This is Mike Tomlin’s training camp. The Pittsburgh Steelers change head coaches so infrequently that no other storyline will carry as much weight as Tomlin following Bill Cowher.
Most Steelers believe change is good. Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca is an exception, unhappy that former assistants Ken Whisenhunt or Russ Grimm didn’t get the job and dissatisfied with his contract. But Tomlin already has made a good impression on the majority of Steelers, starting with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
New offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, last year’s receivers coach, is streamlining the playbook. Old defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is creatively working with Tomlin as the two mesh their different 3-4 and 4-3 philosophies.
Hotseat
Roethlisberger won a Super Bowl in his second season, but the Steelers won that game more in spite of him than because of him, so he has some work ahead. Tomlin has been impressed by Roethlisberger’s work so far and Roethlisberger appears prepared to re-dedicate himself after the death of his college coach, Terry Hoeppner, from brain cancer. “He’s kind of a ball junkie. I didn’t know that about him, but he is talking about football on a day-to-day basis. He is really into it and I was very pleased with him,” Tomlin said after spring practices. Arians will allow Roethlisberger to use more no-huddle formations, which should keep his attention.
Overheard
LeBeau always has been an innovator, so anything he and Tomlin cook up together on defense is likely to turn heads. Both want to become more unpredictable, so look for more players than just safety Troy Polamalu to be jumping around pre-snap to confuse offenses. Tomlin likes versatility as well as unpredictability, so cornerback Deshea Townsend has worked at safety and others have switched positions. Second-round draft pick LaMarr Woodley is a linebacker/pass rusher “tweener” who will help replace Porter. Cornerback Ike Taylor appears to have won his job back after losing it under Cowher. The free safety job should be decided in camp between Anthony Smith and Ryan Clark. Smith replaced Clark for the last four games after Clark got hurt.
Outlook
With games against Cleveland, Buffalo, San Francisco and Arizona in September, Tomlin has a chance for a fast start to what promises to be a long career. The Rooney family is patient anyway, but their decision to pick Tomlin over in-house candidates Whisenhunt and Grimm provides Tomlin with extra security. Players who don’t buy into his program will be replaced.
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