Tomlin Has Steelers Attention
October 10, 2007
Mike Tomlin came to the Pittsburgh Steelers unproven as a head coach, untested as a leader and, at 34, younger than some players in the NFL.
After five weeks, the only thing that remains the same is that he’s younger than a handful of players. On the field, he has guided the Steelers to a 4-1 start and has made it obvious that he has what it takes to coach at the highest level.
Tomlin, now 35, second only to Lane Kiffin of the Oakland Raiders on the list of the NFL’s youngest head coaches, had perhaps the finest moment in his brief tenure Sunday when he coaxed a 21-0 victory over the Seattle Seahawks out of his injury-depleted team.
Safety Troy Polamalu and nose tackle Casey Hampton, the Steelers’ only Pro Bowl selections last season, were out with injuries, yet Pittsburgh still managed a shutout against a good offense.
Steelers wide receivers Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward were also out, but Pittsburgh still managed to control the game with its offense and had possession for 40 minutes 45 seconds.
“They showed their character today,” Tomlin said of the Steelers. “It is something that I knew we had. It was a total team effort. They remained unwavered in the face of adversity. They stuck together. They delivered. The things that we talked about since Day 1, they displayed today. As a coach, you feel good when you see that.”
Full Story: At 35, Tomlin has the Steelers’ attention - [LA Times]
Holliday out with small break in ankle
October 2, 2007
A Miami Dolphins defense already struggling to stop the run will play at least one game without starting tackle Vonnie Holliday, who suffered a broken ankle during Sunday’s loss to the Oakland Raiders.
The second-quarter injury to Holliday was originally diagnosed as a sprain. But a follow-up examination on Monday revealed a small break in Holliday’s right ankle, and the 10-year veteran will not be available for next week’s road game against the Houston Texans.
Holliday, 31, will be evaluated on a weekly basis, and the Miami staff seems confident that he will not be sidelined for long. The versatile Holliday, who has started at both tackle and end during a solid career, suffered a similar ankle injury in the past, coach Cam Cameron said on Monday, and was able to return relatively quickly from it.
Full Story: Holliday out with small break in ankle - [ESPN]
Steelers’ Tomlin earns unexpected respect
October 1, 2007
What is it about Steelers coach Mike Tomlin? Even some of the players he fires have good things to say about him.
Tomlin didn’t release center Chukky Okobi on Sept. 1. “Release” and “cut” are words popularized by sports writers and fans.
Tomlin fired Okobi, plain and simple. Took money out of his pocket, food off his table.
Here’s what Okobi had to say last week about Tomlin, the man who delivered his pink slip:
Full Story: Steelers’ Tomlin earns unexpected respect - [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]
Related: Tomlin named Coach of the Week for 2nd time - [NFL.com]
