be, formally and informally, on the field and off. Not only is he a capable player, but he’s a veteran one. He understands the drill, what we’re doing here and what we aspire to do. He needs to be a shining example of all of those things for our young players.

Q. When you say “he needs to be what his teammates need him to be,” is that one thing or is it something different for each of his teammates?
A. It’s a multitude of things. It’s a very complex answer, probably, to a simple question. That’s what comes with leadership, and that’s what comes with being where he is in his career and the position that he plays.

Different people need different things from him. He’s got to provide them what it is they need. Maybe it’s a pat on the back, maybe it’s a kick in the butt, maybe it’s individually, maybe it’s collectively. He and I spent a lot of time talking about those things, and he understands it. It’s a very complex balancing act, but one that I think is done naturally for those that play that position. The men who play that position, particularly as long as he has, understand what comes with it.

Q. When you talked to the media after minicamp, you said that you learned where the buttons on the young guys are. What are you going to do with those buttons at training camp?
A. We’ll push them. (Laughs)

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