Good Tuesday to you Steelers’ Fans!
Mike Tomlin has been under a lot of fire in recent weeks and deservedly so. The two losses to Denver and Oakland were inexcusable and an argument can be made that blowing that 16-point lead at home to a good Chargers’ team was equally as bad. But somehow, Tomlin has become like Rocky Balboa. Every time you think you have him down and out, he responds by getting up off of the canvas and throwing some haymakers of his own. Such was the case with his team’s crucial win over New England. The Patriots were averaging 28 points per game and Tomlin’s much-maligned defense held them to 10. One has to wonder why it often takes getting down like that for Tomlin and his team to get back up like this. It’s a fair thing to ask. I don’t think there was any way that Mike Tomlin was going to lose his job this offseason but the win Sunday probably put that to bed anyway. Criticism of him is more than allowed because the Steelers and fans demand Super Bowl runs and we haven’t seen them. As long as he keeps finding ways to get off the mat I think he survives but how long can that pattern exist?
Speaking of Mike Tomlin… He will hold his weekly pres conference today at Noon Eastern.
Just as importantly we will record the Steel City Blitz Steelers Podcast presented by 26shirts.com/Pittsburgh tonight. How did the Steelers finally get past the Patriots? We’ll tell you that and much more.
Tweet of the Day… Troy loves movies.
Enjoyed @bumblebeemovie with family friends yesterday
?? pic.twitter.com/emFeElGcuO— Troy Polamalu (@tpolamalu) December 17, 2018
Have to credit to Eli Rogers. He’s activated just 24 hours before the game and was key participant early on. That shows me he took his duties professionally and stayed as current with the offense as possible despite not being active. You may say, “Isn’t that what he’s supposed to do?” Yes, it is but often times guys will just go through the motions.
In order to activate Rogers, the Steelers placed Marcus Gilbert on Injured Reserve. I believe Gilbert has played his final game in Pittsburgh for a couple of reasons. First of all, he can’t stay healthy. He’s missed half of the team’s last 32 games. Secondly, he will enter the final year of his contract in 2019 and the team would save $4.9 million by cutting him. You can’t be on the club when you’re constantly in the tub.
Couple of takeaways from the Saints’ win in Carolina last night… Defense is very good. They tackle well and limit yards after the catch… Their OL is very banged up. Steelers’ DL needs to have a good game… Drew Brees can still move and throw on the run but he’s not nearly as comfortable when he has to move out of the pocket… Saints need a win in their last two games to clinch home-field advantage. They have us followed by the Panthers. They would love nothing more than to rest some guys in week 17 I’m sure so I expect a dogfight Sunday afternoon down on the bayou.
Have a great day Steeler Nation!
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