Tomlin shifts lineup in wake of Steelers' 0-4 start

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By Ray Fittipaldo / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

After an 0-4 start to the season and an off week to contemplate why the team is off to its worst start in 45 years, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said today he is making two changes to his starting lineup for this week's game against the New York Jets.

Tomlin is replacing Ziggy Hood at defensive end with Cameron Heyward. He also will replace left tackle Mike Adams with either Kelvin Beachum or newcomer Levi Brown, who was acquired in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals last week.

Heyward, a former first-round draft pick in 2011, has been a reserve since his rookie season. Hood, another former first-round pick in 2009, had been a full-time starter the past two seasons. Hood is in the final year of his five-year rookie contract.

"[Heyward] will play more and deservedly so," Tomlin said this afternoon at his weekly news conference. "I think he's been really solid. Both guys will continue to play. We just want Cam to play more than he's been playing and to assure that we're going to put him in the starting lineup."

Tomlin was not as clear about who will replace Adams at left tackle. Beachum, the team's top reserve on the line, has not yet received an opportunity to start this season, but he acquitted himself well last year as a rookie when he started the final five games at right tackle.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/tomlin-shifts-lineup-in-wake-of-steelers-0-4-start-706717/#ixzz2h9WstR4T

I'm not surprised about Adams, but the Hood move does surprise me a little.

why not sit Clark and play Shamarko? I'd love to see Shark and Troy play together a little more and see if the kid will be able and capable to take over Clark's spot next year

fer69 wrote:

why not sit Clark and play Shamarko? I'd love to see Shark and Troy play together a little more and see if the kid will be able and capable to take over Clark's spot next year

If Clark doesn't step it up, I wouldn't be surprised if this happens. The one thing preventing it is that Clark and Troy have great chemistry. It takes more than just physical talent to step into that position. There's a mental aspect that can't be underestimated.